Articles by Karla Pincott

The BMW 2 Series Coupe will arrive here early next year, replacing the 1 Series Coupe as part of BMW's shake-up of it's ranges and alignment. In the lead-up to the official debut in a few days time, we've already seen images of the car undisguised. And now we get an official tease on video -- warning us to be ready on October 25.There's a lightning look at the 2 Series in action, kicking dirt in the camera's face, but little more. However, following a leak onto the brand's South African website earlier this month, we already have some spec details for the 220d, 220i and high-performance M235i.The entry level model 220i carries a revision of the 120i's 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, getting an extra 20kW and 70Nm for peak outputs of 115kW and 270Nm, and reducing the donor 1 Series' 0-100km/h by 1.6 seconds while bettering its fuel economy by a considerable 1.8L/100km with a manual transmission and 1.9L with the auto.The 220d will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 135kW and 380Nm, 15kW and 20Nm less than the outgoing 123d but showing fuel economy improvement of 0.6L for the manual and 1.3L for the auto.The M235i coupe halo variant will be powered by the current M135i's turbo petrol 3.0-litre six-cylinder, delivering the same 450Nm of torque, but getting a 5kW power lift at 240kW. It shaves the M135i's 0-100km/h by 0.1 seconds in both manual and auto at 5.0 and 4.8 seconds respectively, but loses out at the bowser with 0.1L higher consumption at 8.1L/100km for the manual and 7.6L for the auto.Watch the 2014 BMW 2 Series Coupe | video hereThis reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

A new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is on the way, and tipped to get a global debut at the Detroit motor show in January -- although some think it might be unveiled even earlier, at next month's LA show.The German carmaker has already started the drip feed of teases, and -- while the Mercedes S-Class CoupeThat all suggests what we're seeing is their mainstay model in sedan version, which will be followed in short order by a coupe, wagon, sporty liftback coupe and convertible, plus a high-performance AMG variant.The accompany statement talks about "an interior with high-class ambience, a new touchpad control surface and a lightweight bodyshell" but gives no further information. However the C-Class is reported to 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.It will also be the first C-Class to offer air suspension for high spec models and a hybrid on the drivetrain list along with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines and 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre diesels.Following its debut, the C-Class will hit overseas showrooms about mid-2014 as a 2015 model, and arrive here before the end of next year, although local launch dates and specification have not yet been confirmed.

Having trouble perfecting your parallel parking technique? Frustrated with other motorists who only leave room for something the size of a Smart?Never mind confusing rules to do with side mirrors, or lapping the block several times looking for an alternative, this creative motorist has worked out a solution using their handbrake and the front-wheel drive of their Honda Civic.You probably wouldn't want to do it while the owner of the car in front is watching, or on public roads to avoid stringent 'sustained loss of traction' legislation, but it's otherwise a great solution to a common parking issue.Watch the Civic parallel parking solution video.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Volvo is working on technology that could replace the heavy batteries used in cars. The research, being undertaken with a collection of research groups headed by the Imperial College, London, has been under way for three years.The latest result could save weight and space in both conventional and electric cars, with an energy storage solution that ditches traditional bulky battery and super capacitor systems. The invention is a new material that blends nano structured batteries and super capacitors together with carbon fibre, and which can then be shaped to become a car's body panels, such as the doors, wheel arches and boot lid.The researchers have used the process to build a Volvo S80 prototype, with the material forming the boot lid and the bonnet. They've started with nano structured batteries and super capacitors, sandwiching them into the material and then preforming it to fit car panels.These can be recharged -- either by plugging into mains power or capturing and storing brake energy -- and send the energy to an electric motor that drives the car wheels.The system can store enough energy to start a conventional car engine and power its 12-volt system, essentially replacing the standard battery.In electric cars, it would offer massive weight and space savings over the weighty battery packs usually required to power them, with a car carrying the new panels as doors, bonnet and roof said to get a range of about 120km.The weight and space benefits of the panels are enhanced by the material's strength, with the prospect that it can replace some structural parts of the car, such as suspension components.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

