Articles by Karla Pincott

Clever engineers have squeezed an astonishing 265 kilowatts of power and 450 Nm of torque from a little 2.0-litre engine for the CLA45 AMG. The high-pressure petrol turbocharged engine is the most powerful four-cylinder mass production engine ever made, and is married to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox muscled up to deliver uber-fast shifts. The all-wheel drive system feeds torque mainly to the front wheels under normal conditions, with the rear ones coming into play in just a tenth of a second when needed. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott Watch the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG in action here.  

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is scheduled to be officially unveiled at January's Detroit motor show, but we were expecting to see images from the carmaker ahead of that. However they've been beaten to it by Spanish website Diariomotor, which has published a set of photos.As with the official interior images we've seen previously, the first proper look at the front of the C-Class shows clear styling cues taken from the brand's flagship S-Class. A number of tech features have also been borrowed from the bigger siblings, including air suspension, vehicle surround monitoring systems and more advanced active braking systems.The latest images show two variants: the standard C-Class and a version that looks to have the optional AMG sports package -- however not the full AMG-tweaked variant that will launch soon after the normal line-up.The new C is expected to arrive here in the second half of next year, with Mercedes already saying it will be better equipped, more economical and up to 100kg lighter than the outgoing model, without any loss of power.The trimmer weight has come from extensive use of aluminium body panels -- rising from nine to 48 per cent -- and the use of the scalable MRA rear-wheel-drive platform (also used for the larger E-Class and S-Class) that combines lightweight and higher-strength materials to shed kilos and increase rigidity.Engine details haven't been confirmed yet, but are expected to include a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder for the entry-level variant, with V6 and turbodiesels further up the range, and a petrol-electric hybrid on the cards. The AMG model will carry one of the tuning arm's hand-built units, most likely a new twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8.

The two Nissan safety recalls are for defects in the satellite sensor for the side curtain airbag on Pulsar and Almera, and for the stop light switch on the Pulsar hatch. The recall affects a total of 15,900 cars: 14,300 Pulsars and 1600 Almeras.The first of the recalls, for the Nissan Almera and Pulsar sedan and hatch, is to rectify faulty installation of sensor for the side curtain airbag in the B-Pillar, which can result in the airbag not deploying properly in a crash. The second recall is due to an incorrect stop light switch being installed in some Nissan Pulsar hatches fitted with CVT automatic transmissions. This could lead to the switch failing, preventing the stop light from working -- although braking is not affected. "There have been no incidents reported related to the safety recalls, with the fault being picked up internally by our engineers," Nissan Australia spokesperson Chris Jordan says. "Each of the fixes will take just an estimated 30 minutes to inspect the car and rectify the problem.Letters are being sent to affected owners, who can contact a local Nissan dealer to arrange for inspection and, where necessary, rectification of the front passenger airbag inflator and replacement of the stop light switch.  

