Articles by Aiden Taylor

Mini's new Cooper John Cooper Works performance flagship will wear a $47,400 pricetag in manual guise when it arrives in local showrooms in third quarter.Powered by a 170kW/320Nm version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the regular 141kW/280Nm Cooper S hatch, the JCW will also be available with a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox priced from $49,950.The manual is $3000 cheaper than the previous R56 155kW 1.6-litre version, while the auto model is $2800 more affordable.The new JCW is quicker too, capable of hitting 100km/h in 6.3 seconds in manual guise or 6.1 seconds with the paddle-shift automatic (down from 6.5/6.7s).The JCW also gets upgraded bakes over the standard $36,950 Cooper S designed specifically for the hot hatch by Brembo.The suspension has also been retuned with stiffer springs and dampers for better handling, and the JCW features multi-mode adaptive dampers as standard.Other standard features include 18-inch JCW-specific alloys, reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, selectable drive modes, satnav, head-up display, LED headlights and JCW sports seats and steering wheel.The range-topping hot hatch also brings a number of styling tweaks to give it a more aggressive appearance over the standard Cooper S.There’s a new front bumper incorporating additional cooling vents, revised rear bumper and a new roof spoiler.Fuel consumption over the previous JCW has also been reduced, with the new model boasting 6.7L/100km combined in manual form, while opting for the automatic sees that figure drop to 5.7L/100km.When it arrives in local showrooms later this year, the Mini JCW’s nearest rival will be the all-wheel drive 170kW Audi S1 which is priced from $49,900 but isn’t available with an automatic transmission.

Toyota has added more standard features to its entry-level 86 GT coupe, while reducing prices across the GTS range.The base 86 GT coupe retains its $29,990 pricetag, but now features a reversing camera as standard. The more expensive GTS model received a standard reversing camera in July last year.The camera also brings with it an upgraded 6.1-inch touchscreen multi-media system, which includes Bluetooth phone and audio and USB and SD card inputs.Toyota has also reduced the price of the GT automatic by $300 to $32,490.Prices have also been cut across the GTS range, with the manual now $500 cheaper at $35,990 and the automatic $800 more affordable at $38,490.These price changes represent a complete back-flip on the pricing revisions made in July last year which saw prices rise by $500 and $800 for the manual and auto, respectively.Toyota claims the price cuts come courtesey of the reduced import duty taxes brought by the free trade agreement between Australia and Japan introduced late last year.The full-size spare wheel was removed from the 86 coupe’s option list shortly after its launch in 2012, but can now be added at no extra cost while a tyre repair kit is fitted as standard. The mechanical package has not been changed since Toyota revised the steering for better feedback and the suspension to improve the handling of the rear-drive sports car in July last year.The 86 coupe’s 2.0-litre flat-four engine continues with 147kW/205Nm while combined fuel consumption is listed as 7.1L/100km for the six-speed auto and 7.8L/100km for the manual.Australia is the third biggest market for the 86 coupe and Toyota is preparing an 86 pro-am racing series that will take part at V8 Supercar events from 2016 onwards.

Honda’s Civic Type R hot hatch hero has returned, debuting at this week’s Geneva motor show in its fourth generation.Unlike previous generations that used naturally aspirated engines, the new model employs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine which develops 228kW/400Nm – significantly more than the 148kW/193Nm of the preceding Type R.Naturally, the new Type R is a lot faster – with a claimed 0-100km/h figure of just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 270km/h.Unlike its Ford Focus RS rival which has recently made the switch from front to all-wheel drive, the Civic uses a front-wheel drive setup with a six-speed manual gearbox.It also has a unique dual-axis strut front suspension setup, which features an additional steering knuckle to reduce the torque steer normally associated with powerful front-wheel drive cars.Honda says it has reduced torque steer in the Type R by 50 per cent compared to the standard Civic.  The rear suspension uses a torsion beam design that has been modified over the standard Civic to incorporate a new ‘crushed pipe,’ which improves roll rigidity by 180 per cent and aids high-speed stability.Adaptive dampers have also been fitted at each corner, while the electric power steering system has been recalibrated for better response and feedback.The bodywork has also been extensively modified in the transformation from humble to hot hatch.As previewed by the various concept cars that preceded this final production version, the Type R gets an aggressive front bumper with integrated front splitter, while the wheelarches have swollen and include aerodynamic vents to reduce high-speed lift and cool the brakes. At the rear the concept’s diffuser with quad exhaust tips and Formula 1-style centrally mounted fog light carry over, while the rear wing has been toned down slightly – it still isn’t subtle though.Wheels are 19-inch items specific to the Type R wrapped in 235/35 tyres, which cover Brembo brakes measuring 350mm at the front with four piston calipers.The result of all these changes according to Honda, is a new front-wheel drive production car Nurburgring lap record with a time of 7 minutes 50.63 seconds.It’s about four seconds quicker than the hardcore Renault Megane RS275 Trophy R that previously held the record.However, the Type R that set the record was not standard and had its air-conditioning, infotainment system and passenger seat removed for its timed runs.Honda claims that the addition of a roll cage makes up for any weight reduction advantages gained by the removal of the car’s standard equipment.While the new Honda Civic Type R will go on sale in Europe in a few months time, it may not arrive locally until 2017 as Honda Australia wants to get the new NSX hybrid supercar on the road first.

Mercedes has released the first images and details of its new GT3 series competitor and replacement for the current SLS AMG GT3 race car used since 2011.Based on the new AMG GT road car, the racer benefits from major body alterations to hide widened front and rear tracks and packs an aggressive aerodynamic package.Despite the obvious race focus, Mercedes claims the GT3's double-wishbone suspension is closely related to the road car.Curiously however, Mercedes has not chosen to use the road car's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Instead, the new GT3 competitor will adopt a version of the 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 used in the current race car.According to AMG, the proven 6.2-litre V8 comes with long maintenance intervals and low running costs, making it a more cost effective choice for endurance GT3 racing.Turbocharged engines also bring increased complexity when it comes to GT3 homologation, which may be another reason why AMG has stuck with the old-fashioned 6.2.Unlike the road-going GT that uses a dual-clutch transmission, the GT3's transaxle is a more race-oriented six-speed sequential unit to drive the rear wheels.In its pursuit of weight-optimisation, the new GT3 features carbon fibre doors, bonnet, front splitter, side skirts, boot lid, front and rear bumpers and rear wing. The the racer also uses a modified version of the road car's lightweight aluminium spaceframe chassis, while a high tensile steel roll cage made adds extra driver protection.Deliveries of the new AMG GT3 race car will begin towards the end of 2015 - or just in time for next year's Bathurst 12 Hour...

