Articles by Jake Williams

Aston Martin has launched a more enthusiast-focused manual variant of the Vantage called the AMR, which can be had in a retro livery. Powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 making the same 375kW as the normal Vantage coupe, the AMR’s torque is down by 60Nm, possibly to protect the new seven-speed manual transmission. That’s correct - Aston Martin has added a manual to the Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8 for the first time. The manual is like the one in the former Vantage V12 S with a dog-leg first gear and helps contribute - as well as a set of carbon ceramic brakes - to a total weight loss of 95kg. The gearbox features a system called ‘AMShift', which rev-matches on downshifts and even allows drivers to shift without lifting the throttle.The Vantage AMR sprints from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 314km/h. Tuned by an ex-Lotus chassis developer, the Vantage AMR features the company’s Skyhook dampers, as well as three different driving modes - Sport, Sport+ and Track - which change the dampers, stability control threshold, steering and throttle response.Just 200 units of the Vantage AMR will be made, with 59 of those painted in ‘Stirling Green’ paint with a lime stripe and a 59 decal on the nose. The cabin features the same lime green stripe on the seats and doors. The Vantage AMR has been confirmed for Australia, though exact timing is yet to be confirmed. The ‘Hero’ spec priced from $369,950 plus on-road costs, while the ’Halo’ is priced from $409,950.Aston Martin also confirmed that the regular Vantage will receive a manual transmission option in the first quarter of 2020 once production of the AMR has ended.

Nissan Australia has added a new grade to its Qashqai lineup, with the ST+ now on sale from $30,790 plus on-road costs.Following in the footsteps of the new Pathfinder ST+ grade, the Qashqai ST+ adds more equipment to the base model ST including a 7.0-inch multimedia system with inbuilt satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, a 360-degree parking camera, heated/electric-folding mirrors and privacy glass for $1300 more than the ST. The ST+ builds onto the ST’s equipment list, which includes six airbags, AEB with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, moving object detection, push button start, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights and a leather steering wheel. Like all other Qashqai grades in Australia, the ST+ is powered by a 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Nissan claims that the Qashqai will use 6.9L/100km of fuel on a combined cycle. The ST+ is only available with a CVT automatic, and is front-wheel drive. Along with the new ST+ grade, pricing for the Qashqai ST and ST-L models have both risen by up to $1000 - the entry ST now starts at $27,490 (+$1000) with the CVT now priced at $29,490 (+$500) and ST-L CVT at $33,290 (+$300).Nissan recently added a five-year/unlimited km warranty to its range, matching many competitors.

The Lexus LM luxury MPV has been revealed at the 2019 Shanghai motor show - but don’t expect it to be in Australian showrooms anytime soon.  Based on the Toyota Alphard, the choice of private transport for many wealthy people throughout Asia, the Lexus LM will be sold predominantly in Asian markets such as China, Taiwan and the Philippines.Alas for luxury MPV fans, Lexus Australia spokesperson Nick Raman told CarsGuide there were “no plans for introduction here” for the LM. As predicted, the Lexus LM is a Lexus-styled version of the Alphard with the company’s massive ‘spindle’ grille, added side chrome, multi-spoke alloy wheels and redesigned tail-lights. Inside, however, is where the Lexus LM cements its status as a super-luxury product. The dashboard is similar to the Alphard but with the company’s touchpad-based multimedia system and horizontal air vents. The rear of the LM can be had with either two or just one row of seating. Higher-end versions are available with just two rear captain’s chairs, a central partition for privacy, a 26-inch screen for entertainment and a small fridge for refreshments. Under the bonnet of the LM is the choice of two drivetrains: a 2.5-litre hybrid in the LM300h, or a 3.5-litre petrol V6 in the LM350. Both are available in either front- or all-wheel drive. Despite numerous grey import Alphards and their ‘sportier’ Vellfire twins, making it to Australia, pricing overseas for the LM is likely to extend to around $200,000 depending on local taxes. 

