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2017 HYUNDAI i30 SPORT REVIEW

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The new Hyundai i30 has already been ruffling a few feathers. The South Korean giant has positioned the small hatch as a premium offering that is stylish, better equipped and the most technologically savvy i30 yet. Hyundai i30 is already a firm favourite in Australia with 30 per cent of all i30s manufactured globally being sold here. It fights well alongside the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf and other, smaller, players. Potential buyers will be spoilt for choice. The new i30 is offered in four variants, with two transmissions… Read more

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SUNBEAM TIGER

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The four-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine had a very attractive open body and sold well right from its initial release by the Rootes Group in 1959. No doubt motivated by the success of the AC Cobra, discussions were held with American Carroll Shelby, who set about to carry out initial engineering to allow the fitting of a V8 engine to the Alpine body. After the initial considerations Rootes’ engineers took over and out came the four-cylinder 1592 cc engine and in its place went a Ford V8 of 4.2 litres. To couple… Read more

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2017 HOLDEN ASTRA LTZ SEDAN REVIEW

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Holden is very serious about its small-to-medium Astra range. In December 2016 it launched a five-door hatch; a four-door sedan – the subject of this test in topline LTZ format – came out in June this year, and a station wagon will be added to before the end of the year. Sales of the hatch weren’t as high as GM-Holden anticipated and weren’t helped by the traditionally slow January / February holiday AND back-to-school periods. So recommended prices were dropped a few months after the launch to try and kick… Read more

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2017 SUBARU XV 2.0i-S REVIEW

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The Subaru XV has been a surprising charmer for the Japanese manufacturer, its distinctive looks and inherent sense of fun creating interest in whole new demographic. The latest version of the compact Subaru SUV aligns closely under the skin to the Subaru Impreza hatch and is looking to further improve Subaru’s growing market share in this segment. Offered in four variants with price-drops across the range, the XV starts at $27,990, and boasts a handy list of standard features. It challenges the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Qashqai, Honda HR-V and Toyota… Read more

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2018 KIA STINGER: FURTHER INFORMATION RELEASED

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Kia is continuing its drip-feed of information on its Stinger to the local media, now providing details of equipment levels of the eagerly awaited three-model range that’s due to be launched in mid-September. The South Korean auto maker is very keen to attract buyers who once bought high-performance V8 versions of the Commodore and Falcon. It also has an eye on the performance all-wheel-drive models in the upcoming 2018 NG Holden Commodore, though these won’t be directly comparable to the Stinger. All of the first Kia Stingers will be powered… Read more

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FORD EVEREST IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF AUSSIE KNOW-HOW

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Ford Everest is a big, rugged 4WD / SUV that’s been around in other countries since 2003 but didn’t arrive in Australia until the release of the third generation model in late 2015. Although it’s fully imported from Thailand it is an important model for Ford Australia as the company moves away from vehicle production while retaining local employment by providing technical input through its research and development investment. Although the arrival of Ford Everest almost dove-tailed with the departure of the popular Territory the two vehicles are quite different…. Read more

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HYUNDAI i45 2010 – 2013

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The i45 moved the image of Hyundai as a maker of small, low-cost, sensible cars to largish sedans with style – lots of style. Its swooping curves and brave style lines were at the outer edge of automotive thinking when it was launched in 2010 – and still look stunning to this day. It was brought to Australia in three models, in increasing level of equipment these are i45 Active, i45 Elite and i45 Premium. Quality of build was eons ahead of that in the original rather crude 1980s Hyundais…. Read more

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PORSCHE CAYENNE: GEN-THREE DETAILS RELEASED

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The third generation Porsche Cayenne was announced at a major special event in the German company’s home city of Stuttgart. Virtually an all-new design it offers increased performance not only due to improved engines, but also because clever engineering has reduced its weight. Following the 911 and the Panamera, the body of the Cayenne uses a combination of alloy and steel. The exterior is made entirely of aluminium. The floorpan assembly, front section and virtually all the chassis components are also manufactured from alloy. Fascinatingly, a lithium-ion polymer starter battery… Read more

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NISSAN 370Z NISMO IS LOW, SPORTY AND WELL-PRICED

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Nissan has introduced a low-cost competitor into the high-performance sportscar scene. The bargain priced Nissan 370Z Nismo will sell from only $61,490 for the six-speed manual and $63,990 for the seven-speed paddle-shift automatic. This is around $8000 less than had been anticipated when Nissan Australia confirmed to us Nismo would definitely be coming here a few months back. Based on the standard Nissan 370Z, which is already astonishingly cheap for this class with a tag starting at just $49,990. The Nismo edition has added power, revised suspension, wider tyres, bigger… Read more

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2018 VOLVO S60 AND V60 POLESTARS

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Polestar, the high-performance division of Volvo Cars, has come up with major updates for the special editions of Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar for the 2018 model year. More than 250 components have been changed compared to the standard models. High on the list are carbon-fibre aerodynamic components that increase downforce by as much as 30 per cent. These editions are obviously aimed at very serious driver. The new aerodynamic exterior package has been developed jointly by the engineers of Polestar and Cyan Racing, the motorsport partner of Polestar. Data… Read more