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RILEY BROOKLANDS

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1928 Riley Brooklands

The Riley Brooklands was first introduced in mid-1927 and was produced from 1927 to 1932. It was powered by a front mounted four-cylinder 1087 cc overhead-valve engine which had part spherical combustion chambers driving the rear wheels. This engine was originally introduced in the Riley Nine family car in 1926 and its early performance indicated that it would make a good power source for a sports car. After some modifications, including the fitting of two horizontal SU carburettors, power output was raised to 37 kW at 5000 rpm, very high… Read more

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2018 MASERATI LEVANTE S TURBO-PETROL

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When Maserati launched its Levante SUV in Australia in February it came only with a diesel engine. Why? Because at that time all petrol models were fitted with the steering wheel on the wrong side for Australia. A silly mistake that has now been rectified. Following pressure from Australia, the UK, South Africa and other countries where people drive on the left side of the road Maserati Levante is now available with a Ferrari-built twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 with 321 kW (430 horsepower) and 580 Nm of torque for the 2018… Read more

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NEW AUDI STAR SINGS FROM A DIFFERENT SONG SHEET

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Vocally speaking, if the outgoing Audi RS 5 was a booming baritone, the latest version of the iconic sports coupe is a cocky, if at times shrill, tenor and, as has been suggested, maybe not to everyone’s liking. Blame the substitution of the sonorous sound of the ‘old’ V8 with a new-generation star-in-the-making twin-turbo V6 that works in a higher register. Traditionally, baritones can be packing a bit of beef, unlike tenors who, because they get the girl, are usually trim, taut and terrific. The same can be said about… Read more

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2018 FORD ECOSPORT UPGRADES

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The Ford EcoSport is the smallest vehicle in the company SUV range. Clever marketing means it has been restyled to tie in with the shape of its larger brothers, the Escape and Everest, as well as the big Endura which is coming in 2018. Pretty well everything forward of the windscreen looks different, with a sculpted bonnet featuring a central ‘power’ bulge a large trapezoidal grille and interesting angular headlights and foglight surrounds. EcoSport’s rear bumper and taillight designs have also received the sculpted look. Three colours have been added… Read more

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MAZDA CX-9 IS A CLASSY PEOPLE MOVER

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Launched in July 2016 the second generation Mazda CX-9 has been a big hit in the people mover market in Australia. Not content to rest on its laurels, Mazda Oz recently introduced improvements to driving, safety and comfort for its flagship Azami, our test machine for the last week. STYLING With its neat and tidy look the big Mazda people carrier has a look of restrained confidence. From every angle things are in proportion and there are no fancy bits to spoil the minimalist look. The interior features quality materials… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS 2013 – 2016

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By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring CAPTION: A. B. C. 2016 Mercedes-Benz A250 BODY COPY When Mercedes-Benz launched the A-Class in 1997 it was a stubby little car deliberately made to be shorter than any conventional four-door car. No big deal in Australia, but huge in Europe where a car with a length 100 mm less than anything else could make the difference between finding a parking spot in a big city or not. Which sounds weird to Aussies, but if you’ve ever looked at cars crammed bumper-to-bumper on Parisian streets… Read more

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2018 AUDI A5 CABRIOLET REVIEW

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A few months ago we drove a couple of Audi A5 Cabriolets with the their roofs open on a wet, windy wintery day in Adelaide – and were pleased to find the combination of heated seats, warm air being blown onto the back of our necks and an air blocker behind the front seats made life significantly more comfortable than expected. By way of sharp contrast we’ve just spent a most pleasant week at the wheel of an A5 Cabriolet in our home area on the Gold Coast, plenty of… Read more

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ASTON MARTIN DB4GT

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At the end of World War II Aston Martin was taken over by tractor magnate, David Brown. He learned that Lagonda was also having trouble raising sufficient capital to recommence operations after the war so promptly bought them also. With the purchase of Aston Martin he acquired one of their principal assets which was an excellent multi-tube space frame, coil-sprung chassis and a 2.0-litre engine intended for a planned sports car. This new design, now called the DB1 after the new owner, went on sale in 1948. However, few DB1s… Read more

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HOLDEN ANNOUNCES ZB COMMODORE PRICES

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The German-built next-generation ZB Holden Commodore won’t be here till February 2018, but GM-H has released its recommended prices as part of the build up to its new high-tech models. Though you get a fair bit more car for your money Holden has deliberated kept prices at similar levels to the outgoing VF II, even significantly lower in many cases. That’s to counteract the negativity about the German Commodore from some quarters. The negativity being that this isn’t really a Holden as it’s not “built tough for Australia”. That’s despite… Read more

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ALL-NEW JEEP WRANGLER: PREVIEW

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The all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler looks like a Jeep, which might sound blindingly obvious. But some years back an idiot stylist decided Wrangler needed rectangular headlights – and all hell broke loose amongst lovers of what is arguably the most recognised vehicle in the world. “Don’t mess with our Jeep” was the clear message – and that near disaster has never happened since. New Jeep Wrangler has the legendary seven-slot grille with an updated look that has the outer grille slats intersecting with the headlights, thus paying homage to the… Read more