Renault Advice

This could be the future of car multimedia.Officially launched in May this year, Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of Apple CarPlay, a smartphone mirroring platform that’s enjoyed by millions of iPhone users every day.Yep, Android owners, this review isn’t for you – unless you’re considering making the switch to Apple’s iOS mobile software.It’s the Apple CarPlay many have come to know and love, but it takes control of all of your vehicle’s screens, as opposed to just its central display.It also assumes control of (nearly) all of your vehicle’s functions, including its climate, camera and radio controls, plus all other general settings.Point being, it’s a complete Apple takeover, which is good news if you’re a fan of its ecosystem.And let’s face it, many car brands’ default multimedia systems are underwhelming for a multitude of reasons, including bad user interfaces and limited functionality.Apple CarPlay and even its Android Auto competitor don’t suffer from those issues as they are literal mirrors of the user-friendly and highly capable smartphones that we love to use every day.Most users will say their primary reason for preferencing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto over their vehicle’s default multimedia system is access to their favourite satellite navigation platform, be it Apple Maps, Google Maps or a third party.Several car brands have either launched or are in the process of rolling out new default multimedia systems based on Android Automotive, which is a car-specific derivative of Android Auto with Google Maps and Google Play built in.Much like Apple CarPlay Ultra, Android Automotive takes over all of a vehicle’s screens and functions – and sometimes even still offers Apple CarPlay support – but it differs by being the default multimedia system.Apple CarPlay Ultra sets itself apart as it can be wirelessly streamed on demand to any vehicle that supports it.Apple CarPlay Ultra’s first problem is availability. The first model to support it was the highly attainable Aston Martin DBX707 large SUV. It’s priced from a lazy $462,500, plus on-road costs, for reference. And yes, I am being sarcastic.You would’ve thought that car brands beyond Aston Martin would’ve jumped at the opportunity to offer the latest smartphone mirroring platform, but they haven’t for several reasons.Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Renault, Rivian and Lincoln have either cancelled or said they have no plans to support Apple CarPlay Ultra, with some saying they are not impressed with its first version due to the level of control it gives to Apple.General Motors’ Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands are also unlikely to support Apple CarPlay Ultra in its new electric vehicles due to its controversial decision to not even support regular Apple CarPlay.That said, Hyundai, Kia, Porsche and Genesis, as well as Aston Martin, remain committed to adding support for Apple CarPlay Ultra in the 12 months from its launch, meaning they should start to release their versions by May 2026.Nissan, Honda, Land Rover, Jaguar, Infiniti and Acura also announced plans for Apple CarPlay Ultra support when it was previewed at Apple’s WWDC 2022 event, but it remains to be seen if they’ve changed like so many others have.Another sticking point for car brands is the implementation of Apple’s user interface and experience, which differs greatly from their own.However, Apple is open to working with car brands to put their own design spin on their version of Apple CarPlay Ultra, with Aston Martin being the first example.To work out what this actually means, I got the keys to a MY25 Aston Martin DBX707 to give it a red-hot go.First thing’s first, getting Apple CarPlay Ultra set up is a very similar process to that of regular Apple CarPlay, but you have to wait a little bit longer.Once you’re in, the central display has a very familiar look to it, but the home screen features three new apps: Climate, Radio and Vehicle.As mentioned, the Climate and Radio apps do exactly what you think they will and well.But it’s the Vehicle app that is the most interesting, as in the case of the DBX707, it features everything from Individual drive mode customisation to clock settings.That said, while the DBX707’s delightful Bowers & Wilkins sound system has its own setting menu, if you click on it, it will ironically boot you out to an inset version of the default multimedia system to make your adjustments. The same goes for its ambient lighting.Presumably this happens because Apple and the car brand (Aston Martin in this instance) haven’t configured some of these more bespoke settings.And for that reason Apple CarPlay Ultra doesn’t quite live up to the hype for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is very, very exciting for a tech nerd like myself, but it’s also very clearly a first version.When it inevitably becomes all encompassing with a future iOS update, it will be a true game changer due to its ease of use, particularly as drivers move from one car to another.But wait, there’s more! Apple CarPlay Ultra also takes control of the DBX707’s digital instrument cluster and it’s really where Aston Martin gets to flex its design muscle in conjunction with Apple.Different themes for the driver display are available, with the ‘traditional’ one featuring a speedometer and tachometer, which are split by an even more customisable section. It features either maps, current media, adaptive cruise control, the trip computer, tyre pressures or more.The colours and layouts are at the discretion of the car brand, with Aston Martin using its signature hues (think green) in the DBX707.The British marque also goes a step further with the aforementioned tachometer, which features very subtle ‘Handbuilt in Great Britain’ lettering in the top right corner.Another interesting thing about the Apple CarPlay Ultra experience is that every time you turn your vehicle’s ignition on, it automatically activates – but it takes a decent amount of time to do so, during which you get to experience the default multimedia system.It’s still very early days for Apple CarPlay Ultra, but the early signs are very promising. It offers iPhone users an interface that they’re familiar with and an experience that they’ll likely love.But Apple CarPlay Ultra’s success will mainly be dictated by the support of car brands, which need to play ball to roll it out. Also, it’s got a few more vehicle settings that it needs to fully integrate.But there’s no doubt that Apple CarPlay Ultra’s potential is very high.

