Articles by Jake Williams

Kia has previewed two new additions to its global line-up at the 2019 Seoul motor show with the Mohave Masterpiece and SP Signature. Although they are concept cars in name, the Masterpiece and Signature appear close to production, with the Signature an evolution of a concept of the same name from the 2018 Indian Auto Expo in New Delhi. Previewing an updated version of the Mohave, a large SUV only offered in South Korea, the Masterpiece concept car uses new front and rear styling to create a more modern look. The aesthetic is different to the brand’s global large SUV, the new Telluride. The brand says that the Masterpiece is “characterised by its sculpted bodywork and bold lines”, adding that “its rugged looks are matched by true ‘go-anywhere’ capability.” Kia’s signature ‘tiger noise’ grille has been updated for the Masterpiece, with new LED headlights also featuring proudly. However, like the previous Mohave, the new model is unlikely to be made in right-hand drive thanks to its platform. The lack of eligible right-hand drive markets means the cost to engineer it for RHD would be too much. More relevant to Australia is the SP Signature concept, which previews a new small SUV that’s slated to debut in June and confirmed for Australia in the second half of the year. Not much is known about the production version of the Signature, though it will likely based on the same platform as the Kia Soul.A small SUV fills a large gap in the Kia Australia line-up as the brand’s increasing sales percentage will improve further if a Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-3 competitor were available. The production version of the Kia Signature is expected to use the same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that features in the Cerato small car, with pricing expected to start in the low $20,000 range.More will be revealed about the production Kia Signature - possibly called the Kia Tusker - within the next few months when the car is fully revealed. 

Ford has released pricing and specifications for the 2019 Ranger, which adds standard automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection across the whole range, as well as lane keep assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam.In a big move for the Blue Oval, the 2019 Ranger is the third ute in Australia to offer AEB across its entire range (the first and second being the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and SsangYong Musso respectively), but notably, the Ranger is one of Australia’s best-selling vehicles.Ford’s move to expand the active safety tech also surpasses the Mitsubishi Triton, which recently standardised AEB and other safety equipment in all models aside from the base GLX. Adding city- and highway-speed AEB to the whole line-up further emphasises the lack of safety tech among others in the ute class. Many other utes including the top-selling Toyota HiLux, Volkswagen Amarok, Nissan Navara, Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max don’t offer any active safety equipment at all. The Amarok does not even feature curtain airbags.“The standard inclusion of AEB on the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor is great news for ute buyers and other road users,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin. “As one of Australia’s top sellers, having this important safety technology fitted across the Ranger line-up will have a big impact.”Priced from $28,340 plus on-road costs, the 2019 Ranger has risen by $350, while the Ranger Raptor increases $600 to $75,990. With the majority of the equipment from the former Tech Pack (optional on XLT but standard on Wildtrak) now standard across the whole range, Ford has revised the options packages for the 2019 model year Ranger. Available on the Ranger XLT is a new Tech Pack with adaptive cruise control and automatic parking for $800. Leather trim for the XLT is now $1,500 instead of $1,650. An acoustic windshield has been added to XL and XLS models to improve cabin refinement.The Ranger Raptor has also seen revisions for 2019, with the same AEB with pedestrian detection now standard equipment, as well as eight-way power adjustment for both front seats. Ford has also revised the capped price servicing for the Ranger, which now costs $299 per service for the first four years or 60,000km for a total of $1,430 (including a brake fluid change every two years). Previously, Rangers cost up to $2,275 over the same period, saving owners up to $849.The updated 2019 Ford Ranger goes on sale in June.2019 Ford Ranger list pricing: 

