Top 10 drives in 2016
This year was one of the fast and not so furious, from Porsche’s legendary 911 super car to Mazda’s sporty but affordable SP25 sedan, reports NICK DALTON
IN between were a few SUVs and the last of the Holden Commodore V8s.
Picking a top 10 was once again difficult after driving more than 30 new models from sports cars to dual cab utilities.
Heading the top 10 is my first drive in a Porsche 911, a Carerra S.
A heartpounding blast down the Rex Range from the top to the bottom and a gentle run into Port Douglas.
The 309kW car did not disappoint. The power, the grip and the brakes were phenomenal.
The $300K Carrera S is regarded as the best all-rounder of the comprehensive 911 range which tops out at more than $500K for the Turbo S.
The 911 (pictured above) slingshots from corner to corner, with tremendous bursts of acceleration and then hard on the brakes before the rear engined two door bursts out of each turn to meet the next just as quickly and voraciously.
Bend after bend the 911 did not disappoint, most of it in second gear as the needle hit the red-line time after time.
Once down on the flat a few runs from 0-100km/h revealed the explosive nature of the turbo six as it slammed through the dual clutch gearbox ratios, pushing the occupants back in their seats.
Plus the sound. What a glorious aural delight to the ears of a revhead. It certainly put a smile on my dial. AUDI A4 Audi’s new A4 is slick, inside and out.
The German car maker has taken a conservative route with its outside styling.
The wow factor is inside. The interior is superb and the way the satellite navigation is incorporated into the dashboard amid the speedo and rev counter, creating a virtual cockpit, is brilliant.
If it’s not too your liking then it can pop up above the centre console as normal.
The new A4 is refined and classy. It does everything well.
It is safe and secure, well built and clever too.
There is solid performance, good economy and a comfortable cabin in its favour.
The DSG gearbox has its drawbacks, the options are expensive and there is only a space-saver spare.
There is little to fault and much to like. HOLDEN COMMODORE SS Holden has saved the best for last with the VFII.
The final V8 Commodore is a beauty, the engine providing the heart and soul of the VFII.
The 6.2-litre V8 is flying out of Holden showrooms with enthusiasts buying the final version before it goes out of production.
I love this car. It’s incredibly good value and now comes with a bigger V8 that actually sounds like a V8.
It’s not a perfect car. It’s loud (but who cares) and definitely thirsty, a factor not helped by the absence of cylinder deactivation technology seen on the previous SS.
The brakes definitely need upgrading, so I would opt for the $350 brake package or spend more on the Redline.
The wheels are plain and puny. Again I would add optional 19s or buy the Redline.
For buyers keen to make the most of the end of an era, taking home a genuine V8 muscle car for medium SUV money, the new Commodore SS is better than ever.
The Aussie-made Commodore goes out with a high-powered bang. HONDA CIVIC After a few years of humdrum products the once proud badge of Japanese engineering excellence is returning to form with the 10th generation Civic.
It’s also a worthy replacement for the highly regarded Accord Euro as it is now as big as a mid-size sedan.
The top of the range turbocharged RS is the hero car, available in a striking blue hue from $34,990 on the road.
The base VT with an older 1.8-litre four cylinder motor is $10K cheaper, drive away at $24,990. Plus there are others in between as well as the $37K range-topping VTi-LX.
Honda needs the Civic to fire and provide some showroom sparkle for their salesmen and women.
Fortunately buyers are liking the new Civic with sales well up.
Honda is pitching the Civic up-market, deciding not to compete at the lower end of the segment, around the $20-$22K mark.
The Civic RS sedan is Honda at its best, blending sportiness and spaciousness into a quality package.
Work still needs to be done on both CVT refinement and road and engine noise and maybe we can convince Honda to add a six-speed manual transmission to the mix.
After all, the Type R hatchback due next year will come with a manual shifter.
The new Civic sits near the top of the small car class. HONDA HR-V At last, Honda’s mojo is back with its charming and likeable HR-V small SUV.
The coupe-like styled five door wagon is rolling out the showroom doors and putting a smile on the dial of buyers, salesmen and women.
It’s the best thing from the Japanese manufacture for some time and adds the shine to the marque’s tarnished reputation in recent years as a builder of quality and well engineered vehicles.
The car is in such demand that dealers are hiding their stock levels from each other.
The good value HR-V is a good looking, frugal and spacious city-friendly compact family wagon with a panel vanlike cargo capacity.
I’d opt for the base model VTi. In favour are driveability, styling, value, versatility, economy, performance, storage options, cabin finish, equipment and ride.
The CVT won’t be to all tastes and no manual option will hurt sales. The luggage cover is flimsy as is the tailgate handle, the touchscreen is fiddly to operate and the seats are flat. JAGUAR F-PACE Jaguar has entered the lucrative luxury SUV sector with the appealing F-Pace.
There is nothing demur about this pussy cat.
The F-Pace is bold, in your face, like a Jaguar predator.
But the latest to wear the proud English badge is unlike any Jaguar before.
The five-door 4WD wagon has the potential to become the brand’s bestseller.
Makers without at least one SUV in their line-up are losing market share.
Jaguar has a winner on its hands. This car alone will likely double its sales in Australia.
It provides buyers with a stylish choice from the popular sellers and is worthy of the badge.