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Caelan's Automotive Reviews, Sunshine Coast (2026)

01/11/2024

Mercedes Benz wasn't always known as the company it is today but back in 1886 when two men named Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler developed the worlds first motor car called the Benz patent motorcar which was powered by a 1 cylinder 2 stroke engine pumping out 0.55kws of power which was mounted on a tubular steel frame and a pair of 3 wheels with two at the back and one in the middle which was installed in-front on the two seat configuration. In one day in august of 1888 his wife Bertha and there two sons Eugene and Richard had unknowingly decided to go on a 180kms all round trip to which was from Mannheim to Pforzheim which upon return proved the success and durability of the motorcar which helped shape the future of the automobile forever.
The Mercedes A Class or just A class for short was first introduced at Frankfurt motor show which was shown as a concept car but at that time it was known as the vision A but eventually came into production as a 1997 model as it was designed to be a small city car which came to be very useful around the many tight cities of Europe but that didn't mean it was not stylehsh far from it. With its smooth and sweeping long bodywork to its unique design being completely different but still very much recognised as a Mercedes Benz even if with the A class being the company newest and smallest car which was well known for leaner drivers or anyone wanting a small car that was easy to park and navigate around cities. Fast forward a couple of years and the A class has proven itself to be a worthy automotive to hold the Mercedes 3-pointed star badge with its improved design inside and out but also with improved technology and features you would not expect to see on an entry level Mercedes vehicle.

The performance versions of Mercedes Benz vehicles called AMG began as a tuning brand for regular Mercedes models which began in the 1960’s by two men named Hans Werner Aufrecht and Ethard Melcher who began working on a 300 SE racing engine at the development department at Daimler Benz for the German racing series but that was until the company discontinued all motorsport related activities. But that did not stop them as they would continue working together on the engine at Aufrecht’s house in Grossaspach which they did in their spare time. Thankfully though in 1965 all their hard work paid off when Manfred Schiek, a colleague at Daimler took the car racing, winning 10 times, which would result in both the men being recognised as experts and world become a company 1967 under the name Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach engineering firm, design and testing for the development of racing enginesAufrecht Melcher Großaspach engineering firm, design and testing for the development of racing engines which would help develop and produce more powerful and performance oriented for road legal use. But then in 1971 the first milestone in terms of racing was reached at the 24 hours at spar thanks to the car they used and heavily modified AMG Mercedes 300SEL with a 6.8L v8 engine which was a champion in his class and came second overall showing that AMG as a performance brand was serious about competing. Which was followed by years of growth and experience helping the company build better and faster machines which eventually became an official entity and engine manufacturer in 1984. Which boosted the tuning company to a full-blown performance division of Mercedes Benz in 2005 making it an official part of the company.
The A45 began in 2013 which was launched 2 years after the regular A- class as it was Mercedes’s answer to the Audi RS3 which had no competitor until then. It was similar in design to the standard A class but with more aggressive styling all around with its aggressive front bumper, black splitter, and canards but as well as the side air intakes along with the muscular looking headlights making the whole front of the A45 looking like an angry lion chassis you. The side and rear received the same treatment with its use of angular lines and use of black trim making up the side skirts, spoiler and rear diffuser adding to the overall aggressive and angry look of the A45 giving the on lookers a glimpse of what the car is capable of just by its design alone. The interior is similar in appearance but with added detail and varied materials like carbon fibre on the dashboard, red stitching on the doors and dashboard but as well as the performance seats that hug you tightly once you are seated but are also comfortable for performance driving as well as your daily commute.
Performance is a given thanks to its 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pushing out 280Kw’s and 475Nm of torque making it quick of the line with a 0-100kph of 4.2 seconds which is thanks to its AWD system making it one of the quickest cars Ive ever experienced on the road. But if you are ever out on track and want to have some fun then the car has a built-in drive mode selector with the comfort being tamer and more sensible while S and S+ allow more fun allowing the engine to rev more freely and higher giving it a more enjoyable and fulfilling driving experience. Race mode is the most hard core and raw experience but allows for faster throttle response and makes the handling such as the bremdo brakes becoming more sharper and quicker allowing for late braking around corners while the suspension stiffness making you feel everything the car is doing from the tyres, suspension and the lightning fast gear changes thanks to its Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) giving you a quick and race car inspired experience with some impressive lap times to match.
Even with this car being 9 years old it still has some useful safety features and technology such as, Emergency brake assist, first aid kit, launch control, lane departure warning, collision warning, driver detection system, blind spot sensor and parking sensors front and rear camera. But if you want to learn more or want to buy the beautiful and aggressive looking A45s then head on down to Caloundra City Autos and they will gladly help you out.
Thanks for reading, caelan

