2017 RENAULT MEGANE GT REVIEW

The Renault Megane GT is the range topper of the new Megane range, at least until the much anticipated RS arrives on these shores next year. The warm hatch is presented as a performance slanted, but more practical, replacement for the Megane RS275. The latter, if you remember, was a manual, two-door offering that excited the real drivers amongst us but had limited lustre for buyers with conflicting priorities. Renault has spruced up the design of this fourth-generation Megane, dropped the price and tweaked the drive in the hope it… Read more

CITROEN SM

1970 Citroen SM

Although a French manufacturer, Citroen acquired a controlling interest in the Italian sportscar manufacturer Maserati in the late 1960s. As a result of this acquisition the Citroen SM, introduced in 1970, was derived from the best features of both brands. The SM was a prestige car using a small V6 engine adapted from Maserati’s quad-cam V8 engine. Because of French tax laws which punished cars with a capacity above 2.8 litres, the capacity of the SM engine was kept at 2.7 litres. Citroen has always been noted for its innovative… Read more

2017 MAZDA2 UPDATES

Like a featherweight fighter, the Mazda2 has just squared up to opponents in the light-car division with upgraded versions of its popular sub-compact passenger vehicle. Available in four hatchback versions – Neo, Maxx, Genki and GT – and three sedans – Neo, Maxx and GT- the new Mazda2 follows on from the Mazda3 and 6 with G-Vectoring Control producing even safer handling. In a first for the light-car segment, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert come to Mazda2, being fitted as standard on up-spec Genki and GT. This… Read more

IMPREZA HATCH LOOKING TO IMPRESS THE MILLENNIALS

Subaru Impreza has been on sale in Australia for nearly a quarter of century and has earned a well-deserved reputation for long life and reliability. Brand loyalty has also been one of Subaru’s strengths but not one on which the company can rest on its laurels given that loyal buyers, inevitably, get older every year. With this in mind the latest (fifth generation) Impreza, launched here at the end of 2016, breaks away from the wagon-like lines of previous hatchback models to a more eye-catching style no doubt to try… Read more

TOYOTA PRADO 2003 – 2016

2003 Toyota Prado GXL

Toyota imports a large number of 4WD, SUV and crossover vehicles to Australia and dominates our market here. Indeed, it can trace its first efforts back to the days of the original Snowy Mountain Scheme in the 1950s. The Toyota Prado sits a couple of steps down in the range, beneath the tough LandCruiser 70 Series light truck and the rugged LandCruiser station wagon. To further complicate irefully things the full title of the Prado is LandCruiser Prado. Beneath the Prado comes the Toyota Kluger, then the Toyota RAV4. Do… Read more

VALUE-ADDED FORD EVERESTS

Keen to cash in on the current craze for buying SUVs rather than cars Ford Australia has added extra models to its Everest Ambiente range, fitted extra equipment to other models and, in many cases, reduced prices. Everest range now include a new Ambiente two-wheel-drive (the rear wheels) with five-seats and a suggested list price of $47,990. Adding a third row of seats only puts another $1000 to the price. Ford Everest Ambiente models now have standard Sync3 including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This is operated through an… Read more

THAT’S NOT AN SUV …

1953 FJ Holden panel van

To paraphrase old mate Crocodile Dundee, “That’s not an SUV … this is an SUV!” Early in 2017 SUV sales in Australia overtook those of passenger cars. This doesn’t make sense to me because it’s blindingly obvious that many so-called SUVs are nothing but tall hatchbacks. I decided to research the origin of SUVs in Australia and was stunned and delighted to find that the first ever Australian designed and built SUV was … wait for it … the FJ Holden. Yep, the good old FJ panel van can be… Read more

2017 SUZUKI IGNIS GLX REVIEW

One of my frequently voiced gripes about design is that fashion too often is allowed to override function. We get cars that look stunning, but have cramped interiors, or too little ground clearance, or silly little boots. How a car as cute and fascinating in its style as the Suzuki Ignis can be both fashionable and functional brings a big smile to my face. Just look at that pert nose, fascinating tail with the stylised Suzuki badge in the C-pillars and interesting interior. Then jump inside one at your local… Read more

2017 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK TDV6 ULTIMATE REVIEW

It is no secret that dual-cab utes have quickly become an Australian favourite, their capability and practicality a real drawcard for drivers looking for a vehicle suitable for both work and play. The Volkswagen Amarok has been one of the players since its arrival on these shores in 2011, offering almost car-like comfort seldom seen in a rugged utility. Now, six years later, the Amarok has added that seemingly elusive power factor to an already impressive vehicle. STYLING You want a pickup that looks like a pickup, one who’s chiselled… Read more

PEUGEOT 508 2011 – 2015

Peugeot 508 arrived in Australia in July 2011 and replaced two cars, the Peugeot 407 and 607. Clever engineering means the 508 has less mass than the significantly smaller Peugeot 407 and is well under the weight of the 607. Not all 508 models arrived simultaneously, rather they dribbled in over the next 12 months or so. Sitting between 407 and 607, with a leaning to the 607 in size, the Peugeot 508 was sold a a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon. The sedan’s boot is one of the… Read more