The next generation Hyundai Genesis -- being built for the first time in right-hand drive, and bound for Australia -- will also offer all-wheel drive.The Korean carmaker has released details of the system, called H-TRAC (Hyundai traction) which electronically controls torque split between the front and rear according to the demands of road conditions -- with selectable driving modes that allow you to tailor the amount of torque sent to either end.More Hyundai models will follow suit in adding AWD after the Genesis, which is already being tested at race tracks around the globe -- including the tough Nurburgring in Germany.Hyundai has previously confirmed to Carsguide that we'll get the new Genesis coupe, and they are also considering the sedan. Drivetrain details have not been confirmed yet, but they're unlikely to move much from the current vehicles' 2012 update, with a base model 248kW 3.8-litre and a range-topping R-Spec with a 320kW 5.0-litre V8 married to an eight-speed automatic as standard.However a diesel option may be on the cards as well. We'll know more when the new Genesis is unveiled in Korea in December, ahead of its official world debut at January's Detroit motor show.  

A small Adelaide lingerie firm has shot to international attention after their saucy ad shot around a tyre shop was pulled from television screens. The ad for Innerware Lingerie was the target of an upheld complaint to the Advertising Standards Board about the footage being in poor taste. Created by Crisp Advertising in North Adelaide, it showed a woman in underwear driving to a tyre shop and asking the man behind the counter "can you fit me?" The ad was supposed to publicise that the South Australian family business offered professional bra fitting. However the ASB found that it breached a section of the standards that required any treatment of sexuality to be done with “sensitivity to the relevant audience". "The board considered that the advertisement did have a strong sexual suggestion with the combination of the woman wearing lingerie, her sexualised strutting, the focus on her body and the sexualised conversation," the case report said. "In the board's view the level of sexualisation was not sensitive even to an M classification." Innerware Lingerie's owners Evan and Tina Zorba have now modified the commercial -- with the new version now being screened on television -- and have told ASB and the media no offence was intended. Mr Zorba told the Adelaide Advertiser the intention was to create a fun ad on a low budget - "and my wife was the one who wanted something more exciting. The idea was about having fun with it, we didn't want to offend anyone, it was a bit cheeky," he said. In a response to the board, Innerware said: "On behalf of Innerware and Crisp Advertising, please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience that we inadvertently caused." Crisp Advertising echoed Mr Zorba's sentiments, saying the agency had no intention of offending people with the ad -- the brainchild of creative director Richard Miller. "The clients' brief was to create an ad that would give them some cut-through -- and with a limited advertising budget," Mr Miller said. "We wanted to make an ad that would create some frenzy and get the brand name out there. There was never any wish to cause offense to anybody, but it did create some discussion and a bit of a backlash." However, he said the banning of the ad had still given Innerware valuable publicity. "They seem to be happy ... they saw increased sales and a higher profile for the brand," Mr Miller said. "So it's a good outcome regardless. And we've seen that in the comments on stories (about the ad being banned) there is no negativity about the ad itself -- the negative comments are about the complaints. Watch the banned lingerie ad video here.  This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Ford Mustang fans won't have to wait until January's Detroit motor show to see the car. The pony car -- which is headed to Australia in 2016 -- is reportedly being prepared for an earlier unveiling in December, according to news service Reuters.Leading up to that debut, a small group of journalists is in Detroit right now getting a sneak preview, with details to be kept firmly under wraps of course.As we've reported previously, the retro styling of the new Mustang has been subdued and the design is picking up cues from the Evos Concept and the rest of the latest Ford models.We've already been given some clear hints about the styling, with spy shots earlier this year showing the face, and computer renderings -- allegedly based on the official CAD plotting -- appearing this week.Engineers have targeted fuel-saving weight reduction for the car, which is said to tip the scales about 180kg lower than the current 'Stang, and could also see significant dynamic improvement as a result. It's also about 38cm shorter and 15cm narrower, riding on a new platform that includes the model's first independent rear suspension set-up.  