01/10/2024

Toyota industries corporation was founded in 1926 by Sakichi toyota who was born in 1867 and built some of the best inventions we use today such as cars, engines, air conditioning compressors and other equipment that was used in the manufacturing process of vehicles. His first invention was a Hand loom which was in 1890 and he continued making looms until 1931 when the company decided to develop engines and cars for the Japanese market which Toyota showed its first engine called the A-type in 1934 then a year later in 1935 the first prototype for there first ever passenger car as well as the model G1 truck was completed and unveiled at the new car release exhibition in shibaura Tokyo which was a huge turning point for the company as it continued to develop and perfect it’s growing automotive line up of cars which helped japans economy recover after WW2 as Toyota started expanding and exporting his new models worldwide.
The toyota prado come out with its all-new model in 1996 with this all-new model Toyota wanted something that was off road capable yet still comfortable enough for the family yet smaller than the full-sized Land Cruiser making it a success worldwide thanks to how versatile it was in day to day living while also being able to hold it own off the beaten path. Design of the prado was similar in terms of the front end and side profiles with minor differences to grill with the prado having a vertical shape compared to the Land cruiser 100 series’s horizontal design as well as extended wheel arches and a 2-tone body. The engine choices are limited but you’ll have no issues with either a 2.7L 4 cylinder or a 3.4L V6 which was smooth as butter and would glide along the road with its 132 Kws of power which made it a clear contender for jeep and mitsubishi’s of the time.
The latest generation of the Toyota prado came in 2020 which came in ether 150 which had a spare wheel on the rear or the non 150 variant which came with no spare wheel allowing it to open outwards instead of upwards. The design of the Prado has changed over the years with minimal tweaks and changes but unchanged body style which they have used since 2009. But that proved that it a tremendous success despite its minimal design changes inside and out but with its iconic body shape which had a large presence and affect on the road with it is boxy yet rugged but proven design. The interior of the prado was heavily updated with new features and safety technology making feel more modern and safer to drive out on the road. Such as its larger infotainment system, digital drivers display, and the climate control buttons are commands being flush to the centre stack.
Performance and overall usability of the prado has lived up to its name with 3000kgs of towing capacity and boot space is 104 litres with all seats up but if you require more room putting both the second and third row rear seats down will give you 973Litres of cargo space giving you plenty of room to put the weekly shop or a weekend away out on the open road. Engine and drivetrain options are limited to only one which is a 2.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel pumping out 150Kws of power and 500Nm of torque giving you plenty of power for both work and play. Fuel efficiency is 7.9l per 100Km making it one of the most fuel efficient prados and Toyota models to dare.
New safety and updated technology as well as new feature’s that will make your experience more enjoyable which makes the prado that just more modern but here is a small list of those things, Smart phone connectivity, Bluetooth, Voice Recognition, folding mirrors which are power adjustable and heated, keyless entry and start, brake assist, land departure, collision warning system, anti collision driver detection and stability control. But if you want to learn or know more about the Toyota Prado then head on down to Caloundra city autos and the team will happily help you with whatever you’re looking for.
Thanks for reading
Caelan.

