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ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE

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1979 Rolls-Royce Corniche

The Corniche was Rolls-Royce’s coupe and convertible version of the Silver Shadow produced between 1971 and 1996. With the release of the Silver Shadow range in 1965, which had an all-in-one chassis less four-door body shell it was incorrectly considered that the release of this model would see the end of special-bodied models. Up to that time coachbuilders found it easy to construct coachwork for fitting to models with a separate chassis but almost impossible to do the same thing on cars built as a monocoque structure. Rolls-Royce overcame this… Read more

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THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE

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I recently wrote a comment piece bemoaning the fact that cars are getting boring. Boring because less and less skill is required to get the best from them. Acceleration testing on a hot Jeep SRT had just been completed and I bemoaned the fact that all that was required only that you push the right buttons on the computer and it will get maximum response from the engine, tyres and transmission – no skill required. The BMW M2 is a full-on sports machine. We road tested the manual version the… Read more

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2016 SUBARU FORESTER TS SPECIAL EDITION

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Subaru was one of the earliest Japanese carmakers to tackle the Australian market, with imports dating back to 1973. It did moderately well in the sales race in its initial years – then took off at breakneck speed with the introduction of the high-performance WRX in1994. The WRX’s stunning combination of turbocharged power and the road grip offered by all-wheel-drive grabbed the imagination of keen Aussie drivers and it’s no surprise that other hot models followed, including some based on the Subaru Forester SUV. We initially drove a Forester tS… Read more

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ALL-NEW MAZDA CX-9 SHINES

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The first Mazda CX-9 was launched here just before Christmas 2007 and despite its age has been selling pretty well, being a long time favourite on the family SUV market. In recent years, though, buyers have been asking Mazda Australia to update it. That somewhat overdue new CX-9 is finally here and has the latest technology in infotainment, powertrain and suspension technology and offered in a number of models and drivetrains. Australia continues to be Mazda’s biggest selling market on a population basis so several important guests, including Mazda CX-9… Read more

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PORSCHE 924

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1981 Porsche 924

In the early 1970s Volkswagen planned to introduce a sports coupe to lift its image in some markets, particularly the USA. The car was to use as many VW parts as possible including a current engine to minimise retooling costs. The VW management approached Porsche to design the vehicle for them and the project soon got under way but as it approached finality the VW people suddenly dropped the whole project and it went into limbo. Fast forward a couple of years and there was suddenly a fuel crisis on… Read more

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TROPHY WINNER IN ‘HORSES FOR COURSES’ STAKES

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Horses for courses: it’s a throwaway line to explain something that doesn’t quite fit. The Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy is a case in point. With its added ‘horses’ – power, that is – the special edition is not always at home on the street. Compared with the Clio RS 200 EDC five-door hot hatch, the new limited edition features a more powerful engine with 15 extra kilowatts, up to 40 Newton metres more torque, a sportier chassis and an enhanced EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) automatic transmission. The Clio RS… Read more

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MOTORCLASSICA 2016

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The seventh edition of Motorclassica, Australia’s automotive display of rare and exotic, historic, vintage, veteran, classic and collectable cars and motorcycles will be staged Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building over the 21-23 October weekend. As well as the hundreds of vehicles displayed inside the Building, an additional 200+ vehicles will be on show each day in the Club Sandwich car club displays outside the main hall. The event will begin on the Thursday evening with an exclusive opening night party, at which Mercedes-Benz will launch its newest luxury model. This year… Read more

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ALL-NEW CITROEN C3

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Following on from the unusual styling of the innovative Citroen Cactus, the French marque has revealed its all-new C3 model featuring Cactus-like styling. Instantly obvious are the Airbumps which protect the doors from minor to midrange damage. It’s not just the Airbumps that make new Citroen C3 a visual standout. As with the outgoing model it can be customised. Nine body colours (Banquise White, Perla Nera Black, Shark Grey, Aluminium Grey, Ruby Red, Almond Green, Cobalt Blue, Power Orange and Sand) and three roof colours (Opal White, Onyx Black, Aden… Read more

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AUDI’S ULTRA-HOT WAGON LEADS A DOUBLE LIFE

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Thoughts of a muscle car conjure up a redhot coupe or sedan – certainly not a station wagon – with power to burn. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Take the Audi RS 6 Avant, for example. The hot German wagon has performance in the supercar class with acceleration to 100 km/h from rest in just 3.7 seconds. A top speed of 305 km/h is claimed with the Dynamic Package Plus. The 4.0 V8 TFSI engine’s prodigious power is put to the road via an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission… Read more

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TOP-OF-THE-CLASS COUPE KEEPS UP STANDARDS

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It’s a case of more for less with the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class halo car. The C 63 S AMG coupe has arrived Down Under carrying with it more than a few pleasant surprises. This is borne out by a cut in engine capacity from that of the model it replaces. Last time the 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine was a carryover from the previous model and when fired up launched the car to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds thanks to the 336 kW on call at 6800 rpm and 600 Nm… Read more