The Toyota HiLux is due to earn active safety systems such as AEB, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning from May 2019 production. CarsGuide understands that these active safety systems, recently made standard on the European model, will be made available from May 2019 production in Thailand, which means that the safety kit will arrive in Australia by the end of June.Although it’s yet to be confirmed which models will receive the tech, top models are likely to receive it as standard, with entry level vehicles offering it as an option. Toyota is yet to confirm this, however. Ford recently added AEB and other safety tech to the every local Ranger, while AEB is also standard on every Mercedes-Benz X-Class and SsangYong Musso. It’s also available on most Mitsubishi Triton models as well. This means that the top three-selling utes in Australia will have availability of AEB by the middle of the year. The HiLux's new safety kit also highlights that several utes in Australia are still unavailable with any active safety kit, including the Volkswagen Amarok, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara (which offers it on European-built versions). The Holden Colorado is available with kit such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning, but no AEB.

Toyota of Europe has revealed a new HiLux Invincible X model with added safety features, including AEB and adaptive cruise control for the first time. Standard kit on the HiLux Invincible X Edition includes autonomous emergency braking with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning with lane keep assist.Adding the potentially life-saving tech to one of Toyota’s most legendary products, the HiLux Invincible X also adds black-coloured exterior trim such as mirror caps and door handles, an all-black interior with piano black details and new dials.While Toyota in Australia is yet to introduce AEB and advanced safety technology to its local HiLux line-up, a company spokesperson told CarsGuide the safety features would be launched here "at the next possible opportunity"."We are looking at introducing that technology at the next possible opportunity, but there are no immediate announcements to be made,” he said.Ford recently added AEB to every Ranger model for 2019 and both the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and SsangYong Musso are also equipped with AEB through their respective ranges. Most of the Mitsubishi Triton range is also equipped with AEB as standard.In 2018, the HiLux was Australia’s best-selling vehicle with 51,705 sales locally, ahead of the Ford Ranger’s 42,144 units.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed that the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine available in both the European and South Korean versions of the i30 hatchback won’t be offered locally.Available in the European-spec i30 since its launch in 2017, the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine is from the brand’s ‘Kappa’ family, and produces 103kW of power and 242Nm of torque - comparable to the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engines in the Volkswagen Golf and Holden Astra. While the engine itself is smaller than the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol currently available in Australian-spec i30s, its performance is identical - 0-100km/h in between 8.9 and 9.2 seconds - and its fuel economy is far superior; rated at 6.1L/100km versus the Australian 2.0-litre’s 7.4L/100km rating.Available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the i30 1.4-litre turbo’s CO2 emissions are also less than the 2.0L at 126g/km. For reference, the 2.0L petrol emits 170g/km.Despite offering similar performance with less fuel use, Hyundai Australia spokesperson Tatiana Suchecki told CarsGuide that the 1.4-litre turbo won’t be offered locally. “The Korean-manufactured i30 with the 1.4 Turbo-GDi engine is available in the Korean domestic market only,” said Ms. Suchecki. “We are able to offer the more powerful 150kW N Line as an alternative in our market.”The manual gearbox-equipped European-spec i30 is available with other features unavailable in Australia, too, such as AEB, rear air vents and an electric parking brake. The range also features a wider use of independent rear suspension, while most Australian models feature a torsion beam rear. Hyundai Australia also confirmed that the i30 wagon and non-N Fastback won’t be offered locally either. 

