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CX-30 HAS BEEN A SALES WINNER FOR MAZDA

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Launched here in late 2020 the Mazda CX-30 is a small-medium SUV that squeezes into the space between the company’s original SUVs, the compact CX-3 and the mid-sized CX-5. Between them, these three vehicles accounted for just over half of total Mazda sales in 2023 and were a major factor in the brand being locked solidly into second place behind Toyota in total sales. CX-30 was given a minor upgrade in late 2023 that included improved connectivity and fuel efficiency, together with a new model grade, the GT SP. The… Read more

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HYBRID POWER POINTS TO ZERO EMISSIONS

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With a dim start to electrification of the automobile Down Under, due considerably to the snail-pace roll-out of charging infrastructure to keep up, many car manufacturers have doubled down on petrol / electric hybrid models. Latest switch-on is Hyundai with its new Kona SUV range consisting initially of internal combustion engine vehicles and totally electric powered variants. The small sports utility hybrid vehicle makes use of a 1.6 litre petrol engine and 6 speed dual clutch transmission with a 1.32 kwh battery pack and electric motor, designed to deliver a… Read more

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IT’S DOWN TO BUSINESS FOR GENESIS SUPER SEDAN

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Genesis, the opening chapter of the Old Testament, and the titular luxury arm of Hyundai, share a couple of questions: where do they come from and who are they meant for? Answers were given to me by a local Genesis high-up when the South Korean automobile maker set up shop Down Under. He told of an owner of a top-shelf Mercedes-Benz, who did not want his pride and joy to face the day-to-day risks of city and suburban driving, so he settled for a top-notch Genesis for half the price,… Read more

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TOYOTA GRANVIA IS A PREMIUM PEOPLE MOVER

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Launched here in 2019 the Toyota Granvia effectively replaced the long-running Tarago people mover. At the same time, it moved its target audience beyond the family friendly transporter into the high-end hospitality and corporate market. To do so, Granvia had to increase in size and it measures 5300mm long and 1990 mm high. That’s 505mm longer and 240mm higher than the last Tarago and takes Granvia into modern minibus territory. Granvia is offered in two spec levels, Standard and Granvia VX, each with the choice of six or eight seats…. Read more

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AUDI Q5 DRIVES UP TO THE AUTO HOLY GRAIL

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Could it be that auto giant Audi has grasped the Holy Grail of the industry with its most popular vehicle, the Q5? The most desirable, yet elusive, automotive properties claimed by the Q5 plug-in petrol / electric hybrid – outstanding performance coupled with miserly fuel consumption – stand as the chalice of Arthurian legend. The new Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line showcases the manufacturer’s expertise in electrification and highly efficient internal combustion engine technology with a claimed sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a sizzling 5.3 seconds,… Read more

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FUTURISTIC HYUNDAI STARIA IS A REAL HEADER-TURNER

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Both come with a strikingly futuristic look with a steeply sloping front with a wide body-coloured radiator grille flanked by low-set LED headlights and a full-width horizontal LED strip above comprising a centre lamp and daytime running lights. Comparisons have been drawn to the now-defunct Space Shuttle. Both Staria models are engineered from the ground up on a dedicated platform shared with the Santa Fe. We’ll cover the Staria Load in another review and focus on the people mover here STYLING While it may polarise opinions, the Staria certainly has… Read more

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SPECIAL EDITION BMW M4 CS IS ON ITS WAY

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BMW Australia will complement its high-performance BMW M portfolio with launch of the all-new BMW M4 CS later this year.   The new addition to the line-up combines intelligent lightweight construction with extensive use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), increased engine output, bespoke chassis setup, exclusive design features and a precision-honed specification to deliver an exhilarating performance experience for both road and track and in all weathers. The special edition is powered by an uprated version of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the… Read more

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EV3 WILL BE KIA’S SMALLEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE

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Kia has released teaser images of its upcoming EV3, the brand’s new compact EV SUV. Around the same size as the Seltos SUV, the EV3 will be the 4th and smallest member of Kia’s EV range. Although complete images have yet to be released the EV3 is expected to be very similar to the EV3 Concept shown here at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Expected to sell from around $50k EV3 will take on existing compact SUVs such as the Kia Kona EV, BYD Atto3, GWM Ora and MG… Read more

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JEEP TAKES THE ALTERNATIVE TRAIL

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The Jeep Wrangler has changed direction, with the off-road icon, among other things, turning its back on bitumen soft-roading to step up in the rough with more pulling power at low revs. For the 2024 Wrangler, the Pentastar V6 engine has been retired in favour of a turbocharged four-cylinder motor, the latter forgoing 9 kW of power in favour of 53 Nm more torque and better fuel economy. Towing capacity remains unchanged at 2495 kg for a braked trailer. The MY24 Wrangler comes in four variants, all cheaper and with… Read more

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KIA CERATO IS WELL-EQUIPPED AND KEENLY PRICED

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Launched here in 2004, the small Cerato hatch or sedan has been one of Kia’s biggest sellers, often sharing the Australian sales podium alongside Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Mazda3. The current, fourth generation, Cerato has been on sale here since 2018 with an upgrade in 2021 adding new tech features as well as the fresh new Kia logo. The next generation Cerato is due early in 2025 but it will be given a name change, adopting the global name of K4. Let’s hope that Kia doesn’t face the same… Read more