Articles by CarsGuide team

The Lexus LF-LC Concept is now confirmed for production after a couple of years of rapturous receptions on the world motor show stage. The car will inject some much-needed sportiness to the luxury marque’s lineup. Lexus' vice president of marketing, Brian Smith, says the LF-LC was originally intended as only a concept but the overwhelming response to the stunning rear-drive coupe spurred management in Japan to give it the production green light. It will be the spiritual successor to the rather unlovely SC430, Smith says the concept -- styled by designers at the California studio -- was built to advance the redefinition of Lexus with emotive designs and advanced technology. With the LFA supercar bowing out of production last December, Lexus is in need of a new, emotion-spurring halo model. A front-engine, rear-drive hybrid powertrain brings the LF-LC together with a sporting layout to match its sporty design. The most recent version of the concept, the LF-LC Blue, is said to be packing more than 367kW from an unspecified hybrid system. Inside, the cockpit is driver-focused, with scooped side panels and a curved console centring the attention on the behind-the-wheel seat. It's one of the best-looking designs we've seen in a while and we hope any production version stays true to the original lines of the concept.  

Four models in the Volkswagen range have recently received an engine upgrade with a power and torque increase. The Passat Sedan, Passat Wagon, Passat Alltrack and the CC with 2.0-litre common rail turbo diesel engine now come with 130kW (+5kW) of power and 380Nm (+30Nm) of torque, and now carry 130TDI badging. This change also results in a fuel consumption change on some of the models. The Passat Wagon and CC see reduced fuel consumption figures of 5.4 litres/100km (-0.3l) while the Passat Sedan now consumes 5.6 llitres/100km (-0.1l). Pricing has increased by $500 for most of these diesel variants, with the Passat Highline sedan now $44,990, Highline wagon at $46,490, and CC at $55,490. The Passat Alltrack remains at $47,790.  

The call comes after the cancellation of this year's Melbourne motor show which was to have been held in June.In a letter to the Victorian Treasurer, Michael O'Brien, the VACC urged an extension and upgrade of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre `so that this vital Melbourne facility remains competitive'.VACC is owner of the Australian International Motor Show in a joint venture partnership with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries."This year's Motor Show may have been cancelled, but we are already working on a new business model for future Shows," VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said. "We are making every effort to ensure Australia and Melbourne continues to have a Motor Show, but we'll need Victorian Government assistance to do so."A good first step would be to extend and upgrade the MEC so we have a world class venue to attract world class exhibitors to a world class show." 

Hyundai has apologised for a commercial that shows a man trying to kill himself by piping emissions into his car. The 60-second ad was intended to be used in the UK, and shows the suicide bid failing because the ix35 SUV model used – a fuel-cell model not sold in Australia -- does not produce harmful emissions. Hyundai said it did not order or approve the “offensive” ad, and apologised for it appearing. “Hyundai Motor deeply and sincerely apologises for the offensive viral ad,” the Korean carmaker said in a statement. “It runs counter to our values as a company and as members of the community. We are very sorry for any offense or distress the video caused. More to the point, Hyundai apologizes to those who have been personally impacted by tragedy.” The ad was created by Innocean, a global agency that handles most advertising for Hyundai and its stablemate Kia, and is owned by the auto group’s chairman Chung Mong-koo and his family. The ad sparked outrage on social media, with one of the widest-spread responses being from UK copywriter Holly Brockwell, who posted an open letter to Hyundai --showing the handwritten note left by her father before he committed suicide in his car  – and describing her emotional reaction to the ad. "My dad never drove a Hyundai. Thanks to you, neither will I," she wrote. * Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.  

Look familiar? It should, because the Fiat Freemont crossover is a rebadged version of the Dodge Journey, albeit with some changes.The five-seat version is walking out the door right now from just $27,000 drive-away - although the seven-seat version will cost $1500 extra.Fiat’s Freemont is available in three specification levels: Base, Urban and Lounge. It's powered by either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or an economical 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel.Both engines drive the front wheels via either a six-speed automatic transmission (petrol engine) or a six-speed manual (diesel engine). The diesel, by the way is priced from $32,600 (plus on-roads).The 2.4-litre petrol engine produces 125kW/220Nm while the diesel is good for 125kW/350Nm, the latter from a low 1750 revs.Standard equipment levels are impressive across the range and include Uconnect phone with Bluetooth audio streaming, keyless entry and start, child-booster seats, rear-parking sensors, USB & AUX inputs, automatic headlights, auto-tint rearview mirror, active front headrests, alarm with anti-intrusion system and tyre pressure monitoring system. Triple-zone climate control is also packaged with the seven-seat option.Freemont kicks off a new-model offensive for Fiat. The stylish Panda and Punto models will follow later in the year, following an expansion of the 500 range in June.