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Frightening Car Trip |
I had a truly frightening journey in a car this morning. It was down the big Brisbane to Gold Coast M1 motorway beside a driver I had never travelled with before. A pleasant lady in her forties who has been driving for many years so has had plenty of experience behind the wheel in a variety of cars.
Full Story
10/02/2010
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Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 First Drive |
The Adelaide Hills play a key role in the Classic Adelaide event – thanks to a road system that mirrors the flowing contours of the rugged terrain. A classic, Monaco-like location to launch the latest Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63. On our road test the E 63 ensured the hills were alive with the sound of raucous music that rivals – if not surpasses – the note emitted from a V8 Supercar .
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
15/12/2009
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Toyota Prado 2010 |
In an age of `pretend' or soft-roader four wheel drives, this week sees the Australian launch of a rarity – a genuine off-roader - Toyota's LandCruiser Prado. And for off-road enthusiasts Toyota are also releasing a short wheel base, three door variant, a first for this vehicle in the Australian market.
Full Story
17/11/2009
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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe |
Hyundai is running red hot in the Australian sales race, increasing sales by 36 per cent year to date in a market where others are struggling to even reach last year’s numbers let alone beat them. That's partly because the South Korean company has had a free kick by way of currency fluctuations – but its ever improving model lineup has also been a major factor.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
09/11/2009
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Subaru Liberty Exiga 2009 |
In a fascinating move, Subaru has decided to import a people mover version of its Liberty. Called the Liberty Exiga, it sits on a similar platform to the Liberty but is taller and uses squarer body lines to maximise occupant and luggage space. In the manner of the popular Subaru Forester, the Exiga is a tall station wagon rather than an SUV.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
08/11/2009
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Mazda CX-7 2009 First Drive |
Mazda Australia has greatly widened the choice of CX-7 models and at the same time trimmed prices and added an economical turbo-diesel variant. There's also the option of a 2WD version for the first time. Whereas the Mazda CX-7 used to open its price list at $41,965, the CX-7 can now be bought for just $33,990, plus on-road costs.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
15/10/2009
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HSV Upgrades Its Range To Create The New E2 |
Performance car owners are a restless and demanding mob; always on the lookout for more power, sharper vehicle response and the very latest in hot automotive styling. Fortunately, engineers and designers in this field are just as enthusiastic about their machinery. So it comes as no surprise that almost as soon as the new E Series HSV models had been launched in August 2006 these guys started work on improved models.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
24/09/2009
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2010 Land Rover Discovery |
We have to admit that the Land Rover Discovery 3 is one of our all-time favourite designs. Its ‘carved-from-a-billet’ looks appealed to us like no other 4WD and summed up the no-nonsense nature of the off-road vehicle to perfection.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY in Scotland
17/09/2009
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2009 Kia Cerato Koup |
Compact, sporty coupes – that are affordable - are thin on the ground. But that's all set to change. In the coming days Kia is set to roll it's impressive Cerato Koup to dealerships around Australia. And if the response we got during a brief test drive around Sydney are anything to go by, Cerato Koup could pull off a coup of its own.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
16/09/2009
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2009 Nissan Dualis 2WD |
Nissan has sprung a surprise on the Australian market by importing the two-wheel drive version of its Dualis at a price considerably lower than anticipated. Prices start at just $24,990 for the Dualis Hatch ST, about $2000 less than most had forecast, thus putting this Japanese vehicle down into Korean territory.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
11/08/2009
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2009 smart fortwo mhd |
We have just spent a fun week in a new 2009 smart fortwo mhd. That latter three-letter acronym stands for ‘micro hybrid drive’ and is the latest fuel-saving feature in a car already renowned for its economy and low emissions.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
31/07/2009
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| Ferrari 458 Italia |
Ferrari has released the first details of its newest supercar, the Ferrari 458 Italia, which represents one of the largest leaps forward in technology, performance and emissions ever seen from the legendary Italian car maker.
Full Story
28/07/2009
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Dodge Viper SRT10 Safe |
Chrysler Group LLC announced that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.
Full Story
14/07/2009, 01:25
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2009 Jaguar XJ Saloon - First Look |
Jaguar has launched the all-new XJ four door saloon overnight in London's swank Saatchi Gallery.
Jaguar describe the car as `Sleek, sporting and sophisticated, the all-new Jaguar XJ brings a daring new spirit to automotive luxury'.
