Articles by CarsGuide team

This year’s Camp Quality esCarpade is the biggest and best ever.  A huge convoy of crazy cars is travelling 3000km in the name of the children’s family cancer charity, Camp Quality. This year’s esCarpade is retracing its first ever route, having left Bendigo on October 14th and going on through to Ballarat, Geelong, Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Casterton, Naracoorte, Pinnaroo, Mildura, Swan Hill, Deniliquin, Numurkah, Wangaratta and finally finishing in Bright on October 21st – by which time it will be covered in dirt, dust and smiles! The fleet of 80 cars and 300 fundraisers will pull up and set off in each town en route in a fanfare of bubble machines, sirens, horns, water cannons, lights and colour! The themes and dress-up have become wilder each year. This year there’ll be ‘Nuns on the Run’, a giant octopus, the Super Mario Brothers, the Fun police, and Kermit the frog amongst others. The cars are also the stars of the show, with a Rolls Royce, 1962 Pontiac, Kombi van and even a seven-metre long, eight-door limousine taking part this year. Since its humble beginnings in 1992 with 25 cars, it has grown into a $1million event, helping Camp Quality support at least 400 families for a year, allowing them to take time off from cancer, have some fun and resume their cancer journey feeling more optimistic and resilient. As they pass through towns along the way, esCarpade entrants will accompany the McDonalds Camp Quality puppets as they visit primary schools and help spread Camp Quality’s special brand of fun. The almost life-sized puppets will perform a version of their fun and educational play designed to help children become more aware of the need to be caring and supportive of people who have cancer.

Not just the car's body, but every single nut and bolt. He started with a 3D computer model digitally flattened-out so that everything could be printed on paper.So far he's finished the engine (pictured), a door and a wheel with a tyre. It may take some time to complete.He used to own a real Ford Mustang, which he’d taken five years to rebuild.But then he sold it to buy an engagement ring – a happy reason, perhaps, but one that left a big gap in the garage.So now he’s recreating his Mustang from paper.Down to every nut, bolt and spark plug. It’s a labour of years, but Brand is already exhibiting some of the finished pieces, including the engine, radiator, door and a crisply-treaded tyre.

The fastest, most exciting and daring compact crossover in the world.Nissan is now creating the Juke-R, the first ever super crossover. Currently under development Juke R  sports flared wheel arches, revised front and rear bumpers plus a split rear wing highlighting the chunky body.Don't get too excited though, the car is not for production and is a one-off, road legal concept car, developed by Nissan and built by motorsports outfit RML with input from Nissan Technology Centre for Europe .Under the bonnet is a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine adopted directly from Nissan's flagship supercar. Under the boot floor hides the GT-R's six-speed transaxle, with the front and rear ends joined by a modified GT-R 4WD driveline and prop shaft, while chunky 20-inch RAYS forged alloy rims fill each wheel arch.The interior merges crossover and supercar as the Juke's dashboard has been transformed to accommodate the gauges, dials and 7-inch customisable LCD display from the GT-R. Juke's centre console, inspired by the fuel tank of a motorcycle, remains while the rest of the interior has the look of a machine bred for the track.Twin race-seats with five-point harnesses sit inside a visible roll cage that gives FIA safety standards as well as enhanced rigidity to provide the ultimate performance.

While the Up might have the interior space and features of a larger car, its prices are in keeping with its small footprint -- less than the VW Polo.Shown in production form at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Up is an entirely new vehicle that offers space for four, the latest technology and highly efficient engines.From launch, the Up will be available with two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine options as well as a BlueMotion Technology version; it will have three doors and three trim levels Take Up, Move Up and High Up plus a special edition, the Up black and Up white. A five-door version is expected to join the line-up in the second half of 2012.Starts with the 1.0-litre 44kW Take Up. Key items of specification include body-coloured bumpers, daytime running lights, front and side head/thorax airbags, the new RCD 215 CD radio with aux-in, rear ISOFIX points, and 14-inch steel wheels.Move Up brings a host of comfort-oriented features, including remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, easy-entry seats, a height-adjustable driver's seat, variable-height load floor and 60:40 split/fold rear seats. Outside, the Move Up gains body-coloured door mirrors and handles.For a bit more the Move Up, BlueMotion Technology adds a Stop/Start system that reduces urban fuel consumption by up to six per cent, battery regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres.These measures enhance combined fuel economy The 55kW High Up gains heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake grip, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, the Maps & More personal infotainment device and a choice of dashboard colour.From the outside, the High Up is distinguished by its front fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels. Options will be kept to simple packs.

