Category: News

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2018 KIA STINGER: FIRST AUSTRALIAN DRIVE

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Kia is an extremely ambitious car maker and is keen to lift its image in Australia above that of being sensible and affordable. So is importing the five-door Stinger hatchback, a family car that will sell in the $45,990 to $59,990 price range. In European sedan terms Kia Stinger is more Jaguar than Bimmer, Benz or Audi in that it’s low slung and sporting. Like the Jag the Stinger loses some interior space particularly in height. So it may not work as a full-on family car if the kids are… Read more

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2018 ABARTH 595: MORE POWER, FEWER DOLLARS

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The smallest hot hatches in Australia, the Abarth 595 and the full-on Abarth 595 Competizione have received extra power, a facelift, improved infotainment and added equipment. Prices have been trimmed as part of the revision of the Italian marque’s plan to lift its slowish sales downunder. Both models are powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the Abarth 595 delivers 107 kW, in the Competizione is re-tuned to give 132 kW. Note that a Competizione with a 118 kW engine is no longer being imported to Australia. Smart move, it’s surely… Read more

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2018 MITSUBISHI ASX HAS MAJOR UPGRADES

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Midsize SUVs are running hot in the Australia market at the moment, with no signs of sales slowing. Mitsubishi is one of the earliest players in this field, the Pajero having been here for over 40 years. One of Pajeros smaller brothers, the Mitsubishi ASX is being upgraded for the 2018 season with advanced safety, added infotainment technology and a mild facelift. Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ front end has reshaped and now has integrated LED daytime running lamps and foglamp lower bezel. At the rear the ASX has a new bumper… Read more

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2018 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO: FIRST DETAILS

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Where else would Porsche hold the world premiere of its all-new third-generation Cayenne Turbo than at its home motor show, the IAA at Frankfurt? A new design 4.0-litre V8 engine with twin turbochargers has peak power output of 404 kW (550 hp). That’s up 22 kW (30 hp) on its predecessor. Maximum torque of 770 Nm is increase of 20 Nm. The new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic and active all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permit a zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.9 seconds when used with the Sport… Read more

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NEW SUV HAS SUBARU RACING INTO THE LEAD

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It appears Subaru has backed a winner with the new XV, with sales of the small sports utility vehicle up 139.0 per cent for August, pushing the maker to becoming the fastest growing top 10 brand in the automotive industry, according to official VFACTS figures. Subaru took a gamble with the XV, stepping out of the square with its sharper looks over the soft-skinned majority of the segment and augmenting this with technology designed to take on conditions other soft-roaders could only dream about tackling. The second-generation XV comes in… Read more

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FIRST CHANCE TO SEE NEW HOLDEN COMMODORE

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Holden’s all-new Commodore will go on public display for the first time at Motorclassica, Australia’s premier classic and collector car exhibition. The eagerly awaited German-built Holden is crammed with the latest in technology and is driven by either a V6 to all four wheels, or a high-tech turbo-petrol four-cylinder connected to the front wheels. It will be greeted at Motorclassica by all eight generations of Australian-made Commodores. Motorclassica 2017 will also be marking 100 years since the first Holden-bodied car was made in Australia, almost three decades before General Motors… Read more

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FERRARI PORTOFINO: FIRST DETAILS

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Ferrari Portofino is the replacement for the long-running Ferrari California T convertible. More powerful, lighter and stiffer than its predecessor the Portofino features a turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 producing 600 horsepower (445 kW). Though it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds the sleek Portofino is aimed at the grand tourer market rather than being an out-and-out sports machine. With seating for four, though the two in the back will ideally be on the small and tolerant side, the big Ferrari convertible has a folding hardtop that… Read more

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MAZDA BT-50 STAYS THE CUP COURSE LIKE TRUE THOROUGHBRED

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Twelve months ago, for me the south-western Queensland town of Birdsville was an island of disappointment in a sea of despair, my being in a group of late scratchings for a proposed run to the annual Birdsville Races. The iconic town was completely cut off by road after a deluge of unprecedented proportions just as a group of motoring media, me included, was about to drive the track there in Mazda BT-50 utes. Under starter’s orders: To their credit, the folk at Mazda this month came up trumps and we… Read more

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UNVEILED: LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR ROADSTER

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Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster is to be displayed at the Frankfurt motor show, but the Italian maker has released early photos and tech details in advance. The Roadster has a mid-rear 6.5-litre V12 engine that produces 740 hp (545 kW) of power, and 690 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm. T A zero to 100 km/h time of just 3.0 seconds is claimed. Dione 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels sit inside Pirelli P Zero tyres specifically developed for the Aventador S. Removable hardtop roof panels weigh less than six… Read more

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2018 AUDI A5 AND S5 CABRIOLET

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“What on Earth is Audi thinking of?” was my reaction to the invitation to attend the launch of the A5 and S5 Cabriolets – in Adelaide at the end of winter. Feeling smug when stepping off the plane in SA I muttered, “I told you so,” under my breath as I battled against a wind that felt like it was directly from the Antarctic. The outside temperature was nine degrees, and dropping… I was wrong. After taking a brave pill we powered down the soft top of a sleek new… Read more