Articles by Karla Pincott

An engine being developed in the US could result in cars that run for 100 years on just a single fuel fill-up. Connecticut-based Laser Power Systems is building the turbine engine and electric generator tied to a laser using thorium - a naturally-occurring mildly radioactive element that is one of the densest materials on the planet. The density means it's highly efficient in producing huge amounts of heat. One gram of the thorium delivers more energy than 28,000 litres of petrol, and about eight grams could power the car's engine for 100 years. And the research and development isn't just aimed at resulting in some sort of sci-fi one-off concept car. Laser Power Systems intends to put the engine into mass-production, and sees a future in which the thorium turbine could power a huge number of the one billion cars on the world's roads -- massively reducing emissions. The latest version of the engine weighs around 250kg -- about the weight of an old-school iron block V8 -- and is small enough to fit under the bonnet of most cars. This isn't the first time thorium has been touted as a car fuel, with the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel concept -- or Cadillac WTF, as it quickly became known -- unveiled by General Motors at the 2009 Detroit motor show to promote Caddy's centenary. To celebrate the landmark, the WTF also boasted a 100-year refill span  and the same period of time maintenance-free on all its systems, although the 'tyres'  (actually six integrated wheels at each corner) were said to need adjustment every five years or so. However the claims were theoretical, and the concept never reached the working prototype stage. Laser Power Systems wants to take the technology to the production line, and already sounds optimistic, with their website enthusiastically promising the prospect of unlimited emissions-free power, a new era in sustainable green technologies -- and even revitalisation of the US economy. You can probably take some of that with a grain of salt, but it sounds like a grain of thorium might just take you further. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Jaguar has booked into the world's most expensive ad programming, the annual US Super Bowl -- which sees more interest in its ads than in the football final being played out on the field.

Jeep parent Chrysler is issuing a safety recall on the latest model Grand Cherokee for separate defects in the popular SUV's electrical and software systems that could kill the anti-skid braking and the stability control functions.The recall is for Grand Cherokees build between January 8 and August 20 this year at Chrsyler's Detroit factory in Michigan -- which produces Australia's quota. More than 90,000 Grand Cherokees are affected in the US, and while the number of Australian vehicles impacted is 7800 -- with the 2014 model having launched here in July.The recall notice says an outage of the SUV's computer communications plus loose alternator ground cables could result in the loss of the ABS braking and ESC, with drivers also seeing random warning lights and loss of instrument cluster illumination. However Chrysler Australia says the problem was discovered during testing in the US, and no incidents or injuries have been reported."Chrysler Group quality-control personnel observed reports of random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout," Chrysler Australia spokesperson Karla Leach said in a statement. "Both events occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle’s ignition off and then on. However, regulatory compliance requires that clusters display complete information that is clearly legible."Engineers discovered an issue in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that affects the instrument cluster display. The issue also has implications for the vehicle’s ABS and electronic stability control systems, but Chrysler Group is unaware of any reported problems involving either. Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries."Owners will be contacted by Fiat Chrysler Australia and will be able to have their ABS and instruments cluster module software updated, and the alternator ground wire tightened, at their nearest Chrysler service centre. Concerned customers may call Fiat Chrysler Australia on 1300 133 079 toll free.

