Australia's Easy Reading New Car News Home | News | Road Tests NEWS INDEX:   December 2010 Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building Motorclassica 2010 Images: Road Rambling's Chris Goodsell Home > News Motorclassica returning in 2011 1st December, 2010 Motorclassica, the Australian International Concours d’Elegance and Classic Motor Show, will return to Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building next year, with the event scheduled for 21st to 23rd October, 2011 ..... more Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: more details 1st December, 2010 With its never seen before design and custom boutique style, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is unlike anything on the road – blending all of the things people enjoy in a cross-over with the open air enjoyment of a convertible ..... more McLaren for Australia 1st December, 2010 This positions McLaren's new high-performance sports car, the MP4-12C, for an Australian release in late 2011 ..... more Mercedes-Benz R-Class updated 2nd December, 2010 The interior of the new R-Class complements the fresh exterior, combining as it does the good use of space found in the latest SUV models with the comfort, high-class appeal and prestige of classic Mercedes-Benz luxury-class saloons ..... more Fast Charger for Mitsubishi 2nd December, 2010 The Fast Charger charges the i-MiEV’s Lithium-ion battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes and a 50 per cent charge is completed in under 12 minutes ..... more Hybrids for Audi 2nd December, 2010 Audi intends to bring two hybrid models to market in the near future. The first will be the Q5 Hybrid quattro during the first half of 2011, followed sometime later by the A6 Hybrid ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid 2nd December, 2010 Arriving in Kia dealer showrooms in the United States early next year, the 2011 Optima Hybrid is the brand’s first-ever hybrid for North America and uses a “full parallel hybrid system” to deliver a unique blend of performance ..... more Ford's black & whites say "cop that" 3rd December, 2010 Ford’s Taurus-based Police Interceptor all-wheel drive sedan, equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine, delivered an impressive zero-to-96 km/h (60 mph) time of 5.8 seconds and the fastest lap time – trumping all V8 competition from Chevrolet (Holden) and Dodge ..... more Nissan Ellure Concept 5th December, 2010 With lines that gain energy as they move through the exterior, an interior that is as engaging as it is inviting, and effortless technology embedded with intuitive intelligence, Ellure stands as Nissan’s latest expression of innovation for design ..... more Audi A1 released locally 5th December, 2010 The Audi A1 condenses all of the virtues of the German brand – a progressive design, uncompromising quality and groundbreaking efficiency – into a fresh new premium compact package. Its engine and the agile chassis make it one of the sportiest car in the segment ..... more Ferrari 458 Challenge 5th December, 2010 The Ferrari 458 Challenge, the race track version of Ferrari’s newest super car, is making its debut at the Bologna Motor Show (4th-12th December 2010), the unique motor sport and motoring event held just down the autostrada from Ferrari’s home in Maranello ..... more Mitsubishi’s Limited Edition Pajero RX 5th December, 2010 The RX model is based on the Pajero GLX with a host of safety, function and style-enhancing upgrades, showcasing the Pajero’s legendary performance in a sleek package ..... more LPG option for Holden Colorado 4x2 7th December, 2010 On sale across the country now, the Colorado 4x2 Single Cab Chassis and Crew Cab utility models (both LX and LT-R) are now available with Holden’s Australian-built, dual-fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine, designed to slash motorists’ fuel bills ..... more Volkswagen Caddy update released locally 7th December, 2010 With new TDI and TSI four-cylinder engines and gearbox variations and the potential for reduced running costs make the new Caddy one of the most innovative compact vans available ..... more Kia's all-new Picanto 7th December, 2010 It will compete in Europe's crowded "A" segment and, following recent Kia trends, the new model is designed to stand out from the crowd! ..... more Volvo S60 released locally 8th December, 2010 On the road, the S60 is the sportiest Volvo sedan yet made. "The ride is firmer and yet it is much better controlled. I would say comfort has actually been increased," says Egbert Bakker ..... more Steam Cars on the way to Australia 9th December, 2010 A couple of unique cars, visiting Australia at the time, will be participating in the rally. There will be the 1909 Stanley Steam car and the ex-Howard Hughes 1925 Doble Steam car ..... more Renault Megane coupe/cabrio released 9th December, 2010 The highly-sophisticated folding hardtop four-seater is sure to be a hit with sun-lovers around the country, with its new, more spacious interior, distinctive glazed black roof and light