A MORE SOPHISTICATED 5-SERIES Wonderful engine, great dynamics Price premium over 528i seems exorbitant, lack of storage spaces in otherwise splendid cabin, no spare wheel   Introduction Baby boomer car enthusiasts might be surprised to realise that more »

‘HOME’ FOR 7 Premium Tarago Has its Own Style    Beautifully executed interior, supple ride, first-class quality  Too-light steering, expensive for the level of performance   Introduction The 1980s was the decade of the people-mover. Mitsubishi’s L300 van with some extra more »

CAPRICE V: Flagship for the Australian Industry Excellent performance with good economy, supple ride, great steering, enormous rear compartment Too-thick A-pillars restrict forward vision, no split-fold rear seat feature to maximise versatility Introduction The Caprice name evokes a more »

TRUE ZEST Great drive, sensational presence, Z-Factor A-pillar restricts vision, boot is tiny Introduction Few automotive badges conjure as much magic as the ‘Z’ which has graced Datsun-cum-Nissan sports cars since the debut of the now legendary more »

WORTHY OF THE GT MONIKER WRX meets luxury car, magnificent value, five-star safety Should have a six-speed automatic transmission for improved economy Introduction Way back in 1975 Australians got their first chance to buy a sedan-based wagon with more »

AT LAST…A DIESEL TERRITORY Great versatility, excellent dynamics, spaciousness, value for money More grunt, please, Ford Introduction If you have ever doubted the Australian automotive industry’s ability, you only have to check out any Ford Territory, even a more »

Introduction   The MINI Cooper S has quite a few challengers in the hot hatch market segment but perhaps the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport is the most serious one yet. Sceptics may imagine that here more »

SUZUKI DIVES BOLDLY INTO THE MAINSTREAM   Hot looking, AWD tenacity, packed with goodies   Needs a six-speed manual, lacking in low and mid-range torque   Introduction Suzuki has long asserted its Japaneseness with pride. There is no attempt to curry more »

BE PREPARED! Skoda Octavia Scout Premium DSG    Great driver’s car, superb quality, clever specification  Could use significantly more grunt, ludicrous cupholders   Introduction Back in the 1950s and into the 1960s the Skoda brand was well known in Australia. These more »

MOLTE VELOCE Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV  Fantastic performance, great to drive, lovely design, stylish 18-inch alloys  No automatic transmission option, no footrest, DNA control would benefit from  re-calibration Introduction How many brand names are more evocative of the grand more »