2009 Mazda CX-7 Review & Road Test

In 2004 it released the MX Crossport concept, which received great praise during the 2005 Detroit Motor Show and when it saw reality as the CX- the production version was almost identical to the concept, aside from the realistic interior, a product of its final price tag.This type of approach has paid dividends to Mazda in a big way. Having a swish looking car won’t help unless it drives well, so I stepped behind the wheel for the week to have a steer of Mazda’s classy SUV.
Our CX-7 test vehicle was finished in a neat white, ensuring it stood out from the crowd. Evident from first glance were the flowing lines that start at the bonnet and continue through to the car’s rear. Even though this car has been on the market for about three years now, it still has a striking presence.
Bulging side guards hint at the car’s sporty intentions, as do the chunky wheels and exposed exhausts.Inside the cabin, it’s a similar story. Although the funky LCD screen and interior layout isn’t carried over from the concept (we could expect a $100,000+ price tag if they were!) the general connotations are the same.Our test vehicle was fitted with a reversing camera, so it also featured an LCD screen, which controls the radio fascia and switches to a rearward facing camera when reverse is selected. Curiously, satellite navigation isn’t fitted as standard equipment and can’t be optioned, quite strange when you consider the screen is there, which is half the job done.
Rear leg and headroom isn’t too flash. With the driver’s seat in my regular position, quite far back more often than not, it’s hard for an adult to remain comfortable when seated behind. The design of the car somewhat inhibits the function. It’s not overly oppressive, but on the same token it’s also no LandCruiser.
This isn’t too much of an issue though when you consider the CX-7’s target demographic. CX-7 buyers have young families and are lifestyle oriented, so in that regard it does a fine job of hauling kids.
The standard Bose sound system offers plenty of punch. Fitted with nine speakers and pumping out 240W of power, there is ample bass and exceptional treble quality. A six-disc CD-changer tops things off with regards to the audio system.
The cabin has a roomy feel to it. The windscreen has a 66-degree rake, making the front of the dashboard feel like it’s very distant.
Boot room is average, and again, the design impinges on the function although 400-litres of capacity is on offer. Boot opening room is impressive though, allowing the loading and unloading of cargo with great ease.
Driving the CX-7 is a mixed bag. Turn the engine over and a humble silence engulfs the cabin. The 2.3-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine produces 175kW and 350Nm, which sounds impressive, doesn’t it?

Specifications:Engine: 2261cc four-cylinder

Power: 175kW @ 5000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 2500rpm

Induction: Turbocharged

Transmission: Six-speed automatic Differential/Driven

Wheels: All-wheel-drive

Brakes: 296mm front/302mm rear

Top Speed: N/A 0-100km/h: 8.5-seconds 0-400m: N/A

CO2 Emissions: 273g/km

Fuel Consumption: 11.5-litres/100km (claimed)

Fuel Tank Capacity: 69-litres

Fuel Type: 98RON petrol ANCAP

Rating: Five-stars

Airbags: Six-airbags

Safety: ABS brakes with EBD and BA. DSC.

Spare Wheel: Spacesaver spare

Tow Capacity: 1600kg braked/750kg unbraked

Turning Circle: 11.4m

Warranty: Three-years/unlimited-km

Weight: 1771kg

Wheels: 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tyres

New Opel/Vauxhall Released Sixth Generation Astra

Opel, the beleaguered European subsidiary of General motors, has jumped its own gun by releases pictures of the sixth–generation Astra, months before its official release at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.The car, which currently is been marketed in Australia as the Holden Astra, seems less likely to wear that badge, especially as Holden has suspended imports of the current Astra from Opel/Vauxhall pending an internal inquiry into its ongoing role in the Australian car market.
The new Opel/Vauxhall Astra shows strong links to its sibling the Insignia and Opel has been quoted as saying that the only thing left from the previous Astra is the name.
The five-door hatchback traditionally is one of Europe’s best-selling models and originally was expected to play an important role in the Saturn line-up in the United States.

Toyota Rava 4 CV6 Review

By Paul Maric, photographs by Toyota.