Full Story
09/07/2009
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2009 Renault Laguna |
While cruising along beautiful country roads nears Daylesford in Victoria it struck me that the car I was driving would sell like State of Origin tickets if it had another badge on the bonnet.
It's that good.
As it is Renault Australia expect to sell just 200 Laguna estates and hatches in 2009.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
26/05/2009
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Limited Edition Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
The class-leading and award-winning Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been enhanced with the addition of a limited edition model to its popular ranks.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sports Package is now on sale and offers customers even greater value, and is available in both four-cylinder C-Class models: the supercharged 135kW C 200 KOMPRESSOR and torque-rich but fuel-efficient 400Nm C 220 CDI turbo-diesel.
Full Story
News Sources
23/04/2009
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Fiat 500: A Vision Splendid |
The Fiat 500 is not only one of the most attractive looking automotive designs to come from Italy in the 21st century, it's also the easiest car to look out of. Claiming it's the attractive car of them all may seem like a big statement, yet we can more than back up that claim. Because the Fiat 500 has been elected 2009 ‘Design Car of the Year’ by 59 journalists from around the world .
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
20/04/2009
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VW Golf Is The 2009 World Car Of The Year |
Volkswagen Golf has been voted the 2009 World Car of the Year by a jury comprised of 59 international automotive journalists from 25 countries around the world. These include Paul Gover, Bill McKinnon and Samantha Stevens, three of Australia's most respected motor noters. The announcement was made during the New York International Auto Show which is currently in progress.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
20/04/2009
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News Briefs 6 April 2009 |
Mercedes In the Mail / New Generation Mazda3 / Spotlight On Hyundai
Full Story
Murray Hubbard / News Sources
04/06/2008
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Peugeot Builds World’s First Diesel Hybrid Car |
Peugeot has announced it is building the world’s first ever hybrid car to use a diesel rather than a petrol engine. Set to star in the upcoming 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 has the same futuristic look as the 3008 already sold in Australia, but now backs up that look with technology to match.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
30/08/2010
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Mercedes-Benz CLS Takes A Different Route |
Mercedes-Benz revived the concept of a four-door coupe in 2003 when it introduced an all-new model called the CLS-Class. That car has been a huge success, but time marches on and a new CLS will make its worldwide debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in October.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
29/08/2010, 22:16
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New Economy Engine For Skoda Octavia |
Czech car maker, Skoda, has added a new entry-level model to its Octavia range as well as previewing some value added features for its upcoming 2011 cars. It also announced an automatic option for the Octavia Scout SUV crossover.
Full Story
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
29/08/2010
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Soft Roaders In Hard Regions |
Bushranger invited us to a demonstration of its off-road gear on a beach in 2008. Now, in 2010, we have just spent a hard day working with the off-road equipment specialist in a variety of conditions to review ways of staying out of trouble – or of getting out of strife if everything else has gone wrong. The tests included working on rocky outcrops, steep slopes and on tight twisty sections.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
29/08/2010
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1966 Toyota Sports 800 History And Review |
On the eve of Toyota ... oops, Lexus bringing the Lexus LFA supercar to market it was interesting to spot Toyota's first production sports car – the Toyota Sports 800 – at the recent RACQ MotorFest in Brisbane. These are a rarity outside Japan.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
27/08/2010, 01:05
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2010 Toyota Rukus Review |
The name's Rukus. Toyota Rukus. Yep, the company that brought us styling `icons' (not) like the Prius, Camry, Corolla and Yaris has at last taken a bold move in Australia. That move is the Rukus, a boxy, fun set of wheels straight out of the back streets of Tokyo where square cars are cool and half the female population have the Beyonce look.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
25/08/2010
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2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sport AWD |
Suzuki is continuing it's push into the medium car segment by introducing an all-wheel-drive sporty variant of the impressive Kizashi saloon launched earlier this year. The Kizashi Sport AWD rides lower and has a much more aggressive front-end styling to distinguish it from the 2WD models.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
24/08/2010
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High-Performance BMW Z4 |
BMW sDrive 35is is the latest addition to the hot sportscar range. Though not officially called an M4, this German machine is as close to being just what that tag suggests, that would-be owners are likely to start queuing up at their BMW dealerships pretty soon.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
23/08/2010
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2010 Pebble Beach Concours Review |
Every year, since 1950 the world’s most famous fashion parade for cars, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, honors classic automotive marques.This year Alfa Romeo and Jaguar - brands famous for their iconic styling - were in the spotlight
Full Story
By JOHN CRAWFORD
22/08/2010
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A Modern Morgan, Who Would Believe It! |
Where else to debut a car like the Morgan EvaGT than at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California? The most stylish event on the annual automotive calendar was the perfect location for the unveiling of a car that has been rumoured for years. The Morgan EvaGT is the first ever four-seat coupe built by the English marque with a 101-year old history. This family-owned company is famed for old-style sports machines with ultra-modern technology under their shapely bonnets.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
22/08/2010
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Excellent New Engine In Mercedes-Benz C250 CGI |
Mercedes-Benz, not content with its C-Class being the most popular model in its Australian passenger car line-up, has given it significant upgrades. The turbocharged 2011 Mercedes-Benz C250 is the subject of this week’s road test review.
