Articles by Jake Williams

Audi is celebrating 10 years of its R8 supercar with the R8 V10 Decennium (the latin word for decade).Just 222 examples of the Decennium will be built featuring unique trims to mark it from ‘regular’ R8 models.Only available as a coupe, the R8 Decennium is available in Audi’s matt effect 'Daytona Grey', with the 20-inch alloy wheels and intake manifold finished in matt bronze. The front spoiler, side sellers and diffuser are painted in gloss black, while the side blades and exterior mirror housings are finished in gloss carbon fibre. The cabin of the R8 Decennium is finished purely in black, with Decennium badging featuring on the centre console, doors, inlays in the door sills and from the puddle lamps on the doors. The seats feature rhombus diamond stitching, while the contrast stitching on the seats, doors and steering wheel is coloured in copper.Despite being a special edition, the R8 Decennium features the same 456kW/580Nm 5.2-litre V10 engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as the standard R8, which has been upgraded from 449kW/560Nm for 2019. It's claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds, and is capable of a 331km/h top speed. It uses 11.4L/100km of fuel on a combined cycle. Australian availability is yet to be confirmed, though European pricing starts at  €222,000 or AUD$356,000. Considering the standard R8 V10 is priced from $366,340 in Australia, the Decennium would likely be priced closer to $400,000 if it’s launched locally. Is the Decennium enough of a celebration of 10 years of the R8 V10? Let us know in the comments below.  

The updated Honda Civic 2019 sedan range sees mildly revised styling, added equipment and a broader spread of the brand’s active safety suite, known as Honda Sensing.Priced from $22,390 (+$200), the updated Civic range is only available in sedan form currently - the hatchback still continues alongside the sedan, but is yet to be updated. The 2019 Civic sedan is still available in five models with two engines and a standard CVT automatic transmission.Revised styling includes a reshaped front facia with a black chrome grille and fog lamp surrounds, as well as subtly revised front and rear spoilers. The range features updated wheel designs, with the RS receiving new 18-inch alloy wheels (previously 17-inches) with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.The interior has also received an update, with different trims and new media system buttons - previously the central screen was a touch-only affair, including the volume control. New buttons feature on the side of the media screen, including a volume knob, phone button and a home button as well. According to Honda, the new buttons will help user-friendliness inside the Civic’s cabin. However, the most important news for the updated Civic sedan range is the increase in standard fitment of the brand’s Honda Sensing active safety suite. Previously limited to just the top spec VTi-LX, the VTi-L and RS now also feature Honda Sensing as standard. Safety features such as automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality are now standard on the $27,990 VTi-L and up. The VTi and VTi-S are still unavailable with the potentially life-saving technology, which is disappointing considering the entire Mazda Australia passenger range is equipped with AEB as standard. Other small equipment updates include automatic high beam for Honda Sensing-equipped cars, auto-folding mirrors on the VTi-L and up, rear privacy glass for the VTi-S, a new Platinum White pearlescent paint option for the range, an RS-exclusive Phoenix Orange colour, as well as red seat stitching for the RS.There have been no mechanical changes for the Civic sedan lineup, with VTi and VTi-S models continuing to use a 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, and VTi-L, RS and VTi-LX a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 127kW/220Nm .All models use a CVT automatic transmission and claimed combined fuel consumption ranges from 6.0L/100km (VTi-L and VTi-LX), where the turbo engine in the RS uses 6.3L/100km thanks to its larger wheels. The VTi and VTi-S models with the 1.8L engine use a claimed 6.4L/100km. 

Audi has revealed a new diesel version of its hotted-up SQ5 mid-sized SUV, dubbed the SQ5 TDI.

The Volkswagen T-Roc R has been revealed as the next product in the brand's expanding R performance car catalogue. Based on the same MQB platform and using the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four as the Golf R, the T-Roc R is said to be capable of a 4.9 second 0-100km/h sprint. Thanks to a 221kW and 400Nm (in Euro spec) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system, the go-fast T-Roc has a 250km/h top speed.Styled to be more sporty and aggressive than the standard T-Roc, the T-Roc R features large air intakes, wheels up to 19-inches in size, deep side sills and quad exhaust pipes. There are also vertical LED daytime running lights at the front, as well as plenty of R badges to further announce its performance. The T-Roc R also uses the same adaptive dampers and lowered suspension as the Golf R, though like the standard T-Roc and Tiguan, also features an all-terrain system with different driving modes depending on the surface driven on. Unlike the Golf R, a number of colours are available for the T-Roc R, ranging from ‘Lapiz Blue’ in the pictures to ‘Flash Red’, ‘Turmeric Yellow’, ‘Energetic Orange’ and ‘Indium Grey’. The interior of the T-Roc R is differentiated by sports seats covered in Nappa leather upholstery, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, a number of R badges and blue dashboard trim to further add sportiness. Volkswagen Australia has announced that both the T-Roc and smaller T-Cross will be sold locally in 2020, with pricing for the T-Roc expected to start at about $40,000. The T-Roc R is unconfirmed at this stage, however.

