Articles by Aiden Taylor

Minis aren’t actually very mini any more. The brand has become more a style statement than an appropriate description, given the size and stature of the cars it now produces. Each successive model grows in size to fulfill new roles, or simply appeal to a wider audience.And the new Clubman Concept -- which is undoubtedly the production car robbed of its door handles and given some showy wheels -- is no different. Where the outgoing model is compact and quite obviously part of the small Mini family, this one appears to be more Countryman than Cooper.The concept is 4223mm long, 1844mm wide and 1450mm tall, representing a marked increase in size over the current Clubman which is 260mm shorter and 170mm narrower. As a result the 2015 model boasts greatly improved cargo and passenger space.The Clubman features the same face as the new Cooper range, meaning refreshed headlights with day-time running lamps and a mildly massaged front bumper are used. From the front angle it’d be difficult to tell the Clubman apart from the Cooper, its extra width and height the only telling factors.Move around to the side of the car however, and you’ll realise just how vast the new Clubman is. It’s longer and wider than the Paceman coupe-SUV-thing. The new model is also a conventional four-door, where the outgoing model features two standard passenger doors and a curbside suicide door.However the Clubman still employs two ‘barn-style’ rear doors to give improved practicality and versatility over a conventional single-door setup. A pair of slightly awkward looking rear light clusters trimmed in chrome – like most of the Clubman’s features – sit on the doors and are unique to the new car. The model pictured here has likely been given the ‘S’ treatment, which includes sportier twin central exhaust tips, roof spoiler and fruitier 2.0-litre engine.The interior looks further from production reality than the exterior. A large circular display dominates the dashboard as in all recent Minis, while the dash itself is a round shape similar to an aircraft wing, giving the cabin an open and airy feeling. Two smaller circular screens sit overlapped in front of the driver displaying engine and vehicle speed, and satellite navigation information. We expect the production-ready Clubman to use an interior closer in design to the new Cooper range.The Mini concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week, with news of a production-ready version likely to follow. If the production car retains the concept’s dimensions the iconic Clubman will become Mini’s largest ever model, and the British brand’s first ever five-door station wagon. 

Based on the XF Sportbrake that has, until now, only been available in four-cylinder or V6 guise, the XFR-S Sportbrake packs a mammoth 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. Power is pegged at 404kW and 681Nm of torque, while a slick eight-speed automatic gearbox sends drive to the rear.The zero to 100km/h sprint is claimed to take just 4.8 seconds, or 0.2 seconds slower than the sedan. Both cars are electronically limited to a top speed of 300km/h.The XFR-S will also feature reworked suspension components to provide a more engaging drive, while 20-inch ‘Varuna’ wheels cover larger brakes. The electronically controlled rear differential employed by the XFR-S sedan can also be found in the Sportbrake. Of course the R-S has been treated to a host of visual enhancements to give it a more aggressive appearance. The front bumper now features larger cooling ducts, while the bonnet incorporates louvres to extract heat from the engine and the front fenders now have ‘gills’. At the rear of the car you’ll find a larger carbon diffuser housing quad exhaust tips.The Sportbrake can also be had in this striking shade of ‘Ultra Blue,’ unique to the fast wagon. It’s not as shouty as ‘French Racing Blue’ applied to previous R-S models, but still pronounced.  Inside the Sportbrake boasts carbon-fibre trim and sports seats with contrasting micro-piping and stitching. Boot space is quoted as 1675 litres when the rear seats are folded flat.It is understood that only a handful of XFR-S Sportbrakes will be available globally, and the local Jaguar HQ has already scotched our hopes that any of those rare birds might come here. “We don’t have any plan to bring that car into the Australian market,” Jaguar Australia spokesperson Bethany Allsopp told Carsguide.

