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HYUNDAI i30 FASTBACK N

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The Hyundai i30 Fastback N is the second offering from the Hyundai N Performance Division. Developed from the i30 N hot-hatch, the Fastback has a seven per cent aerodynamic drag reduction compared with the hatch. It has the same 202kW / 353Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the hatch. Overboost increases torque to 378Nm at full throttle for up to 18 seconds. The zero to 100 km/h time is listed at 6.1 seconds and the hot Hyundai is electronically limited to a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol… Read more

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COMPACT CROSSOVER NEW BEGINNING FOR LEXUS

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Seduced, I suspect, by the sales inferno of the small sports utility vehicle around the globe, Lexus has made a foray into the sub-50K market with its new UX range. The Lexus UX – for urban crossover, a mix of SUV and hatchback – raises a new curtain on entry-level SUVs for the Japanese luxury car maker. The entry-level model, the UX 200 Luxury is priced at $44,450, while the range-topping UX 250h Sport Luxury petrol / electric hybrid costs almost half as much again, at $67,062. Add the upper… Read more

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BMW 303

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1933 BMW 303 Saloon

BMW – the Bayerische Motoren Werke – launched their first ‘300 Series car’ in 1933. The company’s start as a manufacturer of motor vehicles goes back to 1928 when they acquired the Dixi marque produced at Eisenach. Prior to its entry into car manufacture BMW produced aero engines and motorcycles but in 1928 they entered the motor vehicle business where their main competition came from DKW, Hanomag and Opel. The first car to carry the BMW badge was the 3/15 model introduced in 1929. This was a slightly modified version… Read more

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MAZDA REVEALS CX-30

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Mazda previewed a new model called Mazda CX-30 at the Geneva Motor Show. It’s not the anticipated upgrade of the CX-3 but a new model in its own right. As with the all-new Mazda3 we recently sampled, we are assured the CX-30 is very smooth and quiet inside and that the seats are specially tailored to suit the natural shape of the human body. The CX-30 sits about midway in ride height between a conventional passenger car and an SUV so offers easy ingress and egress. European specifications were the… Read more

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2019 MAZDA CX-9 REVIEW

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The CX-9 is the flagship of Mazda’s SUV fleet sitting above its successful CX-3 and CX-5 models. The current CX-9 was released in 2016 and was given its latest upgrade in September 2018. With seven seats standard across its range vehicles such as the CX-9 have effectively replaced people movers especially when they come with the choice of front- or rear-wheel. The former contributing to better performance, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions and the latter providing extra traction for towing or mild off-road capability. Five Mazda CX-9 variants are… Read more

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PORSCHE BOXSTER, CAYMAN 2012 – 2018

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2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe both come from the highly regarded German maker of sports machines, being smaller, lower-cost models than the timeless Porsche 911. They are the same vehicle, except that there’s a folding roof on the Boxster and a fixed one in the Cayman. Boxster’s roof design is clever, in that the roof acts as its own cover when the top is open. Both are mid-engined, meaning the engine is installed within the wheelbase, in this case just behind the cabin and in front of the rear… Read more

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2019 RENAULT MEGANE R.S. REVIEW

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New Megane R.S. 280 is a serious sporting hatch that’s aimed at the keen driver who wants to get the best from their motoring life. It features the latest in powertrain technology, chassis tuning and aerodynamic assistance. However, its stunning styling and excellent colour choices mean it will also appeal to those more interested in serene grand touring than in track day blasting. Australia has historically been one of Renault Sport’s biggest markets for the Megane R.S. and a week in the latest model shows this is likely to continue…. Read more

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NEW NISSAN LEAF GETTING CLOSER

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In October 2018 we attended a static display of the new Nissan Leaf where we were able to sit in the pure electric car that’s the World’s best seller. We also had the opportunity to spend serious time with engineers and marketing people. Now Nissan Australia has announced the next step of the marketing campaign by announcing it will be priced at from $49,990 (MSRP) plus on road costs. New generation Leaf will be sold from 89 Nissan dealerships Australia wide, well up from the 12 when the original Leaf… Read more

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BMW X7 SUV: SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICING

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BMW Group Australia has announced Australian pricing and specification for the first ever BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It will be available in Australia from late May 2019, launching with the $119,900 BMW X7 xDrive30d, and the X7 M50d at $169,900. On-road charges have to be factored in. BMW X7 is a large seven-seater and we are assured all seats are spacious. There’s a major emphasis on luxury with electronically adjustable backrests and seat positions on all seats. The X7 xDrive30d’s sport seats include front seat heating, adjustable side… Read more

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2019 JAGUAR XE: DETAILS AND PRICES

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Jaguar’s XE midsize sedan has been given a makeover outside and in as well as receiving additional technology. The lineup has been trimmed down for Australia, with a focus on the performance focused models. The Jaguar XE is now offered in both R-Dynamic SE and HSE. Both use the 221 kW advanced Ingenium turbo-petrol engine. Standard on XE models,Dynamic mode amplifies the car’s sporting character, with faster gear shifts, sharper throttle response and increased steering weighting. Drivers can alter their driving experience when the optional Configurable Dynamics system is chosen…. Read more