The first ever Hyundai Tucson N-Line has been teased, and the new model is set to gift the brand’s medium SUV a more sporting appearance inside and out. While it isn't the fully-fledged high-performance Tucson N that has been rumoured for some time now, the company is planning to launch a sportily-styled SUV without a big bump to performance - much like the i30 N-Line - for medium SUV buyers. Given the i30 N-Line’s recent Australian sales debut, the chances of a Tucson N-Line locally is high - even though the model is not confirmed for Australia yet.“We've made no secret of the fact our focus is on building an N performance family, and so we will of course be studying the business case for any new product that should become available," says Hyundai spokesperson Guido Schenken.  "We have big plans for the N range in Australia.”Just two teaser images have been revealed so far - one showing the redesigned front end with more aggressive styling, and the other of the interior with a new gearknob and sports seats. The alloy wheels shown in the teaser image appear to be the same 19-inch size as the high-end Tucson Highlander, though are more aggressive in their design. The new front end styling also makes the car more intimidating, with large air intakes and angular LED daytime running lights. The interior image reveals a similar leather-lined, red-stitched gear selector treatment to the i30 N-Line, with the gear position printed on top of the gearknob, sports seats with half leather and half Alcantara trim, as well as sports pedals. Those are likely to be the extent of the N-Line treatment, though a flat-bottomed N-Line steering wheel is likely to also feature.Not much else is known about the Tucson N-Line, though in Europe it’s expected to be offered with the brand’s new 48-volt hybrid drivetrain. That is unlikely to feature on any new drivetrains in Australia, so we may expect the existing 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and 136kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, both with all-wheel drive, to continue unchanged. Who knows - the Tucson N-Line engine may receive a 20kW tickle to match the i30 N-Line, which has 150kW/265Nm. The proliferation of Hyundai’s N range has continued with the introduction of the new N-Line products, as well as rumours of future vehicles such as a 250kW Tucson N, and an all-new i20 N with a huge 190kW. 

Volkswagen has introduced a facelifted variant of its Multivan range, with refreshed styling, new available technology and an improvement in interior quality the headline changes before an expected Australian release in late 2019. VW has also upgraded the active safety equipment in the Multivan facelift to include features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, cross wind assist, lane assist, automatic parking, rear view assist, trailer assist, side protection and road sign recognition.The interior of the Multivan has gained a number of new features as well. The company’s active info display digital dials system is now available, as is the latest generation of multimedia systems - including the 9.2-inch media screen from other Volkswagen products. USB C inputs are also pictured in the cabin, which will give fast charging capability for devices.Available drivetrains have been upgraded, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel featuring on all models with power figures ranging from 66kW to 146kW. An all-electric model has been developed by German company ABT, and offers more than 400km of driving range from a 77.6kWh battery pack - though that is unlikely to be offered locally. The facelifted Volkswagen Multivan range is yet to be confirmed by Volkswagen Australia, though is likely to land locally within 2019. 

Peugeot has unveiled a new concept car based on the 508 sedan. Called the 508 Sport Engineered, the company has created the “beginning of an important year” and it will be debuted at the 2019 Geneva motor show. Based on the regular 508 hybrid sedan, yet with even more performance, the 508 Sport Engineered is capable of a 4.3 second 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of 250km/h - yet also emissions of just 49g/km and an all-electric range of 50km. Using a 147kW 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine under the bonnet, as well as an 82kW front electric motor and a 147kW rear electric motor driving the rear wheels, the 508 Sport Engineered offers up to 500Nm of torque and uses an 11.8kWh battery pack.Accompanying the drivetrain is a lowered suspension package, as well as a widened front (24mm) and rear (12mm) track for enhanced handling capability. The 508 Sport Engineering’s brakes have been upgraded to four-piston calipers on 380mm ventilated front discs, while the tyres have been upgraded to 245/35 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.To go with the substantial drivetrain upgrade is an exterior and interior styling refresh, with much more aggressive styling and sportier interior treatments.On the outside, the 508 Sport Engineered debuts a number of new styling treatments including new bumpers with more aggressive lines, a rear diffuser with winglets on the quarter panels, carbon fibre mirrors, ‘Selenium Grey’ paintwork and an anodized finished for the Peugeot badging. On the inside, ‘comfort fit’ seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara trim feature proudly, as does the 'Kryptonite Green' stitching, interior accents and buttons in the media system. Alcantara also features on the steering wheel and gear sector, as well as as the headlining. 

