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AUDI Q5 V6 TDI

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By EWAN KENNEDY in Los Cabos, Mexico   Last week we reported from Mexico the new second generation Audi Q5 in four-cylinder format. That’s because only the four-cylinder models, in turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel format, will initially be on sale in Australia when the first shipments arrived in the second half of 2017. However, we did manage to get ourselves into the driver’s seat of a V6 as it’s expected to arrive here within a couple of months of the four-cylinder. It’s an impressive powerplant, the big turbo-diesel produces up to… Read more

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HOLDEN BARINA UPGRADED

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The solid push towards the future of Holden continues. Long after the company shuts down its Australian factories Holden will continue as a major part of the GM global empire. As a strong example, Holden Barina for 2017 has just received a facelift and tail-tuck, interior enhancements, an upgraded infotainment system and added safety features. A great deal of the design of the Holden Barina was carried out by Australians, working both locally and overseas to the extent that the car is being promoted as the, “GM Australia-designed 2017 Holden… Read more

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COUPE THE OVERTURE TO KEY CHANGE IN LEXUS THEME

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It is generally recognised that Dame Nellie Melba made more comebacks to the operatic stage than a well-used boomerang. What is not so well known is that the prima donna was one of the first female car owners in Australia. The redoubtable Dame took to motoring (with a chauffeur) so enthusiastically she kept motor cars on three continents – an electric Brougham in Europe, a couple of Pierce-Arrows in the US, a Type AX Renault and later a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in Australia. How appropriate that Lexus should choose Coombe… Read more

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MAZDA3 JUST KEEPS ON KEEPING ON

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Mazda has been enjoying steady growth over the past decade on the Australian new vehicle market overtaking both Holden and Ford on its way to currently sitting second in the overall sales hierarchy, behind Toyota. The star performer throughout this period has been the Mazda3 small hatch and sedan which has been having a ding-gong battle with Toyota Corolla for top spot, initially in its category but in the past few years as Australia’s overall biggest-seller. Now into its third generation, launched here in January 2014, the Mazda3 first went… Read more

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SUBARU IMPREZA 2000 – 2016

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2009 Subaru Impreza

It seems to have taken a long time, but in recent years Subaru has finally found style. For many years it was functional first and fashionable second. Until the fourth generation of February 2012 it was on the bland size, though that didn’t hurt it in the sales race as the no-nonsense Japanese car appeals to no-nonsense Aussies. An all-new Impreza, gen-five will hit the streets downunder at about the time this story goes to press. The 2017 model is virtually all-new, being built on a lighter, stronger platform and… Read more

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SPORTS COUPE KEEPS UP THE COMEBACK PACE

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The reinvention of the upmarket Infiniti brand in Australia continues apace with the recent roll-out of the new Q60 sports coupe, bringing to the range ‘Powerful Elegance’ in design, world-first technology and the latest production processes at its facility in Japan. Infiniti has form in the sports coupe class with the G35 and G37, launched in 2002 and 2008, respectively – the latter, renamed the Q60, coming Down Under in 2012. Now the third generation has landed. The two-pronged assault kicks off with the Infiniti Q60 GT and the GT… Read more

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SAAB 96

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1963 Saab 96

The Saab 96 was introduced in 1960 but initially used the three-cylinder two-stroke engine from the model 93 which sold well in the late 1950s. The engine was inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to the left and positioned ahead of the front axle. The block and upper half of the crankcase were cast as an integral unit with the bottom half similarly of cast iron. The cylinder head, pistons and induction manifold were of light alloy. Right from its introduction Saab hoped to develop the two-stroke design even… Read more

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PONTIAC FIREBIRD

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In 1967 General Motors, caught napping, finally produced its answer to the Ford Mustang. It was the F-body Camaro/Firebird. Although the Pontiac division wanted a car which aped the Chevrolet Corvette they were forced to accept a Comaro clone with a few cosmetic changes designed to give the car a somewhat distinctive appearance. It must have upset a number of Pontiac executives who felt that they, as creators of the Tempest and GTO, ought not to be following but leading in the performance car stakes. To further rub salt into… Read more

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2017 AUDI Q5: ADVANCE TESTING

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By EWAN KENNEDY in Los Cabos, Mexico             Audi Q5 is currently the best selling vehicle from the German prestige maker in Australia. Which comes as no surprise considering the style, technology and practicality of the original model introduced in 2008. Eight years down the track we have just enjoyed our first drives and technical presentations on the all-new Q5 which is coming to Australia in the third quarter of 2017. It’s not due to be launched in Europe until January and we were invited… Read more

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MIRAI IS TOYOTA’S FIRST FUEL CELL VEHICLE

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For the past decade or so the world’s car companies have been searching for powertrains that provide the best of both worlds – elimination of the use of fossil fuel and exhaust emissions while still providing good on-road performance and driving range. Two of the early adopters were Honda and Toyota who took the petrol/electric high ground with their Insight and Prius models. These reduced both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions but used a combination of petrol and batteries. Performance was reasonable and driving range excellent but both the engines… Read more