Articles by Jake Williams

Tyre maker Bridgestone has announced it will take part in an international space exploration mission with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota. Announced by JAXA and Toyota, this mission will include expanding the breadth of human activity on the moon. Bridgestone’s involvement in the mission will include researching the performance needs of tyres for use on manned and pressurised moon rovers to make better contact with the moon to better further develop tyres on cars on earth. The proposed Toyota lunar rover is being designed to take off in the 2030s, which is when JAXA plans its next moon launch. Measuring over 6.0 metres long, 5.2 metres wide and 3.8 metres tall, the rover is described as "around the size of two microbuses." It has a living space of 13 cubic metres and could house two people comfortably, or four in an emergency. Bridgestone’s knowledge of tyre patches already used on moon missions will help explore the mobility challenges faced on the lunar surface and focusing on the brand’s ‘Elastic Wheel’ tyre and wheel design to support the rover’s weight, acceleration and braking will help the company further develop its new tyres. Bridgestone will also focus on minimising shock aberrance, improving maneuverability which will enable the rover to cruise more than 10,000km on the moon’s surface to accomplish the mission. According to the company, it is proud of its legacy of developing solutions to meet unique mobility challenges and is committed to developing a contact patch capable of function latin even in the challenging mobility conditions experienced on the surface of the moon. 

Audi Australia has launched new variants of the Q5, SQ5 and SQ7 ranges with each model receiving a new Black Edition with special equipment and black exterior design elements. Available in limited numbers, Audi’s Black Editions add more unique touches to the company’s most popular SUV models.The Q5 Black Edition is available in 185kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol sport 45 TFSI form at $80,300 (+$6700), as well as a 210kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel sport 50 TDI at $90,900 (+$6200) . Black Edition cues include 21-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, the 'S line' exterior package, illuminated door sills, privacy glass and the titanium black exterior package, which includes black painted mirrors and roof rails. Inside, the Q5 Black Edition also adds an interior lighting package with over 30 interior colours available, heated front seats for the 45 TFSI (standard already on the 50 TDI) and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel. Audi says more than $12,000 of extra value is included in the Q5 Black Edition. The $108,200 (+$8700) SQ5 Black Edition comes with a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a colour head-up display and an extended leather package, which Audi claims adds up to $13,000 of extra value.Based on the standard SQ5, the Black Edition uses the same 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine - a TDI model will be added in early 2020 (link to article about the SQ5 TDI arriving in Australia for early 2020). Choosing a $174,900 (+$13,000) SQ7 Black Edition adds $17,000 of extra equipment, according to Audi. Metallic paint, carbon-fibre mirror housings and interior inlays, a titanium black exterior package, 22-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof and seats with diamond patterned contrasting stitching all feature as standard. The SQ7 Black Edition’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 diesel engine remains capable of producing 320kW of power and a massive 900Nm of torque. Each Black Edition is open to order now, with limited numbers of each model available.Audi Black Edition pricing (plus on-road costs): Q5 sport 45 TFSI quattro: $80,300Q5 sport 50 TDI quattro: $90,900SQ5 TFSI quattro: $108,200SQ7 TDI quattro: $174,900

Is it as sharp as it used to be?

Nissan Europe has announced a fresh range of powerplants for its X-Trail SUV, which now offers a choice of new four-cylinder turbocharged engines in petrol or diesel form. Not expected to be offered in Australia, the two new engines come from the Renault-Nissan Alliance and engineering partner Daimler and are also used in the European spec Qashqai and Renault Kadjar, which is due in Australia within months.Replacing a 118kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine (not offered in Australia) is a new 1.3-litre unit with the same power and 270Nm of torque (+30Nm).Nissan claims CO2 emissions of as little as 145g/km, which is a reduction from the previous engine’s 162g/km. Unlike the engine it replaces, the 1.3-litre petrol is only available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and only in front-wheel drive. Buyers can now also choose a new 1.7-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is available in front- and all-wheel drive and solely with a six-speed manual. Producing 110kW of power and 340Nm of torque, the new diesel engine is claimed to consume 6.2L/100km of fuel and emit as little as 137g/km of CO2. The new turbo-petrol unit marks the first time a dual-clutch automatic transmission has been used in the X-Trail, having made its way over from the Qashqai. The new engines are unlikely to be sold in Australia however, with local X-Trails using 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines, as well as a 2.0-litre diesel. The local X-Trail is also made in Japan, whereas the European model is made in the UK. Nissan Australia spokesperson Tony Mee told CarsGuide the current X-Trail range would not change in this generation."We have no plans to change the X-Trail's engine range for this generation," he said.   

