Articles by CarsGuide team

Available in Classic and Luxury grades, the new Mazda front-wheel-drive models will offer increased choice for customers who require the flexibility of seating for up to seven but without the need for all-wheel-drive. The two front-wheel drive models are $4500 less than their all-wheel drive counterparts. All CX-9s continue to be powered by a 3.7 litre V6 engine mated to a 6-speed Activematic transmission. The CX-9 Classic FWD becomes the introductory model in the range and is equipped with an impressive list of features including 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps, cruise control, three-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors plus a leather trimmed steering wheel and gear shift knob. Safety remains a priority with all CX-9s boasting a full complement of safety features including six airbags (offering protection for all three rows), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and a reversing camera. Luxury model adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-sliding and tilt glass sunroof, heated power mirrors with 3-position memory and reverse tilt-down function, power adjustable leather seats with 3-position memory function and a premium Bose audio system with 10 speakers. The Luxury model is also available with a Satellite Navigation option adding a fully integrated 7-inch touch-screen satellite navigation system and Bluetooth with audio streaming. Prices for the new front-wheel drive models start from $44,425.

The new model will be available with a 1.8-litre petrol engine in three trim levels: Active, Elite and Premium, with a choice of 6-speed manual (Active only) or 6-speed automatic transmission.Designed at Hyundai's North American Design Centre in Irvine California, Elantra is said to exemplify Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design philosophy.Creating the illusion of constant motion, flowing lines with a strong undercut feature contrast with muscular wheel arches and a seamless roofline. The result is a sleek aerodynamic on-road stance.Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face.Inside the all-new Elantra, Hyundai's expertise in interior design and packaging are evident.The a new interior concept is called 'Wind Craft', a dynamic and futuristic direction which informs a striking and stylish cockpit, with a bold metal effect garnish originating at the crash pad and flowing to the console in a sculptured airstream-like contour.The combination piano-black and chrome finishes add a quality, hi-tech feel to the interior.The new Elantra will be priced from $20,590 plus on road costs.

Initial deliveries to leasing customers, mainly companies, authorities and governmental bodies, will take place immediately from August, 2011. The Volvo C30 Electric will be manufactured and delivered to leasing customers throughout Europe, including in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. Tests on a fleet of about 50 cars have been conducted since September 2010, mainly internally at the Volvo Car Corporation. A Volvo C30 Electric was also part of the "One Tonne Life" project in which a family was given the task of living as climatesmart as possible for a period of six months. About 250 cars will be built by end 2012, possibly more if market interest takes off. The Volvo C30 Electric is built on the regular assembly line in the Ghent factory and then transported to G#adioteborg for installation of the motor, batteries and other modelspecific electronics. The batteries are installed where the fuel tank normally sits and also in a special compartment in the car's central tunnel. As a result, the luggage compartment is unchanged. The car is recharged from a regular household power socket. A full recharge takes about seven hours. The operating range is up to 150 kilometres per full charge. Top speed is 130 km/h and the C30 Electric covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds. The Volvo C30 Electric project is part of the Volvo Car Corporation's highly ambitious electrification strategy for the forthcoming years. The electric car has attracted considerable international attention. Volvo Car Australia has expressed interest in the car. "The C30 Electric car offers the very same comfort, interior space and safety as the standard version of the C30 but can operate on 150km on pure electricity for zero emissions, " says Volvo Car Australia Public Affairs Manager, Jaedene Hudson. "Currently we offer our small car customers the C30 DRIVe which uses just 3.9L/100km and emits just 104g/km CO2. The C30 Electric is the next step in green motoring from Volvo. We've seen the initial information from Volvo Cars Corporation and have expressed interest in the car. The next stage will be to put together a business case to see if the car will be viable in our market."