Nissan has revealed the first images and details for the new Qashqai (currently called the Dualis here), with a sportier design, more efficient engines, and fittings and features that move the softroader SUV upmarket.Australian spec has not been confirmed yet for the local launch in the third quarter of next year. However the Qashqai will roll out overseas with a choice of two and four-wheel drive and four turbocharged engine choices with manual and CVT transmissions. However it's only being produced as a five-seater -- there'll be no replacement for the Dualis+2 in the current line-up, leaving the next X-Trail to take over seven-seat duties.The economy hero is the 81kW 1.5-litre diesel promising a fuel figure as low as 3.8L/100km, followed by the 86kW 1.6-litre (4.4L/100km), while the 85kW/190Nm 1.2-litre and 110kW/240NM 1.6-litre petrol engines both claim 5.6L/100km on the European combined cycle. Nissan's race arm, Nismo, is also tinkering with its own version of the Qashqai, due to be launched mid next year overseas.Nissan Australia is likely to want the frugal diesel on its line-up, but have not yet confirmed which engines they'll bring here.  "There’s a few options over there and it's too early to say what we’ll have -- but we're looking at all of them closely," Nissan Australia spokesman Chris Jordan says. "More specification information will be confirmed next year closer to the local launch."For those wanting to drive all four wheels rather than just the front ones, there's Nissan's ALL-MODE 4x4 system, which also gets a multi-link rear suspension (the 2WDs get a twist-beam rear set-up). Both get chassis control and trace control adapted from the sports hero GT-R to mimic a limited slip differential, active ride control to smooth out ride quality, active trace control that mimics a limited slip diff, and the automatic versions score active engine braking to give better cornering.The Qashqai design echoes that of the X-Trail unveiled at this year's Frankfurt show, both inside and out, with a handsome slanted grille, full LED headights on high spec and daytime running lights for all, plus Nissan says it has a higher-quality interior with softer plastics.The technology fit-out features a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity with a range of apps on the way and the ability for you to plan a trip on your device and send it to the Qashqai's satnav. There's an arsenal of safety kit, including low-speed automatic braking, lane departure and fatigue warnings, traffic sign recognition and on high-spec models a 360-degree camera and automatic parking.It's longer, wider and lower than the Dualis, with Nissan promising more leg and shoulder room, and no loss of headroom with the redesigned seating being sited lower to compensate for the dropped roofline. The boot offers an extra 20 litres for a 430-litre capacity, with a moveable (and hosable) floor that can be slotted higher to give a flat floor when the rear row is folded down.Jordan says it's also too early to see if Australia will follow the UK's lead in trying to keep the new vehicle's prices close to the outgoing model. However you can expect Nissan will look to price the Qasqai stragically here in what Jordan admits is a fierce market. "It's a very competitive segment and Dualis has done well for us here ... we're keen to grow that success with the Qashqai," he says.He also doesn't envisage Nissan Australia having any fallout from the change to the global name -- a situation they faced when rechristening the previously popular Pulsar with the global Tiida name, and then watching it slump in sales, wit the Pulsar name revived only this year. "We believe strongly in this product, and this time around we have been able to speak to our colleague in Europe, the UK and New Zealand who report the Qashqai name has resonated with customers there," he says.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Are ads getting cheesier, or have US car dealers been taking note of splash-making commercials like the Lynx 'balls' series -- or perhaps the antiquated double-entendre scripts of the Carry On movies? A Hyundai dealer from Long Island, New York, has released a campaign that relies heavily on references to what seems to be a man's prolonged erection. In the doctor's surgery, a wife talks about her husband holding it 'with both hands' and that 'they said if it lasted more than four hours we should call a doctor' -- rebooting four-hour erection jokes that go back to the music hall days. The medico chimes in with 'he's definitely excited'. And so on... until the real medical problem is revealed. Like the Lynx ads, a lot of the humour is dated, and probably not shocking to most people. However, also like the Lynx ads, the dealer might get complaints and find you really do need big balls to get away with jokes so ... erm, limp.   Watch the desktop version of the Hyundai dealer erection ad here.   This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

There's little doubt driverless cars are on the way, and more a when than if. But would you buy one? According to a study conducted in the US, 90 per cent of drivers would buy an autonomous car if it would reduce their insurance premiums by 80 per cent. Online insurance brokers CarInsurance.com surveyed 2000 drivers and found that while most had more faith in their own skills than a computer-based system, they'd still consider giving up the steering -- and pedals -- to save money on insurance. If an autonomous car meant an 80 per cent cut on their insurance cost, more than 30 per cent said they'd be very likely to buy such a car, and 90 per cent said they would at least consider buying one, and 20 per cent said they'd be happy to let a driverless car take over completely even if there was no benefit to their insurance premium. However there was still strong faith in humans being better behind the wheel than computers, with 75 per cent believing they could drive better than a computer, and the same percentage saying they would not trust a driverless car to take their children to school, while 64 per cent believed humans are better at decision-making than computers. Despite the strong push down the autonomous path by technology giants like Google, 54 per cent would still prefer to buy a driverless car from traditional vehicle brands such as Ford, with 18 per cent nominating tech car brands like Tesla as their choice, and just 15 per cent choosing software makers like Google and 12 per cent going for hardware makers like Apple. A mere one per cent would trust an autonomous car from a telecommunications company like Telstra, Optus or Vodaphone. And how will we spend all that free time when the car is doing the driving for us? Certainly not in catching up on work, it seems, with 26 per cent of those surveyed saying they'd phone or text friends, 21 per cent reading and 10 per cent simply sleeping. We'd suggest those figures are not too far from what drivers currently do now while supposedly in control of their vehicles -- and some of those distractions are partly the reason for higher insurance premiums. The survey cited a study the US's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that 95 per cent of accidents are caused by human error, and that autonomous systems could largely reduce that figure. "Autonomous cars don't get distracted, text or drink while driving. They have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and never get tired. Google robotics visionary Sebastian Thrun has predicted that autonomous vehicles could reduce traffic accidents by 90 per cent," the survey said. But while we know autonomous cars are coming, we still don't know whether they will actually reduce insurance premiums. The big question is over who -- or what -- should be liable if a car crashes. Should the blame go to the owner or the vehicle? This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

