Welcome Back! We Value Your Readership, and Your Comments.
Image

This Mazda BT-50 review and road test leaves no stone unturned. Everything from performance to price is unpacked…

New Mazda BT-50: road test
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/new_mazda_bt_50_road_test?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

Like it or loathe it, the new Mazda BT-50 ute is here to do business offering tradie and “lifestyle” punters a choice of body styles, three equipment grades, two turbodiesel engines and two transmissions.

The prices for the Thai-made truck range from $32,590 for the XT Freestyle cab-chassis 4×2 manual up to, gulp, $52,710 for the dual cab GT auto. Cheaper single cab-chassis arrives further down the track. Most current BT-50 sales were in base spec’ single cab-chassis to tradies but Mazda wants a larger slice of the lifestyle pie this time putting greater focus on dual cab 4×4.

A new one tonner is a rarity, they only go through generational change once in a blue moon. The new BT-50 marks a decided shift in styling direction away from a utilitarian and boxy workhorse look to a more rounded wedge shape. It’s big (200mm longer than before) and bold and polarising especially around the rear with almond shaped tail lights that leave nobody in doubt it’s a BT-50.

Have you driven, seen, or do you own the new Mazda BT-50? Feel free to share your thoughts below…

 
Image

The new Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Premium review covers everything from how the car performs, to safety and price range…

Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Premium: review

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/hyundai_elantra_1.8_premium_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

WHAT’S IT GO LIKE?

Not bad. The auto must be adaptive because it gets better with each outing. The suspension has been tuned for Australian conditions which is always a big plus. Testing was undertaken in Australia for the optimum suspension combination, together with revised mapping of the control unit on the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS).

SAFETY

Gets a full 5 stars for safety with six airbgs. The sophisticated Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) integrates all of the safety systems in the car. The object is to help maintain vehicle control by applying variable input to steering weight. This helps prevents the over-correction by the driver in an emergency situation by making the wheel harder to turn.

GOODIES

About the only thing missing which you can’t get as an accessory is satellite navigation, but they are so cheap these days who cares. Premium model comes with leather, two zone climate air, Bluetooth for mobiles and audio streaming, full iPod connectivity with two 12 volt outlets and the front seats are even heated - how good’s that?

HYUNDAI ELANTRA

Price: $20,590 – $28,990
Warranty: 5-years/unlimited km
Resale: n/a
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP
Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 110kW/178Nm
Body: 4-door sedan 
Weight: 1289kg
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front drive
Wheels/tyres: 17” alloy wheels, full-size spare
Thirst: 7.1L/100km, 91 RON, CO2 169g/km.

Have you seen, driven or do you own the new Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Premium? What are your thoughts? Share below…

 
Image

The new Toyota HiLux SR5 V6 – a comprehensive review…

Toyota HiLux SR5 V6 auto: review
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/toyota_hilux_sr5_v6_auto_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

Toyota has tweaked the HiLux prices to fend off growing competition – particularly from the Volkswagen Amarok and just-arrived Ford Ranger. But even with that, our test vehicle in SR5 top-spec level still comes in at $53,490, which is a bit of a wallop even for something that is supposedly going to outlive you. Perhaps you can convince the kids it’ll be part of their inheritance.

But at that price the workhorse gets some show pony features, like the 6-in touchscreen satnav – with traffic jam and school zone alerts – that incorporates audio, USB jack, Bluetooth phone and voice command. The list includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote controls for phone and audio, automatic headlights, dark-tinted glass and climate-control aircon.

 
Image

The new Mazda 3 Skyactiv is Mazda’s new fuel saving, low emissions champion…

New Mazda3 Skyactiv: review

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/new_mazda3_skyactiv_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

In case you’ve been hibernating, there’s a wave of fuel saving and emissions reduction technology coming through in new cars. We’re talkin’ petrol/electric hybrids, BlueEfficiency, E85 fuel, cylinder shut down, diesel/electric hybrids, plug-in electrics, small capacity forced-induction petrol engines and a bit further down the track, hydrogen fuel cell power.

But here and now, Mazda has come up with an alternative to all this by optimising existing technology. It’s called Skyactiv and is an elegant solution to a vexing problem. Available in the new Mazda3 SP20 Skyactiv from as little as $27,990 you tap right into low fuel consumption and emissions without anything radical under the bonnet.

What are your thoughts on the New Mazda 3 Skyactiv?

 
Image

The Holden Cruze Hatch is here with 3 engines to choose from…
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/551648C26DD56AA2CA25794300014D8E

AUSTRALIA’S only locally made small car is now available as a hatch. Holden started making the Cruze sedan at its Adelaide plant in March and the five-door hatch has now joined it on the production line.

What are your thoughts on the Holden Cruze Hatch?

© 2011 New Car Shopper - Australian New Car Reviews and Discount New Cars. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use and Disclaimer | Contact Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha