PerformanceDrive

Isuzu has been going from strength to strength in Australia in terms of sales, since the 2008 introduction of the D-Max ute and 2013 debut of the MU-X SUV. Since then, the company has enjoyed year on year growth and over 100,000 sales. Volume is slightly down compared with 2016 and that is due to some earlier supply issues, but the introduction of a revised D-Max earlier and now the MY17 MU-X brings a raft of changes that build on the car’s strengths and address some of its weaknesses.

Continuing the rollout of the new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the Lexus GS 200t is the next model in line. It replaces the GS 250. The new 2.0-litre turbo is, in our opinion, overdue. It is slowly being introduced as the replacement to the rather thirsty and low-torque 2.5-litre naturally aspirated V6. As is the case with the GS 200t, which will replace the GS 250 in Australia in December.

The Japanese-spec 2015 Subaru WRX has been revealed, called the WRX S4 as previewed earlier this year. It comes with a more potent version of the latest 2.0-litre turbo engine. While most of the world enjoys the new Subaru WRX STI and its older 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder, the Japanese Domestic Market WRX S4 gets an uprated tune of the new 2.0-litre turbo, currently producing 197kW in Australia.

The first teaser of the highly-anticipated Tesla Model 3 has been released, ahead of its March 31 unveiling. Why is it a ‘highly-anticipated’ model? Well, it’s going to be Tesla’s most affordable new car and it will sit in the very competitive mid-size premium sedan segment fighting with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Not much is revealed in the teaser image except a silhouette of the front end.

A high-level BMW exec has confirmed that its upcoming sports car collaboration with Toyota won’t be receiving any performance touches from its M division, according to a report. Road and Track author Máté Petrány claims BMW’s M2 project leader, Frank Isenberg, has confirmed the collaborative effort with Toyota will eventuate in the production of new hybrid and electrification technology and new vehicles, but no special touches from its M division.

The beauty about a technology-packed vehicle is that it can be updated with software and hardware, a bit like a computer. And with the Tesla Model S P100D, it’s the latest and greatest iteration the tech giant has made, so far. Some of the headline facts give it serious bragging rights.

Ford Australia has announced some updates for the launch of the MY2017 Mondeo range, bringing some visual changes in the form of new wheels, and some technology updates for improved in-car functionality. Starting with the design, the 2017 Mondeo gets a range of new allow wheel designs, including 19-inch units for the top Titanium, up from 18, while the Trend gets 18-inch items replacing 17s. At the bottom of the lineup the Ambiente gets 17s, up from 16.

A 2017 facelife for the Peugeot 2008 has been applied, bringing refreshed styling, new technologies, and some powertrain updates to the compact SUV. Essentially a jumped up wagon version of the 208 compact hatch, the 2008 is ambitiously described by Peugeot as an “extremely attractive SUV”. For the facelift the French company has installed extended wheel arches, a new vertical-themed front grille, and that’s about it.

Polestar has announced moves to double its research and development arm, as the part-Swedish part-Chinese manufacturer looks to get a stronger foothold in the world of electrified motoring. Polestar has confirmed its plans for a new research and development hub in the UK, which would effectively double the amount of man-power it has invested into R&D.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles are definitely an attractive proposition for buyers, with the sub-division reporting an impressive 40 per cent increase in sales last year. During 2015, AMG sold 68,875 of its bespoke performance-oriented models around the world. Figures are set to rise even higher this year with plans to expand the product portfolio to 48 different models by the end of this year.