Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID

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Hyundai Ioniq is the South Korean marque’s indication of the immediate future in clean running cars. It comes in three stages of technology: The 2019 Ioniq Hybrid is powered primarily by a petrol engine, with a battery-powered electric motor providing assistance as required. Regenerative braking allows the hybrid system to recover much of the kinetic energy that is lost in conventional vehicles, using it to charge the high-voltage battery. In this mechanical layout the Hyundai is similar to the Toyota Prius models we have seen in Australia for many years… Read more

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MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS REVIEW

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The past 12 months have been very successful for Mitsubishi with the Japanese importer moving up to fourth place in overall Australian vehicle sales behind Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai. With sales of just over 7500 units during 2018 much of that success can be attributed to the most recent addition to the range, the Eclipse Cross which was launched at the end of 2017. Eclipse Cross is the fifth member of the Mitsubishi SUV family. It snuggles into the space between the compact ASX and the medium-large Outlander (all three… Read more

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2019 PORSCHE CAYENNE S

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Porsche Cayenne generation three was launched in Australia in 2017. Virtually an all-new design it offers increased performance not only due to improved engines, but also reduced weight. Following the latest versions of the legendary 911 and the Panamera sedan, the new Cayenne uses a combination of alloys, aluminium and steel to keep weight down at the same time as strength is further improved. Fascinatingly, a lithium-ion polymer starter battery accounts for a weight saving of 10 kg over the predecessor. We have just enjoyed an excellent week in the… Read more

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JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE

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The Jaguar F-Type, which reached us Downunder in 2013, has been argued by many as being the true replacement for the legendary E-Type Jag. Sure, the F- smaller than the E-Type but it doesn’t look that much down in size. Best of all it’s a genuine sports machine. While the XK Jaguar is similar in size to the gorgeous old E-Type both are more grand-touring high-speed cruisers than full-on sports machines. There’s no doubt the F-Type is a real sportscar. We have just spent a wonderful three weeks over the… Read more

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POPULAR SUV JOINS THE NISSAN SPECIAL SQUAD

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There is nothing unique about the Nissan X-Trail N-Sport. Egged on by the sales success of the N-Sport Navara limited edition, the Japanese automobile manufacturer has done likewise for three more models. The seven-seat Pathfinder SUV, sporty 370Z, plus the popular mid-size SUV X-Trail have come in for ‘special’ attention. Sitting well up the ladder in the highly competitive medium sports utility vehicle segment under $60,000, it was thought the X-Trail could handle a mid-cycle shove with 600 units of the N-Sport. Based on the Nissan X-Trail ST-L, the N-Sport… Read more

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2019 MERCEDES-BENZ A 200

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class has not only grown up, it has also become significantly more mature. In its earliest days it was a cute stubby car designed to fit the tightest of European city parking spaces. Now it has grown to be virtually a smaller version of the Mercedes C- and E-Class ranges. It is larger inside than the model it supersedes, with more shoulder space, elbow room and headroom in both the front and rear seats. At 370 litres the boot is 29 litres larger than before and more accessible due… Read more

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2019 KIA RIO GT-LINE

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Kia’s fourth-generation Rio first arrived here in January 2017 and received a major upgrade in November 2018. The subject of this week’s road test is the sporting Rio GT-Line. It sits in an interesting position in that it’s not a hot-hatch but rather provides added driving appeal and a bit more power than the standard models. It’s a warm-hatch rather than a hot-hatch, which leaves room for a hotter model at some time in the future. Kia Australia won’t comment on this, but stay tuned and we will bring you… Read more

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ISUZU SUV MAKES BIG IMPRESSION

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Dealing, these days, mainly with SUVs that would run a mile rather than tackle tough terrain, it was good to get behind the wheel of a genuine off-road wagon in the shape of the Isuzu MU-X. While celebrating a decade of business in Australia, as well as noting feedback from local customers, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has upgraded its D-Max utility and MU-X seven-seat sports utility vehicle to maintain growth in two of the most competitive market segments – one-tonne ute and large SUV. The D-Max ute has come in… Read more

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NISSAN JUKE STAYS TRUE TO BREEDING

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The Nissan Juke, with its jagged body lines, numerous cut-outs and contrasting highlights, presents the perfect example of what could be seen as automotive architectural anarchy. Even so, with the resulting sharp appearance, there’s no reason the compact sports utility vehicle should not join its more traditional rivals and enjoy a mid-cycle makeover. Already with an enthusiastic fan base, the Juke in ST and Ti-S six-speed manual and Ti-S CVT automatic variants, Nissan is aiming to grab a thicker slice of the market with modified exterior styling, plus three MyJuke… Read more

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MAGNIFICENT ‘SEVEN’ FROM MAZDA

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To most people ‘affordable luxury’ in a vehicle would seem as far out of reach as a winning lottery ticket. However, there are those who are fortunate enough to know the feeling of it. Enough, indeed, for Mazda to cater for these lucky folks with its luxury CX-9. Now, the importer has just landed a super-luxury version of the CX-9, the Azami LE, Down Under. What’s more, the new seven-seat ‘palace’ on wheels will set back its buyer a mere $1500 – petty cash – over the existing Azami range-topper…. Read more