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Overdrive

Overdrive

David Brown 500 Episodes Sep 4, 2026

Overdrive is a weekly radio program covering cars, transport, and culture. It features motoring and transport news from Australia and around the world, road tests, interviews, and quirky stories. Hosted by David Brown, a respected motoring broadcaster heard across Australia on commercial, public, and community radio.

Episodes

Road pricing, EV charging, showroom robots, HiLux
Road pricing, EV charging, showroom robots, HiLux Sep 4, 2026 01:03:18 David Brown and Paul Murrell examine how road-user charging could reshape Australian transport, including congestion, fairness and where the revenue goes. They consider curbside EV charging as public infrastructure, AI-powered robots in car dealerships and Mahindra's aggressive SUV discounts. Listener feedback covers Tesla ownership, battery health, low maintenance costs and Full Self-Driving,
Road safety, smarter e-bikes, Genesis EV, New RAV4
Road safety, smarter e-bikes, Genesis EV, New RAV4 Aug 28, 2026 01:07:11 Overdrive: Road safety, smarter e-bikes, EV innovation and the new Toyota RAV4 David Brown and Paul Murrell explore workplace road safety, e-bike technology and changing approaches to vehicle design. They examine the Genesis GV90 luxury EV, Ferrari's extraordinary Luce charity auction, fashion-inspired cars and safety claims that don't always match delivered vehicles. They also question Tesla's fl
Bigger vehicles, smarter maps, and Mazda CX-5
Bigger vehicles, smarter maps, and Mazda CX-5 Aug 23, 2026 01:01:02 Bigger vehicles and pedestrian safety lead the discussion as David Brown and Paul Murrell examine visibility, weight and road design. They explore AI-powered mapping, the shrinking technology gap between prestige and mainstream cars, Ferrari’s bespoke engineering and image-driven design from Jaguar and Singer. The Mazda CX-5 road test considers whether its refined design and new technology improve
Toll reform, EV road wear, car-name chaos, MG's HS
Toll reform, EV road wear, car-name chaos, MG's HS Aug 16, 2026 00:57:30 David Brown and Paul Murrell examine Sydney toll reform which raises bigger questions about transport planning and contract design, and whether heavier EVs really damage roads. They consider Smart's street-art launch for its new electric two-seater, BMW turning connected dashboards into promotional space, and the growing complexity of in-car controls. The pair also tackle famously mispronounce
Porsche Pivots, Honda’s Tiny EV and Bentley Luxury
Porsche Pivots, Honda’s Tiny EV and Bentley Luxury Aug 12, 2026 01:04:38 Short description David Brown and Paul Murrell explore the forces reshaping the automotive world, from Porsche’s restructuring and Honda’s compact electric city car to Hyundai’s 40-year journey in Australia. They celebrate engineering heritage, review the Bentley Continental GTC plug-in hybrid and the Mazda MX-5 RF, and examine how open-source software is changing in-car technology. Along the way,
Victoria’s Transport Big Build, VW Edition, MG EV6
Victoria’s Transport Big Build, VW Edition, MG EV6 Jul 31, 2026 00:53:07 Short description Victoria’s transport infrastructure dominates this episode as David Brown and Brian Smith examine the politics, planning and economics behind major projects, including the Suburban Rail Loop and Infrastructure Australia. They also discuss Volkswagen’s evolving people mover lineup, XPeng’s new electric X9, Fiat’s uncertain Australian future, listener feedback and a road test of th
VW’s ups and downs; luxury EVs; Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
VW’s ups and downs; luxury EVs; Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Jul 31, 2026 01:07:41 Short description David Brown and Paul Murrell examine the pressures reshaping the automotive industry, from Volkswagen’s restructuring and the rise of Chinese manufacturers to BMW’s expanding EV line-up and Mercedes-Maybach’s new approach to luxury. The program also explores transport branding, public transport planning and the future of smaller car brands in Australia, mixing industry analysis w
BYD refunds, affordable EVs, future of mobility
BYD refunds, affordable EVs, future of mobility Jul 28, 2026 01:07:50 David Brown and Paul Murrell unpack BYD’s full refund offer after a model-year mix-up, assess new budget EVs from Geely, and examine why plug-in hybrid utes could be the practical choice for Australian buyers. They also explore Chinese brands’ sales performance, adaptive traffic signal technology, award-winning future vehicle concepts, and the evolution of automotive design before wrapping up with
EVs reshape market; Toyota pivots; a rally legend
EVs reshape market; Toyota pivots; a rally legend Jul 19, 2026 01:07:50 Australia’s new vehicle market is changing rapidly, with Chinese brands and electrified models reshaping the sales charts while Toyota expands its electrified range. David Brown and Paul Murrell examine the latest market data, discuss the future of hybrids and EVs, explore the world of exclusive hypercars, debate working from home and transport, review the Maserati Grecale Trofeo, preview the H
Brand identity, Route 66 at 100, are EVs too fast?
Brand identity, Route 66 at 100, are EVs too fast? Jul 4, 2026 00:59:10 Short description David Brown and Paul Murrell explore how carmakers balance shared engineering with distinctive brand identity, from Stellantis to Mercedes-Benz’s new retail approach. They discuss logistics, motoring journalism, iconic vehicle-inspired wine branding, the centenary of Route 66, and whether technology, design and culture still shape how we experience cars in an increasingly digital
Transport and schools, AI Traffic Data, Kia EV9
Transport and schools, AI Traffic Data, Kia EV9 Jun 20, 2026 00:57:33 Short Description David Brown and Brian Smith examine the growing number of automotive brands entering Australia and the challenges of building identity in a crowded market. They discuss how school planning can unintentionally create transport problems, reflect on Sydney’s transformation through projects such as Martin Place and George Street, explore how AI could reshape traffic management, and r
Ban Kerb Parking? EV Price Cuts, X-Trail, Triton
Ban Kerb Parking? EV Price Cuts, X-Trail, Triton Jun 12, 2026 01:04:15 David Brown and Brian Smith examine the future of Kerb-side parking, arguing for better management rather than simplistic anti-car policies. They discuss Hyundai’s EV price cuts, the growing pressure from Chinese brands, whether sedans can challenge SUVs again, and concerns about EV repair access. The episode also reviews the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Triton, explores changing buyer behaviour

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