Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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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

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RAMBO IN CARPET SLIPPERS’ DRIVES TANK INTO BATTLE

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Tank, in all its connotations, seems a strange name for a peacetime passenger vehicle. Maybe it’s lost something in translation from its native Chinese? Be that as it may, the maker Great Wall Motors as seen fit thus to designate its ‘300’ and ‘500’ SUVs. The new Tank 300 is the third of the 300s and the first pure petrol model. The previous pair being petrol / electric hybrids. Described by GWM as ‘rugged and refined’ (Rambo in carpet slippers, perhaps), the Tank 300 couple come in Lux and Ultra… Read more

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COUNTRY … MUSIC TO TOYOTA LAND CRUISER EARS

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If the new Land Cruiser were any more last century, it would be rolling on solid rubber tyres. After 40 years or so, the 70 Series is still holding its own among the gentrified HiLux, Navara, Ranger and Triton upstarts. Toyota’s 70 Series has survived beyond its original intended lifespan and 76, 78 and 79 Series Land Cruisers have received ad hoc upgrades from a far-from-enthusiastic maker. The latest ’79’ is no exception, adding a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine option from top-selling sibling, the HiLux, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission,… Read more

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GWM HAVAL JOLION

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The growth in sales of Chinese vehicles continues to gain momentum. While the SAIC subsidiary, MG Motor, is leading the way with its big-selling SUVs the original breakthrough was made a decade ago with the Great Wall company targeting the tradie market with cheap workhorse utilities of questionable safety quality. That’s all changed and Great Wall, now re-branded as GWM and with improved quality, and an expanded range that now includes three SUVs sales have jumped to such an extent that in September 2024 GWM broke through into Australia’s top… Read more

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VERSATILE MU-X IS A BIG SELLER FOR ISUZU UTE

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Isuzu Ute MU-X is a large 4WD from a Japanese company that has a long history of producing hard working vehicles. Indeed, Isuzu has a history dating back for over 100 years in light commercial vehicles including a couple of decades when they sold here rebadged as Holdens. MU-X has been a major success in Australia, currently sitting in second place behind Ford Everest and almost double the sales of other ute-based rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner. The major change that came with the MY2024 upgrade… Read more

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QASHQAI E-POWER TAKES THE HIGH ROAD

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Back in the ‘noughties’ the Pulsar hatchback was not pulling its weight in Europe, so the maker Nissan decided to beef it up and give it a new name: in this case the Qashqai, and a new identity, the compact SUV. Down Under it became the Dualis, before following in Euro-fashion with the Qashqai moniker. Now it has gone hybrid … but, Jim, not as we know it. While the popular petrol/electric hybrid these days uses both power sources to drive the vehicle, Nissan’s e-Power system leaves the internal combustion… Read more

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MIGRATORY SWIFT LANDS ‘HYBRID LITE’

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Among a plethora of petrol/electric powertrains – pure electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid – allied to automobiles, Suzuki has taken a different flight path with ‘hybrid lite’, an integrated starter generator for its fifth generation Swift. Unlike in some other EVs, where the electric motor can drive the wheels independently, the ISG in the top-selling compact swings into action to give the internal combustion engine extra shove when the accelerator is pressed. Taking power from a lithium-ion battery recharged when the brakes are applied, the ISG also kicks in under… Read more