The Jetta ushers in two important new features this year, a station wagon and a new, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder TDI diesel engine. The sedan can also have its front wheels powered by a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder. The Jetta Wagon cannot be ordered with the 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine.
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Honda Odyssey Road Tests covers:
LIKES Wide door openings Folding third row seat headrests High standard of finish To see how the people mover class has changed and progressed, one needs to go back to the eighties. At the time most people movers were based upon commercial variants in a manufacturers range and the vehicle from a distance looked more like a delivery van with windows. Move forward to the present time and look at the new Honda Odyssey. A purpose built vehicle that since its initial release in 1996 has been constantly improved and refined.
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The original Suzuki Swift was launched in Australia in 1984, and with a zippy 1.3 litre engine, good build quality and attractive pricing, soon became a favourite with consumers. Owners that have kept Swift’s long term have also been rewarded with class leading reliability, and there plenty of originals still on the road today. The new model was previewed at the Sydney Motor Show, in 2004 and released in February 2005. Developed in Europe, Suzuki believe the new Swift will have wide international appeal., it’s available as a five door in Australia, with a 1.5 litre engine with a choice of either manual or automatic transmission It replaces the Suzuki Ignis in the Suzuki model line up. DISLIKES High clutch pedal travel. Can’t hear blinker operation and there is plenty of storage for small odds and ends and a map pocket is in the rear of the passenger seat only.
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The new Peugeot 407 ST HDi Diesel is a n exiting new vehicle in many ways; Peugeot has been able to put their latest diesel technology into one of the most striking looking vehicles around. Powered by a two litre turbocharged diesel engine it features the latest common rail diesel injection technology to maximise power and torque. Fitted with Peugeot’s latest Diesel Particulate Filter the 407 ST HDi reduces emissions to better the Euro Four emission standard for diesels which doesn’t come into force until 2006. DISLIKES Potential to scratch paintwork when loading luggage. Easy to confuse coolant and oil temperature gauges. DESIGN & FUNCTION SPACE & PRACTICALITY Because the 407 HDi shares the same body as its petrol engined cousins, interior space is the same. The 407 provides plenty of interior room and also features a decent sized boot.
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Hyundai’s all new Sonata should be causing its opposition some sleepless nights. Consigning its predecessor’s quirky aesthetics to history, the newcomer’s larger, more attractive “euro” style is just the ticket to generate some showroom traffic. Mix typical Korean value for money with an impressive list of standard safety features, and you have a package set to tug at the purse strings of medium and family car buyers. DISLIKES Clutch action Front seats lack support VALUE FOR MONEY PRICING Kicking off the four cylinder range is our manual test car at $25,490. Add $2,000 for the auto version. Next is the Elite 2.4 (auto only) at $31,490. With high levels of standard equipment the only option for either car is metallic or mica paint at $225. Bear in mind the solid colours are limited to Ebony Black and Noble White. STANDARD FEATURES For the money you receive air-conditioning, power windows on all doors, cruise control, 6 speaker CD, MP3, cassette audio system, remote central locking, front foglights and leather trimmed steering wheel.
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Good handling and brakes Lively performance Equipment levels (SRi hatch) Better rear passenger and load space than Convertible (Convertible) Stylish appearance Hood quality and operation WORST (Both) Notchy manual gearchange (SRi hatch) Rear spoiler causes a vision blind spot (Convertible) Blind spots to rear corners with hood erect Restricted luggage space central locking with an immobiliser. There’s a Blaupunkt stereo system with a single CD player and remote controls on the leatherwrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The SRi shares much of the Convertible’s equipment but misses out on its side airbags, its electronic stability program (ESP), its full leather trim, its heated front seats and its trip computer.
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Audi A4 4Door Saloon 2.0 SE Manual
Specifications:
Electronic Diff Lock - Traction Control,,Inlay - Aluminium Facette Silver,Electronic Stability Programme,Transponder Immobiliser,Front Side Airbags,Heated Door Mirrors,High Level Brake Light,Mondial Cloth Outside Temp Gauge,Passenger Airbag,Power Steering,Rear Head Restraints,Remote Control Central Lock (radio wave),Solid Paint SIDEGUARD - Head Airbag Protection Syst,17in 16 Spoke Alloy Wheels,Front Foglights,3 Year / 60000 Mile Warranty,4-spoke Leather Steering Wheel,ABS With EBD,Adjustable Steering Column,Anti-Theft Device,ASR Traction Control,Electric Rear Windows,Cruise Control,Driver Airbag,Driver…
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