Articles by CarsGuide team

This new variant offers increased levels of comfort and convenience, with standard features including Uconnect Media Centre and navigation, reversing camera, leather upholstery and automatic headlights. Outside, premium refinements such as new 18 inch polished sparkle silver alloys with Bridgestone Dueler tyres and body-coloured flares and hard top will appeal to the urban traveller and off-road adventurer alike. The Jeep Wrangler Overland will be equipped with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine and five-speed automatic transmission. This package delivers 209kW at 6350 revs and 347Nm of torque at 4300 revs, with an impressive 90 per cent of maximum torque available between 1800 revs. Fuel consumption is rated at 11.7 litres/100km. Prices start at $42,500 for the two-door and $47,000 for the Unlimited Overland four-door model, both of which include an auto.  

The performance sedan was shown in a group photo of the whole E-Class range, shot on Merc’s test track in Stuttgart. The few details released with the image confirm earlier reports that the E63 AMG will offer the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain, however it’s too early to determine if this will make it to Australia. The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG will arrive here around the third quarter, powered by the current 5.5-litre twin-turbo engine developing 386kW of power and 700Nm of torque – upped to 410kW and 800Nm if you option the Performance Pack – mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. There’s no indication of whether there will be a considerable price rise over the current starting tag of $240,985, but even at the performance end of the range Mercedes will be keen to stay competitive against their German rivals.  

Until the end of March, buyers of factory-backed used can get a comparison interest rate of just 6.9 per cent. The interest rate is part of the Toyota Certified program, which adds factory-backed assurance to used Toyota vehicles. Toyota Certified includes extra inspection and warranty coverage plus 12 months' roadside assistance on eligible used Toyota vehicles under four years old with less than 100,000km travelled. The program also provides a comprehensive 12 months/50,000km used-car warranty valid across participating dealerships. Eligible vehicles undergo a minimum 90-point quality assurance inspection, including mechanical and appearance reconditioning. Used hybrid vehicles come in for specific examinations include key hybrid components, such as the hybrid transaxle, control modules and battery. The Toyota Certified program includes a vehicle history report that enables customers to confirm the vehicle has clear title, or whether it has been written-off, stolen, suffered flood or storm damage, and whether the odometer readings are accurate.  

Fill the radiator and check the coolant This is a no-brainer. The radiator helps keep the engine cool, and in a heat wave -- with warmer air trying to do the same job -- it's crucial to make sure the radiator is full and carrying good coolant. Carry spare water Have at least two litres of water spare in the car, in case you do overheat the radiator. Even a couple of litres to top up with could help you get on the road again. And if the radiator boils, don't open it while it is still hot -- it will gush the remaining fluid out, and could scald you in the process. Make sure your tyres are properly inflatedAn underinflated tyre gets hotter, and on an even warmer road surface in a heat wave, there is increased risk of having a blowout. Keep your fuel tank as full as possible Having fuel around the fuel pump helps keep it cool and running smoothly. Make sure the tank is at least more than half full. Use sun deflectors and leave windows down a littleIf you can deflect sun off the windscreen and safely leave your windows down a couple of centimetres -- even in the shade -- you will help the interior stay just that little bit cooler.

The new Mirage is claimed to offer outstanding fuel efficiency, a spacious interior for five people and easy-to-drive manoeuvrability, with nimble performance wrapped up in a stylish and affordable package. Powered by a 57kW 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine the all-new Smart MIVEC engine delivers best in class fuel efficiency returning 4.6 litres/100km. Sounds like something from 25 years ago. But the safety system is a different story, with six airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with Brakeforce Distribution. The entry level ES model comes standard with CD player, two speakers, USB and AUX input and Bluetooth 2.0 with audio streaming. The three-spoke leather steering wheel features phone and audio controls, making it easy to listen to music and safer to take phone calls on the road. A CVT style automatic brings the price to $15,240, plus on road costs. Climbing the ladder the Sport is $14,190 and the LS is $15,490.  

According to the owner, yes it is. Antti Rahko’s scrap metal stretch limo, the Finnjet, was insured for a million for its trip to star in the recent Essen Motor Show in Germany – and will likely have a similar asking price when it goes up for sale shortly.Rahko, a former chauffer from Finland now living in the US state of Florida, spent 10 years building the Finnjet from scrap parts grafted onto a platform from two Mercedes-Benz station wagons.Stretching over eight metres long and weighing in at 2.78 tonnes – and just in case that size isn’t enough to catch your eye -- the bizarre behemoth sports 86 lights, 36 mirrors and two natty jet engine housings containing the exhausts.The 10-seater interior is just as flashy, with a sauna, television, freezer and microwave. It takes three batteries and alternators to keep the cabin features running along with the Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine, which drives the dual-wheel rear axle mounted amidships.To help with cornering, the rear wheels are steerable and reverse the direction of the front wheels – achieved by mounting the rear axle backwards.The vehicle’s humble beginnings are hardly visible today, but Rakho says the process of building it was never really complete. He just kept adding parts however and whenever he could. “I had my own car shop, I bought and rented cars.” Eventually, he thought if he succeeded in welding two cars together, he would not need to sell more than one car. That’s how the idea for the Finnijet was born.The car is so well appreciated that it won a prize at the Art Car Parade competition in Houston, twice. Earlier this year, it was taken to Europe for the first time, to be shown at the Essen Motor Show. Packed in a 12m long container, the organizers paid all the costs of transportation and even took out a million dollar insurance policy on the car.In addition to its star turn at Essen, the Finnjet has been the highlight of the convoy of weird that is the annual Houston Art Car Parade in Texas – even among the extreme competition it attracts.However the limo is not just a pretty strange face. Rakho has also used it as a hire vehicle and on road trips traversing the US from Florida all the way across the northern border and into Canada. In all that time, he’s only every been stopped once by police – when a convoy of 12 patrol cars and a chopper wanted to get a closer look at the Finnjet.But this year he’s hanging up his chauffer’s driving gloves, and putting the Finnjet up for sale. It will likely carry a hefty price tag, given that last time he listed the limo it carried a $950,000 reserve.

