Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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PICANTO PUTS IN ITS FULL PENN’ORTH

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Car maker Kia has a foot in two widely opposing camps: on the one hand it produces the World Car of the Year, the luxe EV9 electric vehicle, on the other the bargain basement Picanto petrol powered compact. The former sells for a top shelf six-figure sum, the latter, recently the subject of an upgrade, hardly tips the scales at around twenty grand. How does it stack up? The modern, sporty design is highlighted by a new headlamp set-up, ‘ripped’ radiator grille and reshaped front bumper. Out back, the tail… Read more

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CHERY OMODA E5 EX

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E5 is the fully-electric version of the Chery Omoda that we drove 12 months ago. It doesn’t look radically different from the rear or in profile, but the front has been extensively redesigned to accommodate the missing radiator grille. Any air still required for cooling is drawn in through a smaller, blacked out ribbed opening below the front bumper. Looks aside, the E5 is considerably more powerful than the petrol-model, which it is sold alongside, with significantly more torque available almost instantly when the accelerator is pressed. So, it is… Read more

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MCDONALDS PUTS A CHERY ON TOP

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Chinese carmaker Chery has come up with a very clever marketing ploy by partnering with McDonalds in the fast-food chain’s November sales campaign where the major prize is a new Tiggo 4 Pro. So, every time you see a Maccas television commercial – and there are squillions of them – the Chery name gets the sort of exposure that emerging brands can only dream about. Without knowing the numbers, it’s fair to assume that a large percentage of people who see the ads have never heard of Chery as a… Read more

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MG3 ESSENCE

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The MG3 is a light hatch and the smallest model offered by the company. It’s a car built very much to a price, targeted at first time drivers and those who haven’t got much to spend. Although the latest model scores the same disappointing three stars for safety as its predecessor, ANCAP which tests the cars reveals it narrowly missed out on a four-star result and its comments are encouraging. With a little work perhaps, the company may be able to turn the result around (although the whole safety thing… Read more

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PATROL TAKES ON REINFORCEMENTS

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It seems as though the Nissan Patrol has been ‘on the beat’ since the year dot – well, 70 years, anyway. And with the recent upgrade, the big sports utility vehicle is qualified more than most to wear the ‘icon’ tag. The Patrol comes in two well-specced grades Ti and Ti-L, while a flagship Warrior by Premcar model rounds out the range. Common to all is the carryover 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control. Leading the upgrades is an Aussie-developed infotainment… Read more

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NEW MG HS IS BIGGER AND BETTER

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The MG HS is the Chinese importer’s largest vehicle. A mid-size SUV, it competes — although not too successfully so far — against well-established models like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sportage. MG HS been on sale here since late 2019 and has just been replaced by what is effectively an all-new model. It’s larger in length, width and with a longer wheelbase than before, all of which contribute to providing extra interior space. Indeed, it’s larger in most dimensions than most of its rivals. There… Read more

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A LAST GASP OF HYUNDAI’S PETROL-POWERED PERFORMANCE

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As the battle for the streets between electric power and the internal combustion engine the latter, in one case, is putting up a stiff rearguard action with Hyundai upgrading its i30 N performance car. The new hot hatch has been given a fresh appearance, advanced technology and enhanced safety equipment’ capped off by swifter access to the fast-and-furious N Grin Shift function. All join a powertrain and driving dynamics that already have put Hyundai’s first ‘N’ at the head of the ‘grid’. With the MY25 upgrade Australia is the only… Read more

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SUBARU WRX AWD RS MANUAL

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I remember the first time I took my father-in-law for a blast in a WRX. It was the Club Spec Evo IV and it was the year 2000, or thereabouts. “Are you ready?” I asked, preparing to floor it on a long straight. He nodded. Wooshda! “Geez!” he managed, holding tightly to the armrest as he was forced back in his seat. Tony’s dead now but nothing much has changed since those days 25 years ago. The WRX – it’s just the WRX these days – is still one of… Read more

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WRANGLER TAKES REINS IN JEEP ROUND-UP

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Nothing could be more Jeep than the Wrangler. Introduced in 1986, the mid-size SUV has been central to the maker’s brand identity since World War II when it was produced by Willys. Progressing through the CJ (Civilian Jeeps) to this day they use a separate body and frame, rigid live axles, a tapering nose design with flared fenders, a fold-flat windscreen and can be driven without doors. Also, with a few exceptions, they have part-time four-wheel drive systems, with high and low gearing, and standard open bodies with removable hard… Read more

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SUBARU SOLTERRA AWD TOURING

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Let’s be frank. Subaru’s first, fully-electric vehicle, the Solterra is basically a rebadged Toyota bZ4X. Named for the sun and earth, it’s the second collaborative effort by the two car makers after the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports coupe. Unlike the coupe, however, which is powered by Sooby’s boxer engine, you’ll struggle to find anything uniquely Subaru about the Solterra. The junior partner in the relationship, Subaru reportedly had input into the car’s safety and all-wheel drive systems. The mid-sized, five-seat SUV went on sale in mid-2022 in Japan, US, Canada,… Read more