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General Motors Thailand has launched the new second generation Chevrolet Captiva at the 2019 Bangkok motor show, and it could be launched in Australia as a Holden. But while the first Captiva was an all-GM effort, this second generation model is essentially a rebadged Baojun 530 from China, which interestingly will also be rebadged as an MG in select markets globally.Like the previous Captiva, the new model will offer both five- and seven-seat layouts, and like the previous model, Chevrolet says it competes with both mid-size and 5+2 SUVs. Only offered in a single bodystyle, the Captiva’s closest competitor is the Honda CR-V, which offers five- and seven-seat variants without offering a long wheelbase version, unlike the Volkswagen Tiguan. Measuring 4655mm long, 1835mm wide and 1760mm tall, the new Captiva is slightly shorter and narrower than the last Captiva, though it's 33mm taller.Under the bonnet of the new Captiva is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 110kW of power and 230Nm of torque. In Thailand, it will be matched to six-speed dual-clutch auto and is solely front-wheel drive. Reports suggest the MG version of the Captiva will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, but only in India.According to Chevrolet, the Captiva will be equipped with LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, powered front seats and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera. There’s no word on active safety systems such as AEB yet, though that could be Thai-specific as such systems are not yet widespread in the Thai new car market.When approached for comment on whether the Captiva could be again offered locally, Holden spokesperson Daniel Cotterill told CarsGuide the company “does not comment on future product.”While that’s a pretty standard corporate line, the ‘future product’ part of that statement suggests the Captiva could eventually be offered locally, perhaps as an SUV between the Trax and Equinox. Enhancing the Captiva's local sales chances is that it will be made in Thailand in right-hand drive.

Recently confirmed by CarsGuide for an Australian launch in late 2019, Hyundai’s new small SUV has been named Venue, and is set to debut at the 2019 New York motor show.Described as “the place to be” by the company, the Hyundai Venue will sit as the entry SUV in the global Hyundai line-up. In fact, the Venue could replace the Accent hatchback and sedan as the entry-point to Hyundai's Australian range. Said to measure under 4.0 metres in length and to be offered only with front-wheel drive, the Venue will sit below the Kona, which is priced at $23,500, plus on-road costs.Codenamed QX, the Venue will reportedly use a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder engine matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine could be offered in cheaper models. The Venue will compete with cars such as the Ford EcoSport and Nissan Juke in Australia.It’s likely to use the i20 hatchback’s platform, and a fully-electric model is due within a few years. The Venue will be made in India, though Australian models are likely to come from South Korea.The Hyundai Venue is due to be revealed at next month’s New York motor show, with local pricing and specifications to be confirmed before its late 2019 launch.

Mercedes-AMG has revealed a second bodystyle in the A35 4Matic range, with the sedan confirmed to launch locally in the fourth quarter of 2019.

BMW has revealed initial details of the next-generation 1 Series hatchback, which is due in Australia in 2020, including the first official confirmation that it will be offered with both front- and all-wheel drive drivetrains.These first official pictures of disguised development mules also give us a reasonable idea of how it's going to look, with what appears to be evolutionary styling treatments front and rear. The carefully chosen angles seem to hide whether it's kept its trademark long-nose proportions though.While full details are still to come, BMW has released important info such as a switch to the brand’s front-wheel drive UKL platform that also underpins the existing 2 Series Active Tourer, X1, X2 and entire Mini range. All-wheel drive will be offered for the first time in the Australian market.In an attempt to hose down the popular enthusiast notion that a front-drive 1 Series is a backward step for the "ultimate driving machine" brand, BMW Driving Dynamics boss Peter Langen pledges that it still be a genuine BMW. “Our customers will directly feel the fast and precise responsiveness that provides for an optimised driving experience," he said.BMW claims that the new 1 Series takes much of its technology from the i3 electric car, with that car’s ARB advanced stability control tech being used with a non-EV for the first time. Headlining the global range initially will be the M135i xDrive, which takes its 225kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the X2 M35i SUV. The 225kW peak power is also identical to the new Mercedes-AMG A35, which also features a 2.0-litre turbo and all-wheel drive.Lower-spec engines will follow, including lesser-powered 2.0-litre engines, as well as an upgraded version of the 1.5-litre turbo three cylinder that’s currently used in the 118i. Traditionally one of the 1 Series’ weaker points, BMW is quick to point out how much extra interior space the new model will offer. Boot space has been increased to 380-litres (up 20-litres) to match the Volkswagen Golf, and rear cabin space has also increased: the rear legroom is now 33mm larger, along with 19mm more rear headroom.BMW has confirmed that the new model is in the final stage of development, with these pictures taken at the brand's Miramas proving ground in the south of France.

