Articles by Karla Pincott

Mercedes-Benz has taken the SLS AMG to the famed Nurburgring for a bit of a blast -- and for our video pleasure. With a trio of cameras catching the action and the data, you get a good sense of just how well this devil of a car can tackle the circuit known as the Green Hell.It doesn't turn in a Ring record, but still posts a respectable 7 minutes 25.67 seconds lap. And as well as giving you three angles on action, you get the sound of the V8 engine on the job. And as our reviews of the SLS Black have reported, that's glorious music -- albeit an expensive symphony at $640,000 for the entry price.The 6.2-litre V8 snarls its way up to the 8000rpm redline, delivering 464kW of power and a whopping 635Nm of torque along the way via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the lightweight 1550kg screaming to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.That weightsaving comes from the use of liberal amounts of carbon-fibre, a lighter lithium-ion battery and even the use of titanium for the exhaust system. 

The Baja 1000 is a tough course -- and this year sadly a fatal one, claiming the life of racer Kurt Caselli -- and it's common to see plenty of vehicles end up with the shiny side down. So for once it's good to see a truck the wrong way up on purpose instead of as the result of over-enthusiasm or miscalculation. Adrian 'Wildman' Cenni puts his big specially-built offroad racer into what is claimed to be the world's first ground-to-ground barrel roll in a truck. Cenni has been racing since entering a Formula One driver search competition in France just after he graduated from university -- and with no driving experience, placing sixth in a field of 500. He started his track career at club level in Formula Renault, and moved on to pro level with offroad trucks, with ll podiums to his credit, but a championship still to be won. Watch the world first truck barrel roll video here.  This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Mercedes-Benz has been teasing a vision for the Gran Turismo 6 game, and today we get the full look at the concept -- and the brand's ideas for future supercar styling.The AMG Vision Gran Turismo already seems to have some cues in common with the coming 2015 SLS AMG GT that will be the final of the SLS 'Gullwings', suggesting the 'vision' is strongly anchored in the brand's sports design progression with a long nose, wide stance and bulging contours suggesting the muscle underneath.The AMG Vision sports the signature gullwings of the SLS AMG and that cue carries over to the F1-inspired cabin with the dashboard styled as a pair of gullwings flanking the steering column.Red sports seats are integrated into the lightweight structure, which totals a bantam 1385kg with help from an aluminium spaceframe and lashings of carbon fibre.There are some features that are unlikely to reach the real world any time soon: the red LED daytime running lights and intruments in a glass panel floating above the steering wheel.Though Mercedes describes the concept as "a 1:1 scale model" they've given it a heart -- a front mid-mounted handcrafted AMG V8 biturbo engine delivering 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque and growling through an eight-tailpipe exhaust system, with a "a powerful, sonorous exhaust note that authentically celebrates the V8's love of high engine speeds" created just for Gran Turismo 6.The Vision concept was created by a coalition of Merc's top artists drawn from their studios in Germany, Italy and the US -- where the car was unveiled at the opening of the brand's new research and development centre in California.The project was sparked by a challenge thrown down by Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi to studios around the world to come up with a 'Vision Gran Turismo' concept, and several others apart from the AMG will become available as online updates for the game.Watch the Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo desktop video version here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Spy photographers have snapped the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class dressed in AMG Sport fit-out. Like our earlier photos of the coming C-Class, these shots give more angles on the influences from the S-Class, with the C starting to look like a baby S.These photos give us the first look at the new C with AMG wheels and body kit, plus the twin exhaust tips in the rear shot - but which will also include dynamic goodies under the skin. The AMG pack is worn here by the sedan, but will be followed by a coupe, wagon, sporty liftback coupe and convertible, plus a high-performance full AMG model.Mercedes has already revealed the interior, also showing influences from the S-Class, including a new touchpad control surface, heads-up display and fragrance dispenser. The German carmaker promises a lightweight bodyshell, with the new C-Class tipped to be built on a shortened version of the new MRA rear-wheel drive platform underpinning the S-Class flagship, with an all-wheel drive version in the mix.Launching overseas mid-2014 as a 2015 model -- and arriving here before the end of 2014 -- it will be the first C-Class to offer air suspension for upper spec variants, and to have a hybrid engine joining the drivetrain list's 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines and 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre diesels.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

