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HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCK

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Isuzu FSR

From garbage and cement to refrigerated transport, Australia’s medium-duty truck market serves up a menu of applications, making it one of the automotive industry’s most competitive markets. The medium-duty market – two axle vehicles with a gross vehicle mass greater than 8000 kg and a GCM up to 39,000 kg – made up 21.5 per cent of total commercial vehicle sales last year, with the light and heavy truck markets representing just less than 31 per cent each and vans making up the remaining 17 per cent. With almost three… Read more

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2016 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE GTS REVIEW

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Maserati has always been about sight and sound, favouring the sensual over the technical. There are plenty of reasons for this as over time the Italian company has battled its demons through a series of owners, living on its brand appeal and Italian feel. The sixth-generation Quattroporte has consolidated on the successes of the fifth while adding plenty of new goodies. It’s no technological match for the Germans, so it needs to deliver on the Modenese company’s best traits. VALUE The headline figure of $331,000 is extraordinarily difficult to ignore,… Read more

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FORD TERRITORY 2004 – 2015

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2011 Ford Territory

By EWAN KENNEDY CAPTION: A. B. C. 2011 Ford Territory BODY COPY Ford Territory is arguably the best vehicle ever designed by Ford Australia. Indeed some even say it may be the best automotive design in Australia bar none. Territory is based on the Ford Falcon and shares some of its mechanical components, particularly in the powertrain, but many parts are unique to the big wagon. An SUV with the option of two or four-wheel drive Territory was launched in May 2004, with a major makeover in May 2011 and… Read more

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2016 PEUGEOT 208 GT LINE REVIEW

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The Peugeot 208 range hasn’t exactly set Australian sales charts on fire, but has been a fine return to form for the French manufacturer after a couple of duffers. Its top-of-the-range 208 GTi has received plenty of attention for the most convincing attempt to reboot the beloved 205 GTi. However not every wants, or can afford, that range-topper. So Peugeot has sent the 208 Allure to finishing school to create a more affordable model called the GT Line. VALUE While the Peugeot 208 range starts at $15,990 with a five-speed… Read more

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FERRARI TESTAROSSA

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1985 Ferrari Testarossa

In 1956 Ferrari introduced the four-cylinder 500TR sportscar which was their first car to use the name Testa Rossa or Red Head because the cylinder head was painted a bright red. This was followed by the 250 Testarossa clothed in a body by Pininfarina. Not only was it a more powerful successor to the four-cylinder Testarossa but its 2953cc V12 engine was specially designed to enable it to compete in sportscar championships for cars up to 3.00-litres, which were expected to be introduced in 1958. These cars have been considered… Read more

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TOYOTA CELICA 1990 – 2006

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2002 Toyota Celica

By EWAN KENNEDY CAPTIONS: A. B. C. 2002 Toyota Celica BODY COPY Toyota Celica was a big seller in the sporty coupe market for many years. It fell out of fashion, along with rivals which had never really come close to it in the sales race. Celica was quietly slipped from the new-car market in early in 2006. But is still popular on the used-car scene. Even more so since the release of the Toyota 86 and its near-identical twin the Subaru BRZ. The launch of the fourth generation Mazda… Read more

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NEW AUDI A4 HAS BEEN WORTH THE WAIT

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Audi’s A4 has just entered its fourth generation but if you poke around you’ll see that it’s known as the B9 – the ninth-generation of the four rings’ B-segment offering, stretching back to the early 1970s starting with the first Audi 80, sold here as the Fox. The old car, released way back in 2008 was still selling strongly right up to the death, owing much to its understated good looks and value proposition, helping Audi to a record year in 2015. But underneath it was getting on a bit… Read more

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FIAT 500X EXPANDS THE RANGE

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At the end of 2015 Fiat expanded its 500 range with the introduction of a crossover called the 500X. Significantly bigger than the standard Fiat 500 it has more interior space, utilised through the convenience of rear doors. The Fiat 500X was designed in conjunction with the new Jeep Renegade. Italian Fiat now controls Jeep after American company got into financial trouble during the GFC. There’s a nice combination of Italian style and American 4WD knowhow in this partnership. Fiat 500X as tested this week is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) Cross… Read more

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NEW PASSAT ALLTRACK IS CLASSY AND CAPABLE

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Volkswagen has added an All-Wheel Drive variant to its flagship Passat model range. Called the Passat Alltrack it joins the eighth-generation sedan and wagons that were launched here in October 2015. A wagon/SUV crossover Alltrack is based on the Passat wagon but is bolstered by 27.5 mm of extra ground clearance, plastic-cladded wheel arch mouldings, flared side sills and underbody protection. Other external cues include distinctive bumpers and 18-inch “Kalamata” alloy wheels. The interior of the Passat Alltrack is stylish and elegant with Vienna leather-trimmed upholstery, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel… Read more

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DKW

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1951 DKW Meisterklasse Universal type F 89 S

J S Rasmussen, a Danish citizen and engineer, moved to Berlin in 1906 where he began the manufacture of weaponry and steam powered vehicles. His company, DKW, stood for Dampf Kraft Wagen (car propelled by steam). His factories were in Zschopau and later also Spandau, Berlin, where he had taken over the Slaby car works. Rasmussen wanted a small lightweight engine to power bicycles and set out developing a two-stroke engine. After three years of development he came up with a tiny, 40cc unit of a mere 187 watts. It… Read more