Mitsubishi has announced a global safety recall on their performance hero, the Lancer Evolution, for a faulty clutch master cylinder on the five-speed H-pattern manual transmission. The defect means the rally rocket's clutch could fail and the vehicle be unable to be shifted in and out of gears, risking a collision.The recall affects more than 12,000 cars around the world built at Mitsubishi's Mizushima plant -- the sole source of the Evolution model -- between December 12, 2007 and March 5, 2013, and 407 in Australia. "There have been no incidents of failure in Australia," Mitsubishi spokesperson Shayna Welsh says. "A fix will take approximately three hours and customers will be advised to contact their local Mitsubishi dealer to book in their vehicle."The carmaker will notify owners, and their local Mitsubishi service centre will replace the clutch master cylinders of any affected cars.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Volvo has updated its XC60 SUV, largely rationalising the models and engines but also revising some styling cues and adding in extra equipment. The nose has been tweaked with larger headlights integrated with LED daytime running lights, previously black plastic body parts have been upgraded to colour, and leather features more widely in interiors. A new adaptive digital display replaces traditional dials with an LCD screen, which can be switched through with three themes - elegance, green and performance -- changing the colour and design of the graphics. The 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol engine has been dropped -- although other engines carry over -- and the model range trimmed back from 12 to eight across three spec levels: Kinetic, Luxury and R-Design. Under the bonnets are the familiar two five-cylinder D4 and D5 diesels and two petrols – four-cylinder T5 and turbocharged six-cylinder T6. The 2.0-litre D4 develops 120kW and 400Nm while the 2.5-litre D5 gives you 158kW and 440Nm. The T5 2.0-litre turbo petrol is good for 177kW and 320Nm while the T6 3.0-litre inline six puts out 224kW and 440Nm. The all-wheel drive D5 and T6 can both be specified with the Polestar optimisation in the R models. That boosts the D5's power by 11kW and torque by 30Nm, shaving two tenths off the 7.1 second 0-100km/h time. The T6 jumps 18kW and 40Nm to 480Nm, again knocking two-tenths of the sprint to 100, down to 6.6 seconds. All but the T5 are equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions while the T5 ships with a six-speed double-clutch Powershift. Prices have risen from $500 to $1800 across the range. The XC60 now kicks off with the front-wheel drive $56,990 T5 Kinetic, followed by the $58,990 D4 Kinetic, both getting leather, powered driver's seat, digital instrument cluster, climate control airconditioning, eight-speaker audio with Bluetooth and USB, auto-fold mirrors, daytime running lights, reversing camera and sensors, and 17-in alloys. Luxury spec is $61,990 on the T5 and $63,990 on the D4, adding satnav, integrated compass in the rearview mirror, powered front passenger seat, more leather and metal accents, alarm and 18-in alloys. The $69,990 D5 and $74,990 T6 Luxury models gain all that, plus paddle-shifters for their auto transmissions. The $73,990 D5 and $78,990 T6 R-Design variants top the line-up with a sports chassis, active cornering headlights, 10-speaker audio, premium cabin accents and black 18-in alloys. Options include the Driver Alert System ($2075) with lane departure and lane keeping aids, active high beam and forward collision warning. A second option pack ($6250) includes Adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full automatic braking and cyclist detection as well as the features of the driver alert system. The Driver Support Pack ($5000) adds blind spot warning, cross traffic alert, driver alert option pack, adaptive cruise, front and rear parking sensors and electrochromatic internal and external rear vision mirrors. Volvo XC60 prices T5 Kinetic – from $56,990 (up $1500) D4 Kinetic – from $58,990 (up $500) T5 Luxury – from $61,990 (up $1800) D4 Luxury – from $63,990 (up $500) D5 Luxury – from $69,990 (up $1500) T6 Luxury – from $74,990 (up $1850) D5 R-Design – from $73,990 (up $1500) T6 R-Design – from $78,990 (up $850) This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Carsguide was delighted to learn this week that our free iPad app, CarsMag, has been chosen as a finalist in the Motoring Magazine of the Year category of the prestigious global Digital Magazine Awards. The shortlisting among 10 finalists caps a great 12 months for CarsMag, which has grown to more than 35,000 subscribers.The Digital Magazine Awards are the premiere competitive showcase for the digital publishing industry, and target innovation, creativity and design as prime judging factors.The other nine finalists include some of the world’s leading brands: Auto Bild; BBC Top Gear; Dream Machines; ignition; Jaguar F-Type App; Motor Sport; Ride Through Magazine; and 2010 Motoring Magazine of the Year category winner Zoom-Zoom (Mazda magazine).Some of our own favourite reading is on that list and we’re truly honoured to be on it as well, no matter which way the judging goes when the winners are announced in London on November 26.To download the free app for iPad, visit the iTunes store here. 

