Articles by Tim Nicholson

Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) is in the final stages of confirming the fully electric e-Niro for a local launch, with two other battery-electric vehicles set to follow.

Ford Australia is monitoring the sales of right-hand drive converted vehicles, as it weighs up the business case for the US-built F-Series pick-up.

Skoda Australia has introduced drive-away pricing for the Rapid small car, which is now priced at $24,990 drive-away, a change from the old recommended retail price of $23,990.

BMW Group has outed its new Vision iNext concept, previewing the brand's first fully autonomous, zero-emissions vehicle that is set to hit the production line by 2021.

Mazda Australia has enhanced its ND MX-5 sports car range, bringing more power and torque as well as increased standard equipment.The lift comes at a cost though, with pricing up $750 across the line-up, which Mazda justifies by claiming between $1100-$1400 of extra gear has been poured into the updated vehicle.Four variants have been culled from the MX-5 range, including both automatic and manual 1.5-litre Roadster GT and 2.0-litre Roadster grades.As such, the range now starts at $34,190 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 1.5L Roadster with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, while the 2.0L Roadster GT is up to $41,960.In RF (Retractable Hardtop) guise, the drop-top sportster starts at $39,490 for the entry-spec 2.0L and tops out at $46,960 for the flagship 2.0L GT with a black roof.A six-speed automatic transmission is also available across the range, which adds $2000 to the sticker price in any case.Both engine offerings now boast increased power and torque outputs, with the 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G  now producing 135kW at 7000rpm and 205Nm at 4000rpm, a 17kW/5Nm lift.A range of changes were made to the engine, most notably, the addition of a dual-mass flywheel, which likely contributed to its increased redline which now sits at 7500rpm, up from 6800rpm.The 1.5-litre engine also got a nudge, albeit slightly, delivering an extra 1kW/2Nm to a total 97kW at 7000rpm and 152Nm at 4000rpm.Mazda has also included a standard reversing camera and a reach-adjustable steering wheel, both firsts for the MX-5 nameplate.Safety wise, the updated MX-5 gains an improved version of Mazda's 'i-Activesense' suite, now featuring 'Smart City Brake Support', traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, while the GT grades are also treated to rear parking sensors.Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, power mirrors, automatic lights, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, air-conditioning, cruise control, black cloth trim, a 7.0-inch multimedia system, six speakers, sat-nav, a blind-spot monitor, tyre pressure monitor and a limited-slip differential (manual).Jumping up to the 2.0L Roadster GT adds 17-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, heated mirrors, leather trim, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, keyless entry, lane departure warning and LED daytime running lights.2019 Mazda MX-5 list pricingMazda MX-5 1.5L Roadster – manual – $34,190Mazda MX-5 1.5L Roadster – automatic – $36,190Mazda MX-5 2.0L Roadster GT – manual – $41,960Mazda MX-5 2.0L Roadster GT – automatic – $43,960Mazda MX-5 RF – manual – $39,400Mazda MX-5 RF – automatic – $41,400Mazda MX-5 RF GT – manual – $45,960Mazda MX-5 RF GT – automatic – $47,960Mazda MX-5 RF GT black roof – manual – $46,960Mazda MX-5 RF GT black roof – automatic – $48,960

LDV is set to bolster its local line-up with a new mid-size SUV as well as other electrified light-commercial vehicles by 2020.

Audi has uncovered the facelifted version of its A4 sedan and wagon ahead of their arrival in Australian showrooms in early 2019.

Half of Australia’s top 10 best-selling brands recorded a dip in monthly new car sales in May, ahead of what is expected to be a record-setting June stimulated by aggressive end-of-financial-year deals.A total of 100,754 sales were recorded for May 2018, a drop of 2.1 per cent over the same month in 2017. SUVs did most of the heavy lifting with 42,973 registrations (up 8.4 per cent), ahead of passenger cars with 32,789 (-15.6 per cent) and light commercial vehicles with 21,082 (-0.5 per cent).With the exception of micro cars, every passenger car sub-segment recorded a dip in sales, with the Kia Picanto, Fiat 500 and runout versions of the Holden Spark (which will soon be pulled from sale in Australia) helping deliver a 46.2 per cent rise for Australia’s smallest vehicle segment.All SUV segments recorded growth except for large SUVs, which fell by 7.1 per cent. Small SUVs registered the largest spike with a 36.1 per cent climb.Australia’s most popular brand, Toyota, dipped by 1.5 per cent to 19,571 sales, with the Camry mid-sizer (-35.0 per cent) and Yaris (-20.7 per cent) falling the hardest. It was not all doom and gloom however, with the Fortuner (+41.2 per cent), Land Cruiser 70 Series (+24.8 per cent) and C-HR crossover (+65.6 per cent) all stepping up.With 4385 combined sales and a 5.5 per cent increase, the HiLux was again Australia’s favourite vehicle last month, with Ford’s Ranger bringing up second (3674) ahead of Toyota’s Corolla small car (3120).Hyundai’s i30 beat the Mazda3 for fourth spot overall with 2779 sales (+3.6 per cent), and the brand recorded a 6.0 per cent increase with 8807 sales, however some of its usual strong performers recorded sales declines, including the Tucson (-13.9 per cent) and soon-to-be-replaced Santa Fe (-34.6 per cent).Mazda sales dropped 5.0 per cent, but the brand but still finished second behind Toyota on 9403 sales, with the CX-5 the most popular SUV in the country (2382 units sold), just pipping the Toyota RAV4 (2063).With 6916 sales, Mitsubishi climbed by 6.1 per cent, even though the Lancer, Pajero, Pajero Sport and 4x2 Triton all registered double-digit drops.Ford sales dipped 24.7 per cent on the back of slower returns from big-selling nameplates like the Ranger (-9.7 per cent) and Mustang (-80.2 per cent), the latter of which is set to see a facelifted model go on sale in June.Kia took sixth spot with a 9.9 per cent jump, thanks largely to the Cerato and Sportage, while Volkswagen snared seventh spot with a 6.9 per cent lift thanks to the Amarok, Tiguan, Golf and Caddy van.Holden sales dropped 25.8 per cent with all models bar the Barina light car and Spark dropping, with the Astra dropping 48.9 per cent to fall behind the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.Nissan and Honda rounded out the top 10 with 4334 and 4142 sales respectively, with the latter climbing 8.4 per cent thanks to the barnstorming CR-V (+162.1 per cent).Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way for premium manufacturers with 2898 sales, with BMW (2101) and Audi (1851) following.The addition of the XC40 small SUV (129 sales) has seen Volvo sales climb by 41 per cent in May, while the XC60 SUV recorded a 42.8 per cent lift (237 sales).

Mazda Australia has released its facelifted Mazda6 sedan and wagon range, featuring revised powertrain offerings, added safety equipment and a heavily updated interior.

Ford Australia has announced pricing for the updated Ranger ute line-up due in September, with price increases of between $300 and $1000 and additional spec on most variants.