Articles by CarsGuide team

The interior has a spacious feel, with or without the large panoramic glass roof fitted as standard on the Ford Kuga Titanium model.

The Haldex ‘intelligent’ AWD system and the proven tuned chassis technology with MacPherson struts on the front and Ford’s acclaimed Control Blade rear suspension deliver exceptional driving dynamics to the new Ford Kuga.The go-anywhere character and substantial off-road ability of the Ford Kuga comes to the fore in the Trend and Titanium.‘Intelligent’ AWD contributes positively to normal road use and helps give the vehicle a sporty and dynamic feel for outstanding on- and off-road driving performance especially in difficult weather and surface conditions.At the same time, special actions have been taken to offer remarkable off-road skills and flatter the novice off-road driver.“The Ford Kuga has been developed to provide off-road skills without ‘SUV sins’,” Herrmann said.Optimised torque, fuel consumption and tractionThe AWD system used on the Ford Kuga Trend and Titanium is a so-called ‘intelligent’ system. It permanently monitors the driving situation and the driver’s demands to always react with optimised torque distribution. With driving torque permanently distributed to all four wheels driver intervention – by way of operating separate controls – is not necessary to operate it. Ford’s engineers have provided the car with optimal road holding, irrespective of surface conditions.Optimised fuel economyAlthough the driving torque is permanently ready to be distributed to all four wheels the ‘intelligent’ part of the system ensures that just the right amount of torque is transferred only at the point in time it is needed.This ensures that optimal torque distribution during acceleration and deceleration is applied. A separate ‘slip control’ is applied for those occasions where the base torque is insufficient. The base torque transfer has been lowered to support the fuel economy of the vehicle.This is possible because yaw rate and lateral acceleration are used at higher cornering rates to increase torque transfer, and thus optimise the Ford Kuga’s balance to help maintain an excellent level of handling during enthusiastic driving.These combined actions contribute to favourable fuel efficiency as they provide much the same control as when a driver manually switches between drive modes on a switchable system.Best possible traction controlThe active ‘on-demand’ coupling of the AWD unit provides optimal torque distribution during acceleration and deceleration, which is calculated from the engine and various electronic system signals including ABS, DSC and TCS. The on-demand coupling is integrated with the traction control system to provide torque to an individual wheel if it needs more torque than the remainder. In addition, a specific locking torque is applied to the coupling at standstill to prevent wheel slip during launch situations.‘Intelligent’ AWD in all situationsAs with many of the features and equipment fitted to Ford Kuga, the AWD system has been designed and integrated for simple and seamless operation. There are no additional buttons or levers that the driver needs to operate.The ‘intelligent’ AWD system distributes the engine torque up to a ratio of 50/50 front/rear and uses technology that monitors information from a number of key areas to determine when and how much AWD power should be used.These parameters take into account the torque and speed of the engine, throttle position, steering wheel angle, yaw rate, braking system and the speeds of all four wheels among other signals. The Ford Kuga has a maximum approach angle of 21 degrees and a maximum departure angle of 24 degrees ensure that hills and descents can be tackled with ease and confidence.‘Intelligent’ AWD pre-chargeTransmitting up to 10 per cent of torque to the rear wheels from a standing start means maximum grip is available instantly; some competitor systems require the vehicle to move before power can be distributed to the rear.‘Intelligent’ AWD when corneringFord Kuga systems recognise lateral acceleration (enthusiastic cornering) and transfer exactly the right amount of torque to the rear wheels. This improves balance and grip and results in safe and assured handling.‘Intelligent’ AWD when acceleratingThe intelligent AWD coupling will lock and prepare to transfer torque to the rear axle when the accelerator is pushed aggressively. The system recognises that torque levels are about to increase, giving the driver virtually seamless intelligent AWD grip instantaneously.‘Intelligent’ AWD when wheels slipIn addition to the intelligent AWD electronic sensors, a mechanical pump responds to any loss of forward grip on the front wheels by instantly transferring torque to the rear axle.‘Intelligent’ AWD when parking and manoeuvringOn tight corners at low speeds torque is reduced to the rear wheels to optimise efficient and comfortable manoeuvring.‘Intelligent’ AWD and Traction Control SystemThe Traction Control System (TCS) automatically modifies its operation to suit different conditions. For example, in sand some wheel slip is needed for best traction, but on road surfaces less wheel slip is best. The TCS will always account for the type of surface that is being driven on.‘Intelligent’ AWD and Engine Drag torque Control (EDC)Helps prevent wheels slipping and skidding as a result of engine braking in very icy or slippery conditions. The system senses wheel slip at high engine speed in low gears and uses the engine management system to increase torque output to compensate./ford/kuga

“It was important that we made the Ford Kuga instantly recognisable as a Ford model, but we also wanted to retain a design relationship with the original concept,”

The Audi R8 Spyder's 4.2-litre FSI engine produces 316kW of power, compared with the V10 version with 386kW or the GT version with 412kW.Even with the V8 aboard it still does the dash in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 300 km/h.The compact V8 which weighs just 216kg is hand-assembled at the engine factory in Gyor, Hungary.The engine is mated to a six-speed manual or R tronic sequential manual gearbox, with all-wheel drive standard.The goods news is that the V8 Spyder is about $80,000 cheaper, but still costs a bomb at $300,400.The 4.2 Spyder which arrives in the middle of the year will feature a similarly high level of equipment to coupe.These include the following highlights:19-inch 5-twin spoke design alloy wheelsAudi magnetic rideAudi parking system advance with rear view cameraMetallic paintXenon headlights with LED daytime driving lightsSport seats upholstered in Alcantara leatherWind breaker.

When Jaguar started becoming successful with the XK Engine, the HWM Motor Company took the engine and created a car that ran in Formula One from 1951 to 1955. For 1951, the works HWMs grew up into proper F2 single-seaters, and the team’s European exploits continued over the next three seasons. Other young drivers to cut their teeth in the green cars included Peter Collins, Harry Schell and Paul Frère. But the beautifully built HWMs tended to be heavier than their opposition, and the Alta engine, ever more highly tuned to try to stay competitive with newer machinery, was becoming less reliable. So HWM then turned its thoughts to the sports-racing class, and in 1953 fitted a modified F2 chassis with a Jaguar engine and an all-enveloping two-seat body. Registered HWM 1 (later YPG 3), this first works HWM-Jaguar proved to be lighter and better handling than the C-type Jaguars. In the hands of Abecassis and others, it was very successful in British racing

Check out how he carves up the snow with these unlikely hot wheels. Colin Furze previously set the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest mobility scooter by reaching 115km/h on his converted wheels. It's not  stock standard of course. Furze spent three months upgrading the machine, adding a 125cc motorbike engine that allows it to scream past your average footpath dawdler. He was told by the Guinness Book of Records officials that he would qualify as long as the revised result still looked like a mobility scooter and used the same wheels.

Two specially prepared 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s — the most powerful and best handling Jeep vehicle ever — were recently delivered to Alonso and Massa at the Fiorano circuit in Maranello, Italy. The identical vehicles were custom-built vehicles with Ferrari input. Fiat owns both Ferrari and Chrysler/Jeep. Each SRT8 features an aggressive exterior look with an SRT-exclusive design, which adds classic Ferrari brand styling cues and the unmistakable Rosso Corsa signature colour. The seven-slot Jeep front grille is painted matt black and features custom red inserts. An offset, black driver's stripe with a white accent customises the front and rear bumpers, bonnet, the entire surface of the roof and the rear spoiler. Additional details include a matt black painted dual-pane sunroof, carbon fibre mirror surrounds and a gloss black rear light bar with red accents on the Jeep logo. To complete the exterior trim, the Italian flag has been painted on the underside of the rear spoiler as a tribute to the Ferrari F150 Formula One car. Ride height has been lowered 35mm and both vehicles ride on forged aluminium, 20-inch wheels painted black. The cabin is enhanced by exclusive Ferrari Red leather inserts on the seats with sculpted bolsters. Also the door trim panels, the central armrest and the instrument panel boast leather. The leather-wrapped SRT8 steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters features red contrasting stitching. The instrument cluster features yellow dials which give the cabin a look of the GT cars produced in Maranello. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is powered by an 6.4-litre HEMI V-8 engine with fuel saver technology that switches off four of the eight cylinders when full power is not required, to ensure increased fuel economy. The HEMI V8 powertrain delivers 344kW and 624Nm of torque propelling the SRT8 model from 0-100kmh in under 5.0 seconds. It brakes from 100kmh-0 in 35m. The Grand Cherokee SRT8  will be available here later this year.

But not by the BBC. Top Gear has again come in for criticism after the show this week included several offensive words. The criticism comes as the British broadcaster issued a crackdown on swearing - but exempted the popular motoring show. The offending item on the show screened in the UK this week involved presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May replicating a car chase scene from the upcoming movie The Sweeney. Top Gear has copped criticism in the past year for racial slurs and Clarkson suggesting striking public service workers should be shot.

The high-tech ultra-efficient, turbocharged direct injection 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine delivers performance Ford claims will rival a traditional 1.6-litre engine. The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is available with two power levels in the five-door Focus in UK and European markets. The 92kW version delivers a combined fuel economy of 5.0-litres/100km and low CO2 emissions of 114g/km (a level unmatched by Focus competitors with similar power outputs), while the 74kW version delivers a combined fuel economy of 4.8-litres/100km and outright best-in-class petrol CO2 emissions of 109g/km. Around 200 Ford engineers successfully developed a powertrain which not only leads on fuel economy but also delivers refined and spirited driving performance. Though the 1.0-litre EcoBoost cylinder block can fit onto a sheet of A4 paper it delivers up to 92kW and 170Nm peak torque (200Nm with overboost) between 1,400 and 4,500rpm, giving it the highest power density of any Ford production engine to date. It is the third addition to Ford Europe's EcoBoost engine family. Joining the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines. Ford says the 1.0 litre EcoBoost signals a new era of downsized, super frugal engines for the sub-97kW segment. During development engineers focused on improving thermal efficiency and reducing friction of the engine's internal moving parts, especially during warm-up. A Ford spokesman said "Gone are the days when the number of cylinders dictates performance. This highly efficient, technically advanced powertrain is not only great fun to drive, but it delivers fuel economy improvements and ultra-low CO2 emissions which lead to real world cost savings for our customers." Australia will likely see the engine in 92kW form in Ford's B-Max sub compact SUV next year.

The new Prius V will be the first Toyota production vehicle in Australia fitted with a lithium-ion battery under the centre console between the driver and front passenger.Toyota's lithium-ion battery is smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride battery in Prius, but has similar storage capacity.Prius V, due on sale in May this year, will join an expanding Prius family that includes the standard Prius hatch and the Prius c city car.Toyota Australia's executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the seven-seat Prius v will broaden the appeal of Toyota's hybrid technology and environmental credentials."The Prius V is all about versatility -- it is larger and roomier to meet the needs of growing families while retaining the Prius DNA of environmental performance and fuel economy," Mr Callachor said."Due to the placement of the lithium-ion battery pack between the front seats, there is minimal compromise to the MPV-style seven-seat passenger accommodation or the load space," he said."Families will have the flexibility of using all seven seats or folding down the third-row seats to convert the car into a five-seater with extra luggage space."Customers can also fold down the second-row seats to accommodate more cargo than many SUVs and wagons on the market today."Prius V has been newly designed from the ground up as an evolution of Prius, not merely an elongated version. All exterior body panels are new.It is 135mm longer, 30mm wider and 100mm higher than the Prius hatch with the wheelbase extended by 80mm, making it possible to accommodate adults in all three rows.Prius V showcases the latest generation of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, which employs a 73kW 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine and a powerful 60kW electric motor. Total system power is 100kW.Since 1997, Toyota Motor Corporation has sold more than 3.5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.This represents more than 80 per cent of all global hybrid sales, giving Toyota an unquestionable lead in the drive towards sustainable mobility. In Australia, Toyota and Lexus have sold more than 35,000 hybrids, including 17,000 Prius.