Articles by Robbie Wallis

Kia recently pulled the covers off a pre-production version of its Telluride SUV at the New York Fashion Week, however the brand's local arm still has no plans to bring the eight-seater Down Under.

BMW has uncovered the plug-in hybrid version of its fourth-generation X5 large SUV, with it featuring increased outputs and improved battery-only driving range, ahead of a global release next year.

Hyundai Motor Company (HMCA) hopes that its facelifted Tucson medium SUV can appeal to a wider range of customers, having lowered its base pricetag by way of the new entry-level Go variant.On the other end of the spectrum, the top-spec Highlander has been treated to a higher level of specification, pushing further towards the premium side of the market.Buying into the 2018 Tucson range is now $440 less expensive than before with the new Go variant from $28,150 before on-roads, while the range-topping $48,800 Highlander diesel is $1350 dearer than the outgoing flagship.The new Tucson line-up was designed to cover more bases, with HMCA senior product planning manager Andrew Tuitahi suggesting it will now be attractive to a more diverse group of buyers."I think what you see with Tucson is us actually stretching it a little bit, so sure the Highlander increased in price, it got a whole bunch of spec and features which we think represents good value but we've also got a cheaper entry car than we had before,"said he said."So for Tucson it's not so much about positioning the car as a premium alternative or anything like that, it was really just about stretching and making it available to more people."The new Go grade is also offered in the i30 small hatch, and will soon be introduced to the Kona small SUV.For Tucson, the Go variant is available in front-drive petrol or all-wheel drive diesel forms and includes 7.0-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, automatic headlights, 17-inch steel wheels, cruise control and roof rails.As for the new Highlander, Hyundai has added a heated steering wheel and wireless phone charging to justify the price rise.According to Mr Tuitahi, the Tucson Go replaces the Active due to feedback from Hyundai's dealer and customer network."Active is our traditional entry model, and customers and dealers have an expectation of what the specification, features will be on that trim level across the different models and our range, and we were getting feedback that we would need to achieve or hit a lower price point to maximise the income in customers in that price band,"he said."So having that cheaper entry price to the medium-SUV segment will help us capitalise on customers that are already shopping in there, and also some customers that are possibly willing to step up from a smaller car, but at a cheaper price to make sure they can get more metal for their money."The Active X, which sits just above the Go in the Tucson line-up, is expected to be the most popular with its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and all-wheel drive combination.In speaking about the possibility of a seven-seat variant, Mr Tuitahi said that if it were to happen, it would likely be in the next-generation model."In the current generation, no,"he said. "Looking to the future, we're seeing a little bit of a transition in the segment to some competitors offering a seven-seat option – Tiguan, CR-V. So in the future we'll have to consider it, look at what customer feedback is and how they use the seats, the value of having seven seats in a car that size – we'll look at it."Check out all Year Make Model price and spec info here.

Fans of the Chevrolet Camaro will be pleased at the sight of a truck-load of brand-new muscle cars being shipped into Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s right-hand drive conversion facility.

