No comments

2020 FORD TRANSIT: MAJOR UPGRADES

  By ,

Ford Transit has been extensively upgraded for 2020, with refreshed styling, infotainment and advanced driver assist technology. The exterior has been given a surprisingly stylish upgrade, with a more prominent three-bar grille, new headlamps and front bumper. Inside, Transit has a new dash that includes updated instruments and new control panels as well as a full-colour SYNC 3 touchscreen. Replacing the previous 6.5-inch display, the new screen is a prominent, easy to read 8.0-inch colour unit. The Transit vans feature a standard full-colour reversing camera as well as front and… Read more

No comments

DON’T DIE WONDERING

  By

Australians have now made more than nine million vehicle checks on the automotive industry’s Takata Airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au. Of these almost 1.5 million have been identified with airbag inflators affected by the national safety recall. A faulty Takata airbag has the potential to seriously injure, or even kill, vehicle drivers and passengers. “We are really pleased that vehicle owners have reached out in such strong numbers to check the status of their vehicles,” Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive, Mr Tony Weber, said. “The nine million vehicle… Read more

No comments

LDV T60 LUX MEGA TUB CATERS FOR BOTH TRADIES AND FAMILIES

  By ,

LDV Automotive has launched its T60 Luxe Mega Tub in Australia. it has the second longest wheelbase and longest OEM tub in its class – only the RAM 1500 is bigger, and it’s sort-of in a different (larger) class. The company’s biggest seller is the T60 ute a double-cab with dual-range 4WD that’s powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel. One problem with dual-cab ute is that the trade-off between rear seat space and tray capacity generally leaves the latter short especially for tradies. LDV has taken up the challenge with the… Read more

No comments

HYUNDAI SANTA FE GETS SIX-CYLINDER POWER

  By ,

Hyundai Santa Fe now has V6 power available across the Santa Fe line up. The 206kW / 336Nm 3.5-litre unit supersedes the 2.4 GDi petrol four-cylinder. The V6 engine is available in 2020 Santa Fe Active, Elite and Highlander in the continuing three-grade range, and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and drives through the front wheel. “The addition of a powerful V6 engine across the award-winning Santa Fe range builds strongly on the appeal of our long-time family-favourite SUV,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia COO, John Kett. Additionally,… Read more

No comments

CHRYSLER 300 SRT PACER

  By ,

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of an Australian motoring icon, the 1969 Valiant Pacer, Chrysler Australia has announced details of the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer. Paying homage to the original Valiant Pacer, the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer will be available in an exclusive run of just 50 units across three colours, Bright White, Gloss Black and Ceramic Grey. The Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer is based on the Chrysler 300 SRT Core. Inspired by the Valiant’s black and red horizontal front grille, the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer features a black and red… Read more

No comments

MAZDA2 GETS NEW LOOK, ADDED SAFETY

  By ,

Mazda Australia has announced updates for Mazda2 which are based on feedback from owners and potential buyers and comes with grown-up styling enhancements and high-tech features never before available in the compact car segment. The smallest Mazda sold here has received a facelift that brings it into line with big brothers Mazda3 and Mazda6. The signature wing badge has been extended to the base of the headlamps and is chrome thickened, encasing a new mesh grille. Front and rear lower bumper sections are more horizontally aligned, with garnishes at the… Read more

No comments

TARRANT

  By
1906 Tarrant

The superbly crafted Tarrant car was the basis of the most ambitious early attempt to launch an Australian motor industry. It was also the first Australian car to win a motor race. The Tarrant was the brainchild of Victorian-born Harley Tarrant, who had built an internal-combustion engine in the 1890s. Tarrant’s first attempt at car making was in 1897 when he built a motorised buggy. It was not a success but a year later he launched the Harley Tarrant Motor Syndicate. The new company’s main line was manufacturing stationary engines… Read more

No comments

VELOSTER: THAT’S MORE LIKE IT, SPORT

  By ,

It looks like a sports car; sounds like a sports car, it is a sports car . . . well, not always. Sometimes, performance is not all it’s cracked up to be. Take the Veloster, for example. When the Hyundai first came out, with its out-there looks and unusual architecture, it shaped up to be a challenger to the hot hatch mob. Unfortunately, somebody had forgotten to give it the performance to match. The Veloster was held back by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Many forgave shortcomings, much talk being… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI KIZASHI 2010 – 2016

  By ,
2012 Suzuki Kizashi AWD Sport

Suzuki’s strength in Australia for many decades was in small cars and capable 4WDs. Then in January 2010, it made the interesting move into medium size cars. Kizashi is a stylish car with a powerful appearance that gives a solid look of sportiness. Then in August 2010 the Suzuki Kizashi Sport arrived. As befits its title this Kizashi has a full-on sports body kit, 18-inch alloys and lowered ride height that further enhanced it’s already strong appearance. It took the European route of being offered with all-wheel drive for better… Read more

No comments

JAGUAR F-TYPE R GETS MAJOR UPGRADES

  By ,

The new F-TYPE R 5.0-litre supercharged V8 now generates 423kW and 700Nm of torque; increases of 18kW and 20Nm compared to the previous model. Mated to a recalibrated Jaguar Quickshift transmission F-TYPE R can accelerate from zero to 100km/h takes just 3.7 seconds, while the maximum speed is electronically-limited to 300km/h. Combined with a new calibration for the Dynamic Stability Control system, traction and dynamics on all surfaces and in all weathers are designed to maintain the powerful Jaguar’s rear-wheel drive feel and handling balance. Aluminium double wishbone front and… Read more