JEEP TRAILHAWK: THE TOUGHEST GRAND CHEROKEE

Jeep has given its Grand Cherokee model range a comprehensive upgrade, with a facelift and tail-tuck, revised interiors, and added safety features. There are also detail changes to the engines for power and performance improvements. But the biggest new is what Jeep calls ‘the adventure-ready’ Trailhawk. Which is designed to take an already competent off-road vehicle to bigger and better off-road running. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is powered exclusively by a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6 paired with Jeep’s proven eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. It uses Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system… Read more

FIRST DRIVE: MERCEDES E-CLASS COUPES

Last week we published technical and equipment details of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, but the importer asked us not to give driving impressions straight away. That was to allow others who drove the cars in the days that followed our launch the chance to all get into print on the same day. Mercedes chose a fascinating drive route to the Daylesford area of Victoria, using minor roads where possible. The idea was to display the new coupe on the sort of trip likely to be undertaken by couples on… Read more

RENAULT R8

The Renault R8 was introduced in 1962 and was based on the Renault Dauphine. This was the first ever mass-produced car to feature disc brakes on all four wheels. It replaced the Dauphine which was similarly equipped and was still in production. The 8 was powered by an all new 956cc engine developing 32kW. Its sister vehicle, the R10, a more upmarket version of the 8 was launched in 1965. By 1970 more than a million and a half of the two models had been made. Both cars ceased production… Read more

2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE LAUNCHED

Mercedes-Benz’s new E-Class coupe range is larger than before and is almost a full four-seater rather than a two-plus-two as in previous generations. This added usability hasn’t spoiled its style, though. The low, sleek proportions work well, it has a low grille, long bonnet with power domes, and the cabin sits further back. All four side windows are frameless and there is no B-pillar. New E-Class coupe is 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and sits on a 113 mm longer wheelbase. Rear legroom up by 74 mm and shoulder… Read more

ON THE FACE OF IT, NOT A CIVIC AS WE KNOW IT

Whoa! What’s this? Anybody could be forgiven for that reaction on first sighting the new Honda Civic hatch, for what was once a compact, economical city runabout has morphed into a savage looking coupe-like car keen to devour the kilometres and anything in its way. First seeing the light of day in Australia in 1973, with its challenging face, swept-back profile and equally bold rear styling, the tenth generation hatchback is like nothing that has come before, or is in the highly competitive small-car segment now. The hatch slots in… Read more

HUMBLE HYUNDAI ACTIVE HATCH SETS NEW ‘I-MARK’

Hyundai says it refuses to treat i30 owners as second-class automotive citizens and says it gives potential buyers of its third-generation goodies usually within the domain of more expensive models. The entry-level Active variant, starting at $20,950 plus on-road costs, is $500 less than the model it replaces, despite having $2000 of extra standard features. These include a fully integrated satellite navigation system with 8.0-inch touch screen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and DAB+ digital radio. It also has16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, hill-start… Read more

NEW KIA PICANTO FOR 2017

After a successful toe-in-the-water test on the last of the previous generation Picantos, Kia Australia has just launched the new third generation of its smallest model downunder. The biggest feature of new Picanto is its bold styling. There is nothing harder in the automotive business than making a boxy car with good interior space attractive. Kia’s designers in the company’s styling studios in South Korea and Europe, the two biggest markets for the model, have done an excellent job. Though it carries a family resemblance to the just superseded Picanto… Read more

INFINITI Q60 RED SPORT ARRIVES

The eagerly awaited Infiniti Q60 sports coupe in V6 format has finally arrived in Australia, making the model range now complete. The turbo-petrol four-cylinder units arrived here late in 2016, and while the fours are very good, performance buyers in this class tend to lean towards the most powerful powerplants on offer. Tagged as the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport it has an all-new design 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo-petrol engine that’s a member of the ‘VR’ powertrain family. It produces up to 298 kW of power, torque is 475 Nm. As it’s… Read more

2017 FORD MONDEO UPDATE

Ford Australia is selling more Mondeos than ever before. Buyers are often those who used to be in Falcons and want to stick with largish Ford passenger cars. Sadly there’s no sedan in the current Mondeo range in Australia, but the large wagon works nicely and the five-door hatchback has plenty of style. As well as ex-Falcon buyers the Mondeo also seems to be taking sales from others in the medium to large car class. To keep sales on that upwards track Ford Australia has taken the simple visual route… Read more

2017 MAZDA2 UPDATES

Like a featherweight fighter, the Mazda2 has just squared up to opponents in the light-car division with upgraded versions of its popular sub-compact passenger vehicle. Available in four hatchback versions – Neo, Maxx, Genki and GT – and three sedans – Neo, Maxx and GT- the new Mazda2 follows on from the Mazda3 and 6 with G-Vectoring Control producing even safer handling. In a first for the light-car segment, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert come to Mazda2, being fitted as standard on up-spec Genki and GT. This… Read more