Full Story
By DEREK OGDEN and EWAN KENNEDY
21/08/2010
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2010 Subaru Impreza XV |
After a week in Subaru's Impreza XV I have to admit I simply do not get it. The XV is essentially a jacked-up Impreza aimed at a younger market who want a commuter during the week and may require sporty soft-roader at weekends.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
19/08/2010
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1916 Jeffrey Quad 4WD Truck |
When we think of four wheel drive vehicles and their history we tend to go back as far as Jeep and Land Rover. Yet, putting power to all four wheels is almost as old as the modern concept of combining the internal combustion engine and four-wheeled carriages. In a recent trip into western Queensland we were lucky enough to stumble across a 1916 – or thereabouts - Jeffrey Quad 4WD two-tonne truck.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
16/08/2010
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2010 Mercedes E 500 Cabriolet Review |
Despite the prospect of the icy fingers of winter wrapping around my head and neck I felt obliged to drop the top of the Mercedes-Benz E 500 Cabriolet to give the test vehicle a fair go.
Full Story
By DEREK OGDEN
16/08/2010
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Finally – The Toyota FJ Cruiser Is Coming |
Any Australian who has been to Japan or the USA since 2007 will have seen a vehicle that looks suspiciously like a 1960s Toyota FJ40 LandCruiser that's been seriously worked over by a Californian customising shop. But what they were looking at was an all-new model that's currently on sale overseas. Now, after plenty of pestering by potential buyers, Toyota Oz has finally agreed to bring it here.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
16/08/2010
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New Look For BMW 3 Series Sports Models |
BMW Australia has previewed its new 2011 3 Series coupe and convertible ranges to the media at a function in Brisbane. This was followed by a terrific drive program in the hills behind the city. Though the body has been given a neat revamp, even more efficient engines are the biggest news.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
15/08/2010
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More Fun From Ford Fiesta |
Ford Australia is currently running hot in new European based models. It recently announced the hot Focus RS would be coming to Australia in 2011. Now the 2010 Ford Fiesta range will soon be expanded to include a four-door sedan. As well as the sedan, there will be new turbo-diesels and clever automatic transmissions.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
13/08/2010
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1950 Armstrong Siddeley Station Coupe History |
From the front it looks like any other early 1950s Armstrong Siddeley ... graceful, stylish and British to it's bootstraps. Yet, the image hides quite an un-British, decidedly colonial secret. This is a ute – or as Armstrong Siddeley called it, a Station Coupe.
