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RENAULT CAPTUR GETS MORE GRUNT

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A new more powerful turbo-petrol engine is available in automatic versions of the Renault Captur Zen and Intens. Producing 110kW (150 horsepower) of power, and 250Nm of torque from 1600rpm the 1.3 TCe 150 engine was launched on the limited edition Captur S-Edition in 2018, this new engine is now available across all specifications, replacing the 1.2-litre turbo. Captur Zen also receives a multimedia system update that now offers smartphone users the opportunity to stay connected through either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Captur Zen auto with 1.3-litre turbo is… Read more

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MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS REVIEW

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The past 12 months have been very successful for Mitsubishi with the Japanese importer moving up to fourth place in overall Australian vehicle sales behind Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai. With sales of just over 7500 units during 2018 much of that success can be attributed to the most recent addition to the range, the Eclipse Cross which was launched at the end of 2017. Eclipse Cross is the fifth member of the Mitsubishi SUV family. It snuggles into the space between the compact ASX and the medium-large Outlander (all three… Read more

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FJ HOLDEN

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1953 FJ Holden

The FJ Holden was launched in October 1953, and although not the first Holden but an updated version of a car that was nearly five years old it has become the icon of Australia in the 50s and 60s. The FJ introduced the long-running Holden policy of facelifting. No glassware or external sheet metal was changed, the main styling changes being a new grille, different hubcaps and bumper bars and more chrome on the body. Few changes were made to the mechanics; both engine and gearbox from the 48-215 were… Read more

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SHARING THE ROAD

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Typically, two types of driver use country roads – those who are peacefully enjoying the scenery, and those who are simply getting from point A to point B in as short a time as safely possible. The faster drivers are normally either on their home turf, those enjoying the scenery are likely to be strangers to the area. Unfortunately the two types of drivers often get in each others’ way. Those who want to get on with their trip in a reasonably short time find themselves being frustrated by the… Read more

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2019 PORSCHE CAYENNE S

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Porsche Cayenne generation three was launched in Australia in 2017. Virtually an all-new design it offers increased performance not only due to improved engines, but also reduced weight. Following the latest versions of the legendary 911 and the Panamera sedan, the new Cayenne uses a combination of alloys, aluminium and steel to keep weight down at the same time as strength is further improved. Fascinatingly, a lithium-ion polymer starter battery accounts for a weight saving of 10 kg over the predecessor. We have just enjoyed an excellent week in the… Read more

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MINI 60TH ANNIVERSARY

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In August 1959 Morris and Austin launched brand new cars called Mini-Minor and Austin Seven respectively (same car, different names, and this isn’t the place to talk about Riley and Wolseley models). They were a brilliant design, with a surprising large interior due to having an engine mounted sideways across the front, with the gearbox in the sump and driving the front wheels. All four wheels were pushed out to the corners. Though aimed at low-cost motoring for the masses the Mini was a huge success with celebrities world-wide, so… Read more

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NOW KIA CERATO TAPS INTO ‘GT’ TAG

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In days gone by, GT, as in Grand Touring, was generally reserved for aristocratic automobiles, usually from Europe, or American muscle cars. Then hot hatches got in on the act. These days, GT seems to be bandied about, being given to any ‘below stairs’ vehicle showing spirit. Take the new Cerato GT from Kia, for example. Does it stack up to the top-shelf suffix? The South Korean car maker thinks so, with its best-selling model, the Cerato sedan and hatch, adding a 1.6-litre turbo model and a ride and handling… Read more

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FIAT FREEMONT 2013 – 2017

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2015 Fiat Freemont Crossroad

An interesting alternative to Asian SUVs, the Italian Fiat Freemont shares many components with the American Dodge Journey. It was introduced here midway through 2013. The fact that the shape was somewhere between that of an SUV and a people mover didn’t do it any favours and it sold only in moderate numbers. Competition from Dodge probably didn’t help. (Chrysler Dodge got into big financial trouble during the GFC and was taken over by Fiat.) The Fiat Freemont comes with five or seven seats. The second row of seats can… Read more

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BMW Z4: PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS

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BMW has released details of the all new BMW Z4 Roadster that will go on sale Downunder on a date yet to be announced in April. Prices range from $84,900 for the Z4 sDrive20i to $124,900 for the BMW Z4 M40i. On-road charges have to be added. (See the full price list in our separate table.) Fascinatingly the Z4 has been styled by Australian Calvin Luk. We chatted to this personable young guy when he made a recent visit Downunder and he’s a real genius with the pen, not to… Read more

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KIA PUTS THE ‘GT’ QUESTION TO PICANTO TEST

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With automatic transmissions leading the way in car sales to the detriment of manual gearboxes, the thought of a manual-only option for a hatchback would appear questionable. Not to Kia, whose latest micro-model, the Picanto, has just added a hero GT version to its list. “We were warned that trying to launch a micro car into Australia was a fruitless exercise and doomed to failure,” Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith says. “The segment was shrinking fast with only a handful of cars being sold. “Three years on… Read more