No comments

2019 MAZDA6 WAGON IS STYLISH AND PRACTICAL

  By ,

Conventional station wagons are becoming something of a rarity nowadays with buyer preferences firmly locked into SUVs of various shapes and sizes. Almost all the wagons that remain have adopted the coupe-like Euro styling that distinguishes them from the typical SUV not only with a more stylish design but also by making them more enjoyable to drive and, with their lower centre of gravity, safer with than the typically boxy SUV. Mazda is hedging its bets by selling some of the most popular SUVs while still persevering with a wagon… Read more

No comments

HYUNDAI KONA: EXTRA SAFETY

  By ,

Hyundai Kona for 2020 has additional standard equipment as part of the Hyundai SmartSense suite of technologies. Every Kona model has Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems as standard. The 2020 Kona Elite and Highlander variants continue to feature a camera and radar-based City/Urban/ Interurban FCA system with a Pedestrian Detection function. In addition, every 2020 Kona model features a Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) system that progressively provides warnings and then steering intervention to help keep the SUV within the lane markings. Also standard is the… Read more

No comments

FORD PERFORMANCE FIESTA ST

  By ,

Ford Performance Fiesta ST new-generation model will debut in Australia in the first quarter of 2020. For the first time it will be offered with a five-door body. Powered by a 134 kW / 240 Nm turbocharged engine it will have selectable Drive Modes, and Performance Pack with Limited-Slip Differential (LSD), Launch Control. Also standard is the much talked about Ford-patented force vectoring springs for sharper turn-in, responsiveness and engagement. Infotainment will see SYNC 3 as standard and there’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility as well as built-in… Read more

No comments

MUSSO APPEAL GOES TO GREATER LENGTHS

  By ,

To cut a long story short, SsangYong is making a push to extend its reach into the ute market with a long wheelbase Musso. But there’s more to it than that. The South Korean auto maker plans to expand its stake in Australia with up to 50 Aussie outlets by year’s end. The new Musso XLV, which can be loaded up with 1262 litres of cargo in an extended tray, according to the maker, combines high levels of safety, creature comforts, off-road performance and, last but not least, a segment-leading… Read more

No comments

BMW PALS UP FOR PREMIUM PERFORMANCE

  By ,

Had BMW and Toyota not buddied up for the latest version of the latter’s Supra sports car, it is unlikely, we are told, the new Z4 M40i Roadster would have made it to market, falling sales of convertibles being the culprit. While M Series engineers had input to the car with an adaptive M suspension, M Aero package, M Sport brakes, M Sport limited-slip diff and M Sport seats, like a mid-strength beer, the Z4 M40i, falls short of the full ‘flavour’ in raw performance. However, there’s still a lot… Read more

No comments

GENESIS G80 ULTIMATE SPORT DESIGN

  By ,

The Genesis G80 is an upmarket South Korean saloon that comes to Australia in four variants: standard G80, Sport Design, Ultimate and Ultimate Sport Design. All come with a 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated V6 petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Yes, the rear wheels – Genesis aim is to take on the prestige Germans and Brits, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar in providing the added driving pleasure of accelerator control to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is available in overseas markets but there are no plans at this… Read more

No comments

SUBARU WRX 2014 – 2018

  By ,
2016 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru’s WRX, aka ‘the Rex’, is a moderately-priced high-performance Japanese machine that has been a huge success in Australia since it first arrived here in 1994. The WRX has tremendous performance from its turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine. Grunt that’s backed up by excellent road grip thanks to a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Some felt that the WRX lost some of its in-your-face personality in the early 2000s, but the MY2015 edition launched in March 2014, revived its bad-boy attitude. Models from that period are the subject of this week’s used… Read more

No comments

MERCEDES C 300 e HYBRID SEDAN

  By ,

The new Mercedes-Benz C 300 e sedan is a plug-in hybrid that is part of the company’s long-term aim of a CO2-neutral future. It utilises an electric motor that generates up to 90 kilowatts of power and 440 Nm of torque. On its own it give fully electric driving for up to 52 kilometres (almost double that of its predecessor, the C 350 e). It’s mated to a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 155 kW and 350 Nm on its own. Combined, there’s maximum system outputs of 235 kW… Read more

No comments

MERCEDES C 200 SPORT EDITION

  By ,

Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sport Edition is a package developed by the local importer that combines the most requested features by potential buyers. It is available as a Sedan, Estate and Coupe. It rides on 19-inch AMG alloy wheels and features the AMG Line exterior package (standard on Coupe), rear privacy glass. There is also a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats with memory function, DISTRONIC automated cruise control, a head-up display, Adaptive Highbeam Assist (Sedan only, standard on Coupe), The C 200 Sport Edition package is priced at $7700 (MRLP) for… Read more

No comments

LOTUS ESPRIT

  By
1994 Lotus Esprit

The mid-engined Esprit was designed as a replacement, although larger, faster and more specialised, for the Europa, which had been Lotus’s first mid-engined, rear-drive road car. As with the Europa, the Esprit was a two-seater and it was fitted with Lotus’s own newly designed 16-valve twin cam 2.0-litre engine positioned behind the cabin. A fibreglass body covered the separate chassis that was fitted with independent front and rear suspension. The more rounded X180 shape was the product of in-house stylists and it continued from 1987 with only slight modifications to… Read more