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Volvo S60 Concept previews 2010 S60 sedan

2008-12-17T22:52:13+00:00

Volvo has released details and images for a new concept vehicle previewing its next-generation S60 saloon due in 2010. The concept car will make its world debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show and reveals the latest evolution of Volvo's current design theme.

First official details on next-generation BMW Z4

2008-12-15T23:49:18+00:00

BMW has released the first details and images for its all-new Z4 Roadster, which is set to make its debut next month at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show before going on sale in Australia in the third quarter of 2009. The design of the new Z4 comes out through classic details interpreted in a very modern style, and for the first time the Z4 has an automated folding aluminium roof, rather than soft top.

Volt will be badged as a Holden, may be produced locally

2008-12-10T22:56:40+00:00

While we've known since October that Chevrolet's Volt will be coming to Australia by around 2012, it was only this month that Holden boss Mark Reuss confirmed that the car will be badged here as a Holden vehicle.

Official details on Audi's V10-engined R8 sports car

2008-12-10T05:21:29+00:00

Audi's R8 was an instant success when it broke onto the sports-car scene in 2007, and now the Germans are sweetening the deal with a new range-topping V10 engine. The new V10 engine brings the R8 into closer competition with supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, with which it also shares a platform. Currently the car is slated to debut in Europe for the second quarter of 2009, however Audi Australia is remaining silent about the car's Australian debut.

ANCAP awards Holden VE Commodore Omega 5-star safety rating

2008-12-04T21:16:55+00:00

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has awarded Holden's VE Commodore Omega sedan a maximum five-star safety rating. Ford's FG Falcon was previously the only Australian manufactured car that had a five-star safety rating, but now it must share this accolade with Holden's direct competitor to the Falcon.

Audi unveils the A5 and S5 Cabriolet

2008-12-04T05:49:57+00:00

Audi is planning to unveil its new A5/S5 cabriolet variant at the Detroit Motor Show in January, however full details for the upcoming roofless edition of the handsome A5/S5 has been released, with the new convertible forgoing the heavy folding hardtops found in many convertibles for a lighter soft cloth option.

Subaru updates 2009 Impreza WRX with more power, less emissions

2008-12-03T06:28:59+00:00

Subaru's popular Impreza WRX performance sedan has received a raft of updates for the 2009 model, including more power, torque and a much anticipated sedan variant. There is also an improved suspension package, a more efficient engine, reduced emissions and no price increases.

Porsche reveals Panamera details

2008-11-25T21:15:41+00:00

Porsche's upcoming four-door saloon, the Porsche Panamera, has been laid bare for the public to see with the release of full details and images of the upcoming sedan. The Panamera will officially go on sale in the U.S. in April next year and will make its world debut one month earlier at the Geneva Motor Show. Porsche will be able to build up to 26,000 units per year at its Leipzig Plant, but actual production levels will be kept at just 20,000, and reportedly only around 150 of these will be hitting Australian shores.

Holden celebrates 60 years since building its first car

2008-11-20T23:35:22+00:00

Holden will mark the 60th anniversary of Australia’s first locally developed car, the Holden (or the Holden FX as it was sometimes known) on Saturday 29 November.

Peugeot offering free 'Flex' pack for 308 Touring

2008-11-12T05:51:46+00:00

Hoping to make the 308 Touring even more attractive to new car buyers as summer approaches, Peugeot Australia is offering a complimentary 'Flex' pack (pictured) for its 308 Touring model.

Government reveals $6.2 billion auto bailout package

2008-11-10T23:58:06+00:00

The Australian Federal Government has announced a $6.2 billion rescue package to bailout the struggling Australian auto industry. The package will be distributed over a period of 13 years, until 2021, and is designed to allow our automotive industry to breathe during the current financial crisis.

Nissan releases official photos of the 370Z Coupe

2008-10-30T22:09:52+00:00

Nissan has released the first official image of the upcoming 2009 370Z Coupe, which is set to make its world debut at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 370Z is the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since the introduction of the previous generation model back in 2003, and will go on sale early next year as a 2009 model in the U.S. It should see Australian release in a similar time frame to take over from the successful 350Z Coupe.

�koda Launches Octavia RS TDI

2008-10-29T22:46:53+00:00

Škoda Australia has added a new variant to its Octavia model line up – the high performance Octavia RS TDI with a new 125kW 2.0 litre common rail diesel engine. The new performance-oriented diesel engine joins the 2.0 TFSI 147kW four-cylinder petrol engine, which is still available in the Octavia RS.

Audi releases sketches for A5 Sportback, A7 and next-gen A8

2008-10-29T06:07:19+00:00

Audi has released several teaser sketches for some of its important future models that reveal new details about the upcoming A5 Sportback model due next year in the U.S. as well the all-new 2010 A7 four-door coupe and next-generation 2011 A8 flagship saloon, which should eventually make their way to Australian shores.

Holden Commodore turns 30

2008-10-28T05:55:15+00:00

Holden's iconic Commodore celebrates its 30th anniversary today, marking the three decades since the first Commodore rolled off the line at Holden's former assembly line at Pagewood, New South Wales, on October 25th, 1978.

Volvo offering more standard features on 2009 range

2008-10-23T21:53:29+00:00

Volvo Australia is offering more standard equipment on its range of 2009 models in order to boost sales and homogenise the range, including new safety systems to help Volvo maintain its safety conscious image.

