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SUZUKI SWIFT’S SMOOTH TRANSITION TO MODERN MOTORING

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The latest Suzuki Swift displays the Japanese company’s history of engineering excellence with a particularly well-sorted drivetrain. Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with an excellent CVT, is a real delight to sit behind. Our test car, the Suzuki Swift GL Navigator with Safety Pack, provided seamless and seemingly effortless operation in almost all circumstances. STYLING The new Swift has taken on a more assertive look, especially up front, with a wide open radiator and lower bumper grille making a positive statement. Fenders add more muscle to a lower and wider… Read more

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FERRARI PORTOFINO: FIRST DETAILS

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Ferrari Portofino is the replacement for the long-running Ferrari California T convertible. More powerful, lighter and stiffer than its predecessor the Portofino features a turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 producing 600 horsepower (445 kW). Though it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds the sleek Portofino is aimed at the grand tourer market rather than being an out-and-out sports machine. With seating for four, though the two in the back will ideally be on the small and tolerant side, the big Ferrari convertible has a folding hardtop that… Read more

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MAZDA BT-50 STAYS THE CUP COURSE LIKE TRUE THOROUGHBRED

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Twelve months ago, for me the south-western Queensland town of Birdsville was an island of disappointment in a sea of despair, my being in a group of late scratchings for a proposed run to the annual Birdsville Races. The iconic town was completely cut off by road after a deluge of unprecedented proportions just as a group of motoring media, me included, was about to drive the track there in Mazda BT-50 utes. Under starter’s orders: To their credit, the folk at Mazda this month came up trumps and we… Read more

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UNVEILED: LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR ROADSTER

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Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster is to be displayed at the Frankfurt motor show, but the Italian maker has released early photos and tech details in advance. The Roadster has a mid-rear 6.5-litre V12 engine that produces 740 hp (545 kW) of power, and 690 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm. T A zero to 100 km/h time of just 3.0 seconds is claimed. Dione 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels sit inside Pirelli P Zero tyres specifically developed for the Aventador S. Removable hardtop roof panels weigh less than six… Read more

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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2009 – 2017

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2010 Volkswagen Golf GTD

In Europe, the Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it’s not unusual to see them with four adults inside. Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with pre-teen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney a Golf may fill all your motoring needs. Still regarded as a benchmark car in its class if you’re a keen driver, the Volkswagen Golf has had its ups and downs in recent years. Once famed for German build quality and… Read more

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2018 AUDI A5 AND S5 CABRIOLET

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Audi S5 Cabriolet

“What on Earth is Audi thinking of?” was my reaction to the invitation to attend the launch of the A5 and S5 Cabriolets – in Adelaide at the end of winter. Feeling smug when stepping off the plane in SA I muttered, “I told you so,” under my breath as I battled against a wind that felt like it was directly from the Antarctic. The outside temperature was nine degrees, and dropping… I was wrong. After taking a brave pill we powered down the soft top of a sleek new… Read more

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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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1964 Sunbeam Tiger

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