Articles by James Cleary

More Kia hybrids on the way!

We’ve known it’s been coming for some time but now the pure-electric Suzuki e Vitara small SUV has been detailed ahead of its launch in what is effectively its home market of India.Produced (for domestic and export consumption) at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant in north-western India, the e Vitara rides on the brand’s ‘HEARTECT-e’ platform and features a choice of two - 49kWh and 61kWh - lithium ion battery packs, the latter delivering a claimed range of 500km.A single electric motor in the nose produces 107kW/193Nm or 129kW/193Nm in line with battery size, with front-wheel drive for the Indian market. A dual-motor all-wheel drive version will also be produced for export, raising outputs to 137kW/300Nm. Multiple drive modes include ‘Eco’, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Regen’, with ‘Trail’ on the AWD.External dimensions for the five-seater are 4275mm (long), 1800mm (wide) and 1635mm (tall) with a healthy 2700mm wheelbase.Aero efficiency is obviously a key focus, the car featuring a ‘Smart Grille’ with adaptive shutters, 18-inch aero alloy wheels, a full underbody cover and a rear roof spoiler. The interior is dominated by a 10.1-inch central media display with multiple customisable screens, as well as a 10.25 digital instrument/information display for the driver. A broad, floating console includes wireless device charging.Standard equipment in India is impressive, including a fixed glass sunroof, multi-colour ambient lighting, Infinity (by Harman) audio, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and ventilated front seats. ADAS Level 2 safety includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, adaptive high beam, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, ‘Active Cornering Control’, a 360-degree camera view, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and more. Passive safety includes seven airbags - front, front side, side curtain and driver’s knee as well as multi-collision brake to help prevent additional impacts after an initial collision.Suzuki Australia is yet to confirm if or when the e Vitara will hit our shores, although it is worth noting that the brand’s local division has been evaluating rival EV offerings like the Kia Niro and BYD Atto 3 at its Altona facility in Victoria over the last 18 months.

Big family equals big car, and if you're in the market for a seven-seat SUV, there are plenty to choose from including segment leaders like the Ford Everest and Toyota LandCruiser Prado. But a relatively low-profile contender, the Skoda Kodiaq, has just been refreshed in a new-generation version and wants a bigger piece of the action. Join us for an Australian first drive.

Smart Automobile, now a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and China's Geely, has launched a new Brabus performance version of its upcoming #5 mid-size EV SUV.

It’s shiny, glamorous and exotic with the signature prancing horse badge proudly attached to its nose. But is this pre-owned Ferrari as good as it should be, or do unseen gremlins and a patchy ownership history make it less of an automotive dream and more a potential nightmare?Enter Ferrari Approved, as the name implies, an official certification program designed to ensure the car you’re looking to buy is in pristine, factory-fresh condition, aligned with its original specification and mechanically flawless.To achieve that, the factory has developed an extensive set of technical inspection and verification protocols supported by global Ferrari Academy training for technicians and streamlining of vehicle data research channels.Applied to vehicles from zero to 16 years old, a Ferrari Approved inspection consists of 201 checks covering everything from powertrain and electrical systems to the bodywork and interior.Any defects are rectified using original Ferrari parts “to ensure that the car fully complies with Maranello's extremely strict safety, performance and reliability standards”.As well as those checks, the car’s provenance is authenticated via the brand’s global dealer sales and service network data, before final exterior and interior preparation and a “test-drive by a professional driver”.And in the interests of transparency a list of the checks and repairs carried out is placed in the glove box.According to Ferrari, around 60 per cent of its cars from zero-30 years old are serviced within the brand’s authorised network, so the data set for research is solid. And even if a proposed vehicle has been serviced once, or even more times, outside the official network it can still be considered.Cars subsequently offered for sale are covered by a factory warranty and roadside assistance for up to 24 months (unlimited km). You’ll also receive a two-year subscription to Ferrari Magazine.Interesting to note the La Ferrari hybrid hypercar from 2013 is eligible for Ferrari Approved and even its hybrid battery will be replaceable with a smaller, more modern and energy-efficient unit, however its casing will be weighted to maintain the car’s original homologation.The Head of Ferrari Approved, Andrea Scioletti says more than 90 per cent of the more than 300,000 Ferraris ever produced are still on the road. He believes “a Ferrari is forever” and notes other factory programs designed to keep that impressive ratio intact include Ferrari Premium for vehicles 10 to 20 years old and Ferrari Classiche, the latter typically involving restoration and verification of high-end cars beyond two decades old.

If you don't love this ute, you can give it back - but there's a catch.

Skoda has a big new-model year ahead of it and this Skoda Octavia RS is one of the first arrivals. It combines medium sedan/wagon dynamics with sporty performance, brilliant practicality and top-shelf safety. We find out if it's a better bet than the ubiquitous mid-size SUV.

MG continues to firm up its position as a mainstream player in the Aussie new-car market. The ZS small five-seat SUV has proved a hit with local buyers and a more urgent Essence Turbo variant has been added to the line-up. James Cleary spent time with it to determine if it should be on your new car short list.

Chinese automotive giant BYD has confirmed right-hand drive production of its city-sized Seagull EV for sale in the UK this year, opening up the possibility of the budget-focused five-door coming to Australia.

It may be faster and more powerful than the ‘Hemi’ V8-powered model it replaces but the big question is whether the in-line six-cylinder MY25 Ram 1500 maintains its well-established ‘tough truck' aura with two fewer cylinders under the bonnet.