Articles by CarsGuide team

In all tests, dummies are used to facilitate the scientific measurement of the various forces in the crash test. The data gathered is then assessed, using internationally recognised protocols, and scores are determined for various parts of the crash test. Additionally, ANCAP award bonus points for other safety features such as seat belt reminders. The overall score is then translated into a star rating of between 1 to 5, with higher scores awarded more stars. Frontal offset test Side impact test Pedestrian test Pole test. Make safety a high priority when choosing your next car. Look for vehicle with a minimum of 4 stars ... it could save your life. Crash test dummies Dummies provide vital clues to what happens in a crash. Hybrid III (frontal impact) and EuroSID II (side impact) dummies have experienced dozens of crashes first-hand. Their role is vital: the accident simulations rely on having a driver and passenger aboard to provide a full picture of likely injuries in a crash. Hybrid III is designed to gather data from frontal impacts and EuroSID II gathers side-impact data, so the instrumentation in each is very different. Our guide to Hybrid III explains how data is sourced. For more information on crash testing, visit the ANCAP website.

Kids aren’t usually a factor in Car of the Year judging.  But child friendliness rates highly with women buying cars – and with women judging cars.The countdown has been kicked off to decide the Women’s World Car of the Year, and the kid factor is one the judges pay a lot of attention to.“Statistics show that women drive children in cars significantly more often than men – and that means women need to take that into account, both when buying and as judges of cars,” WCOTY president Sandy Myhre said from New Zealand.“Any woman who has grappled constantly with child seats and belts and children considers those things when looking at buying a car.  Men might too but the fact is, women drive children in cars more than men.“Women would not consider that aspect in a Porsche 911 more than a bloke. The point is, it can be considered in these awards - and that is one of the points of difference in these awards.”Myhre points out that significant research into buying habits show that in addition to buying for themselves, women have a major influence in household purchase decisions for big ticket items.Ford Australia, for example, says their research shows that women are behind the majority of purchases of the Territory SUV – either as single women buying one, or in influencing the joint decision with their partner. “A report from Mattingly & Associates in Australia concluded, in part, that businesses that didn't understand this influence would be hard-pressed to stay in business.  That report was aptly called 'When I've Made Up Our Minds',” Myhre says.However, the kid factor is just one of the criteria by which the 2012 Women’s World Car of the Year will be judged.There are four categories in the Women's World Car of the Year – Family Car, Luxury Car, Sports Car and Economy Car. Points are allocated to each of ten criteria: driveability, engineering, comfort, child friendliness, style, interior, storage, dashboard efficiency, carbon footprint and colour range.The 20 judges from eleven countries have submitted their own personal short list and more than 300 cars were suggested. These individual choices were then whittled down to form a master list of 32 in terms of popularity. Judges will now allocate points for these cars from a criteria list.The announcement of the winning cars in each category and the supreme winner will be made before the end of March. The supreme award trophy and category certificates will be presented to the car companies concerned at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012 – the Paris Motor Show – in September. The supreme trophy will this year be made in The Netherlands. Category-winner certificates will be designed at Peartree Studios in Colerne, UK.The first winner of the Women's World Car of the Year was the Jaguar XF in 2010 and the trophy made in South Africa was presented at the Jaguar boutique showroom in Knightsbridge, London. In 2011 there was a dead-heat between the Citroen DS3 and the BMW 5 Series. The two trophies made in India were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. 

The VFR1200X Crosstourer aims to deliver all the fun and excitement of a sports tourer with the comfortable upright riding position and manoeuvrability of an adventure machine. Due for release in Australia in April, the Honda Crosstourer signals an important expansion of Honda's V4 model line-up, with optional features such as a dual clutch transmission. It's powered by a 1237cc, V4 engine which has been installed for the first time in a Honda adventure sports touring motorcycle. The engine has been optimised for stronger low- and medium-rpm drive, intended to deliver smooth power to make Crosstourer feel effortless on long rides. Honda's dual-clutch 'manumatic' transmission is optional. The system offers a choice of manual gear shifting and two fully automatic modes, one for general use and another for high performance riding. Honda Crosstourer's die-cast aluminium frame mounts and long-travel suspension systems front and rear are said to deliver an engaging riding experience and a comfortable ride. Designed to excel on a wide variety of road surfaces, the front and rear suspension systems both offer generous amounts of controlled, bump-absorbing travel. The rigid 43mm upside-down telescopic forks are designed to offer control with precise steering and stability, even during hard cornering and heavy braking. The Pro-Link rear suspension configuration targets a combination of strong traction and ride quality. Both the front forks and rear shock are adjustable for both tension and preload, allowing riders to alter chassis characteristics to suit their riding style and intended usage. Honda's traction control system and combined ABS underline the new machine's any-road, any-weather capability.

While final Australian specification and pricing will be announced closer to the 4008's on-sale date, Australia and New Zealand will be two of the first markets to receive the 4008. Production starts next month, and the new 4008 will be available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions with competitive pricing. The new 4008 will enter one of the most competitive segments of the market in Australia with a price tag sub-30K. Peugeot says it combines strength, power and driving safety in all circumstances, particularly the all wheel drive variant. Despite its links with Mitsubishi, all 4008's exterior panels, except the doors are unique to and styled by Peugeot.It is a much better looking vehicle that the previous model. Interior ambiance is enhanced by the choice of materials, like the soft texture fascia, to the instrument panel visor and the lacquered black decoration of the centre console. The 4008 sits on the same size wheelbase as the 4007 but is 30cm shorter. Globally, there are four engines on offer a 1.6-litre (86kW/152Nm) four cylinder petrol with a five-speed manual gearbox, a 2.0-litre (113kW/198Nm), four cylinder with a five-speed manual or CVT, a 1.6-litre HDi (84kW/270Nm)  280Nm with overboost mated to a six-speed manual and a 1.8-litre HDi (110kW/300Nm) four cylinder turbo diesel with a six-speed manual transmission. To optimise consumption, the stop and start system is available on both diesels and the 1.6-litre petrol.

But one of the most famous paint jobs pencilled to be there will now be a no-show. It's the $15,000 one-off car cover sporting the shape and livery of Allan Moffat's 1971 GTHO Phase III Falcon. The good news is that while Clipsal fans won't get to see it this weekend, it's because they now have a chance to win it - and share in $8000 worth of great prizes. The GTHO car cover was commissioned by Team Norton DJR to unveil their livery a couple of weeks ago, with driver James Moffat teaming with his dad Allan to peel back the cover's famed Number 9 paint job and reveal the new one underneath. There had been plans to display the cover at Clipsal, but once Team Norton DJR agreed to hand it over to Carsguide for a competition, it was decided that the collector's item should stay safely back in the team's Queensland base to make sure it reached the winner without extra wear.Moffat, who went on to win the title four times, has autographed the cover. And he says he has high hopes for 27-year-old James. "It took me nine years to win my first title, and I was 33 when it happened," Allan said. "James is only 27 and he's in his second season of V8 Supercars, but there's so much more expectation these days." Team Norton DJR and Carsguide will offer readers the chance to win the cover with a competition that starts during Clipsal.See your Carsguide from Friday for details on how to enter.

The Giulietta's new oiler aims for spirited performance but cuts fuel consumption to 4.5 litres/100 km on the combined fuel consumption test.  Alfa Australia reckons the new powertrains will account for most Guilietta sales because the market is dominated by self shifting gearboxes and diesels.  They claims the Giulietta's diesel is capable of dispatching the 0-100kmh sprint in 7.9 seconds for the turbodiesel.  Equipped with the next-generation twin clutch automatic transmission with shift paddles behind the steering wheel, the latest Giulietta is available with either the International Engine of Year Award Best New Engine 2010', the petrol 1.4 TB MultiAir 125kW, or the 2.0 JTDM-2 125kW turbodiesel, the ALFA TCT range increases the Giulietta's appeal in both the fleet and consumer sectors. The petrol consumes an average of 5.2 litres/100 km while the diesel betters that at 4.5 litres/100km.  The 2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta range opens with the 1.4 TB in manual form at recommended retail price of $36,990 and TCT is $38,990. The new Giulietta JTDM-2 with the TCT gearbox as standard has a recommended retail price of $41,990. The range topping Giulietta QV is priced at $41,990 ..

...previews the company's next mainstream B-segment (light) contender to be sold alongside the Micra city car and Juke crossover.Nissan Invitation is based on the Micra platform and is due to be launched in the UK from 2013.It looks a lot like the current Honda Jazz from the front and along the sides. Nissan claims the Invitation has class-leading aerodynamics for enhanced efficiency.The cabin has been designed featuring purposeful technology features. The car combines advanced engine technology, Nissan's lightweight platform and an aerodynamically efficient body to achieve class-leading levels of fuel efficiency and emissions.The concept car packs some of the most advanced technology ever seen in the B-segment, all of which is designed to ensure it is as safe as possible.Among the features is Nissan's advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology seen for the first time on a B-segment car which makes reversing and parallel parking as stress-free as possible.

Of the 666 cars for 15 markets worldwide, only 40 Angels & Demons have been allocated to Australia, with the car priced from $39,990. Its `bad boy' exterior is complimented by the acclaimed Cup chassis and 151kW of grunt to take you beyond the daily grind.The Clio RS Angel & Demon is a debutante in more than one way, introducing a pair of enticing matt body colours to Renault's line up in Australia: the angelic Matt Hologramme Grey or devilish Matt Toro Red. The exterior is enhanced by gloss black 18-inch Interlagos wheels, with red Brembo brake callipers. The wheels display the R.S. badge in the centre and are shod with Bridgestone RE050A tyres  a first for Renault Sport in Australia.These asymmetric, ultra-high-performance tyres incorporate dynamic sporty handling and a quiet, comfortable ride to meet the rigorous demands of prestige performance vehicles. The matt body colours are complimented by a gloss black roof, upper tailgate, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, F1-style blade in the front bumper, door handles and exterior door mirrors. The rear-side and tailgate windows are dark-tinted to complete the roguish style. An optional Angel & Demon tattoo can be grafted onto the left hand side of the rear quarter window pillar to identify this limited series.

Revealed at the Chicago motor show -- and designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, California -- the Elantra Coupe takes Hyundai's dynamic "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles to the next level. Hyundai's signature hexagonal front fascia opening and jewelled swept-back headlights give the Coupe a lean, aggressive demeanor. Fog lights and available side mirror repeater lamps complement the view from the front. It's fitted with the same 1.8-litre four cylinder petrol engine as the sedan, pushing out 110kW of power and 178Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission, producing fuel economy of 5.9 litres/100km in manual form. In the States the car is fitted with a 7-inch touch-screen navigation with rearview camera and a hands-free phone system with voice recognition. Hyundai says there are no plans to introduce the Elantra Coupe into the Australian market at this stage.

The Javelin was conceived in the 1960s to take the fight up to the established Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro 'Pony Cars'. And Jim Richards' new Shannons Javelin will be the only one of its type competing in Australia when it makes its circuit debut at 'Clipsal' on March 4. "That was a big part of its attraction," explained the four time Australian Touring Car and seven-time Bathurst champion. "I'm a motoring enthusiast and I knew it would interest others."  Javelins were built as pillarless two-door hardtops by the American Motor Corporation between 1967 and 1974 in two main generations model years 1968-1970 and 1971-1974.  The second-generation AMX version was the first pony car to be used as a normal highway patrol police car by any U.S. organisation.  The Javelin competed successfully from 1967, with Mark Donohue chalking up 20 race victories in the cars between 1967 and 1970 and three unofficial drivers' championships, the third achieved in 1971.  Penske Racing took over the AMC Javelin racing program with the second-generation cars in 1970 and with Donohue as lead driver won back-to-back Trans-Am titles for AMC in 1971 and 1972.  It was the success of these first-generation Javelins that inspired Jim Richards to source and develop his 1972 second-series Javelin for the Touring Car Masters series.  Australian Motor Industries (AMI) assembled right hand drive versions of both the first- and second-generation Javelin models under the Rambler nameplate in Victoria, Australia from CKD kits, with the right hand drive dash, interior and soft trim, as well as other components made locally. The cars were marketed under the historic Rambler name. The AMI Rambler Javelins were the only American 'muscle cars' of that era to be sold new in Australia. They were more expensive, had more power, and provided more luxury than the Holden Monaro of their era.  The Australian cars came with luxury trim and were powered by a 343-ci (5.6-litre) 210 kW V8 engine, driving through a three-speed Shift Command automatic transmission, and Twin Grip limited-slip differential.  Jim Richards' Shannons Javelin is stripped for racing and runs a 360-ci AMC V8 producing in excess of 450kW.