Articles by Karla Pincott

Next week will see the unveiling of a five-year strategy for the Fiat-Chrysler group, and it's expected to include the spin-off of Alfa Romeo as a separate entity. That would see the struggling brand sit apart in a similar way to Ferrari and Maserati, in which the group also has a majority stake.The plans also include limiting Alfa Romeo production to Italy, sourcing engines from Ferrari and having only rear-wheel drive cars -- all strategies that have proved successful for Maserati.According to industry journal Automotive News, Fiat-Chrysler head Sergio Marchionne wants to shear off Alfa as part of a relaunch for the brand, which includes public disclosure of its financial statements."Marchionne needs to make Alfa's P&L clearly visible to make this new relaunch attempt into a credible business proposition," a source is cited as saying. Echoing the Maserati strategy, there would be only rear-wheel drive Alfa cars, with all-wheel drive platforms being used only for SUVs and crossovers.Marchionne has rolled out a number of different strategies -- four in total -- to boost Alfa out of the doldrums over the past 10 years. But despite the most recent plan having a target of seeing annual sales rise to 500,000 by the end of this year, the brand finished 2013 with just over 20 per cent of that figure.Marchionne will reveal the new Fiat-Chrysler strategy on May 6.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

This is our first real look at the coming Project CARS racing game, which is due to hit the shelves in November for Playstation 4, XBox One, Wii U, plus PC and Steam computer operating systems.What's immediately apparent in the trailer is the superb rendering of even fine details like the movement of suspension components. With the early footage "approved for all racers by Slightly Mad Studios" the title -- produced under the umbrella of WMD (World of Mass Development) claims to be the ultimate driver journey.While it has the normal sole racing and challenge modes, the game also includes a career mode that lets the player set racing goals over time, and online group events.

You probably thought you'd seen the limits of how far modern-day Mini could stretch their design. But there's one body type they hadn't tackled -- until now -- the ute. But a group of BMW interns has filled in the gap with a concept based on the Paceman softroader.Dubbed the Mini Paceman Adventure, the diminutive load-carrier gets a small trayback lined with a chequerplate tub, offroad tyres, a roof rack bearing the spare, a snorkel to let the 1.6-litre turbo engine keep breathing through creek crossings and roof-mounted spotlights perfect for highlighting a bit of circle work at the Deniliquin Ute Muster.It rolls on a modified suspension system and the Paceman's all-wheel drive system, and gets higher ground clearance and increased entry and exit angles over the donor car, with Mini saying the little ute could tackle gravel, dirt and desert tracks.Do they have plans for production? No. Would it sell if they did -- yes, probably. But with even the SUV version of the Mini being largely a city-dweller once it leaves the showroom, they might have to add a torneau cover to protect the hipster buyer's shopping. Those artisan breads and single-source cereals won't take kindly to getting wet.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Porsche used the growing importance of the Beijing motor show to shine a global spotlight on the debut of the coming four-cylinder Macan that will become the new entry level model.The engine -- the first four-cylinder in a Porsche for close to 20 years, since the exit of the 968 -- is from parent company Volkswagen Group, and shared with a host of siblings from the Audi S3 to VW Golf.In the Macan it delivers 177kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with paddleshifters on the steering wheel sending torque to an all-wheel drive system. It serves up a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, top speed of 222km/h and fuel economy of 7.2L/100km on the European combined cycle.More importantly, it will deliver a new entry level price for the Macan -- and to the Porsche brand. The Macan is already positioning itself as the cheapest way to get into a Porsche, set to arrive here priced from $84,900 for the diesel SD base model.That's already about $15,000 less than the currently lowest-priced Porsche, the Cayenne SUV, and means the Macan is set to overtake its bigger brother as the sales hero. Expect that to be amplified if -- but more likely when -- the four-cylinder petrol version arrives here.It hasn't been confirmed yet, but expect to hear some news after the first diesel models start arriving mid-year.Those who decide to wait for the four-cylinder will see little to visually distinguish it, with the main differences being smaller 18-inch wheels rather than the 19s on the Macan S, and dual exhaust tips instead of quads.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Toyota has announced it is adding the Prado SUV to a recent recall for a defect that could stop the driver's airbag from deploying if a cable between the steering wheel and column is damaged from excessive turning.The expansion of the recall adds 2000 Toyota Prados built from  September 2009 through to June 2010 to the pool of affected vehicles, which includes 179,000 of the Hiluxes built between April 2004 and December 2009.In both models, the spring may be damaged with repeated turns of the steering wheel, activating the airbag warning light and preventing the driver's airbag from properly deploying.A separate safety recall on 118,600 of the Yaris hatches and sedans built between June 2005 and May 2010 is to fix a defective seat track spring on the driver's and front passenger's seats, which can break and become stuck, leading to the impression that the seat is locked in place when it could actually fly loose in an accident.Vehicle owners are being contacted by Toyota, but in the meantime can get more information on the brand's campaign helpline on 1800 643 242.

