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RANGER TAKES ON MORE ‘TERRITORY’

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There’s no such thing as a lone Ranger these days; there’s one around almost every street corner. So much so that the Ford is the second most popular utility vehicle Down Under. With going on for 30 variants there’s no being stuck for choice. Offered in single-, super- and double-cab body styles, Ranger brings the flexibility and toughness of Ranger’s ladder-frame chassis and Australian-led engineering and design in both 4×2 and 4×4 powertrains. Specification levels are XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak. Interestingly, XL 4×2 versions also include a Hi-Rider model,… Read more

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HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2006 – 2017

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

The recent launch of the fourth generation Hyundai Santa Fe has created a lot of interest in this booming market segment. This has resulted in the many older Santa Fe models being traded in. If a Hyundai dealer has been overwhelmed by these trade in you might be able to pick one up at a lower than normal price as stocks are being cleared. No promises, though… Hyundai Santa Fe began its life in the early 2000s as a real 4WD, not simply an SUV. However, the South Korean giant… Read more

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NEW FORD MUSTANG ECOBOOST

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A significantly upgraded Ford Mustang GT V8 was launched four months ago, now it has been joined by the revised lower-cost Ford Mustang EcoBoost. Though the thought of a four-cylinder engine in a Mustang is anathema to some, there’s a lot to be said for the driving dynamics of a lighter, better balanced Mustang. Mustang EcoBoost adds an advanced 224kW powertrain to that unmistakable, iconic Mustang design. The 2019 Mustang EcoBoost has a high-tech direct-fuel-injection 2.3-litre that uses a twin-scroll turbocharger. Producing 224kW of power and 441Nm of torque it… Read more

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HOLDEN’S CALL TO ARMS WITH ‘BIG GUN’ ACADIA

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Since retiring from vehicle manufacture in Australia, Holden has been battling relevance in the marketplace. However, while the genuine born-and-bred Aussie car may have become a thing of the past, that could be about to change with the arrival of the Acadia. Okay, so the Holden seven-seat sports utility vehicle may be assembled in the United States but it’s a fair dinkum product made solely for Down Under by Holden engineers and designers. Holden chairman and managing director Dave Buttner says there is still a latent passion for Holden product,… Read more

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PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS RELEASED

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Porsche has added two high-performance models to its new Panamera range, the GTS and GTS Sport Turismo. Both are powered by a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine generating 338 kW of power and maximum torque of 620 Nm, getting them from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds when used with the standard Sport Chrono package. Power is transmitted to the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system by the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Adaptive air suspension with three-chamber technology is fitted as standard. The sports chassis has been lowered by… Read more

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SPECIAL EDITION NISSAN NAVARAS

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Nissan Australia has expanded its special edition range with the introduction of Navara Dual Cab 4X4 SL-based “Silverline” and ST “Black Edition”. Black is very much the in-thing amongst the ‘tuff’ guys in the their pickups at the moment so the Navara Dual Cab 4X4 ST Black Edition has black 18-inch alloy wheels with dealer-fitted all-terrain tyres. Black is also used on wheelarch flares, grille, mirror housings, smoked protector, foglight surrounds, sports bar and nudge bar. Attention is drawn to the big Nissan by black body decals. The Black Edition… Read more

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PORSCHE MACAN: MAJOR MAKEOVER

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Porsche’s Macan midsize SUV has had a full makeover, with changes to its style inside and out and significantly better connectivity. And it comes as no surprise the biggest emphasis is on driving dynamics. The Macan’s front end has been thoroughly redesigned to give it a wider appearance. LED technology is standard in the newly designed main headlights. Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) is optional and provides adaptive light distribution. The Macan Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system has been upgraded and now operates through a full-HD touchscreen that’s… Read more

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WILLYS OVERLAND 77

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1933 Willys Overland 77

In the early motoring times the Willys brand had a chequered history. In the later years the company, Willys-Overland Motors was best known for its design and production of military Jeeps. Willys history started in 1908 when John North Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company in 1912 and renamed it Willys-Overland. From 1912 to 1918, Willys was the second largest producer of automobiles in the United States after Ford. By 1913 Willys had acquired a license to build the Charles Knight’s sleeve-valve engine which it used… Read more

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2018 KIA CERATO SEDAN REVIEW

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Easily Kia’s biggest-seller, the Cerato sits in fourth-place in the ultra-competitive small-medium segment having gradually eroded sales from the perennial big-three of Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30. Kia’s seven-year unlimited distance warranty is proving a masterstroke in that it is attracting new buyers who may have had any lingering doubts about the quality and reliability of Korean cars. The third generation, Kia Cerato sedan arrived here in June 2018 with the hatchback due towards the end of the year. The biggest change is styling, with more than a hint… Read more

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CITROEN C4 PICASSO 2007 – 2017

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2007 Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen C4 Picasso, is a stunning-looking seven-seat people mover from the famed French marque that does things very much its own way. It first arrived in Australia in April 2007. Although it’s not a mainstream model in Australia by any stretch of the imagination, those buyers who hate to be ordinary just love the Picasso. Picasso’s seven seats are all individual buckets, in a two-three-two formation. The two front rows are suited to adults but the third-row pair may be a little claustrophobic for young occupants as they sit quite… Read more