Articles by CarsGuide team

Following a recall two days ago for a brake defect, BMW has issued another that affects more than 500,000 vehicles worldwide and 17,500 in AustraliaThe German carmaker has issued a wide-ranging recall on more than 500,000 vehicles across several of its model lines – including about 17,500 cars in Australia -- ranging from the 1-Series to the Z4 sports car.  The cause of the problem is a faulty battery cable connector, which may fail over time. The recall follows one from two days ago for a faulty brake hose that affected 1600 of BMW’s X5 SUVs in Australia.BMW says the latest recall is for the connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box, which on the affected vehicles may degrade over time due to high current flow and heat from electrical resistance. Should this occur, there could be a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, causing it to stall and possibly crash.“Vibrations in the car can cause poor connection and electrical issues as a result,” BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says. “In the main, those problems would be flickering lights or the vehicle failing to restart after it’s stopped. But in absolute extreme cases, it could lead to the car stalling while driving.”Croaker says there has been one field report of the problem in an Australian vehicle, and another in Canada. “Give the nature of it, it’s an important thing to take very seriously – we can’t rule out that these are isolated cases so we’ve taken this action. We’re not trying to sweep anything under the rug we take the responsibility very seriously.”The recall affects:2007-2012 BMW 1-Series Coupes and 1-Series Convertibles built from December 2007 through July 2011.2007-2011 BMW 3-Series sedans built from March 2007 through October 2011.2007-2011 3-Series Sports Wagons built from March 2007 through June 2011.2007-2011 BMW 3-Series Coupes and 3-Series Convertibles built from March 2007 through July 2011.2009-2011 Z4 roadsters built from March 2009 through June 2011.BMW is in the process of notifying owners of the affected vehicles. They will be requested to take their cars to their nearest BMW dealership, which will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. 

The car's arrival follows completion of the first chassis by UK-based motorsport engineering pioneer GPRM. The new car is powered by a 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Boxer' engine which has been developed in conjunction with Nicholson McLaren Engines. The 86 will be shaken down at a UK circuit ahead of a schedule of European tests and the pre-season “balance of performance” sessions organised by GT4 series organiser SRO. GPRM and its directors Gary Blackham and Roger King believe the new Toyota will be a serious GT4 contender. “The new engine from Nicholson McLaren will be capable of between 360 and 400 bhp (268 and 298 kilowatts), although the definitive output figure will be determined by the balance of performance testing,” Mr Blackham said. "We have gone all out to engineer quality and reliability into the 86 as well as competitiveness, and the result has provoked a lot of interest," he said. "The Toyota 86 will make an ideal GT4 contender in British GT, as well as in the many GT4 series growing in strength and popularity around Europe." GPRM's Toyota 86 is a cost-efficient entry-level endurance car. The company embarked on the GT4 project immediately after the Britcar24 last September, where the new Toyota sports car made a successful UK race debut. Although not a works effort, the GT4 project has the blessing of Toyota GB, which is providing technical support.  

For the first time in decades, Mercedes-Benz is offering a fascinating high-performance vehicle in the compact class.The A45 AMG  due soon boasts a maximum output of 265kW (360 hp) and up to 450Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo engine is the most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world.It has a power density of 133kW/litre (181 hp) outstripping even the most powerful super sports cars. At the same time, the engine also boasts high efficiency and complies with the EU6 emissions standard. The A 45 AMG also leads its segment in terms of fuel consumption, running on 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres in combined mode.Mercedes says the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive under the A 45 AMG sets new standards in the car's segment -- and accelerates from zero to 100 kmh in 4.6 seconds..The substance of the new Mercedes-Benz vehicle architecture, for front and all-wheel drive, provides the basis for the A45 AMG and at two other high-performance premium vehicles coming soon. 

We’ve seen quite a few outrageous car stunts lately, but they have all just been one-upped by the world’s first car backflip. French daredevil Guerlain Chicherit pulled off the feat overnight by flipping a Mini Countryman from a snow ramp in France. Chicherit is calling it the world's first "unassisted 360 degree backflip" in a car. Using a specially modified Mini John Cooper Works Countryman, Chicherit accelerated up a ramp and jumped to an estimated 12 metres during the stunt. The French driver reportedly spent four years training and preparing for the stunt, which saw him launch the Mini, flip through 360 degrees and land – right side up – on the eight-metre ramp. Details on the car modifications haven’t been revealed, but it was based on the JCW Countryman crossover powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 160 kW of power and 300Nm of torque, making for a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h.  

