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NEW BMW X6: FIRST DETAILS

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BMW has provided advanced information on its upcoming third generation X6 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). The new BMW X6 has grown by 26 millimetres in exterior length over the outgoing model (to 4935 mm) and by 15 mm in width (to 2004 mm). It now stands 6 mm lower (at 1696 mm) and combines dynamically stretched proportions with exceptional visual muscularity. The car’s wheelbase has increased by 42 mm to 2975 millimetres. Fascinatingly, new BMW X6 is available for the first time as an option with an illuminated BMW kidney… Read more

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PRIUS STILL LEADING LIGHT IN TOYOTA POWER PLAY

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Think what you will about Toyota, when it comes to electric vehicles, the Japanese automotive giant has stuck to its guns. It’s been petrol / electric hybrid all the way. Its Prius hatchback, in 2001, was the first hybrid to make a real impression on the automobile market in Australia and, indeed, around the world. The ubiquitous Prius taxis speaks to this. And, it seems, there’s no letting up, with the fourth generation of the pioneering Toyota hybrid, casting off the somewhat frumpy styling of the original model, taking on… Read more

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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2009 – 2018

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Still regarded as a benchmark car in its class if you’re a keen driver, the Volkswagen Golf has had its ups and downs in recent years. Once famed for German build quality and long-term reliability it has experienced more than its fair share of problems in recent years. However, things now appear to be on the straight and narrow again and Golf’s reputation has gone pretty well back to normal. Golf 6 was a heavily revised version of the Golf 5, with better aerodynamics, a quieter ride and lower fuel… Read more

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LITTLE RENAULT SUV CAPTURES HEARTS BUT NOT SALES

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Renault Captur is a stylish small SUV that’s built on the same platform as the Clio hatchback but with a little extra length and height. When it was launched in Europe in 2013 it was one of the first of the small crossover SUVs which have subsequently sprung up everywhere. It has been a big seller in Europe right from the get-go, but unfortunately for Renault Australia by the time it arrived here in early 2015 many of its competitors had launched their equivalent models and this, together with limited… Read more

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VOLVO XC60 2009 – 2017

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When launched in Australia in late 2008 the Volvo XC60 was described by the Swedish company as being a cross between a coupe and an SUV. But, we feel it’s a genuine SUV, certainly by the definition of SUVs today. Keep in mind that the XC60 is designed for use on Swedish roads that are likely to be snow and ice covered for months at a time, particularly in the northern areas of that country. However, it’s also suited to Aussie bush conditions, and obviously to snowfields in Australia. Almost… Read more

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MERCEDES SMALL SEDAN STEPS OUT IN STYLE

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Mercedes-Benz is in the process of expanding its A-Class beyond the hatchback with the addition of a sedan, the first cab off the rank, so to speak, being the A 200, which has just landed in Australia. Close on the heels of the harbinger, the A 180, drops in this month, while the A 250 will show up in November and the A 250 4Matic in the first quarter of next year. Unusually for a small car, the new sedan is all about space. For example, the boot, at 430… Read more

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HONDA HR-V RS STEPS UP TO THE ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE PLATE

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From the ubiquitous ‘postie bike’ to the Civic hot hatch and NSX hybrid supercar, not to mention motorcycles, lawnmowers and generators, Honda has spent half a century keeping up with Australia’s automotive needs. Included in this august line-up is the compact HR-V, the world’s most popular sports utility vehicle, which has undergone an extensive upgrade following its introduction Down Under in 2015. Included is a new variant, the RS, designed for the sporty driver who wants a more edgy experience behind the wheel. Now in four model grades – VTi,… Read more

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DANGERS OF DRIVER INATTENTION

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The Australian National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a consultation regulation impact statement (RIS) seeking feedback on technology-neutral options to regulate driver distraction. Distraction is seen as a significant road safety risk that is not as well understood as other risk factors such as drink-driving and speeding. Studies have found that a task which takes a driver’s ‘eyes off the road’ for as little as two seconds can be particularly hazardous. NTC Chief Executive Officer Gillian Miles said that new technology-related distractions, outdated rules and a general lack of understanding… Read more

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NISSAN JUKE NISMO BRINGS BACK THE FUN TO DRIVING

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With SUVs so popular nowadays as they make sense, with a few exceptions they aren’t especially exciting to drive. So it was great to be able to spend a week behind the spritely little Nissan Juke Nismo RS. Although Juke is officially listed as an SUV in Australia it looks like, and performs like, what used to be called a hot hatch. Hot SUV? No, it just doesn’t sounds right. The name Nismo is an abbreviation of Nissan Motorsport International Limited and is the in-house tuning, motorsports and performance division… Read more

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FOUR-DOOR SPORTSCAR ADDED TO THE NEW BMW 8 SERIES RANGE

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To some purists the idea of a four-door car being called a coupe isn’t acceptable, but things change and the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe with four doors has been announced. Joining the BMW 8 Series two door Coupe and 8 Convertible, the Gran Coupe is longer, wider and higher and sits on an extended wheelbase. This provides space for four individual seats, with good legroom headspace front and rear. However, a tiny third seat is squeezed between the two outer seats and has virtually no legroom. So BMW describes… Read more