Articles by Karla Pincott

Official images of the Jaguar F-Type Coupe have been released just hours after leaked ones appeared on the internet earlier today ahead of the car's official unveiling in Los Angeles. The Jaguar shots -- and the leaked ones from the next issue of Germany's Auto Zeitung magazine -- show the new hardtop in all its gorgeous glory. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe has fairly closely echoed that blueprint.Jaguar Australia hasn't released local pricing for the Coupe, which is expected to arrive here from the third quarter of next year. And the prices of the convertible -- from $138,645 to $201,945 -- may be repositioned, with the local HQ  suggesting they may reposition pricing to retaliate against Porsche price cutting.  "The F-Type was never going to be a volume-seller but it is a halo car for the brand and we'll defend its position in the segment as required," Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific boss David Blackhall told Carsguide.

Honda has unveiled a new SUV based on the popular Jazz city car, expected to go on sale in Australia late next year and face off against the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Holden Trax and coming Ford EcoSport.The Honda Vezel -- as the car at Tokyo motor show is called, although it may not keep that name here -- is the showroom-ready version of the Urban SUV concept from Detroit motor show earlier this year.Honda says the baby crossover combines the "dynamic qualities of an SUV" with the "functionality of a minivan" and the "elegance of a coupe". The SUV body features sharp character sculpting and the streamlined roofline of a coupe, with the interior aiming to offer a versatile and roomy space.The Vezel was revealed in Tokyo with a hybrid drivetrain but will also have a conventional petrol variant. Both drivetrains are from the coming third-generation Jazz line-up: a 87kW/144Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder for the petrol car, and the next Honda Jazz Hybrid's Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent dual-clutch drive) -- a combination of 80kW/134Nm 1.5 litre i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle engine and 22kW/160Nm electric motor working together through a seven-speed DSG transmission to deliver a total 100kW and 170Nm, and drawing charge from a lithium-ion battery pack.Honda Australia is keen on getting the Vezel here and have already put their hands up for it. "We really are excited about it," Honda Australia director Stephen Collins says. "It’s definitely on our plan at this stage. We’re just trying to firm up timing but I think it’s a bit more than a year away."As expected, we're unlikely to see here the hybrid drivetrain the Tokyo car is carrying, with the Jazz, Civic and CR-Z hybrids the main proponents in our market. "At this stage we are still finalising the engines but are looking at petrol and diesel at this point. There is a hybrid going into the Japanese market but it’s not on our plan," Collins says, adding that the local focus would be on a two-wheel drive version. "We see it very much as an urban vehicle."Honda hasn't failed to notice the booming small SUV field, and believe it will dovetail well with the rest of the family. "There is huge growth in this segment and we think it will sit really nicely under the CR-V, Collins says. He's not concerned about cannibalising from the larger sibling, seeing customers moving over from passenger cars instead. "We think there will be minimal cannibalisation impact on the CR-V," he says."What we’re expecting is bringing incremental sales and some buyers moving from small cars into small SUVs, so there might be some impact on the Civic Hatch rather than the CR-V. I think it just gives people looking in the small hatch segment another alternative.  We forecast that in the next few years small SUVs will be doing similar volume to medium ones."However when the baby SUV arrives here, it may well be sporting a different name. "The name has been announced for Japan at this stage only. And I can’t tell you what the name means --  in all honesty I don’t know. But at this stage it hasn’t been announced for other markets so we’ll be having those discussions," Collins says.

With images of the all-new Porsche Macan leaking onto the internet this morning, the German carmaker has revealed official images of the car in tandem with its debut at Los Angeles motor show.The Macan -- which is likely to outstrip the top-selling Cayenne for Porsche's bottom line benefit -- will start rolling out early in 2014 and be the cheapest way to get into the Porsche family.Although taking some cues from its bigger sibling, the Macan looks sportier and more dynamic with a more steeply sloping bonnet, strongly raked front and rear glass and sweeping roofline.  Air ducts on the nose vary in size according to the model, giving a clue as to what's under the bonnet even before you see the badge. The cabin carries over even more from the Cayenne, with the same styling and layout.The Macan is based on the same platform as the Audi Q5, but carries several innovations that one-up its stablemate. The 'clamshell' bonnet is designed to give better airflow to the engine bay, while radiator shutters behind the front air duct close can at high speeds to reduce drag. An optional air suspension system lets the driver adjust the ride height by up to 40mm to give a maximum 230mm clearance for heading offroad. Also on the options list is a torque vectoring system to optimise handling and stability. Traction-oriented off-road mode is activated via a button at speeds up to 80 km/h, while another button switches on the hill control between 3-30km/h.Porsche says the Macan will launch here with a three-model all-wheel drive line-up, all powered by V6 engines mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The range kicks off with the Macan S carrying a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 developing 250kW of power and 460Nm of torque, delivering a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 254km/h with claimed fuel economy of 8.7L/100km.The Macan Turbo is powered by a new twin-turbo 294kW/550Nm 3.6-litre that gets to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and tops at 266km/h, with 8.9L/100km fuel economy. The 190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the Diesel S delivers 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h with frugal 6.1L/100km fuel economy.  Later models will include a future base variant with a turbo 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder and a fuel economy leader with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel.

