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PLENTY OF MARKET SHARE GOING THE WAY OF MITSUBISHI’S ASX

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Mitsubishi ASX is the smallest, but biggest-selling, of the Japanese carmaker’s Australian 4WD/SUV range. On sale since early 2010 it’s been a major success for Mitsubishi, consistently sitting among the top three or four sellers in the highly-competitive compact SUV market segment and just pipped at the post by Mazda CX-3 for top spot in 2016. The appeal of vehicles such as ASX lies in their functionality with a tall, square design that provides a higher than normal driving position and practical rear storage space. The choice of the name… Read more

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2017 HOLDEN TRAILBLAZER LTZ

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Holden made a fair bit of fuss about the new Trailblazer when the model made its appearance on these shores late last year. Far from just being an update of the Colorado 7, the seven-seater was touted as the perfect companion for a family who loved adventure, a heady mix of space, comfort, off-road prowess and on-road manners. Sceptics dismissed the marketing script as just that, nothing more than a ploy to dress up a name change as something much grander than it was. That is hardly surprising given the… Read more

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FIAT 500 CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY

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The original Fiat 500 turns 60 years old this year

The iconic Fiat 500 is celebrating its 60 birthday using a fascinating mix of history and the latest in high-tech internet communication. In a very Italian manner the company has also mixed in its celebration with other iconic events. The events began on St Patricks Day, March 17th with a major event a the Geneva Motor Show, and will finish on America’s Independence Day, July 4th – because the Fiat 500 was presented in Turin on that day in 1957. The Fiat 500’s 60th anniversary will include tours of Europe’s… Read more

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2017 KIA RIO SI AUTOMATIC

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The designers of the new Kia Rio have done just about everything they could to move it upmarket. Operating in the ultra-tight small-car market the South Korean company realised it had to move away from mainstream to give it an edge. On the whole they have succeeded, but there is one problem that needs to be sorted out asap, more about it later in this report. In the European manner new Kia Rio sits on a 10 mm longer wheelbase to permit a bigger cabin for greater legroom and comfort…. Read more

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ALL-NEW AUDI A5 AND S5

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Audi A5s are all about style, both inside and out – as the just launched new-generation A5 two-door coupe proves. Even better news is that prices have been cut by as much as $15,000 when compared equipment-to-equipment with superseded models. Though the body is all-new it carries some cues from the superseded one, which is no bad thing. It’s as sleek as ever, but now has a sharper, edgier look that ties in neatly with the new A4 range and, to a lesser extent, the just launched Q2. If you… Read more

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VOLVO XC90 2003 – 2015

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2003 Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is more of a people mover than an SUV. Which makes sense because very few SUV buyers fall into the ‘I dream of crossing the Simpson Desert one day’ category. It was launched here in August 2003 and wasn’t discontinued until August 2015, albeit with several makeovers during that 12 year period. The XC90 has a big emphasis on space and comfort. The cabin sits well forward thanks to the use of a transversely mounted engine instead of the longitudinal units used by most large SUVs. A… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE ANNOUNCED

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Mercedes-Benz has released details of the coupe version of its new E-Class range. And the chances are the first ones are on their way to the docks to head downunder as we write this. They’re to be launched here in June and dealers are taking orders now. The low, sleek proportions work well with a low grille, long bonnet with power domes, and the cabin sitting further rearward. There are four frameless side windows and as there’s no B-pillar – the visual emphasis is very much about style. However, it’s… Read more

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NISSAN DUALIS 2008 – 2014

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2008 Nissan Dualis

The ‘dual’ in Nissan Dualis signifies its dual-purpose nature, a vehicle that’s a crossover between a family hatchback and a compact 4WD. Though these types of vehicle have become pretty well mainstream in the eight years since Dualis was launched here in January 2008, the Nissan was one of the first of its kind. Though not aimed at the purist 4WD buyer, Dualis has Nissan’s respected All-mode transmission so has decent traction on bush tracks, as well as on slippery sealed surfaces. It has higher than average ground clearance for… Read more

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ARE FRENCH HOLDENS COMING DOWNUNDER?

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Holden NG Commodore. Will French stylists do a facelift?

  The world around us is changing at a bewildering rate. Back in the 1970s Peugeots and Citroens were built in Australia and Holden was king of the Australian car market. Soon Holdens will be built by Peugeot and Citroen in Europe and imported to Australia – yep, bewildering. You’re no doubt aware that GM in the USA has sold its European operations, Vauxhall in the UK and Opel in the rest of the continent, to French giant PSA which manufactures both Peugeot and Citroen models. The change has me… Read more

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MIRAGE A CLEAR LEADER IN VALUE STAKES

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Buyers surfing the info line for a new very small car are generally not looking for power or performance. Sticker price and safety are the focus and top of the pile of recent releases has to be the Mitsubishi Mirage. The entry-level Mirage 1.2-litre ES hatch with a five-speed manual hits the streets at $12,250, plus on-road costs, automatic transmission adds $2000 to the price, the topline LS CVT hatch further $1000. Closest rival is the Suzuki Celerio 1.0-litre hatch at $12,990 drive away; others form a queue right up… Read more