TOURNEO TARGETS LARGE FAMILIES

Got a growing tribe and in the market for a people mover? The choice just got one bigger, with Ford’s announcement that the all-new Tourneo is coming later in the year. It’s actually a long wheelbase Transit van under the skin, but targeted at the passenger market, offering spacious accommodation for up to eight occupants. Two grades will be offered, Active ($65,990) and Titanium X ($70,990), with a comprehensive range of standard features such as a flexible track-mounted rear seating […] Read more

POLESTAR 4 IS THE FOUR WITH MORE

Polestar’s third and quickest model the Polestar 4 EV is now officially on sale in Australia. The coupe-shaped SUV is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price. Polestar is taking orders with indicative pricing of $81,500 for the long range single motor or $93,050 for the long range dual motor version. Production of our cars is set to start towards the middle of 2024, with first deliveries expected from August. The arrival of the […] Read more

TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID SL

Before discussing the Camry Hybrid, it should be pointed out that you can’t actually buy one right now. With a two-year waiting list due to production delays, Toyota Australia has been forced to “pause” orders for Camry hybrid variants due to extraordinary demand. A new ninth generation Camry was unveiled in the United States in November, so it will be interesting to see how Toyota plays this one. At some point it will have to switch from production of the current model to the new one. Toyota reveals 90 per… Read more

LDV LAUNCHES ANOTHER ELECTRIC VAN

Couriers have access to another electric option with the launch of LDV’s all-new, bread and butter eDeliver 7. It joins the larger eDeliver 9 van, as well as LDV’s first electric ute, the eT60, and MIFA 9 electric people mover. The Chinese brand claims eDeliver 7 demands no compromise from an operational perspective and continues to deliver exactly what’s needed from a commercial vehicle: range, features, price and ease of ownership. It is aimed at sole traders, SMEs, transport companies and corporate fleets. Four electric variants make up the eDeliver… Read more

CANNON BIG SHOT: HITS AND MISSES

The Great Wall made an unchallenged impression on the landscape of China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); conversely, established as recently as 1984 (2009 in Australia), the titular motor manufacturer has played an impressive leading role in China becoming the largest exporter of motor vehicles in the world. With no let-up in sales of the Great Wall Motors four-door, five-seat 4×4 ute, a new range- topping variant has landed Down Under the form of the rugged Cannon-XSR. Taking the robust foundations of the GWM Ute dual cab platform, the new… Read more

AUTO FOR RED-HOT YARIS

Toyota has unveiled an upgraded version of its rally-bred GR Yaris hot hatch which is available for the first time with an auto. Previously available only with a manual, the eight-speed DirectShift automatic transmission is sure to broaden the appeal of the little hottie. TGR World Rally Team drivers put the new automatic transmission to the test on a range of road surfaces, including in the Japanese Rally Championship and Toyota GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge under the ethos of “breaking and fixing” to help make the new transmission as durable… Read more

HYUNDAI ix35 2010 – 2015

The Hyundai ix35 has something of a split-personality. It began life in 2004 under the name Tucson, before switching in 2010, to ix35 as part of Hyundai’s move towards Euro-style alphanumeric names. The arrival of a new model in August 2015 saw the name return to Tucson. Most Hyundai ix35s are used as a family wagon rather than SUVs. In all-wheel-drive format they can be driven on mild forest trails and the like. In August 2012 the ix35 received a mild facelift and satellite navigation was introduced in the Elite… Read more

BAD-ASS X-TRAIL ATTACKS SKI SLOPES

Check this out. Nissan has modified an X-Trail SUV to work in the snow with the creation of the X-Trail Mountain Rescue Concept. The modifications include the replacement of the wheels with snow tracks, to give the X-Trail the traction to tackle slippery slopes. GMC did a similar thing with Sierra 2500HD All Mountain concept in 2018. As well as adding the tracks, a bespoke roof rack has been added to the X-Trail to carry an evacuation stretcher and snow shovels. A siren, flashing light bar and powerful lights have… Read more

NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L

Once known as Dualis, Nissan’s small SUV the Qashqai has grown in size and stature over the years. Sitting between the Juke and X-Trail in terms of size, the current, third generation Qashqai was launched in 2021. It’s 60kg lighter than before, stands taller, longer and wider, and has a longer wheelbase — and of course costs more. That means more room for luggage, and more knee and leg room for rear seat passengers. What’s not to like? STYLING The latest, third generation Qashqai comes in four grades: ST, ST+,… Read more

GWM ADDS SEVEN-SEATER TO ITS TANK SUV

Great Wall Motors (GWM) has unveiled the second variant of its Tank SUV with the seven-seat Tank 500 joining the Tank 300 five-seater that arrived here in late-2022. Due to go on sale in the Q2 2024 the all-new body-on-frame Tank 500 comes with a hybrid drivetrain, advanced safety features and a variety of convenience features such as auto reverse assist. As with the Tank 300 its available in two grades, Lux and Ultra. Lux will be priced at $66,490 driveaway with price and full specs of the Ultra to… Read more