Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

No comments

‘WIZARDS OF OZ’ CAST SPELL ON COLORADO

  By ,

The upgraded Colorado is the shape of things to come for Holden. The ‘Wizards of Oz’ joined their Brazilian counterparts and Thai manufacturing technicians to come up with a vehicle that the maker says is ideal for Australia’s driving conditions. “The variety of roads in Australia and the ways Australians use trucks means the 2017 Colorado has to be versatile enough to handle everything thrown at it,” says Holden’s Lead Development Engineer, Amelinda Watt. “We know customers like to drive their Colorado off-road or on unsealed roads, but we also… Read more

No comments

CROSSOVER ADDS TO INFINITI HAUTE COUTURE CATALOG

  By ,

Infiniti is in the process of rolling up its sleeves to present a fashion-plate face to the global automotive market across all segments and Australia is high on the list to benefit. The Japanese luxury car company stumped up no fewer than seven models Down Under last year, including the Q30, the company’s first foray into the premium compact crossover market. This is the company’s first vehicle to be built in Europe, using new production facilities in Sunderland, UK, designed to satisfy the high demands of premium vehicle manufacturing. The… Read more

No comments

RENAULT PLANS TO REMAIN IN LCV VANGUARD

  By ,
Renault Kangoo

When it comes to light commercial vehicles, in this case the Renault Kangoo and Trafic vans, less is more in the new range. Which is no surprise from the company that has been the maker of Europe’s number one van range for the last 18 years in a row. Thanks to a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine the Kangoo small family van comes up with better performance and fuel economy than many larger naturally aspirated engine. While to call the new Trafic Crew six-seater a mere van is to sell… Read more

No comments

2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

  By ,

Audi revamped its A3 range late in 2016 and we recently published a road test review on the Sportback version (Sportback being Audi speak for five-door hatch), now we’ve just been able to spend a pleasant week in an A3 cabriolet. Life can be tough for we motoring journos at times on these cool summer evenings on the Gold Coast … The good life was further improved by the S line sports package in our car. At $4200 it adds Alcantara / leather trim, leather bound flat-bottomed steering wheel with… Read more

No comments

SHAPELY ASTRA WEIGHS IN WITH AUSSIE INGENUITY

  By ,

It’s no secret that when it comes to performance and low fuel consumption and emissions in cars, weight is the enemy. So it was with the development of the new Holden Astra hatchback, which is an impressive 140 kg lighter than the previous model, despite the take-up of more kit. Australia took the Astra into its heart when first launched here in 1996. Since then, motorists’ feelings for the small Holden, with its European looks and dynamics have not waned. Designers and engineers were given a clean sheet by Opel… Read more

No comments

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 70 SERIES

  By ,

Australian Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series buyers want a tough vehicle, whether it’s for farming, mining, exploring, heavy-duty off-road holidays, or getting into the Guinness Book of World Records. Huh, what was that last one? I can vouch for the Guinness Book entry, having driven a LandCruiser Troop Carrier for a huge 2724 kilometres on a single fuel fill in 1992. There’s a certificate on my office wall to prove it. Anyhow, enough about me, let’s talk about the latest version in the Toyota 4WD that first went on sale here… Read more

No comments

KIA SORENTO IS BIG, BOLD AND PRACTICAL

  By ,

It’s a bit of a stretch to call Kia the sleeping giant of the Australian automotive industry but for a company with such close links to its high-flying Korean sibling, Hyundai, it has long been something of an under-performer. That’s all changed in the last two years with back-to-back growth in sales of 20.5 per cent in 2015 and 26.5% in 2016 and Kia has now moved into the top ten of overall motor vehicles sales for the first time. This week’s test vehicle, the Sorento is the larger of… Read more

No comments

RENAULT HOT HATCH UP TO EXPECTATIONS

  By ,

Despite taking a road less well travelled lately by turning its hand to Captur and Koleos sports utility vehicles, plus a selection of light commercial vehicles, Renault has not deserted its traditional allegiance to hot hatches. The French automobile manufacturer has stayed true to the Clio and Megane sporting heritage with the latest examples of both, the latter touching down in Australia late last year. The fourth-generation Megane calls on the Common Module Family, Renault-Nissan Alliance’s modular architecture. Thanks to CMF the new Megane shares some of the new technology… Read more

No comments

SHARPER ‘SUIT’ FOR POPULAR LEXUS SEDAN

  By ,

Of all the Lexus lines, the IS, with 40,000 delivered Down Under, is the model Australia has taken to its heart. Across four generations the IS Line has been known for its trendsetting design and the latest lot to land is no exception. The new models feature exterior and interior styling changes, as well as improvements to the display screen and audio system. The range incorporates the full suite of Lexus Safety System+ technology. The Lexus IS Line is available as the IS 200t with the recently launched 2.0-litre turbocharged… Read more

No comments

RENAULT KOLEOS IS A NEAT AND CAPABLE MID-SIZED SUV

  By ,

Renault Koleos is the larger of two SUVs in the French carmaker’s Australian range, the other being the compact Captur. Koleos has been on sale here since 2008 without causing much of a ripple on the sales charts but with hopes that the recent arrival of the second-generation model and some decent marketing will attract more interest. Truly cosmopolitan, Koleos was designed in France, has a Japanese-built chassis and is constructed in South Korea. Australia becoming the first country, outside of its native France, to sell it. STYLING Koleos is… Read more