Comments on: A Guide To Wearing Men’s Bracelets (Tastefully) & The Bes

Ford’s Plan To Make Australia’s Most Boring Cars Cool Again

We Australians worship utes. They might be commercial vehicles, but we celebrate these cars like no other vehicles on the road. They’re not just a tool, but a quintessential part of Australian culture… These days more than ever, utes and pickups are the ‘must have’ car; a status symbol nonpareil.

Vans don’t enjoy nearly as exalted a position, however. Far from it. While commonplace on Australian roads, a van is a purely functional, boring thing – there’s no glory to be had driving a HiAce compared to a HiLux, for example. But it didn’t always use to be this way. In the 70s, vans were some of the hottest cars you could hope to drive. Panel vans (or ‘panos’) like the Holden Sandman or Ford Sundowner were iconic… And what about the legendary Volkswagen ‘Kombi’?

Now, in 2021, Ford – once Australia’s top car brand – wants to make vans cool again, and they’re doing it in a rather unexpected fashion: with electrification. Yesterday, Ford Australia announced that the first all-electric vehicle they’re launching in the Australian market will be an electric version of their Transit van, one of their biggest-selling vehicles both locally but globally.

The Ford E-Transit, as it will be known, is a real game-changer. Not only will it be the most powerful Transit in Ford’s range (making 198kW and 430Nm of torque), but its ability to charge and run power tools on the go as well as its big, Tesla-style tablet centre console makes it extremely convenient. Also like a Tesla, it can also be set up to run the air conditioning whilst it’s on charge so that when you start your shift in the morning, you’ll have a perfectly cool or warm car ready to go – a big plus for fleet buyers.

Oh, and because it’s electric, it’ll be able to haul ass like nobody’s business. Imagine being able to chop a Golf GTI or Falcon Ute at lights in a bloody Transit van… Mad. But it’s not just the car itself that’s cool. Ford choosing a commercial vehicle to be the first EV they’ll launch Down Under – as well as their plans to support buyers transitioning to EV ownership – might help this notoriously electric-sceptic country to finally start taking EVs seriously, which is a seriously good thing.

As we’ve previously written here at DMARGE, if we really want to make an impact in regards to global emissions – as well as see EV technology become mainstream – we need commercial vehicles to go electric. Even if we all start driving EVs or ditching cars for public transport, we’ll still need trucks and vans.

The events of the last eighteen months have certainly hammered this point home. Lockdowns during COVID-19 might have seen fewer passenger cars take to the roads but the number of delivery vans driving around our cities has absolutely skyrocketed, as we’ve had everything from groceries to gowns home delivered.

We might not think of the Transit as being ‘iconic’ like, say, the Porsche 911, Fiat 500 or the Toyota Corolla, but the reality is that the Transit is one of Ford’s most successful and enduring nameplates. They’ve sold over eight million of the things since 1965, making it the second-best-selling van of all time, behind only the Volkswagen Transporter. The E-Transit might not be as glamorous as a Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan or even a Nissan Leaf, but for a marquee vehicle; a statement of intent, it makes a lot of sense for Ford.

Unlike some other brands, Ford hasn’t been afraid to take advantage of its best-known nameplates in the journey towards electrification. The E-Transit is evidence of this, as is the brand’s other two battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – the Mustang Mach-E sports SUV and the F-150 Lightning pickup.

Indeed, Darren Palmer, General Manager Battery Electric Vehicles for Ford globally, has told media that Ford wants to “hold the hand” of potential EV customers, leveraging their status as a familiar, heritage brand with well-established sales, servicing and distribution networks. They want to make it as easy as possible for drivers to warm up to the idea of EVs. Fleet buyers already love the Transit, so getting them into E-Transits should be a cinch. In that sense, picking the E-Transit as Ford Australia’s electric flagbearer is a masterstroke.

The Ford F-150 Lightning. The F-Series is Ford’s best-selling model of all time as well as the most popular car in America, so making an electric version of the hardy pickup must have been a no-brainer. Image: TechRadar

Because that’s what’s really cool about the E-Transit – if it can help normalise EVs on Australian roads, both in terms of sheer numbers and therefore presence but also in terms of dispelling the old myth about practicality – it will do wonders for the car market here.

The disappointing news that came alongside the E-Transit’s announcement was the news that Ford has no plans to bring the Mustang Mach-E sports SUV or F-150 Lightning Down Under. The F-Series isn’t made in right-hand drive, and while the Mach-E is, Ford Australia CEO Andrew Birkic was quick to point out that the global demand for the Mach-E means it’s “sold out” virtually everywhere.

