Articles by Craig Duff

Spotting the updated CLS is as simple as looking for the LED daytime running lights at the top of the headlamps. But there's more to this facelift than meets the eye. Customer desire for the latest technology has put paid to the days when revised front and rear styling would pass as a mid-life refresh. Accordingly,

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2015 Mazda CX-5, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL400, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The partnership is intended to advance autonomous vehicles with a view to putting a car on urban roads by 2020.Nissan is leveraging the expertise of NASA's Ames Research Centre to accelerate the development of a self-driving vehicle. The brief includes autonomous drive systems, human-machine interface solutions, network-enabled applications, and software analysis and verification.The theory is the principles involved in creating vehicles that can autopilot on out-of-this-earth environments should be applicable to more terrestrial applications.The first tests are expected by the end of this yearNASA likewise gains access to Nissan's expertise in "component technologies for autonomous vehicles, shared research on vehicular transport applications, and access to prototype systems and provision of test beds for robotic software".The Ames Research Centre is renowned for its involvement in NASA's headline explorations, from the development of the systems needed to land the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity to controlling the robots aboard the International Space Station.Ames director Pete Worden says the collaboration leverages the centre's expertise in remote control of complex vehicles."We look forward to applying knowledge developed during this partnership towards future space and aeronautics endeavours," he notes.Nissan has set 2020 for the introduction of autonomous drive vehiclesAmes researchers will test a fleet of zero-emission autonomous vehicles for proof-of-concept remote operations for transporting goods, payloads and people. The first tests are expected by the end of this year.Nissan's Ghosn says the challenges of automating vehicles in space and on earth have close parallels. "The partnership will accelerate Nissan's development of safe, secure and reliable autonomous drive technology that we will progressively introduce to consumers beginning in 2016 up to 2020," Ghosn says."This partnership brings together the best and brightest of NASA and Nissan and validates our investments in Silicon Valley."Nissan has set 2020 for the introduction of autonomous drive vehicles that can navigate in nearly all situations, including the most complex situation, city driving.The tie-up is the second time Nissan has teamed with NASA to improve vehicle systems.Nissan's "Zero Gravity" seats in the Altima are based on NASA's research into "posture-neutral" seats that minimise distortion to the spine and reduce fatigue on long-distance journeys. Such innovations show that, while space may be the final frontier, developing technology to tame it can be readily applied on terra firma.Other NASA-inspired innovations include memory foam, invisible braces, freeze drying, handheld vacuum cleaners and scratch-resistant sunglass lenses.

In the beginning there were prestige SUVs. They were big, lumbering behemoths with a token concession to luxury and the on-road manners of a bus in need of a wheel alignment.Then BMW built the X5 in 1999 and rebooted the soft-road segment with sedan-like interiors and respectable road manners.Performance SUVs suddenly weren't an oxymoron and everyone from the likes of Range Rover to Porsche looked to cash in on the newly created niche.But the X5 remains the people's favourite. Entry starts with the rear-wheel drive s25i at $83,900 and rises to $148,400 for the M50d. CarsGuide's all-wheel drive x30d is the sweet spot in price and performance at $100,400.Big horizontal lights and a stretched kidney grille are used to offset the height of the X5 but there's no disguising the slab-sided profile endemic to the SUV species. The positives of that mean plenty of head and leg room for back-seat occupants. The tailgate is a two-piece unit with the powered glass section and a manual-release lower section that doubles as a convenient picnic shelf.The interior is traditional BMW, dominated by a 10.2-inch multimedia screen linked to a 20GB hard drive. The ergonomics are excellent; the cabin is loaded with stowage spots.A reversing camera and decent side mirrors means parking the X5 isn't the chore its size might suggest. The light steering is a boon at low speeds, but it can't overcome the X5's poor turning circle.Cargo space is a more than respectable 650 litres. That's not class-leading but it will happily deal with four suitcases or a weekend's worth of camping gear.A head-up speed display proves its worth on camera-infested roads and the satnav gives advice well before the turns.Loping along freeways or looming up behind other drivers on country roads is the X5's forte. It is a big, comfy cruiser with very little body roll to unsettle the passengers and enough ground clearance to head off the beaten track.Hill descent control is standard on all-wheel drive models and reins in the two-tonne mass on steep declines without the driver having to ride the brake.Five power outlets ensure everyone can plug in a device of their choosing.This is where the x30d stomps on its prestige rivals. A 100km/h sprint time of 6.9 seconds can't be matched by rivals and that edge holds during roll-on acceleration.Feral can also be frugal, with the Beemer's claimed fuel use of 6.2L/100km is also better than the opposition. CarsGuide managed a respectable 9.2L/100km in predominantly city driving.The damping can be switched from Comfort to Sport and neither quite hit the spot. It is too soft in the former and too jittery for its target audience in the latter.The heavy diesel over the nose makes it want to steer straight on when pointed into a corner at speed, although the BMW retains the most car-like handling of the trio of Germanic marques.

