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NEW BMW 220i GRAN COUPE LAUNCHED

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BMW has added to its premium compact sedan segment with the introduction of a 220i Gran Coupé. It joins the 218i and M235i xDrive that arrived in Australia in February. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder BMW TwinPower turbo-petrol engine with 141kW and 280Nm powering through a seven-speed double-clutch Steptronic Sport transmission. Further control is offered by way of steering wheel mounted shift paddles. BMW’s M Sport Package is standard. BMW Oz feels many buyers will opt for the added driving dynamics Adaptive Suspension system. The BMW 220i Gran Coupé will… Read more

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HOLDEN HT MONARO ‘57D’ RACE CAR SELLS FOR $750,000

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Monaro ‘57D’ was raced by Kevin Bartlett and Spencer Martin

An Australian record was set when a 1969 HT Monaro 57D race car fetched three quarters of a million dollars at auction selling under the hammer to an Australian enthusiast. “There were seven bidders on the Holden Monaro which came down to two Australian enthusiasts who fought it out, both with the intention to keep the car within Australia,” commented Mr. Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions. The winning bidder of the famous Monaro wishes to remain anonymous. “The auction had a 95 per cent sell-through rate of cars… Read more

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LEXUS LS 500 HYBRID IS A SLEEK FOUR-DOOR SEDAN

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With buyers moving en masse away from conventional passenger cars into taller and boxier SUVs many designers of the sedans and wagons, keen to provide a point of difference, are moving to lower and sleeker lines. The latest (fifth generation) version of the Lexus flagship LS series is a perfect example of this. The LS 500 sedan was built on the same platform as the LC 500 coupe and mirrors that car’s sporty profile in a major change to its predecessor’s conservative limousine lines. For the first time since the… Read more

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HILUX IS UP TO TAKING ON TOUGH TIMES

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As COVID-19 continues to cast its ugly spell over hapless humankind, it seems we will not be rubbing shoulders with the new Toyota HiLux anytime soon, plant closures around the world disrupting manufacture. Toyota’s popular ute, or pick-up to be precise, is at the back end of its five-year cycle and badly needs to reinforce its spot at the top of the pile. In the meantime, the Japanese automotive giant is keen to keep potential buyers informed on what’s still on offer. Launched Down Under at the end of 2015,… Read more

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RENAULT KOLEOS BLACK EDITION

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Renault Australia has launched a Koleos Black Edition. It adds more than $3,000 in extra equipment, but is is priced at just $36,990 drive away. An increase of only $1,000 on the Koleos Zen on which it is based. Only 400 are being imported. Koleos Black Edition rides on19-inch dark-grey alloy wheels, has gloss black roof rails and door mirrors, side steps, and distinctive gloss black interior trim. It’s available in three exterior colours; Grey, Black, Universal White all are three metallic. The Black Edition has a definite French flair… Read more

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2020 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID PREMIUM

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Hyundai is very serious about the transition to electric vehicles and the Ioniq is the Korean marque’s first dedicated eco vehicle. There is no petrol-only variant – it’s sold with a choice of three electrified powertrains – Pure Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Though it was introduced less than a year ago the Ioniq recently received a major update. The most important change is that it benefits from a refreshed Australian chassis tune. More about this in the Driving section of this review. STYLING Thankfully the Koreans have chosen not… Read more

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BMW’s DIGITAL KEY

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BMW will become the first carmaker to enable owners to use their Apple iPhone as a fully digital car key. It will let them tap to unlock and then place the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button. Setup of the Digital Key can be done through the BMW Smartphone app. The car owner can share access with up to five friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, engine power, maximum radio volume and more. Management of access can be… Read more

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JAGUAR I-PACE: MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS

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The Jaguar I-PACE all-electric SUV now delivers even more technology. It is the first Jaguar to feature the new Pivi Pro infotainment system which is fast and responsive, with enhanced EV navigation that can show you if nearby charging stations are available. This navigation function will be available in Australia and, in some cases, it will also show whether it is available or not. However this is dependent on the charging station itself supporting sharing of such information. I-PACE now comes with an 11kW on-board charger as standard, enabling owners… Read more

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NEW GENERATION KIA CARNIVAL

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Kia Motors Corporation has released photographs of the company’s fourth-generation Carnival people mover. More than two million Carnivals have been sold worldwide since the first generation launched 21 years ago. And the Carnival completely dominates its market segment in Australia. Kia designers have dubbed their new model a ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’. It is almost an SUV in the shape rather than a ‘mere’ people mover. At the front, the Carnival’s integrates high-tech headlamps into a huge version of Kia’s iconic ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Carnival has an ‘island roof’ design, with blacked-out… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 2011 – 2016

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2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Mercedes-Benz SLK is a small to medium sized convertible sportscar that’s long been a big success on the Australian market since launched two decades back. It has prestige, style and is just lovely in open top driving. The gen-three SLK reached Australia in September 2011, only two months after its European launch. This time its shape made it look like a smaller version of the outrageous looking Mercedes-AMG SLS. While the SLK doesn’t have an huge bonnet like the SLS’s it still looks pretty good. Mercedes SLK was one of… Read more