filled cabin ..... more Updated Lexus IS F released 12th December, 2010 Performance revisions extend to the IS F's suspension, where significant re-tuning work improves ride comfort and high-speed stability under all driving conditions ..... more Nissan GT-R resets 0-100 km/h time to 3 seconds 12th December, 2010 A 2011 Model Year Nissan GT-R has set a new acceleration benchmark, taking just a tiny fraction over three seconds to sprint from 0-100 km/h ..... more Ford expand Fiesta line-up 12th December, 2010 Ford's popular Fiesta is undergoing a variety of enhancements, giving it even more to boast about – including an expanded diesel power option, the introduction of sedan models and an all-new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission ..... more Mazda i-stop for local testing 13th December, 2010 The i-stop system reduces fuel consumption by automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle comes to a standstill, such as a drive-through restaurant, rail crossings, traffic lights and the like ..... more Hyundai expand ix35 line-up 13th December, 2010 Already available in the mid-trim ix35 Elite AWD model, the new 2.4-litre petrol Highlander expands the current line-up in the Hyundai 5-star ANCAP safety rated ix35 range. The rapid success of ix35 has seen it move to third best selling compact SUV in Australia in November ..... more Tom Walkinshaw Passes Away 13th December, 2010 Tom Walkinshaw made an incredible contribution to the landscape of Australian Motor Racing and automobile industry over many years and he will be sadly missed by many in the industry ..... more Mitsubishi's new "Global Small" car 13th December, 2010 The "global small" to be produced at the new factory will be a new vehicle based on a completely new platform currently being developed by MMC with "compact," "affordability," and "fuel efficiency" as the basic concepts for the vehicle ..... more New Renault Kangoo released 14th December, 2010 The new Renault Kangoo is priced from $25,990 drive away for either the punchy 1.6-litre petrol version matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, or the clean and efficient 1.5-litre turbo-diesel version fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox ..... more New Suzuki Swift: more details 14th December, 2010 The new Swift will be powered by an all-new 1.4-litre engine offering excellent performance and excellent economy ..... more First look at new Ford Territory 14th December, 2010 The new-look Ford Territory is set for release next year. It is just one part of Ford's unprecedented new-model onslaught planned for 2011 ..... more Audi A1 earns Five Stars from EuroNCAP 16th December, 2010 The Euro NCAP consortium tested the passive crash safety of the new Audi A1 and awarded it the top score of five stars ..... more Dual clutch auto for Alfa Romeo MiTo 16th December, 2010 Alfa Romeo’s small car, the MiTo, is now available in Australia with the all-new twin clutch gearbox that combines all the advantages of manual and automatic gearboxes and eliminates the disadvantages ..... more Ford Explorer for 2011 16th December, 2010 Earlier this month the 'reinvented' 2011 Ford Explorer began rolling off the production line at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, marking a new beginning for both the historic factory and the popular SUV ..... more Honda's new Civic 17th December, 2010 The styling direction of the next-generation Honda Civic will debut at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show in January ..... more Mini Paceman 19th December, 2010 Following the launch of the Mini Countryman and the forthcoming launches of the Mini Coupe and Roadster, the Paceman Concept shows once again not only the innovative spirit and adventure among its design team, but also the potential breadth of the Mini brand as it grows and develops ..... more Ford picks Lycra for fashion statement 20th December, 2010 Stretchy Lycra is not just the material of choice for cycling enthusiasts! It is the must-have material to help keep the prying eyes away from Ford Australia's new vehicles being developed by the company's prototype team ..... more New Nissan Pulsar 20th December, 2010 Ever since the introduction of the Nissan Tiida, local Nissan dealers have been calling for the return of the highly regarded "Pulsar" name. This car, the new Sunny, is likely to be it! ..... more New 1750 engine for Alfa Romeo 159 21st December, 2010 Replacing the 2.2 litre JTS power unit, the new 1750 TBi engine, with a capacity of 1,742 cc, is lighter, smaller and more compact ..... more Out the door: 1,000 AMGs this year in Australia 21st December, 2010 This morning Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific sold the 1,000th AMG vehicle for 2010 when the purchaser of the SLS “Blackbird”, the unique show car from the 2010 Sydney Motor Show, signed on the dotted line at a Sydney dealership ..... more Nissan X-TRAIL arrives in 2WD now 23rd December, 2010 Nissan is throwing down the gauntlet to rivals in the hotly-contested 2WD Compact SUV