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THE END OF THE LION FOR ICONIC AUSSIE UTE

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The clock is counting down not only the end of Australian-made Holden cars but also on one of our nation’s most iconic vehicles, the trusty (occasionally rusty according to the lyrics of a popular Aussie Christmas song) Holden Ute. The first ever Ute, the Holden Utility 51-2016 to give it it’s full name, was launched in 1951 and apart from the period from 1984 and 1990 (from the last WB Commercial to the first VN Commodore variant) there’s been a passenger car-based light commercial Holden on sale here ever since…. Read more

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FIRST DRIVE: MERCEDES E-CLASS COUPES

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Last week we published technical and equipment details of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, but the importer asked us not to give driving impressions straight away. That was to allow others who drove the cars in the days that followed our launch the chance to all get into print on the same day. Mercedes chose a fascinating drive route to the Daylesford area of Victoria, using minor roads where possible. The idea was to display the new coupe on the sort of trip likely to be undertaken by couples on… Read more

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RENAULT R8

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The Renault R8 was introduced in 1962 and was based on the Renault Dauphine. This was the first ever mass-produced car to feature disc brakes on all four wheels. It replaced the Dauphine which was similarly equipped and was still in production. The 8 was powered by an all new 956cc engine developing 32kW. Its sister vehicle, the R10, a more upmarket version of the 8 was launched in 1965. By 1970 more than a million and a half of the two models had been made. Both cars ceased production… Read more

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AUDI TT 1999 – 2016

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2015 Audi TT Roadster

Audi TT was launched to a startled world in 1998 with an ultra rounded shape based around its fascinating wheelarches. It looked like nothing else on the road and grabbed a huge amount of attention, virtually all of it positive. Few outside the industry had heard of the Audi TT’s designer, German Peter Schreyer, but since that time he has become something of a legend – and was later headhunted by the South Korean car makers. But that’s another story. The fascinating domed theme of the original TT’s body carries… Read more

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2017 SUZUKI BALENO REVIEW

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Suzuki Baleno is a small hatchback that was originally on sale in Australia between 1995 and 2001. After skipping a couple of generations it returned here in July 2016 where it made an immediate instant impression on the judges of the 2016 Australia’s Best Cars awards beating a large field of more established cars to take out the Best Light Car category. Styling of the Baleno takes a number of cues from its smaller sibling, the very popular Swift, although it does have a sleeker profile than its sensible stablemate…. Read more

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2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE LAUNCHED

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Mercedes-Benz’s new E-Class coupe range is larger than before and is almost a full four-seater rather than a two-plus-two as in previous generations. This added usability hasn’t spoiled its style, though. The low, sleek proportions work well, it has a low grille, long bonnet with power domes, and the cabin sits further back. All four side windows are frameless and there is no B-pillar. New E-Class coupe is 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and sits on a 113 mm longer wheelbase. Rear legroom up by 74 mm and shoulder… Read more

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BMW 2002

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1975 BMW 2002

In March 1966 BMW introduced a new, smaller two-door body with similar engineering specifications to the previously introduced larger four-door sedans, but these cars only had 1.6 litre engines. In September 1967 a twin-carburettor, high compression model, the 1600TI was added to the range. With the arrival of new US emission regulations it was found too difficult to bring the 1600TI into conformity with these regulations by simply adding twin carburettors so an alternative solution, adding more engine displacement, was adopted. The result was the 2002, with a single-carburettor two-litre… Read more

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2017 KIA SPORTAGE SLI DIESEL REVIEW

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Kia has tinkered with its Sportage, now a stalwart in the Korean manufacturer’s line-up, freshening it up both inside and out and giving it some of the impetus it needs to push back against numerous competitors. The range includes both petrol and diesel offerings in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive with a number of variants, too. Starting at $37,990, our diesel SLi is almost halfway between the entry level 2.0-litre Si petrol ($28,990) and the bells and whistles of the $45,990 Platinum diesel. STYLING The new Sportage features a bolder, more aggressive… Read more

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VOLVO C30 2007 – 2013

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Volvo C30 is a small coupe from the renowned Swedish car marque. Designed as part of its plan to get away from its ‘sensible but boring’ image it had styling that harked back to the P1800 of the 1960s and ‘70s . The C30’s styling was polarising, particularly the large sloping back window, when introduced in March 2007, but found favour later and sales on the used-car market are strong these days. There’s a fascinating model range, including a pretty quick T5 and an ultra-economy special. The C30 may be… Read more

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TOYOTA’S ULTRA-STYLISH C-HR

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Late last century Toyota took the chisel to several models and carved a series of cutting edge designs that had the automotive world sitting up: think the curvy Celica; Tarago ‘egg’ people mover, the first RAV4 and the Prius petrol / electric hybrid. Other than that the Japanese penned plenty of rather bland shapes. That has dramatically changed. In parallel with the rapid sales rise of SUVs, Toyota has come up with the radically-styled C-HR, standing for Coupe High Rider. To say the C-HR is different is the mother of… Read more