Articles by Spencer Leech

Marking the end of production of the current-generation 208 GTi, Peugeot Australia has released a limited-run variant featuring sportier looks and stronger cornering performance.Called the Edition Definitive, the French hot hatch is limited to just 20 units and carries a drive-away price tag of $33,990.For comparison, the standard 208 GTi upon which the Edition Definitive is based, is now priced at $29,990 drive-away.The vehicle is distinguished by unique 'Pearl White' and 'Matte Black' paintwork as well as Peugeot Sport badging on the C-pillar.On the inside, the Edition Definitive gains Peugeot Sport bucket seats and red embroidered floor mats.Aiding in performance, the up-specced three-door has also been treated to a Torsen limited-slip differential and a bespoke suspension package that features revised spring and damper rates, a wider track, and a lower ride height.As with the standard three-door GTi, the Edition Definitive is powered by a 153kW/300Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.For the first time in an Australian market Peugeot GTi model, the new limited-edition variant is equipped with auto emergency braking as standard.Peugeot Australia boss Anouk Poelmann suggested that given its high specification and potential collector status, the 20 Edition Definitive units will be sold very quickly."The 208 GTi Edition Definitive will become a collector's vehicle, much like the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary and the 205 GTi model that paved the way for performance Peugeots almost 35 years ago," she said.Check out all 2018 Peugeot 208 price and spec info here.

Mazda Australia has introduced a range-wide five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for all vehicles sold from today onwards.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has outed pricing for its upcoming X350d 4Matic, with the V6-powered pick-up set to arrive Down Under in December with a starting price of $73,270 plus on-road costs.At launch, the vehicle will be available in two grades, Progressive and Power, with the latter topping the X-Class line-up at $79,415.The Power is $4425 more expensive than the freshly launched Ranger Raptor and it takes the title of the priciest mid-size pick-up on the Australian market.The added displacement that the X350d brings to the X-Class range comes at a significant premium over the 2.3-litre four-cylinder X250d that launched in April. The X350d Progressive is $15,470 more than the four-cylinder X250d Progressive, while the flagship V6 Power commands a $14,915 premium over the equivalent four-cylinder model grade.Jumping from the top-spec four-cylinder variant to the most affordable V6 Progressive costs $8770.However, the extra money will afford customers stronger performance, gaining 50kW and 100Nm over the next-best X250d, and making use of Mercedes' 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system as standard.Unlike the four pot which is sourced from Nissan, the V6 is a Daimler engine, which may also add to its value for some buyers.Motivating the pick-up is a 190kW/550Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine that is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, propelling the vehicle from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, 4.3 seconds quicker than the X250d Power.Drivers will also be able to filter between five modes, Comfort, Eco, Sport, Manual and Offroad which modifies the engine response, transmission shift points and toggles the automatic start/stop functionality.The specification of the two grades, Progressive and Power, mirror that of the four-cylinder X-Class range, but add keyless start/stop, dual-zone climate control and new 18-inch light-alloy wheels on the Progressive.Exclusive to the X350d Power is aluminium dash trim, black roof liner and 19-inch light-alloy wheels.Other noteworthy standard equipment on the Progressive grade includes a leather-lined steering wheel and parking brake, fabric seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eight-speaker sound system and halogen headlamps.Meanwhile, the top-spec Power features chrome-plated underbody protection, a chrome-plated rear bumper, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, matte black pixel and microfibre dashboard trim, leather-effect seat upholstery and power seats.On the safety end, the X350d features auto emergency braking, active lane keep assist, a surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, trailer stabilisation and seven airbags.2018 Mercedes-Benz X350d list pricingMercedes-Benz X350d Progressive – automatic – $73,270Mercedes-Benz X350d Power – automatic – $79,415

Higher-spec Everest variants will be offered with a 157kW/500Nm twin-turbo four-cylinder lifted from the Ranger Raptor ute.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness for the mandatory Takata recall, which still requires approximately 1.6 million Australian vehicles to be repaired by December 2020.As reported, many vehicles around the world have been fitted with potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators which, if not replaced, can project metal shards at occupants when the airbag deploys.At least 24 deaths and 266 injuries have been reported globally as a direct result of the faulty Takata inflators.Given the serious risk to safety, the FCAI hopes to accelerate the recall process with its new campaign called 'Don't Die Wondering', which will roll out on various advertising mediums, directing people to its website.The recently-launched site is a central location where Australians can check to see if their vehicle is affected by the recall.Approximately 3.05 million Australian vehicles were fitted with Takata airbag inflators, though around half of those are still yet to have had their free-of-charge replacement.Around 19,500 of those are fitted with 'Alpha' airbags, which are known to be the most volatile of the Takata inflators.The remaining vehicles are fitted with 'Beta' airbags, which still pose a serious risk to occupant safety.FCAI chief executive Tony Weber expressed the severity of the recall, urging affected owners to take action."Some 19,500 vehicles in Australia still need to have their Alpha airbag inflators replaced as a matter of utmost urgency," he said."In certain circumstances, there is a chance as high as one-in-two that these may rupture on deployment in a collision."These vehicles with Alpha airbag inflators should not be driven, and owners should immediately contact their manufacturer."If a faulty Takata airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments will propel out of the airbag and into the vehicle cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death to occupants."It is vital that vehicle owners don’t underestimate the seriousness of this national recall."Affected owners can text 'Takata' to 0487 AIRBAG to learn more information on the recall, or can visit www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au.

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...

Volkswagen Group Australia will tomorrow initiate its call back program for Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles caught up in the Takata airbag recall.

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has introduced a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance for its Colorado SportsCat performance pick-up.The coverage applies to all new and demonstrator models, including SportsCat and SportsCat+ variants, sold from July 1, 2018.According to HSV managing director Tim Jackson, the addition of a standard five-year warranty will help boost the appeal of the recently-released dual-cab."We've been delighted with the level of acceptance of our first foray into the 4x4 pick-up market, and the availability of a five year warranty, with five years roadside assistance, will only further strengthen the vehicle's appeal" said Mr Jackson.{{nid:The extended assurance program follows Holden's recent announcement that it will offer a permanent five-year warranty across its entire new-car range.As previously reported, the Colorado SportsCat is the first vehicle that HSV has turned out since Commodore production was moved overseas.The hot pick-up comes in two tiers, the entry-spec SportsCat ($60,790 plus on-road costs) and the slightly-warmer SportsCat+ ($66,790).While the SportsCat is no quicker than the Colorado Z71 it's based on, it does come with a number of bespoke design elements and significant off-road handling upgrades.

Renault Australia has released a special-edition version of its best-selling Koleos medium SUV, with the S-Edition priced at $44,990 drive-away.The Koleos S-Edition is exclusively available with a 4x2 drivetrain, but adds a number of touches over-and-above the Intens variant upon which it is based.Distinguishing features on the the special-edition SUV include S-Edition sill plates, blue interior trim pieces, and blue-hued stitching on blue perforated black leather seat covers.Four exterior colours are available including 'Solid White', 'Universal White', 'Meissen Blue' and 'Grey Metallic'.The Renault Koleos range consists of five grades, Life, Zen, Intens, Intens Diesel and Initiale.Pricing opens up at $29,990 plus on-road costs for the Life 4x2, stretching to $49,990 for the range-topping Initiale 4x4.The new Koleos, like its Intens donor, is motivated by a 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine that is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).In 2017, Renault sold 3120 examples of the Koleos which was a 104.7 per cent lift over 2016 – the year it was launched.However, the vehicle still struggles to faze its hard-charging rivals including the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4, which were each picked up by more than 20,000 customers last year.{{nid:701092018 Renault Koleos list pricingRenault Koleos Life 4x2 – automatic – $29,990Renault Koleos Zen 4x2 – automatic – $33,990Renault Koleos Zen 4x4 – automatic – $36,490Renault Koleos S-Edition – automatic – $44,990 D/ARenault Koleos Intens 4x4 – automatic – $43,490Renault Koleos Diesel 4x4 – automatic – $46,990Renault Koleos Initiale 4x4 – automatic – $49,990

Mercedes-Benz has released images and high-level specification details of its new A-Class sedan ahead of the car's public debut.