Lighter is better. Less weight improves handling while increasing efficiency and performance, so even mainstream automakers are really beginning to push the boundaries of lightweight vehicle construction in order to meet emissions regulations and performance expectations.When the BMW i3 electric city car launches it will be the first economy car sold in Australia to make extensive use of carbon-fibre and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The i3 employs a carbon-fibre passenger cell – like an F1 car or McLaren 12C - while all of its body panels are made of CFRP, so despite lugging heavy batteries around it is very light.Using lessons learned during the development of its new ‘i’ models, BMW is set to push the carbon-fibre envelope even further by introducing wheels made of the lightweight material. During BMW’s Innovation Days in Munich, the brand displayed two types of lightweight wheels; one featuring a carbon rim with alloy spokes which is around 25 percent lighter than an all-alloy equivalent. And one all-carbon design which is 35 percent lighter than an alloy.Carbon wheels have previously been sold by aftermarket manufacturers in limited numbers at ridiculous prices, but BMW is the first automaker to develop them in-house. The German brand has indicated that these wheels are not planned for production or EU approval, however overseas reports suggest we could see the innovative lightweight wheels on BMW products within two years. The company is also finding uses for its secondary carbon-fibre – the scraps from i3 and i8 production. These offcuts are chopped up and mixed together with plastic molecules to create a material that will replace aluminium, magnesium and steel in semi-structural components like steering wheels, seat frames and even dash board support structures. And because this new material is made from what would normally be considered waste, it’s cheaper than magnesium and other lightweight metals.BMW now just needs to prove to the regulators that these carbon components are strong enough and safe enough to be used on the road.

Carmakers often develop motor show concept cars that end up having little – or no – relevance to the real world, but the Hyundai Intrado is one we expect to see seeding future vehicles from the Korean brand.The Intrado's design has been influenced by aircraft, in that it uses a lightweight construction while taking a minimalistic approach to styling in order to improve efficiency and performance – the twin Holy Grails of an industry faced with increasing demands from both buyers and emissions regulations.At the car's core is a lightweight carbon-fibre structure onto which the body panels are attached. Besides reducing weight and adding significant structural strength over a steel structured vehicle, this allows the body panels to be made of any material, making repairs simpler and less expensive.This new way of manufacturing vehicles also allows designers greater flexibility. While free of unnecessary adornments to improve efficiency, the Intrado concept boasts a bold and sporting design aimed at people with an 'active' lifestyle.The high beltline, sharp creases above the wheel arches, and chiseled front fascia add flare and give the car a strong appearance. And those piercing headlights combined with a large flat grille should give the Intrado real 'rear-view-mirror' presence – if it ever makes it to the road, that is.Inside the concept features exposed carbon fiber and an overall minimalistic design. The bright orange panels certainly add vibrancy and zeal to an otherwise sparse but stylish interior.Former Audi design boss, now president and chief designer at both Kia and Hyundai, Peter Schreyer says "effortless and sensual, Intrado reflects the open-mindedness and constant renewal of the Hyundai brand. It also shows that Hyundai wants its customers to rediscover the joy and freedom that should be associated with personal mobility. That's why this car has such purity of purpose – it's logical, lovable and liveable."The Intrado is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain which charges a 36kWh Li-ion battery. Unlike a fully electric vehicle the Hyundai can be refueled in just a few minutes and travel around 600km before the hydrogen cell runs empty.  And while it's trundling about the Intrado emits nothing but water. Hyundai hasn't suggested that the concept will directly spawn a production car, but the hydrogen fuel cell technology shown in it is something that the brand is adapting to the real world with the IX35 Fuel Cell launching later this year.  

Based on the XF Sportbrake that has, until now, only been available in four-cylinder or V6 guise, the XFR-S Sportbrake packs a mammoth 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine.Power is pegged at 404kW and 681Nm of torque, while a slick eight-speed automatic gearbox sends drive to the rear. The zero to 100km/h sprint is claimed to take just 4.6 seconds.The XFR-S will also feature reworked suspension components, bigger brakes, and wider wheels and tyres to improve handling. The electronically controlled rear differential employed by the XFR-S sedan is expected to feature in this Sportbrake version as well.Of course the Sportbrake has been hotted-up visually to give it a more aggressive appearance. The front bumper now features larger cooling ducts, while the bonnet incorporates louvers to extract heat from the engine. At the rear of the car you'll find a larger diffuser housing quad exhaust tips. It can also be had in this striking shade of blue, unique the Jaguar's 'R-S' models.It is understood that only a handful of XFR-S Sportbrakes will be built with few, if any, coming to Australia. We'll have more details once the car has been revealed at the Geneva motor show on March 6. 

