Performance &amp; Drivetrain

Automatic, Manual, CVT, and DCT: Choosing a Transmission That Suits You

Each transmission type has genuine trade-offs in fuel use, driver involvement, and long-term reliability. Here's a plain…

Continuously Variable Transmissions: Separating the Reputation from the Reality

CVTs attract strong opinions from drivers, yet the technology has evolved considerably. A balanced look at where CVTs ex…

Car Features Explained Editorial Team · 8 min

Engine Displacement Explained: What Litres and CC Actually Mean for Drivers

Engine size numbers like 2.0L or 1998cc appear on every spec sheet. Here's what they actually tell you about power, econ…

Engine Performance Myths That Trip Up Car Buyers

From 'bigger engines always use more fuel' to 'turbos are unreliable', common engine beliefs often mislead buyers. Here'…

Car Features Explained Editorial Team · 5 min

Horsepower vs Torque: Which Number Matters More on the Road?

Manufacturers advertise both horsepower and torque, but they describe different sensations behind the wheel. Learn which…

Hybrid Powertrains Unpacked: Full Hybrid, Mild Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid Compared

Full, mild, and plug-in hybrids share a name but deliver different real-world outcomes. Learn what distinguishes each an…

Performance Specs Buyers Should Prioritise — and Which to Mostly Ignore

Not every figure on a spec sheet reflects the driving experience. Here are the metrics worth weighing closely, and the o…

Power-to-Weight Ratio: The Spec Missing from Most Car Listings

A car's power figure alone tells half the story. Power-to-weight ratio reveals how brisk a vehicle actually feels — and …

Car Features Explained Editorial Team · 5 min

Powertrain Terminology: A Plain-Language Reference for Car Shoppers

From bore and stroke to final drive ratio, this reference defines every common powertrain term in everyday language — no…

Reading a Car's Performance Spec Sheet Without Getting Lost

Power figures, gear ratios, redlines — spec sheets are dense. This guide decodes every key performance metric into terms…

The 0–100 km/h Figure: What It Tells You and What It Leaves Out

Zero-to-100 times appear in nearly every car review, but the test conditions rarely match real roads. Here's what the nu…

Things to Check on a Test Drive That Reveal True Powertrain Health

A test drive is your best diagnostic tool. This checklist covers the sounds, sensations, and behaviours that signal whet…

Turbo vs Naturally Aspirated Engines: Real-World Ownership Differences

Turbocharged engines promise more power from less displacement, but ownership costs and reliability profiles differ. Her…

What 'Sport Mode' and Drive Modes Actually Change Under the Hood

Selecting Sport mode does more than sharpen throttle feel. Learn exactly which systems respond, what the fuel economy tr…