Full Story
Story and Images By MURRAY HUBBARD
12/08/2010
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2010 Mazda2 Sedan Review |
In the ever increasing competitive world of small cars - often aimed at Gen Ys – hatches have ruled the roost for many years. Mazda has bucked the trend and added a sedan to it's Mazda2 range – reviving a style reminiscent of its last small sedan, the highly popular `Bubble' 121, from 1990.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
10/08/2010
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Appealing Audi A8 |
Audi has pushed its A8 sedan right into the limousine class with the all-new model for 2010. We found its refinement, smoothness and near silence outstanding during our road test review in the north of Australia out of Cairns. The A8 is larger than ever before and has good interior space for four adults.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
09/08/2010
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Blast From The Past – The VW Citi Golf |
And now for something completely different; no, that's not right, I should have written, “And now for something completely the same”. Welcome to the fascinating Volkswagen Citi Golf. A special model from Volkswagen South Africa, it has a story of longevity that will appeal to all VW lovers. Indeed, it's also a quirky piece of automotive history that will be enjoyed by all who love cars.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY in Uitenhage, South Africa
09/08/2010
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Focus On Hot Focus RS |
Those of you who like high-performance Fords that are smaller than a Falcon XR series, or one of the modified FPV variants, will soon be able to buy a red-hot Focus RS. This is a European hot-hatch that will compete with the Japanese Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Evo X. The Ford Focus RS was introduced in Europe in 2009 to lot of critical acclaim. Australian buyers of hot cars have been asking the local importer to ring in the machine since the moment it was announced.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
07/08/2010
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Standard Coventry Rail Motor Ambulance circa 1929 |
Charleville in Queensland's outback channel country is probably best known for it's floods more than it's famines. When the rains come, Charleville goes under, even as recently as earlier this year when the levee built to protect the town, trapped floodwaters on the wrong side. There's nothing new about Charleville flooding ... nor for that matter the nearby towns of Morven, Cunnamulla and Quilpie.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
07/08/2010, 03:27
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Kia's Curvaceous Sportage |
The South Korean brothers, Kia and Hyundai are becoming ever bolder in the styling of their cars. Just look at the sensational lines of the all-new Kia Sportage for 2010 we have just reviewed. Sportage is so low it almost looks like a chop-top concept car, not a production SUV. The styling features with the now ‘Schreyer’ grille provide a strong family resemblance between all Kia models in these early years of the 21st century.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
06/08/2010
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2010 Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Review |
After 13 days at the wheel of an Isuzu D-Max dual cab ute - my longest-ever road test - I have nothing but admiration for this relative newcomer to the Australian 4X4 scene. We covered 4,591 hard, dusty, confidence-inspiring kilometres in the 3.0 litre turbo-diesel, five-speed manual D-Max LS ute.
Full Story
Story and images by MURRAY HUBBARD
05/08/2010
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Peugeot Conquers Redex - Again |
Our reason for being way in the outback is delightfully simple. We are taking part in a tribute to Peugeot's success in the first Redex Trial. That 1953 event generated a huge amount of interest with the public Australia-wide. Interest of the type usually only seen on Melbourne Cup day, and which reminded me of the day Australia II won the America’s Cup.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
29/07/2010
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Mitsubishi Looks To ASX For Increased Market Share |
Mitsubishi has added a fourth model to its Australian 4WD/SUV range with the launch of its new ASX compact SUV. Although it’s based on the same platform as the Outlander, shorter overhangs make it the smallest of the four and the first to come with the cost-saving option of 2WD.
Full Story
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
28/07/2010
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Toyota Hybrid Camry Walks The Walk |
When Toyota invited us to Melbourne for some test driving of its Hybrid Camry we expected to be doing an extended route designed to demonstrate the car’s environment credentials. After all isn’t that what petrol/electric hybrids are all about – fuel economy and low emissions?
Full Story
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
27/07/2010
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Budget-Priced Jaguar |
Iconic British marque Jaguar is celebrating its 75th anniversary by exporting a special edition XF V6 to Australia. As befits the tough economic conditions of 2010, this Jaguar XF sells for under $100,000. It has an rrp of $93,900, to which on-road costs have to be added.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
24/07/2010
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Clever Porsche Cayenne |
New Porsche Cayenne retains styling elements from the first generation, but looks less like a pumped up Porsche 911 and more like a vehicle in its own right. There are certainly styling cues to the rest of the range, such as the slope of the bonnet, the raised edges of the front guards and the obvious rear guards that create a muscular look. But the Cayenne now stands on its own two feet (own four wheels!) in its shape.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
24/07/2010
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JWF Milano 1959 Review |
On name alone you'd assume the JWF Milano is of Italian heritage. It's not. Instead it was part of an Australian culture that saw a raft of one-off sporting cars built out of fibreglass on a variety of chassis. JWF primarily used Austin Seven underpinnings – but not always. Those not familiar with the JWF name may have heard of others in this same industry, such as Bolwell and Buchanan.
Full Story
Story and images by MURRAY HUBBARD
18/07/2010
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Rock Solid VW Amarok |
It has been a long time coming, but VW has finally entered the one-tonne ute/pickup market with its Amarok. It might reach Australia in 2010, but demand may push that out to 2011. Volkswagen tends to concentrate on the European market, where half-tonne utes are popular, but pressure from overseas markets, including Australia, has finally convinced VW that a one-tonner will sell.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY in Port Elizabeth
16/07/2010
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1954 Lancia Aurelia History and Review |
It is said necessity is the mother of invention and that truism is no more apparent in the automobile world than this beautiful Pininfarina-designed 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 series 4GT Coupe. When Lancia decided to produce the Aurelia they made a key decision that would impact on car makers the world over.
Full Story
Story and images by MURRAY HUBBARD
15/07/2010
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2010 Nissan Murano Review |
WHAT the Range Rover did for the four-wheel drive wagon, almost 40 years on, the Murano has done for the sports utility vehicle – given it style and substance. The Rangie made foreman material out of the Land Rover; the Murano has done a Professor Higgins on the Eliza SUV.
Full Story
By DEREK OGDEN
15/07/2010
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2010 Audi A5 Coupe Review |
After a week in Audi's A5 coupe – complete with stop/start technology designed to save fuel and reduce emissions - we are again wondering why car makers are bearing the brunt of this issue. While this technology is a step in the right direction, and after a while you don't even notice the engine turning itself off at lights, then turning itself back on, the savings are not exactly mind-blowing.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
14/07/2010
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1964 Iso Rivolta History and Review |
The GM 327 cubic inch engine holds a soft spot for many Aussie hearts, particularly those who follow the Holden brand and in particular the first Bathurst 1968 Monaro coupe, the HK 327. For others, the 5.4 litre engine powered Chevrolet offerings such as the Corvette, Bel Air and Impala.
Full Story
Story and Images by MURRAY HUBBARD
12/07/2010
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2010 Jaguar XJ: Review and Road Test |
As a company entity it is possible to put a label on Jaguar as something akin to flawed genius. How else do you describe a car maker that can give us the revered XKE or E-Type as well as the forgettable X-Type? You cannot help but reflect on Jaguar when it produces a big cat like the new XJ launched to the Australian motoring media last week, with an embargo lifted this morning.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
11/07/2010
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Bentley GTC Convertible Road Test |
To hear winemaker Bill Harlen talk about Meadowood’s 1997 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon you could be forgiven for thinking it’s conceived as an offering to the gods. The subtle red wine reveals the winemakers’ skills, and the taste is sublime, leading to an unforgettable experience.
Full Story
By JOHN CRAWFORD
09/07/2010
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1948 Jaguar Mk IV Drophead Coupe |
Mk IV Jaguars hold a special place in Jaguar history. They were the first cars with Jaguar badging as the manufacturer thanks to events in Germany between 1939-45. Those events include the name of Hitler's body guard troops, the SS or Schutzstaffel. Until 1945 Jaguar was a model name of SS Car Ltd that used the Jaguar name with the SS 90 and SS 100 pre-war two seater sports models as well as it's saloon range.
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Story and Images by MURRAY HUBBARD
08/07/2010
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Cleaner, Greener BMWs Thanks To Efficient Dynamics |
BMW has given its cleanest, most economical models the title of BMW EfficientDynamics with many of these being introduced to Australia later this month. Ours is the first market outside of the European Union to offer such a comprehensive array of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, indicating just how seriously our market is being treated by the upmarket German marque.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
05/05/2009
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All New City In Australia |
Honda is introducing the all-new third-generation City to Australia. This latest model introduces new levels of styling, performance, driving dynamics and ride quality combined with outstanding packaging, functionality and versatility.