We've seen a trickle of leaked Subaru WRX info -- including renderings claiming to be official images of the car -- ahead of its debut next week at Los Angeles motor show. The latest reveals the specifications of the sports sedan, broken via pages from Car and Driver magazine and a dealer sheet posted by Jalopnik.The spec sheet confirms the WRX's 2.5-litre engine has been replaced by its first turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine since 2005, while the STi continues with a 2.5-litre. The 2.0-litre unit is related to the one used in the Forester XT and Subaru BRZ, on this job developing 200kW of power at 5600rpm and 350Nm of torque at 4800rpm, with a 6700rpm redline. The outputs are not a huge lift on the current model's 195kW and 343Nm -- and peaks arrive 800rpm and 700rpm later respectively.  But the bigger news is how they're delivered to the WRX's all-wheel drive system: with a six-speed manual replacing the current five-speed, and markets with an automatic getting a CVT. However there's an acceleration penalty, with the new manual WRX getting to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds compared to the current 5.3, and the CVT auto in 6.1.The manual car's all-wheel drive will have a centre differential with 50:50 default torque split, while the auto gets Subaru's Variable Torque Distribution with 45:55 default front-to-rear split. The new WRX is reportedly also has 41 per cent better torsional rigidity, firmer suspension and bigger brakes and tyres (235/45 17-inch) plus electric power steering.The 2015 WRX STi is expected to have power pushed up to 227kW or more, with the performance improved by a lighter weight, better aerodynamics and retuned suspension.

British supercar maker McLaren is riding a wave of big models, with the 12C and 12C Spider already out, the P1 just being launched -- and reportedly already sold out -- and the 3.8-litre V8-powered P13 sportscar in the works to face off against the Porsche 911.But now McLaren's design boss has suggested a hot hatch could be on the cards for the Woking line-up. Speaking with Dutch magazine Autovisie, head designer Frank Stephenson said he can invision something similar to the Volkswagen Golf."I see a car like the VW Golf for 30 to 40,000 EUR ($43,000-$58,000, however the Golf GTI sells here from $41,490), but for McLaren with a carbon fiber monocoque, to happen in the future," is reported as telling the magazine.And while he's designed the 12C and P1 for his current house -- and the F430 for Ferrari -- Stephenson's experience certainly doesn't stop at supercars. He also penned the BMW X5, Mini Cooper, Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo Mi-To so a hot hatch could be a familiar drawing board snack for him.Stephenson also reportedly sledged Audi in the Autovise story, saying the German brand's design broth was spoilt by having too many chefs. "Groups are like a large oil tankers, it takes a lot of time to change the course. Too many people with different ideas that you have to convince, and designs that are toned too far," he said.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

While Subaru is taking the wraps of a concept pointing to the next Liberty wagon styling at Tokyo motor show next week, around the other side of the world it will coincide with the silk being whipped off the sedan version in Los Angeles.Subaru has released images showing the sleeker look for the next Legacy sedan -- known as the Liberty here -- ahead of the four-seater concept car's its official debut at LA show next week, and marking the car's 25th anniversary. And while we can expect the styling to be toned down before it his the production line, the show car has sleeker cues that suggest the Liberty may be shedding some of its staid approach.And a new look could reinvigorate sales, which have lagged for the current model launched in 2009, which this year has sold 2,208, down about 40 per cent on the 3,678 that had rolled out the door this time last year.The LA show sedan, which marks 25 years of the Liberty, gets a sexier four-door coupe approach with some hints of aggression in the low-slung body with its short overhangs, hexagonal grille flanked by 'hawk-eye' headlights, muscular wheel arches, plus prominent vertical front intake ducts and rear diffuser -- neither of which is likely to survive to production.There are no details of what's under the bonnet, but we already know the Levorg wagon concept bound for Tokyo is powered by a new turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, so the performance focus of the sedan styling hints we could see the LA concept carrying a higher tune of that powerplant, plus Subaru's signature all-wheel drive.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