04/09/2024

The story of Land Rover began in 1947 when then technical chief Maurice Wilks who worked for the Car company Rover as he started sketching on the sand at the red wharf bay on his family’s farm and what he envisioned was the first British Civilian Vehicle that could go off the beaten track on while still being able to be for around town or around the country side for places that where to dangerous and difficult for a passenger car. Throughout the years after the first Land Rover rolled off the production line in 1948 but over the years, they started improving their cars yet kept the original Off-road DNA it was first developed throughout the late 40s and 50’s and would go on to sell upwards of 16,000 within its first 3 years of production.Many options would become standard over the years as technology began more mainstream and popular as with there permanent all wheel drive system waa replacement with a system that allowed drivers to select between 2 and 4 wheel drive. Then in 1970 after many years and generations of the Land Rover name they launched the Series 3 which not only had multiple improvements and now standard equipment over the generations. A years later in 1971 the series 3 now had to 2 engine options, one being a 2.2L petrol and the other being a diesel but a 2.6L petrol inline 6 was introduced a couple of years later and had sold one million models by 1976. A v8 model was introduced with the new model which was introduced in 1979 with other engine options and other improvements such as a flat grill.

In 1980 after the Launch of the series 3 stage 1 model which had a 3.5L v8 and leaf springs would go on to sell until March 1983 when Land Rover Launched the 110 model which had a bunch of innovative technology thrown in such as Coil Springs which was thanks to the introduction of Range Rover a decade earlier and the following year different wheel base variants where offered such as the 93inch wheel base and the long wheel base 127 model which became standard and known as Defenders. Then in 1990 the Defender was officially used as the new name for all new models with a certain where base but still kept all the same technology and equipment such as its engines, and body styles like the wagon and cab styles with its rugged, boxy but tuff appearance as well as being built to last with either a 3.5L v8 or 3.9L Isuzu soured diesel engines in Australia in 1985 when they first launched in the country. But then in 1990 they introduced the 2,5l diesel engine which went through a 5-speed manual with 4WD as standard were the engine options available in Australia in 1990.

The all-new Defender launched in 2019 as the newest generation of the Defender family with a all new and completely transformed and redesigned exterior interior as well as the drive train and much more especially with its design which has become more rounded yet remains its boxy shape from the overall shape of the car to its head and taillight design reminiscent of the previous generation as well as its touch stance when driving on the road giving it a distinctive yet familiar look to it even with its heavily updated and modernised design. The interior is much more rugged than other Land Rover or Range Rover models focusing less on luxury and more on usability and functionality over how it looks and feels. But that does not take away the fact that it is still full of new and modern features such as a digital drivers display, an infotainment system which houses your GPS navigation, Smart phone connectivity as well as all the technology and safety equipment you would need in a modern yet capable off roader as well as giving you enough confidence when driving off road thanks to all cameras and off-road sensors as well as information whenever your going on a off-road adventure. The materials feel soft but firm with plenty of handles to hold on to for whenever you are going off road giving you and your passengers that peace of mind. Performance is something that is kept in the dark as there are multiple engine options available such as 2 petrol engines, 2 diesel engines, 2 hybrid petrol and 2 mild hybrid diesel variants but the one that was on test was the 3.0Lturbocharged inline 6 petrol engine pumping out 294Kws and 550Nm of torque through a 8 speed automatic transmission with 4WD giving you more then enough power to have fun off the beaten track.

Overall, the Defender is a wonderful choice of a SUV while having the capability of a off roader yet keeping the practicality and and reliability of a SUV with its luxury but rugged interior with all the latest technology to powerful engine that can get you wherever you need to go. So, if you are looking for a great SUV with off-road capabilities then look no further then the Defender but if you want something similar or completely different then the guys at Caloundra city autos will happily help you out.
Thanks for reading and do not forget to share with your friends and family who wish to learn about a car before driving it.

19/08/2024

Honda Motor Corporation Ltd started out as an engine manufacturer for bicycles in 1948 with only 34 employees and 1 million yen. Its first factory was in Hamamatsu, Japan. Then in 1954, Honda entered its first Isle of Man race with its own motorbike built just for that purpose, followed in 1958 by the consumer-friendly and immensely popular super cub or otherwise called a motorised scooter. Honda became victorious at the 1961 Isle of Man winning its first victory within the 125cc and 250cc classes. Two years later Honda joined the automotive industry with its first vehicle called the Honda T360 mini truck which was followed by the S500 sports car in 1963.