Give the people what they want. It sounds simple enough, as long as you know what people are going to want before they want it.

The Australian arm of French brand Renault backs every one of its models with a capped-price servicing plan, which it calls Renault Capped Price Servicing.

To modern Australian families, the SUV is what a Commodore or a Falcon used to be - the sensible, obvious and most common choice of family vehicle.

1. Honda S2000By the time the second cam kicks in above 6000rpm, the raucous cacophony emanating from the stylish two-seat roadster on its way to the 9000rpm redline is blood-curdlingly euphoric. People always talk about car engine sounds as 'banshee wail' this and 'banshee wail' that. Short of a pre-hybrid era F1 car, to four-cylinder fans the S2000 is the mother of all banshees – and she’s a little angry the kids haven't cleaned their rooms and forgotten to flush the toilet again.Landing in Australia in 1999, it was a relatively affordable front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster that finally gave Mazda MX-5 owners something to think about. The S2000's naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine whacked out a colossal 176kW. Its six-speed manual transmission was one of life's simple pleasures to use, short in the throw and felt sublimely authoritative in slotting the titanium shifter through each gate. Fast-cornering grip levels were mostly under control, though the spirited rear-driver has power-oversteer written into its F1-derived DNA.Why drive it: It has the sophistication to tootle around town impressing the latte-sipping social elite while happy to unleash fiendish fury on a track when you make the call - if you dare. Driving the S2000 at 8/10ths is probably enough to blow your mind - anything more will require an honest appraisal of your own driving skill underwritten with a healthy dose of chutzpah.2. Renault Sport ClioYou’ll be heel-toeing instinctively thanks to 'quirkily perfect' footwell pedal placement. It's a true hot hatch, with the diminutive three-box body propelled by a 124kW 2.0-litre revvy engine driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. It's just an amazingly fun car to drive. So willing and flexible is its drivetrain that it eggs you on even further to push the lightweight Clio's superb handling and on-road dynamics. It’s perfect for hillclimbs or weekend car-club track work.Why drive it: It will be some of the best fun you could ever have with your clothes on, in a purely platonic car-driving kind of way. Are you still here? Just go get one already.  Au revoir…3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen EditionIt was WRX verses Evo day in, day out for rally fans over a decade ago with only five of the ultimate Rex – the Subaru WRX STI 22B - ever released in Australia (and thus Buckley's chance of ever getting a steer of one these days). So you’ve got a much better chance of finding one of the 100 official Ralliart-imported examples of its contemporary adversary: the Mitsubishi Lancer 'Evolution' VI Tommi Makinen edition, which started arriving here in 2001. You may also know it by its colloquial name of ‘Evo 6.5’, and its 100-strong official figure has increased significantly thanks to grey import channels. Stomp the go-loud pedal and you get a blissfully rude shove in the back through the Recaro race seats as the turbocharged and intercooled, twin-cam, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine hurtles the all-wheel-drive Evo into hyperspace almost instantly - or so it feels. That's what 373Nm from as low as 2750rpm and a claimed 0-100km/h of 4.6 seconds feels like, sling-shotting itself corner to corner as it snakes its way through rally stages.Why drive it: Even if you can’t drive like a rally driver you sure as heck would look the part with helmet on going through a fast-food drive-through. The rapid acceleration and sensation of speed even around town is not to be missed.  