NEW AND ENHANCED FORD RANGERS

Ford Australia has introduced new and enhanced Ranger models. Perhaps the most important are improved standard safety features. That’s the good news, the bad news is that they won’t all be in showrooms until late June or sometime in July. FORD RANGER 4X2 XL SPORT:Based on the Ranger 4×2 XL Double Cab, the 4×2 XL SPORT has styling cues from the XLS SPORT and more than $4,500 worth of extra features compared with standard XL. It features black accent styling, a new black rear bumper and ‘SPORT’ decal on the… Read more

2021 MINI UPDATES

MINI has announced pricing and specifications its 2021 Hatch and Convertible as well as the Electric Hatch. Three new colours are offered: Rooftop Grey metallic, Island Blue metallic and Zesty Yellow. The latter is only available in the Convertible. Piano Black Exterior touches, available on Cooper S and above, now extend to the door handles, side scuttles, fuel cap, MINI logos on the bonnet and luggage compartment lid, model lettering and tailpipes of the exhaust system. Continuing the black theme are the surrounds of the headlights, grille and rear lights… Read more

AUDI Q2 UPDATED

Audi’s Q2 SUV been heavily revised with biggest news being an advanced new 1.5-litre TFSI engine. It also has technical upgrades and a modified appearance. The headlights now have a more distinctive shape and the octagonal Singleframe grille is slightly lower than before to make the front appear wider. To further enhance the aesthetics of the Q2, dynamic 18-inch alloy wheels are now standard across the range. The Audi 35 TFSI has an all-new 1.5-litre TFSI turbo-petrol with outputs of 110kW, and 250Nm between 1500 and 3000rpm. Its Cylinder-on-Demand (CoD)… Read more

MASERATI GHIBLI HYBRID HAS ARRIVED IN AUSTRALIA

The all-new Maserati Ghibli Hybrid has arrived in Australia, marking the Trident brand’s first steps into the world of electrification. Maserati tells us it has chosen a hybrid solution focused primarily on improving performance, while also reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions. The powertrain uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a 48-volt alternator and an additional electric supercharger “e-Booster”, supported by a battery. The battery is mounted in the rear of the Ghibli, giving it the added benefit of improved weight distribution. Maximum power output of 330hp and torque… Read more

MERCEDES EQS: ALL-ELECTRIC LUXURY SALOON

The EQS is the first all-electric luxury saloon from Mercedes-EQ. It will be based on the new modular architecture for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. This is the electric equivalent of the Mercedes S-class but there appears to be little in common between the two. First to go on sale will be the EQS 450+ with 245 kW electrical consumption, and the EQS 580 4MATIC with 385 kW. As part of its Ambition 2039 initiative, Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years from now…. Read more

HYUNDAI STARIA: ADVANCE DETAILS

Hyundai has launched details of its upcoming Staria people-mover line-up that will go on sale in some markets starting from the second half of 2021. It will available in two variants, Staria and Staria Premium, the latter with exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel. Staria’s front has a wide radiator grille. There are horizontal daytime running lights and a positioning lamp, together running across the width of the vehicle. Staria Premium features a variant-exclusive tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front… Read more

SUBARU WRX STI EJ25 FINAL EDITION

Subaru has said farewell to current generation WRX STI, with a final special edition packed with considerable extra kit. Only 75 of the WRX STI EJ25 Final Edition models will be sold, each individually numbered; 30 will be available for sale online at www.subaru.com.au, with the balance through the 24-strong STI network nationally. EJ25 refers to the code of the current WRX STI 2.5-litre turbocharged engine – the last in line ahead of an all-new powerplant for the next generation. The EJ25 debuted in 2005, in the Model Year 2006… Read more

MASERATI LEVANTE HYBRID UNVEILED

The Maserati Levante Hybrid is the Italian marque’s first electrified SUV and is a major step forward in its strategy for electrification, which began last year with the Ghibli Hybrid. Levante Hybrid combines the four-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine with a 48-volt hybrid system to recover energy during deceleration and braking. Interestingly, the hybrid Levante weighs less than the six-cylinder engine equivalents, diesel and petrol. It has better weight distribution than these models since the battery is placed in the rear without compromising the load capacity and optimally balancing the masses of… Read more

LIMITED-RUN FORD FOCUS ST-3

Ford Australia has added a premium flagship to the Focus ST range, the limited-run Focus ST-3. It’s available as a single, range-topping model limited to 200 units. The Focus ST-3 has a panoramic sunroof, heated and electrically adjustable front Recaro sports seats with lumbar support, B&O Play 10-speaker sound system with sub-woofer, and head-up display. It has a high-performance, all-alloy 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 206kW at 5,500 rpm and 420Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm. It sits on 19-inch machined alloy wheels fitted with 235/35 Pirelli… Read more

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY FIFTH GENERATION

The fifth generation of the Volkswagen Caddy will arrive in Australia in July. It’s coming in a variety of models ranging from commercial vans to people movers. Five variants will initially be offered across the range with more likely to follow later. Gen 5 Volkswagen Caddy is available in two wheelbases; SWB and Maxi. The SWB variants have an overall length of 4500mm, an increase of 92mm over the previous model. The wheelbase has is now 2,755mm and the cargo space length to 1,797mm. The Caddy Maxi variants measure a… Read more