Category: News

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NISSAN STILL A BIG MANUFACTURER IN AUSTRALIA

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Nissan started assembling cars in Sydney over 50 years ago, in 1966. Then began full-line local production in 1972, eventually not only making Nissans here, but also Holdens for a while (some Astras were based on Nissan Pulsars). Though Nissan pulled out of full-scale manufacturing here in 1992, it continues to make car components to this day, and plans to do so well into the next decade. The Nissan Casting Plant (NCAP) in Clayton, Victoria employs 192 skilled workers, runs three shifts a day, seven days a week making approximately… Read more

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MERCEDES UTES – YES, UTES

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The eagerly awaited, though somewhat surprising, Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute is getting closer to Australia by the day. With the announcement of pricing – from $45,450 for a manual cab-chassis, to $64,500 for a luxurious dual-cab – the working Benz will compete with the top end of utes from more traditional sources. Or to be more precise, the top end of traditional utes with a stack of extras – because you will have to pay about $5000 to $15,000 extra for the Merc comparing like for like. Why is Merc selling… Read more

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ADVANCE INFO ON FORD ENDURA

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Australian 2019 Ford Endura is based on the American Ford Edge of 2017

Many consider the Ford Territory was the best Ford ever designed and built in Australia, bar none. Sadly it disappeared when Ford Australia pulled up stumps. Ford Territory’s replacement has finally been announced and it’s called Ford Endura – which Ford tells us is short for endurance. Details are sketchy at this stage, as is the date it will arrive, other than that it will be sometime late in 2018. The fact that Holden is about to introduce its new Equinox SUV probably tells us why an Endura press release… Read more

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2018 HOLDEN EQUINOX: PRICING ANNOUNCED

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Holden has released pricing and further details of its new Equinox SUV, the model that’s replacing the ageing Holden Captiva in December. Equinox is an all-new vehicle developed by GM-Chevrolet with significant input from Australian GM-Holden engineers going back almost to the earliest stages of the design. This medium-large Holden will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 127 kW and 275 Nm; or a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 188 kW and 353 Nm. These will be available at the launch of the Equinox in December. The turbo-diesel won’t come… Read more

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AUDI LAUNCHES Q2 TFSI QUATTRO SPORT

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Audi has introduced the final variant to its successful new Q2 range. The TFSI quattro sport use a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 140kW of power, and 320 Nm of torque. Naturally power goes to all four wheels by way of the Audi quattro drive system. It has a higher level of specification to the others in the Q2 range and has a recommended retail price starting at $48,500. Zero to 100 km/h performance is 6.5 seconds. Quick, but not super quick – we will have to wait for the S2… Read more

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2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS STRIKING LOOKS

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It would be unkind to call the previous Hyundai Sonata an ugly duckling, but a major facelift really has given it a striking appearance. Indeed, many seeing it for the first time would think it’s an all-new car. The front end is bang up to date, with a huge grille, sleek headlights, large DRL (Daytime Running LIght) housings giving a look that’s more coupe-like than family car. The tail has also received a sportier treatment, with slimmer lights and a bold shape to the diffuser. Though the Sonata’s sides remain… Read more

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WILL OUR COMMODORE BE JUDGED “WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR”?

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Opel Insignia

Australian engineers working on the next-generation Commodore may have played a major part in having the Opel Insignia listed as a finalist for the 2018 World Car of the Year awards. Opel Insignia has had many positive reviews in Europe since its introduction a few months ago – and that’s with just the four-cylinder turbocharged engine. We feel sure they will love the performance of the V6 engine if they get to sample it. That powerplant wouldn’t have been engineered into the car but for pressure from Holden. The World… Read more

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ALL-NEW BMW X3

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Fourteen years ago BMW was ahead of its time when it launched the X3 SUV into the prestige car market. Seven years later it introduced the second generation. Now a further seven years on the gen-three X3 from BMW has arrived in Australia. Four years ago Australian Calvin Luk, already one of BMW’s best regarded stylists took his seat at computer screen to do come up his thoughts on the all-new X3. Yesterday he sat at his screen again and fascinated we Australian motoring journos with quickly drawn strokes to… Read more

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PORSCHE 911 CARRERA T

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  The 911 Carrera T is based on the standard 911 Carrera, but with major changes. While the T stands for Touring in Porsche speak this is not a GT (grand touring) vehicle in the conventional manner rather the T is aimed at harder performance through lower weight. The legendary Colin Chapman famously said when he designed his racing and sportscars, “First add lightness.” To trim mass the Porsche Carrera T rear window and rear-side windows are made from lighter glass and the door trims feature opening pull loops instead… Read more

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EVEN HOTTER PORSCHES COMING

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Porsche Boxster 718 GTS

Porsche Australia has announced that two new models, from the opposite ends of the scale, are coming Downunder next year: PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER AND CAYMAN GTS The Porsche 718 Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe are now offered in high-performance GTS variants. The updated turbocharged 2.5-litre, GTS four-cylinder boxer engine produces 269 kW, up 26 kW over the previous GTS models with their naturally aspirated engine. Maximum torque is there between 1900 and 5000 rpm. They are sold in six-speed manual gearbox format, or optional Porsche DoppelKupplung (PDK) for a crazy… Read more