Feedback from show patrons will help determine whether the production version of the Prius c Concept is headed to Australia. The Prius c Concept is the inspiration for a future small hybrid with an entry price point and superior fuel economy. If approved for Australia, the city car will join the iconic hybrid Prius brand, broadening its appeal. Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the urban appeal of cars such as the Prius c would further increase the acceptance of hybrid cars in the market. "This car has the core Prius values based on Toyota's proven Hybrid Synergy Drive technology  strong performance, great fuel economy and ultra-low emissions," Mr Buttner said. "We are bringing it to the Australian motor show to test its appeal among buyers who we expect will come from a different group to those attracted to the current Prius. They are compact-car buyers, including young singles and couples, who want a mainstream city car that provides outstanding fuel economy while being fun to drive." The Prius c Concept, unveiled at this year's Detroit auto show, provides a surprisingly spacious interior in a compact package. It will include many advanced technology features, including some offered on the current Prius. The production car is due to be launched in the US during the first half of 2012. No timing has been announced for a possible Australian introduction.

The staggering number is a reflection of the rebounding climate in the Australian automotive industry, and the commitment that manufacturers are making to the new one-show-per-year format. “We have more new models and concepts coming than any show I can recall in recent times,” said Australian International Motor Show event director, Russ Tyrie. “A number of our exhibitors are displaying four or five new models and concepts, which is a tremendous coup for the motor show. “It promises to be an exciting event with visitors being able to see such a large number of vehicles that they have never seen before.” While concept cars will undoubtedly steal the show, there will be a number of very important new models being unveiled that are likely to get the attention of the new car buyer. At the top of the list are the upcoming supercars and high-end luxury cars, such as the outrageous V12 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the production version of the aurally intimidating Lexus LFA, the exclusive Audi R8 GT – one of only 333 in the world, Maserati’s fastest road car – the MC Stradale and the Bentley Continental GT. In addition to the R8 GT, Audi will also present the new technologically-advanced A6 luxury sedan for the first time in Australia. Hyundai will be one of the standouts at the Melbourne event, with the new Veloster three-door sports car, the curvaceous new Elantra and the Accent small car all taking their bows. Toyota has announced that it will debut its all-new Yaris city car, while a new Hilux will also be on show at the stand of Australia’s highest-selling car company. Jaguar will present its upgraded XF sedan, while stablemate Land Rover will reveal the highly-anticipated Range Rover Evoque five-door for the first time on Australian soil. Peugeot will launch the brand new, elegantly-designed, all-diesel 508 sedan and wagon, while the company’s most popular model in this market, the 308 receives a facelift for the 2012 model year. Skoda’s presence in the Australian market is rapidly growing, and the company will double its model range in coming months with the Fabia and the Yeti crossover adding to the Octavia and Superb ranges – all of which will be on show in Melbourne. A car that has been the subject of much lobbying for an Australian launch (by the media and public alike) has been the Volkswagen Scirocco R. The German car company has now given the sleek coupe the go-ahead, and it will make its first local appearance at the motor show. Subaru’s stand will be the venue for a world premiere, with the right-hand drive version of its important new Impreza sedan making its very first appearance at the Australian International Motor Show. In addition, Holden, Kia and Mercedes-Benz have promised glimpses of at least nine future and upcoming models between them. “It all adds up to an action-packed show – and a huge amount of choice for anyone looking for a new car!” said Mr Tyrie. The Australian International Motor Show is on at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and opens at 6pm on Friday 1 July and runs until Sunday 10 July.

In 1926 it won the Grand Prix World Championship after winning more that 350 races.

And until recently it’s only been available with muscular V8 engines. But in what must surely be a sign of the times, it now comes with the Ecoboost V6.

The photos were published and, judging by the comments on The Advertiser’s website, people were really, really angry that a pollie would do such a heinous thing. The MPs were suitably reprimanded by public opinion, and the Dignity for Disability MLC, the Hon Kelly Vincent, who uses a wheelchair herself, demanded that they each cough up the equivalent of the fine to a disability related charity, which they did, heads hanging low. They admitted their shameful and embarrassing "crime" and no doubt, no other MP in South Australia at least, will park in a disabled space without a permit for a very long time. But how can people who truly need those spaces get that message through to the "ablebods"? I put a call out for a contribution to this column about disabled parking spaces and received stories from Nicola Stratford and Kate Jenian, over the jump, this week’s piece of angry. Their stories are not unusual. They do remind us, however, that stupidity and arrogance are not disabilities which qualify for a disability parking permit. Source: The Punch