No comments

PORSCHE MACAN GTS IS ON ITS WAY

  By ,

The new Porsche Macan GTS is available to order now. It is priced from $109,700 and will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2020. The 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine delivers 280 kW (380 hp) – an increase of 15 kW (20 hp) compared with the predecessor model. The maximum torque of 520 Nm (plus 20 Nm) is available over a wide range from 1,750 to 5,000 rpm. Combined with the newly adapted PDK dual-clutch transmission and the optional Sport Chrono package, the Macan GTS can accelerate from zero… Read more

No comments

DE LOREAN GULLWING COUPE

  By ,

Around the mid-1970s John DeLorean, a senior executive with General Motors, had a strong desire to build a rear-engined two-seater coupe using a Ford V6 as the power source. He envisaged it would have many high tech features. Its body would be of unpainted stainless steel mounted on a chassis built from a lightweight composite material. The stylist selected to design the body was Giugiaro who had designed the Tapiro for Porsche in 1970. Although the idealised specifications were based on strong safety conscious intentions the concept of gull-wing doors… Read more

No comments

CALL FOR MOTORISTS TO USE NEW ‘MEGA ROADSIDE REST AREAS’

  By

Motorists, particularly those towing caravans, are being urged to be smart about how they share roadside rest stops with trucks this Christmas holiday season. New statistics released today by Australia’s leading transport and logistics insurer, NTI, show 83 per cent of fatigue-related accidents involving trucks in the lead up to Christmas last year happened between 10pm and 6am despite only one-sixth of the country’s freight being moved during those hours. NTI’s General Manager Janelle Greene said over-crowding at rest areas was a major problem in managing fatigue at this time… Read more

No comments

2020 NISSAN PATHFINDER REVIEW

  By ,

With more than three decades on the Australian market Nissan Pathfinder is a tried and proven performer both on and off the road. The current (fourth generation) model has been here since 2013 and so is due for a new model although recent upgrades have added to its safety credentials, and a hybrid option have kept it up to date with the ever-changing technology enhancements. Sensibly, given that few SUVs are likely to venture off the beaten bitumen, the latest Pathfinder has a softer style with smoother edges and sleeker… Read more

No comments

MERCEDES E-CLASS 2009 – 2018

  By ,

After many generations of styling its midsize E-Class cars to suit somewhat elderly conservative buyers, Mercedes took an all-new tack with the W212 Series. Mercedes realised that young(ish), wealthy people wanted the prestige of upmarket German cars – but also wanted stylish machines This Merc is attractive car and gathered lots of sales virtually immediately – though some of the elderly fuddy-duddies turned up their aristocratic noses. There are plenty on the used car market these days, but some are getting on in years so be sure to have a… Read more

No comments

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV GETS MORE GRUNT

  By ,

Mitsubishi Australia has given its PHEV (plug in hybrid vehicle) a larger petrol engine, revised its suspension and improved infotainment features. A 2.4-litre petrol engine with 94kW of power at 4500rpm and 199Nm at 4500rpm, has replaced the 2.0-litre (was 2.0L 87kW/186Nm). Maximum power output from the two electric motors, front motor 60kW, rear motor 70kW, remains unchanged. Maximum torque front 137 Nm, rear 195 Nm. Increased maximum generator output 80 kW. Increased drive battery capacity 13.8kWh from 12 kWh. Potential electric driving range up to 54km (approx. 7 hours… Read more

No comments

2020 KIA SELTOS GT LINE

  By ,

Kia Seltos is the Korean company’s new entrant in the rapidly expanding small SUV market. It joins big brother Sportage and aims to pull sales away from the big-selling, low-priced Mitsubishi ASX, as well as others in a crowded field. It’s well priced, with the Seltos S FWD at $25,990 and the Seltos GT Line AWD for $41,990 – driveway in both cases. Seltos is offered with two-wheel-drive (the front wheels) as well as AWD, with the latter it can be termed an SUV rather than simply a tall hatch…. Read more

No comments

BMW 507 SPORTS

  By ,

Whilst BMW is today considered to be one of the finest marques, this was not always the case. In the 1920s BMW made aero engines and motorcycles before beginning licensed production of the Austin Seven in 1929. The company’s original design arrived in 1934 and two years later it established its credentials with the 328, which was probably the best all-round sports car of the day. After World War II the firm’s major plant in East Germany was nationalised and eventually made the unloved Wartburgs. The Munich factory in West… Read more

No comments

2020 FORD TRANSIT: MAJOR UPGRADES

  By ,

Ford Transit has been extensively upgraded for 2020, with refreshed styling, infotainment and advanced driver assist technology. The exterior has been given a surprisingly stylish upgrade, with a more prominent three-bar grille, new headlamps and front bumper. Inside, Transit has a new dash that includes updated instruments and new control panels as well as a full-colour SYNC 3 touchscreen. Replacing the previous 6.5-inch display, the new screen is a prominent, easy to read 8.0-inch colour unit. The Transit vans feature a standard full-colour reversing camera as well as front and… Read more

No comments

DON’T DIE WONDERING

  By

Australians have now made more than nine million vehicle checks on the automotive industry’s Takata Airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au. Of these almost 1.5 million have been identified with airbag inflators affected by the national safety recall. A faulty Takata airbag has the potential to seriously injure, or even kill, vehicle drivers and passengers. “We are really pleased that vehicle owners have reached out in such strong numbers to check the status of their vehicles,” Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive, Mr Tony Weber, said. “The nine million vehicle… Read more