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SLEEK, CHIC CATWALK CAMRY

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The mid-size Toyota sedan could be relied upon to serve the average family well with uninspiring looks, perky yet economical, performance. Even so, it became Australia’s favourite mid-size sedan. Five generations later the new hybrid-only Camry has cast off its comfy cardigan character, morphing into a sleek chic catwalk star, but still with the bones of a versatile form of ‘mass’ transport. The new Camry range starts at $39,990, plus on-road costs, for the entry-level Ascent, packed with standard equipment and features including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, daytime running… Read more

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GAC EMZOOM

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  Enzoom is the latest offering from the newest Chinese company to enter the Australian market, or was that last week – it’s become hard to keep track of them? While the name may not be familiar, GAC has been around in one form or another since 1948 and was the fifth largest car manufacturer in China, with 2.144 million sales in 2021. Emzoom is its fourth offering, a conventionally-powered, compact five-seat SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet. And it’s priced to tempt even the most ardent… Read more

Porsche meets Ferrari – it’s the Porrari

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We couldn’t let this one go without comment. Automotive engineer and content creator Jimmy Oakes has established a strong following with his latest vehicle builds, engine swaps, drifting and more. And it’s his latest project that’s really got people talking because he’s swapped a Ferrari-built Maserati F136 V8 into a 1978 Porsche 911 SC, in what is a bold fusion of Italian performance, German engineering, and even some Japanese motorsport heritage. Nick named the Porrari, a combination of Porsche and Ferrari, the original 3.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine has been replaced… Read more

Chery ute to be called Stockman

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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Chery’s new plug-in, diesel-hybrid ute will be called Stockman. If the name sounds familiar, you’re right. It was the name of a small Suzuki 4×4 ute that was sold here close to 30 years ago. Guess Suzuki had no further plans for the name, or simply forgot to file the paperwork to prevent anyone else from using it. Chery staged a competition to name the forthcoming utility to which more than 20,000 people responded. Stockman emerged from a shortlist of eight possible names that included Outrider,… Read more

Neue Klasse Concept leads the way for BMW M

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It’s sink or swim time for BMW with the release of its new electric M concept. If it can’t deliver an electrified version of the M3 that makes buyers salivate, it may as well pack up and go home. The Chinese have got it covered. Showcasing the new M design language, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse makes its world premiere at Le Mans. BMW says the concept builds a bridge between its history and motorsport, with future M models that combine expressive design, high performance and innovative materials. It… Read more

Lepas — the power and the passion

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Heard the expression Keep It Simple Stupid or KISS for short? It seems China’s plethora of car brands haven’t as they continue to divide and multiply, spreading like wildfire through the market place. One of the largest, Chery, has just spawned another offshoot with the soon-to-arrive arrive, fully-electric Lepas L6 SUV, a new model as well as a new name for consumers to grapple with. The name “Lepas” is reportedly a combination of the words ‘leap’ and ‘passion’ and the newcomer is set to join Jaecoo and Omada as well… Read more

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HOT TO TROT . . . HYUNDAI’S i30 SEDAN N

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Talk about icing on the cake. Last week it was the Hyundai i20 N, this week we slip behind the wheel of its big brother the i30 Sedan N. Think same idea, just larger and more luxurious, with an auto for those who would rather not change gears manually. Like the i20 N it’s probably on a short leash as the company continues its shift to fully electric vehicles, with cars like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 N variants. STYLING i30 N comes as a hatch or sedan, with… Read more

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JAECOO J5 SURFS BIG WAVE OF EV

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The name Jaecoo is said to be derived from Jager, the German word for hunter, with a reference, presumably, to a ‘leader of the pack’ empowering owners to thrive in a ‘wild life’, as in an existential world in turmoil. Since its debut in 2023 the Chinese brand, owned by Chery International, has expanded globally on the back of product it says is built for ‘those who seek purpose, precision and performance’. A long bow. Jaecoo J5 is a small SUV that comes with the choice of petrol or electric… Read more

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TIGGO 9 PLUG-IN PARTNER TAKES TO ‘SUPER HIGHWAY’

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Australians went from buying an electric vehicle – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric – once every 50 minutes four years ago to once every three minutes in April, according to Aussie Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on, with manufacturers, especially those from China, having a field day. Chery, one of the biggest, not satisfied with standard petro/electric hybrid performance has extended its super highway’ journey, adding to its rapidly expanding Tiggo range with a top-of-the-range CSH (for Chery Super Hybrid) ‘9’ model…. Read more

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COROLLA CROSS SETS THE BENCHMARK FOR SMALL HYBRID SUVS

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Launched here in 2022, and given an upgrade in mid-2025, the Toyota Corolla Cross is – as the name suggests – an SUV crossover version of the all-time world’s biggest selling motor vehicle. Corolla Cross is the largest of Toyota’s three-model range of compact SUVs above the smaller Yaris Cross and the sportier C-HR. It shares the same platform as the C-HR and Corolla. On test was the GXL front-wheel drive model. The original Corolla Cross was available with the choice of petrol or petrol/electric hybrid powertrains but, in line… Read more