Articles by CarsGuide team

Ford has given the matter some intense global scrutiny, only to discover that we all basically want the same thing. Not surprisingly, that's something, well... comfortable. "We used to think Europeans liked aggressively shaped seats with firm cushions while Americans preferred flat, cushy seats," Ford engineer Mike Kolich says. "The reality is that regardless of the size and shape of a driver's backside, they tend to value roughly the same characteristics when it comes to comfort." Ford engineers are aware that in-car comfort is becoming a critical consideration in the purchase process. In recognition of this fact, Ford's leading seat engineers have crafted smaller and lighter, yet more comfortable and supportive seats. The all-new Ford Kuga is the first Ford vehicle with a global seat architecture specifically designed to conform to the Ford seat DNA. These new seats are not only more comfortable but also help deliver improved fuel efficiency because of their part in the overall reduction in vehicle weight. The DNA is a set of quantifiable measurements for each system in a new vehicle designed to provide a consistent feel across all Ford vehicles worldwide, including Australia.  

Unveiled this week, the hybrid Lexus IS300h scores a big red tick in the Green Vehicle Guide with lowest CO2 emission of any luxury sedan including - the oiler averse brand is keen to point out - any diesel. Previously the Lexus IS range has been six cylinder petrol engines only and the two that power the outgoing range will be recycled for the new model. The 300h though is likely to be the highlight, producing 113 grams of CO2 per kilometre and using 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle. The combined power output of 164kW from the Lexus IS300h petrol-electric drivetrain gets it to 100km/h from standing in a diesel rivalling 8.5 seconds. It's the first rear-wheel drive Lexus to have the Atkinson Cycle 2.5-litre petrol electric/hybrid powertrain, which features a D-4S fuel injection system, dual VVT-i and exhaust gas recirculation system. The engine drives the rear wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission. The hybrid battery is positioned beneath the Lexus IS300h's luggage deck board which lowers the centre of gravity - a dynamic plus. From having a hopeless back seat and small boot, the new IS gets a 60:40 rear-fold seat. The Lexus IS300h will be available in Luxury and F-Sport grades, the latter with suspension tuning and electric power steering paired with adaptive variable suspension.  Both get the five setting drive mode select from more expensive Lexus lines. After driving a preproduction V6 through the Hollywood Hills late last year,  Paul Gover hailed the IS - being launched here in the third quarter - as having "pinched the 3Series' benchmark baton".  

An Italian driver has crashed his $600,000 Ferrari 458 Italia Spider while trying to overtake another Ferrari on a freeway. The expensive crash was captured on the dash camera of the Ferrari that was travelling with the 458. The crash in southern Italy occurred as the driver of the Ferrari 458 Italia tried to get past the camera car, but instead lost control and fishtailed into a roadside guard rail. According to reports in overseas media, the police were called to the site of the crash, but the Ferrari was not there when they arrived.  

A representative of Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has declared the star will never be returning to Australia

Tesla, it seems, can’t catch a break in the media in 2013. First, The New York Times published a less-than-stellar review of the Model S, criticizing the car’s range in cold weather. Tesla Motors’ CEO, Elon Musk, was quick to respond with data that contradicted The New York Times’ article, but the newspaper didn’t back down. Now a British appeals court has dismissed Tesla’s second attempt at a libel suit against the BBC, the network behind Top Gear. The dismissal should put an end to the courtroom sparring of Tesla and Top Gear. In 2008, Top Gear ran a piece that was highly critical of the Tesla Roadster’s range, depicting it as just 55 miles (88 kilometres) under spirited driving, not the 200 miles (322 kilometres) claimed by Tesla. Tesla’s original lawsuit against the BBC and Top Gear, filed in March of 2011, alleged libel and malicious falsehood. Citing five primary points, Tesla claimed that the popular automotive show falsely depicted a Tesla Roadster with depleted batteries, underestimated the car’s range, dramatized overheating that did not occur, cited brake failure that did not occur and claimed that problems affected two cars supplied by Tesla for the segment. As a direct result of the Top Gear segment, Tesla alleges it lost out on $171,000 in Roadster sales. A British high court disagreed, ruling in late 2011 that, “no reasonable person could understand that the performance on the track is capable of a direct comparison with a public road.” In other words, British viewers are intelligent enough to understand that Tesla’s claimed 200 mile range isn’t based on flat-out driving, as one would experience on a test track. Tesla appealed the first court’s decision, but this week a British appeals court upheld the original ruling. Using similar language to the original verdict, appeals court judge Martin Moore-Bick declared that the Top Gear segment would not have influenced a “reasonable viewer” into believing the Tesla Roadster would deliver less than the claimed 200 miles under normal driving conditions. Whether based on the Top Gear segment or not, Tesla claims that sales of its Roadster in the U.K. have been lower than expected, especially compared to sales in the U.S. and in Europe. Can Tesla put this behind them and succeed in the U.K with the Model S sedan? We’re sure that Elon Musk is asking that very same question.  

  

A very old-school Rolls-Royce coupe is setting new standards today for the historic British brand.The all-new Wraith is the most powerful and dynamic car in the company's history, with 465 kiloWatts and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds, and it also picks up everything from a great looking two-door body to a satellite-linked system that pre-selects the right gear for safe cornering.It is priced from 245,000 Euros in Europe with deliveries in the second half of the year, but that price is likely to blow out to more than $700,000 in Australia in 2014 judging by the $645,000 sticker for the Ghost model that is used as the base for the Wraith.The Wraith has genuine movie-star looks - most likely in the next Batman flick - and plenty of new-age technology, but Rolls-Royce is clear on its clients. And it's not being remotely politically correct."Today we launch the ultimate gentlemen's gran turismo," says Torsten Muller-Otvos, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather." So, not even the slightest nod to the potential for female sales.But the Wraith - a name plucked from the history books for a 21st century comeback - is clearly aimed at the world's ultra-wealthy car buyers, who might be shopping it against a new Bentley, or a new helicopter or the sort of holiday that would be a ridiculous dream in suburban Australia. And Rolls-Royce believes almost all of them will be men.Plenty of women drive Phantoms, and there will be females who crave a Wraith, but it's a very masculine car. That includes the chunky body and a cabin that's predictably slapped with upscale wood and leather. But the real focus is on performance, with 800 Newton-metres of torque on tap, sporty-ish suspension settings and an eight-speed automatic.Rolls-Royce clearly believes it can compete against Bentley's latest super-quick coupes, but it says it has no sacrificed any luxury. "Wraith is no GT bruiser. Agility improvements have been achieved with absolutely no compromise to the sensation of riding on a bed of air," says Muller-Otvos."A more polished, effortless driving experience and even better response brings a new, more dynamic dimension to the famous Rolls-Royce trait, waftability."Away from the engine room, equipment levels in the Wraith are predictably sumptuous and - thanks to tapping German technology from its BMW owners - Rolls-Royce has added everything from a heads-up instrument display to adaptive headlights and far more user-friendly connectivity.There is a final signature item common to the Phantom Coupe and convertible, the suicide front doors that Rolls-Royce describes - in another old-school nod - as coach doors, a term that comes from the days when horses and not horsepower ruled the road. 

Based on the 2013 Evoque Dynamic Plus, the eye-catching Limited Edition sports a number of unique features giving it a truly striking appearance.Available in three and five-door form, customers can choose from two exterior colour schemes, each one unique to the Special Edition model and based on a new Black Design Pack.Choices include a Sicilian Yellow exterior body finish with a Santorini Black contrast roof, or a Santorini Black exterior body finish with a Sicilian Yellow contrast roof and door mirrors.Unique interior finishes include yellow contrast stitching on seats, central storage area, door trims and fascia mid-section, plus an anodised yellow horizontal finisher. This Special Edition model debuts the Black Design Pack which will be available independently of the Special Edition from mid-2013.The Black Design Pack will be available exclusively on Dynamic models and includes rear sport spoiler, darkened front headlights and fog lamps, black Range Rover lettering, clear rear lamps, 20-inch Gloss Black forged wheels, Santorini Black painted bumper sections and dark exhaust finishers.The Sicilian gets here later in the year, probably around September-October but no word on prices yet apart from the fact it will be more than the Dynamic. 

Hyundai has slotted a fourth model into its ix35 range of small SUVs. Based on the 2.0-litre two-wheel drive entry level Active model, the $29,990 ix35 SE is the first model to be sourced from Europe. It offers a raft of convenience, comfort, and style elements previously unavailable in the Active model. Available in a limited range of fashionable colours, the nose features a unique front bumper with in-set fog lamps, projector headlamps with dusk sensors, and power folding side mirrors. Smart 17 inch alloys and solar control glass with rear privacy tint add a touch of European chic to the exterior presence. A stylish new interior treatment features full leather/leatherette trim including seats, steering wheel, and gear shift knob. Front and rear heated seats will provide additional comfort for all occupants, and the glove box is cooled. The SE also adds a rear-view camera displayed in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. For occupant comfort, the ix35 SE provides a comprehensive multimedia package including; 5 inch touch screen AM/FM radio with integrated Bluetooth, media streaming and hands free, six-speakers including tweeters, AUX and USB audio input with iPod compatibility, and an MP3 / WMA / CD player.