And two of the participants in the original crossing will take place in the event which will be held in September 2012. Geologist and explorer Dr Reginald Sprigg, his wife Griselda and their two children, Doug (then seven) and Margaret (10), made the pioneering trip from Andado Station to Birdsville in 1962 in a short wheelbase Nissan Patrol G60 -- ahead of a small retinue of other four wheel drive vehicles. The Nissan Patrol became not only the first, but also the only vehicle to complete the gruelling 12-day crossing of the 176,500 square kilometre desert and its 1000 parallel sand dunes. The successful crossing was one of a number of pioneering achievements by Sprigg, who also discovered oil and gas fields in the Cooper Basin, founded SANTOS, Geosurveys and Beach Petroleum. He also discovered the world's oldest fossils and in 1967 set up Arkaroola Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges -- one of Australia's first eco-tourism resorts. As part of the re-enactment his children Doug and Margaret Sprigg, who now run the Arkaroola Sanctuary, will crew an identical Nissan Patrol G60 to that used on the first crossing. The actual Patrol used in 1962 crossing disappeared many years ago and Nissan Australia is scouring the country in a bid to locate it in time for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. A highlight of the re-enactment will be the erection of a 50th Anniversary cairn near Birdsville. A documentary will also be made of the re-enactment while Nissan Patrol owners from around Australia will be invited to celebrate its conclusion in Birdsville.

Recently launched in the Thai market, the one-tonne Thai version's design and spec' is indicative of what will be on offer when it reaches Australia next year. Timing for the Australian launch is yet to be fixed but scheduled for the second quarter of 2012.As an entirely new generation vehicle, the Isuzu D-MAX styling and design parts ways from the current model and previously associated competitors.DESIGNModern exterior lines compliment the new bulkier and assertive on-road stance. The larger exterior dimensions afford a considerable increase in interior space raising occupant comfort levels and improving the rear seat access in crew and space cab models.A stylish and contemporary dash compliments the interior design. Functional upgrades include increased stowage areas. A new audio system features portable music player connectivity and Bluetooth.POWERTRAINPower and torque have both been improved through the technological refinement of Isuzu's 3.0-litre diesel power-plant. The upgraded inline 4-cylinder diesel delivers 130kW/380Nm output.The torque is delivered across a flat curve through a large majority of the rev-range to aid drivability and make ease of towing. An all new five speed automatic transmission offers a refined shift. This joins the 5-speed manual in the range.STRUCTUREA newly developed ladder frame chassis in the D-MAX builds on the engineering of the previous platform. It features a stiffer design with improved cross bracing at the rear, further improving stability while both loaded and while towing. It also ensures long term durability when used regularly in harsh environments. The wheel base is up from the current ute's 3050mm to 3095mm lineup.SAFETYNew D-MAX has new side airbags that deploy from the side bolster of the front bucket seats protect the driver and passenger thorax region from side impact forces. Also featured are side curtain airbags to further protect occupants in these situations. A front driver and passenger system complete the array of airbags offered as standard. Electronic Stability Control is also now fitted as standard.WHENThe exact model lineup and pricing for the Australian market is yet to be finalised but IUA can confirm that the model range will be offered with the single, space and crew cab body options.

... vehicle accessories by creating an additional production operation at its Dandenong, Victoria plant. The plan effectively involves the repatriation, in Australia, of some overseas supplier metal fabrication jobs. Nissan has taken the decision to create a local manufacturing facility for its tow bars, and later sportbars and nudge bars, in order to establish a strong foundation for its business growth plans. The decision to repatriate fabrication of 30,000 tow bars, for Nissan's range of 4WD and passenger vehicles, returns the business to Dandenong from Asia and will sustain 20 full time jobs at the Nissan Casting Plant (NCAP). Nissan previously sourced its tow bars from a local supplier which then outsourced production to Asian factories. Nissan has retooled part of its Dandenong casting facility to make room for the new accessory fabrication business investing $4m in the plant. Once tow bar manufacture is fully integrated, Nissan will add 4WD sportbar and utility nudge bar production. A feature of the new, Australian manufacturing process at Nissan will be the optimization of robotics for the polishing and finish of these popular accessories.

