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FORD ENDURA TITANIUM REVIEW

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After a gap of too many years Ford Australia finally had an SUV to replace the very successful Ford Territory. The Ford Endura arrived late in 2018 but hasn’t created a lot of waves in the sales race at this stage. We anticipate this changes as potential buyers become aware that it’s here. Ford Endura is very much set up for American drivers who tend to have different tastes to Aussie ones. see the Driving section of this review to get our opinion after spending a week behind the wheel… Read more

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FORD FOCUS 2011 – 2018

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2015 Ford Focus ST

Ford Focus is a small-medium European model that has never had the success it deserves in Australia. In its market segment it struggles to sell a tenth of the number of the market leader in its class, the Toyota Corolla. The Mazda3 and Hyundai i30 also trump the Ford by large numbers. Why? Principally because dual-clutch automatics, sold from 2011 till 2015 had many problems and these led to the complete car being given a poor reputation. See our What To Look For section). The dual-clutch was replaced by a… Read more

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LEXUS RX: HIGH-TECH NEW HEADLIGHTS

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Lexus has recently announced many changes to its medium-large SUV, the high-tech RX series. The most fascinating feature on the Lexus RX F Sport and Sports Luxury grades is an LED adaptive high-beam system (AHS) with world-first “blade-scan” technology. Compared with existing technology that points LED lamps towards the road, the new technology directs the lamps back towards a blade mirror rotating at 12,000rpm. Blade-scan technology utilises the reflection of light off the mirror to increase high-beam brightness and expand its reach down the road. It also more finely controls… Read more

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NEW CAR SALES SLUMP CONTINUES

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Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the peak body for the automotive industry in Australia, has released new vehicle sales figures for the month of September 2019. According to Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, new vehicles have now seen the eighteenth consecutive month of decreasing sales in the Australian market. “It is clear the slower sales rate the market is experiencing is in line with the broader economic environment in Australia. “Of particular concern to the industry is the restrictive regulatory lending conditions currently facing consumers,” Mr Weber… Read more

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AUDI SUV TAKES LEADING ROLE RIGHT ON ‘Q’

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There’s a new breed of Audi sports utility vehicle at the head of the ‘Q’, using mild hybrid technology to shut off the petrol engine and cruise under electric power alone. As with any premium SUV, you’d expect plenty of comfort and convenience kit. The Q8 doesn’t disappoint, with S line exterior, including 21-inch wheels, electric tailgate, 360-degree camera, Audi virtual cockpit, leather seats and a host of safety features, all for the price of $128,900, plus on-road costs. However, the test vehicle was topped off with 22-inch alloys, adaptive… Read more

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MAJOR TECH UPGRADES FOR LEXUS RX

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Lexus has introduced a number of new or improved features on its RX SUV, with a particular emphasis on infotainment systems. Safety, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, is another big winner. Lexus RX 300 Luxury now features a 12.3-inch screen (up from 8.0 inches), new touch-display and touchpad-type Lexus Remote Touch functionality, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an additional four USB ports (now six). Standard Lexus Safety System+ gains night-time pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection for the pre-collision safety system and autonomous emergency braking. Its all-speed active cruise… Read more

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MORE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BMWs COMING

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BMW X5M & BMW X6M

BMW Australia will bring in the all-new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition models in the second quarter of 2020. Both models will feature the signature BMW M kidney grille, with black double bars adorning the front design along with matching M gills, exterior mirror caps, diffuser trim in the rear apron and exhaust pipes in black. They are powered by a 4.4-litre M TwinPower turbocharged V8 petrol engine with 460kW of power and 750Nm of torque. They can get from a standstill to 100km/h in just… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLC: MAJOR UPDATES

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Mercedes-Benz GLC has had a range-wide update featuring revised styling, a new choice of powertrains and technological upgrades. The biggest news is that a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model is coming, though not till mid 2020. Mercedes GLC is offered in SUV and Coupé bodies that feature what the company describes as, “Muscularly sculpted surfaces and distinctive details such as the chrome elements, which run from the front to the rear end as standard. Redesigned headlights and a heavily contoured radiator grille ensure a strong character.” For the first time, they… Read more

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2020 HOLDEN COLORADO REVIEW

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The Holden Colorado utility / pickup has been on sale in Australia since 2008 although, until 2012, it was simply a re-badged version of the long-serving and popular Isuzu built Rodeo. The current model is based on the Chevrolet Colorado which is designed in the US but built in Thailand. Utes have never been more popular in Australia with both the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger sitting at or near the top of all vehicle sales and Colorado in a respectable fourth and gaining ground despite the overall industry wide… Read more

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AUDI RS Q3 HERE IN 2020

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Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Audi Sport RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback are all-new models. However, Australian buyers may have a long wait as they aren’t expected to arrive in Australia until in the second quarter of 2020. Details below are of the German cars, pricing and specification in this country will be confirmed closer to launch. The power from the five-cylinder (294kW / 480Nm) turbo-petrol engine goes through a seven-speed S tronic automatic to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. It’s distributed as required between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control… Read more