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AUDI Q3 2012 – 2016

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2012 Audi Q3

The small-medium Audi Q3 crossover SUV arrived in Australia in March 2012 and competes in the sales race not only with its obvious German and British prestige rivals but also the top end of the Japanese and Korean marques. The Audi Q3 has an almost coupe-like profile that has become increasingly common in crossovers. If you’re looking for a voluminous station wagon you should probably shop elsewhere. Back seat space is okay, but this is a relatively small vehicle so it may be necessary for occupants to come to a… Read more

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2017 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA QV REVIEW

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This redhot Italian machine is taking on high-performance models from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes at their own game. Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) sports sedan is the real deal. Rear-wheel drive, Ferrari-inspired 500 horsepower (375 kW) twin-turbocharged engine that gets it to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. It reset the Nurburgring production sedan lap record at just 7 minutes and 32 seconds. After getting to the 100 km/h in the three-second bracket, it gets to a top speed on the far side of 300km/h. Keeping weight down… Read more

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AUSTIN LANCER

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1960 Austin Lancer Series II

Although Austin models were first assembled and partly manufactured in Australia before WWI, the 1958 Lancer was probably the first to have a significant local design input. The Lancer was one of ‘twins’ produced by BMC in Australia, the other being the Morris Major. Powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, the Lancer (like the Major) was based largely on the Wolseley 1500. By the standards of the day, the Lancer had an above average power-to-weight ratio. It was praised for its brisk acceleration and top speed of 125 km/h, which… Read more

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AUDI SUV IN QUICK CONNECTION WITH PAST GLORY

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Question: When is an SUV not an SUV? Answer: When it’s an Audi SQ5. The phrase ‘sports utility vehicle’ may seem an oxymoron when applied to most vehicles of the type but this is one that takes the title like no other. The second-generation SQ5 is the successor to one of the most popular Audi performance models to have made it Down Under and at 130 kg lighter and 20 kW (260 kW) more powerful is a worthy combination of performance and practicality. With the SQ5 sprinting to 100 km/h… Read more

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NEW LDV T60 PICKUP

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The ongoing push by Chinese makers to sell vehicles in Australia has taken a major step forward with the LDV Ute gaining the full five-star safety rating from ANCAP at its first test. Other commercial vehicles from China have either failed to reach five stars, or have only done so after failing at their first attempts and then being modified. LDV Ute is the official name of the vehicle, though it really falls more into the pickup truck class as it’s a tough vehicle aimed at the harsh commercial market…. Read more

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2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS STRIKING LOOKS

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It would be unkind to call the previous Hyundai Sonata an ugly duckling, but a major facelift really has given it a striking appearance. Indeed, many seeing it for the first time would think it’s an all-new car. The front end is bang up to date, with a huge grille, sleek headlights, large DRL (Daytime Running LIght) housings giving a look that’s more coupe-like than family car. The tail has also received a sportier treatment, with slimmer lights and a bold shape to the diffuser. Though the Sonata’s sides remain… Read more

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VOISIN V12

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1935 Voisin V12

Gabriel Voisin gained his engineering experience in the infant aviation industry and was actually running an aeroplane factory in Paris before the Wright brothers’ planes were in production, producing a number of aircraft during World War I. He later switched to car manufacture and one of his best products was the V12 Simoun. The Simoun was powered by a V12 sleeve-valve 4860cc engine which had many unique features. One interesting one was the electromagnetically engaged overdrive on all three speeds. Voisin claimed that his V12 engine could rotate at a… Read more

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WILL OUR COMMODORE BE JUDGED “WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR”?

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Opel Insignia

Australian engineers working on the next-generation Commodore may have played a major part in having the Opel Insignia listed as a finalist for the 2018 World Car of the Year awards. Opel Insignia has had many positive reviews in Europe since its introduction a few months ago – and that’s with just the four-cylinder turbocharged engine. We feel sure they will love the performance of the V6 engine if they get to sample it. That powerplant wouldn’t have been engineered into the car but for pressure from Holden. The World… Read more

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CITROEN DS4 2012 – 2016

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2012 Citroen DS4

It’s a lovely trait of the very French Citroen marque that it loves to be a long way ahead of the pack when it comes to styling. The DS4 is an excellent example. At a time when SUVs were generally squared off a the back, the DS4 was sloped and smooth. Then again is this an SUV? Because Citroen prefers it to call a five-door coupe, and to clever design makes it look like a three-door. Anyhow, many other makers have taken the style route at the rear of their… Read more

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2018 NISSAN X-TRAIL REVIEW

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Nissan has given its midsize X-Trail SUV a solid makeover in appearance both inside and out, as well as a major performance boost, added technology and improved overall refinement. The Nissan X-Trail is offered with five or seven-seat versions, though the seven-seater is only available if you chose the 2WD model with the 2.5-litre petrol engine. Our test Nissan for the past week was a five-seat diesel X-Trail Ti. STYLING Three new paint colours: Marine Blue, Copper Blaze and Ruby Red lift it away from the various shades of silver… Read more