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Report: Nissan settles GT-R transmission class action suit

George Skentzos — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:59:43 +0000

The Nissan GT-R rocked the motoring world when it arrived on the scene, offering truly supercar performance at just a fraction of the price. Although when the GT-R finally found its way into showrooms it quickly became apparent that there was a consequence for all this performance with the transmission becoming a costly Achilles heel for [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Report: Nissan settles GT-R transmission class action suit

Ford Falcon EcoBoost on schedule: Burela

David Twomey — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:35:51 +0000

Ford has moved a step closer to the four-cylinder Falcon with the news that the first test prototypes using the EcoBoost engine have begun running. Ford’s President and CEO Marin Burela told a media briefing in Melbourne this morning that the first Falcon ‘mules’ running the 2.0-litre, direct-injection, turbocharged, four cylinder were in operation. Questioned by CarAdvice [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Ford Falcon EcoBoost on schedule: Burela

Toyota Hybrid Camry begins pilot build

David Twomey — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:24:50 +0000

Toyota today moved a step closer to local production of the Hybrid Camry that it will introduce to the Australian market in February next year with the commencement of the pilot build program. It has also indicated that it hopes the program, which is a mid-life move for the current model, will lead to the next [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Toyota Hybrid Camry begins pilot build

Suzuki Alto scores top marks in GVG

Matt Brogan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:04:58 +0000

The new Suzuki Alto has scored top marks on Australia’s government sponsored Green Vehicle Guide ranking itself as one of the country’s top three green vehicles. With a combined fuel economy figure of just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres, and low CO2 emissions, the Alto scored an overall greenhouse gas rating of 8.5 out of 10. The [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Suzuki Alto scores top marks in GVG

BMW 120d Efficient Dynamics Challenge

Paul Maric — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:06:26 +0000

BMW recently called CarAdvice to see if we were interested in participating in a car challenge of a different variety. By Paul Maric Instead of seeing who was quickest around a track or who could post the fastest speed, BMW enlisted their latest Efficient Dynamics vehicle – the 120d – and sent 16 motoring journalists, in four [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

BMW 120d Efficient Dynamics Challenge

Ferrari announces free roadside assistance

George Skentzos — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:22:13 +0000

Supercars by their very nature can be quite volatile machines and not even a Ferrari badge can hide the shame of being stopped at the side of the road with the bonnet open when trouble strikes. Now when the ‘CEO’ or even ‘President’ title applies to so many of your customers, a certain duty of care [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Ferrari announces free roadside assistance

2009 Skoda Octavia Review and Road Test

Paul Maric — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:00:42 +0000

2009 Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI and 1.8 TSI Review & Road Test 1.8 TSI and 1.6 MPI – Beauty and the Beast Model Tested: 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI – $35,790 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI – $31,290 (as tested) Options: None fitted. 1.8 TSI: Inoffensive design cues; bang-for-buck; ripper stereo. 1.6 MPI: Price. 1.8 TSI: Jittery from standing start. 1.6 [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

2009 Skoda Octavia Review and Road Test

Benz reveals more fuel efficient C-Class

David Twomey — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:56:40 +0000

Mercedes-Benz has revealed three new fuel efficient engines for its C-Class sedan and Estate, although as they are BlueEFFICIENCY engines its not clear when we will see them in Australia. Mercedes-Benz says the engines raise performance and driving enjoyment to a new level, while demonstrating exemplary economy and environmental compatibility. The new engines impress with a low [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Benz reveals more fuel efficient C-Class

Nissan loosens grip on GT-R servicing

George Skentzos — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:27:27 +0000

When the Nissan GT-R first launched it completely changed our perception of the benchmark performance car, matching blistering speed with a highly accessible price point. Although as the GT-R moved from the spotlight and into the garages of doe-eyed owners it quickly became apparent this supercar for the people was not all that affordable to live [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Nissan loosens grip on GT-R servicing