Audi's new second-generation R8 supercar has received an online unveiling ahead of the car's official debut at the Geneva motor show next month. The new model is lighter, faster and sharper than before and unlike the original R8 will only be available with a V10 engine from launch.Powering the new R8 is a mid-mounted, dry-sumped and naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 that is carried over from the outgoing model but boosted from 386kW/530Nm to 397kW/540Nm in standard form, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.The quicker V10 Plus model packs the same 449kW/560Nm unit as the Lamborghini Huracan, and also matches the Lambo's 3.2 second 0-100km/h time.The engine isn't the only part of the R8 shared with the new Huracan either. Its new multi-material spaceframe platform is also derived from the V10 Lamborghini.The R8's passanger cell is a hybrid structure made from a combination of lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre which weighs just 200kg, allowing for a bodyshell that's 15 per cent lighter than before.The B-pillar, transmission tunnel and rear bulkhead are all made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics, while the roof and structural framework are made from aluminium. The result is a body structure that is 40 per cent torsionally stronger than before - and the old R8 was hardly flimsy. Like the outgoing model, the new R8 uses an S-Tronic 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive system which can now send up to 100 per cent of the V10's grunt to either end.The new model is essentially the same size as the old model with the exception of width - it's now around 11mm wider.Its overall shape hasn't changed dramatically either, but sharper lines give it a significantly more muscular appearance.The first-generation R8 coupe's trademark contrasting 'sideblades' have been included but are now much smaller and only cover the side air intakes.The new model also features a more significant aerodynamic package with an aggressive rear diffuser, and fixed carbon fibre wing on V10 Plus models. As standard the new R8 rides on 19-inch alloys with 245/35 front and 295/35 rear tyres which hide unique weight-saving wave-shaped steel brake discs while carbon ceramic discs are fitted to the V10 Plus.The interior has also received a thorough makeover, featuring a new Audi TT-style wing-shaped dashboard and fully digital instrument display with integrated multimedia.There is also a new sports steering wheel with engine start/stop and drive mode select buttons. The V10 Plus model gets a further two buttons, one for controlling the sports exhaust system and another rotary dial for selecting dry, wet and snow programs for the stability control system. Like other Audi Quattro models, the R8 features four different driving modes which vary the throttle response, gear shift speed, steering weight and damper stiffness if adaptive suspension is specified.Modes include comfort, auto, dynamic and individual, which allows drivers to select their ideal combination.The new Audi R8 is tipped to arrive in Australia in 2016, following its debut in Geneva.

Kia's all-new third-generation Carnival people-mover has touched down in Australia this week, with significantly improved features, comfort, safety and styling matched by price increases of up to $5000.Designed at Kia's California design studio, the new Carnival is the final Kia model to get the full Peter Schreyer styling treatment. Despite appearing larger, the new model is 15mm shorter in length and 55mm lower in height, but a 40mm longer wheelbase and smarter packaging has boosted occupant legroom and cargo space.With the third-row seating in place, the cargo area totals 960-litres (up 77-litres), which grows to 2220-litres with the rear seats stowed away and a whopping 4022-litres with all rear chairs folded.Unlike its predecessor, the new Carnival is exclusively available as an eight-seater from launch, and therefore drops the 'Grand' from its name.This latest model is also significantly safer than the one it replaces, boasting a 74 per cent increase in torsional rigidity thanks to greater use of ultra-high tensile steel. Standard safety features across the range include, six airbags, stability control encompassing ABS and traction control and reverse camera with rear parking sensors.Range-topping Platinum variants score active cruise control, front parking sensors (also fitted to the SLi), forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, auto high-beams and rear cross-traffic alert.However, like its Honda Odyssey, Toyota Tarago and Citroen Grand C4 Picasso immediate rivals, the Carnival is not available with an auto emergency braking function (AEB).Initially, the new Carnival will only be eligible for a four-star ANCAP safety rating as it isn't fitted with second-row seatbelt reminders. Kia Australia expects that cars built from June onwards will be fitted with the safety device and will therefore qualify for a maximum five-star rating. Four different trim levels will be offered on the new Carnival, with a choice of either a 206kW/336Nm 3.3-litre petrol V6 or 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel - both equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel carries a $2500 price premium over petrol models but its 7.7L/100km combined fuel consumption figure significantly trumps the 11.6L/100km of the petrol. The range starts at $41,490 for the S, representing a $2000 increase over the outgoing entry-level model. The S is equipped with three-zone air-con, six-speaker audio system with 4.3-inch multimedia display, six-way adjustable driver's seat, stain, odour and static-resistant cloth upholstery and 17-inch steel wheels with hubcaps.Stepping up to the $45,490 (up $4000) Si adds an 8-inch multimedia screen with satnav with SUNA real-time traffic updates, DVD player, 3.5-inch driver instrument display, electric folding door mirrors, LED taillights and 17-inch alloys.The $49,990 (up $3000) SLi adds front parking sensors, proximity keys with push button start, leather upholstery, hands-free automatic tailgate which opens when the key is sensed near the tailgate, eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, power sliding rear doors, cooled glove box, chrome grille and window surrounds and 18-inch alloys.On top of the SLi's features, the $57,490 range-topping Platinum model (up $5000) scores HID headlights, auto high-beam assist, eight-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats, 7-inch colour driver instrument display, heated first and second row seating, the afformentioned additional collision-mitigation features, a more aggressive mesh grille and 19-inch chrome-finish alloys.The new Kia Carnival is on sale now, covered by Kia's industry-leading seven year unlimited kilometre warranty.

