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RENAULT KOLEOS 2008 – 2015

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2011 Renault Koleos

Renault Koleos is a crossover, both in the where it can be driven – as well as where it is built. It is a French design using a drivetrain sourced from Nissan in Japan and is built in South Korea at the Renault-Samsung manufacturing plant. Launched in Australia in September 2008 it followed the increasingly common feature of being offered in 2WD (front wheels) or 4WD. Koleos’ rear tailgate has a clever ‘clamshell’ design allowing many options for access and load-carrying. You can fold the front passenger seat back to… Read more

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HUMBLE HYUNDAI ACTIVE HATCH SETS NEW ‘I-MARK’

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Hyundai says it refuses to treat i30 owners as second-class automotive citizens and says it gives potential buyers of its third-generation goodies usually within the domain of more expensive models. The entry-level Active variant, starting at $20,950 plus on-road costs, is $500 less than the model it replaces, despite having $2000 of extra standard features. These include a fully integrated satellite navigation system with 8.0-inch touch screen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and DAB+ digital radio. It also has16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, hill-start… Read more

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NEW KIA PICANTO FOR 2017

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After a successful toe-in-the-water test on the last of the previous generation Picantos, Kia Australia has just launched the new third generation of its smallest model downunder. The biggest feature of new Picanto is its bold styling. There is nothing harder in the automotive business than making a boxy car with good interior space attractive. Kia’s designers in the company’s styling studios in South Korea and Europe, the two biggest markets for the model, have done an excellent job. Though it carries a family resemblance to the just superseded Picanto… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL MAKEOVER

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Nissan has given its midsize X-Trail SUV a big performance boost, a solid makeover in appearance both inside and out, added significant technology and improved its overall refinement. Now in its 17th year, over four generations, with total sales downunder approaching 200,000, the X-Trail is an important vehicle in the sales armament of the Australian arm of the Japanese giant that has operated in Australia since the mid 1960s (beginning as Datsun). Though the appearance changes to the body are restricted to the ‘soft’ areas, that is plastic and glass… Read more

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2017 AUDI Q2 REVIEW

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Sales of small and midsize SUVs are booming worldwide, not just in Australia. Many are being bought by people with no desire to go off-road, but who want something that’s easy to get in and out. Station wagons are considered boring whereas SUVs like the Audi Q2 are highly favoured . Enter the all-new Audi Q2, a stylish machine that is spacious for its class, easy to drive and park and a good midsize load hauler. STYLING At the front the Audi Q2 follows its own distinct direction when compared… Read more

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2017 MAZDA6 REVIEW

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Who can pass on value for money? The idea that we are getting a bargain is what makes us drive ten extra kilometres for cheaper fuel, or add yet another two-for-one item to the shopping trolley. It is also how I justify that new shoe purchase to my husband. And the dress and the bag… That’s what Mazda is hoping will boost sales of its mid-sized sedan – presenting buyers with a premium proposition for an affordable outlay. To that end, the new Mazda6 has been packed with more technology,… Read more

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2017 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE REVIEW

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Based on the three-door hardtop version of the Evoque, the convertible has had its entire upper body deleted and replaced by a fabric top. It’s gained a lot of weight – about 275 kilograms depending on the model to add the strength that used to be provided by the sold roof. For comments on the performance see Driving later in this road test. STYLING The Evoque is visually attractive in open-top fashion, though the sides are very tall, reminding us it’s an SUV, not a sportscar. Roof up, it can… Read more

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S4 SEDAN STILL THE STUFF OF AUDI LEGEND

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For those who crave performance with panache at a not-so-prohibitive price, form a line here. The Audi S4 has arrived Taking its place at the head of the new A4 range, together with the iconic S4 Avant station wagon, the sedan continues five generations of high-performance sports cars with a stylish sophistication that’s understated. Audi maintains refinement is the S4 keyword, with advanced technology, intelligent infotainment and connectivity systems, as well as highly developed chassis concept that reduces weight by 75kg, while improving handling and ride comfort. With its 3.0-litre… Read more

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2017 MERCEDES-AMG C 43 COUPE

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Australians are the biggest buyers of Mercedes-AMG cars in the world as a percentage of all Mercedes-Benz sales. Sales are going to rise even more with the introduction of an entry-level model to the C-Class AMG variants. While most people may not see $100,000 as being ‘entry-level’ the latest AMG C 43 kicks in at only a few dollars more than that, with the C 43 which has been our most enjoyable ride this week. The range starts with the sedan at $101,900, with our road test coupe having a… Read more

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CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY

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The Chevrolet Corvette has always embodied the American concept of a classic sports car. It went into production as the world’s first mass-produced plastic car in 1953 and since then has continued to prove that Chevrolets do not have to be boring. The introduction of the Corvette was seen by GM executives as a means of testing new technology. As an example, the body was to be of fibreglass as used during WWII in naval patrol boats – hence the choice of the name Corvette. By confining their testing to… Read more