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LEXUS LX GETS TURBO-DIESEL OPTION

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Until now the large Lexus LX series SUVs have only been sold here with a 5.7-litre twin-cab petrol V8, if you wanted a turbo-diesel you had to opt for the LX’s close cousin, the Toyota LandCruiser 200. The reasoning being that diesels didn’t necessarily give the sort of near silence and refinement the upmarket Japanese marque has been renowned for. These days diesels are almost as refined as petrol units so Lexus has added a diesel LX, the 450d. With a capacity of 4.5 litres this twin-cam, twin-turbo V8 diesel… Read more

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2018 NISSAN PATROL Ti REVIEW

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Nissan has given its two-model Patrol range a little pep both inside and out. Little things, mind, but considered approaches to keep its largest SUV positioned as a value proposition. And let’s not forget fun. STYLING With this Nissan Patrol, big is definitely better. The Patrol is a hard vehicle to miss, as much for its presence as its size. Nissan has updated this loveable beast with a new bumper and grille pairing as well as revised triangular foglight housings and distinguishing 18-inch alloys. The look is bold and brassy… Read more

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CHEVROLET IMPALA

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1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport

The Chevrolet Impala was the perfect example of exuberance in the 1960s American car styling. In spite of its fins, chrome and mock elements, or perhaps because of them, the Impala achieved sales of almost half a million cars in 1960. Like other American car manufacturers the Chevrolet division of General Motors offered buyers a large choice of engines, transmissions and body styles. Engine options ranged from a standard 3.8-litre straight six right up to a 5.7-litre Turbothrust V8. Power outputs of these options ranged from 172 kW at 4800… Read more

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JAGUAR’S NEW COMPACT SUV: THE E-PACE

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The Jaguar E-Pace is the upmarket British marque’s first entry in the compact SUV market. It joins the larger Jaguar F-Pace that has grabbed a good slice of this important market. The five-seat compact SUV stylists and engineers have aimed at giving it style and practicality in a body that has an almost coupe like rear end. “Our new compact SUV combines the interior space, connectivity and security that families expect with the kind of proportions, purity of design and performance not usually associated with such a practical vehicle.” Ian… Read more

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MERCEDES-AMG G 63: AN UNLIKELY DRAG RACER

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Way back in the mid 1980s I ran hundreds of acceleration tests on a big variety of vehicles at the sadly now defunct Oran Park racetrack. I did the straight-line stuff while Modern Motor’s editor Barry Lake did hot laps. It seemed a bit silly to be photographed sitting in a huge 4WD with the aerodynamics of a house brick – the just launched Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen – but it was our policy to wear skid lids, so we did. I can’t remember what the zero to 100 km/h time was… Read more

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HOT HYUNDAI i30 N: FIRST DRIVE

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In our recent introductory article on the all-new Hyundai i30 N we discussed it in detail, but were asked to respect an embargo on drive impressions until March 29. We carried out extensive road and track tests from Albury, through , Eskdale, Anglers Rest and returned to Albury via the Omeo Highway and Great Alpine Road. The following day we spent at Winton Raceway for no holds barred driving for the part of five hours. Great days, though some of us were green around the gills after about the first… Read more

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HOT RENAULT CLIO R.S. LAUNCHED AT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

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Renault Australia marked the start of the 2018 Formula 1 season in Melbourne with the introduction of a hot new limited-edition Renault Clio R.S.18. Indeed, the very first Clio R.S. 18 off the production line made its debut there. Based on the Clio R.S. 220 EDC Trophy – the most powerful car of the Clio R.S. range the limited edition is finished in Liquid Yellow, with side mouldings, wheel centre caps front bumper, Renault diamond and R.S. logo on the bumper are entirely black – something that’s exclusive to this… Read more

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POWER AND PASSION FROM A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

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Kia Stinger GT

To Aussies a stinger is a nasty sea creature; the deadly box jellyfish, to be precise. Recently a new ‘animal’ was added to the lexicon and it is neither nasty nor deadly. The Stinger fastback sports sedan is touted by some as being the South Korean automaker’s Commodore and Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith, says he is confident the Stinger has the attributes which will endear it to Australian drivers across a wide demographic. Mated with Kia’s own eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels via a… Read more

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REDHOT LAMBORGHINI URUS ON ITS WAY

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Lamborghini Urus, which the Italian performance car maker calls a Super Sport Utility Vehicle (SSUV), will be coming to Australia in the final quarter of this year. It’s priced at $390,000 (GST and LCT included) plus on road costs and dealers will be happy to take orders now As has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. Urus is powered by a 4.0 litre V8… Read more

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HYUNDAI I30 N: THE REAL DEAL

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This is the one driving enthusiasts worldwide have been speculating on for years; a hot-hatch from Korea to compete with those from Japan and Europe. The Hyundai i30 N is aimed squarely at Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf GTi and the like. Being a brand new design it has the latest performance components both in mechanical and electronics. You get a lot of car for a pretty modest $39,990 plus on roads. Hyundai’s ’N’ Performance Division is named for both the Namyang R&D Centre in Namyang, South Korea and for the… Read more