Articles by Jake Williams

After a couple of teasers, Skoda has finally revealed its apprentice-built Mountiaq ute.Based on the Kodiaq SUV, the Mountiaq (or ‘mountain Kodiaq’) was developed by 35 students from the Skoda Vocational School for Mechanical Engineering and took over 2000 hours over the past eight months to create. The Mountiaq is the sixth vehicle built by the company as part its vocational program, and there is currently no production intent for the car - though it’s not hard to see Skoda producing something similar to it in the future. Heavily reworked from the Kodiaq on which it was based, the Mountiaq’s cabin is significantly shorter and ends behind the front seats. The rear was totally reshaped to accommodate an illuminated pick-up bed and a fully functioning tailgate.The Mountiaq also features a number of off-road parts including an LED light bar on the roof, 17-inch wheels with off-road tyres, an air intake snorkel, winch and bullbar. The suspension was lifted 10cm to further increase off-road ability. Inside the Mountiaq is fitted out with more off-road kit - there is a pair of radios, an integrated refrigerator and an illuminated Skoda logo in the headliner. The exterior’s orange and black colour theme continues through to the cabin, with black upholstery with orange highlights featuring. Under the bonnet of the Mountiaq is the standard Kodiaq’s 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.Previous apprentice-built cars from Skoda include the Sunroq (a Karoq convertible) in 2018, the Element in 2017 (an electric Citigo), the Atero in 2016 (a Rapid-based coupe), the Funstar (a Fabia pick up truck) in 2015 and the Citijet (a Citigo convertible) in 2014.

Jeep Australia has added two new special edition models to its line-up with Night Eagle editions of the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee now on sale.Based on the Cherokee Longitude, the Night Eagle picks up black 18-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out grille, black badging and gloss black roof rails.On the inside of the Cherokee Night Eagle, the steering wheel and air-conditioning bezels are now finished in gloss black, while the $1650 Longitude Technology Pack with adaptive cruise control, automatic parking and blind-spot monitoring is standard equipment.The Cherokee Night Eagle is priced from $45,150 plus on-road costs, making it $3200 more than the Cherokee Longitude on which it’s based.The Grand Cherokee Night Eagle is based on the Loredo and adds 20-inch gloss black wheels, a black grille, body-colored bumpers, tinted glass and black badging. Inside, black leather seats with suede edging, an 8.4-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sunroof are additional Night Eagle equipment. While the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle is priced $5500 north of the Loredo, Jeep says $10,400 of extra value has been included. 

Apple has revealed an updated version of its CarPlay smartphone mirroring technology, which will be part of iOS13 updates scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2019. Revealed at the company’s 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the updated CarPlay focuses on ease of use by adding extended Siri functionality.For example, you can now use voice control for third party applications such as Waze and Spotify. This change makes it safer to use while driving - you no longer have to input addresses by touch into some apps. CarPlay has also been updated with a more modern look and uses more of the available screen. A new home screen has been added so maps can be seen in the same screen as music and messages.Some of the applications available with CarPlay have also been updated as part of iOS13. The Music app now has more emphasis on album art, while the Calendar app includes more relevant information.Apple has also changed CarPlay so if an app is open on the phone, it doesn’t  have to be open on the car's screen. This allows passengers to not interrupt the car’s screen and let the driver continue seeing other screens, including navigation apps. Apple has also made it possible to integrate CarPlay into other screens in cars - Volkswagen’s Active Info Display, for example. An automatic ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ mode that stops notifications while on the move has also been added. To be included as part of the iOS13 update, the updated CarPlay will launch in the third quarter of 2019. It will be automatically included with the new software update, and drivers do not need to upgrade their car's screen to receive the new system.

Yet to be confirmed by Toyota Australia but rumoured since the C-HR release in late 2017, CarsGuide understands hybrid variants of the small SUV are due on sale in the fourth quarter of 2019.Using the same 91kW 1.8-litre hybrid drivetrain as the Prius and Corolla hybrid, the C-HR is capable of combined cycle fuel economy of around 4.5L/100km, which betters the current C-HR 1.2-litre turbo by 6kW and almost 2.0L/100km.Offered in Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia since the C-HR’s global release, multiple hybrid models will reportedly launch as part of a revamped Australian line-up with new tech including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as new pricing and equipment. Currently available in two models - C-HR and Koba - the 2019 Toyota C-HR is offered with a single drivetrain: an 85kW/175Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with either a six-speed manual on the base model, or a CVT auto elsewhere. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available, though the hybrid is expected to be only available as a front-driver.Visual changes to the hybrid are limited to specific badging, unique driver's dials and the traditional blue Toyota hybrid brand logo. The C-HR’s Japanese production source is unlikely to change with the update, although the hybrid C-HR is made in Thailand as well. The C-HR is part of the Japanese company’s recent hybrid model offensive, which planned for the launch of five new petrol-electric hybrid models before mid-2020 - the RAV4 is already on sale and Corolla sedan will be launched later in 2019 with possibly the Kluger and Yaris next to receive part-electric drivetrains.Toyota recently celebrated the sale of its 100,000th hybrid in Australia. Almost half (45.4 per cent) of new Camry registrations are hybrids, with the Corolla catching up (31.4 per cent) and Toyota predicting the same for the just-released RAV4. 

