2.8-litre turbocharged V6, all-wheel-drive and German built for only $51,990 plus on roads. Yep, the Holden Insignia VXR is shaking up the mid-size performance sedan segment, and on paper, it seems to have nailed the price and performance equation. Last seen in Australia in 2013 wearing Opel and ‘OPC’ badges, …
Read More »2015 Holden Astra VXR Review
The Holden Astra VXR is no stranger to some of us, having had a short stint in Australia as the Opel Astra OPC some two years ago. With GM’s European subsidiary making a hasty exit less than 12 months after its second stab at the local market, the hot Astra …
Read More »2015 Ford Focus ST Review
When it comes to hot hatches, the Ford Focus ST is often overlooked for the more all rounded Volkswagen Golf GTI. Don’t get me wrong. The fast Golf is a brilliant car, especially in its latest Mk7 iteration. It’s fun, but also amazingly comfortable and practical, which makes it an …
Read More »2015 Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo Series II Review
Hyundai’s unique three-door Veloster coupe-hatch has been given some further fine tuning inside and out as it takes a second shot at the sub-40k sports car segment. With the goal post in the segment moving faster than politicians can come out with their excuses, the Veloster’s quirky design alone is …
Read More »2015 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review
The luxury midsize sedan segment is a rather tricky one to get right. Buyers in this segment want style, quality, premium features, the latest technologies, sophistication and a general sense of sportiness. Yes, pretty much everything. And the 2015 Lexus IS 350 ticks all the boxes. The problem is it’s …
Read More »2015 Holden Commodore SSV Redline Craig Lowndes Edition Review
In a tribute to 20 years of Craig Lowndes thrilling fans and winning races, Holden has teamed up with the Australian V8 Supercars racing driver to produce a Special Edition Commodore, the SSV Redline Craig Lowndes Edition. As the name suggests, the special edition model is based on the SSV …
Read More »2015 Lexus RC F Review
The realm of ultra-high performance coupes has been a heavily defended territory of the Germans, fortified with such nameplates as BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C 63 and Audi RS 5. Now, the German establishment is about to get a taste of ‘waku doki’ – Japanese for ‘heart pumping, adrenalin racing’. That’s …
Read More »2015 Ford FG X Falcon XR8 Review
This is it. The last ever Ford Falcon. The one that Ford Australia hopes will send the Aussie flagship out with a big bang, taking with it the longest continuously surviving car nameplate in Australia. The big Ford sedan used to be the best-selling locally made car in Australia, with …
Read More »2015 Audi S3 Cabriolet Review
Fed on a diet of high-octane V8s for generations, Australia is fertile ground for high-performance machines. Our un-quenching thirst for kilowatts and horsepower means we are consistently one of the highest consumers of RS’s, M’s and AMG’s per capita in the world. Not surprising, then, that there’s a hi-po variant …
Read More »2015 Audi S1 Sportback Review
Audi’s fast growing S brand has welcomed its smallest and cheapest S model – the new Audi S1. Available solely as a Sportback (5-door) in Australia, the S1 promises to deliver the level of performance and prestige generally associated with the S badge, but at a relatively wallet-friendly proposition. It …
Read More »2015 Abarth 595 Competizione Convertible Review
The new Abarth 595 range has received two new trim levels. The 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione hatch and convertible now join the 595 ’50th Anniversary’, launched in May last year as the fastest and most powerful 595 so far. While the Turismo version offers slightly more luxury, the Competizione steps up to a more race …
Read More »2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde Review
When we drove the Alfa Romeo MiTo last year, we liked its chic styling and generous features, but its driving dynamics hasn’t really convinced us. So,the baton is now handed over to the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, the performance flagship of the range. Priced from $30,500 plus on roads, the MiTo QV …
Read More »2014 Subaru WRX STI Review
STI – three letters that will make any enthusiast’s heart skip a beat. For over 20 years, the acronym, which stands for Subaru Technica International, has been synonymous with high performance, all-wheel-drive motoring. And the car that gave rise to the pedigree is none other than the Subaru WRX STI. …
Read More »2014 Audi S3 Sedan Review
The affordable performance all-wheel drive arena used to be a hotly contested battleground between two Japanese heavy weights – the Subaru WRX STI and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Both boasts illustrious pedigree garnered through many World Rally Championship wins in their respective careers. The WRX STI with 46 under its …
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