The Chrysler 300C SRT8 is back. This review leaves know stone unturned. The mean street look of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 has been tamed down slightly, but the performance stats are very impressive.

Chrysler 300C SRT8 Review
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/chrysler_300c_srt8_first_drive_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

The American idol is on the way back, with all the gangsta attitude that made it a hit more than two years ago. The Chrysler 300C SRT8 has had a major makeover that goes right down to the road and all the way up to a thumping new 6.4-litre V8 engine. The number run includes 351 kiloWatts and 637 Newton-metres of torque, as well as a 0-100km/h sprint time in 4.7 seconds.

The mean-streets look has been tamed a little, and there is a lot more to like in the cabin, but it’s still an old-school muscle car that means the SRT8 tag – it stands for Street, Road, Track – has lost none of its impact. A two-day preview drive in Las Vegas is the ideal start to the new SRT8 experience, running down the glitter strip and out into the desert alongside the Grand Cherokee that’s already had a tick from Carsguide ahead of its Australian return.

(via Instapaper)

Share your thoughts on the new Chrysler 300C SRT8 and this review below…

This new Skoda Scout review covers all aspects of this new, classy SUV. From performance to price…

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

Think Forester before it morphed into just another high riding SUV and you’ve got the Skoda Scout. That’s not doing the Scout an injustice because as a small wagon with some off road ability it is a very practical and appealing vehicle.

Skoda (VW’s Czech subsidiary) has just added to this appeal with the addition of a ‘manumatic’ robotised manual gearbox that promises swift gear changes and frugal fuel consumption.

There’s just two models — the Scout and better equipped Scout Premium — and they’re both powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine. It’s Volkswagen’s 103kW/320Nm direct injection diesel and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or the aforementioned six-speed DSG transmission. It’s the same engine that can be found in the Golf and other models in the Volkswagen range.

Priced from $39,490 the attraction in the case of a Skoda is the opportunity to purchase Volkswagen technology but at a greatly reduced price. The downside, if you can call it that, is Skoda’s low resale values but this will improve as time goes on.

What are your thoughts on the new Skoda Scout? Share below…

This VW Passat 118TSI Wagon review covers all aspects of this stand out turbo diesel performer with a fine tooth comb…

New VW Passat 118TSI wagon: review
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/new_vw_passat_118tsi_wagon_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

They’ve sold 15 million of them and the new one is better than ever – safer, more fuel efficient, better looking, affordable. We got hold of the base model 1.8-litre TSi Passat wagon.

It’s a turbo petrol powered model and frankly, due to impressive fuel economy (7.5-litres/100km, low 6s on a trip) and strong roll on acceleration, we initially thought it might have been one of VW’s new, smooth running, quiet turbodiesels.

It throws a cat among the pigeons for us turbodiesel die-hards who relish the oil burner’s punchy low end torque and infrequent visits to the servo’.

What are your thoughts on the new VW Passat 118TSI Wagon? Share below…

The new Audi TTS is certainly a head turner. Oozing Audi panache for the price of a Holden Calais…

Audi TTS: review
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/audi_tts_review1?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

TRUST me – it doesn’t matter how bad you look in the morning, you’d look sensational in this. This is Max Factor to the max, Revlon at full revs and Rimmel, er, that is guaranteed to swing heads. And probably hips.

The other good thing about the Audi TT – as if you needed another reason – is that it fits your body perfectly without incurring the monstrous cost of some of the more exotic sports cars. Yet it looks exactly like something from the planet Exotica.

VALUE

Just because it will change your sex life, don’t expect it to come cheap. Yes, it’s less expensive than some hot numbers from  Italy and Germany, but at $98,900 it will still make your bank manager cough. Audi makes a staggering eight distinct TT models priced from $65,450 to the stove-hot $139,900 TT RS so you can still get the look from the price of a Holden Calais. The TT S adds more mumbo and more panache – from the two-tone stitched leather seats to the premium sound system and the more powerful engine.

What are your thoughts on the new Audi TTS?

The new Volvo S60 T4 reviewed in detail. Smaller engine, reduced emissions, better performance…

Volvo S60 T4: review
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/volvo_s60_t4_review?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carreviewsroadtests

It’s Volvo’s stated aim to reduce the capacity of its engines to cut fuel use and emissions while at the same time improve performance. Seems like a contradiction in terms but is the way of the world and after our experience with the new Volvo S60 T4 1.6, yes a 1.6-litre medium luxury sedan, all looks pretty rosy for Volvo.

The new Volvo S6 T4; what are your thoughts?

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…

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…

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.

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?

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?