2009 Mitsubishi i MiEV First Steer

David Twomey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:11:21 +0000

2009 Mitsubishi i MiEV First Steer Review Is this the face of future motoring? Mitsubishi Motors in Australia certainly believes it is the direction we will all be heading, especially as far as city commuting goes. To enforce that point it has just obtained full Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification for this car, the electric powered i [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

2009 Mitsubishi i MiEV First Steer

2009 Subaru Plug-in Stella – First Steer

David Twomey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:00:59 +0000

White goods on wheels is a tag often applied by some to the products of another Japanese car maker but it’s not one you would readily apply to those from Subaru. However, the ground breaking Subaru Plug-in Stella is small, white, boxy and very expensive, at the moment. It’s also a fully functioning electric vehicle or EV [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

2009 Subaru Plug-in Stella – First Steer

2009 Mazda3 MPS and i-stop to debut at Geneva Motor Show

David Twomey — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:07:09 +0000

Mazda plans to debut two new models of the all-new Mazda3 (called Axela in Japan), yet to be released in Australia, at the coming Geneva International Motor Show, one environmentally friendly and the other enthusiast friendly. The world premiere of the Mazda3 with i-stop, Mazda’s advanced fuel-saving start-stop system, will be shared with the all-new Mazda3 [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

2009 Mazda3 MPS and i-stop to debut at Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai reveals fuel-efficient six-speed auto

George Skentzos — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:24:50 +0000

In the pursuit of economy, Hyundai has completed development of an all-new six-speed automatic transmission that will boost fuel economy by more than 12.2 percent. With this latest endeavour, Hyundai becomes only the third company in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle, behind Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture. The new transmission has been [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Hyundai reveals fuel-efficient six-speed auto

Petrol prices fair says ACCC

Matt Brogan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:46:46 +0000

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have released their findings of the first annual report into petrol prices and say that prices here have closely followed international trends, and says they are indeed fair. The report also suggested that Australian petrol prices were comparatively low by international standards. The report has enabled the ACCC to [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Petrol prices fair says ACCC

HSV ponders diesel and LPG

David Twomey — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:33:04 +0000

It may seem to go against the grain of what a performance car company is about but Holden Special Vehicles is almost certain to be selling cars using LPG and even diesel fuel in the near future. - David Twomey British-born Managing Director of HSV, Phil Harding, told CarAdvice at a media briefing in Melbourne yesterday that [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

HSV ponders diesel and LPG

2009 BMW 3 Series revealed

David Twomey — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:44:07 +0000

BMW has today revealed to the automotive media the latest versions of its extremely popular 3 Series range, which offer new styling, new features and a new price point. - David Twomey At the reveal at Phillip Island Race Track in Victoria we didn’t get to drive the new 3 Series cars, which come in Sedan [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

2009 BMW 3 Series revealed

Introducing the green Mini E

Matt Brogan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:38:45 +0000

The BMW Group will be the world’s first manufacturer of premium vehicles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic to act as a test bed for the new technology. Mini E will be powered by a 150 kW electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Introducing the green Mini E

Bike sales set another record

Matt Brogan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:53:35 +0000

Maybe it’s the cost of petrol, or the lack of parking. But whatever the reason, it seems motorbike sales are soaring with a record number of bikes and scooters leaving showroom floors. Official Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures show sales up five per cent on the same period last year. While road bikes [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Bike sales set another record

Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler cars electrifying

David Twomey — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:16:56 +0000

Proudly proclaiming that “actions speak louder than words” Chrysler has announced that it and its ENVI organisation have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles – one for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge. Chrysler will select one electric-drive model to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler cars electrifying

Common sense loses in LCT debate

George Skentzos — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:40:19 +0000

Common sense is yet to prevail over the current Luxury Car Tax debacle, with the Senate rejecting an Opposition bid to raise the luxury price threshold to $90,000. - George Skentzos The proposal was an acceptable compromise, maintaining the current LCT rate of 25 percent for vehicles over the existing $57,180 threshold, and applying the proposed 33 [...]

Original article from: Australian Car Advice - Australia's largest independent Auto site.

Common sense loses in LCT debate