Articles by CarsGuide team

Special sales, giant discounts and the end of the financial year all combined to create a perfect sales storm, helped by a return to regular deliveries from the Thai factories that have become a major supplier to Australia in recent years. The total number of deliveries in June was 112,566, a 17.1 per cent increase over the same month last year, and also better than the previous record of 108,722 set in 2010. The Toyota HiLux claimed top spot on the charts for the third straight month, reflecting its suitability for both work and family duties, ahead of the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Holden Cruze. Ford finally had some good news as the Falcon had its best monthly performance since November, but the decline of the Holden Commodore continued as it dropped to seventh on the showroom charts - an all-time worst for the car that was Australia's favourite for 15 straight years. SUV sales were up by 46.6 per cent in June, while passenger car sales also increased by 5.8 per cent over 2011. The year-to-date result is ahead by 51,618 over the same period last year, a 10.4 per cent improvement that points to a full-year total for 2012 of 1,079,000.  

Mercedes-Benz Australia has launched the competition, Race Around the Web, across multiple websites which are each hosting a track.Entrants can compete on the five official Championship tracks on www.racearoundtheweb.com.au, saving their best times and posting them to be in the running for the main prize: a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz B-ClassIn addition to the five official tracks, other websites have built their own to be raced – have a crack on Carsguide’s -- and entrants who race across the most tracks and post their times will win fortnightly prizes valued at up to $25,000 overall.  The competition runs until Sunday, 9th September, 2012, with more tracks being added all the time. For more information, please visit: www.racearoundtheweb.com.auPlease Note: this competition is now closed   

The fantasy of flying cars moved a step closer to reality with the Terrafugia Transition successfully completing the flying test. US-based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype Transition car-plane had successfully carried out the test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year. Phase 1 flight testing, conducted recently at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY, allowed Terrafugia to check off many critical early testing objectives for the Transition program.  The Transition had previously shown it could become airborne in an eight-minute flight, but the latest performance was the first extended flight for the craft.Five more flight test phases are planned. The production prototype is now moving into drive testing to explore the ground drivetrain, suspension tuning, braking performance, and road handling.“We have great momentum going in our testing program,” said Terrafugia COO Anna Mracek Dietrich. “Our top priority now is flight and drive-testing, in anticipation of certifying compliance with the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards.”Terrafugia argues that the Transition offers unparalleled freedom of movement, with a range of 787km and without the need to check bags. Spanning 2.3m as a car, it fits into a normal-sized garage, before unfurling an 8m wingspan. To take advantage, would-be owners will need to have both a driver's and pilot's licence - with a minimum of 20 hours of flying time. Terrafugia says the Transitions result brings closer the dream of drivers slipping the surly - and traffic congested - bonds of Earth. However, it is more a road-going plane than the science fiction idea of a flying car. The craft needs 762m of runway for takeoff, meaning pulling onto the shoulder and escaping the traffic is not really an option. While many companies have tried to market an aerocar, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models. But Terrafugia says it will launch into full commercial production.  The two-seater craft costs around $US279,000 ($A268,000) and some 100 vehicles have been ordered. 

   

The Avant arrives with a choice of  two efficient, direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engines and prices starting at $81,800. The carry-all features a sleek design, lightweight construction and a generous level of standard equipment and convenience features along with an  extensive options list. Aluminium components comprise roughly 20 per cent of the body with weight reductions of as much as 70 kilograms compared with the previous model. The engine choices are 2.0-litre turbo petrol and turbo diesel with outputs of 132kW and 130kW respectively. They deliver exceptional fuel economy with the 2.0 TDI, for example, sipping 5.1 litres/100 km. Both include a start-stop system and both have continuously variable multitronic transmission (CVT). The luggage compartment has a capacity of 565 litres, which can be increased to 1,680 litres by folding the rear seats. Other standard features include the sensor-controlled, automatically opening tailgate operated hands free by passing your foot under a sensor. Both versions get Audi drive select and MMI Navigation plus. Safety is five star rated. It is in dealerships now.  

Volkswagen's Jetta GLI races on a closed course as a driver competes against one of the world's top speed guitarists, John Taylor. The VW driver of the Jetta GLI sedan has to complete one lap around track before John Taylor plays Flight of the Bumblebee. 

Volkswagen's Golf R races on a closed course as a driver competes against speed Rubik's cube specialist, Anthony Brooks. The VW driver of the Golf R has to complete one lap around track before Anthony Brooks solves his Rubik's cube one-handed.  

The new models are based on the existing standard model verisons but with the addition of genuine Yamaha hard luggage, backrest and touring windscreen. The new Star Tourer offers streamlined style with the ability to cruise long distances in comfort. With max torque reached at 2500rpm, the Star Tourer lopes along totally unstressed on a whiff of throttle. Long distance trips are devoured thanks to the additional touring capability offered by the screen, luggage and backrest combined with a sweet handling aluminium chassis and sculpted seat. The XV1900AT is also fitted with low and wide full comfort touring handlebars. The new model focuses the spotlight on Yamaha's Star cruiser range of motorcycles that feature a high level of performance, reliability and quality. One of the most important features of the 1854cc engine is its feeling of direct and instant power, and the design of the cylinder heads and pistons play a major role. Two spark plugs per cylinder ensures instant combustion, while the four-valve head and pent roof combustion chamber give efficient gas-flow. When you're on a road trip, and cruising cross country for hours of uninterrupted riding pleasure, comfort is important. The XV1900AT has been designed to cut out vibration, with balancers on both sides of the engine, while allowing the sensual pulse that lets the rider feel the engine working. The streamline design, including the seamless fuel tank, gives the Star Tourer a completely distinctive look. And the all-new long and low aluminium frame provides great looks and great handling too, thanks to near 50/50 weight distribution on the front and rear wheels. Rich, lustrous paint covers the steel fenders for an old school look. The Star Tourer is a special motorcycle that provides a thrilling riding experience. And for owners who want to stand out from the crowd even further, the Star Accessory catalogue provides an Aladdin's Cave of bolt-on goodies. Owners will really be able to fire their imaginations and add to the lustrous Raven paint job.