Articles by CarsGuide team

...Detroit Electric has returned to the legendary Motor City.The innovative electric car manufacturer is promising job creation and a range of exciting 100 per cent electric vehicles for the mass market.Heralding the rebirth of the original electric car brand, Detroit Electric has announced the establishment of its corporate headquarters on the 18th floor of the iconic Fisher Building, located in downtown Detroit.A site has also been identified to assemble the first ever pure electric sports car in Michigan, with production to start in August. The dedicated production facility will have an annual capacity of 2500 sports cars.Detroit Electric aims to create over 180 sales and manufacturing-related jobs over the next 12 months. Following five years of relentless research and engineering development, the first model to carry the renowned Detroit Electric logo will be a limited-edition two-seat sports car.Certain to quicken pulses thanks to its bold styling, outstanding performance, exhilarating handling characteristics and impressive range, this new sports car will be launched early next month in Detroit, ahead of a global public reveal at the Shanghai Motor Show on April 20.The show will also provide the platform for Detroit Electric to share an exciting announcement about a major partnership with a global carmaker.Full details will be announced on the first press day of the show. On sale in many of Detroit Electric's target markets by end of August 2013, the new Detroit Electric sports car will spearhead a diverse family of all-electric production cars, including two other high-performance models that will enter production by end of 2014. "We are proud to become the fourth car manufacturer born out of Detroit, and the first to manufacture a pure electric sports car from Michigan," CEO Don Graunstadt said."We are committed to doing our part for this great revival of Detroit through innovation, entrepreneurship and determination what we like to call `Detroit 2.0'."Our investors and management team are thankful to the State of Michigan for the help provided in allowing Detroit Electric to carry on the legacy that began in Michigan so many years ago."Detroit could be regarded as the home of the electric car. Early in the last century the electric vehicle industry was flourishing in Detroit and a company called Detroit Electric was at its very heart, innovating and selling more electric vehicles than any other company.By 1912 there were numerous American electric vehicle makers, with Detroit Electric both the market leader and the most prolific, going on to make around 13,000 cars an electric vehicle production world record for the 20th century.Notable customers included Thomas Edison, Mamie Eisenhower, John D. Rockerfeller Jr. and Clara Ford, the wife of Henry Ford. 

The film The World's Fastest Indian was a salute to daredevil motorcycle rider Burt Munro, who set a speed record on one of the iconic bikes in the 1960s. Despite disappearing for a while, the Indian motorcycle company has had a rebirth -- and has revealed a custom-built streamliner named the "Spirit of Munro." The one-of-a-kind vehicle was unveiled in a special surprise announcement at Daytona Bike Week following the reveal of Indian Motorcycle's new Thunder Stroke 111 engine - the incredible new power plant for the upcoming 2014 Indian Motorcycle. Fully custom-built, the Spirit of Munro is an all-metal tribute to the racers and mechanics throughout history who have collectively built the legacy of record-breaking racing performance and strength that is Indian Motorcycle. The streamliner was named in honour of Burt Munro's, "Munro Special," the historic 1920 Indian Scout that broke the under-1000cc land-speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The streamliner was designed from the ground up to house the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine and showcases its awe-inspiring power and performance. The Spirit of Munro is not simply a display; it was built to run. A custom exhaust and intake system is mated with a chain drive conversion to allow for the tall gearing necessary for top speed runs. The all-aluminium bodywork was hand-formed using traditional tools and techniques. Wrapped around the modern Thunder Stroke 111 engine is a custom chassis capable of handling top speeds. "Part of the process of building a new motorcycle is building many pre-production and production test engines," Indian's Gary Gray said. "The Indian Motorcycle engineering team is fully conscious that every day we are working with history and over the course of design and development many parts and complete engines are built, tested, disassembled and measured. "We thought it a fitting tribute to place one of our pre-production engines in a one-of-a-kind vehicle to pay homage to the racers who have helped build the legend of the Indian Motorcycle brand over its 112-year history." Tapped to construct the Spirit of Munro was Jeb Scolman of Jeb's Metal and Speed in Long Beach, California. Jeb's extensive credentials building land speed racers, along with his hand-formed bodywork on a Stutz Blackhawk replica revealed him as the perfect builder for this tribute machine. "When the guys from Indian Motorcycle called to ask if I would be willing to play a part in this historic endeavour, I could not say ‘yes’ fast enough," he said. "We built the Spirit of Munro in just three months of straight long work days. It was a brutal schedule, but to be a part of re-launching this brand and giving Indian Motorcycle fans a historic new piece of Americana makes it all worth the effort." The bodywork was sculpted to reflect seminal machines from history, as well as creating a unique package for rider and mechanicals. Using aircraft inspired and traditional custom techniques, the Spirit of Munro is a striking tribute to the past, and an irrepressible inspiration for the future of America's first motorcycle company.  

