Wheels Australia Magazine - September 2023

In this issue

LAMBORGHINI SC63 RACE CAR
Sant’Agata prepares to take its first crack at Le Mans in 2024, running a hybrid prototype that debuts a new V8.

MAZDA CX-60
Mazda’s tilt at the premium medium-SUV segment is laudable, but a few rough edges show there’s still work to do.

LOTUS ELETRE
Pivotal new model from the company once all about lightness is a 2.5-tonne SUV. Buckle up, this is about to get heavy..

Block party

NEW SANTA FE TAKES A HARD LINE AGAINST CURVES

3 mins

The man behind BMW M

CONTROVERSY, CHALLENGES, EVS AND RETAINING ITS IDENTITY: THE FUTURE IS FRAUGHT FOR BMW M. WE SPEAK TO THE MAN TASKED WITH DRAGGING A PERFORMANCE ICON INTO A NEW ERA

6 mins

BIGGER, QUIETER, MORE RICHLY EQUIPPED AND BETTER TO DRIVE

WHAT'S THE  most important new model for Mercedes-Benz to get absolutely right? A new SL? The flagship S-Class? One of its many cutting-edge EVs? Nope, it's a mid-size SUV. This mid-size SUV, in fact.

9 mins

POISED TO BE THE WRX FOR THE EV GENERATION?

HERE'S THE snapshot: the MG4 X-Power is a dual-motor battery performance car touted as the world's first dedicated, all-electric hot hatch - and it's coming to Australia in late 2023.

3 mins

MAZDA'S PREMIUM PIVOT POINT

LIFE IS made more interesting by ambitious individuals. And companies.

5 mins

MUNICH'S ELECTRIC SUV FOR THOSE WHO DON'T NEED TO MAKE A SONG AND DANCE

AWARD FOR biggest improver of 2022? That probably goes to BMW's X1 which, in third-generation guise, really seemed to find its feet.

7 mins

ALL THE GEAR, BUT NO IDEA?

THE FORD Ranger swept all before it when it was unleashed on Australia's booming dual-cab market in 2022. A range-topping Platinum model has now been perched atop the regular Ranger lineup, albeit still a good deal more affordable than the special interest Ranger Raptor.

2 mins

DARK HORSE

THE MOST HARDCORE VERSION OF FORD'S SEVENTHGENERATION PONY CAR IS A SPORTS COUPE WITH DEPTH AND ATTITUDE THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND ITS V8 ENGINE

9 mins

WORTH THE WEIGHT?

THE COMPANY BEST KNOWN FOR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CARS DELIVERS A HUGELY FAST AND ACCOMPLISHED LARGE ELECTRIC SUV THAT'S SUDDENLY A TRUE HEAVYWEIGHT OF THE SEGMENT

5 mins

718 SPYDER RS

THE VERY LAST MID-ENGINED PORSCHE WITH PISTONS GOES OUT ON A HIGH

7 mins

Inside the dragon

WE TAKE A TOUR INSIDE THE LARGEST CAR FACTORY IN ASIA, AND UNCOVER A COUPLE OF SECRETS MG IS NOT QUITE READY TO SHARE

7 mins

Lock & load

BMW'S M3 TOURING IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE GUN WAGON OF THE MOMENT. BUT IS IT SHARP ENOUGH TO DRAW A BEAD ON THE MIGHTY AUDI RS6 AVANT FROM THE SEGMENT ABOVE?

8 mins

CIVILISED OUTBACK

QUIETLY ACCOMPLISHED WAGON; NO BULL DUST

3 mins

A RAPT WRAP

CLOSING CHAPTER ON A BRILLIANTLY CAPABLE FAMILY ALL-ROUNDER

3 mins

Read all stories from Wheels Australia Magazine

Wheels Australia Magazine Description:

A world-class mag with a formidable international reputation, Wheels covers the full gamut of cars – from sports cars to four-wheel-drives, economy to family cars – plus we look at the people, personalities and power plays behind one of the world’s most dynamic industries.