The latter revelation is a bit of a disappointment. The E-Transit is one thing, but in ute-mad Australia, we can only imagine that an electric pickup with a similarly iconic nameplate would sell like hotcakes, both among commercial as well as private buyers.

That doesn’t mean electric utes aren’t on the horizon for Aussie drivers. Rivian (who Ford recently poured a US$500 million investment into, coincidentally) is planning to bring their all-electric R1T pickup Down Under. Tesla is also taking Australian orders/deposits on their futuristic Cybertruck, too.

WATCH the Rivian R1T’s unique ‘gear tunnel’ feature below.

Another brand with a plan to bring an electric van Down Under as its first vehicle is China’s BYD with their T3, a similar-sized vehicle to the E-Transit. As for other electric vans on the market, Renault currently offers an EV version of their Kangoo small van in Australia, although it hasn’t been a big seller (admittedly, Renault has a very small market share here).

It’s not just vans and utes joining the EV revolution, either. A local firm, SEA Electric, has started mass production of electric trucks from Hino semi-knock-down kits, The Driven reports (a return to local manufacturing – what a win!) Mitsubishi delivery trucks are now in service with Australia Post, and a firm called Janus Electric is planning to trial electric trucks with swappable batteries between Sydney and Brisbane, The Guardian reports.

All we can hope is that the E-Transit helps kick off an EV commercial vehicle craze that’ll bleed into passenger vehicles and make it easier for Aussies of all stripes to drive EVs. Until then, we’re just keen to see just how quick the E-Transit is, especially when hauling a bunch of tradies. It’ll make traffic stops more interesting, that’s for sure…

Delta One Suites

If you like flying Qatar Airways’ business class on flights to Europe, then you should consider the US rival to Qatar Airways’ Qsuite – Delta One Suites – for your next flight to the US. Especially if you live in Sydney.Delta One Suites are part of the suite-style of business class that made waves around the globe when it was popularised in 2017 (since then business class has started becoming less and less distinguishable from first).RELATED: Airlines Phase Out First Class As High Rollers Opt For More Luxurious Alternatives Despite Delta One Suites not being as famous as the Qsuite, Delta remains a frontrunner in the business class suite space, and despite some teething issues which have been pointed out by some business class travel bloggers, it’s still one of the most under-rated business class seats out there.Being a suite, you get to slide the door shut for privacy, lie-flat beds, bigger entertainment systems and signature Delta amenities like Westin Heavenly bedding and designer Alessi service-wear. The seats are also staggered so that when you look to your left or right you don’t see your neighbour.Speaking of this, the suites are set up in a 1-2-1 configuration. The suites are 21-24 inches wide and the fully flat bed is 79-81 inches long.Delta One Suites are available on Delta’s A330 Neos, A350s and select retrofitted 767’s.At the time of writing, return Delta One Suite fares from Sydney to LAX in February are going for $11,932 for a return flight (on Delta’s flagship A350).Flights to LAX with Delta One Suites are also available from Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane (though you’ll have to fly to Sydney first).

ANA ‘The Room’

ANA was the first Japanese airline to start offering the staggered seat arrangement business class travellers now expect from a premium product. This smart setup gives you direct aisle access no matter where you are seated, and the spacious room means you can sleep, eat, enjoy yourself, or work in supreme comfort. The seat in ANA’s ‘The Room’ has a sumptuous pitch and a footrest that can be adjusted to four different heights. Oh and instead of a seat you have more of a sofa/bench.The Room is also equipped with a large 12.1-inch touch-panel LCD monitor, a large table, a personal reading light, a universal power port, and USB port. Some travel bloggers call it the best business class seat in the world due to how spacious it is. Whether that’s an overblown claim or not, what’s not up for debate is that this is an excellent dark horse to try.Sydney to Tokyo, when travel gets back to normal, is a route with an abundance of direct ANA flights. To try The Room though you’ll need to continue your trip to London or New York (from Tokyo), as these are the routes which are flown by ANA’s upgraded Boeing 777-300ER flagship jets (which has The Room).

Qatar Airways Qsuite

With one of the best-known business class seats in the sky, you could be forgiven for worrying Qatar Airways’ Qsuite is all just hot air. But then you sit down, bottom cupped in ergonomic ecstasy and champagne fizzing on your tongue, and you realise they really can back up the claim.Qatar Airways offers both aft and forward-facing seats, as well as ‘quads’ – a private space perfectly adaptable for those travelling in groups. The airline has also partnered with two Italian luxury brands BRIC’s and Castello Monte Vibiano to design an amenity kit that is made to ensure that you arrive fresh faced at your destination, and single travellers will enjoy their private suites.In four words: the suite of suites.

