Articles by James Cleary

To help get the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq out of the blocks with a bang an initial batch of 100 Launch Edition cars will be offered at $63,490 before on-road costs.

Thanks to five World Rally Championship (WRC) titles and a devout following among performance car enthusiasts, in less than five years Toyota’s pint-sized GR Yaris has achieved hot hatch icon status.And not content to rest on its laurels, the Japanese giant has continuously evolved the compact turbocharged all-wheel drive package since it emerged in late 2020.In fact, its latest upgrade arrived here just last month, with more power, a refreshed interior and the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission alongside the existing six-speed manual gearbox.Now Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed another GR Yaris evolution, developed with what it says are “insights gained from motorsports”.Specifically, the WRC, domestic Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship where TGR operates under the slogan "Thanks for breaking it", directed at drivers pushing these competition cars to their limits and beyond. And prepare yourself for some hardcore nerdy content because some of the updates are closer to a suspension engineer’s fever dream than a conventional running change.For example, “Special bolts with a high level of fastening rigidity” have been deployed to help fasten chassis components with the aim of improving steering response, straight-line stability and an “evolved sense of oneness with the car”.The shock absorbers have been re-calibrated and the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) re-tuned “to accommodate changes to the bolts that fasten chassis parts” and  “accommodate increased torque used to tighten a portion of the conventional bolts”.In one instance the bolts partially securing the front lower arms and lower ball joints change from a 22mm to 24mm head size, and the fasteners locating the top of the rear dampers now feature a stronger faceted flange rather than a flat one. TGR Super GT and Super Formula driver Kazuya Oshima was recruited to help refine shock absorber damping force for better control and ride comfort and also improve the steering’s linearity.A drift and rally-style ‘vertical parking brake’ will be offered as an option on all trim levels, the full suite of ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ features will now be standard across the range and the footrest on automatic models has been enlarged.Speaking of which, the auto transmission has been “further honed” by expanding the speed range for downshifting (second to first gear) via the paddle shifter when in Drive, “improving the sense of directness” near the redline when selecting ‘Sport’ in manual mode and optimising up-shift timing during full-throttle acceleration.Three trim levels will be offered in the Japanese domestic market with the flagship RZ "High performance" GR Yaris “tuned to provide speed and controllability at the limit of performance with a view to aggressive circuit driving”.At the same time, an ‘Aero Performance Package’ will become available in Japan later this year, featuring elements designed to “address every single issue encountered during racing and circuit evaluations”.The package includes a ducted aluminium hood, front lip spoiler, fender ducts, a fuel tank undercover, variable rear wing and rear bumper ducts.TGR says orders for the updated GR Yaris are open in Japan now with domestic sales to commence on May 6. Prices range from the equivalent of $39,600 for the entry-level RC manual, to $59,300 for the top-spec RZ High Performance auto.For reference, the current two-model Australian line-up starts at $55,490, before on-road costs for the GT manual and tops out at $62,990 (BOC) for the GTS auto.When asked if the latest evolution of the GR Yaris would be offered locally a Toyota spokesperson told CarsGuide, “GR is an increasingly important part of our line-up, bringing added fun and excitement to our customers and our brand with innovations such as the evolved GR Yaris and the optional aero performance package. In Australia, we are keen to evaluate any new GR products should they become available for our market,” they said.

It was building for a long time, but now the giant wave of Chinese challenger brands entering the Australian new-car market has hit our shores with a vengeance.

Offered in three grades from launch, the Sportline is the mid-tier model at $58,990, before on-road costs. 

The Skoda Kodiaq is offered in three grades from launch, and the Select kicks off the range at $54,990 before on-road costs, with new standard equipment highlights including 19-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, a 13-inch media display, nine-speaker audio, digital radio and metallic paint.

More Kia hybrids on the way!