The first generation of the Honda CRV was launched in 1996 as the company’s new flagship SUV which an enormous success. It was aimed to be Hondas first Midsize SUV and their design was quite different compared to the likes of the NSX and Civic Type R, so this was completely new as they had to focus more on practicality and reliability more then performance. In terms of the design, it was simple but boxy all round from the taillights to the black plastic front grill giving it s much more family friendly appearance. Only a single engine was available at launch but over the years they offered more options available from the least powerful 2.0L petrol engine which was available with 94kws of power which was optioned with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. But if you wanted something more gut punching and powerful then the 2.4L which bumped power up to 119Kws and 218Nm of torque which was only available in a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new model year which was launched in 2023 had received a complete overhaul of the interior and exterior bringing the CRV in line with other newly updated honda models had its all new interior modernised while keeping the similar design such as the the rear end of the CRV remaining the same expect for the newly designed and modernised taillights. Side profile of the new CRV is identical to the model without any changes. Moving to the front, it has received the most changes with a more aggressive front grill and narrower headlights giving the car a more mature look compared to its predecessor.
The interior has been revamped completely from the ground up sharing the interior with other honda models now with this new interior being the stable of Honda interior design. Upon first entry is a complete use of more high quality interiors from the doors to the back seat giving it that much needed modernisation with the mix use of soft materials on the seats and plastic with a touch of luxury with the high quality design of the air vents giving them a premium look then what you might expect from this price point. Overall, the high quality and comfortable interior has made more then enough improvements to enjoy being in with the look of an interior you would expect from a luxury car but with the built quality and reliability of a Honda especially with companies' new interiors which are a major game changer. It is also spacious with the cabin feeling much more useful compared to the previous models when it comes to storage space and boot cargo capacity being 522 litres with the rear seats up or 1084 litres with the seats folded giving enough room for a full weekend with the family away or a full week’s worth away with your partner.

Performance is a key component for the 2023 CRV with a good amount of cheap and affordable options to the more expensive and powerful engines choices of petrol and hybrid variants with the one being tested today is a 1.5 turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol pumping out 140kws and 240nm of torque through a single gear CVT Automatic transmission with powers all 4 wheels. But if you want something more environmentally friendly then the hybrid model with its 2.0l petrol engine pumping out 135Kws of power and which is only available in the top spec trim with Front wheel drive only.
Safety and technology of the new 2023 CRV is one where its one of safest vehicles on the road that Honda manufacturers with a 5 ANCAP safety rating and their use of new and current technologies you can be sure you will be in safe hands no matter the circumstances or situation.

Here is a small list of some of the standard equipment you can expect on your New CRV such as, Smart phone connectivity, bluetooth, active noise cancellation system, 8 speakers stereo, electronic parking brake, multi function steering wheel, keyless start with starter button, 2 zone climate control, 2 rows of cup holders, electric auto dimming and folding mirrors, speed limiter with warning, gps navigation, lane keeping assist and departure warning, driver attention detection, rear parking camera with graphical display and electric adjustable front row seats with memory. But if you want to learn more or know about any other car then head on over to Caloundra city autos and they will happily help you out whether you are looking for a brand new or used car or even just a service that will happily help you out.

Overall, the 2023 Honda CRV is a great family car with amazing space for everyone plus the kids, luggage, and dog with its luxurious but well-built interior and with its muscular and smooth looking design whether you are cruising along the highway or parked in the driveway you will always have a smile on your face.

