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LEXUS ES 2013 – 2016

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2013 Lexus ES 300h

The Lexus ES300 began life way back in 1991 as a re-bodied Toyota Camry with higher levels of materials and added extras. It was criticised by some as not being a ‘real’ Lexus, though that really didn’t hamper sales the way the purists had predicted. The ES disappeared from Australia in 2005 because the new generation released that year was built with the steering wheel on the wrong side for us – by far its biggest market was, and still is, the USA. Late in 2013 a new generation Lexus… Read more

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2018 KIA STINGER Si REVIEW

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Comedians will tell you that timing can make or break an act. The arrival of the Stinger, just as the lights were turned off on the local production of certain well-loved Aussie legends, is testament to Kia’s impeccable timing. The Stinger is no laughing matter though, the rear-wheel-drive performance car that doubles as family chariot. It is not only the fastest production Kia, it may also mark the end of the badge snobbery that tends to follow in Kia’s stead no matter the talents the South Korean manufacturer displays. We… Read more

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ALL-NEW ALFA ROMEO STELVIO

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Alfa Romeo is joining upmarket Europeans with a stylish SUV called the Stelvio, named after one of the world’s most famous driving roads, the Stelvio Pass in Italy, Based on the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel-drive the Stelvio is instantly recognisable as an Alfa with its huge shield dominated grille. Indeed the Stelvio probably looks more Alfa Romeo than anything else in the Italian marque’s range. Powered full-grain leather seats again take a very Italian look and feel. Infotainment is bang up to date, viewed by way of… Read more

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2018 MAZDA 3 UPGRADES

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Mazda Australia has added significant features to its Mazda3 and revised the names in some models to reflect these upgrades. Mazda3 Neo is now tagged the Neo Sport. Its information system has been upgraded to MZD Connect, that operates through a ‘command controller’, DAB+ digital radio has been added to the radio and it now outputs through six speakers (up from four). A rear camera adds additional safety. Similarly the Mazda3 Maxx, has also had Sport added to its name. New gear includes automatic wipers and headlights, dual-zone climate-control and… Read more

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2018 BMW M4 PURE REVIEW

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BMW M3 is arguably the hero car in the German marque’s lineup. Okay, so there are other M models and even the i8 hybrid supercar, but there’s something special about a smallish four-door sedan that can take on, and beat, much more expensive machines on a day-to-day basis. Once upon a time the BMW M4 two-door coupe would have been called the M3 coupe, but the revised naming system from Bavaria gives the sporty-bodied models even-numbered designations. But enough with the semantics, let’s take a look at the special BMW… Read more

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HONDA NSX

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Best described as a mixture of high technology and proven sportscar design the Honda NSX (it signifies New Sports-Experimental) was powered by a transverse 3-litre 24-valve V6 engine derived from that of the Legend mounted behind the driver. It had many new engineering features including twin camshafts to each bank of cylinders. The engine drove the rear wheels through either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. From its 250 bhp engine a top speed of 260-270 km/h seemed likely placing Honda in direct competition with the likes of Porsche… Read more

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FORD MUSTANG BULLITT SPECIAL EDITION

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After some fear it may not make it Downunder, Ford Australia has confirmed the Mustang Bullitt special edition is on its way. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Steve McQueen film of that name, the Bullitt will be sold in strictly limited numbers through Ford dealers in Australia. There’s every chance you’ve already seen the movie, but just in case. It features what is arguably the most legendary car chase in cinematic history. The 10-minute sequence in the Warner Bros. film follows Steve McQueen at the wheel of a… Read more

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ALL-NEW FERRARI PORTOFINO PREMIERED IN BYRON BAY

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The Ferrari Portofino Grand Tourer replaces the California in the Ferrari lineup. It takes its name from the famous village of that name on the Italian Riviera. It’s powered by a 600 horsepower, turbocharged, high-revving, 3.9-litre V8 driving through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Portofino can reach 100 km/h from rest in 3.5 seconds, get to 200 km/h in 10.8 seconds and has a top speed of 320 km/h. This stunning grand touring Ferrari has a retractable hardtop that can be opened or closed in just 14 seconds and on the… Read more

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NAVARA IRONS OUT CREASES, NOW FOR THE OPPOSITION

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This placid pick-up truck is a far cry from previous iterations of the popular workhorse, which Nissan would be the first to admit to being rather agricultural in character. Not that the new chum is a shrinking violet. Performance upgrades give the 2018 Nissan Navara more pulling power on and off road, while offering an easier and more enjoyable to drive, both of which were illustrated on a launch drive in Melbourne and surroundings. Initiated by Nissan Australia, and tested extensively in, and exclusively for conditions Down Under by Nissan… Read more

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LEXUS RX NOW OFFERED AS SEVEN-SEATER

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Lexus has introduced a stretched version of its popular RX that expands seating capacity to seven occupants. The tag of Lexus RX L indicates the important new model. The body is 110 mm longer and the roof a touch higher, raised by just 10 mm. The tailgate has a steeper slope to give the RX the sort of sleeker look that’s becoming increasingly popular in the midsize SUV class. For easy third-row access, one-touch levers on both sides of the Lexus fold and slide the second-row seats forward. The second… Read more