Previously shown at the Detroit Auto Show as a design study, the high performance concept will appear again at Geneva, sporting an aggressive powertrain.The Japanese prestige brand previously indicated that this high performance engine uses forced induction with its cylinders set in a 'V' formation. It has also said that this is a 'big personality' engine.Now we can objectively agree with Infiniti on the whole 'big personality' claim because the company has released a teaser video giving us our first listen to the car. With wastegates 'whistling' and turbochargers 'whooshing' throughout the video, this engine, which is likely a V6, certainly sounds angry.Specific details on the power plant remain a mystery, but Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen believes power should be in the realm of 370kW and 810Nm of torque for this sort of car. What's more, anyone who has listened to a Nissan GT-R will likely hear similarities between its exhaust note and the new Infiniti's.Whether the GT-R team would give up the 3.8-litre twin turbo unit that they've developed almost obsessively over the past few years is, however, unknown. We'll learn more details when the Eau Rouge concept appears at the Geneva Motor Show next month.Watch the Inifiti Q50 Eau Rouge engine teased video on our desktop site. 

Based on the all-wheel drive vehicle sold overseas (we get only front-drive versions here), the Cross is essentially a Panda on stilts with added ruggedness and off road capability. And  this means it is one of the few mini SUVs that claim to offer true off road ability and 'attitude'.Along with the extra body cladding and front and rear skid plates, the Cross introduces a new Terrain Control selector, similar in concept to the Terrain Response system fitted to the latest Range Rovers. Fiat’s Terrain Control system features three different settings which include ‘Automatic’ – which alters torque distribution between the front and rear axles automatically depending on the conditions – ‘Lock’ – for off road use at speeds of up to 48km/h – and ‘Hill Descent’ – which offers optimised handling for steep descents. The Cross also rides on 15-inch wheels wrapped in ‘oversized’ all-season tyres to improve offroad traction and on road stability. An independent MacPherson type suspension layout is used at the front of the car, while a torsion beam has been developed for the rear to accommodate the added differential. This is said to improve ride comfort over the previous generation Panda Cross. Ground clearance is listed as 15cm for the petrol model and 16cm for the diesel.The new car is powered by a range of engines with power boosted over the standard 4X4 Panda. The 0.9-litre three-cylinder option now produces 67kW – up 4kW – and 145Nm of torque while capable of sipping just 4.1-litres per 100km. The 1.3-litre turbo diesel option produces 60kW and 190Nm of torque, and offers a thirst of just 3.9-litres per 100km.Inside the Cross features seats upholstered in a combination of fabric and ‘eco leather’ – which we suspect means it has no animal content – while the dash panel features unique copper trim. With Australia not currently getting the all-paw Pandas, Fiat has confirmed there’s little chance we are in line for the new Panda Cross. “There are no plans to bring Fiat Panda Cross to Australia,” Fiat Australia spokesman Nick Raman told Carsguide. 