market, with an outstanding value proposition for customers with the launch of the X-TRAIL Series 4 ..... more Mercedes-Benz C-Class update for 2011 23rd December, 2010 The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class to be launched in the northern spring 2011 is a comprehensive modernisation. The front and rear sections of this best selling model have a more striking design. Together with the optional, high-resolution colour display in the instrument cluster, the new dashboard with its elegant, grained surface and prominent decorative trim emphasises the premium character of the interior ..... more Hyundai i40 for Europe 24th December, 2010 The all-new i40 will also become Hyundai’s most innovative model on sale in Europe, combining the four elements which have become core Hyundai values: practicality, performance, efficiency, and styling ..... more Preview: Kia KV7 Concept 24th December, 2010 For the past several years Kia Motors’ design-led transformation has been delivering production vehicles – such as the Soul, Cerato Koup and Sportage – that bear a very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them ..... more Jingle Bells ring at Next Car 24th December, 2010 All I want for Christmas ..... Next Car looks at what is popular and what matches the title of some popular Christmas Carols and songs. We pick four inspiring automotive winners from our interpretation of our reader's feedback and from our own perception of another great year of motoring. So what's ringing your bells? We pick a car that is a joy to the world, one for the faithful, one for a silent night and one for what I want for Christmas. Will one of these four cars be on your Christmas "wish list"? ..... more Toyota FJ Cruiser here in March 24th December, 2010 The Toyota FJ Cruiser, due for launch in March 2011, pays homage to the Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960s with an interior that is functional and flexible without resorting to gimmicks ..... more The new Audi A6 26th December, 2010 The new A6 will arrive at European dealerships in early 2011 and during H2 in Australia. The new executive sedan features solutions in many areas of technology ..... more Ssangyong Motor and Mahindra Sign Definitive Agreement 26th December, 2010 Ssangyong Motor Company Limited (SYMC) and India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) its preferred bidder, has announced the signing of a definitive agreement in Seoul. The agreement which was signed by Mr. Yooil Lee and Mr. Youngtae Park, Joint Receivers of SYMC and Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, M&M ..... more Hyundai Verna 27th December, 2010 The new Verna will be offered with a choice of two state-of-the-art Gamma petrol engines. The 1.4-litre model will deliver a peak power output of 78.7 kW and a maximum torque of 135.4 Nm, while the 1.6-litre model will produce 90.4 kW of peak power and maximum torque of 155 Nm ..... more Retromobile 2011 27th December, 2010 Retromobile is breaking new ground. The inclusion of motorcycles and the arrival in force of the "youngtimer" vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s, together with the diversity of items on show and the car/motorcycle automobilia auction will generate even more interest and will secure Retromobile’s reputation as the leading international exhibition in its field ..... more Mercedes-Benz Museum: success in 2010 28th December, 2010 With 2010 drawing to a close, the Mercedes-Benz Museum has announced 650,000 visitors came through their doors this year. Since its inauguration in May 2006, well over 3.4 million people have experienced 125 years of the automobile in the Mercedes-Benz Museum ..... more Ford: more than just cars 28th December, 2010 While perfecting the Model T, one of the difficulties Henry Ford faced was procuring components of consistent quality. His solution was to control the entire manufacturing process from raw materials to final assembly ..... more Chrysler 300 for 2011 28th December, 2010 With its rear-wheel drive configuration and sculptured bodyside, the new 2011 Chrysler 300 delivers the distinction, innovation and large sedan features at a legendary value, while setting a new course for the American brand ..... more New BMW X3 here in March 30th December, 2010 Two engine variants will be available in Australia from launch in March 2011. The entry-level price point for the new, second generation BMW X3 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) will remain $62,200* for the BMW X3 xDrive20d ..... more First new MG in 15 years is close 31st December, 2010 The MG 6 is the first all-new MG for the UK market in 15 years and will lead the way to a whole new range of MG models in the coming years from MG Motor UK in Birmingham ..... more Top of page Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more January 2011 News ..... here November 2010 News ..... here October 2010 News ..... here About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2010   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. Ltd.