No comments

OPTIMA GT KEEPS UP THE KIA PACE

  By ,

A fresh face and a new set of ‘shoes’ are Kia’s attempt to keep its Optima mid-size sedan appealing in an ever-changing Australian car market. Pricing has come in for a haircut too. The MY2019 entry-level Si and premium GT pair gain a new grille and front fascia, upper and lower rear panels and re-styled wheels. Inside, the Optima gains the new OEM infotainment head unit (7-inch for the Si and 8-inch for the GT) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tie-up. Kia’s Australian engineering team once again has rolled… Read more

No comments

LEXUS LS500h SPORTS LUXURY

  By ,

I love being married to motoring journalist Ewan Kennedy for many reasons, not just the fact I get to drive lots of different cars. My passion for cars was instilled in me by my big brother Brett and his best mate Barry. Between them they’ve owned a Fiat, MG, Saab, E Type Jaguar, Maserati and probably some I have forgotten. Until they both got married and had other obligations. It hasn’t really made them boring, though – now that the short-of-cash period has passed Brett has an Audi S4 Avant… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI VITARA CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

  By ,

The Suzuki Vitara has this year celebrated its 30th anniversary since the model’s global introduction in 1988. The small-medium Suzuki SUV crossover has been a huge success, with more than 3.65 million sales in 191 countries and territories around the world. In light of this, a 30th anniversary Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition is due to arrive in Australia from October 2018. Only 350 units available. Based on the Vitara RT-S model, the anniversary edition has stylish chrome daytime running light (DRL) surrounds, chrome door guards front and rear, and… Read more

No comments

NEW LEXUS UX IS A STUNNING LOOKER

  By ,

Due in Australia late this year, the latest model from the upmarket Japanese Lexus marque is the UX (the ‘U’ for Urban and ‘X’ for Crossover). It joins the LX, GX, RX and NX in the Lexus lineup, but as the title suggests is more suburban cruiser than bush-basher in its intentions. In what Lexus tells us is a world first, the specially-shaped wheelarch mouldings use the airflow over their edges to reduce turbulence and lift, contributing to the vehicle’s stability. Similarly, aero-stabilising blade taillights begin at the top of… Read more

No comments

2019 FORD FOCUS: FIRST DETAILS

  By ,

Ford Australia has announced that the all-new Ford Focus will land in Australia in December. Ford says its fourth generation of this midsize car has been developed from the ground up to provide the most confidence-inspiring, intuitive, and rewarding driving. Ford Focus will be built in Germany. It’s interesting that the two one-time local manufacturers both get their major models from that highly-regarded automotive country – the all-new Holden Commodore is also German made. Engines are becoming increasingly smaller in the search for lower emissions and minimum fuel use, so… Read more

No comments

JEEP COMPASS 2007 – 2017

  By ,
2007 Jeep Compass

The first Jeep Compass has had a mixed career – starting off as what we would now probably call a competent crossover, moving on to being a pretty good SUV, and these days is offered as a full-on rugged 4WD that is Trail rated to extra tough Jeep standards. Compass was launched in Australia in September 2007 after Jeep finally realised that 4WD lookalikes were becoming increasing popular and often being bought in place of conventional passenger cars. It was rather odd in its appearance, though it did have the… Read more

No comments

2018 NISSAN 370Z REVIEW

  By ,

The popular Nissan 370Z has received a slight update, a price cut and minor styling changes as the Japanese manufacturer looks to reposition the distinguished coupe as an affordable and timeless offering. We have always had a soft-spot for the 370Z and there was great excitement when it replaced the 350Z in 2009, and a somewhat more tempered pleasure with subsequent refreshes over the last decade. Taking it home for the week was a nice way to get reacquainted with a favoured friend. STYLING Amazingly, the Nissan 370Z continues to… Read more

No comments

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS: PRICE TRIMMED

  By ,

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has introduced an new entry-level ES variant to its Eclipse Cross SUV range. The ES sits under the existing Eclipse Cross LS, Exceed and Exceed AWD models and comes in at a price obviously designed to attract the eye – $29,990. But don’t forget you will also need to pay dealer and statutory charges. Mitsubishi has long been a major player in the SUV / 4WD markets in Australia and when the Eclipse Cross was launched earlier this year it joined the ASX, Outlander, Pajero Sport and… Read more

No comments

RENAULT MEGANE R.S. 280

  By ,

Renault’s latest hot-hatch is the Megane R.S. 280, a full on sprits machine which is now in its third generation. It has the latest in powertrain technology, chassis tuning and aerodynamic assist. This is a serious machine that’s aimed at the keen driver who wants to get the best from their motoring life. Though it has to be said the stunning styling and excellent colour choices mean it will also appeal to the person more interested in serene cruising than in track days. Power comes from a hot 1.8-litre four-cylinder… Read more

No comments

MAZDA MX-5 GETS MORE POWER

  By ,

Mazda continues its relentless way in the sales race in Australia, this time with the introduction of more powerful versions of its halo sportscar the brilliant little MX-5. The MX-5 has been famed since its introduction way back in 1989 for having excellent balance and handling, but somewhat down on power. Now the engineers have made major changes to the 2.0-litre versions of both the MX-5 roadster and the RF (Retractable Fastback). These changes cover the full gamut of the design and see its output significantly increased from 118 kilowatts… Read more