The Kia Grand Carnival people mover -- called the Sedona and QV in other markets -- is getting a bit elderly, with the current second generation having been around for nearly ten years. Its successor will be officially unveiled tomorrow at New York motor show, but Kia has previewed the vehicle ahead of the debut, showing the fresh styling and revealing information about the new V6 engine that joins the range.The coming Carnival is 40.6mm longer -- promising more room -- and in one version sports a sporty front bumper underscoring the Kia family tiger mouth grille, the lines of which flow into imposing light clusters with LED daytime running lights.A nudge plate and large wheels bulk up the road presence, while stepped side window line seeded from the KV7 concept design adds some visual interest to what would otherwise be a vast expanse of body and rear sliding doors. A second model ditches the mesh grille in favour of slats, and the larger wheels for smaller -- more real-world -- ones.Seating is available for either eight or seven, with latter configuration getting the option of premium seats for the second row -- which can be tracked forward and folded to create more cargo space.The car will be launched in the US later this year with a new 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine with 205kW/336Nm that slightly betters the current 202kW/336Nm 2.5-litre.  There's also expected to be a revised version of the carryover 143kW/429Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel, while transmissions are likely to remain six-speed autos.Kia Australia spokesman Kevine Hepworth says the local engine line-up is yet to be confirmed. "Nothing is signed off at this stage but a good bet is the 3.3-litre petrol and the 2.2-litre diesel," he says, adding the official timing will be either very late this year or very early in 2015.The Grand Carnival will be stacked with the safety, comfort and features becoming increasingly demanded by the family wallet. A hands-free automatic tailgate, surround view monitor and power sliding doors star on the list, with an arsenal of safety systems, including the options of stability management, collision warning, smart cruise control, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alerts.

Holden parent company General Motors is set to officially unveil the next Chevrolet Cruze at the New York motor show this week, but has already released images and information that give a good idea of what's on the way -- and what we'll get here with Holden ceasing local production of the model.The Cruze has been given a facelift with a more angular split grille and reshaped front bumper that echo the more recent styling of the Malibu sedan. Upper-spec models will get LED daytime running lights in the fascia.The rest of the exterior echoes the current Cruze styling, but there are changes in the cabin, the most significant being a better infotainment system featuring a 7-inch screen and extra USB ports, 4G connectivity that makes the car a wifi hotspot, smartphone handsfree integration that will read text messages to the driver, and Apple's Siri system for iOS 6 and 7.Minor updates include the relocation of switchgear, revised cupholders and new exterior and interior colours. There's no confirmation that we'll get all the connected technology here in the Cruze update, but we expect more information from Holden after the car is revealed.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Serious offroading means having to keep an eye on what's underneath your wheels -- and just in front of them as well. And Land Rover is taking cutting-edge technology to the bush to help drivers do just that.A new augmented reality system being unveiled at New York motor show next week will give the effect of a 'transparent' bonnet, allowing the driver to see through it and onto the road surface. The system uses cameras in the vehicle's grille to film what's underneath and just in front of the wheels, and then project that footage in near real time to a heads-up display that overlays what the driver is seeing through the windscreen.The result -- which Land Rover calls the Transparent Bonnet -- will allow drivers to see the angle and position of the tyres, and also to be able to dodge and skirt hazards more effectively. Land Rover believes the augmented reality system could be developed into technology that will be used in future driverless vehicles."As our vehicles become more capable and autonomous off-road, we will ensure the driver has the confidence to allow the car to continue to progress, over any terrain," Jaguar Land Rover director of research and technology, Dr Wolfgang Epple, said in a statement."We are developing new technologies, including the Transparent Bonnet, to give drivers an augmented view of reality to help them tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park."Watch the desktop version of the Land Rover reveals invisible car technology video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

When BMW first launched the X6 coupe-styled SUV, one pundit tagged it "the answer to a question nobody asked". Move on six years, and Mercedes-Benz is offering an answer to the X6's success after launching in 2008.At Beijing motor show, Mercedes will unveil its own coupe crossover concept, with a similar swooping rear roofline to the X6. The teaser sketch shows it from a front three-quarter view, but the angle of the roof clearly shows the intentions.It sports the Mercedes family face, and gains some crossover accessories in the form of side rails and front skid plates for the show stand. But this is more than just a motor show design exercise. Based on the M-Class platform and tipped to be called the MLC when it hits production, the vehicle has already been spotted testing in mule form around Europe.Engines and transmission are likely to echo those of the more practical end of the M-Class at initial launch, but you can also later expect to see a MLC AMG powered by a handbuilt twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Mazda has issued the safety recall for a problem with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which can malfunction if too much water enters the engine bay, and stop charging the battery -- allowing the car to run out of power.The recall notice is for approximately 9000 Mazda6 models in Australia, covering sedan and wagon, petrol and diesel models built between 29 November 2012 and 7 April 2014.If the problem occurs, it will activate the 'Charging system warning' light and drivers will see the message 'Charging System Malfunction' on the instrument panel. If they continue to drive the car, the battery will drain, with the car losing essential functions and eventually stalling."It's a risk of happening when the vehicle is being driven through very wet weather or very deep puddles," Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver says. "What can happen is the generator belt can slip because of water in the engine area, which causes the electrical system to think there is an error in the system, and makes it stop charging the car -- which can then run out of charge and stall."Maciver says there have been no accidents or injuries in Australia caused by the defect, and that the rectification should be a simple and quick one. "The fix is a very simple software upgrade, in which the PCM is updated," he says. "How long the dealers will need each car is down to their scheduling, but the update is a fairly quick task.""We're contacting all the owners, and asking them to arrange an appointment with their nearest dealer.' Concerned owners can obtain more information from Mazda Customer Support on 1800 034 411.