Subaru has unveiled the prototype of its planned Levorg sports wagon at Tokyo motor show, with a sleek body, two engine choices and the next generation of Subaru's 'Eyesight' safety technology.The Levorg will offer the choice of a 125kW/250Nm 1.6-litre or 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engines, mated to  continuously variable transmissions.The sports focus is played up in the chunky D-shaped steering wheel, blue backlit instruments and metallic and piano black finishes. The Levorg is set to go on sale late next year in Japan -- although with no plans to export to other markets -- but we will get future Subarus with the Levorg's technology.That includes the next-generation EyeSight driver assist system -- incorporating lane-keeping, brake light recognition, pre-collision reverse throttle and braking system that operates up to 50km/h, and adaptive cruise control -- plus an emergency stop signal.

Jaguar unveiled the new F-Type Coupe in all its gorgeous glory just an hour apart at motor shows on two sides of the world, with both Tokyo and Los Angeles getting to see the car. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe has fairly closely echoed that blueprint with its streamlined design, and showcased it by debuting the car in race-inspired top spec.The three-model line-up is led by the show star F-Type R Coupé powered by a 404kW/680Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine that gets to 0-100km/h in 4.2-seconds, and to a top speed of 300km/h (electronically limited), making it more powerful and swifter than the top-spec convertible V8 S, with its 364kW/625Nm and 4.3 sec time.The two other variants have the same power outputs and acceleration as the convertible, with the entry' F-Type’s supercharged 250kW/450Nm 3-litre delivering a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds, while the mid-spec 'S' is powered by a 280kW/460Nm V6 for a 4.9sec sprint. A fourth engine -- tipped to be the 180kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder borrowed from Jaguar Land Rover stablemate Evoque -- could slot in to make a new entry level for the Coupe.An eight-speed 'Quickshift' sequential auto transmission with paddles delivers drive to the rear wheels, for which the R and S coupes  can option a carbon-ceramic matrix brake package with 398mm discs on the front and 380mm on the rear. An electronic active differential works in concert with a new torque vectoring system to optimise handling.A panoramic glass roof features in the official images, but not on some of the leaked ones, meaning it's likely to also be an optional extra for those who still want a bit of air in the cabin but don't want to go the full monty with the convertible. Jaguar Australia hasn't released local pricing for the Coupe, which is expected to arrive here from the third quarter of next year. And the prices of the convertible -- from $138,645 to $201,945 -- may yet be altered, with the local HQ  suggesting they may reposition pricing to retaliate against Porsche price cutting.  "The F-Type was never going to be a volume-seller but it is a halo car for the brand and we'll defend its position in the segment as required," Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific boss David Blackhall told Carsguide.

Godzilla got a dose of steroids for the Tokyo motor show, with Nissan debuting the Nissan GT-R Nismo, and the full details and images confirm the leaked information we brought to you yesterday.The GT-R Nismo's twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine will deliver 441kW of power and 650Nm of torque -- 37kW and 22Nm more than the current GT-R's 404kW and 628Nm -- although Nissan hasn't yet revealed whether the peak figures have moved from the 6400rpm and 3200-5800rpm rev bands respectively.Work on the engine has included revised intake and exhaust systems, upgraded fuel pump, bigger and harder-breathing turbos drawing on the GT3 race car, and improved individual ignition timing for each cylinder.The underpinnings have been given a decent going-over for imporved stability and handling, with new specially-tuned springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers front and rear, and three switchable settings: Comfort, Normal and (track ready) R.The front's double-wishbone has specifically-developed links that increase castor trail to improve performance and stability in high-G cornering and straight-line blasting, while a 17.3mm hollow rear anti-roll bar raises stiffness while trimming weight.Large high-rigidity bolts boost the wheel-hub attachment stiffness, and adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding increase the body shell's rigidity under load. Nismo 255/40 ZRF20 front and 285/35 ZRF20 rear tyres developed exclusively for the car wrap the black six-spoke wheels inspired by the GT500 race hero.Other race-inspired features add to the aggression and improves aerodynamics and road-gripping: a carbon-fibre wing, wider front bumper and engine undercover strake keep the drag to 0.26. The cockput gets ergonomic carbon-fibre backed Recaro seats, an Alcantara-wrappped three-spoke steering wheel -- with centre marking -- and red stitching to set off the carbon finish accents.The GT-R Nismo is said to have already logged a scorching Nurburgring lap time of 7:08.69 -- still behind the Porsche 918 Spyder's record of 6:57, but costing considerably less and claimed to be the fastest "volume production car" to date -- while fitted with the optional pack that trims 65kg and adds manually adjustable Ohlins dampers. The Nissan GT-R Nismo will go on sale overseas early next year, but there is currently no plan to bring it down under.