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a Final Edition of the SLC roadster with unique features and trims to celebrate the end of the current-generation SLC. Available on all models in the SLC range - SLC200, SLC300 and AMG SLC43 - the Final Edition package gives the car a more sporting look. Two visual specifications of the non-AMG SLC are available to choose from - a silver chrome detail look for darker colours, and a black trim finish for lighter hues.An SLC Final Edition badge features on the front wings, as well as 18-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, a 10mm reduction in ride height and a larger braking system is also standard equipment. The Final Edition adds more luxurious touches to the interior of the SLC, with two-tone nappa leather in black and silver, as well as grey stitching and seatbelts to set the car apart from regular SLC models. Carbon fibre-look leather features on the head restraints, as well as the upper section of the seatbacks, gearknob and steering wheel. In addition to that, black floor mats with embroidered stitching, the company’s Airscarf neck heating, seat heating, memory functionality for the seats, steering column and mirrors, as well as four-way lumbar adjustment for both seats are standard on the Final Edition. The Mercedes-AMG SLC43 Final Edition follows the same styling path as its non-AMG siblings. Featuring an exclusive "Sun Yellow" paint finish and high-gloss black elements, the SLC43 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with a yellow rim, and has the same two-tone nappa leather upholstery, carbon fibre trim elements and extra standard equipment as other SLC Final Edition models. The Mercedes-Benz SLC Final Edition has been confirmed for Australian sales in the second quarter of 2019, with local spokesperson Ryan Lewis informing CarsGuide that it is a fitting farewell for the third generation. "It will be available in Australia, with the first cars expected in the second quarter of this year," said Mr Lewis.While the SLC (formerly SLK until a name change to fit the company's newest naming conventions) was popular globally upon its release in 1998, its 2018 Australian sales dropped to just 167 units, down by 42.7 percent on 2017.  

Toyota Australia has issued a statement to local media regarding an attempted cyber attack. While not much is known at this stage, the company believes no customer or private employee information has been accessed.According to the company, the threat is being managed by their internal IT department, which is, "working closely with international cyber security experts to get systems up and running again.”The company is not yet aware of the source of the attack and has apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their patience.

The Gosford Car Museum has closed its doors with the loss of 40 jobs after a two-year battle with the Australian Taxation Office. Opened in April 2016, the museum boasted the largest privately-owned car collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Valued at over $70 million, it became one of the best places to visit on the NSW Central Coast - especially for the motoring enthusiast. The company behind the museum, Auto Invest Pty Ltd, had been established in 2015 as a car dealership using the museum as a way of marketing the vehicles, while also bringing much-needed tourism to the area. On average, over 10,000 visitors passed through the museum’s gates each month.Yet questions were raised by the ATO over the museum’s business model, including its admission fee and an audit was launched in December 2016. The audit found that because Auto Invest had used the term 'museum' in its trading name, charged admission, had cars in the showroom which were different to those purchased by customers, and that not everybody visiting the museum was buying a car - therefore, it was considered to be a dual-purpose business and was also not eligible for Luxury Car Tax (LCT) and GST exemptions.The site of the museum is a former Bunnings Warehouse location, and has been listed for sale. The cars in the museum will be liquidated in a fire sale organised by Lloyds Auction House on April 6-7 with no reserve.Some of the vehicles set to be auctioned off include rare and desirable historic models ranging from a 1964 Porsche 356SC to a 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III. Other highlights on the auction list include a VC Brock Holden Commodore HDT, a couple of 1980s Humvees, a Lamborghini Diablo SV, several Ferraris and even Roscoe McGlashan's Aussie Invader jet-engined high speed racer (capable of 0-1000km/h in 16 seconds).Much had been planned with the site of the museum, which is in West Gosford. A seven-storey eco-friendly tower was destined to be built on the site and feature a number of facilities for visitors including a gym, 6500 square metres of retail space, display suites, a call centre and even an auction house. The plans were approved by the Central Coast Council, and building was due to start in the next year. Over 200 new jobs would have been created, and the planned solar panel system would have generated enough energy to power the whole site independent of the grid.