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VOLVO XC60 2009 – 2017

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2013 Volvo XC60

When launched in Australia in late 2008 the Volvo XC60 was described by the Swedish company as being a cross between a coupe and an SUV. But, we feel it’s a genuine SUV, certainly by the definition of SUVs today. Keep in mind that the XC60 is designed for use on Swedish roads that are likely to be snow and ice covered for months at a time, particularly in the northern areas of that country. However, it’s also suited to Aussie bush conditions, and obviously to snowfields in Australia. Almost… Read more

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MERCEDES SMALL SEDAN STEPS OUT IN STYLE

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Mercedes-Benz is in the process of expanding its A-Class beyond the hatchback with the addition of a sedan, the first cab off the rank, so to speak, being the A 200, which has just landed in Australia. Close on the heels of the harbinger, the A 180, drops in this month, while the A 250 will show up in November and the A 250 4Matic in the first quarter of next year. Unusually for a small car, the new sedan is all about space. For example, the boot, at 430… Read more

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HONDA HR-V RS STEPS UP TO THE ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE PLATE

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From the ubiquitous ‘postie bike’ to the Civic hot hatch and NSX hybrid supercar, not to mention motorcycles, lawnmowers and generators, Honda has spent half a century keeping up with Australia’s automotive needs. Included in this august line-up is the compact HR-V, the world’s most popular sports utility vehicle, which has undergone an extensive upgrade following its introduction Down Under in 2015. Included is a new variant, the RS, designed for the sporty driver who wants a more edgy experience behind the wheel. Now in four model grades – VTi,… Read more

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DANGERS OF DRIVER INATTENTION

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The Australian National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a consultation regulation impact statement (RIS) seeking feedback on technology-neutral options to regulate driver distraction. Distraction is seen as a significant road safety risk that is not as well understood as other risk factors such as drink-driving and speeding. Studies have found that a task which takes a driver’s ‘eyes off the road’ for as little as two seconds can be particularly hazardous. NTC Chief Executive Officer Gillian Miles said that new technology-related distractions, outdated rules and a general lack of understanding… Read more

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NISSAN JUKE NISMO BRINGS BACK THE FUN TO DRIVING

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With SUVs so popular nowadays as they make sense, with a few exceptions they aren’t especially exciting to drive. So it was great to be able to spend a week behind the spritely little Nissan Juke Nismo RS. Although Juke is officially listed as an SUV in Australia it looks like, and performs like, what used to be called a hot hatch. Hot SUV? No, it just doesn’t sounds right. The name Nismo is an abbreviation of Nissan Motorsport International Limited and is the in-house tuning, motorsports and performance division… Read more

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FOUR-DOOR SPORTSCAR ADDED TO THE NEW BMW 8 SERIES RANGE

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To some purists the idea of a four-door car being called a coupe isn’t acceptable, but things change and the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe with four doors has been announced. Joining the BMW 8 Series two door Coupe and 8 Convertible, the Gran Coupe is longer, wider and higher and sits on an extended wheelbase. This provides space for four individual seats, with good legroom headspace front and rear. However, a tiny third seat is squeezed between the two outer seats and has virtually no legroom. So BMW describes… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLB: FIRST DETAILS

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Mercedes has been a major player in the 4WD and SUV fields for many decades. So it comes as no surprise that it has just provided first details of an upcoming new model, the GLB Class. A large car for this segment, It’s not far short of the GLC Merc, the ‘B’ is long enough for three rows of seats, with seating for up to seven. It seems that the GLB with five seats and good luggage space is likely to be the biggest selling variant. The load compartment volume… Read more

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GENESIS LAUNCHES ALL-NEW G70 SPORTS SEDAN

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In conjunction with what was effectively the re-launch of the Genesis G80 the South Korean premier brand has released its all-new G70 sports sedan. Styling of the G70 is similar to that of the G80 but is smaller in all dimensions: 300mm in length, 80mm lower; 40 mm narrower and with a 175 mm shorter wheelbase. All models get the Genesis crest grille with sleek LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights. Inside the cabin is just as luxurious as its larger, more expensive sibling with soft touch materials throughout,… Read more

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IN THE BEGINNING – NEW GENESIS G80

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Genesis is the luxury arm of the Hyundai company formed using the same formula used by the very successful that saw Lexus evolve from Toyota. The first models from this new premium brand are the G80 luxury sedan, previously sold here between 2014 and 2017 as the Hyundai Genesis, and the all-new, slightly smaller G70 sports sedan. We’ll examine the smaller sportier G70 as well as the company’s innovative marketing and sales strategy and various support facilities in a separate story. Genesis tells us that four additional models will be… Read more

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KIA SELTOS: ADVANCED INFORMATION

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Kia Seltos is an all-new SUV from the South Korean manufacturer. Teaser information has been provided to the media in preparation for it going on sale in Australia in October. Seltos is smaller than the Kia Sportage but the dimensions are yet to made public. Photographs show its lines are chunky and certainly standout from mainstream shapes in this hotly contested market segment. Of particularly interest are the very high lines at the rear-sides. Kia tells us, “Seltos stands apart from its rivals thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and… Read more