Catch the next wave
AUDI Q2
The most stylish Audi in the stable is on sale from next week priced from $41,100. The money buys a small SUV powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with 110kW and 250Nm and the added party trick of shutting down two cylinders to save fuel when the car is cruising. That helps with the 5.3L/100km official fuel use. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic drives the front wheels. Standard gear includes autonomous emergency braking, semi-automated parking, dual-zone aircon, a seven-inch infotainment screen with voice control and smartphone connectivity and satnav. The $47,900 2.0-litre diesel turbo cranks out 110kW/340Nm and has allwheel-drive. Helping to justify the extra cost are 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, sport seats and lane-departure alert. A limited Q2 Launch Edition (pictured) will cost $49,900 and adds “quantum grey” paintwork, an S Line exterior styling kit, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and active lane and blind-spot assistance. A 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre petrol turbo variant is due later this year.
HOLDEN TRAX
Old engines are offset by trendy new features in the facelifted Trax. The drivetrains carry over from the pre-facelifted version, though the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine is effectively redundant because it is only being sold in base manual guise for $23,990. The 1.4-litre turbo engine is standard on the rest of the range, starting at $26,490 for the LS with a six-speed auto. New stuff includes Android Auto/Apple Car Play connectivity and daytime running lights. Other default gear includes semi-automated reverse parking and cruise control. Step up to the LT spec and the $28,890 price is offset by keyless entry and start, 18inch rims, fog lamps, a driver’s armrest, digital audio and a sunroof. The range tops out with the $30,490 LTZ with fake leather upholstery trim, blindspot and rear cross-traffic alert, a digital display in the instrument cluster, heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.
BMW 5 SERIES
The seventh-generation 5 Series will launch locally with a four-car line-up starting at $93,900 for the 2.0-litre diesel turbo 520d. That’s $9000 more than the last model but BMW says all versions have more than $15,500 in “added value”. The default list includes active cruise control with stop-andgo, LED headlamps, a surround-view camera, leather upholstery, 10.2-inch touchscreen, digital radio, satnav, keyless entry and start and dual-zone aircon. The $108,900 530i and $119,900 530d add adaptive LED headlamps, automatic boot, 19inch wheels, a 16-speaker audio, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, adaptive dampers and heated front sports seats. The 540i is priced at $136,900 and, beyond the six-cylinder twin-turbo engine, adds what BMW says is $34,000 of extras. They include active roll-bars helping keep the car flat, 20-inch rims, sunroof, powered rear sunblind, nappa leather and an “Ambient Air” interior scent kit.