Articles by Paul Gover

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2015 Toyota HiLux SR5 dual-cab 4WD with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

There are more than 300 individual nameplates in Australia today. From Abarth to Volvo, the badges sit on vehicles from 46 brands building electric cars, tiny runabouts, hulking SUVs and utes.The gold rush is not over by a long shot, with Chinese brands starting to get very serious about Australia and certain to push the number nearer to 50 in 2016.LDV has arrived via importer Ateco Automotive with a people-mover and delivery van. Haval is making big promises for BMW-style SUVs next year. A brand with British history but Chinese owners will have three new models next year: the MG 3, MG 6 and MG CS.Some brands have been in Australia, often for a long time, and are looking for a fresh start.Fiat is planning a renewed push, starting with the just-landed, family-focused 500X. Next year, it will have the 124 Spider, which it has cloned from the new Mazda MX-5. Having failed in recent years with the Panda and Punto, Fiat believes it can create some excitement with a new generation of cars."The last thing the Australian market needs is another nameplate or brand. I cannot turn up and pretend you need me," says Fiat chief marketing officer Olivier Francois.He is behind some creative work for Fiat Chrysler that features superstars including Pharrell Williams, J-Lo, Eminem and even Clint Eastwood, who starred in a Superbowl commercial.For Australia, he is banking on Fiat's Italian heritage and design, combined with better pricing and quality from Fiat Chrysler — an operation that is starting to get traction here.He is pushing — like the Chinese brands — a change in perception and says: "Think Fiat only builds small cars? Wrong."

Australian motorsport is set for a massive shake-up as BMW leads a new push into GT sports car racing in 2016.

My pick for COTY king this year is the Mercedes-Benz GLC.But it's not the COTY car or contest you might be thinking, since this is all about Bluetooth.We have 11 of the best cars of 2015 assembled for this year's COTY shootout and that makes it an ideal time and place to take a closer look at Bluetooth.The phone link has become a very big deal this year, with more and more driver distractions contributing to crashes and, in NSW, prompting the extension of double-demerit penalties.Now car testing also covers the vital Bluetooth connectivityEven the car companies are split, internally and externally, as some engineers push for more and more connectivity and others say the connected car is disconnecting people from driving and safety.Car testing has always been about comfort and safety and performance and economy — with value at the very top — but now it also covers app-friendly infotainment and the vital Bluetooth connectivity.Hyundai makes some excellent cars but its Bluetooth is patchy, at best, even on the latest Tucson. If you were choosing a phone-friendly car then a Hyundai would slip well down the list.So at COTY, with help from techno king Craig Duff, I go searching for my Bluetooth champion.The Mazda CX-3 is all right but booms in the cabin, the BMW X1 and the Commodore are workmanlike, the Jaguar XE is not great.I'm expecting a lot from the Sync system in the Ford Ranger and it's good, but difficult to connect. And so it goes. Until I jump into the Benz.The phone pairs instantly, delivers excellent clarity at both ends — I've been calling the same person to check — and the call display is good and clear. For me, it wins.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Fiat 500X with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Kia's family seven-seater stands out, setting a precedent in a singular field.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Chrysler 300 SRT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The two best seats in the house for the 2016 performance of the Bathurst 1000 have been filled.

Superstar driver salaries as high as $1 million a year have triggered talk of a salary cap in V8 Supercars racing.

The Ford teams in V8 Supercars racing are hoping a lifeline from the USA will keep them tied to the blue oval brand after the end of the Falcon.