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FORD’S PUMA IS ABOUT TO POUNCE

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Ford has announced its Puma will be on sale in Australia in the second half of 2020. A small crossover SUV Puma is described by Ford as an “urban SUV” it will be a little brother to Ford Escape, Endura and Everest. It will be a competitor for the big selling Mitsubishi ASX, the Honda HR-V and the just released Mazda CX-30 Styling is more tall hatchback than SUV, with a low front and an interesting iteration of the current Ford grille and lights, bold side lines that join dramatic… Read more

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NISSAN WARRIOR WAGES WAR ON SPECIAL FORCES

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Nissan recently stepped into the hairy-chested premium ute ring, up against the likes of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, HSV SportsCat, Mazda Boss and Toyota Rogue, Dodge Ram and HSV Silverado – with the Navara N-Trek Warrior. Unlike these pickup prize fighters, the Nissan truck is offering something different – input from Aussie automotive product development and engineering consultancy Premcar – to take on the toughest conditions demanded by owners in the premium dual cab 4×4 ute market. Enhancements in wheel, tyre and suspension come up with better ground clearance and… Read more

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ALFA ROMEO 2000 SPYDER

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In the early 1950s the Alfa Romeo plant at Portello had limited production space and a new factory at Arese north of Milan was under construction. Several prototypes of proposed new models such as the 2000 Sportiva were developed and put on display to gauge public acceptance. However, due to a complete lack of public interest and minimal interest in placing orders, the projects were all abandoned. Whilst the 2000 Sportiva was canned, the 2000 four-cylinder engine developed especially for it was not. At the time Alfa’s main line was… Read more

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NISSAN QASHQAI N-SPORT

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Nissan Australia has announced it will bring a tough looking Nissan Qashqai N-SPORT to SUV lovers downunder. Nissan Qashqai ST-L-based N-SPORT is limited to 600 units. It has 19-inch wheels; body-coloured bumpers front and rear that incorporate matt silver trim highlights. Bodyside mouldings with matt silver trim and wheel arches are also body-colour coded. Further exterior flourishes include silver-painted caps for the auto folding and heated door mirrors, while inside the headlining is finished in black. As well as that limited edition Nissan Australia has updated others Qashqai models, adding… Read more

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2020 MITSUBISHI ASX EXCEED

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Mitsubishi has been a major player in the SUV and 4WD segments, selling the Eclipse Cross, Outlander, Pajero Sport and Pajero. The baby of the bunch is the ASX. It’s not really an SUV and only has 2WD (the front wheels) but is hardly alone in this. Mitsubishi ASX is a small SUV that’s been on sale in Australia since 2010. It frequently sits in top spot in sales for its class. A major reason for its success is the low prices achieved because its capital costs have been paid… Read more

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SALES FIGURES FOR JANUARY 2020

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The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has released the new vehicle sales figures for the month of January 2020, utilising the updated VFACTS (i.e. more honest) reporting system for the first time. New vehicle sales for the month totalled 71,731, and were comprised of 20,494 passenger vehicles, 35,393 Sports Utility Vehicles and 14,035 Light Commercial Vehicles. Tony Weber, chief executive for the FCAI, commented on the sales result, “Given the broad range of environmental, financial, international and political issues facing Australia during January, it is no surprise to see… Read more

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MAZDA CX-30 FIRST DRIVE

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Mazda CX-30 is an SUV that sits neatly between Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 in size and price. In times when fewer and fewer so-called SUVs are only driven by two wheels the CX-30 is offered with a choice between two and all-wheel drive. Interestingly its chief designer, Ryo Yanagisawa, who travelled to Australia for the media launch of the vehicle calls it, “a crossover SUV”. Mazda Australia chief, Vinesh Bhindi, says “All-New Mazda CX-30 is the perfect middle ground between small and medium SUV, giving customers a really sensible alternative… Read more

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FORD EVEREST 2015 – 2018

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Ford Everest is a large 4WD / SUV that’s been sold overseas since 2003 but didn’t come to Australia until the release of the third generation model in October 2015. It is a serious off-roader that’s built on the same platform as Ford Ranger ute. Everest is just under five metres long and over two metres wide so has a spacious cabin capable of carrying up to seven occupants. The entry-level Ambients have seating for five. Trend and Titanium models have the rearmost pair of twin seats as standard. We’ve… Read more

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JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON IS 4X4 AUSTRALIA’s 4X4 OF THE YEAR

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The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been named 4×4 Australia 4×4 of the Year. It’s one of the most capable SUV on the planet, and was celebrated for being unstoppable even on the toughest terrain, with its undeniable off-road prowess and rich heritage. “The Wrangler Rubicon Diesel shone out for its unrivalled off road ability and uncompromised approach to adventure driving. With its removable roof and 80 years of heritage behind it, the Rubicon is a truly unique vehicle,” said Matt Raudonikis, Editor of 4×4 Australia. Kevin Flynn, Managing Director of… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ EQC IS WHEELS CAR OF THE YEAR

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The Mercedes-Benz EQC is Wheels Car of the Year for 2020. The family-sized SUV launched in 2019 is the first pure-electric series-production vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. Hopefully it will be the first of many electrics to win awards in what is an ever-changing world. “The Mercedes-Benz EQC was a clear winner,” said Wheels Editor, Alex Inwood. “The EQC’s masterstroke is its stunning completeness. It was the safest car in this year’s field and also one of the most refined.” Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific CEO and Managing Director, Horst von Sanden said, “We are… Read more