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2019 AUDI A7 SPORTBACK LAUNCH

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Audi A7 Sportback generation two has arrived in Australia, but at this stage only the topline model, the 55 TFSI is here. It’s the subject of this review and we have done extensive test drives of several cars. Audi A7 has long been one of our style favourites and it was great that Audi brought chief designer Andreas Koglin to Australia for a detailed explanation as to how he achieved the shape. (He also gave we journos some ideas on how to sketch cars on paper. Mine looked only marginally… Read more

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MASERATI 350: A NEW PRICE LEADER

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Maserati has introduced a lower cost Levante to Australia with a recommended retail price of $125,000. That’s almost $15,000 under the price of the Levante turbo-diesel. On-road costs from dealers and governments have to be factored in. It’s powered by a Maserati-designed, Ferrari built, 350 horsepower (257 kW) 500 Newton metre twin-turbo V6 that displaces 3.0 litres. It is a detuned version engine in the range-topping Maserati Levante S that has 430 hp (321 kW) and 580 Nm. Drive is through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels with… Read more

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BMW UPGRADES ITS ACTIVITY MODELS

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BMW X1

BMW Group Australia has announced specification and pricing updates for its X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) range, as well as its X2 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) models. BMW’s ‘Navigation System Plus’ interface, and head-up display, is now fitted as standard to the entire X1 range. Previously, these advanced technologies were standard only on the top-line BMW X1 xDrive25i. The navigation and infotainment system has an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display and app-style interface. It can also be controlled via the iDrive Touch controller or Natural Voice Recognition. The BMW Head Up… Read more

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HONDA CR-V: OUTBACK ADVENTURE

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Julie and I were both overdue for a long relaxing holiday and the offer of a press test of the new fifth generation Honda CR-V arrived at just the right time. It would be hard to pick a better vehicle for reasons that will become evident later in our review. We took the Honda from our Gold Coast home to far western Queensland by way of the Warrego and Landsborough Highways through Roma, Charleville and Barcaldine to Longreach. We spent several days on Longreach, touring the Qantas Founders Museum, the… Read more

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ROVER P6 2000

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1971 Rover P6 2000

Early model Rovers, like many other prestige cars, were usually looked on as being very staid and suited only to elderly, grey-templed drivers rather like the early Volvo image. The Rover 2000-P6, introduced in 1963, was the first young man’s Rover. It was packed with new technology and was ideal for the young executive on the go who wanted big-car ambience with sportscar manners in a more compact car. The Rover 2000 was a 160 km/h saloon, perfectly suited to the motorway age. This was a crisp, restrained car, modern… Read more

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HYUNDAI GIVES IT A GO WITH NEW TUCSON STARTER

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To coin a phrase, it’s all systems ‘Go’ with the MY19 Hyundai Tucson adding a new eponymous entry-level variant to the company’s most popular sports utility vehicle range. Not to be outdone by the Tucson Go, the other models – ActiveX, Elite and Highlander – have also come in for a mid-cycle makeover, which includes up-dated interior and exterior styling with new wheel designs, and tablet-style multimedia with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the range. And, as is the case with most Hyundai models, the Tucson ride and… Read more

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ABARTH 695 RIVALE SPECIAL EDITION

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Abarth Australia has announced it will import just 35 units of its 695 Rivale Special Edition models to this country. These are in celebration of the heritage of the Riva Yachts, prestige boats famed for their opulence, performance and sophistication. Available in both hatch and cabriolet versions, the Rivale Edition features a two-tone exterior finish of Riva Blue & Tributo Ferrari Grey, reminiscent of Lake Iseo, where the Riva brand began. The Rivale Special Edition is based on the current Abarth 595 Competizione. Visually it stands out by having satin… Read more

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MERCURY COUGAR

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1969 Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar was produced in the United States from 1967 to 1972 by the premium market division of Ford, Lincoln Mercury. In keeping with its policy of marketing more expensive versions of Ford’s best sellers the Mercury Cougar was positioned as a Ford Mustang variant in the Lincoln Mercury range. In spite of this it was never allowed to impact on the Luxurious T-Bird which Ford had released earlier. Under its skin it was almost identical to the Mustang except for its slightly longer – 282cm – wheelbase but… Read more

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IS MY AIRBAG SAFE?

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The Queensland Government is showing strong and courageous leadership in issuing defect notices to owners of over 2000 vehicles fitted with dangerous ‘alpha’ type Takata a move that the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) welcomes and one that could lead to the cancellation of registration if ‘alpha’ Takata airbags are not replaced within 21 days. FCA Chief Executive Tony Weber noted that the decision is an effective response in the interests of the safety of motorists and passengers across Queensland. “We applaud the Palaszczuk Government for acting so decisively… Read more

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BMW 8 SERIES CONVERTIBLE: FIRST DETAILS

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The BMW 8 Series Convertible won’t be in Australia till the middle of 2019 but already it appeals to us because it has a classic soft-top roof. Folding hardtops makes sense but the trouble is that with the roof closed – which let’s face it is most of the time – they look like a hardtop coupe not a convertible. Styling is stunning, with large wide-spread kidney grilles interlocking, though not touching, the headlights and a rear end with wide very-Bimmer lights and large exhaust outlets. Top down or top… Read more