12/08/2024

Chung Ju-Yung was born in a village called Asan which is 30 minutes north of the demilitarised zone which is now where North Korea is located. He fled his family home three separate times wanting to provide a better life for himself and his family as he was hoping to find better opportunities elsewhere. Then after a year of working with his father on the farm he finally let him go realising his sons desire to see the world and from 1935 onwards Chung had worked in various places and jobs. From working as a dock worker carrying stones, to delivering rice which led him to learn to ride a bike. Then after years and years of working he opened a car repair shop in Seoul in 1941 which proved to be a hit as he managed to repair cars in 5 days rather than the other companies who took 20. Then after many years of his repair shop growing, he finally decided to leave and start up the Hyundai motor company in 1967 with the company growing massively over the years in South Korea and eventually overseas which helped boosted its popularity and quality of the cars it produced.
The Hyundai Venue was Hyundais answer to what a small and compact SUV should be with its boxy short body and short wheelbase and platform borrowed from the fifth generation Accent but with a higher ground clearance and SUV Styled body work making it both versatile in being small enough to drive around tight city streets but just large enough for a small family with kids. It is also stylish too with its own unique but recognisable design thanks to the 2 pairs of square shaped spilt headlights with the large grill in the middle with the company's logo in the centre giving you piece of mind that you are looking at something reliable. The boxy shape does not end there with everything about the Venues design outside being square or box shaped which was in choice from the square taillights to making the car easier to drive as it does not have a large overhang over the bumpers. The interior has been designed in such a way where its user-friendly features and simple but modern design of the interior. From the way the different materials match each other well to the way it’s designed in such a way where you don’t have to worry about ruining it especially since hard plastic is almost everywhere except for the seats and cloth trim making the interior simple and cheap but comfortable and reliable with its minimal use of cloth and more so on plastics.
Performance is surprising considering the size, but it is enough for cruising on the motorway, taking the kids to school or for a young couple without kids going on a weekend holiday together making the Venue perfect for all types of important and non important activities. But this 2022 model has a 1.6L 4-cylinder petrol engine which pumps out 90kws and 151Nm of torque making the little 4 banger an excellent choice paired to 6 speed automatic transmission going to front wheels only.
If you were wondering what features where available as standard and here is a list of those things is you can expect, Smart phone connectivity, Speed limiter, light sensitive automatic headlights and auto high beam, central locking, crash avoidance system and pedestrian avoidance with brake assist, ABS, lane departure and lane keeping assist and driver fatigue warning system. But if you want to learn more about the Hyundai Venue or any other car then the team at Caloundra city autos can happily help you out.

08/08/2024

Toyota industries corporation was founded in 1926 by Sakichi toyota who was born in 1867 and built some of the best inventions we use today such as cars, engines, air conditioning compressors and other equipment that was used in the manufacturing process of vehicles. His first invention was a Hand loom which was in 1890 and he continued making looms until 1931 when the company decided to develop engines and cars for the Japanese market which Toyota showed its first engine called the A-type in 1934 then a year later in 1935 the first prototype for there first ever passenger car as well as the model G1 truck was completed and unveiled at the new car release exhibition in shibaura Tokyo which was a huge turning point for the company as it continued to develop and perfect it’s growing automotive line up of cars which helped japans economy recover after WW2 as Toyota started expanding and exporting his new models worldwide.
The first-generation Toyota Camry was displayed in 1982 then in 1983 hit the market with a fresh new name and design with a boxy design from its headlights and taillights to the overall body shape making it very pointy looking from every angle you looked at giving it a wedged shape and especially on the interior where the boxy theme continues from the squared off dashboard to the gear stick and even the middle of the steering wheel where the airbag was held was also squared shaped giving the whole car that iconic 80’s look. The engine in the first-generation Camry was different for the us compared to the rest of the world with the US only getting 2 inline 4 engines while others like Europe also get two diesel options as standard, but the US did get the choice of a four-speed automatic transmission as-well.
The particular Camry that I drove was the 2017 model year which had received multiple updates inside and out with its iconic design which has become well known for its eye catching but recognisable design from its angler front end to the middle section of the bumper which was black giving it a sporty appearance which was only available on higher trim levels as well as the Camry having LED Daytime running lights but still remains recognisable despite the overall design changes. Moving to the side and rear of the Camry reminded mostly unchanged except for the sportier looking side profile and rear end with updated and new Taillights and just an overall new and fresh design helping bring the Camry into the modern era. The interior stayed the same as the previous generation but with minor modifications and tweaks. Such as a new and more responsive 4.2inch touchscreen as well as larger buttons on the centre console improving the ease of use while on the road. It still retains its fabric seats along with its clean but simple interior design from the different materials and how easy it is to operate making the cabin very user friendly. Under the hood of the Camry RZ houses a 2.5 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which pumps out 130Kws and 235Nm of torque making the Camry RZ quite quick when you want it to be but can also be smooth and relaxing experience which tells you how impressive the performance can be for the price.
The 2017 Toyota Camry RZ comes with a plethora of technological equipment, improvements and as well as safety features but here is a small list of them such as a MP3 decoder, CD player, bluetooth, keyless start with starter button, 2 zone climate control, voice recognition, digital clock, automatic light sensitive headlights, 6 airbags, central locking with alarm, brake assist plus a reversing camera as standard. But if you want to learn more about the Camry or any other car then head on over to Caloundra City Auto’s and they will be happy to help you out.
Thanks for reading!
Caelan

