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SAHARA: SHIFTING SANDS OF TECH AND SAFETY

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How time flies . . .not! It’s been a full four years since the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series had the rule run over it by the maker. The last upheaval to the LC 300, which first made landfall Down Under in the Snowy River Scheme more than half a century ago, was in 2021. Who’d have thought then that the premium Sahara would be knocked off its pedestal by, not only one but two claimants – the ZX and GR Sport – to the Cruiser crown? Slow forward to this… Read more

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AUDI Q4 SPORTBACK 45 e-tron

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I had zero expectations of the Audi Q4. I hadn’t driven one before, let alone an electric one. I later learned Q4 comes only as an EV and is available in compact SUV and Sportback coupe form. Launched in 2021, the five-seater shares a platform with sibling the Q5 e-tron along with cousins the Skoda Enyaq, Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.4. Interestingly, the Q4 e-tron is the first Audi to be built in the city of Zwickau since the pre-war era of the company. It is here that Audi and its… Read more

Nissan turns over a new LEAF

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Nissan has taken the wraps off an all-new, third generation electric LEAF. The new LEAF (leading, environmentally-friendly, affordable, family car) promises increased range and faster charging speeds, along with tech that Nissan says will make the daily drive easier. Now an SUV rather than hatchback, Nissan believes LEAF offers a “compelling” alternative to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles. No word on when or how much it will cost yet, but the car will begin to roll out in the United States from September, with other regions to follow… Read more

Polestar gets Abbey Road mode

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No one’s using the words The Beatles, but the Polestar 3’s audio system just got Abbey Road Studios Mode. Available exclusively for the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, the over-the-air update brings a listening experience inspired by the iconic London recording studio. The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system in Polestar 3 features 25 strategically placed speakers, including the proprietary Continuum cone and is complete with a 1610 watt power output, 3D surround sound, Dolby Atmos capability, and active road noise cancellation. Abbey Road mode adds four entirely new sound… Read more

Commuter special — Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid

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Chery has added a hybrid to its Tiggo 4 lineup. The new model will be priced from $29,990 driveaway for the Urban variant, and $34,990 driveaway for the top-spec Ultimate. The new series-parallel hybrid has a 1.5-litre petrol engine, that delivers 95kW of power, with drive to the front wheels. Fuel consumption is a claimed 5.4L/100km. Powered by Chery’s advanced hybrid technology, the Tiggo 4 Hybrid offers seamless performance ideal for both city commutes and weekend escapes. “Adding hybrid power to our most accessible SUV is a natural next step… Read more

IM AN MG (More or less)

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No, it’s not a Tesla, but you could be forgiven for thinking so. Although it looks very much like a Tesla, it is in fact MG’s new IM range of premium EVs, targeted at — you guessed it — Tesla. MG says the IM5 (sedan) and IM6 (SUV) represent a leap forward in premium electric motoring with elevated design, technology and more.  The vehicles have been developed jointly with the Chinese powerhouse the Alibaba Group. IM stands for Intelligence in Motion and in Australia, the brand will be known as… Read more

BYO Urus for Knight of knights

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TIRED of your $250,000 Lamborghini Urus?  That’s unlikely, but if that is indeed the case, and you have access to at least another $250,000, you can swap it for a Rezvani Knight. (Or spend a lot more for a Rezvani Dark Knight). The Californian maker of exotic vehicles has come up with a Urus-based machine that it says ‘combines supercar aesthetics with military inspiration.’ That translates to an eye-catching gunmetal grey supercar that’s equally at home on freeways and rough off-road terrain.  The Knight uses the Urus’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8,… Read more

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HYUNDAI KONA EV – ELITE PACKAGE BUT A LITTLE PRICEY

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Launched by Hyundai in 2017, the second-generation Kona was revealed in December, 2022. It is available with petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, while the earlier diesel engine option is no longer offered. Unlike the first version Hyundai claims second-generation Kona was designed first and foremost as a battery-electric vehicle before it was then adapted for use as other variants. Whichever way it swings, it has been designed to blend in with the current environment, with no discernible radiator grille regardless of what’s under the bonnet. Still, accommodations must… Read more

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AUDI PUTS IN AN A3-OF-A-KIND BID

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Audi has put the broom through its popular small fry, the A3 and S3, with a revamped exterior and boosted interior, as well as upgrades to performance and dynamics for the latter. Available in Sportback and Sedan guise, Audi Director, Jeff Mannering, says the advancements in design, performance and customer value showcase the company’s dedication to progress and reinforce the pair as leaders in the premium compact segment. Opening the A3 account is the Sportback 35 TFSI S line at $54,800, plus on-road costs. The Sedan variant (the test car)… Read more

Volvo reinvents the seatbelt

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Volvo has reinvented the humble seatbelt. The new multi-adaptive safety belt is world-first technology and designed to further enhance safety for everyone in real-world traffic situations. Set to make an entrance in the fully electric Volvo EX60 next year, the new safety belt is designed to better protect people by adapting to traffic variations and the person wearing it — thanks to real-time data from the car’s advanced sensors. The new multi-adaptive safety belt can use data input from interior and exterior sensors to customise protection, adapting the setting based… Read more