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JAGUAR XE: BRILLIANT BRITISH SPORTS SEDAN

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The British upmarket marque has always been known for sports models, be it the iconic E-Type, or the many low slung sporty saloons it has developed over the years Jaguars have been admired by those looking for more soul than its German competitors that tend to be efficient more than fun. The F-Type is certainly a strong starting point for the XE. The all-new Jaguar XE is pure sports sedan, with a range of supercharged engines powering dynamic chassis and a fair dose of the traditional British interiors. STYLING When… Read more

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KIA OPTIMA 2011 – 2015

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2011 Kia Optima

Kia Optima is a medium large four-door sedan from South Korea. Importation had been on and off in the Australian market for several years from its first introduction in 2001. Then an all-new model arrived in January 2011 sparked sales and things finally started to take off in the sales race. Firstly, the new shape was a work of automotive art from the company’s design studio headed up by German Peter Schreyer. Optima suddenly started to grab a lot of visual attention. The domed upper surface and high waistline are… Read more

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LEXUS LUXURY ON A NUMBER OF LEVELS

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The Lexus IS 200t is a success on many levels. Pricewise it’s positioned between the upper medium passenger sedan and lower premium car market; and it performs like a luxury sedan or a spritely sports coupe depending on how the driver sets up the controls. Finally, the IS 200t offers a level of comfort and convenience normally found in vehicles positioned well into the luxury car market. Which is aimed at further broadening its appeal. A replacement for the IS 250, sharp prices characterise the IS 200t range which consists… Read more

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PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA

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The Plymouth Barracuda was first released in 1965 in response to the Ford Motor Company’s successful launch of the Mustang. This Ford completely rewrote the sales records of that time following its April 1964 launch. When the Mustang was released it became known as a ‘pony car’, a term which was used to describe new style sporty compact vehicles. Chrysler’s response was very quick but it was fortunate in having a suitable car, the Valiant, on which to base the new Barracuda. With some quick modifications to Valiant tooling Chrysler… Read more

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JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE IS A STUNNER

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Almost three years ago Jaguar took the unusual step of introducing the F-Type convertible before the coupe version, it’s usually done the other way around. Now an F-Type coupe has spent a week in our possession and we have enjoyed every minute in it. As is normal the coupe is lighter than the convertible because the open body needs additional strengthening to make up for the loss of a fixed roof. Meaning there’s a bit more bang for your buck. Jaguar arranged for us to review an F-Type S coupe… Read more

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FORD FALCON SPRINT: SIMPLY BRILLIANT

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Ford Australia’s latest engineering and styling project, that of the Falcon XR6 and XR8 Sprint will go down in the minds of all concerned as one of their all time favourites. The car industry is full of enthusiasts, and their eyes light up in delight when asked to significantly improve performance and add new shapes.. Let’s start at the hearts of the latest hot Australian Fords: Falcon XR8 Sprint is powered by an uprated version of Ford’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that develops 400 kW and 650 Nm when on overboost;… Read more

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AUDI SUV WITH AN ENTRY-LEVEL CHALLENGE NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

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Like eager children on a school excursion, members of the Australian motoring media milled around. Then instead of piling onto a motor coach, paired-up ‘pupils’ clambered aboard examples of the new Q7, Audi’s latest addition to the large sports utility vehicle market, and literally rode off into the sunset. The early evening destination was Spicer’s Canopy, a spiffy campsite near Cunningham’s Gap, inland from the Gold Coast. The following day’s drive consisted of an extended loop north and east, ending up on the Sunshine Coast. The vehicle in question was… Read more

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LEXUS CT200h 2011 – 2015

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2011 Lexus CT200h

Lexus and its parent company Toyota have more experience in petrol-electric cars than any other maker. Lexus CT200h is the lowest cost model in the Lexus range by quite a margin, with new cars being sold from just $39,990 when launched in Australia in March 2011. While far from being a hot hatch the CT200h has a touch of sporting flair thanks to the sharp throttle responses that we love in all electric, or part-electric vehicles. Would you believe the Lexus CT200h was used in a celebrity race that preceded… Read more

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ISUZU USES HIGH-TECH ELECTRONICS

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During considerable years as a motoring journalist I’ve had only a passing acquaintance with the trucking industry and harboured a major misconception that it was conservative in its ideas and slow to take on new transport trends. After all, a truck’s a truck. How wrong could I be. Recently I attended a reveal of the new Isuzu F Series trucks and had my misconceptions buried for good. Not only was the new range of trucks shown to be at the forefront of transport technology, it was presented to the media… Read more

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MINI CLUBMAN IS SPORTY, VERSATILE MINI WAGON

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While the latest Mini Cooper Clubman station wagon, released here in November 2015, is larger and more conventional in styling than before it remains unmistakably a Mini with its squat shape and distinctive grille. The most significant change is in its length, up by 292 mm to 4253 mm while it is now 117 mm wider (1800 mm) with the wheelbase extended by 123 mm. Height remains at 1441 mm. Gone, thankfully, is the small rear-mounted passenger door which was a talking point with the old Clubman and, because it… Read more