Category: News

Chery puts the pressure on

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THE Chinese brands continue to lower the bar when it comes to pricing, putting existing manufacturers under increasing pressure. Latest is Chery which has announced a mid-cycle refresh for its midsize SUV the TIGGO 7 Pro. Two new variants, labelled the SE (Special Edition) and SE+ will launch in February, replacing the existing Urban, Elite and Ultimate grades. With sharp driveaway pricing, the new TIGGO 7 Pro continues to offer incredible value with even the entry-level SE smartly appointed. Lewis Lu, Chery Australia CEO, stated “The Tiggo 7 Special Edition… Read more

Polestar Arctic specials rooted in motorsport

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Polestar has created a new collection of unique ‘Arctic Circle’ cars. Based on the one-of-a-kind Polestar 2 Arctic Circle from 2022, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 versions have been built to present a complete line-up of rally-inspired, one-off Arctic Circle cars that express the Swedish brand’s performance DNA. Polestar boss Michael Lohscheller, said the Arctic Circle collection illustrates its unique performance DNA, rooted in motorsport and combined with Scandinavian design. “We develop our cars under challenging conditions within the Arctic Circle in Sweden, and at the FAT Ice Race we… Read more

Nissan claims crown with 10-year/300,000km warranty

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For many years Kia’s 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty has been the benchmark when it comes to new car sales in Australia. We still remember its introduction. There’s been many challengers since and Mitsubishi set the cat among the pigeons with its 10-year/200,000km warranty which controversially requires that customers service their vehicles with the company. Now, at a time when the quest for the consumer dollars has never been more competitive, Nissan has upped the ante with Australia’s first 10-year/300,000km warranty which much like Mitsubishi stipulates its cars must be serviced… Read more

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TAKE A TICKET TO RIDE FIRST-CLASS

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It’s the ‘pointy end of the plane’ attractions of the Palisade that are hard to resist. With a three-metre wheelbase the cabin space is more than adequate, then there are premium design finishes, plus the versatility of seven or eight seats. The result is a first-class travel experience. Even the Hyundai people mover’s entry-level model boasts the suffix ‘Elite’. For that the MY24 Palisade gains extra standard features in the form of a heated steering wheel and an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat. Passenger mood is enhanced with a quality… Read more

Mazda6 gets the chop

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Mazda’s classy Mazda6 sedan and wagon have been given the cop after more than 20 years Production of Australian vehicles has ceased, as the brand continues to reshape itself with what it describes as a multi-solution strategy. This strategy is spearheaded by a range of lookalike hybrid SUVs — the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90. Almost 150,000 examples of the Mazda6 sedan and wagon have been sold over the past 22 years, with the model enjoying its most successful run in 2005, with close to 15,000 sales.   Mazda’s Vinesh… Read more

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MG3 ESSENCE

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The MG3 is a light hatch and the smallest model offered by the company. It’s a car built very much to a price, targeted at first time drivers and those who haven’t got much to spend. Although the latest model scores the same disappointing three stars for safety as its predecessor, ANCAP which tests the cars reveals it narrowly missed out on a four-star result and its comments are encouraging. With a little work perhaps, the company may be able to turn the result around (although the whole safety thing… Read more

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NEW MG HS IS BIGGER AND BETTER

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The MG HS is the Chinese importer’s largest vehicle. A mid-size SUV, it competes — although not too successfully so far — against well-established models like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sportage. MG HS been on sale here since late 2019 and has just been replaced by what is effectively an all-new model. It’s larger in length, width and with a longer wheelbase than before, all of which contribute to providing extra interior space. Indeed, it’s larger in most dimensions than most of its rivals. There… Read more

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OUTLANDER PLUGS INTO FAMILY LIFE

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The plug-in hybrid models have not been left behind in Mitsubishi’s latest upgrades to its Outlander SUV range, adding even more appeal to the company’s popular EVs. Plug-in hybrids have been around for years and offer a choice of full-on electric drive for short trips, with the complement of internal combustion power to avoid range anxiety on longer journeys. With totally electric powered vehicles rapidly advancing, the plug-in hybrid, led by the Outlander, is intent on making a stand for its own segment. With greater battery capacity (20kWh) and a… Read more

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GENESIS GV70 REVIEW

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It’s still not a household name, at least not in motoring circles, but Genesis is the luxury sub-brand of Hyundai in the same way as Lexus is to Toyota. There are plenty of model choices: two sedans (G70 and G80), three SUVs (GV60, GV70 and GV80) with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains as well as two- and all-wheel drive in the SUVs. GV70, the mid-sized SUV, is this week’s test. It comes with the choice of 2.5- and 3.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines and fully-electric EV. The entry-level 2.5T comes with… Read more

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BYD SEAL PREMIUM EXTENDED RANGE

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There’s no mistaking the BYD Seal for its smaller sibling the Dolphin. The electric sedan is a good looking car by any standard, with movie-star looks for a surprisingly small outlay. And the more you learn about the Seal, the more interesting it becomes. We kept waiting for the catch, but it never arrived. BYD hasn’t sold buyers short like some of the Chinese brands, by leaving out essentials such as satnav and Android Auto. So, if you’ve had your eye on a Tesla Model 3, then you’ll want to… Read more