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STRIKING NEW BMW 7 SERIES

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Traditionally, the top-end models from the big three Germans marques have taken a conservative route in their styling, leaving the smaller models in the lineups to experiment with new ideas. The just launched all-new BMW 7 Series has surprised everyone with its sleek, innovative shape. Take a look at the complex front and the positively avantgarde bling in the lower surfaces of the doors, bling that sweeps up into the front guards. The large inbuilt exhaust outlets do their share in the strong appearance. Fascinatingly, there are even traces of… Read more

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KIA SEDAN SEEKS OUT OPTIMUM ADVANTAGE

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The next generation Kia Optima mid-size family sedan has landed in Australia and was recently given the once-over by motoring media. The result was an unequivocal thumbs-up. All-new Kia Optima comes Down Under in two variants: the Si with the proven 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder 138 kW, 241 Nm engine and the GT powered by a new all-aluminium T-GDI 2.0-litre turbocharged motor. Boasting 180 kW and 350 Nm, the latter features a twin-scroll turbocharger and dual continuously variable valve timing technology. Both engines drive the front wheels through Kia’s own… Read more

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SANTA FE COULD CONTINUE ON WINNING WAYS

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Car companies: no matter what is said, they trade on optimism. Anybody who can come up with an idea, develop it in four years and sell the product in its thousands, or even millions, must have it in spades. Hyundai Australia executives are upbeat at the arrival Down Under of the Santa Fe Series II. And why shouldn’t they be? The large seven-seat sports utility vehicle walked away with awards worldwide, including Australia’s Best Car in the popular SUV $45.000 to $65,000 category in 2014, the third consecutive time it… Read more

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MAZDA6 2002 – 2015

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2002 Mazda6 Luxury Sport

Mazda6 was launched in Australia in August 2002 as a replacement for the Mazda 626 and soon built up a good reputation for build quality and reliability, both leading to higher than average resale value. These Mazdas have pretty good handling, while not quite to the highest European standards it’s getting closer all the time. The extra quality of build offered by the Mazdas over Euro cars makes many buyers choose the Japanese. On several occasions in recent years Mazda has been the number one car importer in Australia. More… Read more

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2015 BMW 125I M SPORT REVIEW

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The overall competency of the car market means that there are few reasons to really get stuck into criticising a car, whether for a laugh or for good reason. The second-generation BMW 1 Series created an open goal for car lovers – it was almost unfeasibly ugly. Which is a great shame, because underneath that terrible snout was a fine car. The recent mid-life update for the BMW F20 1 Series has ironed out the worst of it while also bringing a bit of a light going-over on the dynamics,… Read more

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2015 RENAULT CAPTUR TCE120 REVIEW

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Renault Captur is a stylish city car that’s virtually a Renault Clio with a taller five-door hatch body. It joins a sudden rash of small crossover SUVs that are taking Australia by storm. In fact these vehicles are a hit in global markets, particularly in Europe where parking in increasingly crowded cities is a huge problem. Note the word styling in our opening to this story, because that’s the number one reason people are giving us when we talk about their buying a Renault Captur. Interestingly, favourable responses are coming… Read more

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2016 AUDI Q3 2.0 TFSI SPORT REVIEW

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When it was launched the Q3 pretty much defined the premium-level compact SUV, catching German rival Mercedes on the hop and making BMW’s initial effort with the X1 looking a bit sad. As the current model nears the end of its life, it’s got one last update to battle BMW’s now rather more sensible second-generation X1 and Mercedes’ recent arrival, the GLA. VALUE The Q3 range opens with a front wheel drive 1.4-litre petrol turbo weighing in at $42,300, topping out at $56,900 for the 2.0 TDI Sport quattro (not… Read more

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SUBARU FORESTER tS

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By EWAN KENNEDY in Isu, Japan ….. Subaru has been famed for high-performance cars since the launch of the first WRX in 1984 stunned the critics with its turbo power and the road grip offered by all-wheel-drive. Plenty of other hot Subarus have joined it over the years. Now another quick Subaru, the Forester tS Special Edition has been added to the range for 2016. Despite the use of a chequered flag on the tS badge, this Forester is aimed more at the grand touring (GT) market rather than those looking… Read more

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VOLVO PV444

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1947 Volvo PV444

The 1950s began successfully for Volvo. For the first time since its foundation, the Company had in the PV444 a car which not only could be mass produced, but was so popular that demand greatly outstripped the available supply. Difficulties were still being experienced in obtaining supplies of materials such as sheet steel, and there was considerable uncertainty as to how the car market would develop during the period ahead. Would there be a trend towards bigger cars or would smaller cars such as the PV444 continue to be in… Read more

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KIA RIO 2000 – 2015

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2011 Kia Rio three-door hatch

Kia Rio was a relatively slow seller in its class after its July 2000 launch. Sales picked up significantly with the launch of a stylish new shape in September 2011. Quite a few of these later models are on the used-car market now and can be picked up at pretty good prices. South Korean made, build quality was so-so on the first generation Rios, but improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005. Rio is up with the best in its class from the 2011 third-generation car onwards. The… Read more