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HOLDEN ACADIA GETTING CLOSER

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The new Holden seven-seat Acadia is due to arrive in Australia midway through October. Powered by the latest iteration of the renowned 3.6-litre V6 engine that drives through a nine-speed automatic it will be offered in both 2WD (the front wheels) and 4WD versions. Holden’ engineers and technicians were involved in the design throughout Acadia’s development and tens of thousands of road testing was done in this country. Though not aimed at full-on offroad driving the big Holden SUV has a Traction Select System which allows the driver to alter… Read more

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PLYMOUTH VOLARE

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1978 Plymouth Volare

In the USA the Plymouth’s Volare replaced the Valiant in 1976. Introduced in 1960, the Valiant had had a very long model run proving to be such reliable transport that it was kept in production for 16 years as good sales continued to be sustained. The slightly sportier Dodge version was initially named the Lancer, then later the Dart. The key to its success was the performance of the OHV Slant-Six engine which was available as either a 2.7-litre version developing 85kW or a more powerful 3.6-litre version. The engine’s… Read more

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HONDA HR-V: NEW RS MODEL

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Honda Australia has added a new semi-sporty model to its popular HR-V range. The HR-V RS is aimed at those who take a keen attitude to their driving. The RS featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, black chrome grille, a honeycomb lower grille and foglight garnish; black door mirror caps; dark chromed door handles; and a Piano Black body kit. Inside, the new HR-V RS has heated, leather-appointed seats; a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and gear knob; and alloy sports pedals. Driving dynamics are improved by sportier damper and spring rates for… Read more

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HONDA CIVIC IS BACK TO ITS BEST

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The arrival of the 10th generation, Civic in mid-2016 sparked a significant revival, with sales more than doubling in 2017, albeit from a relatively low base. The new Civic hatchback, always the biggest seller in Australia, went on sale until March 2017. Our test here is of the topline sedan, we will follow up with a hatchback soon. Unlike the previous Civic model where hatches were built in Britain and sedans in Thailand, all Australian Gen-10 Honda Civics now come from a new Honda factory in Thailand. Honda Civic comes… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS REVISED

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Mercedes-Benz has given its midsize E-Class model a thorough working over in many areas, with quite a few items once seen on the very expensive S-Class now fitted to its smaller brother. There’s also a Sport Edition package that’ only offered in limited numbers, more about it in a moment. A new design turbo-diesel inline-six engine in the E 350 d lifts power from 190kW to 210kW. The petrol-powered six-cylinder E 450 4MATIC models now have 270kW and 500Nm, up 25kW and 20Nm on the previous series. All models in… Read more

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LEXUS F LINE CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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Lexus RCF

Lexus has launched special editions of its high-performance RC F coupe and GS F sedan to mark the 10th anniversary of the upmarket Japanese marque’s F Line. Both models have a 470 horsepower V8 Lexus and are finished in matte grey paint finish ‘Fuji Graphite’, which is also applied to the door handles, mirror housings, side skirts and shark fin antenna. They ride on black polished 19-inch alloy wheels. Visible inside the wheels are Competition Blue brake callipers that bear the F logo. The same blue shade surrounds the discreet… Read more

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NEW SUBARU FORESTER: BIGGER AND BETTER

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Subaru has been in the SUV market in Australia for more years – no, make that more decades – than its competitors care to reflect upon. All Subarus (with the exception of the BRZ sportscar) have been sold only in AWD format since 1994 and the safety and superior roadholding added by driving all four wheels attracted many buyers. The second largest model in the range, the Forester was first sold Downunder 21 years ago and is selling its wheels off in today’s heated AWD / SUV market. To the… Read more

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CITROEN BX

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1987 Citroen BX 16-valve.

It has been said that the Citroen BX, first released at the 1982 Paris Motor Show, was the car that revived Citroen’s future. Citroen had been owned by the Michelin Tyre group since the early 1930s when Citroen had financial problems and in the mid-1970s the world oil crisis hit the car and component manufacturing industry heavily. As Citroen had spent heavily on new model development and production facility expansion they were very exposed to the downturn and once again drastic action was necessary. Between 1974 and 1976 financial restructuring… Read more

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RAM 1500: BIG, BOLD AND VERY AMERICAN

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There’s one word you won’t read in this news piece – ‘subtle’. Ram Trucks invited us to the launch of its Ram 1500 models and the first thing that greeted us was a brochure titled “Ram 1500 Eats Utes For Breakfast”. So there… The ute market in Australia is growing at a crazy rate, with the top two selling vehicles being the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. That’s top selling overall, not in the commercial segment. So Ram Trucks has joined the sales fray with its smallest – yes, smallest… Read more

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MAZDA’S LAP OF LUXURY FOR LE BUYERS

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Mazda says buyers of its popular CX-9 are so fond of life’s little luxuries that it has upped the ante on its aristo Azami model in the shape of the LE, thus bringing the range of the award-winning seven-seat sports utility vehicle to five. Customer demand was the reason for the addition of the Azami LE, says Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi. “CX-9 sales have always been skewed to high-grade AWD variants, so we added Azami LE to give those looking for luxury even greater choice in the range.”… Read more