Articles by John Carey

John Carey previews BMW's battle plan for its next 100 years.

If BMW didn't build a car until 1928, and didn't build a car of its own design until 1932, why is it celebrating the brand's 100th birthday next Monday?

Porsche's deep-breathing soft-top gets the maker's first turbo four in 40 years.

Audi's major Geneva unveiling was the production-ready Q2, a small urban SUV scheduled to reach Australia in about 12 months.It will be priced between Audi's larger Q3 SUV and the small A1 Sportback hatch, indicating a starting price well under $40,000 for the least expensive Q2.With its roof pillars wearing a customisable contrast colour and its edgy exterior style, the Q2 has the looks to stand out from the gathering crowd of small SUVs.Brand boss Rupert Stadler described it as a "city crossover" during his show presentation, while other Audi executives called it an "urban hipster" or "city SUV".There's no doubt Audi aims to attract customers who drive mainly in cities. Despite being destined to spend its life in the urban jungle, the Q2 is seemingly engineered for a real jungle. Its ground clearance is a useful 200mm, and some versions will come with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive.The Q2 will have six engine options to cater to varying global preferences but the smaller and more efficient options are least likely to make it to Australia.The biggest engines are 2.0-litre turbo fours, one a petrol-burner and the other a diesel, both punching out peak power of 140kW.Q2s with these engines come standard with a seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission and quattro.AWD is also an option with the turbo 1.4-litre petrol and low-power version of the turbo diesel, both with 110kW. Below these are a turbo 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and a 1.6-litre turbo diesel four, both with 85kW delivered to the front wheels only.The Q2 employs the VW Group's versatile MQB set of components, which has been the basis of a bunch of quiet, light, fuel-efficient and fun models from VW, Skoda and Audi.Inside, the Q2 feels nearly as roomy for passengers as the Q3, though its 405L luggage compartment isn't quite as big. Cabin fitout is impressive, as usual from Audi.The brand's superb virtual cockpit will be an option. This replaces the usual instrument dials with a screen that can present information in a variety of driver-selectable formats.So far it's been only in bigger and dearer Audis such as the new A4 sedan, TT sportster and big Q7 SUV.The Q2 will have autonomous braking and Audi's lavish choice of infotainment and connectivity options.Snappily stylish and technically up to date, the Q2 is a way more attractive city SUV than Audi's dumpy and dull Q3.  

Supercars stole the limelight this year but the surge of small SUVs was the news behind the hype.

Maserati's emblem depicts a weapon, which is now turned threateningly in the direction of Porsche and Range Rover.The new Levante, the latest model from the boutique Italian brand with the trident badge, aims to challenge well-established luxury SUV rivals built elsewhere in Europe.Maserati chief Harald Wester told the crowd at the Levante’s Geneva unveiling that it was “a truly unique alternative to the rest”.The German-born engineer cites the Maserati’s technical advantages. The big, tall and broad SUV has a lower centre of gravity than competitors and ideal 50-50 weight distribution front and rear. It’s been designed to handle well on normal roads, in other words.Wester claims the Levante can match the best in class all-round capability, meaning it’s been engineered to cope with snow and sand, mud and rocks.An SUV was always part of Maserati’s brand-revival master plan, he says.The Levante shares many mechanical parts and much of its structure with the successful Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans. Both started production years before Levante but the SUV was taken into account at the design stage.Road testing will establish whether the Levante can do all Wester says it can. In the case of Australia, that is some way off.Levante production is under way in Turin but Europe, the US and other large markets head the queue for deliveries.Maserati Australasia boss Glen Sealey expects the first Levante shipment to reach Australia at the end of the year.They will all be diesel powered, he says, with the same 202kW 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 used in the Ghibli and Quattroporte. “That is the most important drivetrain,” Sealey says, noting the dominance of diesels in the luxury SUV market in Australia.Pricing is yet to be decided but Maserati’s cheapest current model is the $140,000 Ghibli diesel. Levantes will have an eight-speed automatic and Maserati’s Q4 all-wheel-drive. Petrol engine options will be 243kW and 301kW versions of the company’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, produced by Ferrari.These engines are not confirmed for Australia but Sealey reckons the Levante will become the brand’s best-selling model here.

John Carey road tests and reviews the Ford Focus RS with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in Spain.

John Carey road tests and reviews the BMW 330e with specs, fuel consumption and verdict in Germany.

Petrol-electric power is coming to BMW's luxury SUV.

German brands have designs on the battery-car territory mapped by pioneer Tesla.