Entering into the final stretch of our feature of cars that begin with each letter in the alphabet, in this article we will focus on the latter V.
Over the years Volvo, Vauxhall and Volkswagen have been very successful manufacturers. But what about specific models of cars that begin with this letter?
Going through the archives, we can think of around 50 examples. Some of which are vehicles that are currently popular, while others are nothing but a faint memory for older car enthusiasts. One or two you might not even have heard of and then there are those we’d rather not mention!
Notwithstanding, there are a few that made a splash on the Australian automotive scene in one way or another. With that in mind, let’s proceed with our review of 6 vivacious cars that start with the letter V.
Suzuki Vitara
Older readers might remember a Vitara that did the rounds in the late 1980s.
Although the name was revived in 2005 after a 17-year hiatus, the current model is a completely different form from the one that was available back then.
Made by Suzuki, who have found Australia to be a good market for their affordable, unique and stylish machinery, the small four-door, five-seater compact SUV is a steady seller. It is a popular choice for drivers who want a car that can handle both city and off-road driving and is known for its combination of style, performance, and functionality.
Available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, it is powered by a range of engine options, including a petrol 1.6-litre engine and a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine. It is equipped with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and it offers good fuel efficiency and responsive handling.
One of the key features of the Suzuki Vitara is its stylish and modern design. The car features a distinctive front grille, bold headlights, and a range of eye-catching colour options. The interior of the car is spacious and well-designed, with comfortable and supportive seats and a range of advanced technology, including a touchscreen display and a premium sound system.
The car is also equipped with a range of safety features including driver assistance systems, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. It also has multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control to provide added protection.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV that was introduced to the Australian market in 2019. It pretty much replaced the Accent light sedan and hatch models that were discontinued, as the brand’s entry-level option.
One of the smallest SUVs on the market, it is a budget-friendly car that offers a range of advanced features and a practical design. It uses a petrol, four-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine that produces 90 kW of power and 151 Nm of torque. The car is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, and it is equipped with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. It offers good fuel efficiency and responsive handling, making it a great choice for city driving.
A notable feature of the Hyundai Venue is its practical design. The car offers ample headroom and legroom for both the driver and passengers, and it has a spacious cargo area that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. It also features a range of advanced technology, including a touchscreen display, a rearview camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Due to its affordability and very good specification, the vehicle is often bought as a first car for young people or those who recently passed their test.
Aston Martin Vantage
The Aston Martin Vantage is a luxury sports car that has been available in the Australian market since its launch in 2005. It is a two-door, two-seater car that is designed for drivers who want a combination of style, performance, and luxury.
What most admirers like about the car is its sexy, sleek and muscular exterior design. It is known for its long, low profile that incorporates distinctive lines and a range of aerodynamic features. Inside, the car is equally impressive, with high-quality materials and attributes like heated leather seats, a premium sound system, and a touchscreen display added to its appeal.
In terms of performance, the Aston Martin Vantage is powered by a V8 4.0-litre engine that produces 375 kW of power and 685 Nm of torque. The car is also equipped with an automatic eight-speed transmission and has a top speed of 314 km/h.
Additionally, it boasts characteristics like adaptive suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and electronic stability control that further improve its driveability. While advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a rearview camera offer elevated levels of protection.
Overall, the Aston Martin Vantage is a deluxe vehicle that is on the wishlist of many Australian car lovers. Not everyone can afford it, due to its high price point. But that doesn’t stop people from adding it to their mental shopping list for when they win the lottery.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a practical and stylish car that offers a great combination of comfort, safety, and advanced technology. It is a very good choice for drivers who want a vehicle that is both practical and fun to drive and continues to be a popular seller in the Australian market.
A mid-size luxury wagon, it is notable for its spacious and well-designed interior, which offers comfortable supportive seats and plenty of room for cargo. Its interior also features advanced technology like a touchscreen display, premium sound system and various connectivity options.
The vehicle comes with a selection of engine options including both petrol and diesel four-cylinder 2.0-litre types. It is also equipped with an automatic eight-speed transmission and is known for having good fuel efficiency and responsive handling.
As you would expect from a Volvo, its safety features include multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. It also had automatic emergency braking, a departure lane warning system and adaptive cruise control added to its mix.
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a range of practical features including roof rails and a spacious cargo area. It also comes in a range of eye-catching colour choices as well.
Holden Viva
The Holden Viva was a compact car that was sold in the Australian market from 2005 to 2009. It was a budget-friendly car that was designed for drivers who wanted a practical and affordable vehicle.
Available in both sedan and hatchback models, the brand was equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. It also had a four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine that produced 89 kW of power and 165 Nm of torque.
One of the key selling points of the Holden Viva was its practicality. The car offered good fuel efficiency and a range of standard features, including air conditioning, power windows, and a CD player. The interior of the car was simple and functional, offering generous legroom and headroom for both the driver and passengers.
While the car was equipped with multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control, it did not offer as many advanced safety features as some of its competitors in the market.
Despite its budget-friendly price point, it also faced some criticism for its reliability issues, with the car being known to have some mechanical problems, which led to concerns about its overall durability and longevity.
Eventually, these concerns and poor sales led to the car being discontinued and replaced by newer models in the Holden lineup.
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron is a high-performance sports car that is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and exclusive vehicles in the world. Although the car is not officially available for sale in Australia, a handful of privately imported models have made their way into the country.
Powered by a massive W16 8.0-litre engine that produces 1,001 horsepower, the Bugatti Veyron can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. It has a top speed of over 400 km/h, which ranks it up there as one of the fastest cars currently available.
The design of the Bugatti Veyron is slick and beautiful, with gorgeous curved body lines, an eye-catching front grille and several striking colour options. Its interior also contains premium materials, advanced technology, and a comfortable and spacious cabin that has been specifically created to withstand the rigours of high-speed driving.
When it comes to safety, the vehicle boasts multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.
Overall, the Bugatti Veyron is a rare and exclusive sports car that offers unparalleled performance, advanced technology, and a striking design. It is not a car that is easily accessible or affordable for most drivers, but for those who can get and afford it, it is a true symbol of luxury and performance.
