Articles by CarsGuide team

With a blaring new colour scheme, the new $16,990 model continues a legacy dating back to the bike's launch in 1985, where it took race replica motorcycles to a new level. It was Suzuki's best-selling sportsbike in 2011 and is a direct link between the racetrack and the streets.Powered by a 750cc, 4 cylinder engine producing 110kW of power, the 2012 model features the latest Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel injection system, delivering sharper throttle response along with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.The Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) optimises engine output and provides riders a selection of two engine maps to suit the conditions or their riding preference. The GSX-R750's chassis has been designed with an emphasis on weight reduction and compactness to improve overall handling and provide an ideal power-to-weight ratio. The lightweight twin-spar aluminium frame, made from just five cast sections and cast swingarm, delivers superb cornering on both the road and racetrack, with optimal rigidity and unmatched accuracy. The GSX-R750 features inverted, lightweight Showa Big Piston Front-forks (BPF), developed on the racetrack for even more supreme handling. For greater stopping performance four-piston Brembo monoblock front brake calipers and 310mm dual floating discs are fitted along with a single piston rear brake caliper with a 220mm disc. The full function instrument cluster features an analogue tachometer, digital LCD speedometer and LED indicators, with a stopwatch and lap timer.

The German carmaker has introduced Start/Stop engine technology across the four-cylinder petrol range and sharpened prices at the same time. Four pot C-Class sedans and wagons will use the same Start/Stop technology that has proven successful on the diesel engined C-Class models delivering greater fuel efficiency and emission reductions. It will pay dividends to customers at the petrol pump and at point of sale as tax benefits under the "Fuel Efficient" Luxury Car Tax threshold of $75,375 come into play. All C-Class four cylinder cars now use less than 7.0-litres/100km placing them under the LCT trigger and delivering gains in technology and safety to customers as well as reduced prices. Mercedes-Benz's position on the LCT is well known; it does not believe or accept that any vehicle purchaser should pay LCT as it is a tax on technology and safety. According to Mercedes Benz Australia, "No other so called luxury purchase is subject to such a regressive, discriminatory and inequitable tax. We have taken the opportunity to pass on to our customers the benefits of technology in the elimination of any LCT on these models where the price is under $75,375 due to their fuel consumption rating." In the case of the C200 BlueEFFICIENCY Sedan and Estate this is a reduction of $300 in the price and a $2300 reduction for the C250 BlueEFFICIENCY Sedan and Estate.

Hyundai has achieved the highest score among all automotive brands in JD Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study. In its ninth year, the study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and examines the reasons why customers remain loyal. Hyundai earned the top spot in the study, improving its retention rate by four percentage points from 2010 to 64 percent in 2012. According to JD Power and Associates, Hyundai's increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand's quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade. Meanwhile, Korean stablemate Kia Motors Corporation has announced that its global sales for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for 2011, reached an all-time high of 2,478,959 units, reinforcing Kia's position as one of the world's fastest growing automakers. This figure represents an annual year-on-year increase of 18.6 per cent and marks the first time in the company's history that it has eclipsed the 2.4 million unit sales mark.

The diminutive French hatchback will be the centre of attention throughout 2012.  To kick off celebrations the company has entered three original, Renault 5 Alpines in the 2012 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The three cars have been specially prepared for the Monegasque event by Renault Classic.  They were stripped and carefully rebuilt for the 2500km rally.  The front-wheel drive Alpines are powered by a 105kW 1.4-litre four cylinder engine, with a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes.  The cars weigh 870kg and have a top speed of 190km/h.  Three Frenchmen, Jean Ragnotti, Alain Serpaggi and Manu Guigou, have been selected to drive the cars from the start in Reims on to the finish in Monaco. It was Ragnotti in car (N19) that steered to second place overall in the 1978 Rallye Monte-Carlo.

The Civic Hybrid will now have a 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine coupled with Honda's upgraded Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, delivering 82kW and 172Nm. The improved IMA system delivers more power under hard acceleration. It recharges the new lithium-ion battery through the engine as well as using regenerated brake energy.  The new Civic range will be in Honda dealerships early March with a starting price of $20,990 for the entry level Civic VTi-L manual. The ninth-generation Civic is available in three variants VTi-L, Sport and Hybrid.  The VTi-L has a 1.8 litre i-VTEC engine delivering 104kW and 174Nm of torque while the Sport's 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine delivers 114kW and 190Nm, with improved fuel efficiency.  Civic achieves a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest available. Increased use of high tensile steel in the Civic's body delivers improved ride and handling. Standard features across the range including an intelligent multi-information display, automatic climate control, cruise control, Honda's ECON mode, integrated Bluetooth with audio streaming, iPod connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls.  The Civic Sport gains leather appointed seats, an electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic front wipers.

The family yesterday turned down a bid of $146,000 for the orange high-powered sports car. The 2010 BMW M3 has only 6926km on the clock but yesterday failed to meet a secret reserve set by Tomic's father John during a Brisbane auction. Pickles Auctions manager Robert Webster said the Tomic family had negotiated with the highest bidder, a mysterious interstate buyer, but had failed to reach an agreement. "It will be up to the Tomic family whether or not they re-list the car for auction. They may sell privately or through a dealer,'' he said. "They spent around $200,000 for the car in 2010 and they were expecting a higher return.'' The failed sale comes just two weeks after the 19-year-old was pulled over three times and fined twice by police in less than two hours on Australia Day. Police also charged Tomic with three traffic offences, including evading police. Talking at a media conference this week Tomic said he might never drive in Australia again. Pickles Auctions national manager Steve Allen said Tomic had said he now wanted to focus on his tennis career without distractions. "He's had his fun and he's ready to focus on tennis now,'' Mr Allen said. "We thought it would fetch a high price given the publicity surrounding the car and its performance enhancements. "There are only five of these BMWs in this colour in Australia.'' John Tomic attended the auction and appeared disappointed with the final bid. Punters said they were shocked the top bid was turned down. Bidder John Marshall joked he wanted to buy the BMW for his granddaughter. "I was thinking about it but she's only on her P-plates,'' he said. "It's an outrageous price for a car but I guess with all that comes with it . . . "I am here looking for a more sensible car but it was great to witness the auction. I thought for sure it would sell today.'' The Tomic family has until tomorrow morning to reconsider the $146,000 bid.

But it is unlikely to make it to Australia in the A1 Sportback. The five-door hatch was launched in Europe last week with a 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine that shuts down two cylinders when the engine is under low load or coasting. Audi says the "cylinder on demand" deactivation reduces fuel use by 0.4 litre/100km, while the idle stop/start system trims another 0.2 litre/100km for a combined fuel consumption of 4.7 litres/100km. Australian spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the frugal engine isn't on the local radar and won't be unless buyers demand it. "At this stage we don't plan to bring that car," she says. "Technology of that kind comes with a premium ... there's a fine line between a premium subcompact car and a car that's just too expensive." It's a different story with the base 1.2-litre turbo engine, which would give Audi an entry model priced under $30,000. "We're interested in it and are looking at the business case for it but it only comes with a manual gearbox," she notes. "Most (75 per cent) A1 sales have been with the S-tronic automatic transmission so that something we have to consider." The A1 Sportback is expected to go on sale in late June with an estimated price for the entry level car of just over $30,000. CYLINDER ON DEMAND Audi showcased its cylinder deactivation system last year on the 4.0-litre V8 destined for the top-range S models. The tech has now flowed down to the A1 Sportback and is expected to be introduced across the Audi model range, though the company won't comment on timing. Two cylinders are disabled on the A1 when the engine is running from 1400-400rpm under light loads. It operates via camshaftt sleeves known as cam elements that have two profiles - a regular mode and one that rotates over the inlet and exhaust valves without activating them. As the accelerator is depressed and engine load increases electromagnets slide the sleeves to enable all four cylinders. The system is designed not to work under braking or when the car is coasting downhill to maximise engine braking. On the road there is a barely perceptible change in the engine note when the system cuts two cylinders and only a miniscule jolt as it returns to normal running that can't be noticed unless the driver is actively trying to find it. There's no vibration when it is running on two-cylinders, which Audi attributes to the dual-mass flywheel and changes in the engine bearings.

Significantly lighter than its predecessors, the sixth generation GSX-R1000 is the fusion of performance and design and delivers more mid-range power and acceleration.  As Suzuki's flagship sportsbike, the GSX-R1000 is powered by a 999cc, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine delivering 136kW of power and featuring Suzuki's Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel-injection system and a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio.  In the 2012 model, Suzuki engineers have made significant improvements across the machine, including 11 per cent lighter and stronger pistons, revised crankcases with newly designed ventilation holes, a modified exhaust camshaft profile and increased engine compression ratio.  The GSX-R1000 now features a 4 into 1 exhaust system and a newly designed titanium muffler, dramatically improving the machine's agility and handling as a result of its lighter weight.  Delivering even more stopping power, the GSX-R1000 now uses dual Brembo monoblock calipers and new disc rotors, both of which are significantly lighter than the previous front brake package.  The GSX-R1000 is packed with race-bred technology, including Suzuki's Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) which offers a selection of three performance settings to suit riding conditions and a slipper clutch.  With a twin-spar cradle frame, made from just five cast aluminium-alloy sections, and the revised Showa Big Piston Forks (BPF) with a 5mm shorter stroke and softer suspension setting to accommodate the lighter weight, the GSX-R1000 offers supreme handling at racetrack speeds. New for 2012 is the high-grip seat cover for the rider and pillion to increase rider stability under acceleration or deceleration, combining with the adjustable footrests for a smooth ride.  Completing an impressive package, the GSX-R1000 instrument cluster includes a lap time counter, adjustable shift light and gear position indicator, as well as speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters and LED indicators.  The GSX-R1000's striking good looks are highlighted by the new pin stripes on the wheels and updated GSX-R graphics adorning the new colour schemes.  The GSX-R1000 has an impressive racing pedigree and since its introduction over a decade ago, has won multiple championships, including four Australian Superbike Championships.  Available in Australia early next year, the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000 comes in a choice of two colour schemes. Pricing information will be announced closer to the arrival date.

Nick Bracks signed on late last year as the face of Daelim after being introduced to the new motorcycle brand during a photoshoot. He says he loves them. "The quality of the products," he answered when asked what stands out about the Daelim brand.  "Daelims range all have a unique feel about them and are made to a very high standard. There is a very individual feel with all of the Daelim products."  In late 2011 Nick took the leap and got his two wheel licence and has not looked back, now scootering around town on a Daelim scooter. "I love the fact that it is different from any other scooter I have ever come across. The fact that it has no plastic on it and just metal framing really separates it from other scooters," he said.  "Also the old school speedometer and features like that give it a unique feel. I feel very secure on it. It is almost like a mini Harley!"

Among the extra equipment and cosmetic changes, the 2012 model will now come with Bluetooth phone and a USB port, leather seat trim and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment for no extra cost. Also part of the 2012 refresh are a few cosmetic tweaks. The pint size drop top now comes with the new corporate identification Lion badging as well as black meter dials, a black interior roof colour and "Boyington" dashboard trim accents. The price remains unchanged from $33,490 for the 1.6L man and $35, 490 for the automatic. The 1.6-litre four cylinder engine produces 88kW/160Nm and meets the strict Euro 5 emissions standards. The 1.6-litre turbo automatic is no longer available for 207 CC. The new features are in addition to the already comprehensive level of equipment on the207 CC which includes automatically folding steel roof, cruise control with speed limiter, dual zone climate control air conditioning, electronic stability program, four airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist which applies more braking force in the event of sudden braking to increase the efficiency of your braking.