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HYUNDAI ix35 2010 – 2015

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The Hyundai ix35 has something of a split-personality. It began life in 2004 under the name Tucson, before switching in 2010, to ix35 as part of Hyundai’s move towards Euro-style alphanumeric names. The arrival of a new model in August 2015 saw the name return to Tucson. Most Hyundai ix35s are used as a family wagon rather than SUVs. In all-wheel-drive format they can be driven on mild forest trails and the like. In August 2012 the ix35 received a mild facelift and satellite navigation was introduced in the Elite… Read more

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BAD-ASS X-TRAIL ATTACKS SKI SLOPES

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Check this out. Nissan has modified an X-Trail SUV to work in the snow with the creation of the X-Trail Mountain Rescue Concept. The modifications include the replacement of the wheels with snow tracks, to give the X-Trail the traction to tackle slippery slopes. GMC did a similar thing with Sierra 2500HD All Mountain concept in 2018. As well as adding the tracks, a bespoke roof rack has been added to the X-Trail to carry an evacuation stretcher and snow shovels. A siren, flashing light bar and powerful lights have… Read more

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NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L

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Once known as Dualis, Nissan’s small SUV the Qashqai has grown in size and stature over the years. Sitting between the Juke and X-Trail in terms of size, the current, third generation Qashqai was launched in 2021. It’s 60kg lighter than before, stands taller, longer and wider, and has a longer wheelbase — and of course costs more. That means more room for luggage, and more knee and leg room for rear seat passengers. What’s not to like? STYLING The latest, third generation Qashqai comes in four grades: ST, ST+,… Read more

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GWM ADDS SEVEN-SEATER TO ITS TANK SUV

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Great Wall Motors (GWM) has unveiled the second variant of its Tank SUV with the seven-seat Tank 500 joining the Tank 300 five-seater that arrived here in late-2022. Due to go on sale in the Q2 2024 the all-new body-on-frame Tank 500 comes with a hybrid drivetrain, advanced safety features and a variety of convenience features such as auto reverse assist. As with the Tank 300 its available in two grades, Lux and Ultra. Lux will be priced at $66,490 driveaway with price and full specs of the Ultra to… Read more

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VOLVO C40 RECHARGE

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The C40 Recharge coupe and XC40 Recharge SUV are Volvo’s first dedicated electric vehicles. Both arrived here in June 2022 and were upgraded in July 2023. Both vehicles come with the choice of the Pure with a single rear-mounted motor or the Twin Pure which adds a second motor mounted at the front. Our test vehicle was the C40 Recharge Twin Pure. STYLING The C40 Recharge’s shape is relatively subtle and it doesn’t shout out that it’s an electric vehicle. From the front to the B-pillar it’s quite tall in… Read more

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KIA EV9 GT-LINE AWD

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Sounds too good to be true, but it is. EV9 is Kia’s latest and greatest wunderkind, an EV that seats seven and can travel more than 500km on a single charge. In the early days of the modern electric era, it was suggested that families would have two cars: a compact battery-electric vehicle for city use and larger, hybrid SUV for inter-urban travel. A decade later they’ve had a rethink and EVs of different shapes and sizes are becoming an increasingly common sight on our motorways, but we’ve still got… Read more

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HONDA SNEAKS IN HYBRID SUV

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Honda has electrified its most popular vehicle. And who would know? One of the world’s biggest makers of internal combustion engines has been very quiet about the coming of the CR-V e:HEV RS. The Honda CR-V has long been an SUV staple for families around the world. Some 13.5 million units have been sold globally since the nameplate launched back in 1997. Two decades on, in its sixth generation, it is still the brand’s top-selling model in Australia. A late-comer to the petrol/electric generation in Australia, the five-seater e:HEV RS… Read more

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IONIQ CONCEPT PREVIEWS EV HI-PO CATALOGUE

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Hyundai has unveiled a concept constructed with prototype N Performance Parts. The Ioniq 5 N NPX1 previews an array of enhancements by N Performance Parts that will be available for purchase by customers in the near future. Continuing from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, such as i30 Sedan N, i30 N and i20 N, Hyundai N plans to offer specialised tuning components for all-electric N models including the Ioniq 5 N. It features a carbon front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing spoiler, lightweight hybrid carbon wheels, high-performance brake… Read more

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GENESIS CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT TAKES OUT MAJOR DESIGN AWARD

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The Genesis X Convertible Concept has won the Transportation category at the Good Design Awards 2023, the ninth year in a row that the Korean carmaker has claimed a design award at the prestigious event. The Good Design Awards are bestowed annually by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Founded in 1950, the prize honours the highest level of design excellence across more than 30 categories. Unveiled at the 2022 Los Angeles Motor Show, the X… Read more

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GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO THE TRANSITION TO EVs

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The Federal Parliament’s Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has commenced an inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles. It’s taken far too long for Australian governments, both State and Commonwealth, to acknowledge the impact of EVs so the inquiry will be a welcome breakthrough and will hopefully address the numerous issues that new and future buyers are constantly raising. Chair of the Committee, Tony Zappia MP, said ‘Australian motorists are increasingly choosing EVs when purchasing a new car. The percentage of EVs sold is growing every… Read more