Cairns Motoring News

World Rally champion Sebastian Loeb chases another title

Full speed ahead: Sebastian Loeb (right) and co-driver Daniel Elena celebrate in Cyprus, 2009. Loeb has begun the chase for his ninth World Rally title. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

The eight-time World Rally champion began his quest for a ninth title in style after winning the famous Rally Monte Carlo. 

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Mercedes-Benz's S350 D Bluetec is impressive but pricey

Quality motoring: Mercedes-Benz’s passenger car offers a superb ride, great handling and effortless performance.

The S350 D Bluetec impresses with its ability to waft along the highways and byways, yet can be driven with urgency and athleticism. Surprisingly, it also sips fuel at a low rate, despite its near two-tonne weight and size. 

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F1 welcomes the return of 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen

Testing time: Finland’s 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen (right) gets an update with a team engineer in Valencia this week, ahead of his first run with a Lotus-Renault F1 car.

With the opening race of the 2012 season to be contested on Melbourne's Albert Park road course in three weeks, breaking news in F1 circles is the return of 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen to F1 following several ordinary seasons in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR.

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Compass set on the city

The new Compass is much better looker than the previous model and targets city buyers.

Great names often don't translate into great vehicles and such was the case with the first Jeep Compass. Great name, average vehicle.

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Car luxury in Mazda's brute ute

Beaut ute: This is a vehicle that should be on the shortlist for anyone looking for a one-tonne worker or family hauler capable of the odd tough job.

You can't wipe the smile off Mazda's BT-50 ute.

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Carsguide Car of the Year Kia Rio is all it's cracked up to be

Carsguide Car of the Year Kia Rio

Last weekend was the first chance to get behind the wheel of the Rio. What a cracker it turned out to be too.

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Year's best test drives

Out of a year's worth of test drives, the favourite was also the cheapest; the Volkswagen Polo small hatchback.

After driving more than 40 new vehicles in 2011, motoring editor NICK DALTON picks his favourite 10.

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Subaru coupe is a driver's car

The Subaru BRZ means the return of the affordable rear-drive sports car.

It's the return of the affordable rear-drive sports car, for which purists have been crying out.

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Hyandai's new tourer ramps it up

It's a winner: The traditional family station wagon gets a boost in the i40.

On looks alone Hyundai's i40 Tourer is a winner.

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Local help with mortgage services

New business: John Rummery has joined LJ Hooker to provide mortgage services.

IT does not matter what the currency is, John Rummery just loves money.

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Honda's sporty hybrid - the CR-Z - takes the stage

The CR-Z is aimed at “responsibly indulgent” individuals including 30-something females and older empty nesters.

The latte set will love this café racer.

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CR-Z is a slick drive for the city

A sporty hybrid is still an oxymoron, despite Honda’s best efforts with the CR-Z.

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Landmark rebirth of Porsche 911

Porsche reborn: The all-new 911 is everything you expect and more.

The all-new Porsche 911 is everything you expect and more.

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Whincup set for victory

Set for victory: Jamie Whincup and teammate Craig Lowndes.

VICTORIOUS in both races at Symmons Plains in Tasmania last weekend, 888 Vodafone Commodore driver Jamie Whincup is all but assured of winning the V8 Supercar Championship. 

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Great Wall ute stacks up for price

Great Wall's V240 ute has found plenty of homes in the Far North, mainly because of its sharp pricing.

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Holden Cruze hatch expected to be next year's best-selling Aussie car

Next year the best-selling car in Australia is expected to be a small Holden as buyers drive away from the big Commodore.

This week the popular Cruze range was boosted by the Australian-designed and built five-door hatch version for the same price as the sedan.

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Winning warm-up to Dakar

Team effort: Cairns off-road racing team Geoff Olholm (pictured) and Gordon Trigg won the inaugural Silver City 600 Cross Country Rally.

Cairns off-road racing team Geoff Olholm and Gordon Trigg won the inaugural Silver City 600 Cross Country Rally outside Broken Hill earlier this week in their Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort Mitsubishi Pajero.

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Toyota reinvented: the latest Camry is a huge improvement on the old model in almost every area.

The latest-generation Toyota Camry is a game changer for the brand

It's the best Toyota I've driven in a long while. It's fun to drive. Yes, a Camry that's great to punt down a winding country road. Gone is blandsville, the cardigan's been thrown away, here's a Camry that you can enjoy.   more