Category: News

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JAGUAR F-PACE SVR IS COMING

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Jaguar is running hot right now, not only with victories in major awards, but also new models seemingly by the week. The Jaguar F-Pace SUV has taken out the World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year, now an ultra-hot SVR has just been announced. Engineered by Jaguar LandRover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), the Jaguar F-Pace SVR has a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine producing 540 horsepower (404kW) and 680Nm of torque. The big SUV can now leap from zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds, and proceed… Read more

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MAZDA FINE TUNES ITS ICONIC MX-5

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Ever restless in their search for perfection, the engineers at Mazda have given their ND series MX-5 roadster’s rear suspension some minor tweaks. Using information from the development of the Retractable Fastback (RF) version of the MX-5, the soft-top’s rear suspension’s upper link bushings have been lowered and the rear bump stops lengthened. The aim of the latter was to bring the stops into play a little earlier. It’s also there to give a slightly more comfortable ride, but obviously without in any way interfering with the MX-5’s exceptional road… Read more

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MERCEDES-AMG G 63: AN UNLIKELY DRAG RACER

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Way back in the mid 1980s I ran hundreds of acceleration tests on a big variety of vehicles at the sadly now defunct Oran Park racetrack. I did the straight-line stuff while Modern Motor’s editor Barry Lake did hot laps. It seemed a bit silly to be photographed sitting in a huge 4WD with the aerodynamics of a house brick – the just launched Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen – but it was our policy to wear skid lids, so we did. I can’t remember what the zero to 100 km/h time was… Read more

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HOT HYUNDAI i30 N: FIRST DRIVE

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In our recent introductory article on the all-new Hyundai i30 N we discussed it in detail, but were asked to respect an embargo on drive impressions until March 29. We carried out extensive road and track tests from Albury, through , Eskdale, Anglers Rest and returned to Albury via the Omeo Highway and Great Alpine Road. The following day we spent at Winton Raceway for no holds barred driving for the part of five hours. Great days, though some of us were green around the gills after about the first… Read more

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HOT RENAULT CLIO R.S. LAUNCHED AT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

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Renault Australia marked the start of the 2018 Formula 1 season in Melbourne with the introduction of a hot new limited-edition Renault Clio R.S.18. Indeed, the very first Clio R.S. 18 off the production line made its debut there. Based on the Clio R.S. 220 EDC Trophy – the most powerful car of the Clio R.S. range the limited edition is finished in Liquid Yellow, with side mouldings, wheel centre caps front bumper, Renault diamond and R.S. logo on the bumper are entirely black – something that’s exclusive to this… Read more

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REDHOT LAMBORGHINI URUS ON ITS WAY

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Lamborghini Urus, which the Italian performance car maker calls a Super Sport Utility Vehicle (SSUV), will be coming to Australia in the final quarter of this year. It’s priced at $390,000 (GST and LCT included) plus on road costs and dealers will be happy to take orders now As has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. Urus is powered by a 4.0 litre V8… Read more

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HYUNDAI I30 N: THE REAL DEAL

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This is the one driving enthusiasts worldwide have been speculating on for years; a hot-hatch from Korea to compete with those from Japan and Europe. The Hyundai i30 N is aimed squarely at Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf GTi and the like. Being a brand new design it has the latest performance components both in mechanical and electronics. You get a lot of car for a pretty modest $39,990 plus on roads. Hyundai’s ’N’ Performance Division is named for both the Namyang R&D Centre in Namyang, South Korea and for the… Read more

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LEXUS RC UPGRADES

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Lexus has introduced significant upgrades to its RC F coupe including an improved infotainment system and expanded safety technology. Infotainment is now shown on a 10.3-inch screen, significantly up from the previous 7.0-inch unit. The Lexus Remote Touch pad is larger and we are assured this is now easier to use. We did criticise the touch pad during our previous testing so will borrow an RC sometime soon and comment on the changes. The controls for the active cruise control system have also been simplified. The topline V8 RC F… Read more

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CITROEN GRAND PICASSO PETROL

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Citroen’s Grand Picasso people mover is now offered with more power – and a significantly lower price tag. With a recommended retail price of $38,490 it sits $6000 under the existing turbo-diesel model. On-road costs have to be added but you get very-fashionable seven-seat people mover for not a lot over $40,000. The new turbo-petrol engine developes 121 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque, whereas the turbo-diesel has 110 kW and 370 Nm. (The much higher torque from the diesel is typical of this engine type. The petrol… Read more

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INFINITI QX80 UPGRADED

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Infiniti’s large SUV, the QX80 has had a major facelift and a number of stylish interior updates. Everything forward of the windscreen has been revised. The bonnet is 20 mm higher and has been extended forward by 90 mm, the grille is taller and broader. These changes have necessitated changes to the front guards. The front bumper has what Infiniti tells us is “a muscular design that elevates its athletic stance.” The tailgate, taillights, chrome bar and rear bumper have also been redesigned. The large, imposing Japanese SUV sits on… Read more