Ford's new Door Edge Protector is the first active system to help prevent costly dents and scratches and to provide a buffer to protect neighbouring vehicles. It isn't available on any Fords sold in Australia - yet. Door Edge Protector, which debuts in January 2012 on the Ford Focus, activates as the door is opened. A concealed protective flap slips into position when the door opens, providing a buffer that helps prevent damage to paint and body work Ford research shows up to 57 per cent of drivers have experienced door damage in car park incidents, Ford UK says the Door Edge Protector will be one of those features that we think will make customers say "Why didn't someone think of this sooner?". They say it will help parents with children in the backseat or anyone who needs to park in a tight spot. The feature defends against more than 90 per cent of variously positioned obstructions to the front doors and 85 per cent at the rear doors. Offering maximum protection with minimal impact on weight and without affecting existing mechanisms or side impact performance, the Door Edge Protector retracts in just 60 milliseconds to allow for doors being slammed shut and includes a clutch mechanism that prevents damage if the flap is obstructed when returning. A special rubber compound is used that can withstand thousands of usage cycles and creates a minimum of noise as it springs into position. The protective flap is quickly and easily replaced by heavy users, with the unit simply clipping into place.

The sixth production model for the brand, the littlie is a version of the VW Up tiddler car due for international launch soon. Skoda Citigo will make its debut in the Czech Republic where it's made, before the end of this year. Following that are the UK and other European countries at the beginning of summer 2012. Offering impressive amounts of space and four seats, the Citigo will be launched in three-door and five-door versions. Citigo brings Skoda into a new sector — small cars with low fuel consumption, favourably priced and with reasonable operating costs. The designers have given the car a distinctive look with echoes of the Toyota Echo from a few years ago. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and distinctive headlamps give the car a typical Skoda look. The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48 metres high. The car's long 2.42m wheelbase provides enough comfort for four passengers even on long trips. The boot volume is a sizeable 251 litres, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats. The Citigo's interior not only offers practical space but also a high level of quality and precision in its design. The interior design includes numerous storage compartments, cup holders and multimedia systems, as well as storage pockets on the sides of the front seats. In addition, a special bag hook integrated in to the glovebox handle, and a photograph holder on the central console, are two clever interior elements. For the first time in a Skoda vehicle, a portable navigation system is available. The device is fitted to the dashboard and can be removed easily and used on the go. Being an integral part of the vehicle's on-board electronics, the system provides not just navigation, but also hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and on-board infotainment. Using a five inch touch screen, the driver can view important information about the car (on-board computer, optical signals from the parking sensors, etc.). Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo's launch (44kW and 55kW). The engines and the transmission have been designed to provide optimum economy in cities and their surroundings. Reaching the operating temperature even on short distances, the engines are highly economical. Impressively low fuel consumption figures of as little as 3.9-litres/100km are achievable in Citigo.

... after CPP Global Holdings was appointed to engineer, develop and build the new car by the brands' owners, Healey Sports Cars Switzerland Ltd (HSCS). CPP, the British specialist automotive group, will finalise the new car's development in Coventry and manufacture it at a new production facility on Browns Lane from 2014. A team of Coventry-based design consultants employed by HSCS has completed the design of the new Interceptor, which has already gained significant customer interest. The new Jensen Interceptor echoing the four-seat grand tourer layout of the much-loved original built between 1966 and 1976 is based on an all-new aluminium chassis and handcrafted aluminium body. The public unveiling of the Interceptor is planned for late 2012, with deliveries to customers beginning in 2014. Expressions of interest can be registered on the website www.jensensportscars.com. HSCS owns all assets, intellectual property, designs, and brand rights for the Jensen and Interceptor brands.