Articles by CarsGuide team

Stage one of the redevelopment will include the construction of a link road, laid between turns four and nine of the circuit. The link road will allow the existing circuit to be split into two separate racing circuits, effectively doubling the potential capacity of the facility. Australian Racing Driver's Club CEO Glenn Matthews and Eastern Creek Raceway general manager Geoff Arnold helped break ground at the development site. The work is being carried out at night by Penrith-based construction company JK Williams. The link road is expected to be completed within twelve weeks. Future development works, which are scheduled to begin later in 2011, will include a significant track extension, new race control tower and amenities buildings.

…that produces more than 300kW of power. It uses the same engine as the incredible Ford Focus RS, just tweaked a little more by Volvo's racing partner Polestar. The concept was first shown at the Gothenburg Motor Show last year. Although Volvo describes the car as the ultimate street machine, it unfortuately has no plans to put the hyper C30 into production. That's a shame because it's cars like this that the company needs, not the safe but mainly boring cars that it has been producing for years. Polestar has successfully campaigned a vesion of the car in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC). Volvo said the main objective in building the prototype was to explore what happens when racing engineers and designers are given a free hand to build a street car without any limitations set by a specific racing regulation. The Volvo C30 Polestar Concept Prototype is based on Polestar's unique experience from developing the Volvo C30 into a winning race car. The interior and exterior design reflects Polestar's know-how with the C30's aerodynamic and driving properties derived through several years of development and testing – from computer simulations, to wind tunnel and race track testing. The T5 2.5-litre turbocharged five cylinder engine is fitted with a larger intercooler and KKK 26 turbo, with modified pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft. It produces 302kW of power and 510Nm of torque, with drive fed to all four wheels through the Haldex all-wheel drive system. The car rides on Ohlins shock absorbers and springs, and 19 inch BBS alloys fitted with 235/35 Pirelli P Zeros. A more responsive steering rack with 2,25 ratio, along with six piston Brembos up front and four piston Brembo brakes at the rear. Polestar has a long and successful competition history with Volvo, racing with 850, S40, and S60 and in 2009 won the STCC with the C30, a car they developed completely from scratch. The close relationship between the two companies has seen Polestar given responsibility to develop Polestar Performance Engine Optimisation Products to complement to Volvos standard cars.

…the 3/4-litre "street fighter" category. A fusion of technology, fuel-injected performance and chiselled styling, the Suzuki GSR750 is built to turn heads for riders who wish to stand out from the pack. The Suzuki GSR750 is ideal for cruising the streets or weekend blasts, as it combines a powerful engine and quality components, with strong angular lines across the whole machine. No other bike in its class has the pedigree of the GSR750, with Suzuki engineers taking the spirit of the legendary GSX-R750 and making a naked bike out of it. Developed from the powerplant of the legendary Suzuki GSX-R750, the GSR750 features a 749cc, four-cylinder, fuel-injected DOHC engine resulting in broad powerband with loads of low-end torque and dynamic mid-range power. Providing impressive stopping power, the GSR750 is fitted with 310mm dual front disc brakes and a 240mm rear disc brake. A sculpted vented front fender and headlight shell and chiselled aggressive front bodywork complete its head-turning looks. The GSR750 instrument cluster has been designed with functionality in mind. In addition to an analogue tachometer, the LCD display features a digital speedometer, gear-position indicator, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, clock and selectable odometer/dual-tripmeter. Gold-coloured anodized upper tubes on the inverted KYB front forks and exposed 4 into 1 exhaust system highlight the GSR750's styling. It's available now for $12,490 RRP.

Dozens of former Soviet era cars are have been on display during the "Autoexotics" motor in Moscow.  

...has secured the rights to distribute the Foton range of 4x2 and 4x4 utility vehicles with plans for a sales kick-off early 2012. Australian Design Rule compliance and testing is currently under way and is due to be finalised in the next two months. The Foton utes will be powered by a Cummins ISF 2.8 litre Euro 5 common rail turbo diesel or a Foton manufactured 2.4-litre petrol engine coupled to a Getrag five-speed manual or ZF six-speed automatic. The Foton ute has been designed and targeted for both North American and "Western" markets rather than for domestic Chinese sales and has been benchmarked against the best Japanese rival models. As well as Foton ute, WMC Group handles Higer buses and JAC trucks in Australia. Foton will be well specified and priced at a level that will be between 15 and 20 per cent less than comparable models from Japanese manufacturers. Australia has the third highest sales of utes in the world and Foton will be using it as a launch pad ahead of a planned move into North America and Europe over the next two years. Foton will build the ute in an entirely new state of the art green fields plant near Beijing and it will be the first vehicle to be manufactured in the factory. It is fitted with ABS+EBD along with dual front airbags. The latest Euro 5 spec ISF 2.8-litre common rail turbo diesel engine is the newest engine in the Cummins range and delivers up to 120kW of power and 380 Nm of torque soon after. The transmission features an electronic transfer case for selection of four wheel drive on the move, while it also boasts the latest design heavy duty Dana axles with limited slip differential. WMC is planning a range of six model variants in 4x4 dual cab diesel, a 4x2 dual cab diesel, and a 4x2 dual cab petrol as well as a 4x2 extra cab diesel and 4x2 single cab models with either diesel or petrol power. A strong dealer network has already being assembled to handle sales of the Foton ute range.