Full Story
By MURRAY HUBBARD
02/05/2009
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Camry Hybrid Leads The Field |
And now for something right out of left track. A hybrid vehicle will act as a pace car at upcoming NASCAR oval track races. The petrol-electric Camry will pace a 600 mile (960 km) race around a one and a half mile (2.4 km) oval in North Carolina on May 24.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
01/05/2009
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Dress Up Packages For Audi's New Q5 |
Pleased with the success of its new Q5 compact SUV Audi has introduced exterior styling packages to allow owners to personalise their vehicles. The ‘Off-road Styling Package’ is aimed at giving the Q5 a more ‘outdoor’ look, or a sportier appearance with an ‘S line’ package.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
01/05/2009
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Focus On Quietness In New Focus |
Ford Australia is about to introduce a heavily reworked version of its mid-sized Focus series. Officially it's not on display at dealers until May 1, but a little bird tells us you may be able to see one, perhaps even test drive it, before then. Styling changes are relatively small, but under that steeply sloping bonnet there are some serious mechanical changes.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
24/04/2009
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Honda's Odyssey Into Greater Refinement |
Honda has never followed convention. Nowhere is this more obvious than in its Odyssey range of people movers. Whilst other makers come up with tall boxy vehicles, with, perhaps a sloping front, Honda has always gone for a low, sleek look. Coming up with a vehicle car lovers don’t mind being seen in.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
13/04/2009
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Soul, Man - And Woman |
And now for something completely different. Kia's Soul isn't aimed so much at those looking for transport, but at people wanting to set trends and to be seen as making their own distinctive way in life. Launched to lifestyle and motoring journalists alike at a spectacular event in Sydney, the new Soul apparently caused the skies to open.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
04/04/2009
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Volkswagen Eos Practical Open Air Motoring |
Volkswagen's Eos convertible has a fascinating new design of folding hardtop that's unlike any other on the market. Fascinating because it has a conventional glass sunroof built into the folding roof. The sunroof can be operated while the car is moving, so the moment the impulse for extra fresh air strikes it's there for the asking without having to find somewhere to stop.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
04/04/2009
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Maximum Celebrations For Mini’s Birthday |
The Morris Mini is one of the most influential automotive designs since the end of the Second World War. Now the little car that change the world is about to celebrate its 50th birthday, and will do so in a huge way over an action packed weekend at the Silverstone race track in the UK from 22 - 24 May 2009.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
05/01/2009
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Ride with Jim Richards! |
Jim Richards is arguably the most popular racing car driver of all time in Australia. The fascinating thing about this guy is that he appeals to everyone, not just the revheads. Bored wives and girlfriends watching car racing on TV with their partners support Jim
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
05/01/2009
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| Opinions: Read All Articles » |
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Co-Operation, Not Competition |
Though it would be nice if it was otherwise, driving in traffic is a fact of life to the nine out of ten Australians who live in metropolitan areas. So driving should be a co-operative activity, not a competitive one. Invariably in life things work best when everyone works together to reach a common goal.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
05/07/2010
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Airbags Save Lives |
Airbags, which began to be fitted to upmarket cars during the early 1990s, and which are common in everything on the market these days, are intended to work in conjunction with seat belts to further improve safety in crashes.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
26/06/2010
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Misleading Advertising |
The people striving to sell cars, particularly those in the creative centres putting together major marketing campaigns, sometimes get so far away from reality that they begin to twist people’s perceptions. One of their favourite tricks is to make consumers believe that ordinary things are really something very different, special and highly desirable.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
04/02/2010
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Traffic Lights At Rail Crossings? |
I received an interesting email from a regular reader this morning, let's call him Tony. He was saddened by the memories of the Kerang level-crossing crash in 2007 which killed 11 people and seriously injured eight more. Memories that were brought back by the recent trial and acquittal of truck driver involved in the crash.
Full Story
By EWAN KENNEDY
19/06/2009
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Soft And Fluffy Things |
I would like to talk about soft and fluffy things this week. Soft and fluffy toys are wonderful things in their correct place, kids of all ages love to play with them. They can make great displays in bedrooms, sunrooms and suchlike locations. I love them there and admire the displays that are put together at times. But the soft and fluffy things have to be in the right location and that's not in the potentially dangerous environment of the motor car.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
14/06/2009
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Cooperation Enhances Road Safety |
Had an interesting talk with a high level policeman the other day. No, I hadn't done anything wrong, at least nothing that he knew about! It was during a break from talks at a road safety function and the policeman was more willing than usual to talk to a journalist. Because he realised I wasn’t out for a sensational story, but that I was genuinely interested in making our roads safer.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
06/04/2009
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Changing Lanes |
Since penning a piece on the failure of too many drivers to ‘Keep Left Unless Overtaking’, particularly on motorways, I've received quite a few emails. The great majority are in complete agreement with my words. With many replies saying that if the police spent more time enforcing this law instead of simply sitting behind speed cameras life would be safer and more relaxed on the road.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
23/02/2009
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Keep Left Unless Overtaking |
“Keep Left Unless Overtaking” say the signs. It’s a simple instruction that should be easy to obey. So why do so many drivers struggle with the concept?