Qantas A330 Business Class

Though there are many awesome business class offerings that will take you to Europe, you’ve probably heard of all of them before. We hardly need to extoll the virtues of Qatar Airways, Etihad or even Singapore Airlines’ business class products.Enter: the (relatively) recently refurbished Qantas A330, which we reviewed in 2019 (when it really was new) and which, despite being around for a few years now, hasn’t been experienced by as many Australian travellers as it could have, thanks to the pandemic.The old Boeing 737s that previously serviced the Sydney to Denpasar route were re-routed around 2019. From that moment (up until COVID throwing the whole industry a curve ball) if you were flying to Bali with Qantas from Sydney you would have had the chance to try a swanky new business class on one of Qantas’ A330s.Thanks to the A330’s 1-2-1 layout, every business class passenger on the A330 has direct aisle access – a feature the smaller 737’s lacked. Dubbed The Vantage XL, the seats on the Qantas A330 are made by the prestigious Thompson Aero Seating.The new configuration (and style of seat) also gives you more space to store your belongings, eat, work and watch movies (on a larger 16″ inflight entertainment screen) with oodles of comfort and privacy.This was a welcome development for customers travelling from Sydney to Bali of an evening (flights typically depart Sydney around 4:30pm and arrive in Bali at 9:30pm), giving them the opportunity to indulge in a pre-landing nap after their movie and dinner.It was an even more welcome development for passengers who wanted to get some sleep on the overnight return QF44 trip – a flight which typically leaves Bali around 10:30pm (local time) and arrives in Sydney at approximately 6:30am.Another bonus: the increase in the number of Business Class seats (the old 737’s had 12; the A330’s have 28) meant that there were more pointy end tickets available for travellers looking to use their Frequent Flyer points to get an upgrade on the A330 when travelling from Sydney to Denpasar.Unfortunately, looking at Qantas’ flight schedule for next year, it appears the 737s are back on the job for now (for flights to Bali). The A330, however, will still be found on other Qantas routes and so is worth keeping an eye out for.In a summary of its international restart plans Qantas has said: “From mid-December 2021, flights would start from Australia to COVID-safe destinations, which are likely to include Singapore, the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and Canada using Boeing 787s, Airbus A330s, and 737s and A320s for services to Fiji.”

“Qantas will extend the range of its A330-200 aircraft to operate some trans-Pacific routes such as Brisbane-Los Angeles and Brisbane-San Francisco. This involves some technical changes that are now being finalised with Airbus.”

Keep your eyes peeled.

Delta One Suites

If you like flying Qatar Airways’ business class on flights to Europe, then you should consider the US rival to Qatar Airways’ Qsuite – Delta One Suites – for your next flight to the US. Especially if you live in Sydney.

Delta One Suites are part of the suite-style of business class that made waves around the globe when it was popularised in 2017 (since then business class has started becoming less and less distinguishable from first).

Despite Delta One Suites not being as famous as the Qsuite, Delta remains a frontrunner in the business class suite space, and despite some teething issues which have been pointed out by some business class travel bloggers, it’s still one of the most under-rated business class seats out there.

Being a suite, you get to slide the door shut for privacy, lie-flat beds, bigger entertainment systems and signature Delta amenities like Westin Heavenly bedding and designer Alessi service-wear. The seats are also staggered so that when you look to your left or right you don’t see your neighbour.

Speaking of this, the suites are set up in a 1-2-1 configuration. The suites are 21-24 inches wide and the fully flat bed is 79-81 inches long.

Delta One Suites are available on Delta’s A330 Neos, A350s and select retrofitted 767’s.

At the time of writing, return Delta One Suite fares from Sydney to LAX in February are going for $11,932 for a return flight (on Delta’s flagship A350).

Flights to LAX with Delta One Suites are also available from Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane (though you’ll have to fly to Sydney first).

ANA ‘The Room’

ANA was the first Japanese airline to start offering the staggered seat arrangement business class travellers now expect from a premium product. This smart setup gives you direct aisle access no matter where you are seated, and the spacious room means you can sleep, eat, enjoy yourself, or work in supreme comfort. The seat in ANA’s ‘The Room’ has a sumptuous pitch and a footrest that can be adjusted to four different heights. Oh and instead of a seat you have more of a sofa/bench.