A string of comical errors has seen two four-wheel-drives, and a boat trailer sleep with the fishes overnight off Casuarina Beach, Darwin.A silver Toyota Hilux and a red Nissan Navara were submerged after several unsuccessful attempts to retrieve a broken-down boat.To lighten the load, the crew ditched the boat and trailer, but still failed to get the Hilux out.A good Samaritan then offered her Navara to help get the Hilux off the sandbar, ahead of the rising tide.Attempting to get out, they snapped two tow ropes, before managing to free the Hilux.By now, the rising tide had cut them off from the main beach, and they had to drive through the water, where the Navara got stuck.Dozens of men then flocked to the Navara to help, but were unsuccessful.Kevin Muller, who was one of the many who had gone out to help, said it was "all over" for the Navara, and "didn't look good" for the Hilux.

... and attractive interior enhancements. Due here in the last quarter of this year, Renault's Korean-built Koleos offers more comfort, versatility and flexibility this time around. Though only slightly different in appearance the front features changes to the air-intakes, grille and headlights. The exterior mirrors now incorporate LED indicators. The initial version's distinctive rear-end styling has been carried over, including the steeply-raked rear window. Careful attention has been paid to the quality and finish of the cabin. A selection of new upholsteries and trims are used while the dashboard and instrument lighting have evolved with the introduction of a more stylish speedometer housing and The Nissan-developed all-wheel drive transmission of the 4x4 version ensures genuine off-road ability. It retains a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating

The Edition25 Multivan is based on the current Comfortline model, but looks sharper and offers equipment.A sports chassis and strengthened anti-roll bar make the special model even more agile on the road.The Edition25 will be offered in just the one color Candy White with grey `Nappa' leather and anthracite highlights. The van can easily be distinguised by its matte black roof and black 18-inch alloys.It is powered by VW's most powerful twin turbo 132kW 2.0 litre diesel, with power to the front wheels through a DSG gearbox. The van comes with VW's RCD 310 sound system with a total of eight speakers.Fog lamps with cornering lights are also standard, along with daytime running lights, tyre pressure indicator, assisted final-closing (latching) for side and rear doors and rain sensor. This special Edition25 Multivan is priced from $66,990.

This car had a twin-trailing arm front suspension with a lightweight aluminum body and a twin-spark 6-cylinder engine built specifically to run in the 24 Hours of LeMans.

...that previews a number of ‘green’ technologies, with particular focus on electric vehicles (EVs). The EV and Green Technologies Showcase is jointly sponsored by the Department of Business and Innovation and the Department of Transport, with support from the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers. The Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, Export and Trade, the Hon Richard Dalla-Riva MLC presented the EV and Green Technologies Showcase to about 70 international automotive visitors as part of the 2011 Automotive Week activities. There are 14 participants involved in the showcase, with three EVs as the centrepiece of the exhibit – the Nissan LEAF, EDay’s E15 and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. These three vehicles are all participants in the Victorian Government’s EV Trial. The three EVs are supported by 11 Victorian-based component suppliers and R&D organisations, highlighting the excellent range of Victorian designed and engineered green technologies. There’s also an opportunity for AIMS attendees to test drive the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Nissan LEAF. Interested patrons should visit the Mitsubishi and/or Nissan stands where they will be given a token to take to the Test Drive event reception in the foyer. Australian International Motor Show event director Russ Tyrie says the government showcase is an example of the technology focus at this year’s show. “With the amount of spectacular technology on show at this year’s event, a display like the EV and Green Technologies Showcase is a perfect complement. “Motor shows these days are as much about educating visitors as about exciting them,” he said. “This showcase exhibits the sort of cutting-edge technology – like super lightweight wheels and manufacturing materials – that Australian companies are currently working on, while highlighting ‘green’ cars that the government is genuinely looking to introduce to its everyday operations.” For more information on the EV trials, click on the Department of Transport’s website: http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/evtrials The Australian International Motor Show runs through until Sunday 10 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For all of the latest news and information surrounding the Australian International Motor Show, follow @themotorshow on Twitter.