Mini unveiling all-electric model at Los Angeles Auto Show

2008-10-21T22:06:33+00:00

Mini will unveil an all-electric version of its two-door Cooper hatch at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, and plans to deliver an initial batch of 500 examples to customers in California towards the end of the year. While the test batch won't be making it to Australian shores, the electric Mini cars, called the 'Mini E', will be instrumental in evaluating the viability of production electric Minis - which could stand a chance of coming to Australia.

Cadillac returns to Australia after 70 year absence

2008-10-17T20:49:43+00:00

The Australian International Motor Show was chosen as the venue for Cadillac to make its official return, where the luxury arm of General Motors showed off its CTS sedan and the CTS Coupe Concept. The CTS sedan will be the first Cadillac to be sold in Australia since the company left in the 1930s.

Hyundai launches new Genesis Coupe in Korea

2008-10-16T21:40:14+00:00

Hyundai launched its new Genesis Coupe in the Korean market at an event on Jeju Island, Korea. The coupe follows on the heels of the the Genesis sports sedan, which was launched in South Korea and the U.S. earlier this year. While the sedan is focused on luxury, the new Genesis Coupe gives Hyundai some added sporting credentials thanks to its performance-focused front-engine rear-wheel-drive architecture.

Mercedes reveals new generation M-Class range

2008-10-15T21:03:49+00:00

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new generation of its M‑Class SUV, with new looks and features designed to keep the M-Class range fresh and fight back against the segment leader, BMW's X5. Changes have been made to the exterior and interior to make the M-Class more appealing.

Lexus IS F hits Australian shores this month for a cool $129,000

2008-10-14T22:25:58+00:00

Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, will be releasing a high-performance variant to add to its 'IS' range of sedans. The new sports sedan from Lexus, dubbed the IS F, has been designed to compete with the likes of BMW's M3, Mercedes C 63 AMG and Audi's RS4 - all of which have been established in the sports sedan market for some time now.

Nissan Australia previews the new generation Murano

2008-10-06T23:28:38+00:00

Nissan Australia will reveal the Australian-spec new generation of the Murano SUV at the 2008 Australian Motor Show in October, although the latest generation of the Murano has been sold in the U.S. since January of this year.

Nissan prices GT-R under $150,000

2008-10-01T07:11:20+00:00

The GT-R is back. This month’s Sydney Motor Show will play host to the official sales launch of the much-hyped Japanese supercar, with the first pre-sales taking place at the show on October 9. First deliveries, however, won’t start until April next year.

Fernando Alonso takes win at inaugural Singapore GP

2008-09-29T02:24:17+00:00

The first ever F1 night race in the history of the sport held a lot of unknowns, throwing up a number of surprises including the first win for Fernando Alonso in more than a year. The Spaniard, who started as far back as 15th on the grid, managed to take advantage of the safety car following a crash by his teammate Nelson Piquet, as well as a major error made by the Ferrari pit crew, which held up Felipe Massa.

BMW 7-series ActiveHybrid pairs efficiency with performance

2008-09-23T04:56:03+00:00

The race to develop the best hybrid technology on the market is heating up as some of the world’s most respected luxury and performance carmakers get into the game - specifically, Germans like BMW and Mercedes. Today BMW announced the debut of its 7-series ActiveHybrid concept, the latest in a line of ActiveHybrid show cars, and one of the first expected to hit the streets.

Audi reveals full details for new supercharged S4

2008-09-23T01:49:59+00:00

It's been spied in numerous guises (200806191389/spy-shots/supercharged-v6-the-choice-for-audi-s-new-s4-sedan-and-avant-range.html), including sedan and Avant body styles, and though we've known what it would look like for some time, Audi has finally released full details for its all-new S4 range. For the latest generation of the performance breed, Audi has dropped the previous V8 engine in favor of a more fuel-efficient, forced-induction V6.

BMW adds dual-clutch transmission for 335i coupe and convertible

2008-09-18T23:27:07+00:00

While it may be a little late to the dual-clutch party, inBMW's situation this may be a case of better-late-then-never. Before the yearis out, BMW will be offering drivers of the 335i Coupé and 335i Convertible theoption of a new seven-speed double-clutch sports automatic transmission,replacing the previous optional 6-speed Steptronic gearbox. The six-speedmanual will remain as standard.

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid delivers high-tech image

2008-09-18T03:55:24+00:00

The long-awaited Mercedes S400 hybrid has finally been officially unveiled, and the results are somewhat surprising. While the S400 BlueHYBRID is still billed as the first series-production car to market with a purpose-built lithium-ion battery, it's not as impressive a hybrid system as may have been anticipated.

Mitsubishi reveals new up-market Lancer Aspire

2008-09-17T22:14:16+00:00

Mitsubishi has announced a 2009 model year update to its Lancer small car line-up, including the introduction of a new, range-topping 2.4-litre 'Aspire' sedan. Mitsubishi thinks that the Lancer Aspire will appeal to those who are downsizing from mid-size or large cars and are searching for a more economical daily driver that still has a little bite.

Saab 9X Air concept revealed in Detroit

2008-09-16T23:03:01+00:00

The Paris Motor Show is just a few weeks away, but General Motors yesterday surprised the world by revealing details about its upcoming Saab concept, expected to debut at the French show, at a media event in Detroit. The concept is the new 9X Air – a convertible version of the previous 9X BioHybrid concept vehicle from March’s Geneva Motor Show.