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APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO FINALLY ON TOYOTA VEHICLES

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It has been a long time coming, but Toyota has finally made access through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on many of their vehicles. Toyota has upgraded its multimedia systems in new model Prius, Corolla hatch, Camry, and the Granvia launched in October. Existing owners of the all-new HiAce and RAV4 models will be able to upgrade their multimedia systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto free of charge from 1 November. Owners of latest generation Camry, Corolla hatch, and recently upgraded Prius will also be able to upgrade… Read more

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BMW M8 COMPETITION COUPE

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BMW Australia says it will debut of the BMW M8 Competition Coupé in the first quarter of 2020. It will be fitted with an updated version of the BMW M 4.4-litre V8 TwinPower turbo-petrol engine (460 kW / 750 Nm) and eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This will give it the ability to get from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds – that’s motorbike territory. Technical highlights include two twin scroll turbochargers in the V between the cylinder banks, indirect charge air cooling, direct injection with a… Read more

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AUDI TAKES FEEDBACK ON BOARD COMPACT A1

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Any Audi A1 fan – and there are many – who does not like the latest version of the popular small hatchback has only themselves to blame, for the German manufacturer spent pots of money and tons of time talking to potential buyers about their needs and wants. And like the genie of the lamp, it then set about obeying their wishes. The result is the MY20 Audi hatchback (Sportback in Audi speak), which, due to high demand around the world, has belatedly made landfall in Australia. Shawn Ticehurst, Director… Read more

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SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 – 2018

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2012 Subaru Impreza

Subaru Impreza is a stalwart of the Japanese marque’s range having been on sale here since 1993. Amongst other things it signalled that all Subarus from then onwards would be driven by all four wheels. This unique selling feature added to the brand’s reputation for safety. (Yes, we know the Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 are rear-drive sportscars, but we reckon it’s highly likely that the other Subies will continue the AWD tradition just about forever.) The added traction provided by all-wheel-drive (AWD) makes Imprezas big sellers in Tasmania and… Read more

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HYUNDAI IONIQ SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED

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Hyundai IONIQ Electric

It has only been on the market for a short time, but given the rapid advances being made in electric vehicles it’s no surprise that the Hyundai IONIQ Electric has received major changes for 2020. These are greatest in its pure electric format where it has not only enhanced performance but a greatly extended 311km all-electric range, when measured on the official WLTP standard. The pure electric now has a more powerful 100kW synchronous motor, and 100kW DC fast-charging capability. Hyundai’s first dedicated eco vehicle is sold with a choice… Read more

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MITSUBISHI ASX GETS NEW LOOK, MORE POWER

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Mitsubishi Australia has announced details of major revisions to its small SUV, the ASX. Though it’s been on sale here since 2010 it frequently outsells all others in its class. To be frank, the main reason for that is the low prices achieved because it’s capital costs have been paid off. The Japan giant has long been a major player in the SUV and 4WD arenas – think Mitsubishi Outlander, Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport and Pajero – not to forget the Triton pickup truck which is also selling its wheels… Read more

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AUDI IS AN EXPERT AT HIGH-PERFORMANCE COUPES

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Audi’s RS 5 coupe is the first high-performance RS model to make use of the MLBevo chassis architecture. That, and a new suspension layout front and rear, makes it up to 60 kg lighter than before. At 4723 mm long, the new RS 5 is 74mm longer than the previous model. It has an additional 15mm in the wheelbase, providing good rear legroom for an average-height person. It’s limited to four occupants, something that’s not unusual in a coupe. The Audi RS 5 Coupe 2.9 TFSI quattro tiptronic, to give… Read more

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CITROEN CX 1974-1989

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1978 Citroen CX GE 2200

The Citroen CX was a replacement car for the Citroen D-series – one of the most successful cars of the 1950s and 60s. The CX was designed by Robert Opron who had originally conceived the DS. Shortly after its release the CX was voted ‘Car of the Year’ by the European motoring press and at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show it was awarded the ultimate acclaim from 170 International design experts: The Style Auto award. Many of the design features from earlier Citroens were carried through to the CX. Possibly… Read more

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KIA ‘SPORT’ WIDE OF THE MARK

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Strange how words become devalued. Icon, for example, originally was ‘a painting of a sacred personage’. Through time this has wasted from being an admired stereotype to mean merely a graphic on a computer screen representing an instruction or menu option. Use by Kia of the word ‘sport’ for the Cerato 2.0 seems an odd misuse too. Sport in automotive terms conjures up something special in a vehicle, especially to do with performance. In the case of the Cerato 2.0 Sport hatchback test vehicle at $25,790, plus on roads, the… Read more

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RENAULT MEGANE R.S. TROPHY-R

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Renault Australia has announced the pricing for the highly anticipated, limited edition Renault Megane R.S. Trophy and Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R. Starting from $52,990 for the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy (Manual Transmission) the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy (Automatic Transmission) will cost $55,990 while the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R will be priced at $74,990 making it one of the most affordable Megane R.S Trophy-R in the world. These prices Include luxury car tax, but not on-roads as these can vary from State to State. With demand for the Megane R.S. Trophy-R… Read more