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ADDED VITALITY FOR LONG-RUNNING VITARA

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A little over 30 years ago Australia was showing off to the world with Expo 88 in Brisbane, around the same time Suzuki had the first Vitara small sports utility vehicle breaking cover. Now it is the turn of the Vitara Series II to carry the banner. Since, the Vitara, with a grandiose detour to the name of Grand Vitara, has been a mainstay of the Japanese company’s offerings to the automotive world. Now it is the turn of the Vitara Series II to carry the banner. With diesel fast… Read more

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PORSCHE 944

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1989 Porsche 944

In 1985 Porsche introduced a four-cylinder model, the company’s first Porsche’s front-engined family and one that finally matched up with the high-performance 911s: the 944 Turbo. The 944’s four-stroke in-line all-alloy four-cylinder engine, rated at 165kW gave at a maximum speed of over 245 km/h. With a bore and stroke of 100 x 78.9 mm the 2479 cc engine had a lower compression ratio than in a normally aspirated unit, so that it could comfortably accept the forced induction from the intercooled KKK turbocharger. A sophisticated Bosch ‘black box’ took… Read more

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MAKE MONEY WHILE DRIVING

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The future is getting closer all the time, usually for the better, though there are those who prefer to keep things the way they have always been. As a clever example: drivers of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) vehicles will soon be able to earn cryptocurrency and make payments on the move using innovative connected car services currently being tested. Using ‘Smart Wallet’ technology, they will earn credits by enabling their cars to automatically report useful road condition data such as traffic congestion or potholes to navigation providers or local authorities…. Read more

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NISSAN INTRODUCES QASHQAI ST+

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Nissan has introduced an additional model to its Qashqai range. Qashqai ST+ sits between the entry grade Nissan Qashqai ST and the higher-spec Qashqai ST-L. At the top of the four-model range is the Ti. Qashqai ST+ has all of the features of the ST but adds privacy glass; a 7-inch touchscreen with digital radio, satellite navigation with traffic alert; a 360 degree Intelligent Around-View monitor with moving object detection; and power-folding and heated door mirrors. Qashqai has 430 litres of rear cargo volume, increasing to 1598 litres with the… Read more

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2019 BMW X4 M40i REVIEW

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Coupe-styled SUVs are an interesting juxtaposition. On the one hand, their swooping rear end appears to challenge the practical nature of SUVs, yet on the other hand they can and do work. The X4 M40i may be a case in point. With a body somewhere between an SUV and a medium-sized hatch and the heart of BMW’s performance machines, there is little question about its ability to impress. STYLING With its sloping back, wide stance and pronounced grille, the BMW X4 M40i cuts an arresting figure. What it lacks in… Read more

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HAVAL H2 CHASING MORE SALES

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Chinese car maker Haval hasn’t had a lot of success in the Australian sales race with its smallest SUV, the Haval H2. So has begun a marketing campaign that sees price drops, added equipment and name changes to the model lineup. The H2 entry model’s title has been changed from MT to City. Pricing is extremely sharp, with the six-speed manual offered at just $19,990 driveaway. The six-speed automatic has a recommended retail just $1000 more, that is $20,990 driveaway. Standard features include 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start, privacy… Read more

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A ‘TONNE’ OF WORK IN TRITON CHALLENGE

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The Triton has carried the weight of Mitsubishi light truck expectations for more than 40 years, and with the model year ’19 range, there’s no sign of them being offloaded any time soon. As I write this the Triton lies in overall third spot on the vehicle sales charts in Australia. Mitsubishi Australia is keen to keep its place in a weakened vehicle market, with the current model Triton, it says, combining the pick-up truck with passenger car levels of comfort for private and commercial purposes. It carries over, and… Read more

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EXPLORE THE BUSH WITH NEW NARVAS

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When launched in 2017 Narva’s ‘Explora’ LED Driving Light Bar revolutionised the compact light bar market thanks to its ‘Advanced Optic Drive Technology’. This helped the light provide up to 30 per cent brighter light output (2400 Lumens and 1 Lux of light at 269 metres), compared to a conventional LED light bar. (This comparison is based on 12-inch single row conventional LED light bar.) Building on its initial 14-inch single-row Explora bar, Narva is now selling two models for those requiring even more light, but who want to keep… Read more

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MAJOR SAFETY FEATURES ADDED TO HAVEL H9 SUV

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Haval has added many safety features to its H9 SUV range: autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning are now standard across its H9 4WD range. Not only is there significantly more safety but there’s even better news, no price increases. Existing standard features on the Haval H9 Lux include tri-zone air conditioning; a rain sensing sunroof; automatic Xenon headlamps; auto wipers; electrochromatic rear view mirror; a rear camera; park guidance; and all terrain control. The H9… Read more

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MINI CLUBMAN UPDATED FOR 2020

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Perhaps I’m easily pleased – but it intrigues me that the MINI can be bought with two, three, four, five or six doors. Six doors? I hear you ask… Yes the MINI Clubman has a split rear door of the type usually only seen on large, serious 4WDs. For the 2020 season MINI Clubman has had a solid makeover outside and in. The body has a newly designed radiator grille, LED headlights with Matrix function for the high beam. LED foglamps with driving light ring. At the rear LED lights… Read more