No city does over-the-top better than the world's gambling capital of Las Vegas, and no more so than when it turns into the world's extreme car focal point for the annual SEMA show. The Specialty Equipment Market Association event is where the major car companies join with custom, modification and tuning brands to show what a car can become when unfettered by legal restrictions, functionality or the laws or logic. Highlights this year included a Chevy SS (exported to the US as the first wave from Holden) prepped by racer Jeff Gordon, hot Hyundais, music-powered Kia Souls and plenty more. There were also some incredible Ford Mustangs, including the evil-looking Bad Penny Mustang and the Hollywood Hot Rods aluminum-bodied Mustang. The strong showing from the Ford pony car gave the Mustang a double-down to win the SEMA show's Hottest Car award for the second year running. The award is judged on which car is the most accessory-friendly -- with the show cars already likely giving inspiration to Australian aftermarket fans for when the car arrives here as the Ford halo vehicle after the Falcon exits in 2016. Ford also won the Hottest Truck award with its F-Series pick-ups, while Jeep picked up the Hottest 4x4-SUV title for the Wrangler. Toyota took the Hottest Sport-Compact for its second year in a row with the Scion FR-S (known as the 86 rear-wheel drive sports hero here) with modded cars including a 560kW racing prototype. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

The Jaguar F-Type Coupe will get its official unveiling at the Los Angeles motor show later this month, but the brand has released the first official teaser image giving us a glimpse of the hardtop. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe is expected to stick closely to that blueprint. The birds-eye photo they've released shows little of the styling -- which will echo the F-Type convertible -- but does reveal a glass roof and hatchback tail carrying the active spoiler. Under the bonnet is most likely to be the same engine line-up as the convertible. The 'entry' F-Type is powered by a supercharged 250kW/450Nm 3-litre that delivers a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds, while the mid-level 'S' gets a 280kW/460Nm V6 for a 4.9sec sprint, and the top-spec V8 S gets the 364kW/625Nm snarler clocking a 4.3sec time. There's no indication yet of the coupe's Australian pricing when the Coupe goes on here from the third quarter of 2014. The convertible ranges from $138,645 for the base supercharged V6 up to $201,945 for the V8 S. However Jaguar's local HQ has already said they might reposition prices to better equip the F-Type against price cuts from Porsche. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

It's just four weeks until Gran Turismo 6 arrives, and in the lead-up to the December 5 on-sale date the crew at game-maker Polyphony have released a new trailer. Titled Concept Movie #6, the latest taste of game footage shows plenty of racing and a whole stable of cars in what will be the best Gran Turismo garage since ... well, ever. Although the footage supposedly draws from actual game play, it's probably not taken from the game itself. However, it suggests that Polyphony have ramped up the GT product, taking the race game fight to Forza and other rivals in the crucial Christmas period. Watch the GT6 trailer desktop version here. This reporter is on Twitter: @karlapincott

Australia often gets called in to lend the British military a bit of a hand -- and we'll be marking some of those occasions with a minute's silence at 11am on November 11's Remembrance Day.But it seems that storied tradition carries over into our vehicle expertise, with the Aussie-designed and engineered Ford Ranger ute being chosen by the UK Ministry of Defence for roles with the British Army, Navy, Air Force and the ministry itself.Ford in Britain will supply 104 of the entry-trim Ranger XL, with dual-range four-wheel drive and a variety of cab and body configurations, with an expected enlistment run of five to seven years. Though the number may seem low, the role will be a great showcases for the Ranger's abilities.The Australian design and engineering have already resulted in the Ranger winning the 2013 International Pick-Up Award, and the MoD says the vehicle's qualities make it ideal for a wide spectrum of uses."Some will be used by service security patrols guarding military establishments, and others will be converted for mountain rescue," MoD program manager Steve O’Leary says."The Ranger was selected as it is more than able to fulfil the required role in terms of off-road mobility and payload, and also for the value for money it offers."This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott