Articles by CarsGuide team

Designed to G2 specifications, the new Jazz combine the very best in Australian and European engineering, with specifications found in many World Rally Championship cars.The Mugen-tuned 2.0-litre engine delivers 183kW at 9000 revs and 193Nm of torque. Honda will be entering a second driver combination alongside Eli Evans and Glen Weston, to be announced early this year.Honda Australia spokesperson, Lindsay Smalley said the new cars could take Honda from challengers to champions."We are excited about the next year of rallying. Racing is in Honda's DNA. These rally cars are modified with the best engineering from Australia and Europe. Fitted with Mugen engines, these may well be the fastest Jazz in the world."Honda is proud to continue its support of Australian rallying and we hope next season will be even better than the last. As our founder Mr. Honda said, if Honda does not race, there is no Honda," Mr. Smalley said.Bosch ARC boss Scott Pedder welcomed Honda's expanded commitment to the Championship and congratulated the company on its initiative. "Honda has to be commended for leading the way and being the first to commit to the new formula."The Honda Civic Type R that Eli Evans and Glen Weston campaigned over the past two years has become a crowd favourite at rallies around the country, because of how exciting it looks on the stages and the great sound it makes. These new cars are going to look even better."The renderings of the new Honda Jazz G2 are very exciting and give a strong indication of how the new generation of two-wheel drive rally cars will look. I am sure they will fire the imagination of rally enthusiasts," Pedder said.Six rounds will comprise the 2012 season, with a 'Rally Showcase' at Calder Park in Victoria to mark the start of the season in March.

Toyota Australia's Matthew Callachor said the fuel-economy rating for Prius C on the city cycle will be even better than the third-generation Prius."In the city where Prius c is more than likely to spend most of its life we expect it to be rated at 3.7 litres/100km," he said. "This compares with 3.9 litres/100km for the regular Prius.Mr Callachor said Prius c due in local showrooms within three months will be the gateway to an expanding Prius family that will build on the strength of the world's premier eco-vehicle brand.Prius c will be smaller and lighter than Prius, offering engaging driving dynamics with superior urban manoeuvrability from its hybrid powertrain.Toyota has adapted its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to the Prius c platform, redesigning the system's major components to make them smaller, reduce weight and improve efficiency.Smart packaging resulted in key drivetrain components being located within the chassis to produce optimum interior space and handling. Placement of the compact 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine, transaxle and power-control unit is designed to enhance weight distribution and lower the centre of gravity.The hybrid battery and fuel tank are positioned together beneath the rear seat, ideally distributing their mass within the wheelbase to improve weight distribution and roominess.Maximum power from the petrol-electric hybrid system is expected to be 74kW. Standard safety features in Australia will include seven airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist, hill-start assist control and front seatbelt force limiters.

The addition of GS 250 will see Australian Lexus customers offered three powertrain variants, with GS 350 and 450h already confirmed. Headlining the range will be a new 252kW, direct and port injected, Atkinson cycle quad cam 3.5-litre V6 hybrid in the GS 450h, which is expected to be 20 per cent more fuel efficient that the outgoing hybrid. GS 450h will sprint from 0 - 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and it consumes 6.2litres/`00km. New to the range and replacing the 183kW 3.0-litre V6 is a new 3.5-litre, quad cam V6 featuring direct and port injection developing 233kW. Despite its larger capacity, the new-to-GS 350 engine will use less fuel than the outgoing model and rocket to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds. Now confirmed for Australia and providing greater choice for new GS customers is a 2.5- litre  quad-cam V6, developing 154kW of power. The new GS 250 model will accelerate to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds and features an electronically controlled six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shift and throttle blipping on downshift in manual mode. All models will be available in F Sport guise, offering greater dynamic and visual enhancements over standard models. The all-new GS range will launch in Australia in the second quarter of 2012. Prices and model range will be available closer to launch.

Mini has secured 10 limited-edition Mini Goodwoods for the Australian market. Based on the Cooper S, the car has been built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team. It bears the unmistakable style of the British luxury car maker. Just 1000 Mini Goodwoods have been crafted for the worldwide market, all of which are emblazoned with the marking: "1 of 1000". Mini Goodwood is priced from $74,500 which includes everything apart from on-road costs. That's even more than the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, 45 of which sold out at $70,000 a pop here last year. Eight of the Mini Goodwoods have already been purchased leaving just two of these rare collector items for sale. Despite the fact it's based on a Cooper S, the ubiquitious bonnet scoop has been removed to preserve the Goodwood's regal air. The diamond black metallic paint has a rich 'liquid' effect that oozes luxury along with the polished intricate 17" multi spoke alloys. Rolls Royce is renowned for its natural wood finishes and the Mini Goodwood's interior inherits a rich walnut veneer. The opulent interior is trimmed with Goodwood Cornsilk leather which adorns the doors, top of the instrument panel, knee rolls, centre console and rear inside door trim. This blends seamlessly into the headliner, sun visors, parcel shelf and pillars which are all in Cashmere. Cornsilk carpets line the floor and are complemented by Rolls Royce Lambswool floor mats. Chrome switches, a Rolls Royce leather steering wheel, even Rolls Royce lettering throughout the instrument cluster  all give the this Mini an air of superiority. The special edition three-door Mini comes fully equipped with all the options ticked including automatic transmission, Mini Navigation System, Voice Control and harman/kardon Hi-Fi - to name a few.

