Category: News

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NEW HYUNDAI SONATA: FIRST DETAILS

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Hyundai has given us initial details of its third-generation Sonata. The medium-large family sedan sits on an all-new platform that is lighter for improved fuel efficiency. Just as important is that there are significant improvements in crash safety. A fascinating feature is that the platform is designed so that the tyres move outward during a small overlap collision to maximise occupant safety. This also reduces the chances of the vehicle from spinning, thus preventing possible secondary collisions. Next-generation Sonata will be launched in Australia in the second half of 2019…. Read more

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MAZDA CX-8 DIESEL UPGRADES

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Mazda has updated its seven-seat Mazda CX-8 Diesel, only nine months after its launch in July 2018. Mazda CX-8 has grown its equipment list and updated styling elements to strengthen its value-packed offering. Visually there are subtle changes to the bumpers. The CX-8 Sport’s 17-inch alloys now have a Grey Metallic finish while the Asaki’s 19-inch alloys are Brilliant Dark. Mazda lagged in providing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in all its models but is rapidly catching up and are now standard in all CX-8 Diesels. Handling is further improved… Read more

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KILLER AIRBAGS

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The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) advises that more than one million vehicles have been identified as carrying faulty Takata airbags through the industry website, www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au. Since launch, more than 6.4 million vehicles have been checked on the site. “That’s a tremendous result,” said Tony Weber, Chief Executive of the FCAI. “The website has underpinned the powerful community response to the recall, with more than 100,000 vehicles rectified every month” The launch of the innovative website has been supported by an extensive “Don’t Die Wondering” national advertising campaign including… Read more

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HYUNDAI i30 FASTBACK N

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The Hyundai i30 Fastback N is the second offering from the Hyundai N Performance Division. Developed from the i30 N hot-hatch, the Fastback has a seven per cent aerodynamic drag reduction compared with the hatch. It has the same 202kW / 353Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the hatch. Overboost increases torque to 378Nm at full throttle for up to 18 seconds. The zero to 100 km/h time is listed at 6.1 seconds and the hot Hyundai is electronically limited to a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol… Read more

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MAZDA REVEALS CX-30

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Mazda previewed a new model called Mazda CX-30 at the Geneva Motor Show. It’s not the anticipated upgrade of the CX-3 but a new model in its own right. As with the all-new Mazda3 we recently sampled, we are assured the CX-30 is very smooth and quiet inside and that the seats are specially tailored to suit the natural shape of the human body. The CX-30 sits about midway in ride height between a conventional passenger car and an SUV so offers easy ingress and egress. European specifications were the… Read more

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NEW NISSAN LEAF GETTING CLOSER

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In October 2018 we attended a static display of the new Nissan Leaf where we were able to sit in the pure electric car that’s the World’s best seller. We also had the opportunity to spend serious time with engineers and marketing people. Now Nissan Australia has announced the next step of the marketing campaign by announcing it will be priced at from $49,990 (MSRP) plus on road costs. New generation Leaf will be sold from 89 Nissan dealerships Australia wide, well up from the 12 when the original Leaf… Read more

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BMW X7 SUV: SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICING

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BMW Group Australia has announced Australian pricing and specification for the first ever BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It will be available in Australia from late May 2019, launching with the $119,900 BMW X7 xDrive30d, and the X7 M50d at $169,900. On-road charges have to be factored in. BMW X7 is a large seven-seater and we are assured all seats are spacious. There’s a major emphasis on luxury with electronically adjustable backrests and seat positions on all seats. The X7 xDrive30d’s sport seats include front seat heating, adjustable side… Read more

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2019 JAGUAR XE: DETAILS AND PRICES

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Jaguar’s XE midsize sedan has been given a makeover outside and in as well as receiving additional technology. The lineup has been trimmed down for Australia, with a focus on the performance focused models. The Jaguar XE is now offered in both R-Dynamic SE and HSE. Both use the 221 kW advanced Ingenium turbo-petrol engine. Standard on XE models,Dynamic mode amplifies the car’s sporting character, with faster gear shifts, sharper throttle response and increased steering weighting. Drivers can alter their driving experience when the optional Configurable Dynamics system is chosen…. Read more

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TEST DRIVE SUBARUS AT HOME

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Want to test drive Subaru on your home ground rather than at a Subaru dealership? Then have a Subaru be brought to your home, work or anywhere else that best suits. Using it on roads that are very familiar to you lets you get a proper feel for a Subaru you’re considering buying. After a successful pilot in the Sydney metro region, Subaru Australia has expanded its mobile test drive program, ‘Test Drive at Yours’, nationally at participating retailers. At this stage about 50 per cent of Subaru dealers Australian… Read more

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PEUGEOT IMPORTS 100 SUV SPECIAL EDITIONS

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Peugeot Australia has launched 100 Crossway SUVs. Sixty of them 3008s and 40, 5008s. Their biggest feature is a Premium Focal 10-speaker audio system with subwoofer, more about it in a moment. They also have a black diamond roof, chrome pack and full Alcantara trim with emerald stitching. The 5008 gets Crossway floor mats, though the 3008 misses out on these. Externally these 3008 and 5008 SUVs have Crossway badging and a Crossway B-pillar motif. Now to the audio setup: Focal, with more than 35 years of audio experience, came… Read more