NISSAN NAVARA PRO-X DUAL CAB UTILITY

  Okay. Now I’m confused.   The Nissan Navara PRO-4X was replaced by the PRO-4X Warrior which in turn has recently been replaced by the much-hyped PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar.   Premcar had a hand in some or all of them, but here’s the thing . . . the Pro-4X is back.   Take your eye off the ball and look what happens. What’s more, there’s an SL Warrior by Premcar now too.    Who will be top dog?    STYLING To give Navara and the PRO-4X some context, there’s… Read more

MORE THAN A FIGURE OF SPEED FROM AUDI

One of the most popular pastimes in the world, Monopoly, and the Audi RS Q3 sports utility vehicle have much in common. The board game deals with high finance and real estate, the SUV high performance motoring; both rely heavily on figures. The latter has just added a lot more of the latter to the list with its RS Q3 Sportback Edition 10 Years, as the suffix suggests with reference to its decade of success. Audi is making only 555 specials in celebration, with a ‘healthy number’ slated for Down… Read more

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS ASPIRE PHEV

I read somewhere that the Government was going to drop financial incentives for plug-in hybrids in April next year. I’m not surprised. While PHEVs look good on paper, with their ultra-low fuel consumption figures — the reality is very different. For example, vehicles like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV are good for a claimed 1.9L/100km. But to achieve this figure, you need to recharge the battery every 100km, or the final figure is liable to be considerably higher. Basically, the battery provides 45km of petrol-free travel for the first 100km… Read more

KIA PICANTO GT-LINE ROAD TEST

While the battle rages for the high ground of the top tech, and expensive, electrified territory of the automotive world, a rear-guard action from the internal combustion engine bargain basement is taking place. Micro cars such as the MG 3, Suzuki Ignis, Fiat 500 and Mazda 2 are leading the charge to defend ICE(land). The latest call to arms comes from Kia with its upgraded Picanto. What are its chances? Sadly, gone ta-taas is the popular GT, replaced by a pair of GT-Line legionnaires. Kia says it has called on… Read more

JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON ROAD TEST

The Jeep Gladiator is an old acquaintance. The last time we drove one, we managed to get it bogged. How embarrassing . . . the first time in 25 years of road testing vehicles that this had happened to us. And here the Gladiator is again, sitting in the driveway, waiting patiently to go for a drive — like a dog that wants to go for a walk? But where to go? Where do you take a 4×4 when it’s pouring rain and you’re not real keen on getting bogged… Read more

BMW 5 SERIES BACK AS ELECTRIC WAGON

BMW 5 Series wagon is set to make a comeback to Australia as the fully electric i5 M60 xDrive Touring. Priced from $219,900 it is due to arrive here in time for customer deliveries later this year. The addition of i5 M60 xDrive Touring will expand BMW’s fully electric line-up to 16 variants across seven model series in its Australian product portfolio. The i5 M60 xDrive Touring is the first all-electric premium model in its competitive field. It follows launch […] Read more

CHERY TIGGO 7 PRO ULTIMATE AWD

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell small SUVs apart, with a plethora of new brands and names. The Tiggo 7 Pro is a five-seater from a name that may ring a bell with some readers, a Chinese brand called Chery. A couple of Chery hatches and a small SUV were offered here about 10 years ago,but withdrawn from sale after the introduction of tougher safety regulations. While those vehicles were imported independently, newcomers the Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Pro are all factory backed offerings. They’re better-engineered, up-to-date… Read more