Category: News

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NEW CAR SALES SLUMP CONTINUES

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Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the peak body for the automotive industry in Australia, has released new vehicle sales figures for the month of September 2019. According to Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, new vehicles have now seen the eighteenth consecutive month of decreasing sales in the Australian market. “It is clear the slower sales rate the market is experiencing is in line with the broader economic environment in Australia. “Of particular concern to the industry is the restrictive regulatory lending conditions currently facing consumers,” Mr Weber… Read more

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MAJOR TECH UPGRADES FOR LEXUS RX

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Lexus has introduced a number of new or improved features on its RX SUV, with a particular emphasis on infotainment systems. Safety, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, is another big winner. Lexus RX 300 Luxury now features a 12.3-inch screen (up from 8.0 inches), new touch-display and touchpad-type Lexus Remote Touch functionality, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an additional four USB ports (now six). Standard Lexus Safety System+ gains night-time pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection for the pre-collision safety system and autonomous emergency braking. Its all-speed active cruise… Read more

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MORE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BMWs COMING

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BMW Australia will bring in the all-new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition models in the second quarter of 2020. Both models will feature the signature BMW M kidney grille, with black double bars adorning the front design along with matching M gills, exterior mirror caps, diffuser trim in the rear apron and exhaust pipes in black. They are powered by a 4.4-litre M TwinPower turbocharged V8 petrol engine with 460kW of power and 750Nm of torque. They can get from a standstill to 100km/h in just… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLC: MAJOR UPDATES

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Mercedes-Benz GLC has had a range-wide update featuring revised styling, a new choice of powertrains and technological upgrades. The biggest news is that a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model is coming, though not till mid 2020. Mercedes GLC is offered in SUV and Coupé bodies that feature what the company describes as, “Muscularly sculpted surfaces and distinctive details such as the chrome elements, which run from the front to the rear end as standard. Redesigned headlights and a heavily contoured radiator grille ensure a strong character.” For the first time, they… Read more

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AUDI RS Q3 HERE IN 2020

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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

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2020 UPGRADES FOR NISSAN PATROL

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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

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LEAVE THAT PHONE ALONE!

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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

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PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 COUPE AND CABRIOLET

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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

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SUZUKI SWIFT 2011 – 2018

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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

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HYUNDAI VENUE – GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

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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