Articles by Jake Williams

Lexus Australia has announced drive-away pricing for its volume selling SUVs and IS sedan in a bid to pump up sales before the end of the financial year.First cab off the rank is the UX200 Luxury small SUV, which is priced from $49,888 drive-away (a saving of $1173). The UX200 has a 126kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a CVT auto, as well as AEB, radar cruise control, heated and electrically-adjustable front seats, satellite navigation and a power-adjustable steering column.The NX300 Luxury is now available for $59,888 drive-away (a saving of $2073). Powered by a 175kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, the NX300 Luxury also includes a 10.3-inch multimedia screen, heated and powered front seats and DAB+ digital radio.Above the NX sits the RX SUV at $69,888 drive-away which offers the biggest saving to consumers of $12,685. The RX300 is powered by the same 175kW 2.0L turbo-petrol engine as the NX, and includes kit such as wireless phone charging, full leather upholstery and a 12-speaker sound system.The brand’s IS300 Luxury sedan is also on sale for $57,888 drive-away, which is a saving of $8809. The IS300 is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol as the NX and RX, though it develops more power at 180kW and features heated/cooled front seats, leather upholstery and a 10.3-inch multimedia screen.Lexus sales in 2019 so far are down by 1.6 per cent to 2978 units, though some models are enjoying healthy increases including the LX SUV (163 units, up 55.2 per cent on 2018) and the ES sedan (219 units, up 242.2 per cent). The new UX is also selling well in its first year on sale, with 584 units sold in 2019 so far.The EOFY campaign runs until June 30. 

Australia’s crash-testing body ANCAP has released the latest round of safety testing with the all-new Toyota HiAce and Nissan Leaf earning five stars, yet the Jeep Wrangler has earned only one star. Australia’s top-selling van, the HiAce, achieved 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 84 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 77 per cent for safety assist. The second-generation Nissan Leaf scored well, too, with a 93 per cent adult occupant protection score, plus 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 71 per cent vulnerable road user protection and 70 per cent for safety assist.The Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, scored just 50 per cent for adult occupant projection, 49 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and just 32 per cent for safety assist.From launch, the Wrangler is only equipped with auto emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot monitoring on the top two models, though Jeep will add both features to the entry-level Sport S “towards the back end of 2019,” according to Jeep Australia boss Steve Zanlunghi.Beyond all of this, the Australian model lacks curtain airbags and is fundamentally challenged by having a fold-down windscreen and removable doors. “The safety performance of the Wrangler is limited, falling well shy of the expected standard in three of the four key areas of assessment” said ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin. “Chest protection was a concern for the driver and rear passenger in each of the frontal crash tests, a number of penalties were applied for structural deformation and potential leg injury hazards, and base variants lack autonomous emergency braking altogether,” Mr Goodwin said.The outgoing JK Wrangler had a four-star rating but only on petrol V6 models produced from 2012 onwards - models dating back to 2007 were not rated. 

Mazda Australia has launched an updated version of its Mazda6 sedan and wagon with new equipment, a simplified model range and price hikes of up to $2400.The company has cut the existing diesel engine option from the lineup, and there are now eight variants are available (). The available models remain the same with the Sport at the bottom, Touring in the middle and GT and Atenza sitting above. Pricing now kicks off at $34,490 plus on-road costs (+$1000), and added equipment is now standard across the range including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as tyre pressure monitoring across the range. The Atenza has picked up a heated steering wheel too.Mazda has also revised the audio system by adding another antenna for superior radio quality. This is reportedly due to the second antenna’s ability to cancel out noise generated by secondary wave interference.An upgraded version of the company’s G-Vectoring electronic chassis control program is now standard after debuting in the updated CX-5. The latest version of the system is said to offer superior high speed stability thanks to new yaw control functionality.The previously available 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine - which was available on Touring, GT and Atenza variants - has been axed. It's not yet known why the diesel option was canned, though low sales volumes are likely to be the reason.That leaves two remaining engine options - a 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in Sport and Touring models, and a 170kW/420Nm turbocharged version of the same engine in the GT and Atenza. The non-turbo engine uses 7.0L/100km on a combined cycle, with the turbo version using 7.6L/100km. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission option.

