No comments

BMW PALS UP FOR PREMIUM PERFORMANCE

  By ,

Had BMW and Toyota not buddied up for the latest version of the latter’s Supra sports car, it is unlikely, we are told, the new Z4 M40i Roadster would have made it to market, falling sales of convertibles being the culprit. While M Series engineers had input to the car with an adaptive M suspension, M Aero package, M Sport brakes, M Sport limited-slip diff and M Sport seats, like a mid-strength beer, the Z4 M40i, falls short of the full ‘flavour’ in raw performance. However, there’s still a lot… Read more

No comments

GENESIS G80 ULTIMATE SPORT DESIGN

  By ,

The Genesis G80 is an upmarket South Korean saloon that comes to Australia in four variants: standard G80, Sport Design, Ultimate and Ultimate Sport Design. All come with a 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated V6 petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Yes, the rear wheels – Genesis aim is to take on the prestige Germans and Brits, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar in providing the added driving pleasure of accelerator control to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is available in overseas markets but there are no plans at this… Read more

No comments

SUBARU WRX 2014 – 2018

  By ,
2016 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru’s WRX, aka ‘the Rex’, is a moderately-priced high-performance Japanese machine that has been a huge success in Australia since it first arrived here in 1994. The WRX has tremendous performance from its turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine. Grunt that’s backed up by excellent road grip thanks to a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Some felt that the WRX lost some of its in-your-face personality in the early 2000s, but the MY2015 edition launched in March 2014, revived its bad-boy attitude. Models from that period are the subject of this week’s used… Read more

No comments

MERCEDES C 300 e HYBRID SEDAN

  By ,

The new Mercedes-Benz C 300 e sedan is a plug-in hybrid that is part of the company’s long-term aim of a CO2-neutral future. It utilises an electric motor that generates up to 90 kilowatts of power and 440 Nm of torque. On its own it give fully electric driving for up to 52 kilometres (almost double that of its predecessor, the C 350 e). It’s mated to a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 155 kW and 350 Nm on its own. Combined, there’s maximum system outputs of 235 kW… Read more

No comments

MERCEDES C 200 SPORT EDITION

  By ,

Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sport Edition is a package developed by the local importer that combines the most requested features by potential buyers. It is available as a Sedan, Estate and Coupe. It rides on 19-inch AMG alloy wheels and features the AMG Line exterior package (standard on Coupe), rear privacy glass. There is also a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats with memory function, DISTRONIC automated cruise control, a head-up display, Adaptive Highbeam Assist (Sedan only, standard on Coupe), The C 200 Sport Edition package is priced at $7700 (MRLP) for… Read more

No comments

LOTUS ESPRIT

  By
1994 Lotus Esprit

The mid-engined Esprit was designed as a replacement, although larger, faster and more specialised, for the Europa, which had been Lotus’s first mid-engined, rear-drive road car. As with the Europa, the Esprit was a two-seater and it was fitted with Lotus’s own newly designed 16-valve twin cam 2.0-litre engine positioned behind the cabin. A fibreglass body covered the separate chassis that was fitted with independent front and rear suspension. The more rounded X180 shape was the product of in-house stylists and it continued from 1987 with only slight modifications to… Read more

No comments

50th ANNIVERSARY NISSAN 370Z

  By ,

Nissan Australia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nissan Z-Cars with a special edition that considers the brand’s proud racing history. The Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition’s two-tone colour scheme, in red and white and silver and black, is based off the #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises – the American Peter Brock not the Australian one) Datsun 240Z that won the 1970 and 1971 SCCA National Championships in the US. Based on the standard Coupe, the model has 50th anniversary badging features on the rear of the car and… Read more

No comments

THIRD-GENERATION BMW X6

  By ,

The third-generation BMW X6 will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2019 with sleek proportions, new infotainment systems, as well as the interesting option of BMW’s new high-capacity towing system across all models. The new BMW X6 has grown in length, width and wheelbase but a reduction in overall height to suit its sporting exterior. Both parts of the frontal design are framed by a common surround. An oft-ticked option is likely to be the “Iconic Glow” illuminated grille. The new interior is designed to create what BMW… Read more

No comments

WRANGLER GOES ITS OWN WAY

  By ,

Jeep’s most capable sports utility vehicle, the Wrangler, has been given a complete overhaul, taking on advanced safety and technological features while maintaining its roots in 75 years of unrivalled off-road heritage. The JL Wrangler Unlimited comes in six variants – including Sport S, Overland petrol and Rubicon petrol and diesel – in two and four-door configuration. The four-door-only Rubicon at $63,950 ($65,045 as tested), costs $10,500 more than the previous model. The only diesel engine in the range adds a further $5000. Jeep says the new Wrangler Rubicon adds… Read more

No comments

BMW GROUP AUSTRALIA EXPANDS ‘X’ MODEL RANGE

  By ,
BMW X5

BMW Australia has significantly expanded its range of topline X5 and X7 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicles). The new xDrive25d uses a four-cylinder TwinPower turbo-diesel that develops 170kW of power and 450Nm of torque. This is driven through an eight-speed Sport Steptronic transmission. The xDrive45e is the first hybrid variant available for the new generation BMW X5. It has a six-cylinder petrol engine, which replaces the four-cylinder power unit of the previous generation X5 xDrive40e. It combines this with a powerful electric motor for an impressive combined total output of 290kW…. Read more