Articles by Karla Pincott

It’s a battle of the giants. Volkswagen’s Amarok is taking on a Titan: the sales-topping Toyota HiLux.The Amarok range has just been bookended with a single-cab version to attract the tradies, and an eight-speed auto – the first in a ute here -- for the weekend warriors (and tradie bosses).So badge snobbery comes to the building site, and cashed-up contractors can get a European vehicle to broadcast how well they’re doing.PRICE AND MODELSThere’s a dizzying list of 24 different models by the time you choose from the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, bodies and spec: Trendline, Highline and Ultimate.The single-cab chassis models start from $24,490 for the 118kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol (with a six-speed manual driving the rear wheels) and move to $27,490 for the 90kW/340Nm turbodiesel version, while the 4WD 120kW/400Nm turbodiesel will ask from $35,490 (with ute bodies adding an extra $1500 across the range).Dual-cab chassis versions kick off with the rear-drive six-speed manual 90kW/340Nm TDI from $30,490, followed by the 118kW/300Nm TSI from $31,090, and the intercooled twin-turbo 120kW/400Nm TDI at $32,490, with the last of those getting 4WD for $41,490.The eight-speed ZF conventional auto – VW’s dual-clutch boxes slip too much for offroading -- arrives only with the 4WD 132kW/420Nm dual-cabs, starting from $44,490 and topping out at the $61,490 Ultimate spec. A couple of price tags down is the one we tested at $53,990 in mid-spec Highline -- $3000 more than the manual version, but partly because VW has carved $2000 off the latter’s price.At this level you get a decent six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth streaming and dual-zone climate control on the goodies list. Our test ute had VW’s ‘4Motion’ full-time AWD with a Torsen centre diff that normally runs 40:60 front/rear, but varies on demand to deliver outputs to the wheels with best traction.The ZF usually starts off in second gear on bitumen, because it has an ultra-low first ratio for general offroading – plus a selectable offroad mode for serious clambering that adjusts the stability, traction, brake and electronic diff lock responses.Our test ute bounced around on the standard heavy-duty leaf-spring suspension, begging for a load in the tray. There’s a no-cost comfort suspension option for those who don’t have a heavy toolbox to calm things down, but it drops the payload by 220kg (to 740 on ours).DESIGNIt’s high, wide and handsome. Squared off lines give the body a tough and purposeful look, set off in our Highline with stainless steel rear bumper, side-steps and sports bar - but undermined by looking a bit undershod with 17-in alloy wheels nowhere near filling the cavernous flared wheel arches. Legroom and shoulder room is great front and back, so there’ll be no bromance taunts. The interior is clean and hardy, but still manages to add a slight touch of premium in the trim and equipment, with intuitive controls from big chunky buttons. No flimsy hipster switchgear here, mate. The clip-on cupholder looks like it won’t last 10 minutes sticking out of the dash, and the glove box is ludicrous, with barely space for a notebook unless you remove the owner’s manual. But there are plenty of storage spaces around the cabin, including underseat bins and massive door pockets. There’s also enough space between shifter and centre console bin to look at mounting a small laptop. You have to applaud three 12v outlets in cabin and another in the tray, plus a light back there – no more fumbling around in the dark.SAFETYThe Amarok led the ute world with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and gets dual front and front-side airbags - although it misses out on curtains -- anti-lock brakes with electronic assistants, stability and traction controls, plus trailer sway control.DRIVINGThe ZF gearbox is slick and refined, and comes into its own at both ends of the scale, with first giving decently low crawling ability, and eighth offering economical highway running around a relaxed 1700rpm. But the auto is keen to make the best of any economy opportunity by heading up towards eighth gear, and when you kick, it often goes down two cogs.Slipping into manual mode gets clearer response for overtaking, but a whole lot more noise from under the bonnet, and most of the time it’s well-sorted enough to work out what it needs to do in auto. It’s hard to believe the torquey engine is just two litres, with its ability – and sometimes its noise – punching well above that size.A glance at the fuel economy is the compensation, with it happily averaging mid 9s over a mixture of low-gear dirt crawling, highway cruising and suburban frustration. Apart from the empty tray making for some bouncing over uneven surfaces, it’s surefooted and well-behaved, and ride comfort is exceptional for a big ute. And big it certainly is. Impressive on the street, but even with the cabin’s good visibility, the rear parking acts are a blessing to wedge the beefy tail into place.VERDICTYou might scoff about badge snobbery – or cog-upmanship – hitting the building sites. But overall this is a solid blend of hardy workhorse and some creature comforts that make working life a bit more bearable.

