Articles by John Carey

John Carey reviews the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in Germany.

"We don't want people to leave our brand to buy an X6," says Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific spokesman Jerry Stamoulis.Stuttgart's tardy reply to the ungainly X6 will reach Australia in September.The all-wheel-drive GLE Coupe matches Munich's big pseudo-coupe SUV both in the awkward styling and high prices.BMW launched the X6, a swoopy-roofed, low-tailed version of its popular X5 wagon SUV eight years ago. Despite a more cramped rear seat and much-reduced cargo capacity, the X6 appealed to the kind of buyer who cares much more about image than usefulness.Mercedes-Benz was considering a similar vehicle even before the BMW went into production, according to Wolf-Dieter Kurz, a senior executive in the company's SUV and sports car product group. Instead Mercedes-Benz decided to invest in development of an entire new line-up of smaller cars, including the A-Class hatch, CLA sedan and GLA small SUV.Inside Mercedes-Benz, 2015 is dubbed "Year of the SUV". The company is launching a bunch of important new SUVs, including the GLE Coupe and the closely related GLE wagon, an update of the long-running M-Class.Inside Mercedes-Benz, 2015 is dubbed "Year of the SUV"The Australian GLE Coupe line-up will closely follow BMW's formula for success. There will be turbo 3.0-litre diesel and petrol engines, labelled 350 d and 450.Topping the range will be the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, with a super-powerful, hand-built 430kW 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 from the performance division.Least expensive will be the 190kW 350 d at $121,900, the 270kW 450 will be $141,900 and the sticker on the roaring 63 S will be $198,900. These prices are broadly similar to those charged by BMW.

Audi's squeaky-clean A7 Sportback h-tron quattro is a shade of green so far unseen.

The solution to a problem that causes embarrassment in caravan parks across the nation has been invented, but we can't have it.

John Carey road tests and reviews the 2015 Audi Q7 at its international launch.

John Carey reviews the Porsche 911 GT3 RS at the Bilster Berg race track in Germany.

John Carey road tests and reviews the all-new Jaguar XE, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in Spain.

John Carey reviews the Skoda Fabia wagon at its international launch.

John Carey road tests and reviews the new Skoda Superb at its international launch.

John Carey reviews the Volkswagen Golf R Wagon at its international launch in Spain.