AUDI RS Q3 HERE IN 2020

Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Audi Sport RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback are all-new models. However, Australian buyers may have a long wait as they aren’t expected to arrive in Australia until in the second quarter of 2020. Details below are of the German cars, pricing and specification in this country will be confirmed closer to launch. The power from the five-cylinder (294kW / 480Nm) turbo-petrol engine goes through a seven-speed S tronic automatic to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. It’s distributed as required between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control… Read more

2020 UPGRADES FOR NISSAN PATROL

Major upgrades to the Nissan Patrol have been announced in a media event in the Middle East. It’s extremely popular in that area thanks to its rough and rugged build and excellent off-road ability. Australian imports will be here shortly before Christmas, local specs may be slightly different to this quoted here, will provide them as soon as we get them. Nissan’s V-motion grille is used in its latest iteration in arguably its boldest way yet. Fascinateily, it was described at its launch in the Middle East as having, “Boomerang-shaped… Read more

LEAVE THAT PHONE ALONE!

If you use your phone while you’re driving, you’re as dangerous as a drink driver. So if you’ve got into the potentially lethal and illegal habit of checking your phone when you’re behind the wheel, it’s time to take away the temptation. A government campaign is currently running to – hopefully – get the message across. You can set up ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ to automatically activate every time you drive. You won’t receive any messages until you arrive at your destination and if someone has sent you a… Read more

PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 COUPE AND CABRIOLET

Following the introduction of the standard 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Porsche is expanding the line-up with the all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Like the 2020 911 Carrera models, the new 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six engine fitted with model-specific turbochargers, developing 283 kW (385 hp) at 6,500 rpm (15 hp more than the previous 911 Carrera 4 models) and 440 Nm of torque, all the way from 1,950 to 5,000 rpm. A fully-variable,… Read more

SUZUKI SWIFT 2011 – 2018

Suzuki Swift is a stylish Japanese small car that’s been popular in Australia since its re-introduction in February 2005. A major model change in June 2011 retained the same cheeky look as the 2005 model, but is a little larger, with a bit more space in the back seat. Obviously the Swift doesn’t have room space for four large adults in the cabin, being aimed a singles, couples and young families. In this review we are looking at the post 2011 Swifts as the older ones are getting on in… Read more

HYUNDAI VENUE – GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

Hyundai has launched the fourth, and smallest, member of its SUV range. Indeed, at just 4040 mm long, Hyundai Venue is one of the shortest of all models in the compact SUV market. Only the Suzuki Jimny is shorter, at 3645 mm. Venue’s stubby body is offset by an overall height measurement of 1592 mm which effectively dictates the boxy shape that used to characterise early SUVs before the stylists stepped in and began trying to outdo each other. Having said that we love the neat and functional styling that’s… Read more

CARS WITH FAULTY AIRBAGS MAY BE DE-REGISTERED

Faulty Takata airbags can go off without warning and kill or serious injure you. Despite a long campaign by car companies and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) there are still a total of 537,000 vehicles in Australia with faulty Takata airbags. The 537,000 vehicles tend to be from outer suburban areas of large cities, country areas, lower socio-economic groups and when English isn’t the first language of the vehicle owners. Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, said that while local automotive brands had worked hard to complete… Read more

RENAULT KADJAR IS ON ITS WAY

Renault Kadjar will join the already crowded mid-sized crossovers in Australia when it arrives in November. Renault Australia Managing Director Anouk Poelmann says, “Starting from $29,990 RRP the Renault Kadjar is designed to be at home in any environment, features a strong visual identity, contemporary design with a focus on quality and will sit in the middle of Renault’s three-strong SUV range”. At the front Kadjar carries over the C-shape light signature from the Renault range. It strengthens it by integrating LED indicators into daytime running lights. Front and rear… Read more

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUMMIT

Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is the famed American company’s most luxurious variant. It features a refined front with LED foglights. The restyled rear fascia has dual trapezoidal exhaust tips. In addition, the body-coloured side-sill cladding, wheel arches over the 20-inch alloys, mirror caps and door handles further deliver on the premium elements of Summit. Platinum chrome adorns front and rear lower fascia applique, side window surrounds and side sills, roof rails, tail lamp bezels and rear step pad Making its mark very obvious there’s exterior badging on the Jeep seven-slot… Read more

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS (JCW) CLUBMAN

The fastest ever production MINI, the John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman is coming to Australia. Extensive changes to the John Cooper Works four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine makes it produce 225kW, an increase of 55kW over the previous model, and 450Nm of torque. The result is a zero to 100km/h time of just 5.1 seconds. The 55kW power increase is thanks to internal revisions including a reinforced crankshaft drive, new pistons with modified compression, adapted connecting rods with bush-less bracket, modified injection valves with increased flow rate and a newly… Read more