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

Car makers are embracing lifestyle hardware as the next step in connecting vehicles with the newest-generation drivers.At the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai displayed apps to remotely interact with the car.There's nothing new in that; car companies have been touting remote apps for years. The difference this year is the focus on linking those apps to "wearables" rather than smart phones (the band/watch is connected to the phone, which remains securely in owners's pocket or handbag).It's all about ease of access and for once car companies are surfing the leading wave of the tech swell, anticipating the arrival of the Apple Watch and the next-gen Android Wear devices will hasten adoption of Dick Tracy-style wristbands.BMW, the most ambitious, integrates some functionality in its i3 electric car, working with a Samsung smart watch and its iRemote software.The functions - from checking the battery level to remotely firing up the aircon - can be accessed using either the touchscreen or by voice recognition.BMW is also researching using the watch to lock and unlock the car's doors using gesture control.BMW says the application "can significantly enhance comfort and convenience not only in the private sphere but also when using the BMW car-sharing program DriveNow".Hyundai's take on how wearables might work includes handing over some of the driver assistance aids to the smartwatch. So it's the watch, rather than the steering wheel, that will vibrate when a driver leaves the lane or another car starts to veer into its space. Likewise, the smartwatch will monitor the user's heart rate and can then automatically stop the car and call emergency services if there are critical changes to the driver's pulse.To varying degrees all of the above systems are production ready, meaning they'll be appearing in vehicles in the near future. Meanwhile, watch this space.

Driving is meant to be fun and technology can now take over when it's not, freeing the driver from the tedium of traffic jams. That's the pitch from Mercedes-Benz at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where car makers present their visions of future mobility.Beyond the expected autonomous driving was a shift towards gesture controls to operate in-car systems and even greater internet-based connectivity, giving the tech-savvy occupants more time to work or socialise.As Mercedes-Benz chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche says: "The car is growing beyond its role as a mere means of transport and will ultimately become a mobile living space." Computer-controlled cars are already on the roads - prestige brands use active steering and adaptive cruise control to make the driver's life easier with "semi-autonomous" assistance.Audi showed how that will soon translate into completely hands-free driving by having an A7 Sportback motor 880km from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas. The party trick for the A7 was interacting with cloud-based servers to process data streamed from the vehicle to augment the in-built navigation and adaptively "teach" it about road conditions on the route.Journalists sat behind the wheel during the drive but it was the car that changed lanes, overtook, accelerated and braked on the highways.Audi calls it "piloted driving" and, as with most European makers, insists the autonomous driving is meant to augment the driving experience, not replace it altogether.Benz's take is farther ahead in time and concept, previewing what Mercedes predicts the car will look like by 2030 when most of the world's population will live in cities.Autonomous driving is one of the biggest innovations since the invention of the carDubbed the F015 Luxury in Motion, the concept car dispenses with dash-mounted buttons in favour of a full-width digital dash and a head-up display with augmented reality to show user-defined points of interest on the route.The vehicle's 5.2 metre length houses four swivelling pod-like seats in an open and airy interior intentionally designed to represent a lounge room - or home theatre.Six screens are arrayed around the cabin and can be operated by voice, gesture, eye-tracking or old-fashioned touch (BMW, VW Group and Hyundai are also on board the gesture-recognition bandwagon).The quality of life approach extends outside the vehicle. The F015 scans for pedestrians and, if it determines it can safely stop, will activate a pulsating light from the LED grille (in place of eye contact) to show the pedestrian they've been recognised. A laser then projects a virtual pedestrian crossing, backed by an audible "please go ahead" prompt.When the roads become less congested and more contoured, the driver can swivel his or her seat towards the dash and the wheel will extend automatically for hands-on steering.Benz head of research Dr Thomas Weber says autonomous driving is one of the biggest innovations since the invention of the car."Drivers are relieved of work and stress in situations in which driving is not enjoyable, and the time gained while in their car takes on a whole new quality: the freedom to do other things while driving instead of steering, accelerating and braking," he says.As Ford CEO Mark Fields notes "today there are 25 megacities (with more than 10 million population); by 2030 there will be 41".Anyone who has had to endure peak hour in Melbourne or Sydney - neither of which qualify as megacities - knows how frustrating and time-consuming the process is.Benz and Ford want that time put to more productive, or entertaining, uses. Fields says research shows 39 per cent of Millennials - who are notoriously hard to convince to buy a car - catch public transport because they want to multi-task on the commute to and from work.Car companies are accordingly conceiving cars to let them do just that. Ford chief technical officer Raj Nair says the Sync 3 multimedia system "is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want, and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy our vehicles".Ford says an average car already produces 25GB of data an hourThis level of connectivity and sensor-based driving is giving rise to "big data" for cars.Ford says an average car already produces 25GB of data an hour and manufacturers are mining that information to assess driving patterns.Sharing the data is an "opt-in" process - Ford provides incentives in the form of discounts - and it is this aspect that third parties are most enthusiastic about.Fields says: "What if you owned a database of all your driving behaviours for all the years since you got your licence? What if this driver score passport could go with you from car to car, no matter the brand? Imagine that you could share that information with insurance companies to get better rates." GM is on the same track and has teamed with a US insurance company to 'provide potential discounted insurance offers" based on a 90-day assessment of driving behaviour."The beauty of this program is that control is in the hands of the customer," GM executive Greg Ross says. "If they wish to participate, we'll inform them of their driving behaviour and then they're able to choose if they want to share their information with an insurance provider."

The Ford Kuga has had a major overhaul under the hood with a range of engines that will give buyers a wider choice of more powerful and more efficient units. Significantly, Ford has slashed the price of the cheapest automatic petrol model, putting it within reach of more buyers. When it first arrived on the scene in

There's a big price difference yet the Mazda and Mercedes are vying for No.2 spot behind Camry in the medium sedan segment.