The Russian widow claims late husband, Alexandre Anisonian, was wrongfully killed in his Bentley Continental GT because the vehicle’s side curtain airbags failed to deploy.She is suing Bentley through their Brooklands Moscow dealership for 60 million roubles (about $1.9m). Mr Anisonian died on February 8, 2012 when his Continental GT was hit by a large truck that ran a red light."Since the accident, we have run several tests that all conclude the strong impact should have set off the car's side curtain airbags," Mrs Anisonian’s lawyers said in a statement.Bentley has responded to the lawsuit by denying any blame, but stating that it is cooperating with Russian authorities.The luxury carmaker – owned by auto giant Volkswagen Group – said it takes safety very seriously and its vehicles meet the strictest crash test standards in the world.Overseas media reports have suggested the court hearing scheduled for January 14 will be told Anisonian’s Bentley was travelling at high speed when the accident occured. 

It is lighter and more efficient than the previous model, and performance has been improved. The 0 to 100 kmh sprint takes just 3.9 seconds and fuel consumption averages 9.8-litres/100km. The 4.0 TFSI  V8 achieves 412kW or about 550hp in the old money.Despite being a carry all wagon, Audi says the RS6 Avant is a high-performance sports car for everyday use. Its character and sporty tuning is the work of quattro GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi. The 4.0 TFSI, which first appeared last year, is an example of Audi's downsizing strategy in the high-performance category.In the new Audi RS 6 Avant, the twin-turbo V8 delivers strong power in every driving situation. Peak output is reached between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, with a constant 700Nm of torque available between 1,750 and 5.500 rpm.POWERPulling power develops quickly due in large part to the two large twin-scroll turbochargers. They are mounted together with the intercooler in the inside V of the cylinder banks. The exhaust side of the cylinder heads is also on the inside, the intake side outside. This concept allows for a compact design and short gas paths with minimal flow losses.The RS-specific engine management and induction system also contribute to the V8's spontaneous response. The 4.0 TFSI delivers a sporty, full-throated sound. Switchable flaps in the exhaust system make the sound even fuller, if desired. Audi also offers an optional sport exhaust system.EFFICIENTAmong the factors contributing to the car's fuel economy is an engine start-stop system and innovative thermal management. Fuel consumption has been reduced by roughly 40 per cent compared to the previous model. One pioneering efficiency technology in the new Audi RS 6 Avant is the cylinder on demand (COD) system. At low to intermediate loads and engine speeds, it shuts down the intake and exhaust valves of cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8. The 4.0 TFSI then runs as a four-cylinder engine until the driver accelerates more strongly again.Efficiency in the active cylinders is increased because the operating points are displaced toward higher loads. The changeover from four and eight-cylinder operation takes just a few hundredths of a second. Active engine mounts use out-of-phase counter-oscillations to compensate for the vibrations that occur during four-cylinder operation.Check out the Audi RS6 Avant gallery TRANSMISSIONThe 4.0 TFSI is paired with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission featuring shortened shift times and D and S modes. At the heart of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring is a self-locking centre differential.AIRThe new RS 6 Avant is the first RS model from Audi to come standard with a specifically tuned air suspension. The dynamic setup of the RS 6 adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimetres.The system combines the air suspension with controlled damping and takes into account the road conditions, the driving style and the mode chosen in the driving dynamics system Audi drive select, with which the driver can influence the function of key components in multiple steps.FORGEDThe new Audi comes standard with high-gloss, 20-inch, forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. Optional 21-inch cast wheels are available in three versions. The body is roughly 20 per cent aluminium and includes numerous components made of high-strength steel. LIGHTER Audi RS 6 Avant weighs roughly 100 kilograms less than its predecessor. The RS 6 Avant is planned for an Australian introduction at the end of 2013. Full pricing details, including standard and optional specification, will be announced closer to launch.

The Focus is expected to hit about a million sales globally for 2012, with the Corolla sitting at around 966,000 for the year.The Focus has become very popular in emerging markets such as China – and was also helped there by a consumer boycott of Japanese cars for nearly the final half of 2012.The boycott – part of a public backlash in a long standing dispute between the two countries – cost Toyota an estimated 25 per cent of its sales in China. Volkswagen’s Jetta is in number three spot, followed by the Hyundai Elantra in fourth and Ford’s Fiesta in fifth.Sitting in sixth place is the Volkswagen Golf, followed by the Toyota Camry – the only car in the top 10 that isn’t an economy-focused compact – Volkswagen’s Polo, the Chevrolet Cruze and the Honda Civic.However Toyota is likely to win back its title of the world’s biggest carmaker, after losing it to General Motors last year.GM and Volkswagen are in the race for number two spot in a record year that looks set to see global sales go past the 80 million notch – despite the slump in Europe and the slowing Chinese economy.