Articles by CarsGuide team

It means every Mini model including hatch, Clubman, Coupe, Cabriolet, Roadster, Paceman, Countryman and GP now includes a John Cooper Works, or JCW, variant.All are powered by a new generation 1.6 litre four-cylinder direct injection engine featuring twin-scroll turbo technology, variable valve control and a host of technical features.Highlights include reinforced cylinder head and pistons, sodium filled exhaust valves and lightweight crankshaft which help the excellent revving capability With a maximum output of 155kW and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost), which increases to 160kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost) in the all-wheel-drive JCW Countryman and  JCW Paceman.The exhaust note is trumpeted through a JCW sports exhaust system, which produces a deliberately tuned raw note under acceleration, along with a symphony of burbles and crackles on over-run.In two-wheel drive variants, the drive is transferred to the front wheels via a  six-speed manual transmission. In the case of the JCW Paceman and JCW Countryman, power is channelled via the electromagnetic centre differential of the all-wheel-drive system between the front and rear axles to all four wheels.An optional six-speed automatic transmission is available for all JCW variants except the JCW GP limited edition model. JCW sports suspension, which comes as either standard or a no-cost-option depending on the model, has dynamically tuned dampers and anti-roll bars.  Stopping power is enhanced by a high performance sports-brake system.A Sports button in the centre console allows the driver to tweak the engine's responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. In models fitted with automatic transmissions, pressing the Sport button also quickens shift times.

The new 3-Series GT boasts an innovative and stylish design, the engaging driving dynamics of the BMW 3 Series, elevated seating position, generous occupant space and a large luggage compartment. Think 5-Series GT scaled down and that's pretty much what you have in this new 3-Series entrant.The 5 GT has been less than popular here with minimal sales. The 3 GT is aimed at a different audience to the  sedan, coupe, cabriolet and wagon versions of the popular German small/medium car. BMW thinks it might appeal to those looking at a sedan, wagon or an SUV...The GT runs a choice of current 3-Series powertrains in 320i (135 kW/270Nm), the 320d (135kW/380Nm) and  328i (180kW/350Nm) four cylinder variants. An eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted to each engine.Every model has a flat undercarriage and an active rear spoiler which is raised at 110kmh and lowered when the speed drops below 70kmh. GT  boasts a long list of standard kit including active and passive safety features, passenger comfort and convenience features and navigation systems.The car is available in a choice of three 3 Series 'Lines' packages which boast individual interior and exterior features. The Lines available include Modern, Luxury or Sport. Pricing on the BMW 3-Series GT starts from $69,500.

It will hit the showrooms priced at $59,900 and powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that develops 206kW and 380Nm, shooting it from rest to 100kmh in a rapid 5.0sec. Also on the positive side of the ledger is fuel efficiency rated at 6.9 litres per 100km. The sporty six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive system combine to offer enthusiasts an engaging drive. Compared to its predecessor, the latest generation S3 Sportback is 70kg lighter thanks to ultra lightweight technology. The accessible price tag doesn't mean lean features with the S3 Sportback scoring xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi parking system plus: park assist, front and rear sensors with rear view camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, 'S' specific body kit, 'S' exhaust system with quad tailpipes, 'S' sports suspension, sport seats in fine Nappa leather and heating for front seats, Audi music interface, Bluetooth interface with music streaming, dual-zone climate control with digital display and rear air vents, leather-wrapped, multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel. Optional packages add more equipment.

A group of 16 young New Zealand dancers have proved their world record flexibility by cramming into a two-seater Smart ForTwo to steal the Guinness crown. The team of women from the Candy Lane dance troupe managed to fit into the tiny Smart meet the Guinness World Record rules that required them to stay in the car with all doors and windows closed for five seconds.The Kiwis took the record from the Vienna Vikings Cheerleaders, who managed to squeeze 15 of their group into the model last year – themselves taking it from the previous holders who had notched up 14 people just a few months before. But looking at the video of the Candy Lane dancers’ effort – which seemed to leave no square centimetre of the car empty -- it could be a while before anybody manages to knock off their crown.Watch the 16 women break Smart car stuffing record video here. 

The car's coupe design gives it the most efficient aerodynamics on a mainstream production car. Kick off point is the CLA 200 with a 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine. It sips fuel at a combined rate of 5.7L/100km.Next up the ladder is the CLA 250 Sport u with a 2.0-litre, petrol, four cylinder, direct injection, turbocharged engine achieving 155kW/350Nm. This car's appearance is characterised by AMG styling, depicted by the diamond grille, intelligent light system, 18-inch' AMG wheels, sports pedals, AMG tuned suspension and sports steering wheel.Top of the range is the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG with 265kW/450Nm from a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine along with performance oriented 4matic all-wheel drive. This model is capable of extremely dynamic performance, clocking a 0-100kmh time in 4.6 seconds. A host of features are standard on the CLA-Class including 18-inch wheels, Becker Map Pilot Navigation, and a reversing camera.The 250 Sport gets heated electric leather sports seats with memory function and AMG styling. The 45 AMG includes AMG driver's package, AMG night package, AMG performance steering wheel, COMAND navigation and a Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system as standard. The CLA-Class will also arrive with exceptional safety features as standard. 

The BBC has paid "Top Gear" star Jeremy Clarkson millions of pounds for his share in the company behind the show's international success. Accounts published on Tuesday by BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, show it paid a total of STG16.2 million ($27 million) to take control of the firm called Bedder 6.The BBC already owned half the firm and the deal saw Clarkson, who had a 30 per cent share, collect more than STG8 million ($13.3 million) while his colleague, Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, picked up more than STG5 million."No licence fee income was used by BBC Worldwide to pay the exiting shareholders of Bedder 6 in 2012," a spokesman for BBC Worldwide said. "In just five years the business grew its profits five-fold (and its revenue to STG149 million), which would not have been possible without the involvement of the show's creative talent. The deal also secured the future of the Top Gear brand for the BBC and BBC Worldwide and we now benefit from 100 per cent of its profit stream."BBC Worldwide reported a rise in its profits from STG155 million to STG156 million in the 12 months to the end of March. It has made more than STG1 billion for the corporation since its creation in 2007.