Europe's most popular car, the Panda high-riding hatch is expected down under as early as September this year

The dealership's managing director has had four beehives installed in the multi-million dollar Doncaster Rd showroom's roof. A viewing chamber allows customers to watch the busy drones hard at work, with a glass window stopping anyone getting a bee in their bonnet. For Mr Reisch, who arrived from Germany as a 21-year-old beekeeper in 1983, the hives connect his past and present. "There was an opening in the primary industries, particularly for beekeepers,'' Mr Reisch said. "Australia had a great appetite to get the (Carniolan honey bee), because it was less aggressive.'' After working in hospitality and vintage car restoration, a career in car sales beckoned. Mr Reisch restored an old MGA and sold it to a car dealer who offered him a job. He later went to work for BMW.  

Key clues to the Optima’s update are a restyled front fascia with black inserts, revised headlight clusters with LED strips and LED foglights on some models, plus new rear diffuser and new LED taillights. The Optima cabin gets two new screens: an 8-in touchscreen for nav and entertainment, and a 4.3-in LCD screen in the instrument cluster for trip info. The US top-spec Kia Optima gets HID lights, leather upholstery, red brake callipers and an electronic park brake, while options include dual-exhaust tips, eight-way seat adjustment and a blindspot detection system. The new Optima will continue with the current 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a revised six-speed automatic gerarbox, but there could also be a turbocharged 2.0-litre on offer. A petrol-hybrid engine and a 1.7-litre turbodiesel will be available in overseas markets but we’re unlikely to see them here when the Optima arrives early in 2014.  

Former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore says Red Bull management has handled the stoush between its drivers badly and Mark Webber will leave at the end of the season. Sebastian Vettel defied the team's orders to stay behind Mark Webber during the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, passing his teammate in the closing laps to win the race, sparking outrage from Webber, the Red Bull team, and fans. Briatore, the disgraced former boss of the Renault team, has slammed Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner for not ordering Vettel to give the lead back to Webber after the contentious pass was made. "If there was a manager with balls, he would have had them switch positions again," Briatore told Italy's RAI Radio. Read full story at: www.news.com.au  

   

American automotive website Edmunds.com has named its top 10 pet-friendly cars.We're talking about inside safety here, not out. The respected website has identified 10 SUVs, minivans, hatchbacks and wagons that offer the most safety and comfort for everyone's favorite furry friends."Not only are these vehicles safe for pets, but they also offer a certain measure of convenience for pet owners," said Edmunds' Warren Clarke.Unfortunately only seven of the top 10 vehicles are available here:Dodge JourneyAvailable features include an in-dash cooler that can be used to store beverages, medicine or pet food.Price: from $38,350Engine: 3.6-litre V6, 206kW/342NmTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.4L/100kmSee other Dodge Journey verdictsHyundai ix35This Hyundai offers privacy glass that helps block the strong rays of the sun.Price: from $26,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 122kW/197NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed automaticThirst: 8.5L/100kmSee other Hyundai ix35 verdictsJeep CherokeeThe Jeep brand offers specialised pet travel gear, including crates, carriers and a ramp.Price: from $28,000Engine: 3.7-litre V6, 151kW/314NmTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 12.4L/100kmSee other Jeep Cherokee verdictsKia SoulThe Soul comes standard with side curtain airbags that can keep both two-legged and four-legged passengers safe in the event of a collision.Price: from $21,490Engine: 1.6-litre 4-clylinder, 95kW/157NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automaticThirst: 6.5L/100kmSee other Kia Soul verdictsMitsubishi OutlanderThe SUV also boasts fold-flat seating and stowable third-row seats - both of which increase the amount of room available for larger pets.Price: from $28,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 110kW/190NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed automaticThirst: 7.0L/100kmSee other Mitsubishi Outlander verdictsSubaru TribecaPet owners will appreciate the Tribeca's five-star crash test scores, steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls and rear back-up camera.Price: from $54,990Engine: 3.6-litre 6-cylinder, 190kW/350NmTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 11.6L/100kmSee other Subaru Tribeca verdictsVolvo XC70The XC70 is available with a Volvo-designed pet barrier, created to remain intact during a collision.Price: from $62,990Engine: 3.2-litre 6-cylinder, 179kW/320NmTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.6L/100kmSee other Volvo XC70 verdicts