Previously only seen on larger Range Rovers, the ‘Autobiography’ trim level is being introduced across the Evoque range bringing increased levels style and exclusivity. There’s also a new ‘Autobiography Dynamic’ model which -- you guessed it - is designed to be more performance orientated with increased dynamic ability.The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is tuned to 209kW – up 32kW – and 400Nm of torque – up 60Nm – in the Dynamic for more spritely performance. The Evoque’s nine-speed automatic gearbox has also been recalibrated to respond more keenly to driver inputs.Naturally, the suspension has been fiddled with, too. Upgraded suspension geometry, firmer spring rates and recalibrated dampers are said to increase agility and turn in response, but without impacting ride comfort. Land Rover say the steering has also been retuned for the Dynamic, giving extra precision. Brake discs have also grown to 350mm at the front.The Autobiography trim level without the ‘Dynamic’ part is available in both three and four-door body styles with any powertrain. The top-shelf model grade features redesigned 20-inch wheels, a lower and more aggressive front bumper, plus ‘Autobiography’ badging. Autobiography cars are also available in high visibility jacket-style Phoenix Orange paint, which cannot be optioned on lesser models.Land Rover is also debuting a world-first technology across the Range Rover Evoque range dubbed ‘InControl Apps.’ This technology allows vehicle-optimized smartphone apps to be displayed and controlled through the car’s touch screen.Director of Land Rover Programmes, said, "the introduction of Land Rover InControl Apps together with the new range-topping Autobiography and Autobiography Dynamic derivatives, takes the Range Rover Evoque's core strengths a step further, bringing increased connectivity, desirability, luxury and dynamic ability to the already successful line-up." The Range Rover Evoque Autobiography and Autobiography Dynamic will make their public debuts at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. 

Mercedes-Benz has changed its plans for adding a CLA250 to the local line-up. The German prestige brand had originally confirmed we’d get the two-wheel drive version in March, but has now switched to the all-wheel drive 4MATIC – although there’ll be a few extra months to wait for it.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson, Jerry Stamoulis told Carsguide the opportunity to get the 4MATIC had only recently arisen. “When we announced the CLA pricing back in October last year the 4MATIC wasn’t available to us and so we only had the option of two wheel drive,” Stamoulis said “Recently we were informed that we could take the 4MATIC and due to the cost of only a $1500 increase we decided to go for the 4MATIC.”Mercedes has confirmed that the CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC will be sold in Australia from July, joining with another incoming variant to raise the line-up to four. Currently the CLA range consists of the CLA 200, priced from $49,900, and the tarmac-eating 265kw CLA45 AMG, priced from $86,900.Next month the CLA 200 CDI will land on our shores, packing a frugal 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 100kW of power and 300Nm of torque. Priced from $50,400, the CLA200 CDI can return a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.7 litres per 100km.When it lands here in July, the CLA250 will be priced from $64,900. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that sends 155kW and 350Nm through Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The sprint from zero to 100km/h takes 6.6 seconds -- 0.1 seconds quicker than the front-drive CLA 250 variant that was previously planned to enter Aussie showrooms.The CLA-Class’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system drives the front wheels alone during normal driving conditions but can send up to 50 per cent of the engine’s power rearwards in more demanding situations. The CLA250 also features electrically operated and heated front leather sports seats, plus AMG body kit and performance ‘enhancements.’Stamoulis told Carsguide he expects the 250 will be the most popular CLA variant when it goes on sale. Given the 12- month wait time for the CLA45 AMG, Stamoulis also believes that some AMG customers will purchase the 250 Sport to use until their 265W weapon arrives. 

Forty years after Volkswagen unveiled the original Scirocco at the Geneva Motor Show in 1974, a new facelifted model will debut at this year’s event. The newcomer introduces refreshed styling, interior fittings and engines for the handsome sports coupe.Still based on the MK6 Golf chassis rather than the new ‘MQB’ platform, the compact Scirocco features a new front bumper that incorporates design language similar to the latest Golf GTI. The new face also receives bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lamps and a more chiseled grille.At the rear you’ll find new LED tail lamps along with a sharper rear bumper and tailgate, but the  signature chunky ‘hips’ remain unchanged. The cabin changes are less obvious. Most notably, there’s a new steering wheel and instrument binnacle taken from the MK7 Golf GTI. Dashboard materials are also new and of a higher quality to those of the current interior, and all facelifted models feature additional gauges for turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and stopwatch, sitting atop the dashboard.The only Scirocco model we currently get in Australia is the top-shelf ‘R’ model which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 188kW of power. However the new version gets a power bump to 205kW and will therefore likely best its predecessor’s 6-second 0-100km/h time. While quicker, the new model is also expected to be more fuel-efficient than before.Volkswagen Australia has indicated that the new Scirocco is on their wishlist, but was unable to confirm potential timing. "This update is under consideration but I don't have any more details," spokesman Kurt McGuiness said.