The Kia Habaniro concept car has been leaked ahead of next week’s New York motor show, which previews a sporty new SUV from the brand - possibly the second generation of the Niro that isn't sold in Australia. Just a single image has been released of the Habaniro so far, one which shows its long nose, short overhangs and large wheels. The front end features aggressive LED headlights that feed into a grille-mounted LED lighting bar. The door handles sit flush with the bodywork, and a grey cladding-style look is projected over the front and side for a more rugged appearance. The rear is yet to be seen, though is painted red for a sportier look. The glasshouse is completely black to further emphasise the Habaniro’s sporty proportions. The question of what could power the Habaniro remains unanswered, though featuring Niro in the name gives a clue - the Niro is the brand’s hybrid and electric SUV sold overseas, that shares much with the Hyundai Ioniq, though in an SUV bodystyle. Some motoring outlets are claiming the Habaniro could be a sportier take on the Niro’s underpinnings, with a sporty hybrid model possibly in the works. We’ll find out more about the Habaniro at next week’s New York auto show. 

Ford UK has announced a new limited edition flagship Fiesta ST variant called the Performance Edition, which is only available in a bright ‘Deep Orange’ colour and offers a number of upgrades to make it faster than the standard ST. Colour aside, the most obvious of the upgrades is a set of lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels that save 7kg from the car’s kerb weight. They are matched to adjustable coilover suspension and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Lowered springs are part of the package, with the car sitting 15mm lower at the front and 10m lower at the rear than the regular ST, while the Performance Edition also includes the LED headlights and a Bang & Olufsen sound system normally reserved for the options list.Ford hasn’t upgraded the Fiesta ST’s engine however, which still draws 147kW of power and 290Nm from its 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol. Still matched to a six-speed manual transmission, the Fiesta ST Performance Edition is capable of a 6.5 second sprint to 100km/h, though thanks to the upgrades, is said to be much quicker point-to-point. Just 600 examples of the Ford Fiesta ST Performance Edition will be made, and with the recent delay to the regular ST’s arrival into Australia, it’s unlikely that it will be offered here. However, like the previous Fiesta ST, some performance parts may be offered locally as dealer-fit accessories. 

Ford Australia has confirmed the new Fiesta ST's entrance into local showrooms has been delayed by six months to late 2019. Initially planned for a June 2019 release, the hot Fiesta will now be launched at the end of the year, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then. The reason behind the delay, according to Ford Australia spokesperson Damion Smy, is that the Australian specification is yet to be decided. “The delay of the Fiesta ST into Australia is just getting the local spec correct,” Mr Smy said. Powering the Fiesta ST is an uprated version of the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in the larger Focus. In the Fiesta ST it produces 147kW/290Nm - up 13kW/50Nm on the Focus - the Fiesta ST is exclusively available as a six-speed manual, with no automatic option for the time being.The Fiesta ST is front-wheel drive, and is claimed to sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. Pricing and specifications for the Fiesta ST are yet to be announced, though like its predecessor it is likely to be priced in the upper-$20,000 bracket to undercut the $30,990 Volkswagen Polo GTI. 

Audi has revealed the latest generation of its S6 sedan and wagon, as well as the S7 liftback, which are available with a 700Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, and in some markets, the same turbocharged 2.9-litre petrol V6 used in the RS4 and RS5. Confirmed for Australian sales in early 2020, the S6 and S7 are available with either petrol or diesel power depending on market, and a number of typical Audi S model cues come as standard including up to 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, a sportier steering system and even optional ceramic brakes. European models use a 257kW/700Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 engine that’s fitted with Audi’s 48-volt mild hybrid system for extra performance. Yet, in some markets such as North America, Asia and the Middle East, a 331kW/600Nm 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 petrol will be the only available engine, complete with the same mild hybrid system as the diesel.The petrol engine will be the only engine offered in Australia. Audi claims a 5.1 second sprint from 0-100km/h for the TDI models, and while the same claim is yet to be established for the petrol versions, their extra power should see it hit the mark at around 4.5 seconds - the same power figure in the lighter RS5 earns it a sub-4.0 second sprint. An electronically limited top speed of 250km/h for both engines is likely. Stylistic tweaks include the grille, front and rear bumpers, rear diffuser and alloy wheels. Wheels up to 21-inches are available.On the inside, brushed aluminium trim is standard, along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster with S-branded logos, as well as a number of S badges to signify the car’s extra performance. Alcantara upholstery is standard, though leather is also available, as are massaging front seats with heating and ventilation. For the first time, a ceramic braking system will be optionally available with six-piston calipers and 400mm front/370mm rear discs - the system saves 9.0kg over the standard brakes. Audi Australia confirmed to CarsGuide that the S6 and S7 will be offered locally from early 2020, and that the petrol engine will be the sole drivetrain offered.

