Articles by CarsGuide team

...unless new technology is embraced, a report says.Smart Grid Australia says intelligent meters and other devices can help consumers cut electricity use at certain times of day and reduce network traffic. This would reduce the need to build up poles and wires to deal with "peaks" in power use on extremely hot days or in the evenings.But the report warns that consumers must be educated on the benefits of such technology so that there is no public backlash against change.Read the full story at news.com.au.

Overseen by Guinness World Record officials, the fastest car drift was clocked at 179.59 km/h, a speed set by Lars Verbraeken fro the Netherlands at Flugplatz Kindel in Eisenach, Germany, on 19 June 2012. However, we've seen plenty of claims of higher speeds on other tracks -- although not verified or sanctioned by Guinness.  

Following the epic guitar v drums face-off, another drag race has been mounted to settle an equally important question. Which is the better cult movie genre – martial arts or sci-fi?To produce the definitive answer, dairy brand Ice Break customised two classic Aussie muscle cars for the track.In the nunchuck-swinging martial arts corner there was a 1972 V8 LJ Torana 308 V8 auto, while the sci-fi champion was a 1975 Falcon XB Coupe 351 V8 four-speed manual.Facebook fans weighed into the key custom decisions, with more than 1000 requests for modifications on the cars and over 4000 comments on which car would eventually kick the requisite amount of ass to win on the quarter mile at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Dragway.“The Kung Fu Torana – known as Bruce to the fans -- features an impressive arsenal of ninja stars and samurai swords, and boasts more shiny martial arts trophies than the Cobra Kai. The exterior paintwork comprises yellow and black stripes with accompanying dragon motif, as an homage to Bruce Lee’s iconic jumpsuit in ‘Game of Death’,” Ice Break said in a statement. “The Sci-fi XB Coupe -- or Hal to its Ewok friends -- comes replete with the obligatory flux capacitor in the boot, some rather large toxic gas canisters, and a console bursting with X-wing style weapon switches.The Kubrick-esque white leather interior is neatly complemented by the gun metal exterior paint job and glowing Kit-style grill.” A competition offers the chance to win either of the cars, or the two that contested the guitar vs drums question at www.facebook.com/icebreak.

The new Quattroporte will make its world debut at the North American International Automobile Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on 14 January 2013 before arriving in Australia in the third quarter of 2013, when local specifications and prices will be announced. The all-new Quattroporte heralds the start of a series of new models from the Italian car maker. The new models include a new medium size performance saloon and a performance SUV which, combined with the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and the new Quattroporte will possibly spike Maserati global sales. The new Quattroporte is a high-performance sports luxury sedan that reinterprets the design features of classic Maseratis in a contemporary design language. Next generation Maserati engines, to be used in all models are more powerful than ever, more exciting to drive than ever and also more eco-friendly.  

In July 2012, Patrick Doetsch tried to break the Guinness World Record for driving through the tightest gap on two wheels. Unfortunately he’d didn’t quite succeed. The record set in 2009 by Terry Grant in UK the still stands at 48cm.  

   

...and wonder what to do.