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BMW Z4 2009 – 2018

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BMW Z4 and its predecessor the Z3 are genuine sportscars not simply convertibles, meaning they have a long bonnet and the occupants sit close to the rear wheels. The Z4 first reached us Downunder in 2004, but in this used car checkout we will begin with the introduction of the second generation from September 2009. While it continued the same theme as the original the 2009 model was tamed slightly. Certainly not to the point of being subdued, but to be easier to live with on a daily basis. Previously… Read more

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NEW FORD ESCAPE WILL BE OFFERED AS A HYBRID

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In an interesting move, Ford Australia has announced that its all-new Ford Escape SUV will be offered as a plug-in hybrid when it arrives Downunder in 2020. It will be the first Ford PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric) model offered in this country and indicates Ford is serious about meeting future owners’ needs. Escape hybrid will be powered by 2.5-litre, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce up to 165kW of power. Ford says it will have a fully-electric driving range in excess of… Read more

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VOLKSWAGEN MULTIVAN BLACK EDITION

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Volkswagen Australia realises that many people are buying seven-seat SUVs because they are tough and trendy but often then come to realise that the back seats can be difficult to get into and squeezy once you’re there. So VW also sells a Multivan seven-seater that offers spacious accommodation for seven. It hasn’t sold as well as anticipated and so it has introduced a stylish Multivan Black Edition. Some 230 examples of the Multivan Black Edition are coming Downunder. The launch of the Black Edition took place at the Manly (Sydney)… Read more

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VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ALLSPACE R-LINE

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Midway through 2018 Volkswagen introduced the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace. Though based on the five-seat Tiguan the new Allspace is a significantly longer vehicle. It has more overall length, at 4701mm (+215mm), a longer wheelbase (+109mm), and 106mm more rear overhang. All of which allows for the addition of two seats in a third row but with the same width as the five-seater. Cleverly it still has a boot capacity of 230 litres with all the seats in use. Some competitors have most of their boot space disappearing when a rearmost… Read more

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FCAI’s REPLY TO LABOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS

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The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), Australia’s peak automotive industry body, has welcomed the release of Labor’s environmental policy which includes a new focus on low emissions and electric vehicle targets. “It’s fantastic to see this important topic receive the attention it deserves,” said Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI. “The automotive industry has invested heavily in the development of new technology for battery electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, many of which are already available on the Australian market. It’s critical that Australian consumers have… Read more

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RIO IN ‘LINE’ TO KICK ON FOR KIA

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Kia has done work on the Rio, realigning its hatchback to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated market. The Rio has upgraded drivetrains and revised its levels, the Si and SLi models being sidelined to make way for the new Sport. The latter featuring a six-speed automatic transmission in place of the old four-speed gearbox. While the range-topping GT-Line takes up a glad bag of goodies including a feisty 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated with Kia’s own seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The entry-level Rio S is unchanged, with the 74… Read more

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JAGUAR F-PACE 300 SPECIAL EDITIONS

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Jaguar F-Pace Chequered Flag

Jaguar is about to import two special editions of the F-Pace SUV. Tagged as ‘300 SPORT’ and ‘Chequered Flag’. Jaguar is justifiably proud of its F-Pace winner of the 2017 World Car of the Year award. The electric variant of the wagon, the Jaguar I-Pace has been nominated as a finalist in the 2019 WCOTY which will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 17th. The 300 SPORT has a Dark Satin Grey front grille surround, side window surrounds, side vents, door mirror housings, door finishers and… Read more

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MAZDA6 2008 – 2017

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Mazda6 was launched in Australia in August 2002, it began as a midsize car and grew over the years with the latest models being only a little smaller than Commodore and Falcon. However, it’s significantly narrower than these Aussie icons so is better suited to two adults than three in the back seat. The higher build of Japanese Mazdas over European cars in this class was often the reason buyers told us they chose the ‘6. In this used car review we will begin with the second generation which arrived… Read more

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MASERATI LEVANTE VULCANO LIMITED EDITION

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Maserati Levante Vulcano is now on sale in Australia, but only seven of the 150 produced for Europe and Asia are coming here. A chromed aluminium badge on the centre console features the legendary Maserati Trident, along with the Vulcano logo and the words “one of 150”. Based on the Levante GranSport, the Vulcano’s exterior features the Nerissimo Collection with dark look rear light clusters, black chrome front grille and logos, gloss black window surrounds, body-coloured door handles and burnished exhaust tailpipes. It rides on 21-inch Helios wheels, with very… Read more

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2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC COUPE

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The updated Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe won’t be in Australia for quite a while, probably well into the second half of 2019. But it’s already exciting the Merc enthusiasts. Not only does it look good it also will be powered by a new engine line-up and introduces clever driving assistance systems. Changes to the external appearance are relatively minor, but do give the GLC an even sleeker look. A larger touchscreen displays with 12.3 inches in the instrument cluster. There are 7.0 inches with 960 x 540 pixels and 10.25 inches… Read more