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PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 COUPE AND CABRIOLET

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Following the introduction of the standard 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Porsche is expanding the line-up with the all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Like the 2020 911 Carrera models, the new 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six engine fitted with model-specific turbochargers, developing 283 kW (385 hp) at 6,500 rpm (15 hp more than the previous 911 Carrera 4 models) and 440 Nm of torque, all the way from 1,950 to 5,000 rpm. A fully-variable,… Read more

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SUZUKI SWIFT 2011 – 2018

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Suzuki Swift is a stylish Japanese small car that’s been popular in Australia since its re-introduction in February 2005. A major model change in June 2011 retained the same cheeky look as the 2005 model, but is a little larger, with a bit more space in the back seat. Obviously the Swift doesn’t have room space for four large adults in the cabin, being aimed a singles, couples and young families. In this review we are looking at the post 2011 Swifts as the older ones are getting on in… Read more

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HYUNDAI VENUE – GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

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Hyundai has launched the fourth, and smallest, member of its SUV range. Indeed, at just 4040 mm long, Hyundai Venue is one of the shortest of all models in the compact SUV market. Only the Suzuki Jimny is shorter, at 3645 mm. Venue’s stubby body is offset by an overall height measurement of 1592 mm which effectively dictates the boxy shape that used to characterise early SUVs before the stylists stepped in and began trying to outdo each other. Having said that we love the neat and functional styling that’s… Read more

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2020 VOLVO XC40 T4 INSCRIPTION

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The very Swedish Volvo XC40 midsize SUV has an excellent blend of style, performance and practicality. And it goes without saying it’s one of the safety vehicles on our roads. A new model, the XC40 Inscription was recently added to the range. A midrange variant, it features a powered front passenger seat, leather-trim, ambient interior lighting and a powered tailgate. A fascinating insight; by far the most commented-on feature of the XC40 Inscription we have been driving is the Orrefors Crystal gear selector. A great collaboration between the two upmarket… Read more

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CARS WITH FAULTY AIRBAGS MAY BE DE-REGISTERED

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Faulty Takata airbags can go off without warning and kill or serious injure you. Despite a long campaign by car companies and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) there are still a total of 537,000 vehicles in Australia with faulty Takata airbags. The 537,000 vehicles tend to be from outer suburban areas of large cities, country areas, lower socio-economic groups and when English isn’t the first language of the vehicle owners. Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, said that while local automotive brands had worked hard to complete… Read more

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RENAULT KADJAR IS ON ITS WAY

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Renault Kadjar will join the already crowded mid-sized crossovers in Australia when it arrives in November. Renault Australia Managing Director Anouk Poelmann says, “Starting from $29,990 RRP the Renault Kadjar is designed to be at home in any environment, features a strong visual identity, contemporary design with a focus on quality and will sit in the middle of Renault’s three-strong SUV range”. At the front Kadjar carries over the C-shape light signature from the Renault range. It strengthens it by integrating LED indicators into daytime running lights. Front and rear… Read more

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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUMMIT

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is the famed American company’s most luxurious variant. It features a refined front with LED foglights. The restyled rear fascia has dual trapezoidal exhaust tips. In addition, the body-coloured side-sill cladding, wheel arches over the 20-inch alloys, mirror caps and door handles further deliver on the premium elements of Summit. Platinum chrome adorns front and rear lower fascia applique, side window surrounds and side sills, roof rails, tail lamp bezels and rear step pad Making its mark very obvious there’s exterior badging on the Jeep seven-slot… Read more

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PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE REFLECTED IN NEW-GENERATION MAZDA

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The name Astina might not be as old as the hills but the eponymous Mazda certainly goes back well into the past century; to 1963 in fact, when the small family car had its roots in the Familia. Progressing through the Mazda 323 and Protege to the sixth generation in 1989 when the new five-door fastback version was called the Familia Astina in Japan and was sold as the 323F or 323 Astina elsewhere. Thirty years later the Astina is still going strong as the top model of the Mazda3…. Read more

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MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS (JCW) CLUBMAN

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The fastest ever production MINI, the John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman is coming to Australia. Extensive changes to the John Cooper Works four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine makes it produce 225kW, an increase of 55kW over the previous model, and 450Nm of torque. The result is a zero to 100km/h time of just 5.1 seconds. The 55kW power increase is thanks to internal revisions including a reinforced crankshaft drive, new pistons with modified compression, adapted connecting rods with bush-less bracket, modified injection valves with increased flow rate and a newly… Read more

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NEW HYUNDAI VELOSTER

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All-new 2020 Hyundai Veloster uses the same 2+1 door sports design that was such a feature of the original model. Now with a low and wide frontal design Hyundai’s signature cascading grille, sculpted wheel arches and sporty rear diffuser. Veloster is available with a choice of 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine (110kW & 180Nm) or 1.6-litre turbocharged (150kW & 265Nm) powertrains, the latter featuring up to 275Nm over-boost function. The entry 2.0L MPi engine is offered with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Veloster Turbo and Turbo Premium… Read more