After a long teaser program, BMW has finally revealed the third-generation 1 Series ahead of a fourth quarter 2019 Australian on-sale date with a new platform, new styling and much-needed new technology. The new-generation 1 Sereis model is based on the same UKL platform as the Mini range, as well as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and X1 and X2 SUVs. Measuring 4319mm long, 1799mm wide, 1434mm tall and with a 2670mm wheelbase, the new model is 5mm shorter, 34mm wider, 13mm taller and features a 20mm longer wheelbase than the previous model. For the first time, Australian-spec 1 Series models will be available with all-wheel drive and the M135i xDrive will top the range. Globally just five models are available for the moment - more are sure to come - with the 118i and M135i xDrive the only petrol choices. The 118i uses a 103kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, and the M135i xDrive uses a 225kW/450Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. A seven-speed dual-clutch auto will be standard on the 118i, and the M135i xDrive gets an eight-speed auto, while the 118i lists combined fuel consumption of 5.0-5.7L/100km and the M135i xDrive 6.8-7.1L/100km.On the overseas diesel front, an 85kW/270Nm 116d, 110kW/350Nm 118d and 140kW/400Nm 120d xDrive will be available, but diesels are unlikely to be offered locally as they were cut from the range in 2018. Available technology in the new BMW 1 Series has been improved significantly with full auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert standard across the range - all features unavailable with the current model.Optionally available tech includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, automatic parking, a 464W 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, a dual-10.25-inch driver’s display/multimedia system touchscreen set up, a 9.2-inch heads-up display, a powered tailgate and a panoramic roof.BMW Australia has confirmed that the new 1 Series will be launching locally the fourth quarter of 2019 with pricing and specs to be revealed before then.

Lexus has unveiled the LC500h Matte Prototype at the 2019 Barcelona motor show, which was created to show off the company’s efforts in using unique colours and textures. Painted in an eye-catching colour called ‘Space Orange’, the matte colour of the LC500h was reportedly inspired by the orange tones that can be seen when looking towards the sun. The look is further enhanced by black 21-inch alloy wheels and a carbon-fibre roof.Inside the LC500h Matte Prototype, the orange theme is continued where it’s used on the instrument, the steering wheel and the door inserts.Mechanically, the Matte Prototype is identical to the regular LC500h and uses the same 3.5-litre petrol V6, lithium-ion battery pack and a four-speed CVT gearbox.The LC500h Matte Prototype is not yet confirmed for production, though could reach showrooms as a special edition version of the big Lexus coupe.

Honda has announced that it will make a number of lineup changes from 2020 in a bid to streamline its global operations and increase its production efficiency to increase profits.In addition to announcing that the company’s new electric car will be called ‘e’, and that the new Jazz small car will feature a hybrid drivetrain, the launch of a global platform is big news as Honda hasn’t yet launched a scalable platform. Central to Honda’s cost cutting is a new platform that will be launching in a new global model in 2020, possibly the next-generation of HR-V small SUV. Centre to the platform will be its ability to scale from small to large, allowing it to underpin a number of future models.The company said that the models based on the platform will share around 70 per cent of components that customers don’t see, including the engine bay and underfloor parts.The new platform will reportedly help the company reduce the number of man-hours allocated to the development of cars by 30 per cent by 2025.Also part of the new regime is increasing production efficiency is cutting the number of available global model trims and reorganising its production bases, particularly in North America. By 2025, the Jazz, Civic, Accord, HR-V and CR-V will represent one third of the brand’s available products, yet account for 60 per cent of the company’s global sales.

Land Rover’s SVO (Special Vehicles Operations) unit has just revealed the special edition Range Rover Astronaut Edition, which is available exclusively for travellers signed up to participate in the first Virgin Galactic space flights. Boasting unique interior and exterior styling treatments, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition is painted in a unique ‘Zero Gravity Blue’ colour which was reportedly inspired by the “depth and intensity of the night sky.” Other bespoke touches include spaceship motifs dotted around the cabin, B-pillar and puddle lamps, as well as Astronaut Edition badging at the rear. The interior also features a crafted piece of the spaceship’s front landing skid plate that served on the Virgin Galactic Unity’s first flight in December 2018.700 people have paid around US$250,000 to participate in the space flights, which take around two and a half hours and allow passengers to experence weightlessness for around 15 minutes.Based on the Range Rover Autobiography spec, the Astronaut Edition comes with the company’s P400e drivetrain with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that’s good for a 42km all-electric range.A 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine is also available.