Mitsubishi has signalled the end of the current-generation Pajero, which has begun its exit from its Japanese homeland with a limited-run "Final Edition" now on sale.Commemorating the end of the line for the brand’s large SUV in its home market, the current Pajero has been on sale since 1998, marking it as one of the oldest "new" cars available.A 2005 facelift brought new exterior styling and features, and it has earned new standard equipment such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the years since, but the car’s mechanicals have remained largely unchanged.Just 700 units of the Pajero Final Edition will be made available in Japan, which scores black or cream leather upholstery, a sunroof, a set of bespoke decals and a Citizen watch for the owner, which will feature the same serial number as the car it’s purchased with. The Final Edition uses the same 141kW/441Nm 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine matched to a five-speed automatic transmission that both Japanese and Australian models are delivered with. Yet despite the Final Edition going on sale in Japan, Mitsubishi Australia has stated that the Pajero will continue as normal locally, with no immediate end in local sales planned. Local spokesperson Jessica Eastick also told CarsGuide that there are “no changes for the Pajero in Australia.”“The Final Edition is a Japan-only specification,” said Ms. Eastick.That said, is understood there is no current plan for a new-generation Pajero from Mitsubishi, which throws the model's long-term Australian future into some doubt. If another model is produced, it’s expected to be based on the Nissan Patrol because of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance that began in 2016. A new Patrol has been confirmed to be in development, and is expected to be on sale sometime after 2020.Pajero sales peaked at 8490 units in 2002, and by 2007 had slowed only to 7031. In recent times, sales of the car had slowed more however and in 2018, sales slowed by 20.9 per cent to 3279 units. In 2019, sales have bounced back slightly by 21.2 per cent to 1069 units so far. 

The Haval H9 large SUV has been updated for 2019 with safety kit such as AEB with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning now standard. The potentially life-saving tech now comes standard on both available H9 models - Lux and Ultra - for 2019 and is a big upgrade on the 2018 model, which had no active safety kit. Tested in 2015, the H9 received a four-star ANCAP safety rating, local Haval spokesperson Bill Soo told CarsGuide that the brand isn't sure if the H9 would receive a five-star rating with its new equipment thanks to ANCAP's ever-changing requirements. " Despite offering more equipment on both H9 models, Haval has kept pricing at $41,990 drive away for the H9 Lux, and $45,990 drive away for the H9 Ultra. The entry level H9 Lux includes the aforementioned safety kit, as well as tri-zone climate control, automatic bi-xenon headlights and wipers, LED daytime running lights, satellite navigation, an auto-dimming rear mirror, a reversing camera with automatic parking functionality, as well as a sunroof that senses rain and shuts itself accordingly. The upper-spec H9 Ultra then adds a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated massaging front seats, a 10-speaker Infinity sound system, a heated steering wheel, an electric-folding third row and cornering headlights. Still powered by a 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the H9 uses an ZF eight-speed auto and a switchable four-wheel drive system with hill descent control as standard. Haval claims combined fuel consumption of 10.9L/100km and emissions of 254g/km. The H9 uses minimum 95RON petrol. All Haval models are offered with a seven-year/unlimited km warranty as standard.

Peugeot has relaunched in Australia yet again, this time with a range of commercial vehicles. Can the Peugeot Expert help turn the brand's local fortunes around?

Cadillac has revealed its new CT5 sedan, which replaces both the BMW 3 Series-sized ATS and 5 Series-sized CTS in the brand’s line-up. As with other Cadillac products, the CT5 will be made in left-hand drive only, and despite being partly developed in Australia by GM’s Holden chassis development team, won’t be making it to Australia. Measuring 4924mm long, 1883mm wide and 1452mm tall with a 2947mm wheelbase, the CT5 is similar in size to the BMW 5 Series - despite the company claiming it as a 3 Series competitor. The CT5 is based on GM's Alpha platform, and engine choices include a 177kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, while a 250kW/542Nm 3.0-litre turbo V6 will also be available. Both are matched to a 10-speed auto, and are available in either rear- or all-wheel drive.As with other Cadillac models, the available technology in the CT5 includes the brand’s 'Super Cruise' semi-autonomous driving system, which allows the car to drive itself on ‘over 200,000km of North American highway.’Offered in two distinct trim lines - Luxury and Sport - the CT5 continues the brand’s latest design language with huge front LED daytime running lights, sharp tail-lights and a ducktail rear completing the look.CT5 Sport models feature dark details such as the wheels, spoiler and window surrounds, while the CT5 Luxury get bright chrome details instead.The interior of the CT5 is much more luxurious than recent Cadillac products with a new 10.0-inch multimedia system - first used in the Holden Acadia - with the brand’s new software, a digital driver’s display and a range of colour and trim choices broad enough to match German rivals.Semi-aniline leather upholstery, as well as heated, ventilated and massaging front seats are available.