To maximise versatility and storage space the three-seat rear bench splits and folds forward to increase the load capacity from 1.6 to 4.1 cubic metres or it can be removed completely.The maximum load length is 2.25m with the seats removed and it has a maximum payload of 709kg in manual form. Due to the increased payload requirements, the Crewvan has been built on a 16 inch wheels platform, with 16 inch steel wheels as standard. Rear barn doors are standard equipment for this new variant, but a tailgate is available as a no-cost option.The Crewvan is powered by a 75kW 1.6-litre TDI engine with 250Nm of torque, coupled with either a 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission. This highly efficient engine achieves excellent combined fuel consumption of just 5.9 litres/100km for both the manual and DSG versions. 

The price of the new Korando S petrol model which comes with a manual transmission as standard is $23,990 drive away. This new model is a move away from Ssangyong's diesel only Australian model line-up, while its price signals the company's determination to succeed in the increasingly competitive SUV segment. The Korando's 2.0 litre petrol engine produces 109 kW and 191 Nm with Ssangyong claiming combined fuel consumption of just 7.5 litres/100km (6.2L highway and 9.7L around town). The vehicle's standard features include six airbags, electronic stability control, Bluetooth and a CD/MP3 player. Cruise control, reverse sensors, leather steering wheel are also standard. A six speed automatic transmission is available as a $2000 option. All Korandos sold in Australia via Ssangyong's national dealer network are covered by a five year 100,000km warranty and five years of 24/7 roadside assist.  

The former Hilux Heroes are set to become Team D-Max as they head into 2013, with a new naming-rights and vehicle sponsor Isuzu Ute Australia. Owned and operated by EMG Precision Driving, the team makes the switch after five years in Toyota HiLuxs. Before that, they were with Holden. The Isuzu D-MAX is offered in 12 different 4x4 and 4x2 models. The team has chosen the Japanese-designed 4x2 SX Crew Cab Low-Ride for its performance fleet. "Making the switch to a new manufacturer is a big deal for us but the timing was right and Isuzu Ute is doing incredibly well at the moment," said EMG's Wayne Boatwright, "They are one of the world's largest manufacturers of trucks and diesel engines now and the D-Max Ute has been extremely successful since it was launched in Australia in 2008." "We've obviously got some pretty skilled drivers in the team but the shows we do are a massive test for the vehicles as well and D-Max is the real deal in terms of ruggedness and performance." Lead driver Jack Monkhouse said it will be the first time the team has ever used diesel power. "I'm blown away by the performance of the D-Max's 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, I can't wait for our first show," he said. Team D-Max makes its first public appearance at the 2013 Canberra Show from February 22 to 24.

Nissan has dropped the 1.5-litre engine from its, replacing it with the smaller three cylinder engine across the range. At the same time, it is switching production of the car from Indonesia to India where it is presumably cheaper to build. The punchline is that prices remain the same, but Nissan argues the Micra is a better deal because is it better equipped. The ST is priced from $12,990, ST-L from $14,990 and Ti from $16,990. An auto adds $2000 to the price. The 1.2-litre three cylinder engine previously powered only the entry level ST. The three pot produces 56kW of power and 100Nm of torque, compared with the outgoing 1.5's 75kW/136Nm. But buyers can take comfort in the fact that getting more for their money. The ST now gets head-lamp levellers and auto-off functions, along with new seats and rear arm rests. The mid-price Micra ST-L now gets 15 inch alloys, fog lights, rear spoiler, passenger seat bag holder and driver armrest. The top of the range Ti sees the addition of a rear spoiler not much of a trade? "The Nissan Micra is one of the most affordable cars on the Australian market and were pleased to offer an even more appealing proposition to customers," Nissan Australia boss William F Peffer Jr.  

Toyota might take issue with that one with its Hybrid Camry. New Commodore was unveiled at an event in Melbourne on Sunday and it will be the last locally developed Commodore going through until 2016. Any large car replacement from then on will be out as the US badged Commodore. It will be exported in small numbers to the US to be sold as the Chevy SS sports sedan. Holden says the VF brings a host of new technologies that make it not only the best Commodore ever, but also one that is safer, more user-friendly and more fuel efficient. They say it also brings new levels of luxury and refinement to the large car segment, with a sumptuous new interior to match its upmarket exterior. The car will be built at Holden Vehicle Operations in the Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth, South Australia. It will also be more fuel efficient. Thanks in part to the Federal Government's grant of $39.8 million through the Green Car Innovation Fund, it features lightweight aluminium panels along with other fuel saving features such as electric power steering and is more aerodynamic than the current VE Commodore. Among its many new technology features are some significant safety and driver friendly elements. Convenience features include Auto Park Assist on all models, where the driver operates the pedals but the car effectively parks itself. VF also gets the latest version of Holden's innovative MyLink infotainment system and keyless entry and start. Available safety features include Reverse Traffic Alert, which warns of vehicles passing when reversing out of spaces, Blind Spot Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a Head-Up Display, which projects vital safety information such as the car's speed directly onto the windscreen.