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FORD MODEL Y

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1933 Ford Model Y

Whilst the Ford Model T established Ford as a dominant marque in America the Ford Model Y was the single model which launched Ford-UK on its way to market leadership. This was Ford’s first really small car that, due to its cheap price, allowed it to open up Ford motoring to the masses. Before the 1930s, Ford-UK business was devoted to the assembly of American models such as the Model T and Model A. With the onset of the Depression in Europe Ford needed something smaller, cheaper and produced locally… Read more

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TRACKHAWK TOPS JEEP HIGH-FLIERS

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Until recently, Jeep has relied on its high-flying SRT to top off its Grand Cherokee sports utility vehicle range; now the premium SUV force has gone stratospheric with the addition of the Trackhawk. While the SRT did a good job of defending Jeep’s high-performance SUV credentials with a zero-to-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds, the Trackhawk sets a personal best of 3.7 seconds. Such a sprint is at the behest of a 6.2-litre Hemi V8 supercharged engine that delivers a stonking 700 horsepower (522 kW) of power and a monumental… Read more

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BMW Z4 M40i GETS MORE POWER – NO PRICE INCREASE

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BMW Australia has ramped up the performance of its Z4 M40i roadster by announcing a 35kW increase to the power output of its 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine. The increase means the Z4 M40i can now accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds, an improvement of four tenths of a second over the previous model. It also now aligns the Z4 M40i with fellow M Performance models M340i xDrive, X3 M40i and X4 M40i, which feature the 285kW version of the famed BMW TwinPower Turbo straight six powerplant. The powertrain… Read more

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FORD MUSTANG 2015 – 2018

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What a success story! Like quite a few others I made the mistake of thinking Ford Mustang would sell like hot cakes for a year or so, but then slowly fade from the scene. Instead it’s continues to be a favourite and I see them pretty well every time I’m on the road. Excellent… The latest iteration of the Mustang, launched Downunder in December 1015 comes in two versions, coupe and convertible, powered by either a 5.0-litre V8 or four-cylinder 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, the former a nod to the 20th… Read more

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FRIGHTENING CAR TRIP

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I had a truly frightening journey in a car this morning. It was on the eight-lane Brisbane to Gold Coast M1 motorway beside a driver I had never travelled with before. A pleasant lady in her forties who has been driving for many years so has had plenty of experience behind the wheel in a variety of cars. However, she wasn’t what we in the motoring game call a ‘driver’; meaning she had no real interest in what she was doing, simply regarding driving as a means of getting from… Read more

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MORRIS 10

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In the early stages of the motor manufacturing industry all automobile manufacturers were basically chassis manufacturers with car bodies being added by several selected body works. However by the 1930s some manufacturers commenced building cars without a chassis. These were described as being built by unitary construction. One such car was the Morris Ten Series M which was first released in 1938. It was a completely new car in the Morris Ten Series range which started out in 1933 as the Morris Ten, a medium sized car. Variants of this… Read more

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MAZDA UPDATES MX-5

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An updated Mazda MX-5 will go on sale in Australia in early 2020. However changes are relatively minor, with an emphasis on the interior. There are revisions to interior materials with RF GT models getting Burgundy Nappa leather punctuated with a light grey stitch to create a more luxurious cabin atmosphere. Across other parts of the range, both Tan and Black leather options have also been revised, adding perforations that give a sporty texture and boost to comfort. The GT range also gets stainless steel scuff plates to minimise damage… Read more

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AUDI A1 ANSWERS THE RIGHT QUESTIONS IN CLASS

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Through careful cultivation, the Audi A1 hatch (Sportback in Audi-speak) sets out to be every buyer’s new best friend. And because the maker spent lots of time and pots of money on feedback from potential buyers, mainly male says Audi, it might just have hit the sales jackpot. The result is the MY19 (say MY20) Sportback, due to high demand around the world, only recently dropped in Down Under. The second-generation A1 comes with three petrol drivetrains, all with direct injection and turbocharging, linking optimum performance with fuel efficiency. We… Read more

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SAFETY TIPS FOR ATVs AND SSVs

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Christmas holidays are often an opportunity to visit friends and family on properties around the country – properties where ATVs and SSVs are used as versatile farm machinery. The temptation for younger riders to take these vehicles for a spin can sometimes be too much – and have fatal results. That’s why the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is urging parents to observe the known safety practices when operating ATVs and SSVs these holidays. It is especially important to supervise younger riders and ensure they only ride age appropriate… Read more

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MORE RECALLS OF TAKATA AIRBAGS

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The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has received notification that an additional 78,000 vehicles on Australian roads may be fitted with faulty Takata airbags. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has advised vehicle manufacturers that these faulty airbags may have been installed in early-model Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Eunos (Mazda), Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 2000. These airbags can cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. Owners of affected vehicles are advised to immediately contact their dealer or brand. Anyone who owns one… Read more