Rumour has it that when a team of US Navy SEALS burst into Osama bin Laden's Pakistan hideout and killed him, the terrorist was playing Angry Birds. If true, it gives some idea of the viral popularity of the mobile phone game.The first of the games was simple -- slingshot the birds at pigs. And subsequent editions only expanded slightly on the theme: flinging the birds into various structures. But the next version, due out in December, takes things a step further.You still get a slingshot, but it's to launch the birds' billy-karts off the line for a downhill race, with action that'll be familiar to any fans of Mario Kart. The trailer shows you can still choose your favourite feathered or piggy character, and there are opportunities to spec up your kart.Angry Birds makers Rovio have confirmed the game will launch as a free download on December 11, but haven't given details yet of which phones will be getting it first. Watch the Angry Birds go to slingshot billy-karts video here.  

Volvo Trucks have been showing their inner crazy with a series of extreme stunts. First there was a rope walker between two trucks heading for a divided tunnel. Then they hung their boss from a skyhook, followed by letting a hamster steer a truck on a difficult quarry road. The fourth in the series sees them paint a truck red and antagonise some angry bovines in a mock 'running of the bulls' through narrow city streets and alleys, to show how deftly their new FL trucks handle and manoeuvre. It's been shot in a Spanish city, but there's no indication it's Pamplona, the real site of the annual bull run -- in which otherwise sensible men try to outrace a sharp-horned bull stampede. The bulls video has clocked nearly 1.5 million views across the world in a couple of days, and could top the hamster stunt's 4.8 million fairly quickly.   Watch the Volvo viral stunt | running the bulls here.    

Hyundai has heated up the popular Accent hatchback range with the arrival of the sporty Australian-developed SR variant. Replacing the Accent Elite hatch, the SR -- which debuted at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show -- is powered by  Hyundai's higher-output 1.6-litre D-CVVT GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) Gamma petrol engine, shared with the new Elite sedan and the Veloster and delivering 103kW at 6300rpm and 167Nm at 4850rpm The engine is mated to a six-speed manual as standard for $18,990 or the optional six-speed automatic with sequential manual mode transmission for an extra $2000. Claimed fuel consumption is 6.1-litres/100km for the manual and 6.6L for the auto. The sports-focused suspension has been developed locally to suit Australian requirements, with the unique tune achieved in computer simulations, road driving and high-speed evalution at the Marulan race circuit near Sydney. After assessing 20 front and 17 rear damper builds, the rear ones were changed from twin-tube to high-performance monotube Mando units, spring rates were changed and the front stabiliser bar was trimmed from 23mm to 21mm. "These hardware changes deliver sharper turn-in, quicker response and enhanced body control, all while retaining – in fact, actually improving on – Accent's supple ride," Hyundai product planning manager and lead development driver, Andrew Tuitahi said in a statement. "The Accent SR features a higher output engine and a new suspension set-up which as a pleasant by-product also make it great fun to drive at a keen price." The SR also picks up an array of sporty features, including a rear spoiler, 16-inch machined-face alloy wheels, SR badging and projector-beam headlights with LED positioning lamps, automatic dusk-sensing operation and headlight escort function. It gets a five-star ANCAP rating, with safety kit including six airbags, stability management and control systems, traction control and anti-skid brakes with brake force distribution to counter uneven loading. Hyundai Accent range: Accent Active 4DR $16,990 (man) Accent Active 5DR $16,990 (man) Accent Active 4DR $18,990 (auto) Accent Active 5DR $18,990 (auto) Accent Elite 4DR $20,990 (auto) Accent SR 5DR $18,990 (man) Accent SR 5DR $20,990 (auto) This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott