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2018 ABARTH 595 COMPETIZIONE

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What a hoot! I loved driving the Abarth 595 Competizione for the whole week I spent in it. Partly for its lively attitude to the road, but chiefly because of the attention and pleasure it gave to other road users, even to pedestrians would you believe. I’ve had the pleasure of piloting Italian supercars – Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis (tough lives we motoring journos lead…). While these often get gazed at in envy and other drivers like to race them off the lights, sometimes these ultra expensive machines get me… Read more

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NO STOPPING – THERE’S LIFE IN THE OLD FRIEND YET

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Despite its longevity, there is something of an enigma about the Nissan 370Z: is it a comfy Coupe with two seats; or an out-and-out sports car with performance paramount to the detriment of all else? I suggest it’s the former. Sophisticated is a way of putting it, something the car has exhibited since its inception almost a decade ago as the descendent, via the 350Z and others, of the legendary 240Z of the 1960s. And, for good or bad, not much has changed. With almost 4200 sales in Australia since… Read more

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NEW MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS PICKUP

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Mercedes-Benz has entered the pickup-truck market in Australia with a range of X-Class four-door models featuring two- or four-wheel drive and a variety of equipment levels. Though we tend to associate Mercedes with upmarket passenger cars the German company has long had a strong presence in commercial vehicles, with vans, buses of various sizes and large trucks. All X-Class models are powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that comes in in two formats; the Mercedes X 220 d has a single turbocharger with 120 kW and 403 Nm, the… Read more

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2019 FORD FOCUS: FIRST DETAILS

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Ford Australia has provided us with detailed information on the German-made Focus that’s due here at a date yet to be announced, but probably late this year. New Ford Focus will be the first vehicle built on company’s C2 global platform, making for greater body strength with less weight. Styling gives it a low and sleek look, with a huge front grille and a slick tail obviously aimed at low aero drag. It certainly moves away from the somewhat bland shape of previous Focuses. Body types are sedan, five-door hatchback… Read more

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ALL-NEW LEXUS LS

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How time flies, 28 years ago the first Lexus LS sedan (or should that be saloon?) arrived in Australia to be greeted with a fair bit of scepticism. Many felt that Toyota was taking a huge risk by introducing an upmarket sub-brand called Lexus to tackle the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW and Audi. Yet the Japanese giant succeeded and has not only survived, but also shown the big name Europeans a thing or two about highly impressive quality control and near-silent running. The Euros were shocked into making big… Read more

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KIA PICANTO GT-LINE ANNOUNCED

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Kia Australia introduced the Picanto Australian Open special edition in January to celebrate the Korean company’s continued sponsorship of major tennis event – the first Grand Slam of the global tennis year. The edition was a big success and so is now offered as a continuing member of the Picanto range, this time tagged as the Picanto GT-Line. In Kia-speak ‘GT-Line’ means a car has added visual elements, usually sporting ones, but is not a high-performance ‘GT’. External changes are comprehensive, with16-inch alloy wheels, GT-Line badging, LED position lamps and… Read more

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SONATA: A MODEL CASE OF GIVE AND TAKE

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Out of Hyundai’s design centre in Irvine, California, a new shape is aimed at giving the sedan more street presence. It has the company’s signature cascading grille like that on the latest i30 and new Kona, with a chiselled air dam and sleek new headlights venturing into the front guards. Vertical daytime running lights add to a more dynamic appearance, while a more assertive side view and a completely re-worked tail end feature a clean boot design and slimmer rear lights. Chrome trim below the grille and on the lower… Read more

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HYUNDAI i30 MODEL RANGE EXPANDED

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Hyundai is running hard in Australia following the introduction of the i30 N hot-hatch, but the standard models are also receiving the treatment with an expanded model line-up and upgraded features. Engine options for Elite and Premium models now include the 120 kW 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic. A seven-speaker Infinity Premium Audio System is installed in the i30 SR Premium Premium. New to the i30 range it utilises an external amplifier aimed to deliver a fuller frequency response, accurate bass reproduction, and distortion-free… Read more

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TOYOTA TARAGO 2006 – 2016

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2007 Toyota Tarago

Toyota Tarago has been a favourite in Australia for close to 40 years. First models were really only vans with seats and windows but from 1990 they were purpose designed with all that meant in added comfort, safety and driveability. These are often past their use-by date and so are best avoided unless you can carry out repairs yourself. Spare parts are also likely to be a hassle. So in this review we will look at the Toyota Tarago from March 2006 that continues to this day with upgrades in… Read more

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BUGATTI TYPE 43

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1928 Bugatti Type 43

The Bugatti Type 43 used a supercharged 2.3-litre straight-eight engine fitted to a shortened wheelbase ladder chassis developed from that used on the Type 38. In fact the engine also came from another Bugatti; the Type 35B but it was used in the 43 in a slightly detuned form. The end result was to be the world’s first production car capable of being driven at 160 km/h. In reality it could easily be driven at 176 km/h or even faster if the optional higher final drive ratio was fitted. The… Read more