We’ve known it’s been coming for some time but now the pure-electric Suzuki e Vitara small SUV has been detailed ahead of its launch in what is effectively its home market of India.Produced (for domestic and export consumption) at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant in north-western India, the e Vitara rides on the brand’s ‘HEARTECT-e’ platform and features a choice of two - 49kWh and 61kWh - lithium ion battery packs, the latter delivering a claimed range of 500km.A single electric motor in the nose produces 107kW/193Nm or 129kW/193Nm in line with battery size, with front-wheel drive for the Indian market. A dual-motor all-wheel drive version will also be produced for export, raising outputs to 137kW/300Nm. Multiple drive modes include ‘Eco’, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Regen’, with ‘Trail’ on the AWD.External dimensions for the five-seater are 4275mm (long), 1800mm (wide) and 1635mm (tall) with a healthy 2700mm wheelbase.Aero efficiency is obviously a key focus, the car featuring a ‘Smart Grille’ with adaptive shutters, 18-inch aero alloy wheels, a full underbody cover and a rear roof spoiler. The interior is dominated by a 10.1-inch central media display with multiple customisable screens, as well as a 10.25 digital instrument/information display for the driver. A broad, floating console includes wireless device charging.Standard equipment in India is impressive, including a fixed glass sunroof, multi-colour ambient lighting, Infinity (by Harman) audio, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and ventilated front seats. ADAS Level 2 safety includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, adaptive high beam, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, ‘Active Cornering Control’, a 360-degree camera view, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and more. Passive safety includes seven airbags - front, front side, side curtain and driver’s knee as well as multi-collision brake to help prevent additional impacts after an initial collision.Suzuki Australia is yet to confirm if or when the e Vitara will hit our shores, although it is worth noting that the brand’s local division has been evaluating rival EV offerings like the Kia Niro and BYD Atto 3 at its Altona facility in Victoria over the last 18 months.

Big family equals big car, and if you're in the market for a seven-seat SUV, there are plenty to choose from including segment leaders like the Ford Everest and Toyota LandCruiser Prado. But a relatively low-profile contender, the Skoda Kodiaq, has just been refreshed in a new-generation version and wants a bigger piece of the action. Join us for an Australian first drive.

Smart Automobile, now a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and China's Geely, has launched a new Brabus performance version of its upcoming #5 mid-size EV SUV.

It’s shiny, glamorous and exotic with the signature prancing horse badge proudly attached to its nose. But is this pre-owned Ferrari as good as it should be, or do unseen gremlins and a patchy ownership history make it less of an automotive dream and more a potential nightmare?Enter Ferrari Approved, as the name implies, an official certification program designed to ensure the car you’re looking to buy is in pristine, factory-fresh condition, aligned with its original specification and mechanically flawless.To achieve that, the factory has developed an extensive set of technical inspection and verification protocols supported by global Ferrari Academy training for technicians and streamlining of vehicle data research channels.Applied to vehicles from zero to 16 years old, a Ferrari Approved inspection consists of 201 checks covering everything from powertrain and electrical systems to the bodywork and interior.Any defects are rectified using original Ferrari parts “to ensure that the car fully complies with Maranello's extremely strict safety, performance and reliability standards”.As well as those checks, the car’s provenance is authenticated via the brand’s global dealer sales and service network data, before final exterior and interior preparation and a “test-drive by a professional driver”.And in the interests of transparency a list of the checks and repairs carried out is placed in the glove box.According to Ferrari, around 60 per cent of its cars from zero-30 years old are serviced within the brand’s authorised network, so the data set for research is solid. And even if a proposed vehicle has been serviced once, or even more times, outside the official network it can still be considered.Cars subsequently offered for sale are covered by a factory warranty and roadside assistance for up to 24 months (unlimited km). You’ll also receive a two-year subscription to Ferrari Magazine.Interesting to note the La Ferrari hybrid hypercar from 2013 is eligible for Ferrari Approved and even its hybrid battery will be replaceable with a smaller, more modern and energy-efficient unit, however its casing will be weighted to maintain the car’s original homologation.The Head of Ferrari Approved, Andrea Scioletti says more than 90 per cent of the more than 300,000 Ferraris ever produced are still on the road. He believes “a Ferrari is forever” and notes other factory programs designed to keep that impressive ratio intact include Ferrari Premium for vehicles 10 to 20 years old and Ferrari Classiche, the latter typically involving restoration and verification of high-end cars beyond two decades old.