You can understand having a stretch Caddy or Holden Statesman ... long wheelbase, but somebody's looked at it said 'we need it longer' to haul around hens' parties. Even a stretched Hummer made some sort of mad sense, once they realised 'we need something military-grade tough to haul around hens' parties'. But starting with a considerably smaller Nissan Leaf EV would seem like taking a shot from well behind the eight ball. That hasn't deterred an American hotel -- and by now you've guessed this had to be American. Embassy Suites in Nashville, Tennessee, has installed the electric limo as their passenger shuttle vehicle. With average trips being less than 10km, the Leaf will never risk over-running its claimed 170km range. The stretching added around 200kg to the Leaf's weight, and the battery pack has been shifted further back for balance, but there were no other major mechanical modifications. However the interior has been given the mandatory limo makeover, with leather upholstery, cedar panelling and mirrors. We suppose someobody had to do it.

Launched today for iPhone 4 and above, the app uses a mix of motion-activated mobile play and augmented reality to set up greens against their surroundings ... whether city street or (most likely) office corridor. The pin can be set against any real-world scene using the iPhone’s camera, and users swing their smartphone like a golf club to play through the app's three courses, each with nine par-three-style holes.  The game is set up for players to face off against mates in a round of up to four people, with the current almost-obligatory Facebook posting of results. Players complete the game by scoring a hole-in-one on every hole to collect all 81 stars. We've had a shot at it already and haven't managed a single hole-in-one but have toppled a file rack, broken a coffee cup and given a colleague a colourful bruise.  

What would Batman be without the Batmobile -- just a man running around in tights and a cape (albeit topped off with fetching mask and ears).No, it was always the accessories that made Batman special: the Batbelt, the Batcopter, but reigning supreme the Batmobile.A serious look at the development of this one-off marque is long overdue, and fans will be happy to hear Warner Bros has a documentary in the works.It covers the history from the 1939 genesis in DC Comics as a red convertible, the George Barris-designed car -- based on a 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car -- for the first TV series, and on to the more recent Tumbler versions.The documentary includes interviews with Batmen old and new: TV's Adam West and the blockbuster film franchise's Christian Bale, director Tim Burton and stuntman George Cottle who helmed the car for The Darl Knight. 

Precious, life-giving coffee. Is there anything else that can make your morning commute so good, so bearable? And with Fiat's new in-car feature, you don't have to even drive to a coffee shop to get your hit. In a tie-up with Italian coffee brand Lavazza, the new Fiat 500L comes with the option of a specially-developed pod machine that delivers a fresh, piping-hot cup on the go. The coffee-maker set includes cups, spoons and a sugar holder. All it needs is a tiny patisserie plate and you could put the local barista out of business. Similar features have been seen before as motor-show gimmickry in concept cars, but this is the first time one has been offered as an option in a production car. Fiat Australia says the Fiat 500L is being considered for the local market, so we could see the option arrive here. “Fiat is an Italian brand and with a very proud Italian history – and they’re passionate about coffee,” Australian spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. “So while we don’t have any conformation of that feature coming to us, I wouldn’t rule it out either.” Fletcher doesn't think there will be any safety concerns from regulators questioning if it's safe to have water boiling in a car. Ot at least, less safe than bought coffee -- or phoning and texting.  

Rowville 16-year-old Jake Chesson’s vision for a multi-purpose car will see him attend the Toyota Dream Car art awards in Japan. Jake was the Australian National Winner in the global youth art competition, which asks children and teens around the world to imagine and illustrate a dream vehicle. His artwork, titled the Wind.E.Matik, is a car concept imagined as being something for everyone. “The Wind. E. Matik is the car of the future, it’s the car that does it all,” Jake says.  “It flies, it glides and it can even go off-road with its monster truck wheels and sleek design. “The helicopter propellers on top can charge the car with wind power while the remote control legs offer adjustable comfort. It’s the car that will not only shape the future, but it will also shape you!” Jake says his approach to the artwork was inspired by the morphing movie Transformers vehicles. “Transformers is one of my favourite movies and something I thought would be fun to draw,” he says. And with the sleek aerodynamic lines of the Wind.E.Matik’s body looking like a European sports car, it’s no surprise to find they’re among his real-life dream cars.  “My favourite car would have to be a Porsche --  I like the look and style of their cars,” he says. Jake was among 15 finalists in Australia whose work was sent to the global judging in Japan, from which he was chosen as Australia’s National Winner, and will fly to the awards ceremony in Tokyo later this year. The three global winners were: 14-year-old Stefania Mihaela Calinescu of Romania with the Magic Regeneration car that vacuums garbage; Katunyu Wattanapraditchai (10) of Thailand for a car that allows visually-impaired people to see normally; and Wiran Honthumma (9) of Thailand for a babysitter car that feeds, bathes and amuses toddlers.  