The Room is also equipped with a large 12.1-inch touch-panel LCD monitor, a large table, a personal reading light, a universal power port, and USB port. Some travel bloggers call it the best business class seat in the world due to how spacious it is. Whether that’s an overblown claim or not, what’s not up for debate is that this is an excellent dark horse to try.

Sydney to Tokyo, when travel gets back to normal, is a route with an abundance of direct ANA flights. To try The Room though you’ll need to continue your trip to London or New York (from Tokyo), as these are the routes which are flown by ANA’s upgraded Boeing 777-300ER flagship jets (which has The Room).

Qatar Airways Qsuite

With one of the best-known business class seats in the sky, you could be forgiven for worrying Qatar Airways’ Qsuite is all just hot air. But then you sit down, bottom cupped in ergonomic ecstasy and champagne fizzing on your tongue, and you realise they really can back up the claim.

Qatar Airways offers both aft and forward-facing seats, as well as ‘quads’ – a private space perfectly adaptable for those travelling in groups. The airline has also partnered with two Italian luxury brands BRIC’s and Castello Monte Vibiano to design an amenity kit that is made to ensure that you arrive fresh faced at your destination, and single travellers will enjoy their private suites.

In four words: the suite of suites.

Qantas A330 Business Class

Though there are many awesome business class offerings that will take you to Europe, you’ve probably heard of all of them before. We hardly need to extoll the virtues of Qatar Airways, Etihad or even Singapore Airlines’ business class products.

Enter: the (relatively) recently refurbished Qantas A330, which we reviewed in 2019 (when it really was new) and which, despite being around for a few years now, hasn’t been experienced by as many Australian travellers as it could have, thanks to the pandemic.

The old Boeing 737s that previously serviced the Sydney to Denpasar route were re-routed around 2019. From that moment (up until COVID throwing the whole industry a curve ball) if you were flying to Bali with Qantas from Sydney you would have had the chance to try a swanky new business class on one of Qantas’ A330s.

Thanks to the A330’s 1-2-1 layout, every business class passenger on the A330 has direct aisle access – a feature the smaller 737’s lacked. Dubbed The Vantage XL, the seats on the Qantas A330 are made by the prestigious Thompson Aero Seating.

The new configuration (and style of seat) also gives you more space to store your belongings, eat, work and watch movies (on a larger 16″ inflight entertainment screen) with oodles of comfort and privacy.

This was a welcome development for customers travelling from Sydney to Bali of an evening (flights typically depart Sydney around 4:30pm and arrive in Bali at 9:30pm), giving them the opportunity to indulge in a pre-landing nap after their movie and dinner.

It was an even more welcome development for passengers who wanted to get some sleep on the overnight return QF44 trip – a flight which typically leaves Bali around 10:30pm (local time) and arrives in Sydney at approximately 6:30am.

Another bonus: the increase in the number of Business Class seats (the old 737’s had 12; the A330’s have 28) meant that there were more pointy end tickets available for travellers looking to use their Frequent Flyer points to get an upgrade on the A330 when travelling from Sydney to Denpasar.

Unfortunately, looking at Qantas’ flight schedule for next year, it appears the 737s are back on the job for now (for flights to Bali). The A330, however, will still be found on other Qantas routes and so is worth keeping an eye out for.

In a summary of its international restart plans Qantas has said: “From mid-December 2021, flights would start from Australia to COVID-safe destinations, which are likely to include Singapore, the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and Canada using Boeing 787s, Airbus A330s, and 737s and A320s for services to Fiji.”

“Qantas will extend the range of its A330-200 aircraft to operate some trans-Pacific routes such as Brisbane-Los Angeles and Brisbane-San Francisco. This involves some technical changes that are now being finalised with Airbus.”

Keep your eyes peeled.

Read Next

Read Next

Delta One Suites

ANA ‘The Room’

Qatar Airways Qsuite

Qantas A330 Business Class

Read Next

Delta One Suites

ANA ‘The Room’

Qatar Airways Qsuite

Qantas A330 Business Class

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Influencer program

MEDIA CHANNELS

INFO

LEGAL

HELP

© 2018 Floureon Official Online. All rights reserved

Read Next

Read Next

Delta One Suites

ANA ‘The Room’

Qatar Airways Qsuite

Qantas A330 Business Class

Read Next

Delta One Suites

ANA ‘The Room’

Qatar Airways Qsuite

Qantas A330 Business Class

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Read Next

Influencer program

Email to a Friend