Articles by Karla Pincott

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the smallest of its high-performance AMG-tweaked SUVs, the GLA45 AMG ahead of its global unveiling next week at Detroit motor show to be pitched into head-to-head battle with the Porsche Macan and Audi RSQ3.The GLA45 is based on the GLA-Class crossover, but the boffins at Merc's AMG tuning division have crawled all over the vehicle, starting with slinging it lower on stiffer suspension -- firmer front knuckles and springs and all-new rear four-link setup -- and an optional even harder one if that's your fancy.Looking more like a beefier brother to the A45 AMG hardcore hatchback, the aggressive-looking baby SUV gets an aerodynamic body kit with a front splitter, side sills and rear roof spoiler, and you can arm it further with optional carbon-fibre additions to the bodykit and side mirrors -- plus AMG-badged red brake calipers.The cabin gets sports seats with leather or Alcantara options, Nappa leather steering wheel with F1-style shift paddles and splashes of aluminium and stainless-steel accents -- which can be dressed with more carbon-fibre and high-performance seats.The GLA45 AMG carries the A45 and CLA45 AMG's handbuilt 2.0-litre with twin-scroll turbocharger and forged pistons -- as Merc points out, the most powerful four-cylinder in production -- developing 265kW of power and 450Nm of torque, and delivering a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission delivers the drive entirely to the front wheels in normal conditions, and to all four wheels when needed, splitting it 50:50.The electronic stability program is switchable to a Sport mode, or completely off, and includes a torque-vectoring system that applies tiny amounts of braking on the rear inside wheel in corners to aid handling. The wheels are 19-inch alloys finished in titanium grey, but these can be optioned up to matte black 20-inchers, with ventilated disks for either choice.The GLA45 AMG will go on sales in overseas markets in the second half of this year, but a launch has not yet been confirmed for Australia. However with the luxury brand clearly keeping an eye on the growing segment, we're hoping a business case will be easy."The response to the Concept GLA 45 AMG during the world première at the Los Angeles International Auto Show has reaffirmed our decision to launch this new AMG model. Currently there is no segment growing faster than that of compact SUVs," Tobias Moers, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes, says in the press statement   

The small Peugeot 308 hatch arriving here later this year is set to be joined by a 'Tourer' sibling, with the French brand revealing the wagon version ahead of its global debut at Geneva motor show in March. At 4.58 metres, it's 8cm longer than the current 308 Touring, and Peugeot is touting the practicality offered by that extra length, which it says has class-best boot space of 610 litres VDA -- 40 more than current  -- and rear seats that fold down in a single flick to give you a flat luggage floor from the tail all the way through to the back of the first row. The newcomer is likely to continue with a seven-seat option in its strong targeting of the family market. And despite being larger, it's also 140kg lighter -- which will boost handling ability and also work with the expected economy focus of petrol and diesel engines to improve fuel consumption over the outgoing Touring's figures of 7.6L/100km for the 1.6-litre petrol and 4.3 and 5.3 for the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels. The press statement outlines a new BlueHDi version of the 1.6-litre diesel that has reduced CO2 emissions to 85g/km -- suggesting a fuel economy of around 3.3L/100km. While Peugeot will bring the new hatch here towards the end of the year, we're yet to get confirmation that the new Tourer will follow, however we're tipping you could start looking for it in local showrooms early in 2015. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Some people don't let a flood dampen their fun. A group of British lads took advantage of recent heavy rain there to do a bit of high-speed wakeboarding in an underground carpark -- with some nail-biting high-speed handling letting them dodge the forest of pillars. Video of the action loaded to the internet by Nick Mangos shows two young men showing considerable skill with their boards. There's no boat -- or car -- in sight, so it's likely they used a specialised winch designed to pull wakeboarders along beaches and river banks at speeds of up to 25km/h.   Watch the desktop version of the carpark wakeboarding video here.   This reporter is on Twitter: @Karla_Pincott  

With dashcams, phonecams and even helmet cams at every sports venue, it was probably only a matter of time before we heard claims of video capturing Michael Schumacher's skiing accident. According to Motor Authority, French investigators are on the trail of footage allegedly shot by a man who was filming his girlfriend at the Meribel resort where the Formula 1 legend crashed. The man is reported to have contacted German media claiming he has the footage of Schumacher's accident, shot on his mobile phone. The French team's prosecutor, Patrick Quincy, has indicated more official details will be released later this week. Schumacher spent his 45th birthday on Friday still in an induced coma after the accident, in which his head struck a rock, causing brain haemorrhaging. He has since undergone two operations, but remains in a stable but critical condition. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

In a move that could sound an alarm to 'grey import' car fans, a shipment of 132 used Japanese cars has been barred from entering Russia over radioactive contamination concerns nearly three years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was crippled in March 2011. Russia's consumer watchdog authority, Rospotrebnadzor, announced the cars was just one of 165 shipments of radiation polluted goods -- including previous shipments of cars and car parts -- that have been denied entry to the country's ports. Despite the amount of time that has passed, the consumer agency said there was still serious concern about the continuing contaminated water leaks from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, which failed after an earthquake-generated tsunami smashed into the facility, 250km from Tokyo and close to several car factories. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), did not confirm until July 2013 that tonnes of radioactive water had leaked from Fukushima. Much of the contaminated water reached the Pacific Ocean, and Russia and its neighbours are also inspecting every shipment of fish and other foods from Japan, which are prohibited from entry unless officially cleared by radiation checks. Shipments of cars from Japan into Australia following the Fukushima failure have been inspected by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, with the first testing conducted on 800 cars carried here on the Trans Future 7 in July 2011. Particular attention has been paid to used 'grey import' vehicles that may not have undergone the strict testing applied by new-car manufacturers in Japan to ensure radiation levels are lower than the limit recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Hyundai has released Trophy versions of the i30, ix35 and Elantra with a package of additional features worth around $2000, plus special driveaway deals, with prices rising between $400 and $1800 over the non-driveaway list figures for the Active spec versions the upgraded vehicles are based on. The i30 Trophy gets leather-trimmed seats, five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels and electric folding side mirrors, with the prices rising from $400 to $1500 over the equivalent Active variant. The Elantra sedan Trophy scores the wheels and leather trim plus a premium steering wheel and gear-knob, with prices up $900 to $1200 on the Active versions. The 2WD ix35 Trophy with manual transmission misses out on the goodies package, but the automatic version gets the folding mirrors, leather trim, premium steering wheel and gear knob, but larger  triple-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, front foglamps, automatic dusk-sensing headlights, chilled glove box and an electrochromatic rearview mirror with integrated reversing camera for an extra $1800 over the Active.   PRICING     This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Is this image an early look at the 2015 Ford Focus expected to debut at Geneva motor show in March? If so, it means we could also see the popular small car appear with a plug-in hybrid option, according to Auto Express in the UK.Their image, if genuine, shows a revamp for the Focus -- which Ford announced as the global best-selling car for 2012 (although Toyota countered that its Corolla topped sales if you take all its different names into account).The changes show the expected adoption of more recent cues, with a wider single-section grille rather than the thin horizontal one with a triptych of intakes below on the current Focus.That would bring the face more into line with the Fiesta that arrived here in September last year, and the updated Kuga and Mondeo that are on sale overseas. The image also shows a more rounded bonnet and new front lip spoiler, while the interior is said to be getting a less cluttered dashboard.Auto Express cites an un-named source inside Ford as saying the carmaker wants to give the Focus a more aggressive appearance, and will also dial up the dynamics with improvements to the suspension and steering.Engines are said to carry over from the current line-up, which in Australia means the continuation of the 92kW/159Nm 1.6-litre petrol four cylinder and a 125kW/202Nm 2.0-litre four, both mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch auto, the 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel with the DSG transmission, and the range-topping Focus ST's 184kW/340Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four and slick six-speed manual.However a plug-in version is also tipped, using a system borrowed from the C-Max Energi (not sold here) with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor producing a combined 143kW of power and a 32km range under electric-only drive. Ford is yet to confirm that the image and details are accurate, so it may be a waiting game until closer to Geneva show before we know more.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

