Articles by Iain Kelly

Bugatti's Chiron hypercar had a tough job from the outset as the French manufacturer's successor to the game-changing Veyron 16.4. First seen at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show the 1103kW quad-turbo W16-powered Chrion looks like an updated Veyron but is actually a new car.

Ford’s Le Mans-conquering GT40 has to be the Blue Oval’s brightest light, standing out in a galaxy of high-performance stars they’ve given the world since the 1950s.

Originally intended as the entry point to Bentley ownership, the Continental GT coupe launched in 2003 and signalled the first model built under the direction of Bentley's owner Volkswagen. A second-generation Continental launched in 2011 and ran through to 2017.

Discontinued in 2016, the Mazda Premacy was also known outside its Japanese home market as the Mazda5.

While the HiLux and 70-series Land Cruiser have stamped Toyota’s authority on the ute market in Australia, there is an even bigger workhorse in their American line-up. Since 2000 the Tundra has competed in the full-size pick-up market in the USA against traditional trucks like Ford’s F150, Dodge’s Ram and Chevrolet’s Silverado.The current XK50-generation Tundra dates back to 2007, though there was a significant model update for the 2014 model year. The engines have carried over since a 2010 model update, with a 201kW 4.0-litre V6, a 231kW 4.6-litre V8, and a 284kW 5.7-litre V8.The 2014-on Tundra is available in several body styles, including a two-door “regular cab”, four-door dual cab, and the long-wheelbase four-door Crewmax. Toyota sells the pick-up in varying trim levels, ascending from SR, through SR5, Limited, and Platinum, topping out with the 1794. In 2015 Toyota added the performance Tundra TRD Pro.In the USA the base SR model lists at US$31,250, while the luxury 1794 starts at US$47,480 before options or delivery costs, and the performance Tundra TRD Pro begins at US$49,745.There are several companies who sell Tundras in Australia, including Performax International and American Vehicle Specialists. As part of selling these trucks they have to be converted to right-hand drive and go through a compliance approval process for use on our roads, which includes ensuring tyres and seat belts comply with Australian Design Rules.This process involves complex engineering and isn’t cheap, so right-hand drive Tundras with delivery kilometres often cost between $110,000 and $150,000 on the second-hand market, depending on the trim level, options, and mileage.Toyota Australia was quoted in the media at the end of 2018 admitting they have been investigating the option of selling Tundras in Australia to bolster the hugely popular HiLux ute. As the Tundra is only built in America in left-hand-drive layout that means Toyota wouldn’t be likely to be able to sell right-hand-drive Tundras in Australia until at least 2021, when the next-generation Tundra model is expected to go on-sale.

Lamborghini’s Centenario LP770-4 was launched as a two-door coupe at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birth. Only 40 were built, all based off the production Aventador SV which meant it uses a carbon-fibre monocoque and race-style in-board suspension.The Centenario was designed as a running, driving way to display Lamborghini’s advanced new aerodynamics. On top of a dual-level front splitter the Centenario uses a gigantic jutting diffuser, and an electronically controlled dual-plane rear wing. All up it generates 227kg of downforce at 280km/hSeveral months after the coupe was unveiled it was joined by a Roadster variant, shown off at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and weighing some 50kg heavier. Both were powered by a tuned-up 566kW variant of the Aventador’s 6.5-litre V12, with a scintillating 350km/h top speed.Lamborghini listed the 20 Centenario coupes at US$1,900,000, or nearly three-times the cost of the regular Aventador, while all 20 Roadsters were snapped up quickly at US$2,230,000. Given the limited number sold prices have risen since, with several coupes listed for sale at US$2,800,000 each and one Roadster rumoured to have sold for US$5,700,000!With all 40 Centenarios built in left-hand drive they aren’t currently legal to be driven on Australian roads. With the import laws set to change in the coming years this could change and we might see one of the rarest and fastest Lamborghini road cars Down Under soon. 

Celebrating your 40th birthday normally involves a big party and some dodgy dancing, but Ferrari did things differently when it came time to celebrate four-decades of the prancing horse.

Launched in 2002, the Ferrari Enzo was named for the company’s famous founder and was brimming with Formula One race-inspired technology.

Arguably the cult hero of the American automotive industry, Dodge’s retro-inspired third-generation Challenger muscle car was a huge hit when it hit US showrooms in April 2008.

First seen at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the Toyota FT-1 set the Internet ablaze with conjecture that Toyota were looking to bring back the Supra hero car.