Articles by CarsGuide team

Priced from 26,995 the new Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is due here towards the middle of next year. This environmentally friendly, ground breaking car introduces a combination of diesel and electric power, a real breakthrough in technology and renewed driving sensations, while also delivering huge benefits in cost of ownership. The HYbrid4 power train delivers a lean 3.8 litres/100km low and low engine emissions of 99g/km of CO2, with four driving modes - Auto, ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), Sport and 4WD. That's 35 per cent less than an internal combustion engine with the same output. The car features an unusual drive train arrangement, with a 121kW 2.0-litre HDi FAP diesel engine that drives the front wheels and an 27kW electric motor that powers the rear wheels, with a combined power output of 149kW. In the UK the car qualifies for an exemption from the London's prohibitive Congestion Charge. Having sold out of the 3008 HYbrid4 limited edition, the range offers two versions: a 99g/km CO2 at 26,995 and 104g/km CO2 at 28,495.

Synonymous with the unique twin turbo W12, an assortment of variants, including a brand entry Continental GT, will run an Audi-sourced V8. Wolfgang Duerheimer, chief executive of the Volkswagen Group-owned ultra luxury marque, tells Carsguide "it will not be many motor shows before we (officially) announce it". "It will be a group engine and it will be developed with our own calibration and our own settings." While Duerheimer refused to be specific, the engine in question is almost certain to be the 4.0-litre direct injection twin turbo V8 soon to debut in Audi's S6 and S7. While the fearsome emissions of the W12 - almost  380 grams of Co2 per km - are ameliorated across the VW Group, the Crewe UK based marque is not immune to the global push to downsize engines. Increasingly that pressure is coming not only from European legislators, but those of China whose new money elite comprise Bentley's second biggest market after the US. More affordable variants, as bent eights would certainly be, are also central to Duerheimer's push to get the iconic brand's sales back to five figures annually, as they were before the GFC. The primary sales shove will come in the form of a new SUV, but Durheimer says this would run only a 12-cylinder engine. Bentley's Asia Pacific spokesman Robin Peel says that while the eight is born of necessity it also represents a reconnection with its pre-VW Group heritage. "After all, we ran a V8 for more than 50 years," he says. "It's en engine we would expect to have appeal for Australians given your enthusiasm for V8s."

And the Korean brand is taking the fight straight to the Ford Mondeo and Mazda6 wagons, with pricing and spec designed to lure their buyers. “Yes, we’ve got our eyes on the Mondeo wagon particularly,” Hyundai spokesman Stephen Howard says. The i40's $32,490 base price --  just $450 less than the Ford wagon’s entry point and $2250 less than the Mazda6 – puts you in the 130kW/213Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission that appears only in the base spec. Adding $2000 gets you the six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters on the steering wheel, and a further $2000 swaps the petrol engine for the all-new 100kW/325Nm 1.7-litre CRDi turbodiesel across the range. The Hyundai’s three trim levels - Active, Elite and Premium – open with a standard list that includes nine airbags, daytime running lights and ‘static bending’ headlamps, electronic park brake, Bluetooth, cruise control, 16-in alloys wheels, full-size spare and premium steering wheel with audio and phone controls. The auto-only Elite spec is $39,490 for the petrol, and includes premium audio, 17-in alloy wheels, larger disc brakes, alloy pedals, foglights, front and rear park assist, powered driver’s seat and rain-sensing wipers. The same drivetrain in Premium spec is $44,490, and includes 18-in wheels, heated/cooled leather seats front and rear, adaptive cornering high-intensity headlights, reversing camera, panoramic glass roof and extra cosmetic garnish. Hyundai believes buyers won’t be deterred by the higher pricing of the flagship. “We think the Premium spec will do well here, but we expect the petrol automatic drivetrain will be the most popular at all spec levels,” Howard says. The brand new wagon is shipping into Australian showrooms to go on sale in October. The German designed and engineered i40 is the latest to come from Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language, and features the signature hexagonal front grille and swept back headlights with curvilinear LED daytime running lights. Pricing Hyundai i40 Tourer Active 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine  six-speed manual transmission $32,490 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine six-speed automatic transmission $34,490 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine six-speed manual transmission $34,490 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine six-speed automatic transmission $36,490 Hyundai i40 Tourer Elite 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine six-speed automatic transmission $39,490 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine six-speed automatic transmission $41,490 Hyundai i40 Tourer Premium 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission $44,490 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine six-speed automatic transmission $46,490  

And is there any toilet pun these guys didn't make during the video. The first in the Ice Break  'Add A Motor To It' series looks at a revved-up restroom appliance. Sit down and strap in... then go, go, go!

