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MINI CONCEPT ACEMAN: FULLY-ELECTRIC CROSSOVER

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MINI has unveiled what it describes as “the future of the driving pleasure” with the world premiere of the MINI Concept Aceman, the marque’s first fully-electric crossover model. The MINI Concept Aceman showcases a new design language and technological innovations that will shape the brand’s future models. The study of the first crossover concept model from MINI brings together central features that outline the marque’s driving pleasure of the future: from a purely electric drive to clear, pared-back design language and a material concept that uses no leather or chrome… Read more

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NEW MATURITY COMES WITH REX GROWTH SPURT

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When it comes ‘pocket rockets’ the Subaru WRX has form. Launched in 1992, the WRX, which stands for World Rally Experimental, became an instant icon, winning three consecutive makers’ world championships. Landing Down Under two years later, the WRX since has enjoyed strong sales in the sports sedan segment thanks, principally, to its trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system linked to a compact four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged ‘boxer’ engine. Fast forward to 2022, with the fifth-generation model giving rise to a new maturity to a driving experience which previously had been unsophisticatedly… Read more

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2022 ABARTH 595 COMPETIZIONE

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One of our family cars for many years was a ‘Fiat 500 by Gucci’ convertible. It was a brilliant little Italian machine to buzz around in traffic and park in tiny spots that others simply could not fit into. It had the Gucci trademark green/red/green stripes and people admired it whenever we stopped. So, it was great to spend a week in the sporting cousin of our 500, the Abarth 595 Competizione. Abarth is the name used on the high-performance variants in the Fiat 500 range. STYLING Based on the… Read more

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NEW VEHICLE SALES FIGURES FOR JULY 2022

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The FCAI, the peak body for Australia’s automotive industry, has released new vehicle sales figures for July 2022. A total of 84,461 vehicles were sold in July bringing the year-to-date total to 622,319. This result represents a 0.4 per cent increase on the same month in 2021. FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the relatively flat result compared to this time last year has shown the market has not normalised since the beginning of the pandemic. “Vehicle and component manufacturing operations remain affected by plant shutdowns caused by Covid-19. Logistics,… Read more

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HYUNDAI PALISADE UPGRADED FOR 2023

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A restyled and substantially upgraded 2023 Palisade is set to launch in Australia in August 2022. It has updated exterior and interior design elements, with segment-leading safety additions, and extra tech and luxurious features. An expanded suite of SmartSense driver assistance and advanced active safety features is used in the 2023 Palisade. It now incorporates Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning function, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, a Multi anti-Collision Braking system, a 3D Surround View Monitor function, a Hyundai 1st Reverse Light Guide function as well as Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance… Read more

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MITSUBISHI ASX GSR

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Mitsubishi ASX is the smallest vehicle in the company’s four-model SUV range beneath the Eclipse Cross, Outlander and Pajero Sport. ASX (the acronym stands for Active Sports Crossover, not Australian Stock Exchange!) has been around since 2010 and competes against a host of rivals in the small SUV category including Hyundai Kona; Mazda CX-30; Kia Seltos; Subaru XV; Toyota C-HR; and the class sales leading MG ZS. Despite being largely unchanged throughout the decade ASX has been a star performer for Mitsubishi thanks to a combination of sensible design, functionality… Read more

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SUZUKI VITARA AND GRAND VITARA 2005 – 2020

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Unlike many ‘toy’ 4WDs on sale these days the Suzuki Vitara is the real deal. Popular with those who like to have fun away from the beaten track the Vitara works well on the beach, on forest trails and even in quite serious off-road conditions. Though the names ‘Grand Vitara’ and just plain ‘Vitara’ were used in different series most people simply refer to them all as Vitara. Basically, the Grand title was used on the 2005 but from the model change of 2015, it disappeared again. When an all-new… Read more

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NO FRILLS BUT MORE KIT A PLUS FOR NISSAN X-TRAIL

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Those who thought Nissan’s long-standing popular sports utility vehicle would trail away into oblivion were mistaken. The mid-size X-Trail came to Australia more than two decades ago with little fanfare but won the hearts and wallets of those searching for soft- road versatility. Now, Nissan has announced a new fourth generation X-Trail for Down Under in the second half of 2022. In the meantime, to celebrate 20 years here, the Japanese company has refreshed the MY22 model range with the addition of a new ST+ variant. Available in two- or… Read more

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PRACTICAL TRANSITION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE FLEET.

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The FCAI, Australia’s peak National, State and Territory automotive representative organisations have reached a historic agreement at an Industry Summit on critical positions and pathways to achieve the considered and practical transition and electrification of the national motor vehicle fleet. Representing thousands of businesses that make, sell, distribute, provide novated leasing, service, repair, supply aftermarket parts, components, and accessories, dismantle, recycle, and train tens of thousands of automotive professionals, the peak organisations developed and agreed to more than 25 principles including: Embracing the electrification of the Australian motor vehicle fleet…. Read more

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LAMBORGHINI ESPADA

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Released in 1968, Espada was Lamborghini’s first four-seat vehicle and its biggest selling model for years. Encapsulating an exceptional approach to technical innovation, thanks to the front-mounted 4.0-litre Lamborghini V12 engine it was always an extremely fast grand tourer despite the step up in size. It could comfortably seat four adults and had more space for both luggage and passengers than the 400 GT 2+2 (its predecessor) and the Isler 400 GT 2+2. In addition, Espada featured truly outstanding finish, with generous amounts of leather and other refined materials, as… Read more