Honda Civic Hybrid Review & Road Test
September 16, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Environment, Honda, Hybrid, Small Car
Discretion is the better part of valour
Model Tested:
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid; 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid; continuously variable automatic; sedan – $35,990*
Options (As Fitted):
Metallic Paint $475 (Neutron Blue)
Pricing & appearance against rival; smooth drivetrain; comfort & ergonomics
Inconsistent brake feel; light steering at centre; diminished cargo capacity
CarAdvice Rating:
When you drive a hybrid car then [...]
Audi e-tron revealed at Frankfurt
September 16, 2009 by David Twomey
Filed under 4WD, 4x4, Audi, Car News, Concepts, Environment, Frankfurt, Fuel News, In car technology, Motor Shows, electric
German manufacturer Audi has revealed the highlight of its efforts at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the unveiling of the Audi e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system.
Four motors, two each at the front and rear axles, drive the wheels, making the concept car a true Audi quattro.
Producing 230kW of power [...]
Lotus’ Range Extender petrol-hybrid unveiled
September 10, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Car News, Environment, Hybrid, In car technology, Lotus, electric
Lotus Engineering has developed a new engine especially for hybrid cars that will be on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
Called the “Range Extender”, this 1.2-litre unit, which can operate on petrol, ethanol or methanol, depending on its intended market, functions in two modes – both as a generator only – to allow [...]
Ferrari 458 Italia, more details revealed
August 28, 2009 by David Twomey
Filed under Car News, Ferrari, Frankfurt, In car technology, Motor Shows, Motorsport, Sports Cars, Supercars, Top Australian Cars
In the run-up to the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15 the Italian marque has released more photos and details of the stunning new sports car.
The car is an all-new effort from Ferrari, rather than being based on the outgoing F430, so there is a raft [...]
Mini launches iPhone roadside App in US
August 24, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Car Design, Car News, In car technology, Mini
Mini owners who use an iPhone (or Blackberry) in the US can now download a free application that allows them to call for roadside assistance at the touch of a button.
The iTunes App not only allows users to quickly and conveniently contact Mini for assistance, should they ever need it, but also automatically sends out [...]
CarAdvice tests Land Rover’s “most fuel efficient” SUV
August 11, 2009 by Paul Maric
Filed under 4WD, 4x4, Behind the Wheel, Diesel, Land Rover, SUV
In total contrast to adventures of some of the CarAdvice team, we’re currently testing what said to be Australia’s most fuel efficient SUV – that’s if Land Rover’s claims are to be believed.
Land Rover have developed a stop/start system for its diesel Freelander2 range which it claims can reduce fuel consumption by some 20 per [...]
Nissan to turbocharge future engines – report
August 4, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Car News, Nissan
In a recent interview with Motor Trend, Tetsuya Takahashi, a member of Nissan’s Powertrain Engineering Division, said Nissan is once again considering forced induction of its mainstream engines.
The announcement comes as looming emissions standards push many of Nissan’s existing engines by the way side, and with several manufacturers – such as BMW, Ford and GM [...]
Nissan unveils LEAF zero-emission vehicle
August 2, 2009 by George Skentzos
Filed under Car News, In car technology, Nissan, electric
As promised, Nissan has today officially unveiled the LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car.
The Nissan LEAF is a medium-sized hatchback which can comfortably accommodate five adults with a range of more than 160km which should satisfy the daily driving requirements of more than 70 per cent of the world’s consumers who drive cars, according [...]
Aussie teenagers compete for title of F1 champion
July 15, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Car Design, Car News, Ferrari, Industry, Motorsport
A group of 15 teenagers from Sydney, Canberra and Noosa are preparing for the trip of a lifetime, to represent their nation and compete in the world championships of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, in England.
Up for grabs is the title of world champion, $1.5 million in university scholarships, and the crystal Bernie Ecclestone [...]
Toyota Prius – First Steer
July 9, 2009 by David Twomey
Filed under Australian Car Industry News, Behind the Wheel, Car News, First Steer, Hybrid, In car technology, Lexus, Small Car, Toyota, Toyota Prius, electric
Driving the pin-up car of the green motoring movement, the Toyota Prius, has become even more fuel efficient but also a lot more dynamic following our first, although limited, real world experience of the Generation Three vehicle.
By David Twomey
With a price of $39,900 for the base model, that’s $90 less than the original introduction price [...]
Fiat 500 and Microsoft Blue&Me
July 8, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Filed under Car News, Fiat, In car technology
You’re thinking what on earth do a Fiat 500 and Microsoft have in common?
That’s a good question and one, which I didn’t know the answer to until a little yellow Fiat 500 arrived, with what Microsoft claim is the “real” in-car hands free solution.