The new Mini arrives here early in 2014 with new efficient engines, a larger body and some changes to styling, but largely continuing with the signature design recipe. It's grown 98mm in length to 3821mm, 44m in width to 1727mm and 7mm in height to 1414mm on a 34mm longer wheelbase at 2495mm to give more cabin room and an additional 51 litres of luggage space.A slightly squarer nose and new headlights and LED taillights are the main exterior styling to the new car, but looking inside the cabin will give trainspotters clues, with the speedo and tacho moving from the massive 8.8-inch circular gauge in the middle of the dash to a more normal position in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel (with heads-up displays for upper spec variants).The bistro-table sized qauge feature remains in place, but houses audio, aircon and an optional reversing camera and satnav. But the big news is under the skin -- where the Mini debuts the new UKL platform that will in time underpin more new Minis and some new models from parent company BMW -- and under the bonnet.The Mini Cooper is powered by a turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with outputs of 100kW of power between 4500-600rpm and 220Nm of torque at a low 1250rpm, with Mini claiming a 0-100kmh time of 7.56 seconds (auto) and 7.66 (manual) and fuel economy of 4.5L/100km. The Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, developing 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm, with 0-100kmh times of 6.62 (auto) and 6.73 (manual)  and fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. The diesel Cooper D's 1.6-litre is gone in favour of a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 84kW and 270Nm, with claimed fuel economy of a frugal 3.5L/100km -- a saving of 0.3L. Transmissions for all variants are a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed auto.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo will get its official debut tomorrow at Tokyo motor show, but images and details of the car have already leaked on to the internet via a now-deleted posting by Car and Driver.The information showed the GT-R Nismo's twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine will deliver 441kW of power and 650Nm of torque -- a rise of about 37kW and 22Nm over the current GT-R. The information didn't detail whether the peak figures have moved from 6400rpm and 3200-5800rpm respectively, but the extra output has reportedly been squeezed from revised intake and exhaust systems, bigger turbos and new timing.An optional track pack with carbon-fibre body pieces, new rear spoiler and front splitter plus manually-adjustable Ohlins suspension is reported to improve the handling and trim the GT-R's weight by 65kg. It's said to have helped the car to a scorching Nurburgring lap time of 7:08.69 -- still well behind the Porsche 918 Spyder's record of 6:57, but costing considerably less.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is about to start rolling out to its first owners, but Porsche hasn't stopped tinkering with it in the lead-up to the deliveries. They've completed final tuning of the the hybrid supercar and with the weight-optimised Weissach package fitted, the result is faster acceleration -- shaving 0.2 seconds from the 0-100km/h time to post 2.6 seconds, 0.5 seconds from 0-200km/h to hit that mark in 7.2 seconds, and a hefty 2.1 seconds off the 0-300km/h sprint to now make it 19.9 seconds. The Weissach pack slices 40kg from the 918's kerb weight -- helping the effort of its 447kW 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine and two electric motors which work in concert to deliver a total 653kW -- and was instrumental in the 918 setting the current Nurburgring road car lap record at 6:57 in September. The new tweaks could see it break that time, and Porsche will be keen to build barriers to prevent the record being broken by other supercars, because there's some hot competition keen to do it, not least the LaFerrari and McLaren's P1, both of which are also powered by hybrid drivetrains. Porsche says the tuning also benefits the electric-only performance, logging a 0-100kmh time of 6.2 seconds using just the electric motors on the front and rear axles -- an improvement of 0.7 seconds -- and 6.1 seconds with the Weissach pack. Meanwhile, it's also more efficient, reducing combined fuel consumption to 3L/100km (a drop of 0.1L). Not that fuel economy is going to be foremost in anybody's mind when driving the 918 Spyder.  This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott    

Mitsubishi has issued a safety recall on a total of 20,405 vehicles from the 2011-2012 Triton and Challenger ranges. The recall is to fix a defective weld on the front suspension lower control arms that could fail -- making the vehicle become unstable and pull to the left or right while driving.The recall affects both 2WD and 4WD versions of the models, with 17540 Tritons and 2865 Challengers impacted in Australia.Mitsubishi says if the weld fails, the driver will notice their vehicle pulling off-centre -- which poses a safety concern for both the vehicle and other traffic. Owners are advised to drive conservatively to reduce shock load on the suspension until the defect is fixed.All owners have been mailed the recall notice at their last known address, and should contact their nearest Mitsubishi service centre to have the problem rectified. They can also call 1300 13 12 11, select option 2 and enter their post code to be directed to the nearest Dealer.Owners who have not received a letter by November 22 but believe their vehicle affected by the recall -- or who want further information -- should call 1300 13 12 11, select option 4, then select option 2.