Category: News

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BMW 620d GRAN TURISMO

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We’re not sure is low-cost is the correct term to use to describe this latest BMW, but you can now buy a 6 Series Gran Turismo for under $100,000. The local importer has added the 620d Gran Turismo, at $99,900 to its lineup. That’s significantly down on the $123,500 of the BMW 630i which is the current lowest cost model. BMW 620d Gran Turismo is powered by a turbo-diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that generates 140kW and 400Nm. New 620d Gran Turismo comes in BMW’s Elegant Luxury Line, which includes a… Read more

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STUNNING NEW AUDI A8

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The all-new fourth-generation of the Audi A8 flagship is now on sale in Australia. It’s a large sedan – or should that be saloon? The German machine has handsome lines that give it a real presence on the road as evidenced by the number of people who looked it over while we drove it out of Sydney on the launch program. We use the word handsome as it has relatively conservative lines – as is the norm in any of the topline German prestige machines. No flashy lines because these… Read more

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NEW MERCEDES A-CLASS: FIRST DETAILS

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A new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will be launched here in August and the importer has provided us initial details. INFOTAINMENT A major feature will be MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with intelligent voice control and natural language comprehension. This is activated by saying “Hey Mercedes” to give you access to infotainment functions, destination input, phone calls, music selection, as well as writing and hearing messages. MBUX can even anticipate what the user would like next. For instance, if you often telephones your mother on Tuesdays MBUX will give her telephone number as… Read more

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HIGH-POWER DIESEL FOR RANGE ROVER SPORT

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If you’re going to sell a vehicle with Sport in its title then customers will demand plenty of performance. So the Australian importer of the Range Rover Sport has announced that it will stop importing the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and replace it with a new design V6 3.0-litre twin-turbo unit. At the same time the Rangie Sport also sees the introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go function. This maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front and to follow it to a stop and pull… Read more

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NISSAN GT-R50 BY ITALDESIGN

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The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign has made its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The first-ever collaboration between Nissan and Italdesign, the GT-R50 prototype could become the blueprint for an extremely limited run of hand-built production vehicles. Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both the Nissan GT-R, in 2019, and Italdesign, in 2018. Based on Nissan’s latest GT-R NISMO it combines Japanese brute force with Italian craftsmanship. Key design features include a pronounced power bulge on the bonnet, stretched LED headlights, a lowered roofline, and… Read more

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KIA SPORTAGE MAKEOVER MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

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It is customary for car companies to give a model a midlife makeover, which can include anything from tinkering around the edges of design, adding specifications, to adjusting prices. Rarely does it include digging deep to improve performance parameters. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, one being among Kia’s latest upgrades to the fourth-generation Sportage released two years ago. The MY19 version of the compact sports utility vehicle has come under the ‘spell’ of the Wizards of Oz in ride and handling. Acknowledged world leaders in the field,… Read more

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MINI GETS MAJOR TECH UPGRADE

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MINI’s midlife makeover (or Life Cycle Impulse in BMW speak) has taken an interesting route in that styling changes are minimal, but technology and infotainment have received major upgrades. Following on from big-brother BMW models, the updated MINI Hatch and Convertible ranges see the introduction of MINI Connected. This is based on the 4G network and has a touchscreen interface. Included are Real-Time Traffic Information as well as Remote Services, Connected Services, Tele Services and even a Concierge function. The MINI Connected App provides send-to-car that lets you share your… Read more

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HONDA CR-V +SPORT LIMITED EDTION

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Honda Australia has introduced a limited edition CR-V +Sport to its SUV lineup. Based on the CR-V VTi two-wheel drive model the +Sport has $4100 worth of added features for a $1900 price premium VTi. The CR-V +Sport is priced at MLP $32,490, with a national driveaway price of $35,490. A total of 900 are being imported. Along with the standard VTi features of smart keyless entry, Android Auto/Apple Carplay connectivity and three-mode reversing camera, the CR-V +Sport has: rear privacy glass, a black sports grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, a… Read more

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HONDA JAZZ +SPORT LIMITED EDITION

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Honda Australia has introduced a limited edition Jazz +Sport to its lineup. Based on the Jazz VTi-S it adds $1600 worth of extra features for just $600 above the price of a VTi-S, giving it a MLP of $20,590. Only 240 are being imported. As well as the VTi-S standard features of built-in satellite navigation, remote keyless entry and LED projector headlights, the additional features for the Jazz +Sport are: 16-inch gloss black alloys, gloss black rear number plate garnish, +Sport badging, rear parking sensors to complement the reversing camera…. Read more

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NEW-GENERATION HYUNDAI SANTA FE

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Hyundai Santa Fe is now in its fourth generation, has a stylish look, extensive safety features and a strong emphasis on connectivity. Operating in the increasingly popular seven-seat SUV field Santa Fe is larger than its predecessor. It is 70mm longer, at 4770mm, rides on a 65mm greater wheelbase (2765mm). Front overhang is unchanged, but the rear overhang is greater by 5mm. Ground clearance of 185mm means it’s not quite a 4WD, but will be able to handle bush trails and the like. Santa Fe is available in the company’s… Read more