17/06/2024

Honda Motor Corporation Ltd started out as an engine manufacturer for bicycles in 1948 with only 34 employees and 1 million yen. Its first factory was in Hamamatsu, Japan. Then in 1954, Honda entered its first Isle of Man race with its own motorbike built just for that purpose, followed in 1958 by the consumer-friendly and very popular super cub or otherwise called a motorised scooter. Honda became victorious at the 1961 Isle of Man winning its first victory within the 125cc and 250cc classes. Two years later Honda joined the automotive industry with its first vehicle called the Honda T360 mini truck. This was followed by the S500 sports car. Then in 1981 Honda became the first automaker to develop a navigation system within the centre of the car. This brought on a new age of technology and automobiles.
The first generation of the Honda Accord came as the first of its kind combining fuel efficiency, high quality build and great value for money with sporty styling and sporty performance which helped it gain success not only in japan but around the world helping the company grow significantly. It launched in 1976 as a 3-door coupe with a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine which produced 50Kws of power which helped it be quite fuel efficient especially during the 1970s oil crisis. It was front wheel driven and a 5-speed manual transmission or a 2-speed automatic making it so you wouldn’t lose out of performance no matter the transmission as one engine was available. Equipment as standard for the time was quite generous with comfortable but high quality materials from the seats to the k***s and switches as well as a maintenance reminder system which helped remind the driver whenever it needed a service such as a oil change or rotate the tires etc making the accord a head of its time especially for a Japanese company like Honda.
The 2013 Honda Accord or sometimes referred to as the 9th generation Accord is a handsome and mature looking car inside and out with its unique but still quite modern looking design everywhere from its front end and headlights to the long side profile as well as the rear end overall making it a beautiful and easy on the eye design even after its initial launch in 2012. Once you take a look at the interior and you're sitting down in the interior you’ll be impressed by how spacious and luxurious it is despite the price tag with the use of materials such as hard plastic, and gloss black or whatever finishes you would like along the dashboard with the choice of leather from white to black to whatever other colours you wish to mix and match whenever your buying a new or used one you can easily make a choice that suits you. Performance is a big thing for the accord with the help of Honda providing a plethora of drivetrain and engine options from the least powerful 2.4l 4-cylinder Vtec engine which pumps out 128Kws of power and 245Nm of torque being available in ether automatic or manual transmission to the most powerful 3.5L V6 engine pumping out 207Kws and 342Nm of torque with all powertrain options being Front Wheel Drive only. But even tho its only FWD it still provides you with more than enough power around town and when you’re cruising along the motorway.
If you’re looking for a car with excellent levels of equipment to match the price tag and gorgeous looks then look no further, then the 2013 Accord and here is a list of some of the features you can expect to see such as, Speed Dependant Stereo, Bluetooth, rear air conditioning, LED daytime running lamps and taillights, Engine immobiliser, keyless central locking and trailer sway control. But if you want to learn more about the Honda Accord or any other car then head on over to Caloundra city autos and they will happily assist you with whatever you're looking for.

Thanks for reading
Caelan

Caelan's Automotive Reviews

01/11/2024

01/10/2024

04/09/2024

19/08/2024

12/08/2024

08/08/2024

17/06/2024

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