Links We Like: Mazda6, SQ5, NX 300h

Every week – okay, nearly every week – I post links to stories I’ve done elsewhere as well as stories I like. I’ve been a busy boy for carsguide.com.au (as you can see) and there’s more Redline goodness on the way in the form of a very special car indeed.

Have look, have a click, do me proud.

carsguide.com.au

I had the good fortune to drive the new Audi SQ5. I was a huge fan of the old diesel one (the only one I’ve driven) so was wondering if the petrol one had the mojo.

The new Mazda6 is an even prettier car than before with a new nose and tail and basically a whole new interior. The big news is the CX-9’s 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 170kW and 420Nm (the twin-turbo diesel is 140kW/450Nm). It’s no MPS6, but goodness is it a nice car.

I also drove the new Ingenium-engined Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic. I really like the way the Evoque looks (Rob Melville at McLaren had a hand in the LRX design study that became the Evoque).

And finally, I spoke to William Chergowsky (with video) from Toyota’s Calty Design studio. Calty is a hugely influential design studio, not just inside Toyota, but in the whole industry.

SUV Authority

My very good friend Karl over at SUV Authority got his teeth into the Lexus NX 300h Hybrid. I’m not a massive fan of the NX and it really should have put Lexus on the SUV map with younger folks but it doesn’t seem to have worked.

Practical Motoring

Over at PM, Paul Horrell had a crack at Volvo’s stylish Volvo V60. I have a thing for the looks of Volvos but haven’t had nearly enough chances to drive them. Paul went to the international launch of the brand new wagon and came away…well, have a look.