Mitsubishi has released the first images and details of the new XR-PHEV II SUV concept which will debut at the Geneva motor show next month. An evolution of the XR-PHEV concept shown at Tokyo in 2013, this latest creation looks to be closer to a production model and likely hints at a replacement for the current ASX small SUV.Like the previous XR-PHEV, the new concept also uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that likely previews a production model that would sit beneath the existing Outlander PHEV. The XR II shares its 2670mm wheelbase with the current ASX but is slightly longer overall, wider and taller and features a significantly more muscular and daring design.A unique and heavily defined character line runs the length of the car and blends into the rear tailgate and the design features a Range Rover Evoque-like rising belt line.The XR PHEV II's look is a dramatic departure from Mitsubishi's current design language and features noticably more aggressive and angular lines, which are likely to be toned down for production. Powering the concept is a small petrol engine combined with a 120kW electric motor driving the front wheels. Like the Outlander PHEV, the XR PHEV II runs in full electric mode ordinarily, but the petrol engine will chime in if the batteries need to be charged or if extra urge is needed - the combustion engine can work as either a generator or directly power the wheels. The driver is also able to control the hybrid powertrain manually through selectable drive modes, allowing for full combined power or pure electric driving at any time.  Mitsubishi claims the car is able to emit less than 40g/km of CO2 while also benefiting from the instant power and torque provided by electric motors.

McLaren has released the first images of its new track-focused 675 Longtail supercar, ahead of its public debut at next month's Geneva motor show. The 675LT was inspired by McLaren's F1 GTR Longtail race cars of the 90s and the super rare road-going homologation GT special - of which just three were built. The new model takes their focus on race-optimised aerodynamics and weight reduction and applies them to the regular 650S. In the interests of ultimate track performance, a convertible version of the 675LT won't be offered.Unlike the original Longtails which featured massive body-lengthening alterations, the 675's visual changes are less dramatic with only a slightly longer rear wing and front splitter. McLaren has upped the power for the 675LT in an attempt to keep up with Ferrari's new turbocharged 492kW 488GTB. More than 50 per cent of the 'ordinary' 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 has been modified, lifting its outputs from 478kW/678Nm to 496kW/700Nm thanks to new turbos, revised cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, new camshaft and connecting rods and a faster-flowing fuel pump. The changes are so extensive, the 675LT motor gets its own unique part code - M838TL for car geeks.The 675LT can hit 100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 200km/h flashes past in 7.9 seconds and flat out it'll do 330km/h - 3km/h less than the 650S, due to the extra drag created by the more aggressive aero package. McLaren has also shaved around 100kg off the curb weight of the standard 650S by using carbon fibre body panels and lightweight components in the engine and chassis, bringing the new model's dry weight down to 1230kg. A titanium exhaust system saves around 1.1kg despite featuring a more complex design to extract more performance from the V8 engine, while air-conditioning has been removed but can be added at no extra cost.The active rear wing is also 50 per cent larger than standard but its carbon fibre construction means it's actually lighter. This feature works in tandem with a bigger front splitter with race car-style end plates to increase down force at the front of the car. At the rear, the 675LT features a more aggressive carbon fibre diffuser to reduce high-speed lift, while the exhaust pipes - circular this time - exit centrally through a new rear bumper with extra cooling vents. Wheels are new 675LT-specific 19-inch alloys wrapped in extra-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres. The interior is mostly carry-over from the 650S, with the exception of lightweight carbon-backed bucket seats upholstered in Alcantara and inspired by the P1 hybrid hypercar's items.The air-conditioning controls have also been integrated into the touchscreen infotainment system for buyers who specify air-con - this feature will likely be introduced on other McLaren models in the near future.Currently, it's unclear whether the new McLaren 675LT will be sold in Australia. If it does land locally, it's a fair bet it will be priced significantly higher than the $441,500 650S.