Mini has launched a plug-in hybrid version of its Countryman SUV into local showrooms, priced from $57,200 plus on-road costs.The Countryman plug-in hybrid uses a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. This is combined with an electric motor making 65kW of power and 165Nm of torque - the latter drives the rear wheels, giving the Countryman plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive capability. Combined, the plug-in hybrid produces 165kW/385Nm, which results in a 6.9 second 0-100km/h sprint time - just 0.4 seconds behind the performance-focused Countryman John Cooper Works. Using a 7.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Countryman plug-in hybrid can be charged in three hours, 15 minutes using a regular household socket, or in two hours, 15 minutes using a Mini 'Wallbox'.Mini will sell the Wallbox to owners who can then install it at their house or workplace (or both) for faster charging.In addition to its claimed 40km all-electric driving range, Mini claims the Countryman plug-in hybrid uses 2.1L/100km of fuel, and CO2 emissions are claimed at 49g/km. Priced $3,300 above the Cooper SD - but $2,200 below the John Cooper Works - the plug-in hybrid sits at the upper end of the Countryman range. To help maximise efficiency, the Countryman plug-in hybrid is equipped with ‘eDrive’, which allows the driver to select different driving modes at speed. 'Auto' mode allows the electric motor to drive the car at up to 80km/h (the petrol engine kicking in above that), 'Max' mode allows the electric motor to drive the car at up to 125km/h, and the 'Save Battery' setting regenerates the battery to 90 per cent charged, maintaining that capacity from there. Sitting near the top of the Countryman line-up, the plug-in hybrid is equipped with automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an 8.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system (with wireless Apple CarPlay and DAB+ digital radio), dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, an electric tailgate, six airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality. Mini is yet to announce available options packages for the Countryman plug-in hybrid, though the standard models are available with almost endless personalisation for buyers. 2019 Mini Countryman pricing (plus on-road costs): Cooper: $41,900Cooper D: $45,900Cooper S: $48,900Cooper SD AWD: $53,900Plug-in hybrid AWD: $57,200John Cooper Works AWD: $59,900

Jaguar has revealed a facelifted version of its XE mid-sizer, with updated styling and technology, but most importantly, a new model lineup with just two variants on offer.Unlike the previous XE, which offered up to 11 individual models for buyers to choose from, the updated model offers just two - the $65,670 SE R-Dynamic and the $71,490 HSE R-Dynamic - and unlike the previous model, a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with an eight-speed automatic transmission will be the sole engine option. The XE’s equipment levels have also been upgraded to compete with the new BMW 3 Series. The SE R-Dynamic now includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery with powered front seats, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, lane keep assist, DAB+ digital radio and an upgraded media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The HSE R-Dynamic then adds a larger multimedia screen, 19-inch alloy wheels, a 380W 11-speaker Meridian sound system, high-speed autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, 18-way electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s memory functionality and a powered steering column.Jaguar Land Rover Australia spokesperson James Scrimshaw indicated to CarsGuide that range simplification is on the table for future products.“We have taken the opportunity to revise our line up as part of the Jaguar XE 20MY mid-cycle refresh,” said Mr Scrimshaw. “I can’t go into detail about our future model plans, but we will be looking at some further rationalisation going forward.” So far in 2019, Jaguar XE sales are up by 19.0 per cent to 125 units in a market down 8.1 per cent. However, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is currently sitting on 2,094 units for the year, which is up by 31.1 per cent.