Articles by Aiden Taylor

The Nissan Qashqai SUV lands in Australia with more interior space and technology than the Dualis it replaces.

Nissan Qashqai and Mercedes-Benz C-Class get top safety rating, but four star Ssangyong Stavic people mover disappoints.

Watch the fastest ever and final Falcon GT storm around the Haunted Hills racetrack.

Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec Hybrid travels from Morocco to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK without refuelling.

The BMW M4 Coupe almost enters uncharted waters in new video.

2015 Volvo XC90 drivetrains detailed

New Honda CR-V Plus limited edition adds value to CR-V lineup.

New Volkswagen Passat heads upmarket with sharp styling and new technology.Volkswagen has released the first images of the new eighth-generation Passat, ahead of the mid-sized model’s public debut at the Paris motor show in September. With styling that adheres to Volkswagen’s recent preference for evolution rather than revolution, the new B8 model features a lower and wider stance,  with a  bold character line that runs the length of the car. Reduced overhangs and a shorter bootlid contribute to a more coupe-like profile, helping to distance the new model from its more restrained predecessor. This classy design continues inside, with attention paid to material quality and a new dashboard with hidden ventilation ducts. A 12.3-inch LCD display will also be available in place of traditional analogue dials for the instrument cluster.The new Passat will launch in both sedan and wagon bodystyles, with both offering larger interior dimensions despite the sedan being 2mm shorter, 12mm wider and 14mm lower than before.The wheelbase has also gained 79mm and the front and rear tracks have been widened. The sedan’s boot has grown by 21-litres to an enormous 586-litres, while the wagon’s cargo area has swollen by 47-litres to 650-litres – or a whopping 1780-litres with the rear seats folded.As with the current Golf, the new Passat employs the VW Group’s flexible and lightweight MQB architecture. The resultant use of high strength steel, hot-formed steel and aluminium in the body structure has helped to save up to 85kg over the current B7 model.In overseas markets the new Passat will be offered with up to ten different diesel or petrol four-cylinder engines, all featuring direct injection and turbocharging. Power varies from 89 to 209kW, and some models also feature Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system over the standard front-drive setup. The new model is available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with stop/start and brake energy recuperation technologies. A hybrid model that can run in full electric mode for up to 50 kilometres is also available, but is unlikely to reach our shores.  Among the long list of options are LED headlights, heads-up display, 360-degree multi-camera system, automated parking functions and adaptive cruise control with slow-speed capability. Also available will be a world-first Trailer Assist program, intended to help with the age-old trailer reversing dilemma by enabling the driver to control the approach angle of a trailer via the wing-mirror adjustment joystick. Australian specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed, but the new B8 Passat is expected to arrive in local showrooms in 2015.

Mitsubishi adds sedan bodystyle to the popular Mirage small car range.The Mitsubishi Mirage sedan has arrived in Australia priced from $14,490, boasting a five star ANCAP safety rating and generous interior dimensions. Known as the Attrage in other markets, the new model benefits from a 100mm wheelbase extension over the Mirage hatch to give an impressive 944mm of rear passenger legroom and a generous 450-litre boot. Mitsubishi claim the new sedan can comfortably seat five adults and carry their luggage.“The new Mirage sedan balances value, style and safety with low running costs, making it the ideal choice for customers looking to downsize into a smaller, more fuel-efficient car without compromising on features and space,” Mitsubishi Australia marketing boss Tony Principe said.Attention has been paid to noise, vibration and harshness levels for the sedan, and Mitsubishi claims refinement has improved over its hatchback sibling. All Mirage sedan models carry a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres/100km thanks to the frugal  57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine also seen in the hatch.A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard on the entry level Mirage ES, while the CVT automatic equipped version commands a $2,000 premium at $16,490. The Mirage ES comes with dual front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity with voice control, plus steering wheel phone and audio controls. The top-spec $17,490 Mirage LS sedan gains single-zone climate control, push-button start, auto headlights and wipers, and the CVT automatic gearbox as standard.

Ford boosts standard equipment across the Focus range with no price change.