US singer and songwriter, Khalid has joined BMW i for its Road to Coachella campaign, which begins on April 5th.Celebrating its third consecutive year as an official partner to the Coachella music festival, BMW i is “returning to the desert” with its artist-inspired ‘#RoadToCoachella’ campaign. Launching just before Khalid’s new album Free Spirit on April 5th, BMW i has custom wrapped an i3 and i8, both inspired by the Free Spirit album. The same cars will be involved with Khalid, VIPs and hand-selected influencers on a road trip from Palm Springs to Indio in California on April 11th. The same attendees will attend the festival, and document their journey with the event hashtag, #RoadToCoachella.Part of the road trip will be a Palm Springs pit-stop from April 11-14, where Khalid will be performing a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’ for his fans. 

The Mitsubishi Triton Absolute has been revealed at the 2019 Bangkok motor show been - and it previews what could be a new halo model in the Triton range to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor. The first-ever Mitsubishi Triton Absolute features tougher styling and raised suspension for a more off road-focused look. According to Mitsubishi, public interest for the Triton Absolute will be gauged over the coming 12 months to assess it production chances. Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO John Signoriello said the Triton Absolute is “more robust, dynamic and fast".“While only a concept at this stage, we will assess the feedback from customers in Australia and overseas towards a more aggressive Triton which will guide the brand’s future product development," said Mr Signoriello. The exterior makeover of the Triton Absolute is instantly noticeable, with flared front and rear arches, dark chrome accenting and badging, a black grille, front and rear skid plates with red accents, a carbon-fibre tailgate and Absolute stickers. A roof bar with tie down points and LED spot lights also features, as does all-LED frontal lighting for superior vision. Raised by 50mm for improved ground clearance, the Triton Absolute offers more suspension travel than the standard model, and is said to deliver superior ride and handling, according to the company. A wider track also features, which accommodates heavy duty off-road tyres and black alloy wheels. While there have been extensive exterior changes to make the Triton more off-road capable, there has been no mention of any engine or interior changes. All Triton 4x4 models are powered by a 133kW/430Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission - a drivetrain we expect to continue to the Absolute if it reaches production.

BMW has released teaser photos of a trio of all-electric models that will join its lineup before 2021: the iX3 and iNext SUVs, as well as the long-rumoured i4 sedan.All three electric models are currently undergoing development testing at a cold climate engineering centre in Sweden that many automotive companies use when developing their new cars. According to BMW, the cars are undergoing drivetrain testing in these photos, though their significance is much greater given the cars have been partially revealed for the first time. First cab off the rank is the iX3. Due in 2020, the iX3 is an all-electric version of the X3 SUV that’s due to be built by the BMW Brilliance Automotive Joint Venture in Shenyang, China. Offering a claimed range of more than 400km on a charge from the fifth-generation of BMW’s eDrive technology, and the possibility of using DC charging stations with a capacity of 150kW to charge, the iX3 is “ideally suitable for day-to-day use and long-distance travel”, according to BMW. Second in line is the i4. The BMW i4 will be a four-door coupe - much like the current 4 Series Gran Coupe. It will be positioned in the premium mid-size segment, and will combine “a dynamic design with inspiring performance and a high level of ride comfort” according to BMW. The i4 will use the same eDrive technology that will feature in the iX3, though will offer a range of more than 600km thanks to its significantly lighter weight. BMW claims the i4 will be capable of a 4.0-second sprint to 100km/h, and a 200km/h+ top speed. The i4 will be made in Munich starting in 2021.Finally, the BMW iNext SUV will complete the brand’s trio of new electric vehicles. Featuring the same eDrive technology as both the iX3 and i4, the iNext apparently “embodies the future of driving pleasure in a particularly comprehensive way”. As with the i4, the iNext’s driving range will exceed 600km, will offer the latest in connectivity features and is designed for level 3 autonomous driving. The iNext will be the BMW Group’s new technology flagship, and will be produced at the BMW Dingolfing plant from 2021. The newest additions to the BMW i family will sit above the existing i3 compact electric hatch and likely slot under the flagship hybrid i8 model.