Seinfeld's new show follows on from his former smash hit sitcom 'about nothing', there's probably little point in trying to predict any subject matter. It seems to be about what it says in the title: the famed comedian (and car fan) driving in a series of great vehicles with other well-known funny men - Ricky Gervais, Larry David, Michael Richards and Alec Baldwin among them. And there's coffee. We love it already. Audiences can look forward to a parade of cars as interesting as the guests are amusing. Seinfeld is a serious collector, with some rare Porsches among his favourites. He's recently done a stint touting for Honda luxury brand in what was one of the best Super Bowl ads in years, fighting off Jay Leno to be the first owner of the new Acura NSX sports car.  

Range anxiety has been a huge hurdle for electric cars, as buyers worry about running out of charge mid-journey. But that concern could fade into the past if the technology of a Danish-designed car is an indicator of future range potential. The Qbeak's promised range of 800km far outstrips the coming Holden Volt's 600km (with the petrol engine kicking in to keep the battery pack charged) or plug-ins like the Nisssan Leaf at a claimed range of 170km. On the other hand, the Volt and Leaf look like a normal current-model car, while the Qbeak's futuristic styling might startle conservative buyers. The Danish car uses a battery bank with charge extended by a bio-ethanol fuel cell to go the distance, driving in-wheel electric motors to get to a 120km/h top speed. The fuel cell converts the bio-methanol to charge the battery bank, and waste heat from the process is used to power Qbeak’s heating and cooling systems. The ultra-lightweight (425kg) little car was created as part of a Modular Energy Carrier concept program by three Danish companies. They plan to launch the battery-fuel cell Qbeak in 2013, but say they will have a battery-only version on the market later this year with a 300km range.  

F1 and supercar group McLaren has launched a new company, McLaren Animation, with 'Tooned' -- the first of a series of episodes showing a lighthearted look at their F1 team.The show features  McLaren’s two F1 World Champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, voicing their own characters, and British actor Alexander Armstrong as skunkworks head, Professor M.McLaren boss Ron Dennis says research showed the brand lacked warmth, and the animated series was developed to increase engagement. "It’s an exciting and creative concept that addresses the insights gleaned from our research in a very innovative way," he says.“I’m confident that the opportunities it presents will be extensive. Creating a more demographically accessible ‘face’ for McLaren will help our brand appeal to a wider audience whilst also fostering increased brand loyalty." The first episode plays on a friendly rivalry between the two drivers, with Professor M playing foil and gatekeeper to the secret lab's weird technology. The series was created in conjunction with the Oscar-winning visual effects and animation studio Framestore, who won their first Oscar in 2008 for Best Visual Effects plus a BAFTA for The Golden Compass, and have also had Oscar nominations for Superman Returns, The Dark Night and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.Framestore worked on the McLaren series with input from Joel Morris and Jason Hazeley ('Ten O’Clock Live’, ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’ and ‘The Armstrong and Miller Show’). The characters were first mapped out and then voiced -- with Hamilton, Button and Armstrong encouraged to ad-lib and play off against each other.So is there a Professor M lurking in a secret underground skunkworks at McLaren? No, although the actor behind the voice, Alexander Armstrong, says the character could be drawn from real people. “Professor M isn’t based on anyone specific, but I guess you could say that he’s a blend of Steve Jobs from Apple, ‘Q’ from the James Bond movies, and, yes, maybe even one or two people from behind the scenes at the McLaren Technology Centre," he says.‘Tooned’ will be broadcast as a series of three-minute episodes coinciding with each Formula 1 Grand Prix, and will air in the UK on the SKY Sports F1 channel before each race. 

And it sounds every bit as good as it looks. Footage of the convertible supercar pouring it on for the camera is backed by a howling soundtrack.The lightweight carbon-fibre roof is shown being retracted on able move -- which it's able to do in just 40 seconds at speeds up to 30km/h, folding into a 52-litre storage area under a tonneau cover. McLaren has designed a set of luggage to fit into the space when it’s not taken up by the roof.Unlike Ferrari’s 458 Spider, the McLaren convertible roof still allows the engine to be seen through the  glass cover behind the tonneau. A powered rear windscreen acts as a buffeting deflector, but can be lowered to allow full engine roar into the cabin.The open sibling to its MP4-12C is based on the same ultralight, rigid chassis, but will get a higher-powered version of the mid-mounted McLaren-designed M838T 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8.The MP4-12CSpider's engine develops 470kW of power -- 18kW more than the original MP4-12C's 441kW, and in line with the recent power upgrade for the coupe – and maintains the 601Nm of torque. It matches the coupe’s 100km/h time of 3.1 seconds, but is about 5km down on top speed at 315km/h.We will get the first Australian look at the MP4-12C Spider 'in the metal' later this year, with the first customer cars arriving in January 2013.