It just so happens that the best riders of the recent generation of MX and SX heroes started out on Yamaha's iconic PW50. James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed are just three top riders who owe their illustrious careers to the little 50cc two stroke, now celebrating its 30th year in production. You never forget the first time you ride a motorcycle, so it's certain that Ricky, Bubba and Chad will be raising a glass on the PeeWee's 30th birthday. The PW50 is designed for small riders, with ergonomics to suit. A fully auto engine lets junior concenrate on the ride and twin push bike style brake levers are located within grasp of little fingers. A two-stroke engine powers the little beast and there's a throttle stop limiter that allows adults to dial in the right amount of power. Most amazing of all, in those 30 years since its launch, the PW50 has remained largely unchanged. The 49cc two-stroke engine; the tough, cast three spoke wheels and the duckbill front end design are all remarkably similar on the 2011 model to the unit revealed in 1981. The fact that Yamaha engineers have not significantly changed the entry level fun bike design is evidence of how right they got the original PW50.

Pity ... it's a good thing. There's a new (revised) version in the offing due sometime soon to be sold in 40 markets and in various grades. It has a more "expressive" front-end look, while the carefully-finished interior delivers the expected package of refined appointments and travelling comfort. The model will be available with either a 2.5-litre petrol engine (TR 25) or a 2.0 dCi diesel (M9R) both lifted from the Nissan X-Trail which is a twin under the skin to Koleos. The CO2 emissions of the diesel powerplants have been reduced significantly. New Koleos can be specified with either 4x2 or 4x4 transmission. The two wheel drive is comfortable and in and about town, while the all wheel drive boasts real off-road ability. Its extensive equipment specification includes all Renault's latest useful and intuitive technologies, including parking sensors, hands-free entry and ignition, joystick-operated Carminat TomTom Live navigation and hill start assist. Koleos is designed by Renault and manufactured at the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, South Korea, it benefits from Renault's vast experience in the realms of both passive and active safety for a reassuring drive whatever the terrain.

... compared with $14 for a conventional unleaded petrol model of the same size, official government figures show. According to the government data, the family-sized Ford Falcon EcoLPi is also cheaper to fuel than several petrol-powered small cars  despite being much larger in size. To encourage motorists to switch to the cleaner fuel, the Commonwealth Government offers rebates of $1250 toward an LPG conversion of a previously registered vehicle, or $2000 toward the cost of a brand-new LPG car. When purchasing a new Falcon EcoLPi, the payback period can be as little as six months, depending on usage. In addition to supplying Ford Australia's Falcon EcoLPi system, Orbital Corporation is the original equipment supplier of LPi technology to Holden Special Vehicles' V8 models. Orbital  CEO Terry Stinson says the figures show that motorists do not need to compromise the size of their cars to save money on fuel. "Australians have always loved their full-size six-cylinder and V8-powered cars and utes for their space, versatility and driveability. The continued high cost of petrol has seen many Australians make the switch to smaller cars believing they will be cheaper to run long term," he said.

It was developed specifically for the European market and will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback hopefully at an affordable price. The new model Honda will reach European showrooms in early 2012, here possibly by the end of next year. New Civic hatch continues the design language of the current model with its striking exterior styling and funky - if plasticky interior. A stand out feature are the sticking out taillights that look like large red knobs attached to the rear quarters.  As well as making a visual statement, new Civic hatch will also provide improved performance, technologies and be more eco-friendly than the previous model. Hopefully that means it will have adequate performance and possibly even a twin cam engine with direct fuel injection. It took four years to develop and nearly all components are new or have been further developed. Areas of focus were the suspension set-up, interior materials, new design styling, aerodynamics and the engines for improved performance and reduced CO2 emissions. And there's a turbo diesel model in the European lineup generating a healthy 120kw/350Nm output. New Civic will be offered with three engine options: 1.4 and 1.8-litre petrol units and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel. All the engines are combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, ECO Assist, advanced fueling control technology and Idle Stop. They are also equipped with hill start assist. The 1.8 engine can be paired with a specially designed five-speed automatic transmission.

After unveiling the production version at the recent Frankfurt motor show, Subaru has announced that the funky little softroader will join their Australian SUV range, lining up beside the popular Forester and Outback, and the unloved Tribeca.There’s bound to be some strong attention for the XV, which is based on a jacked-up version of the new 2012 Impreza platform.With demand for compact SUVs continuing to grow Subaru Australia is understandably eager to get this one into the country.Managing director Nick Senior says the XV offers a clear indication of Subaru's design direction from now on."It delivers the driving feel and handling that only the latest Subaru symmetrical All-Wheel Drive platform can, as well as the latest Boxer engine, offering significant fuel efficiency and emission improvements," he said."XV also has the newest manual and auto transmission technology, and there's a new approach to cabin finishes, with incredible attention to detail on soft-touch surfaces, switch gear and instruments."Combine that with our customers' favourite Subaru qualities of All-Wheel Drive, durability, safety and retained value, and XV represents a formidable package.Pricing for the Subaru XV will be announced closer to the launch.