This year's RACV Motorclassica in Melbourne saw a 35 per cent increase in attendance, with more than 20,000 people flocking to the show over three days to admire the vintage, veteran and classic metal. Special vehicle displays celebrated the 100th anniversaries of Aston Martin and Bertone Design, and the 60th anniversary of Corvette, concours and club displays ranged across the entire enthusiast spectrum and legendary Lamborghini test driver, Valentino Balboni, recounted anecdotes of his storied career. Event organiser Paul Mathers says the show's attendance boost signalled its broadening appeal. "I think people have begun to realise that Motorclassica is a show not just for people who understand and love classics, but it is for people who love history, design, beauty and a great day out," Mathers says. But classic cars are still the linchpin, and there was particular crowd interest in the Australian International Concours d’Elegance, for which former Top Gear Australia host -- and noted race driver and trainer -- Steve Pizzati was on hand to host the ceremony awarding the Best in Show to the immaculate 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by Frank Kuulkers. The new People’s Choice award, voted by more than 5000 visitors was won by John Matthies' pristine Ferrari Dino, which also took out its class award.  Of the array of club displays outside the Royal Exhibition Hall in Carlton, the Vicroads Custom Plates Best Club Display awards went to the Lamborghini Car Club of Australia and the Fiat Car Club, with individual awards going to Peter Shepherd’s Alfa Romeo RLN and a lovely Triumph TR3A in Primrose Yellow, displayed by a father and daughter team.  For many fans, the star of the cars that went under the hammer for Theodore Bruce auction was the 1947 Holden Prototype -- the oldest Australian-made Holden -- which reach the winning bid of $600,000. However it was not the highest bid for the overall auction. That went to a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 -- a Sydney motor show car that year, and winner of the 2013 Automobili Lamborghini Grande Giro -- which reached $680,000. Mathers says while this year's show closed on Sunday, the organisers are already preparing for the next one. "Planning is already underway for next year, with 100 years of Maserati, 50 years of Mustang, and a very special top secret project, which -- if we can pull it off -- will be sure to bring people from all over Australia for something which will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he says. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

The world's favourite hoon, Ken Block has signed on as an advisor to the Need for Speed game makers, who are also working on a movie. A co-founder of clothing empire DC Shoes, Block has made his mark on rally courses but is most famed for his ballistic Gymkhana videos -- with Gymkhana Six just around the corner -- in which he pits his car against a series of urban landscapes and obstacles. Watch Ken Block in Gymkhana Five here The series has had phenomenal success, and been the target of some hilarious spoofs, including a supermarket gymkhana video and the just-released Ken Box Crazy Cart spoof. Block will take on the role of racing advisor to the nearly 20-year-old Need for Speed, who in turn are sponsoring his Ford Fiesta ST for the Gymkhana Six mayhem, scheduled for release on November 11. The new Need for Speed Rivals game hits the stores just a few days later on November 19. He said in a statement he had an aim in common with the game franchise. “Need for Speed is a natural fit for our team. I feel like we both have the same goal in mind -- to let people live out a fantasy of really pushing the limits of what you can do in the driver’s seat," Block said. Watch the Need for Speed Rivals trailer here The Need for Speed movie will follow in March next year, starring Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul as car mechanic and street racer Tobey Marshall, who sets out on a high-octane odyssey after being jailed for a crime he didn't commit. Watch the Need for Speed movie trailer here This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

We're still waiting to hear whether there'll be a convertible version of the giant-killing Toyota 86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but we're hearing more every week about a sedan variant -- which is music to the ears of those who lust after the 2+2 86 but have pressing family obligations that make it impractical.Following reports a couple of weeks ago that Toyota was considering a four-door, come further ones overnight suggesting it has been given the green light for production.Citing insider sources, UK's Auto Express says the sedan will be built on the 86 platform, but with a 10cm extension of the wheelbase and feature 'keen look' grille styling that draws on the design of samurai swords.The sedan will be powered by the 86's 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre Subaru-sourced boxer engine and likely be available with the same transmission choices of a six-speed manual or six-speed sports automatic. However there will also be a hybrid version, developing between 185-200kW and offering 10-15 per cent improvement on fuel economy over the petrol version.As previously reported, the hybrid could draw on a detuned version of the petrol engine plus electic motor system from the Yaris Hybrid-R Concept, and capture and store brake energy with a Formula One style kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for short spurts of extra power.It's suggested the Toyota 86 sedan will be launched around the end of 2015, with prices starting in the equivalent of $35,000 overseas. With Toyota's focus on keeping the 86 affordable here -- despite its hero desirability -- that could suggest a similar starting point in the Australian market.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott