Tag: Premium

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REAR VIEW IN FORESTER FOCUS

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The new Forester: Ah, that takes me back. While Subaru’s most popular model has taken up with the hybrid age, changes are mostly cosmetic, including cabin layouts that have not changed much over the past four years, no impediment to the many Forester fans of which there are many. Needless to say, there is an impressive list of standard equipment in the Forester, right down to the bargain basement. Things such as Subaru Intelligent Drive (Intelligent and Sport modes), X-Mode with hill descent, front cornering lamps and steering responsive headlights,… Read more

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A LAST GASP OF HYUNDAI’S PETROL-POWERED PERFORMANCE

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As the battle for the streets between electric power and the internal combustion engine the latter, in one case, is putting up a stiff rearguard action with Hyundai upgrading its i30 N performance car. The new hot hatch has been given a fresh appearance, advanced technology and enhanced safety equipment’ capped off by swifter access to the fast-and-furious N Grin Shift function. All join a powertrain and driving dynamics that already have put Hyundai’s first ‘N’ at the head of the ‘grid’. With the MY25 upgrade Australia is the only… Read more

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HAVAL H6 – WHY FIX SOMETHING THAT AIN’T BROKE

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Not much has changed since we drove Great Wall’s mid-sized Haval H6 SUV a couple of years ago. But then why would it when the five-seater has reportedly been the best-selling SUV in China for the past nine years? The current model dates back to 2020, while the hybrid and a fastback version called the GT were added to the mix in 2021. The hybrid version that we are looking at here now accounts for 30 per cent of sales and all the signals suggest that it’s steady as she… Read more

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KONA N REFLECTS THE HYUNDAI FUTURE

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There’s nothing new about ‘influencers’, that cohort of ‘pretty’ girls and boys who lead youngsters by their credit cards to so-called desirable dressing. For years automobile manufacturers have used ‘futurists’ to try to predict what the car buyer will want in four years’ time – the average development period for a new vehicle. With EVs and hybrids rapidly accelerating up the sales charts the new Hyundai Kona, including petrol powered-only models, has been designed to look like an electric vehicle – no radiator grille – the maker claiming this is… Read more

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HAVAL ‘S’ PUTS ON JOLION GOOD SHOW

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The Chinese automobile maker GWM Haval has spiced up its popular small petrol sports utility vehicle segment with the addition of a Jolion S, as well as doubling up on the hybrid models to two. With the Jolion Premium acting as the entry-level, at $28,490 drive-away, the ‘S’ variant ($36,990), slots in the six-model range between the Ultra and the two hybrids, the lesser with Lux trim and priced the same as the S. The Jolion Ultra Hybrid ($40,990) tops off the line-up. The new Jolion S, on test here,… Read more

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EV(LUTION) A MAGNET FOR FOSSIL-FED HYUNDAI KONA

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In a display, which can only be described as a case of automotive smoke and mirrors, the new Hyundai Kona is designed to look like an electric vehicle – no radiator grille – whether an EV, hybrid or petrol powered. The maker Hyundai says this is to make the whole range of the small SUV, including petrol variants – EV and hybrids are due here by year’s end – blend in with traffic better in the future. The ‘petrols’ on offer at present are a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a CVT… Read more

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NEW FORD MUSTANG MACH-E – SPECS AND PRICES

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Ford Australia has released full specifications and pricing on its new fully-electric Mustang E-Mach SUV, due here in the 4th quarter of this year. The first production Ford ever developed from the ground up to deliver pure-electric, zero-emission driving will come in three variants: Select, priced before on-road costs from $79,990, Premium ($91,665) and GT ($107,665). Select and Premium are both rear-wheel drive, GT is all-wheel drive. Select features a 71kWh battery and single electric motor that delivers 198kW and 430Nm, with a range of up to 470km (WLTP). Premium… Read more

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HAVAL JOLION S 1.5T

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Jolion is the smallest of Haval’s SUVs and by virtue of this fact it is also the cheapest. The range was expanded with the addition of a sporty S model in late November that, with a swag of black bits, sounds a lot like the earlier Vanta. But this time around there’s a more powerful turbocharged engine together with a more sophisticated rear suspension setup to justify the sporty persona — and it’s pretty good. Jolion is not a bad looking bus either, with its short rump, long bonnet and… Read more

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PEUGEOT 308 GT PREMIUM STATION WAGON

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Peugeot has an extremely long history of building vehicles, one that dates back more than 130 years. In 1889 Armand Peugeot built a steam-powered three-wheeled vehicle. Only four were sold. The next year he designed a more conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine and four wheels. Peugeot has expanded globally over the years and today ranks as one of the world’s largest car makers. This week’s road test is on the new generation Peugeot 308 GT Premium station wagon. STYLING It’s French so there’s little doubt it has plenty… Read more

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MORE POWER, LESS FUEL FROM NEW HAVAL JOLION S

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Chinese carmaker GMW / Haval has added a new variant to its Jolion small SUV that provides extra grunt but uses less fuel than the other models in its range. The new Jolion S gets these twin benefits a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 130kW and 270Nm, a 20kW / 50Nm increase over the rest of the Jolion range. The new engine is mated to GWM’s seven-speed dual clutch transmission and provides combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.5 litres per 100km, an improvement of 0.6 litres per 100km… Read more