Buy one in red with the distinctive Makinen decal pack. The trainspotters will love it.4. Lotus Elise Mk2The swooping lines and curves of the lightweight 'waif-like' two-seat mid-engined roadster give it the looks to match its almost-supercar performance – thanks to its featherweight bonded aluminium chassis.The Series II Elise in 111S guise was the most powerful version of the last Rover K-Series engines, which were replaced by more reliable Toyota 1.8-litre VVTL-i units in 2004.The naturally aspirated Rover engine made 119kW and sent power to the rear wheels via a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox.  With its kerb mass of just 860kg, it had a power-to-weight ratio to 'drive' for. This helped it sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds and, combined with the agility of a cheetah, the Elise 111S is a true track car for the road.Why drive it: Everything about it is designed to connect the driver with the road. From the sports suspension to the hand-finished fibreglass body to the non-power-assisted brakes, it's a stripped-out and divinely raw driving experience. Plus it's got a removable roof, so that’s instant social media acceptability - regardless of your dress sense and questionable musical taste. 5. Mazda MX-5 ClubmanThe original MX-5 of 1989 didn't just win over hearts and minds with its pop-up-headlight happy face and cheeky looks. It was all about its exhilarating driving dynamics and handling. The front-engined MX-5 has 50/50 weight distribution and its nimble chassis is easily 'chuckable' on racetracks, happy to be coaxed into power-oversteer.Winding country roads and twisty bits are its forte, where the original 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine puts out a mere 86kW and is transferred to the rear wheels via a slick five-speed manual gearbox. It loves to rev all the way to the limiter and it's a pleasure to use the stick shift as each short throw snicks crisply into gear. Many say the track-focussed MX-5 Clubman of 1994 was the highlight of the first generation, with the later 98kW, 1.8-litre engine teamed with an exotic Torsen limited-slip differential and Bilstein suspension all around. No power steering though, so it will save you some gym time.Why drive it: Its neutral balance and superbly set-up handling simply needs to be experienced by driving aficionados and curious punters alike. Testimony to what a winning formula the MX-5 is, the fourth-generation was released only recently with all indications it too will be a collectable driver’s car for many years to come.When the Mk2 Golf replaced the gorgeous Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Mk1 of 1976, the bigger and heavier second-generation had a heck of a reputation to live up to. The 16v GTI was the halo car and its superb 113kW/tonne power-to weight ratio would only be matched three generations later by the Mk5 GTI, which arrived here in 2005. Unfortunately, Australia only got the 8v Mk2 GTI, so getting behind the wheel of a privately imported 16v is a rarity, making the modern Mk5 interpretation a more realistic proposition. One of the best handling hot hatches produced at the time, the front-drive 2.0-litre turbo Mk5 Golf GTI made the most of its 147kW, laying down the challenge to WRXs and Type-R Hondas. The best news these days is they can now be had for about the same coin as a basic city runabout.Why drive it: With the Mk3 and Mk4 GTIs losing the hot-hatch plot, the Mk5 was the long-awaited correction to the bloodline and one not to be missed.YOUR CALLThat’s just our top six budget driver’s cars, but other notable mentions include the E36 BMW M3, B5-Series Audi RS4, R32 Nissan Skyline ‘Godzilla’ GT-R, Honda Integra DC2 Type R and the BMW-era Mini John Cooper Works.

Is 2017 the year of the new car for your garage? It's pretty easy to work out what's available now, but here are the most exciting models that are yet to arrive in showrooms.

We spend weeks comparing new car performance and prices... then fall for a shiny one.

Such is the ferocity of our SUV obsession, the ubiquitous high-riders now demand an entire "most exciting cars of the new year" list of their very own.

Australians have always loved the idea of the ute, an iconic vehicle with outback cred, and indeed one that was invented here by a Ford engineer, but that didn't mean we actually bought them.

There’s a sprinkling of genuinely exciting metal that will be hitting our shores over the next 12 months.