As Apple and Google face off to carve up the world's technology fields, their next battlefield is not the computer or smartphone, but your car. Hyundai is the latest carmaker to announce a collaboration with one of the tech giants, pairing with Google to offer their wearable Glass system in the next Genesis.We'll see the new Genesis range in Australia, as it's being built for the first time in right-hand drive, with the coupe already confirmed for our market and the sedan version likely to also make a business case to come here although it's too early to say whether we'll get the Google Glass option -- or even whether it will pass Australian road regulations.It will be integrated in the Genesis with an updated version of Hyundai's BlueLink infotainment system -- set to be showcased at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas -- and able to link with other wearable devices as well as Google Glass when they hit the market.The system will pair with Hyundai's existing mobile app, allowing wearers to monitor and even operate some of the car's controls -- including airconditioning, remote start, remote locking and (our bet as the most-used) car locator -- plus receive maintenance and safety alerts, and even book services without having to use a phone.Mercedes-Benz also has a satnav system that integrates with Google Glass, although the concerns over the safety of in-car use -- and its distraction potential -- are still to be settled. Meanwhile, Audi will announce at CES a collaboration with Google to put Android systems in cars in another skirmish in the tech battle, which is already seeing Apple's coming 'iOS in the Car' system being teamed with Merc, BMW, GM and Honda to offer integration with the iPhone's Eyes-Free Siri mode, phone, messaging, music and nav features.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Nissan made a splash at Tokyo motor show in November, and it's intent on carving itself a name at the world's racetracks too. Its latest outing is on Japan's Sodegaura Forest Raceway, with video showing it deftly handling the track.Watch the Nissan GT-R Nismo hit Sodegaura track video desktop version here.The GT-R has already set a lap record for 'volume production car' at Germany's Nurburgring with a time of 7:08.679. Critics will quickly point out that's nearly 12 seconds behind the Porsche 918 Spyder's Ring record of 6:57, but the key differences are the 918 being a small production run -- and much more expensive than the GT-R.Watch the Nissan GT-R Nismo Nurburgring video desktop version here.   Helping it get those results is a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 that develops 37kW and 22Nm more than the current standard version, reaching 441kW of power and 650Nm of torque. Official performance figures are yet to be confirmed, although Nissan was suggesting an almost other-worldly 0-100km/h time of 2 seconds in motor show presentations.Read our road and track test review of the Nissan GT-R Nismo and GT-R Premium.The GT-R Nismo will go on sale in overseas markets early this year, but Nissan Australia is still working on a business case for Nismo models here, so there's no guarantee we'll see it locally any time soon.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

We'll see the wraps come off the 2015 Subaru WRX STI on January 14 at Detroit motor show, and more importantly we'll also get to see what's under the bonnet -- and what it can do.The high-performance -- and high-winged -- version of the WRX will possibly carry on with the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, but with outputs raised above the current model's 221kW of power and 407Nm of torque, and still delivered with a six-speed manual transmission.However, there's also a chance it could be powered by an uprated version of the 2014 WRX's 2.0-litre turbo four -- as seen in the Levorg concept at Tokyo show with outputs of 221kW and 400Nm. That's 21kW and 50Nm more than the 2014 WRX revealed at LA show in November, and which our test drive in December proves is itself a great engine.Expect to see more aggressive styling -- including likely the customary wing -- stiffer suspension set-up and possibly some weight-saving strategies, particularly if it's using the smaller engine.What we'd like to see, but won't, is a hatch body emerge from underneath the Detroit silk. But Subaru has said the WRX will continue only as a sedan -- cue the violins.