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FIRST OFFICIAL IMAGES OF NEW KIA SORENTO

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Kia has revealed the first official images of the new Kia Sorento. The design incorporates sharper lines and uninterrupted surfaces giving it what the South Korean company says is, “a more confident, more mature and more desirable design”. In profile, the proportions of the Sorento are subtly adapted to make it appear longer, with shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase. It has Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger nose’ grille with ‘tiger eye’ LED daytime running light. The next-generation model is based on an all-new platform, raising standards in the… Read more

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2020 MERCEDES-AMG A35 REVIEW

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The new Mercedes-AMG A35 is the lowest cost model ever offered by the company’s high-performance division. Not that about $75,000 by the times it’s on your driveway is exactly cheap, but you do get not only excellent engineering and driving pleasure, but also a strong dose of prestige. Though it’s often seen as purely a city car the A35 is also an excellent open road machine. Note, however, that its speed is limited to 250 km/h. STYLING The guys and gals in the AMG styling department have given the A35… Read more

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SUBARU LIBERTY AND OUTBACK 2009 – 2019

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2010 Subaru Liberty

Subaru Liberty is a no-nonsense sedan or station wagon with a reputation for toughness and reliability. The Subaru Outback is based on the Liberty wagon and has increased suspension height, meaning it sits about midway between a conventional wagon and a 4WD. As more and more SUVs are really just 2WD vehicles with a taller body, Subaru Outback is standing out from the crowd. Subaru Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a significantly larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models… Read more

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MANY WORKERS DISPLACED BY HOLDEN ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER

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Todd Hacking, the Chief Executive of HVIA, (Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia) says that Australia is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high productivity trucks and trailers. “The skillsets of automotive industry workers set to be displaced by the departure of Holden are still highly sought after in Australia. “Australia’s heavy vehicle industry directly employs over 36,000 people and manufactures, services and repairs some of the world’s most efficient, safe, innovative and technologically advanced vehicles,” Mr Hacking said. “We have a thriving and robust local industry that comprises… Read more

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HOLDEN CLOSING DOWN IN AUSTRALIA

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Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley with the first Holden models the 48-215.

Here is the full text of the Holden media release of February 17, 2020 advising it is closing down in Australia: “The Holden brand will be retired from sales in Australia and New Zealand and local design and engineering operations will wind down by 2021, General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today. Maven [car sharing] and Holden Financial Services operations will also wind down in Australia.” GM International Operations Senior Vice President Julian Blissett said GM had taken the difficult decision after implementing and considering numerous options to maintain and turn… Read more

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RAM TRUCKS 1500 EXPRESS CREW

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RAM Trucks Australia has introduced the 1500 Express Crew V8 Hemi to its range. Sitting one step above the entry-level 1500 Express Quad, the RAM Express Crew features more space, higher specification and what the importer calls (hopefully with a bit of tongue-in-cheek) “an even sportier appearance”. Priced from $89,950 plus on-road costs, the full-size 1500 Express Crew truck features the larger cabin found on the RAM Laramie, meaning more head, shoulder and leg room than any five-seat ute on the market today. Importantly the sizeable cabin has dual-zone air… Read more

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BMW 1 SERIES 2011 – 2018

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2015 BMW 125i

The smallest vehicle in the BMW car range, the 1 Series is aimed at those who enjoy driving, rather than people who treat driving as a chore. It features excellent engines driving the rear wheels. A downside is that rear-drive steals cabin and boot space as its engine / transmission is mounted longitudinally rather than sideways, so it encroaches into the passenger area. There’s good legroom in the front seats, though foot-width is restricted by the gearbox housing. The back seats are fine for kids, but if you carry adults… Read more

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MITSUBISHI EXPANDS TRITON RANGE

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Mitsubishi Triton is a major competitor in the redhot pickup truck in Australia so is about to release two additional variants – the GLX-R and GSR models. The GSR gets the ‘tuff’ look, with 18-inch black alloy wheels, black dynamic shield design, grille, headlamp garnish, skid plate, door mirrors, door handles and sidesteps. Inside, the GSR has Multi around Monitor with steering wheel camera switch, leather trimmed seats, steering wheel and park brake level/shift knob, power driver seat adjustment and heated front seats. There is an optional tan orange interior… Read more

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MERCEDES ADDS SEDANS TO A-CLASS RANGE

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Mercedes has introduced two new versions of its A-Class. The A 250 Sedan and A 250 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) Sedan fit into the company’s sedan line-up between the A 180 Sedan and the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan. As is often the way with the sedans they provide extra luggage capacity, an extra 420 litres back there, an increase of 50 litres over the corresponding hatchbacks. Both are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (165kW/350Nm) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment for the A 250 Sedan MBUX… Read more

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2020 VOLVO S60 T5 R-DESIGN REVIEW

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Forget the boxy, but practical, shapes of the Volvo range – these are long gone and the latest generation Volvos are arguable in the most bold and stylish of any in the prestige marques. Volvo S60, the subject of this week’s road test, is the sedan, you can also buy a V60 station wagon. We will try to get into a wagon sometime soon. This is a midrange vehicle and competes with Audi A4, BMW 3, Jaguar XE and Merc C-Class, though it’s often lower-priced than they are. The pricing… Read more