The Motor Report Auto News Blog

It’s probably not too often that a beefy Aussie bloke spends a week in a little three-door hatch and genuinely laments handing back the keys. Let’s be realistic here, most of the cars in this class are targeted to female buyers. They’re cute, cool and sometimes sassy but rarely a ripper drive. With small four-cylinder engines, they’re tuned for fuel-sipping in the shopping strips as opposed to sling-shotting away from the lights.  Driving this type of car can be - in fact, is expected to be - a little ho-hum.

However, there are exceptions to every rule and the little 2 is one such exception. » Read Article

One rapidly growing trend in automotive aesthetic modifications is the use of adhesive, conformable vinyl in the place of paint for changing the colour of your car. 

A member of a E90 BMW enthusiast forum recently undertook the task on his BMW 335i coupe, and kindly documented the process in photos for his forum compatriots. 

Originally a black model, ‘gerritg’ took his Beamer to vehicle signage specialists to be wrapped head to toe (so to speak) in brilliant white vinyl, made by the gurus at 3M specifically for conforming perfectly to the contours.

» Read Article

It was twenty five years ago that the class of giant killers known as the hot-hatch found another member. You will remember the Volkswagen Golf GTi had earlier pioneered the class by offering a performance version of what was already a ‘hot-hatch’ when it arrived in the mid-seventies. (Renault, of course, with the R16, is recognised as the ‘inventor’ of the hatch-back.)

In the 80’s, another French car emerged to rule the hot-hatch roost. That car is the Peugeot 205. » Read Article

The Australian Racing Drivers Club has today announced that massive works would be undertaken in its plan to turn Eastern Creek Raceway into a world class venue, both to cover for the loss of Oran Park, and to ensure Eastern Creek’s viability into the future as a venue of choice for international racing events.

When quizzed on the chances of acquiring the necessary funds to make the plan a reality, John Cotter, president of the ARDC, was confident, saying that it was a “90 percent” likelihood. » Read Article