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By EWAN KENNEDY
02/02/2009
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Lost Souls |
Short of a car crash there can be few things more terrifying to a driver than getting lost in a strange city. Feeling trapped in a crowded traffic situation with vehicles everywhere, street signs that often make sense only to locals, or streets without any signs at all. Then there's the frustration of not being unable to turn in the direction you want because there's no-right-turn.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
14/01/2009
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Slow And Dirty |
I walked from a hotel to the domestic terminal at Sydney airport the other day. I could have caught the hotel shuttle bus but I reasoned that 15 minutes of early morning exercise would do me good and tie in with my new-year’s resolution to look after myself better.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
13/01/2009
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Take The Sting Out Of Roundabouts |
Roundabouts are one of the most sensible pieces of traffic engineering every devised. Yet they seem to create huge amounts of confusion in the minds of many drivers. Perhaps because the concept of a roundabout is so simple they feel there must be hidden traps. The really good thing about roundabouts is that they eliminate complex turns.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
05/01/2009
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Excessive Speed Is Not Particularly Dangerous |
Yet another unbiased and scientifically correct study has come out on the subject of causes of car crashes. And yet again excessive speed has been shown as being the reason for only a small percentage of crashes.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
29/12/2008
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Beware The Missing Motor Show |
Those of you who attended the 2008 Sydney motor show – these days known somewhat grandly as the Australian International Motor Show – would have noticed the event was somewhat less grand than usual.
Though it is the biggest motor show in Australia, the Sydney event wasn’t attended by many of the major marques. Companies such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Citroen, Mercedes-Benz and quite a few others chose not to make an appearance this year.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
01/12/2008
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Hands-On Driving |
Keeping two hands on the steering wheel seems like the most basic of requirements for safe driving. Yet it’s becoming appallingly apparent that people driving with both hands on the steering is increasingly unusual. To make matters worse, having two hands on a steering in something remotely resembling the correct position is an even less common sight.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
24/11/2008
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Measure Competency, Not Speed? |
I recently commented that a good driver in an excellent car exceeding the speed limit was far more likely to get booked than a sloppy driver in a bad car travelling within the speed limit. I’ve yet to find anyone who disagrees with my statement, indeed some people to whom I have spoken are becoming increasingly heated on the subject of their speeding tickets, with hidden cameras being universally hated. But what can be done to make things fairer?
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By EWAN KENNEDY
17/11/2008
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Aurion Racer Backs V8 Supercars |
For years there has been speculation that Toyota Australia might enter V8 Supercar racing. There are two schools of thought on this, the more broadminded feel that having a third marque join Ford and Holden would further liven up what's already a very popular racing series. The more traditional racegoer likes things just the way they are.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
27/10/2008
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Too Close To Home |
You would think that drivers would take extra care as they entered their home area. After all, their neighbours are close by, as are kids, dogs and all sorts of assorted items like footballs, cricket bats, skateboards and the like. Sadly, my observations show exactly the opposite takes place. The closer people are to their home the more likely they are to drive dangerously.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
22/09/2008, 01:53
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Brake Light Or Breaks? |
There don't seem to be as many brake lights on cars these days as there used to. Sure the lenses are still attached to the rears of cars, but not all of them light up. Indeed it’s not unusual to see a car that should have three brake lights, but only one of them goes on when the pedal is pushed. And I’ve seen a fair few cars with no brake lights at all…
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By EWAN KENNEDY
30/06/2008
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Lighting Up |
Do we need to drive with our vehicles’ headlights on all the time in Australia? It’s becoming quite a common requirement in some European countries, with drivers being told to have the lights on, and some countries are telling makers to design all new models with headlights that come on automatically with the ignition.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
09/06/2008
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Backwards Or Upside Down? |
“Way Free” said the traffic sign on the road in front of my car. Having grown up in an era where hippies and beatniks were a colourful part of the social scene, my mind wondered what was so free. The “Way Free” presumably fell into line with phrases like “way out”, “way cool”, perhaps even “way to go, man”.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
12/01/2008
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1.5 Seconds Early – Or Dead On Time? |
I saved a man a lot of money, time and trouble earlier this week, though I’m not sure he is aware of the fact. Let me explain: his BMW 3 Series was a mere car length behind the Volkswagen Golf I was road testing and we were running in a line of traffic, doing around 80 km/h in an 80 zone. He was far too close and tailgating for no reason other than a sense of urgency, an urgency that was possibly real, but much more likely was purely imaginary.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
06/01/2008
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Eat-Driving |
The National Motorists Association of Australia (NMAA) has expressed concern about the dangerous practice of 'eat-driving'. Jim Wright, the secretary of the NMAA, says that American findings appear to prove that eating behind the wheel is potentially even more dangerous than using a mobile phone. I don’t know if that research can be directly translated to Australia as our habits usually aren't as bad as the American's.
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By EWAN KENNEDY
09/01/2006
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