Category: News

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PRELUDE TO A HYBRID WAY OF LIFE

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The new Prelude is something of an enigma. The Honda that rolled out all-wheel steering in the late 1980s, and a decade later, the Insight, one of the first to bring electric power to the production automobile, has just come on to the market as if standing still, for after 25 years, innovation is sparing in the MY26 generation sports coupe. The Prelude e:HEV rolls on a Civic Hybrid platform with the same 135kW powertrain and rides on a Type R-based suspension and Brembo brakes. More Civic than savage, at… Read more

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CHERY TIGGO 9 PHEV – SUPER IN NAME ONLY ELITE

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  Let’s get something straight. Wheels magazine (is it still a magazine?) may have recognised the Chery Tiggo 9 as Australia’s best value large SUV. But they’re talking about the top of the range Ultimate model, not the entry Elite which is the one most punters will end up buying at this end of the market. And the Elite is a quite different beast, front-wheel drive, with a smaller battery, less powerful drivetrain, less electric only range and of course less equipment. But it costs less and it still seats… Read more

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AUDI RINGS THE CHANGES WITH THE NEW FAMILY FAVOURITE

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While an ever-growing cohort of electric vehicles continues to ‘froth the coffee’ of automobile sales, there are still fossil fuelled ICE (internal combustion engine) alternatives stirring under the surface. One such stalwart of the ‘old order’ is the Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback, one of the German marque’s best-selling models worldwide and a cornerstone of Audi Down Under. The next generation has just landed with a broader model range aimed at city folk seeking a versatile premium all-rounder for everyday living. Available in SUV and Sportback styles, calling on three… Read more

CUPRA Leon VZx Sportstourer AWD

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Here’s something you don’t see very often, a new station wagon. A what? A station wagon — the thing we drove before the advent of SUVs. Part hot hatch. Part active lifestyle. The Cupra Leon VZx Sportstourer AWD has been confirmed for Australia. Joining the refreshed Leon lineup introduced in late 2025, the Leon VZx Sportstourer completes the Australian wagon range alongside the existing Leon VZe Sportstourer plug-in hybrid and introduces all-wheel drive (AWD) to the Leon range. Designed, developed and built in Barcelona, the new flagship variant combines genuine high-performance capability with the practicality and… Read more

Honda’s pocket rocket due soon

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EV meets Japanese Kei car in Honda’s soon to be launched pocket rocket the Super-One. The four-seat hatch is a mere 3.6 metres long and 1.6 metres wide, and sits less than 1550mm high, enabling it to fit into carparks in Japan. The car’s stance is low and wide, with pumped out guards to emphasise its sportiness. The two rear seats fold to increase the load area, creating an almost-flat floor. Super-One rides on black 16-inch alloys with red brake calipers and low-profile Yokohama rubber. The little cutie is powered… Read more

Last chance to get a V8 Patrol

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If you have your heart set on a V8-powered Nissan Patrol, you’d better get in quick. Nissan reveals production of the Y62 Patrol ends in August, with the Premcar Warrior version to follow soon afterwards. It’s replacement, the Y63 Patrol will be powered by a twin-turbo petrol V6. The Y62 run-out marks the closing chapter on more than a decade of V8 power for one of Australia’s most enduring, full-sized off-road SUVs. Nissan’s Steve Milette said Patrol has been a constant presence in Australian motoring, while the Y62 has played… Read more

Electric Trailseeker Subaru’s third EV

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Keeping track of Subaru’s EVs is becoming almost as difficult as following the growth of Chinese brands in Australia. The fully electric Subaru Trailseeker, the company’s third EV, is now on sale here, described by Sooby as the largest, most powerful and most adventurous all-electric Subaru ever offered in this country. It joins the Solterra and Uncharted, all of them badge-engineered versions of Toyotas — in the same way that the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota 86 sports car are one-in-the-same. Think of it this way: Solterra=bZ4X (original) Unchartered=C-HR+ (not… Read more

Porsche meets Ferrari – it’s the Porrari

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We couldn’t let this one go without comment. Automotive engineer and content creator Jimmy Oakes has established a strong following with his latest vehicle builds, engine swaps, drifting and more. And it’s his latest project that’s really got people talking because he’s swapped a Ferrari-built Maserati F136 V8 into a 1978 Porsche 911 SC, in what is a bold fusion of Italian performance, German engineering, and even some Japanese motorsport heritage. Nick named the Porrari, a combination of Porsche and Ferrari, the original 3.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine has been replaced… Read more

Chery ute to be called Stockman

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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Chery’s new plug-in, diesel-hybrid ute will be called Stockman. If the name sounds familiar, you’re right. It was the name of a small Suzuki 4×4 ute that was sold here close to 30 years ago. Guess Suzuki had no further plans for the name, or simply forgot to file the paperwork to prevent anyone else from using it. Chery staged a competition to name the forthcoming utility to which more than 20,000 people responded. Stockman emerged from a shortlist of eight possible names that included Outrider,… Read more

Neue Klasse Concept leads the way for BMW M

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It’s sink or swim time for BMW with the release of its new electric M concept. If it can’t deliver an electrified version of the M3 that makes buyers salivate, it may as well pack up and go home. The Chinese have got it covered. Showcasing the new M design language, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse makes its world premiere at Le Mans. BMW says the concept builds a bridge between its history and motorsport, with future M models that combine expressive design, high performance and innovative materials. It… Read more