And if you think Steve Leach's bike looks like something out of a movie, you wouldn't be far off. Finished in candy apple red with plenty of chrome, the 'Beond' began life as a prototype of a Transformers character. It was purchased by the Brisbane-based business coach and re-built as a road-registerable motorcycle. The extensive 'ground-up' overhaul began in 2007, with de-construction, re-engineering, customisation and re-construction taking hundreds of hours to complete. Its Harley-Davidson V-Rod engine and tyres are the only components not crafted entirely from hand. Leach said his business background inspired him to create something beyond mediocre. "I always wanted to create something that showed that you can go beyond the norm, whether that be in bikes or in business," said Leach. "The prototype came from the US and was originally inspired by a character from the Transformers movie. It certainly gets people's interest and creates attention. We get used to the ordinary world we live in and I don't believe in locking away your 'good stuff' for 'someday." Sydney artist Tim Cameron created the artwork, the original prototype engineering was completed by Chris Travert, the driving force behind Jay Leno's incredible Y2K jet bike. These are just a few of the many unique machines set to be displayed at the Australian Motorcycle Expo at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 17-19.

The UK government rebate off the cost of a plug-in van is an extension of the Plug-In Car Grant which offers 25 per cent - up to 5000 to motorists buying a new plug-in car. Government Ministers have also re-confirmed there is funding secured for this grant until 2015. There is nothing like this scheme available in Australia and nothing planned. The purpose of the consumer grant in the UK is to enable the purchase of ultra-low carbon vehicles which could otherwise have been unaffordable.The consumer will also benefit from lower running costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. The UK Government has adopted the position that electric vehicles are the arrowhead for a low carbon revolution in motoring and as more models come to market sales will gather pace. The subsidy will have the effect of influencing businesses vehicle buying decisions in favour of low carbon models. From As of now, ultra-low carbon van manufacturers will be able to apply to be part of the Plug-In Van Grant - which will help to improve local air quality in cities, reduce carbon emissions and meet Government carbon reduction targets. To be eligible for the scheme, vans will have to meet performance criteria to ensure safety, range, and ultra-low tailpipe emissions. Consumers, both business and private will receive the discount at the point of purchase.

Powered by a new 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, it delivers fuel economy of 5.7/100km. It also the first diesel to be offered by Mazda with an automatic.  As well as best in class economy, the new engine produces a class-leading 420Nm of torque and 129kW of power.  The all-wheel drive CX-5 is the first Mazda to feature the full range of the company's new SKYACTIV Technology. "We've been keen to add a diesel engine with an automatic transmission to our range for quite some time. The development of the CX-5 and our new SKYACTIV Technology has given us this opportunity and, quite frankly, we can't wait to get it here," Mazda's Alastair Doak said.  "There's certainly demand for a diesel automatic combination, particularly in the SUV segment and with the right powertrain combinations, plus all-new technology and design we're confident that CX-5 has the goods to become one of Australia's most popular SUVs."

It's the one with the Aussie made six-speed automatic transmission.The details follow the launch of the ute in the Korean market under the 'Korando' nameplate.Ssangyong Australia boss Jeff Barber said anticipation was already building as to the direction the Korean car company will take in the Australian market with the new addition."We're really looking forward to launching the Actyon Sports, especially if overseas reactions to the new tough-looking design of the concept vehicle are anything to go by," he said. The vehicle will form part of Ssangyong's value for money diesel range."While we can't reveal the specifications for the Australian market until launch date, we're confident of giving our competitors a run for their money," he said."What we can say at this stage, is that there will be three derivatives the Tradie, Sports and SPR, available in 4x2 and 4x4, six-speed manual and Australian-made six speed automatic transmission."

Forty years ago, four-time V8 Champion Allan Moffat won his first title.  It was also the first victory for Ford’s Falcon. Moffat’s emphatic win in Ford’s iconic GTHO stands as a turning point in the development of the title. This week five-time V8 Supercar champion Dick Johnson hosted a special new race car reveal, with the livery Moffatt’s GTHO used to unveil the new DJR Norton livery. And it also offered a chance to Allan to go head-to-head with his son – and DJR driver -- James, comparing their cars and performance. Forty years ago the GTHO was the world’s fastest four door production car. Almost six litres compared to the five litre V8 Supercar, the GTHO produced 300horsepower less than today’s race car. And for James Moffat, the last V8 Supercar season under the current rules is a chance to stake his claim to a family dynasty. It took his father nine years to win his first title.

Kia in the US has released a teaser image of the funky Kia Track-ster Concept.The Track-ster – based on the boxy Kia Soul made virally famous with the Kia Dancing Hamster series of commercials – will be unveiled Chicago auto show next week.Penned at Kia’s California design studio, the Track-ster is essentially a sports coupe take on the Soul, and warps its boxy lines slightly with a higher waistline and large alloy wheels under swollen wheel arches.Kia said the Track-ster will carry a turbo engine. However – unlike the Soul-ster that preceded the production version, Kia says this concept won’t make it from show to showroom.