Volkswagen has utterly destroyed the Nurburgring electric lap record, with its I.D. R racer smashing the existing time by more than 40 seconds. Eclipsing the previous time set by the Nio EP9 in 2017, the I.D. R has set a new lap record of just 6mins05.336secs, which is also almost 40 seconds quicker than the fastest production car, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. The average speed for the I.D. R’s record-setting lap was a staggering 206.96km/h, and the car hit a top speed of 256km/h on the lap. While the Nio EP9 produced 1000kW of power (1341hp), the I.D. R reportedly produces half of that, at 500kW, proving the importance of aerodynamics. The I.D. R also did five laps of the 20.74km circuit on a single charge. Driven by Porsche factory driver Romain Dumas, who has won the Nurburgring 24 Hour race four times, the I.D. R’s aerodynamics were modified from its Pikes Peak record-setting run in 2017, with a focus instead on speed over downforce. “For this evolved version of the ID.R, the aerodynamic configuration was more strongly adapted to the highest possible speed, rather than maximum downforce,” explains François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director of the I.D. R. “With extensive test laps in the simulator and on the race track, we adapted the ID.R to the unique conditions of the Nordschleife, focussing mainly on chassis tuning, energy management and optimal choice of tyres for the record attempt.”While the I.D. R is not scheduled for production in its current form, its engineering will spread to Volkswagen’s new I.D. electric sub-brand, of which the first production models are due to be revealed later in the year.

Kia has chosen the name Seltos for its new small SUV, which is due to be revealed this month, with an Australian launch scheduled for later this year. If, like us, you’re curious as to the name, Kia has an answer. Seltos was chosen for the “brave and assertive spirit of Celtos” who was Hercules’ son in Greek mythology. According to Kia, the 'S' replaced 'C' in Celtos because of the car’s apparent sportiness.According to Kia, the Seltos has been created for millennials, and stands apart from other small SUVs thanks to its combination of “sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV - all in a compact package.”In addition to the car’s name, Kia has also released some teaser images of the Seltos, which have revealed some of its exterior styling as well as its interior treatment, which will offer a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system in Australia for the first time in a Kia product. The Seltos will also feature sound mood lighting, which adjusts the colour to the beat and volume of music being listened to.Reportedly sharing the same platform as the Hyundai Kona, the Kia Seltos will likely offer a 2.0-litre petrol engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard, while a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with all-wheel drive and the seven-speed dual-clutch auto from the Kona may be available optionally. Like the Kona, both hybrid and electric drivetrains could be offered in the Seltos down the track. A small SUV is the product that Kia Australia desperately lacks. Although the brand sells the Soul and Stonic small SUVs in other markets, the Australian arm has been waiting for the Seltos because its larger size is reportedly better suited to the local market. 

Ford Australia has quietly introduced a new base model Focus, called Ambiente and priced from $23,490, plus on-road costs. However, searching for the new grade of Focus has returned very little - the Ambiente is not on Ford’s Australian website, nor does the company actually acknowledge its existence, just yet. According to Ford Australia spokesperson Damion Smy, the Focus Ambiente “is not a core part of our retail line-up, so therefore there are no plans to publish any information on it.” Aimed at fleets then, the Focus Ambiente exists (as confirmed to CarsGuide by a number of Ford dealers). Priced from $23,490, plus on-road costs, the Ambiente replaces the upper models’ 134kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 90kW/150Nm naturally aspirated version of the same unit.A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission available for now - a six-speed manual has been homologated for Australia if Ford sees the need - and unlike the regular Focus’ rotary dial, it uses a regular gear selector. Standard equipment on the Focus Ambiente is reasonable for the price, with six airbags, a reversing camera, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and the same 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The more expensive Trend then adds the turbo engine with an eight-speed auto, semi-auto air-conditioning, satellite navigation, different 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, and different trimmings. Just two options are available for the Ambiente: a $300 'Convenience Package' with automatic headlights and wipers, follow-me-home headlights and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, as well as $650 premium paint.The Ambiente marks the second addition to the initial Focus range, with the $29,990 Focus Active now part of the range as the faux-SUV member of the line-up. The ST hot hatch will be added early next year. 

Honda Australia has released the limited edition Civic +Luxe 2019, which is packed with extra standard equipment on top of the Civic VTi-S.Previously available as a sedan and priced from $29,990 drive-away ($2152 more than the VTi-S on which it's based), the Civic +Luxe includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, metallic paint and +Luxe badging as standard equipment. This is on top of the Civic VTi-S’ regular equipment list, which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, front fog lights, climate control and Honda’s ‘LaneWatch’ left-hand lane change camera system.Being based on the VTi-S, features such as forward collision warning, auto emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control are unavailable on the +Luxe - buyers must spend a further $7246 to get to the top-spec VTi-LX to earn those features. The Civic +Luxe is powered by the same 1.8-litre petrol engine as the VTi-S, which produces 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. The solely available transmission is a CVT auto, and Honda claims the Civic +Luxe uses 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle. Available colours are ‘Platinum White’, ‘Lunar Silver’, ‘Modern Steel’ and ‘Brilliant Sporty Blue’. 

Alfa Romeo has released the limited edition Giulietta Veloce S 2019 model, which is based on the hot Veloce model and adds extra standard equipment and superior value, according to the company.Adding a claimed $6900 of extra value for an extra $3500 spend, only 30 units of the Giulietta Veloce S will be available in Australia priced from $45,400 plus on-road costs.Additional equipment over the regular Veloce includes dark 18-inch alloy wheels, red exterior badging with red exterior decals, carbon look exterior details including the grille, mirror covers and sideskirts and a Magneti Marelli 'Elaboraziono 1919' sports exhaust.Inside, the Giulietta Veloce S adds a Bose sound system, special ‘Veloce’ badge and premium floor mats with red model badging. The Giulietta Veloce S is otherwise identical to the regular Veloce, using the same 177kW/340Nm 1.75-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission drivetrain. The Veloce S adds onto the standard Veloce’s standard equipment list, which includes bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, leather and alcantara sports seats, rear privacy glass, Brembo brakes with red brake calipers, sports suspension and a sports bodykit.Equipment such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remains unavailable on any Giulietta. The Giulietta Veloce S is in dealerships now. 

Volkswagen Australia has reintroduced cheaper 110TSI variants of the Tiguan medium SUV range which are available in both entry-level Trendline and mid-spec Comfortline trim-levels.Producing 110kW of power and 250Nm, matched solely to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and available only in front-wheel drive, the Tiguan 110TSI is priced from $34,150 plus on-road costs. That's $9000 less than the 132TSI Comfortline, which became the entry-level Tiguan since the 110TSI was cut due to requiring new WLTP emissions testing.The 110TSI drivetrain is also available in the seven-seat Allspace bodystyle, though only in Comfortline spec. The return of the Trendline also marks the first time that Volkswagen Australia has had an entry-level trim as well as engine since the 110TSI was cut, and standard equipment includes halogen headlights, AEB (front and rear) with pedestrian detection, lane assist with adaptive lane guidance, automatic parking, automatic headlights and wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Available for the Trendline is a $1700 'Driver Assist Pack' which adds blind spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, emergency assist and auto-folding mirrors.The Comfortline then adds 18-inch alloy wheels, cornering LED headlights, inbuilt satellite navigation, keyless entry and start, auto-folding mirrors, trip-zone climate control, overhead storage, floor mats and additional exterior and interior chrome.Optionally available for the Comfortline is a $1600 Driver Assist Pack with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive high beam, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and emergency assist. The Comfortline also offers a $3200 Sound and Vision Package with digital dials, a 360-degree parking camera, ambient interior lighting and a Dynaudio sound system. Comfortlines cam also be equipped with a $4000 Luxury Package which offers leather upholstery, an electric driver’s seat with memory functionality, heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.The top-spec Highline then adds 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery with heated front seats, electric front seats with driver’s memory functionality, the contents of the 'Driver Assistance Package', and a larger 9.2-inch multimedia system. The Highline offers a $3000 Sound and Vision Package with a 360-degree parking camera, automatic parking, a Dynaudio sound system and digital dials, as well as a $2000 panoramic sunroof and a $3000 R-Line Package with 20-inch alloy wheels, a bodykit and a number of sporty details.