Soon after its release, I drove the Toyota Rav4. At the time of its introduction to the market, it was only available as a 4-cylinder. I recall being disappointed with the lack of power from the engine, which struggled at times to haul the car’s mass. Toyota has addressed these concerns and stuck the same engine as the Aurion underneath the Rav4’s bonnet. Case closed, Paul is now happy. Err…not quite.
I took the new V6 Rav4 for a spin and it was interesting to say the least. Packing some 201kW and 333Nm of torque, this V6 motor is certainly no lightweight. Weighing in at 1655kg, the Rav4 is quite a light ‘SUV’ in relative terms. The 200mm ground clearance increases the centre of gravity and the semi-off-road capable tyres reduce grip levels. This set of factors makes for quite a challenging combination.
My first encounter was a truck with loose cargo travelling under the speed limit and partially in my lane. I had to pass it, so I sank the boot in and received the shock of my life as the car torque steered in several different directions. The V6 engine sends power through the front wheels and only redirects it to the rear wheels if it detects slippage.
If I thought that was bad, the following day it started raining. Pulling away from an intersection in peak-hour traffic required a decent prod of the throttle to hurry things along. Stabbing the loud pedal produced a flurry of wheel spin (typical of an overpowered front-wheel-drive vehicle). No problems I thought, in a matter of moments power will be sent to the rear and we will have more traction with which to workWell, I can’t say I was wrong, power was sent to the rear but this turned a slight bit of understeer into obvious oversteer and I had to correct the rear to bring it back into line. If I thought this car was bad in the dry, it was potentially dangerous in the wet.
The surge of urgency delivered by the engine hits all at once and is extremely sharp. To the regular driver, this can come as a total shock in certain situations. It’s way too much power to be sending through such a vehicle and in my opinion, it should have been down-tuned to reduce the spasmodic delivery of power, perhaps with more concentration on producing torque.
Interior room is impressive, as are the ergonomics of the seats. They fold down quite easily and provide easy entry/exit for children and adults. The sound system is quite average and the head-unit looks poorly integrated, unfortunately this is a trait shared with the Corolla and Kluger.
The quality of plastics is good, but some feel a bit cheap (like the dash surrounds and door handle surrounds). Interior room is great for a small family and the styling is good enough to keep the masses pleased. Fuel economy on test was reminiscent of a V6 – around 11-litres/100km.
Priced from $39,990 for the base model CV6 (as tested), prices move onto $43,990 for the SX6 and max out at $49,990 for the ZR6. The Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CR-V offer a better package. If you are desperate for a V6 though, Mitsubishi’s offering is far more linear and smooth and is capable on mild off-road tracks. The Outlander’s engine is well behaved and can be controlled by steering wheel paddle shifters – a quaint touch.
As for the Rav4. If driven sedately it’s a car you could live with. But if the off chance arises where full power is required, you would need to be paying full attention
2008 Toyota Rav4 CV6 Specifications
Engine: 3.5-litrePower: 201kWTorque: 333NmTop speed: N/ASafety: Electronic stability control- front air bags - side airbags - curtain airbags - front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.0-100km/h: N/AEuroNCAP rating: N/ATurning circle: 10.6mFuel tank: N/AFuel consumption : 10.5 litres/100km (claimed)Fuel type: 91RON unleaded

Nissan Maxima 2009

The new Maxima will play an increasingly important role in the large and medium car market by offering the best blend of distinctive luxury - at an attainable price,” said Mr Thompson. “We are doubling the appeal of the new Maxima in Australia with our new two-engine model strategy and a very attractive entry price.”“The new 2.5-litre V6 engine, the sharp pricing right in the heart of the four-cylinder market and the unprecedented high level of luxury features as standard, makes the Maxima 250 ST-L unbeatable. For a start, no one else in this market sector offers leather upholstery as standard. We are making four-cylinder large car customers an offer they can’t afford to ignore in the Maxima ST-L,” he said. “And with the elegant Maxima ST-S and Ti sedans, an impressive ride and luxurious appointments will give the new Maxima the muscle to grow its sales in the upper end of the large car market where there are many customers looking for unparalleled value.”
Perhaps the biggest change to the Maxima line-up as a whole is the introduction of the smaller VQ25DE 2.5-litre V6 engine to the range.
This award winning power-plant is featured exclusively in the 250 ST-L and is a free revving unit that is quite smooth and linear in delivery managing 134kW at 6000rpm.
Power delivery comes courtesy of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (automatic) transmission that keeps the car within its torque range long enough to utilise the 228Nm on hand at 4400rpm under steady acceleration.
Once on the open road the engine is barely noticeable in terms of noise, something Nissan have gone to great lengths in improving across the new J32 series, and also manages exceptional fuel economy at just 9.5-litres per 100km as a combined average, that’s 0.5-litres less the Toyota’s four-cylinder Camry.
Specifications - Maxima 250 ST-L:
Engine: 2496cc DOHC V6 (24 valve)

Power: 134kW @ 6000rpm

Torque: 228Nm @ 4400rpm I

nduction: Multi Point
Transmission: Six-Ratio CVT Driven

Wheels: Front

Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD

CO2 Emissions: TBC
Fuel Consumption: 9.5 litres per 100km

Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres

Fuel Type: 91RON petrol

ANCAP Rating: TBC

Airbags: Front, Side and Curtain

Safety: ESP with Traction

Control Spare Wheel: Full Size Alloy

Cargo Capacity: 506 litres

Tow Capacity: 1200kg (Braked)

Turning Circle: 11.4 metres

Warranty: Three Year/100,000km

Weight: 1516kg (Tare)

Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch

Specifications - Maxima 350 ST-S & Ti:

Engine: 3498cc DOHC V6 (24 valve)

Power: 185kW @ 6000rpm

Torque: 326Nm @ 4400rpm

Induction: Multi Point
Transmission: Six-Ratio CVT Driven

Wheels: Front

Brakes: Discs with ABS,

EBA & EBD CO2 Emissions: TBC
Fuel Consumption: 10.2 litres per 100km

Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres

Fuel Type: 95RON petrol

ANCAP Rating: TBC

Airbags: Front, Side and Curtain

Safety: ESP with Traction Control Spare

Wheel: Full Size Alloy

Cargo Capacity: 506 litres

Tow Capacity: 1200kg (Braked)

Turning Circle: 11.4 metres

Warranty: Three Year/100,000km Weight: 1535kg/1563kg (Tare) Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch

Buick Riviera by GM Pan Asia Technical Centre

The Buick Riviera, a car designed by GM Pan Asia Technical Centre and first shown at the Shanghai motor show last year. The concept is proof that style houses in China can produce good looking cars.
Being a concept the gull wing doors will never see production, but Buick says the rest of the car’s bold looks will will one way or another find their way into future Buick model.