The new Jaguar estate. Yes…estate November 6, 2012 Why are we changing cars?” I ask, momentarily confused. Climbing out of Jaguar’s new XF Sportbrake and into exactly the same car – the top-end 271bhp 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel V6 version – makes no sense. And then it all becomes clear – the new car has a 50kg Smeg fridge in the back. This [...]
A superlative-defying Range Rover October 30, 2012 I’ve only been driving Land Rover’s new Range Rover for five minutes and already I have had to swerve to avoid a man running down the motorway. Not across the motorway you understand but down it, as if he is pretending to be a car. Driving the new Range Rover in Morocco is challenging. Pedestrians [...]
Australia could stumble as China looks uncertain October 29, 2012 FX360 OVER the last decade, the Australian economy has grown significantly. It’s become a key supplier of raw materials to the emerging Bric economies, and China has been at the heart of this demand. For a time, materials like iron ore couldn’t be shipped out of Australia fast enough to sate huge Chinese demand – [...]
Volkswagen gives you two-in-one October 23, 2012 Few cars become iconic in their own production lifetime; they have to be unusually good and dearly loved by a loyal customer base. Over the years, Volkswagen has achieved this several times: there was the Beetle, of course; then the sporty Golf GTI, which single-handedly created the hot hatchback segment when it was introduced back [...]
Canada closes the door as Russia keeps playing the field October 22, 2012 CANADIAN politicians were in damage limitation mode yesterday, taking to the country’s airwaves to tell anyone who’d listen that The True North is open for business. Their protestations come in the wake of industry minister Christian Paradis’ last minute decision on Friday to block Malaysian state oil company Petronas’ bid for Progress Energy, a natural [...]
Polymetal ups sales guidance on high output October 17, 2012 PRECIOUS metal producer Polymetal yesterday posted record gold output of 317,000 ounces, up 48 per cent year on year, revising up its full-year production guidance. For the nine months to 30 September, gold production was up 46 per cent year on year. On a quarterly basis, production increased seven per cent. The Russian producer cited [...]
Bullish expectations over Chinese GDP send FTSE over the 5,900 level October 17, 2012 BRITAIN’S top shares hit their highest level in more than a month yesterday, propelled by strength in risk-sensitive commodity stocks ahead of economic growth data from top consumer China. Gains by miners and energy stocks accounted for nearly all the FTSE 100 index’s gains – adding 21 points and 16 points respectively – on expectations [...]
BHP Billiton iron ore output edges up October 17, 2012 Australian miner BHP Billiton this morning reported a one per cent rise in iron ore output to 39,772 tonnes over the three months to September. Coal output dropped four per cent year on year to 8,938 tonnes. The miner warned this morning it was less likely it would expand its coal operations in Australia due [...]
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto report rising output October 16, 2012 RIO TINTO and BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest miners, have posted iron ore production growth in spite of lingering concerns about long-term Chinese demand. Rio produced 52.6m tonnes over the third quarter, up five per cent compared to the same period last year. The Australia and Canada-focused miner said year to date global iron ore [...]
Bentley taps into the need for speed October 16, 2012 It’s pouring with rain as we speed along the autobahn towards the Bavarian Alps. I don’t have the cojones to get anywhere close to the 205mph top speed that this new Bentley Continental GT Speed is capable of, which is a shame because this is the fastest road-going Bentley ever made and we’re on an [...]