Articles by CarsGuide team

   

The upgrade delivers more comfort, convenience and driving enjoyment. New colours, new exterior design features, upgraded equipment levels and the new lightweight and efficient petrol engine all contribute to make a better SUV. Interior equipment levels improve with a host of fresh and exciting features including new centre console, seven-inch colour touch-screen with enhanced audio systems from Meridian, seven-day timed climate system and satellite navigation. Passive start replaces key dock and there's a new 'intelligent' electric parking brake which adjusts brake force according to the slope the vehicle is parked on. 'Say What You See' - a voice activation system with visual prompts, and rear view camera capability are also both new to the Freelander 2. Exterior design details have been revamped for an integrated and co-ordinated appearance, including more contemporary lights front and rear using the latest LED technology and a new signature graphic in the front running lights. The exciting news on the engine front is that the six-cylinder Si6 petrol is replaced by the turbocharged Si4, four-cylinder engine. The direct injection, Si4 delivers 177kW and an increase of seven percent on torque to 340Nm, providing a broader spread of torque for relaxed cruising and strong low-speed response. The all-aluminium engine is a full 40kg lighter than the previous six-cylinder. It's essentially the same engine used in the Range Rover Evoque, this lightweight Si4 GTDi produces more power than the Si6 yet is more economical and sees a 14 per cent reduction in CO2 to 224g/km. These new features are underpinned by the fact that the Freelander scores five stars in the Euro NCAP for occupant safety.      

The Hyundai iLoad van and iMax eight-seat shuttle get more fuel-efficient diesel engines and a new six-speed manual transmission.Petrol model prices remain unchanged, starting at $29,990 for the iLoad and $37,290 for the iMax. The diesels start at $34,990 for the iLoad and $39,990 for the iMax.The new engines are 2.5-litre CRDi turbo diesels with either a wastegate turbo or a variable geometry turbo mated to a new six-speed manual transmission.In iLoad configuration this delivers 8.0 L/100km, a 6 per cent reduction in fuel consumption; while the uprated 2.5-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine and five-speed automatic transmission combination achieve 8.8L/100km, an 8 per cent improvement. The iMax minibus uses a tad more.In the manual, the diesel engine's peak torque now starts earlier in the rev range from 1500 rpm through to 2500 rpm. Peak power is either 100kW (wastegate) or 125kW for the variable geometry turbo engine on automatic models. This unit generates some 441Nm of torque.Hyundai design and manufacture their own transmissions in-house.The new six-speed manual gearbox utilises multi-cone synchronisers for improved shift quality, and includes a button-operated reverse gear lock-out to provide further ease of operation. The short stroke of the transmission ensures a quick and accurate shift action to further enhance the economy of the driveline.The iLoad can handle up to two pallets with ease within its 4.3 cubic metre capacity, while offering seating for three or up to six in crew van configuration. For moving people plus their lifestyle accessories and luggage, iMax is a class leader. With flexible eight-seat capacity, plus plenty of stowage space behind the third row and a well thought out, comfortable and well-appointed interior including dual-zone air conditioning, to ensure occupants travel in space and comfort. 

Mitsubishi Australia admits it has taken a bit of a beating recently in the passenger car stakes with the demise of the Magna replacement the 380 in 2008, the end of life cycle of the Mirage and aging Lancer all hitting the company hard. But, there is a light at the end of the passenger tunnel with Lancer getting an upgrade and the new Mirage due here in January 2013. Mirage, built in Thailand, has been a hit in that country with 33,000 units ordered there since March. The 2013 Mirage features a lightweight aerodynamic body and a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine that Mitsubishi claims is highly fuel efficient. Like the SUV segment small car sales are also booming with buyers downsizing. What is keeping Mitsubishi buoyed are sales of its 4WD and SUV models – vehicle segments that are growing with solid sales figures for its five-model range: Pajero, Challenger, Triton, Outlander and ASX. Mitsubishi has tinkered with the Lancer lineup and brought in a new model for 2013. The Lancer LX sits between the entry-level ES at $19,990 and the semi-sporty VRX, starting at $29,990. The LX has a rrp of $23,990 for the 5-speed manual and $26,240 for the CVT (continuously variable transmission). Mitsubishi spokesman, James Tol, said the Lancer mid to upper level models were priced above where they should have been when compared to rivals. The revised pricing has addressed this with cuts right across the Lancer range. Top of the range Evo was $62,390 and is now $56,990 while the Evo MR SST has dropped from $74,890 to $65,990 making both cars more competitive against rival Subaru WRX models. The entry-level ES Lancer was $21,690 and is now $19,990 and includes, for the first time, Bluetooth 2.0 with voice activation and streaming audio, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and telephone controls and a new audio system. The CVT ES Lancer also gets hill start assist. The new LX model is based on the ES but gets 16-inch alloy wheels, side air dams and a lot more of the fashionable chrome to the radiator grille, boot lid accent on the sedan, door handles and belt line moulding. LX also picks up a reversing camera and reverse parking sensors along with keyless entry. The interior has not missed out and features leather wrapped steering wheel, leather seat trim and gloss black panels. The front seats are heated, there's power controls for the driver's seat and climate control air conditioning. Audio and phone functions are accessible from the steering wheel or the new 6.1-inch full colour display system that includes the rear view camera. VRX and Ralliart models gain a new Rockford Fosgate audio system with four speakers, four tweeters and subwoofer, iPod/iPhone connectivity and rear view camera. ES and LX models are powered by Mitsubishi's 2.0-litre MIVEC engine while VRX variants have a 2.4-litre MIVEC engine and a choice of five-speed manual or CVT auto transmission. Lancer Ralliart uses the Lancer Evolution's intercooled and turbo-charged 2.0-litre MIVEC engine mated to a six-speed dual clutch sport shift transmission. Model year 2013 Lancers go on sale on 1 September. The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer range is: ES 2.0-litre four-door sedan: $19,990 (manual), $22,240 (CVT) LX 2.0-litre four-door sedan: $23,990 (manual), $26,240 (CVT) VRX 2.4-litre four-door sedan: $29,990 (manual), $32,240 (CVT) Ralliart 2.0-litre turbo four-door sedan: $44,490 (automatic)  

"Enjoy the sound of a real piece of Trident history and listen to all its power," is all Maserati will say for now. But is it an existing model or -- as some people are thinking -- an aural tease for a new one. The 'Cinqueporte' for which they've registered the name? The horridly-named Kubang? Either way, it's likely to carry one of the two Maserati engines: the 298kW 4.2-litre V8 or the 324kW 4.7-litre V8. We're thinking it's the latter.  

Kia's star hamster ambassadors are spinning for the Soul again, but with a Back to the Future twist as they take over an 18th century opera house. The upper crust crowd learns how to party down to the tune of the Axell remix of "In My Mind". Cute and fuzzy, but the set-up doesn't allow the hamster 'street' personalities -- which were the main charm of the previous commercials -- to show through. We wonder whether Kia can spin this concept any further.