Aston Martin has revealed its most extreme model ever, the race-ready and track-only Vulcan supercar. Like the recently revealed hybrid Ferrari FXX-K and McLaren P1 GTR, the Vulcan is a super exclusive track weapon that can't legally be driven on the road. Instead, just 24 units will be built for wealthy gentlemen racers and packaged with an exclusive Aston Martin driver training program.Building on Aston Martin's experience in GT racing, the Vulcan uses an all-carbon fibre construction and isn't directly related to any current Aston road cars.Under the bonnet is a massive 7.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine with over 597kW, which drives the rear wheels through a race-spec 6-speed sequential gearbox. This gearbox is linked to a limited-slip differential via a magnesium torque tube and carbon fibre driveshaft.Brakes are competition-ready carbon ceramic items measuring 380mm at the front and 360mm at the rear, within lightweight 19-inch magnesium wheels wearing 345/30 Michelin race tyres. Like the exotic One-77 road car, the Vulcan uses a pushrod suspension setup, with anti-dive geometry, dynamic spool valves and adjustable dampers and sway bars. Because it won't necessarily be driven by professional drivers, the Vulcan also features anti-lock brakes and traction control systems with variable degrees of assistance.The car also sports an aggressive aerodynamic package with large rear wing, front splitter and rear diffuser along with aerodynamically-optimised cooling ducts over the body.Aston Martin has also stated that the Vulcan's styling hints at the next generation of the British firm's road-going sports cars.      The interior features race harnesses, roll cage and fighter jet-spec steering wheel and the Vulcan complies with all FIA race safety requirements.The 24 lucky Vulcan owners will be able to take part in an extensive track driving program with Aston Martin Racing's Le Mans winner Darren Turner, while the car's performance can be scaled down for driver's who aren't yet confident in exploring its full potential.Before taking delivery, driver's will also pilot a number of high performance Aston Martin models including the V12 Vantage S, One-77 and Vantage GT4 race car to build their skills. The Aston Martin Vulcan will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month, with performance data to be revealed closer to its track debut later this year. 

 Audi has given us an early look at its Geneva-bound hybrid Prologue Avant concept, building on the original Prologue coupe concept shown at the L.A motor show in November. Previewing the design direction of future Audi wagons, the 5.11 metre long show car is slightly bigger than the current A6 Avant but likely hints directly at the new A4 due to appear later this year. The concept features an aggressive front bumper incorporating a stretched version of the familiar Audi grille, combined with a heavily contoured bonnet. It also wears boxed front and rear wheel arches that  are traditionally reserved for RS performance models. At the rear, the Prologue Avant gets a sloped tailgate reminiscent of the classic C3 100 Avant from the eighties. The overall shape is also similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, suggesting that Audi may have an A7-based wagon rival in the works. The cabin is typically futuristic for an Audi concept and features dark luxurious materials and matte-finished aluminium highlights.The show car also features a digital instrument display and unique tablet-style infotainment systems for up to three passengers. Beneath the sheetmetal, the show car features a plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive V6 diesel powertrain borrowed from the new Q7 e-tron Quattro SUV, but boosted to 335kW/750Nm.Audi claims it can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds, or run in pure electric mode for up to 54km.The concept will debut at the Geneva motor show next month.