Articles by Chris Riley

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Lexus RC200t with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Peugeot reckons it has trimmed the starting price for its new 308 GTi but the French hot hatch will still cost more than a Volkswagen GTI when it arrives early next year.Local executives originally said the GTi would cost between $45,000 and $55,000 but after discussions with head office at the recent international launch of the car, the price has been pruned to sneak in below the lowest estimate at $44,990 for the GTi 250 and $49,990 for the more powerful version.That still slots the Pug in above a host of impressive hot hatches.The Golf GTI starts from $40,990, the Ford Focus ST $38,990, the Holden Astra VXR $39,990 and the Renault Megane 265 $43,990.But despite the price, Peugeot is already holding orders, even before the books officially open at the start of December.The 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport comes in two states of tune — the GTi 250 with 184kW and the GTi 270 with 200kW — but torque is the same, 330Nm.Peugeot shares the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo with BMW and Mini. It is a development of the powerplant in the RCZ sports car.The not-so-good news is that, in common with the 208 GTi before it, the front-wheel drive 308 GTi comes as a six-speed manual only, a prospect that won't thrill city dwellers.But Peugeot-Citroen buyers lean to manuals, with 15 to 22 per cent of buyers favouring a manual over the past two years."It's a performance hatch and given this badge we are hopeful it will resonate here," a spokesman says.Peugeot expects the GTi 270 to account for 60 per cent of sales.The 308 GTi develops more power and is quicker out of the gates than the Golf, with 0-100km/h taking just 6.0 seconds in the 270. The VW takes 6.5 seconds (or 6.4 seconds in the Performance model) but has a dual clutch auto.Peugeot national marketing manager Dimitri Andreatidis says the 308 GTi brings an iconic badge back to a legendary segment. "The 308 GTi signals more than the relaunch of Peugeot performance product and it signifies the growing importance of Australia for Peugeot, with the vehicle available in limited countries," he says."We are excited about the return of the GTi badge to the hot hatch segment and believe it will resonate with Australians and their appetite for sports and performance product, offering fun, efficient, enjoyable, comfortable and a thoroughly engaging drive experience."

Mini-SUVs are the new must-have fashion accessory. Chris Riley splits two pint-sized prospects.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

In the beginning, cars stood tall. The same high driving position draws people to SUVs. That, says Chris Riley, and versatility.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Jaguar XF with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in Spain.

The rush to get one of Land Rover's last Defenders has reached frenzied proportions as the company prepares to bring down the curtain on one of the great chapters in automotive history.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the 2015 Audi Q7 SUV with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.