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MERCEDES-BENZ GLB: FIRST DETAILS

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Mercedes has been a major player in the 4WD and SUV fields for many decades. So it comes as no surprise that it has just provided first details of an upcoming new model, the GLB Class. A large car for this segment, It’s not far short of the GLC Merc, the ‘B’ is long enough for three rows of seats, with seating for up to seven. It seems that the GLB with five seats and good luggage space is likely to be the biggest selling variant. The load compartment volume… Read more

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GENESIS LAUNCHES ALL-NEW G70 SPORTS SEDAN

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In conjunction with what was effectively the re-launch of the Genesis G80 the South Korean premier brand has released its all-new G70 sports sedan. Styling of the G70 is similar to that of the G80 but is smaller in all dimensions: 300mm in length, 80mm lower; 40 mm narrower and with a 175 mm shorter wheelbase. All models get the Genesis crest grille with sleek LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights. Inside the cabin is just as luxurious as its larger, more expensive sibling with soft touch materials throughout,… Read more

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IN THE BEGINNING – NEW GENESIS G80

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Genesis is the luxury arm of the Hyundai company formed using the same formula used by the very successful that saw Lexus evolve from Toyota. The first models from this new premium brand are the G80 luxury sedan, previously sold here between 2014 and 2017 as the Hyundai Genesis, and the all-new, slightly smaller G70 sports sedan. We’ll examine the smaller sportier G70 as well as the company’s innovative marketing and sales strategy and various support facilities in a separate story. Genesis tells us that four additional models will be… Read more

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KIA SELTOS: ADVANCED INFORMATION

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Kia Seltos is an all-new SUV from the South Korean manufacturer. Teaser information has been provided to the media in preparation for it going on sale in Australia in October. Seltos is smaller than the Kia Sportage but the dimensions are yet to made public. Photographs show its lines are chunky and certainly standout from mainstream shapes in this hotly contested market segment. Of particularly interest are the very high lines at the rear-sides. Kia tells us, “Seltos stands apart from its rivals thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and… Read more

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LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2007 – 2015

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2007 Land Rover Freelander

Though it’s generally used only as a suburban wagon, Land Rover’s Freelander is capable of tackling mild to moderate bush, beach and desert conditions that would strand just about everything else in its class. Which is hardly surprising as it comes from the company that gives us everything from the down-and-dirty Land Rover Defender to the highly competent (and very expensive) Range Rover. Freelander first went on sale here early in 1998 making it arguably the first upmarket compact SUV, several years ahead of the big name Germans. These originals… Read more

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PORSCHE ADDS NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE 718s

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Porsche 718 Cayman GT

Two hot new models have been added to the Porsche range; 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 claim top spot in their model series. Interestingly, for the first time they share a technical base. This includes the newly developed 4.0-litre six-cylinder naturally aspirated and a six-speed manual gearbox. The boxer engine generates up to 309kW (420hp). It is based on the same engine family as the turbo engines in the current 911 Carrera model series. Both break the 300km/h top speed barrier: the 718 Spyder reaches 301 km/h, the 718… Read more

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HAVAL H9 HEAVY LIFTING; PRICES STAY PUT

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US President Donald Trump may be ramping up the trade war with China, all the while the Asian manufacturing megalith continuing to wheel out the big guns in the global automobile market. Latest additions to its Haval H9 put the heavy-metal sports utility vehicle up against some of the world’s best in the premium SUV market at prices the opposition can only dream about. Continuing its foray into the seven-seater four-wheel drive SUV, the Chinese automobile manufacturer has added to an extensive suite of safety features without lifting he price… Read more

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RILEY RM SERIES

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1952 Riley RME

Although this story is about the RM series of Rileys which did not appear until 1945, the real heyday for Riley cars was in the 1920s and 1930s when the company made its reputation with a series of well-built saloons and small sports cars which were true thoroughbreds of their time. With these cars the Riley company, which was founded in 1898, built up a strong racing record but, by the late 1930s, finances were looking shaky and the Nuffield organisation took the company over in 1938. Even under the… Read more

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EXTRA VALUE FROM JEEP NIGHT EAGLE SPECIAL EDITIONS

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Jeep has released special edition Night Eagle versions of its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee mid-sized and large SUVs. They use the same dark appearance which has worked well for Jeep in previous Blackhawk special editions and in the Cherokee Night Eagle that was sold here in mid-2018. The Night Eagle models are based on the entry-level AWD variants of each model (Grand Cherokee Laredo and Cherokee Longitude) but according to Jeep add over $10,400 worth of customer value for only $5500 in the Grand Cherokee and more than $6400 for… Read more

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2019 MERCEDES-BENZ A 250 HATCH

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The all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has not only grown in size, but also in maturity. It can be regarded as a smaller version of the Mercedes C- and E-Class ranges – but at a significantly lower price. The range begins at just $42,300 for the A180 hatch, with our test car, the A 250 FWD, costing a pretty reasonable $48,800. As usual you have to factor in on-road costs. New A-Class is larger inside in all directions, with more shoulder space, elbow room and headroom in both the front and rear… Read more