Car Opinions

Tech torque: Volkswagen's Diesel Scandal

Volkswagen’s diesel scandal highlights the growing gulf between what government bureaucrats demand and what the industry can deliver.

Dirty Work: A new Hilux, an old Landie or a 40 Series?

We lend Roothy a brand-new Hilux. Next minute there’s a dog in the front and a motorbike in the back.

Footloose: Will a kangaroo cull make our roads safer?

Collisions with kangaroos aren’t uncommon on Australian roads. But is a cull called for and should we eat the meat?

Defending the indefensible Land Rover Defender

After decades in production and with more than two million made, Land Rover’s current Defender has finally signed off. Australian author Tony Park will miss it.

Tight Lines: How to fish during silly season

Fish avoid the crowds during the ‘silly season’ at all costs. But a savvy fisherman can still outsmart the slippery suckers.

Bulldust: Remember your 4x4 trips

You don’t need to take notes to recall all your 4x4 adventures. But it helps.

Tech torque: The new 2.8-litre diesel for Toyota 4x4s

Toyota’s new 2.8-litre diesel might not seem like a big step forward, but appearances can deceive.

The lucky country: new car affordability in Australia

In real – or even unreal – terms, new cars have never been cheaper

What a Jeep Grand Cherokee taught me about stereotypes

A trip home in a Jeep Grand Cherokee taught me more about automotive stereotypes than any Internet meme ever could.

Dirty Work: 2015 Tasmanian Campfire Cook Off

Forced to drink beer and eat delicious Tassie tucker, Roothy reflects on the heavy burden of being a Campfire Cook Off judge.

Tight Lines: Does the catch justify the chase?

Sometimes you travel a hard road only to realise that what you’re fishing for was nearby all along.

Bulldust: Complex Four-wheel-drive electronics

Do complex electronic systems really make four-wheel driving easier? Or are they a headache waiting to happen?

Vale Ric Williams

I’d not long finished writing last month’s column, when I received news of Ric Williams’ passing on October 3, 2015.

Tech torque: Quad-turbo diesel engines

How many turbos can you fit to one diesel engine? BMW’s answer is four.

The search for a family car

With a growing family, Nathan discovered the trials and tribulations of upgrading the family car to a seven-seater. Masculinity optional.

Dirty Work: What's Milo's future?

Roothy ponders the future of Milo, its diff lockers, suspension, switchgear, and dashboard made of nylon cutting boards.

Japan is a glimpse into our not so distant future

Some people worry about the future, but this is a fruitless and fraught exercise. If you’re worried about it, just go and visit; it’s only a half-day flight from here, and it’s called Japan.

Tight Lines: How to use a landing net

Knowing how to use a landing net will help you snag more fish.

Restraining order

Samantha uncovers a secret killer lurking in the back seats.

Footloose: A bid to cut Australia's regional road tolls

There’s a very simple and inexpensive way to reduce the road toll in Australia’s regional areas.

Tech Torque: Electronic chassis control systems

Electronic chassis control systems have changed on-road safety. Now the systems are doing the same for off-road 4x4 ability.

Dash cam dilemmas

An in-car camera or dash cam can exonerate you if you’re in a car accident, but it can also document your vehicular indiscretions

Dirty Work: Discovering Cape York

No matter how many time he’s been to The Cape, Roothy is still discovering new and exciting places.

Dieselgate: Where there’s smoke…

Volkswagen should not be let off the hook, argues Stephen Corby