THIS MOTORING YEAR 2016: Top 10 news stories
Plenty has happened in the past 12 months, but the most popular automotive story may surpriseIf it featured an SUV, utility or fast engine, it generally rated well among readers.
That’s the general consensus from this year’s top motoring.com.au news stories, which have been released as 2016 draws to a close.
This year interest wasn't drawn in the same capacity to Ford’s Australian manufacturing closure, nor was reader curiosity piqued by the ongoing Volkswagen #Dieselgate saga.
In any case, here’s what readers gravitated to most.
“Unlike most of its rivals, Ford has a policy of not stating performance figures for its performance cars, the Blue Oval preferring to let the press determine just how quick and fast its cars are.
“So that’s just what we did in Tasmania when Ford Australia launched its last ever homegrown performance models before Falcon production ceases forever on October 7.”
9.
“It might look like any old R35 Nissan GT-R covered in psychedelic wrapping paper but what you see here is in fact another step in Godzilla’s evolution, which will touch down in Australia later this year.
“Snapped here during testing in the USA, the upgraded GT-R is tipped to profit from a number of upgrades to its chassis (handling), aerodynamics (high-speed stability) and powertrain (acceleration).”
“The federal minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government, Paul Fletcher, is expected to push for the relaxation on car importations which would allow individuals to personally ship in a new vehicle once every two years.”
“Holden’s upgraded 2017 Colorado ute has been revealed in the form of the Chevrolet S10 dual-cab in Brazil, ahead of its Australian release.
“So far there’s no sign of Holden’s 2017 Trailblazer, as the facelifted Colorado 7 SUV is expected to be called, but the revised ute and SUV were previewed by the Holden-designed Colorado Xtreme and Trailblazer Premier concept vehicles at the Bangkok motor show in March.”
“London Taxi Co has announced it has won a 10-year contract worth more than $80m to supply its iconic London black cab to both Australia and New Zealand.
“The deal grants London Taxi (Australia) Ltd exclusive rights to sell and distribute the TX4 model, an arrangement that is said to be worth at least 1000 taxis.”
“Mercedes-Benz is out of Australian Supercar racing.
“Wealthy Sydney-based team owner Betty Klimenko has confirmed that, after three years of fielding Mercedes-Benz E 63s in the V8 Supercar Championship, her Erebus Motorsport team is switching to Holden Commodore VFs.”
“The first major upgrade for Volkswagen’s inaugural Amarok pick-up in five years will bring new looks inside and out, and the only diesel V6 in its class.
“Confirmed for Australia, the 550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 is the headline act of the German one-tonne ute’s midlife makeover.”
“Porsche has officially severed ties with Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, after the world’s highest paid female athlete failed a drug test for a banned substance named Meldonium at the Australian Open in January.”
“The future looks bright for Japan’s favourite all-wheel drive car-company, Subaru, which is working on all-new versions of its iconic Impreza-based WRX and STI performance cars plus a new-generation BRZ and several other significant models, including a large SUV.”
engineering and production of the company’s long-awaited successor to the RX-7 and RX-8 rotary coupes.
“Expected to be called the RX-9 — a trademark Mazda has registered — the born-again performance coupe is not due on sale globally until January 2020, when it will be the centrepiece of Mazda’s centenary celebrations.”
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