Mazda has added fuel to their upmarket push, according to leaked plans to develop a new large platform and straight-six engines under the SkyActiv-X banner. Appearing in an investor presentation uncovered by US media, the Japanese manufacturer detailed its future plans which include both a small and large platform, straight-six engines using both petrol and diesel fuels and the development of 48V mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The presentation was reportedly published on the brand’s global site before being removed, and seemingly confirms Mazda’s apparent plans to escalate into premium territory. No timeline was given for the new platforms and drivetrains to be launched, but it’s speculated that the next-generation Mazda6 will be the first car to adopt the new architecture when it debuts within a few years. The straight-six engine has recently enjoyed something of a comeback in with Jaguar Land Rover, as well as Mercedes-Benz replacing V6s with newly-developed straight-sixes.The presentation included both petrol and diesel fuel types for the straight-six, suggesting that Mazda’s diesel engine development is very much still underway. It’s also the first mention during Mazda's SkyActiv era of engines with more than four cylinders. Even more interesting is that the presentation lists a longitudinal engine layout for the large architecture, which could suggest that Mazda is developing its new platform to be rear-wheel drive. The platform is also set to be available in all-wheel drive for European and North American markets, and will incorporate 48V mild-hybrid system for greater efficiency and performance. The straight-six engines will form a part of Mazda’s latest-generation SkyActiv-X technology suite with the availability of petrol compression ignition technology. Set to arrive first in the Mazda3 later this year or in 2020, the new tech is combined with a supercharger for performance rivaling the 2.5-litre petrol in the 3, yet supposedly with efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel engine. Looking further into the Mazda future product crystal ball, possible products to use the rear-drive element include a production version of the RX-Vision concept, a larger and more powerful sports car than the current MX-5, a larger-than-CX-9 SUV or a Mazda6-based coupe. Mazda Australia made no comment on the new drivetrains, only informing CarsGuide that it had "nothing to announce." 

Honda has confirmed its new electric car will be called the e when it goes on sale in 2020. Not yet confirmed for Australian consumption, the e will offer over 200km of driving range and will be able to fast charge to 80 per cent capacity in 30 minutes. Previewed through the e Prototype concept car from this year’s Geneva motor show, the Honda e features a lounge-like atmosphere inside with a massive horizontal dual-screen multimedia set-up. The floor is flat, and the car also uses digital rear-view mirrors. The Honda e will be rear-wheel drive hatchback with a rear-mounted electric motor, and could potentially be the most fun electric vehicle on the market when it launches. According to Honda, more than 22,000 people have expressed interest in buying an e in Europe ahead of first deliveries in 2020. The Honda e is yet to be confirmed for Australia thanks to low electric vehicle sales and the possible cost of importing such a niche product.Honda Australia director Stephen Collins told CarsGuide that the e is very much on the local radar, though its business case is yet to be considered. “We would love it on sale in Australia and we’re looking at the numbers to see if it can stack up locally. We know that the electric market in this country is still tiny, but it fits in with our aim for 25 per cent of our total sales to come from electrified vehicles by 2025,” he said.

Honda has confirmed the next-generation Jazz small car, reportedly due to be revealed at October’s Tokyo motor show, will be offered with a hybrid drivetrain. Due in Australia in late 2020, the next Jazz will reportedly sit on a new platform and offer a range of fresh engines under Honda’s EarthDreams technology suite. Reportedly taking from the new CR-V hybrid’s ‘i-MMD’ drivetrain, the next Jazz hybrid will feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor hybrid combination.Importantly, the next Jazz will be the first all-new Honda to offer the 'HondaSensing' active safety suite as standard across the range. This fixes a large problem with the current Jazz, which offers no active safety tech such as AEB on any model in Australia.The Jazz hybrid was offered in Australia as part of the previous generation Jazz range from 2013 to 2014. Priced from $22,990 plus on-road costs, the Jazz hybrid combined a 1.3-litre petrol engine and an electric motor for low fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km.