To sit atop the XC90 large SUV range, Volvo Car Australia will release a new high-spec T8 Excellence four-seater that favours second-row passenger luxury.The Swedish high-rider will check in at $174,200 plus on-road costs, which is $49,300 more than the previous range-topping T8 R-Design, making it the most expensive Volvo model yet be sold in Australia.According to Volvo Car Australia director of corporate and PR Greg Bosnich, the addition of the new top-spec XC90 variant is more about promoting the pinnacle of its product portfolio, rather than to gain extra sales volume.The T8 Excellence is based on the Inscription grade XC90, and adds an array of features aimed towards chauffeur-driven rear-seat passengers including two electrically adjustable individual rear seats.Those seats are upholstered in high-quality perforated nappa leather and are equipped with heating, ventilation and massage functions.Furthermore, the second row features unique headrests, increased legroom, foot rests, extra noise insulation, folding tray tables, heated and cooled cupholders and the ability to adjust the front passenger seat from the rear.Separating the two rear seats is a tunnel console that houses two handcrafted Orrefors crystal drinking glasses and an accompanying refrigerator.Technology-wise, the rear passengers can access the car's climate control and entertainment features via  a touchscreen on the centre console, and also gain two USB connections, a 12-volt port and a 230/110-volt power outlet.Other distinguishing features to the T8 Excellence include leather sun visors and grab handles, an ionic air cleaner, and an extra mid-range speaker.Externally, the range-topping XC90 gains chrome B- and C-pillars, unique logos and 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-noise tyres.Mechanically, the car remains the same as its T8 Inscription donor, sporting a plug-in hybrid system that uses a turbo-petrol four-cylinder with an electric motor and a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery for a total output of 294kW/640Nm.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has announced a model-year update for its Outlander medium SUV that ushers in light visual tweaks, pricing increases, small changes to specification and revisions to steering and suspension.All variants have gone up by $300, the range kicking off from $29,290 plus on-road costs for the front-drive ES manual, and topping out at $45,790 for the diesel-powered seven-seat Exceed.Notably absent from the update are the PHEV plug-in hybrid variants, for which MMAL says the updated version is not available in our market for the time being. The carmaker is still advertising outgoing examples of the PHEV on its consumer website.The Outlander gains a modest visual update, with a new-look twin-blade grille with black mesh inserts and silver garnish, updated front and rear bumper design with revised foglight surround and fresh 18-inch alloy wheels.Higher-spec LS and Exceed variants also score a rear spoiler that the company says improves aerodynamics and reduces wind noise.Changes to the interior include an electric park brake and rear-seat air vents for automatic and continuously-variable transmission (CVT) versions, and new front seats to increase side support and roll out new seat trims, adjustable speed limiting, illuminated window control switches and one-touch power windows for the entire model range.The LS also gains four-way power seat adjustment and leather-look seat and door trim inserts.Changes have been made to the the steering configuration with a quicker ratio for improved responsiveness and steering feel, and the suspension set-up has also been tweaked with larger diameter front struts and rear shock absorbers for greater ride comfort.Revised structural bonding has also increased body rigidity, while changes to the exhaust manifold catalytic converter help reduce engine noise, according to Mitsubishi.No changes have been made to the petrol and diesel powertrains, which include the 110kW/190Nm 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder in the entry-level ES manual, up to the 124kW/220Nm 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder/CVT and the 110kW/360Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.Through the first half of 2018, Mitsubishi has sold 8154 examples of the Outlander, tracking similarly to the 8213 it sold to the same point last year.It currently sits sixth in the medium SUV segment, behind the Mazda CX-5 (13,847), Toyota RAV4 (11,770), Nissan X-Trail (10,524), Hyundai Tucson (10,280) and Honda CR-V (9042).Mitsubishi Outlander ES FWD 2.0-litre petrol five-seat – manual – $29,290 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander ES FWD 2.4-litre petrol seven-seat (a) – CVT – $31,290 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander ES ADAS FWD 2.4-litre petrol five-seat (a) – CVT – $32,790 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander ES AWD 2.4-litre petrol seven-seat (a) – CVT – $33,790 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander ES ADAS AWD 2.4-litre petrol five-seat (a) – CVT – $35,290 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander LS FWD 2.4-litre petrol seven-seat (a) – CVT – $33,790 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander LS AWD 2.4-litre petrol seven-seat (a) – CVT – $36,290 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander LS AWD 2.2-litre diesel seven-seat (a) – automatic – $39,790 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed AWD 2.4-litre petrol seven-seat (a) – CVT – $42,290 (+$300)Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed AWD 2.2-litre diesel seven-seat (a) – automatic – $45,790 (+$300)

Infiniti Cars Australia has announced updates for its Q50 sedan and Q60 coupe ranges with consolidated variants, updated pricing and changes to equipment levels.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) has issued its latest round of safety recalls, with a number of models called back from Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, HSV...

Honda has introduced a special-edition +Sport variant of its CR-V medium SUV, with the special model adding $4100 of extras over its donor version for a $1900 premium.

Honda has announced a limited-edition version of its Jazz light hatch called the +Sport, which adds $1600 worth of extra features over the VTi-S on which it is based, for a premium of $600.