In a stronger push for sales before the close of the 2013 books, Nissan has sliced the price tags of the 370Z range, and is offering driveaway pricing on the entry level six-speed manual Coupe until December 31. The price movement means the formerly $69,890 Coupe is $12,960 cheaper at $56,930 and can be driven away for $59,990 until the end of the year.  The seven-speed auto Coupe also drops $12,960 from $72,890 to $59,930. The Roadsters models each slice $10,960, with the manual dropping from $76,890 to $65,930 and the auto from $79,890 to $68,930. To date, Nissan has sold 290 370Zs for 2013, compared to 372 last year – with the sports hero Toyota 86 moving 5892 in that time.  "We certainly hope it will invigorate sales," Nissan Australia spokesman Chris Jordan says. "We're confident in the product and now we're confident the adjusted pricing will let more sports car fans consider the 370Z. It's about opening the car up to a larger slice of the market." The 370Z is powered by a 3.7-litre, double overhead cam V6 petrol engine developing 245kW of power and 363Nm of torque. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, climate-control airconditioning,  satellite navigation and a 9.3GB hard disk with a Bose sound system. Nissan 370Z range 370Z Coupe (Manual): from $56,930 (-$12,960) $59,990 driveaway 370Z Coupe (Auto): from $59,930 (-$12,960) 370Z Roadster (Manual): from $65,930 (-$10,960) 370Z Roadster (Auto): from $68,930 (-$10,960) This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Peugeot is intent on adding extra performance mojo to its line-up with more GTI and R variants, and the next one on the drawing board is a 208-R to slot in above the 208 GTI in the hatch range. This will be the fourth of their hi-po push -- they've topped the RCZ coupe with the flagship RCZ-R revealed earlier this year, and are also getting ready to roll out a 308 GTI and a 308-R overseas. And while performance fans will applaud the extra sting in the trail, Peugeot CEO Maxime Picat told industry journal Automotive News it also makes good business sense. "For the Peugeot 208, about 40 percent of sales are for trim levels three and four, which are the two highest; 70 percent of 2008 sales are level three or above," Picat said. "We have special versions such as the 208 GTI. Above the 208 GTI, we will soon have an even sportier 208-R, which is a good example of what we would like to add to top the 308 range. Moving upmarket with special versions of each model line is not very different from what Volkswagen does with its (Golf) GTI/GTD variants." Picat stopped short of details on what would power the Peugeot 208-R, but a good candidate could be the little 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder from the RCZ-R. It would likely be detuned from the 199kW of power and 330Nm of torque, but still have plenty of airspace to come in above the 147kW and 275Nm of the 208 GTI, and use the same slick six-speed manual to deliver drive to the front wheels. The RCZ-R has been confirmed by Peugeot Australia to arrive here early next year, although in fairly limited numbers, with a quota of less than 50 priced around $75,000 -- a sizable step up from the $58,990 of the current three-model range: a 1.6-litre petrol in 147kW/275Nm manual and 115kW/240Nm auto versions, plus a 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre diesel. They're going to be popular with people keen on the sleek sports coupe's 0-100kmh sprint of 5.9 seconds (top speed is limited to 250km/h). We can only hope 208-R will follow, and better the 208 GTI's comparatively relaxed 0-100kmh time of 6.8 seconds, while coming in not too high above its $29,990 price tag. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

General Motors has just rolled the Holden SS-V into US showrooms, badged as a Chevrolet SS. It's already had a good reaction from fans there, and starred at the recent SEMA aftermarket show in Jeff Gordon's Nascar styling pictured above. Now comes news that a senior Chevrolet exec has suggested that success for the SS could lead to them looking at more powerful versions of the car. Chevrolet performance cars marketing chief John Fitzpatrick told Automotive.com that a more powerful variant was a possibility, if the SS sales -- targeted at 2000-3000 per year -- were strong enough to suggest there would be enough volume in another model. If the Chevrolet-badged Holden sells quickly priced from US$44,470 as an auto-only prospect ($47,685, on par with the auto version here) there could be room for something carrying a more powerful engine than its 310kW 6.2-litre V8, and perhaps not necessarily an automatic. People say all the time, 'Why don't we have a six-speed manual? Why just one engine?' Fitzpatrick told Automotive.com. And as Motor Authority points out that leaves room to consider perhaps either the manual version of the SS-V or -- and more attractively in the automatic-heavy but power-focused US market -- something from the HSV line-up. A 325kW/550Nm 6.2-litre V8 Gen-F Clubsport, 340kW/570Nm Gen-F Senator or perhaps the snorting 430kW/740Nm supercharged version in the GTS? My, that does suit you, sir. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott