Articles by Karla Pincott

A bunch of scruffy blokes once told me the Mercedes-Benz SLK was a 'hairdressers' car'. From the look of them, none had been near a hairdresser in years, of course. And none of them have been near the new SLK, or they'd be changing their views.Metal roof up or down, this is a great little two-seater, and a sheer joy to get around in.The entry-level price of $82,900 gets you into the SLK200, with a 135kW/270Nm 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed automatic, with fuel economy of 6.9L/100km. Base spec includes heated seats with sun-reflective leather, brushed aluminium trim, 147mm colour nav/info screen and 17-in alloy wheels.Of course it gets a five-star crash rating, with an arsenal of safety equipment including door-head airbags among the six on board, acceleration skid control and the Pre-Safe system that preps the car if it's in danger of crashing.The $118,900 SLK350 tested here has a 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre V6 also with the seven-speed auto and fuel economy of 8.3L/100km. Sure, the more powerful engine adds some extra dollars, but the $36,000 price difference also bridges you to Merc's multimedia Comand entertainment/info/comms system, HDD satnav, internet browser, intelligent bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, neck-level heating, electronic memory packages for both seats, ambient lighting and 18-in wheels.The new SLK has been heavily restyled around the nose, and picks up some extra jewelry to dress up the new face and interior. If there's not enough bling for your personal taste, the AMG accessories shelves will help you out.You sit deep in the car, with the cockpit wrapped around you, and there's plenty of luxe to enjoy.The body has a distinct wedge shape, and the high-ish bootline at least allows for a reasonable luggage capacity for a roadster. Opening the roof – a 20-second job -- cuts the 335 boot capacity down to 225 litres, but that's still enough to fit a suitcase.Right from the first tap of the accelerator, the SLK350's V8 opens its throat and promises great things. And it lives up to that promise with prompt throttle response, sharply honed and weighted steering, and the unbeatable combination of a big engine in a little car.It corners brilliantly, rides smoothly and only tends to get upset when you hit rough bitumen. Patchy surfaces give it a touch of the jitters and the noise intrudes on what is otherwise a fairly quiet cabin – even with the roof down, the deflectors keep wind rush under reasonable control.You'll need that, because it's dangerously easy to get the SLK350 up to – and well beyond – legal speed limits.Hairdressers' car? You'll be lucky to find a hairdresser that can ever get your 'do' back in place if you've been out in the SLK350 with the top down. Step this way: two chairs, no waiting.

The hot convertible will debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, but the early images give a clear picture of the car’s sharp AMG styling and fit-out. Features include AMG Alcantara sport seats, three-spoke sports steering wheel and aluminium accents. Despite a growing trend Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis describes as "everybody doing interesting things with turbos", the 2012 SLK55 AMG has stuck with a naturally-aspirated engine - a 5.5-litre V8 that develops 310kW of power and 540Nm of torque, delivered to the rear wheels via an AMG SpeedShift Plus 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission. Fuel economy measures, including stop-start technology, give the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 an official consumption of 8.5L/100km. But buyers will more likely be interested in the figure for 0-100km/h, which Merc claims as 4.5 seconds. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will hit the overseas showrooms next year, but there is no indication yet of when it will arrive in Australia. Pricing has not been announced, but a clearer message on that will likely be given at Frankfurt show.

Mercedes-Benz has bolted to the front of the mid-sized prestige field, helped by the recednt arrival of the new C-Class arrived a few months ago. And their position can only improved by adding the C-Coupe. This is a sweetheart of a car: stylish, lovely to drive, lavishly equipped and with some very frugal engines on offer.PRICE AND VARIANTSThe Coupe range arrives with one diesel and three economy-targeting ‘BlueEfficiency’ petrol engines -- all mated to an updated  seven-speed sequential automatic transmission – with a blistering V8 joining them in the C63 AMG next month.But for now the bidding opens with the $58,900 C180’s turbocharged 115kW/250Nm 1.8-litre, which delivers a 0-100km/h time of 8.9 seconds and fuel economy of 7.3 l/100km. That fuel figure puts it over the LCT bar, but with a penalty of just $331.The C250 petrol and C250 CDI diesel are both $69,900, and escape the LCT slug as their fuel consumption gives them a ‘home free’ card. The C250 carries a turbocharged 150kW/310Nm 1.8-litre, and gets to100km/h in 7.2 seconds with fuel consumption of 7L/100km.The C250 CDI gets a 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesel that hits the 100km mark at a respectable 7.1 seconds, and delivers frugal economy at 5.1L/100km. It benefits from a stop-start system, and while similar technology is on petrol versions in Europe our petrol quality prevents them coming here.Topping the petrol coupes – at least until the $154,800 C63 AMG arrives shortly with its V8 – is the $99,900 C350’s 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre V6, which slashes the 0-100km/h time to 6.0 seconds, with fuel economy of 8.3L/100km.DESIGN AND FITOUTThe newcomer works the coupe style well, with a short front overhang, sharply raked front and rear windscreens and a rising shoulder line towards the somewhat hefty tail. The optional panorama sunroof is shielded only by a blind, and while the glass is UV-shielding, you still notice the extra glare.Standard equipment levels are impressive, including a Comand control system with Suna traffic warnings in the C250 and C350, and the cabin is fitted with premium materials and finishes.It feels snug around the driver, but perhaps too snug in the rear seat where legroom is somewhat compromised. Perhaps the Merc engineers stole some of the space to donate to the boot, which is fantastic: deep, wide, easily accessible and just 50 litres less than the sedan.DRIVINGThe C250 we mainly tested feels taut and controlled on the road, and it’s easy to slip into the feeling of being part of the car. The engine sounded a little harsh on take-off, and there was some lag from low down, but once the turbo wakes up it streams along happily.Gears can be changed with the sequential shifter on the centre console. But it’s not needed in the face of the well-designed and positioned steering wheel paddles, with their tactile lip edge that almost urges you to keep tickling them from one cog to another. Changes are swift and smooth, and prompt you to wonder why anybody would need a twin-clutch transmission when a single can work this well.The diesel C250CDI on the other hand pulls strongly right from the start, and gives powerful response all through the rev range. The C-Coupe suspension is softer than you’ll find in the German rivals, but stops well short of wallowing. We hit some appalling rural bitumen that put extra bounce into its step, but didn’t ever cause it to step out of line.Would we buy one? Yes, and despite the better performance of the diesel, we’d probably go for the C250 petrol with its 110kg lighter weight and touch.

The production version will star for the brand at Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Drawing styling cues from the Suzuki Swift S Concept from which it was based, the new Swift Sport is the first full model change since its original launch in 2006. It features more aggressive styling with a low-slung body and oversized grille. Suzuki promises both power and good fuel economy from the 1.6-litre engine, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission -- both developed exclusively for the Swift Sport.  The new Swift Sport "offers superior cornering stability and responsive handling thanks to struts with internal rebound springs and an exclusive rear-suspension design", Suzuki says. Like the standard Swift, the Sport's safety is helped by a light, stiff, impact-absorbing body plus seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag) and ESC. “We are very excited about the preliminary release of the new Swift Sport, but we are still some way off finalising the Australian version,” said Suzuki Australian General Manager Tony Devers. “The Swift Sport will not go on sale here until next year, so we still have some time to work through the specification level suitable for the Australian market. What we do know is the Swift Sport will offer better performance, handling, economy and style than ever before. We can’t wait to launch the ultimate pocket rocket to our customers.”

Following from the leaked brochure images we brought you last month, Toyota has revealed an official image -- of a tail light.You can bet there will be a trickle-feed of images coming over the next few weeks as the brand tries to stir up some hype around the car.The brochure images show the seventh-generation ‘premium Camry’ that will go on sale in Japan, but also reveal what we will see here when the Aurion launches early next year. It will be distinguished from the Australian-built Camry largely by a more stylish nose with sharper-angled headlights.The leaked images – traced back to Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine – show a hybrid car with the blue-enamelled logo Toyota is using on its petrol-electric vehicles. The Aurion will have the standard chrome logo.The Aurion will continue to carry a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, with the outputs unlike to move far from the current 200kW/336Nm. Toyta has used the Tweetsphere to drop a teaser picture of the left-rear corner of the new car, revealing only the tail lamp design with a Camry badge as a reminder of what's happening.The Camry tease comes as Subaru also hints at the look of its all-new VX baby SUV and Hyundai hints on the next i30, both cars that will go public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the first week of September.But the Camry will be out first, with a press preview in Melbourne on August 24 - the same day Carsguide will have the first drive impression from time with the car in the USA - leading up to the start of local production and sales in the final quarter of this year.CAMRYWHAT DOES IT MEAN?Camry: From the Japanese Kan-Muri, meaning "crown".WHERE IS IT BUILT?Camry and its four-cylinder engine are built at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Victoria. Toyota directly employs 3,200 people in Victoria and more than 4,400 nationally.HOW MANY?Approximately 100,000 four-cylinder Camry sedans are produced at Altona each year. Approximately 70 per cent are exported, mainly to the Middle East. Camry has been produced in Australia since 1987.HOW SUCCESSFUL?Camry is now in its 18th year as Australia's best-selling mid-size car. It is also Australia's biggest automotive export earner, being shipped to more than 20 destinations.BACKGROUNDLaunched in the wake of the oil shocks of the late ’70s, Camry has established itself as a true world car.Planning for the Camry began in 1977, at a time when manufacturers globally were turning to smaller front-wheel-drive vehicles to overcome soaring fuel costs and stricter fuel efficiency regulations.The emphasis of the program was on aerodynamics and lightweight materials.Engine development focused on fuel efficiency, with engines built specially to drive the front wheels.Around the world, Camry production has now passed 15 million units.1983 – first generation (imported)The Camry was introduced to Australia as an import in liftback guise in 1983.It won several "best car" awards, including Modern Motor magazine’s Car of the Year.The car featured a new five-speed manual and ECT-equipped four-speed automatic transmissions with wide gear ratios.The front-wheel-drive layout, without a transmission tunnel, allowed for a spacious interior.Innovations in the first Camry included equal-length driveshaft arms, two-stage air conditioning and multi-adjustable seats.That tradition of innovation continued throughout the life of the Camry and the brand is now synonymous with world-leading sophistication and quality.1987 – second generation, but first locally produced CamryIt wasn’t until the second-generation Camry that the car was built locally.AMI-Toyota was the first Toyota subsidiary in the world to build the Camry and the local version incorporated extensive design changes – including three locally designed wagon variants.The Australian-made Camry made its showroom debut in April 1987, replacing the locally built Corona.With this generation, Toyota introduced a locally built twin-cam 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder engine, followed in May 1988 by a new 2.5-litre quad-cam 24-valve V6. The engine was the world’s first quad-cam V6 engine to feature in a mass production sedan.This generation also saw the release of a station wagon to replace the hatchback.Camry allowed Toyota to compete on equal footing with the other leading medium cars of the day – Mitsubishi’s Magna, Holden’s Camira and Nissan’s Pintara.The Australian-built car featured independent front and rear Macpherson-strut suspension, engine-speed-sensitive power steering and disc brakes front and rear. It brought a new level of sophistication and technology to the local market.A revised Camry appeared in August 1989, incorporating local steering modifications that were to gain international acceptance within Toyota. An Australian team revised the steering valve and geometry to improve driver feel and response. The changes were later adopted for worldwide Camry production.Toyota continued to push for quality improvements. It was determined that investment in a new plant was necessary to achieve further gains.The proposal to build a new Camry plant at Altona was presented to Toyota Motor Corporation, which approved the plan to build a $420 million assembly plant at Altona.1993 – third generationIn February 1993, the new wide-bodied Camry was launched publicly by Prime Minister Paul Keating, who described the car as “another quantum leap in the history of the Australian automotive industry”.Wheels magazine agreed and Camry came out on top in a comparison with Magna, Mazda 626 and Liberty. Camry was also the top-ranked local car in Wheels’ annual quality survey and won the NRMA’s gong for best medium car.Camry grew up for this generation. It was larger in every dimension than the previous model, and became classified as "mid-size". The car was wider and longer than Cressida, with better performance, improved fuel economy, ABS and reduced NVH. It also had more local input into design and development. Built at a cost of $140 million, the range also featured a new brand name – the Vienta – for its V6 models.Engines were now 2.2-litre four-cylinder units (producing almost as much power as the previous V6, but with four-cylinder economy), and 3.0-litre V6s.That same year, Toyota began exporting the Camry to Thailand. By 1994, Altona exports were worth $160 million and the company announced that, by the year 2000, it aimed to export 30 per cent of its Altona Camry production. The year also saw Camry take over the mantle of Australia’s best-selling medium car.The last Camry to be built at Port Melbourne rolled off the production line in December 1994. Two weeks later, the Camry was being built at Altona. There was little difference between the Port Melbourne and Altona vehicles, except for a new water-borne, environmentally friendly paint process at Altona.In 1996, Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett was on hand to send off the first shipment of Camrys to the Middle East.1997 – fourth generationA new range was launched in August 1997.It was quieter, lighter and more powerful with better ride quality and improved handling.With an additional 5cm in wheelbase, a lowered beltline and swept-back windscreen, the 1997 Camry’s cabin was more spacious and inviting.By this time, 40 per cent of Camry production was being shipped overseas to 24 destinations.The line-up of four-cylinder Camry models consisted of the CSI, Conquest and CSX models, available as sedans or wagons. Camry V6 models consisted of CSI and Conquest.Both of Camry’s engines received power and torque increases.In October 2000, a revised Camry range was launched with improved handling, higher feature levels, improved headlamps and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.Two models were added to the Camry line-up - Touring Series wagon and top-of-the-range sports-luxury Azura sedan.The Vienta V6 range was discontinued due to the launch of the Avalon sedan.                                                  

Mini is trying to 'manual up' the US with a cheeky ad campaign aiming to lure people away from automatic transmissions.Urging drivers to 'Get your shift together', the BMW-owned brand is offering $500 off any manual-transmission Mini in the US dealererships.It's all in praise of Manualhood, the campaign says, going on to declare that 'Stick Happens'.There's a more serious side to the campaign, which points out that a manual transmission means better fuel economy, more control over the car, boosted response from the engine and – perhaps most importantly – a cheaper price to start with.Dealerships will also be offering training on the spot, teaching novices how to shift for themselves. Sorry ... but if Mini can resort to bad puns, so can we.But with the US even more auto-nomous than Australia (and manuals are rapidly becoming an endangered species here too), there may not be many takers for that $500 discount.Do you prefer a manual to an automatic? Take our poll ...

Otherwise every clip would just be another four minutes of poorly-dressed post-teens - or prepubescents these days, given the Justin Beiber trend. Most of the time the prop ploy doesn't work. But there are clips in which the car not only adds to the song but sometimes threatens to steal the starring role.Here are our picks for the best, but if you think we've missed one that should be included, please, comment below.1. Gorillaz - StyloThe latest stand-out song from Damon Albarn's shifting ensemble, animated by the only other permanent member, Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett. In a scene that will look familiar to those who saw Aussie horror flick, Wolf Creek, Gorillaz band members in a bullet-riddled Chevrolet Camaro are chased down by a trigger-happy Bruce Willis in a Chevrolet El Camino.2. The Cardigans - Losing My Favourite GameExhilarating crash-derby filmed over three days in the Mojave Desert to accompany the velvet-dark vocals of Nina Persson. The reckless driving resulted in five different edited versions to meet censorship rules around the world. Self-harm was never so enticing.3. Triffids - Wide Open RoadSeminal track, not so much about the car but about the great Aussie landscape they're driving through. The band's late frontman David McComb wrote that it evoked the stretch of WA between Caiguna and Norseman, where the Triffids' Hi-Ace came to grief with kangaroos.4. Audioslave - Show Me How to LiveBillet steel anthem with band on the run across the desert in a 1970s Dodge Challenger - and using clips cut from the movie Vanishing Point - saluted by Cleavon Little as a small-town radio jock: "the question is not when they're gonna stop, but who is gonna stop em."5. ZZ Top - Gimme Me All Your Lovin'Not the Bearded Ones' best piece, but the best use of Billy Gibbons' 1933 Ford Roadster, the Eliminator. And given that Gibbons is one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and a custom car expert, it was always going to make this list.6. Audio Bullys - Only ManMonochrome face-off with a pair of duelling Porsche 911s in a weed-littered vacant lot. A second video was later done by Madonna's favourite director, and the track became a Cornetto ad. We vote for the original.7. Beastie Boys - SabotageA Ford LTD is perfectly mated with bad 70s clothes, detective show clichés and of course the mandatory 'taches. Beastie Boys proving once again why the rap industry couldn't have survived without them.8 and 8.5. Puretones - Addicted to BassThe original video was shot in an audio store in Essendon, with installers fitting high-end gear into a Ford EF-EL Falcon and Holden VR Commodore. The second video was a Mad Max-inspired production that helped the song rocket up overseas charts, and featured a Plymouth Hemi Cuda and Chevrolet Camaro shot in Victoria's You Yangs. We can't decide which we like better, so they both get a slot.9. Golden Earrring - Radar LoveGive the megahit's racing beat and urgent lyrics, it seems strange that the video focused on a Reliant Robin - until you think about the skill it must have taken to get the little three-wheeled oddity to handle this well.10. Jamiroquai - Cosmic GirlCheesy acid jazz hit, but made notable by the video of a Ferrari F355 Berlinetta and F40 (the latter piloted by the owner, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason) and Lamborghini Diablo SE30 cruising through Spain. It was supposed to be Jay Kay's Diablo, but the delivery wrangler totalled the $239,000 car before shooting, so a replacement was rented. Just another excuse for the singer and his mates to horse around in their supercars. As you would.

The trucks, including the top-selling F-150, are being recalled because straps that secure fuel tanks can corrode and allow the tanks to fall.The defect has led to three fires and one injury in the US. The recall covers 1.1 million pickup trucks, including F-150s from model years 1997 to 2004; F-250s from model years 1997 to 1999; and Lincoln Blackwoods from model years 2002 to 2003.No Australian vehicles are included in the notice.Ford earlier this year recalled more than 1 million F-150s for defects that could prevent the airbags from deploying properly.

Honda has released a preview image of the compact SUV, which will be unveiled in the US in September and likely go on sale in overseas markets next year. There’s no firm date yet for its Australian launch, when it will replace the model that arrived here in 2007. “We don’t have any firm information on the production version or the schedule at the moment,” Honda spokesperson Melissa Cross says. The front three-quarter image shows that the split grille on the current model has been dropped, replaced by a handsome triple-bar horizontal design that lends a cleaner touch to the nose. While some features in the photo – notably the good-looking but impractical gloss-finish side mouldings, dark glass and the dressed-up alloys – will probably not make it onto the showroom floor, the image is probably close to what will go no sale. Open to question is the armoured styling of the front bumper, which would have suggested an increased focus on offroading if it weren’t for the new generation seemingly retaining the low ground clearance of the current model. Honda says the design changes to the nose will improve the CR-V’s aerodynamics and it will probably contribute to the promises quietness and also of improved economy from "a more fuel-efficient" engine and lighter weight. There are also only hints about what’s on the inside, where Honda says we’ll find “a more accommodating and spacious design”. However the larger body suggests that – as reported with our spy coverage of the 2012 CR-V – there could well be enough room for a third row of seats. This would open sales of the compact SUV up to larger families, in a segment where the majority of rivals seat only five.

These days it's being used to keep track of just about anything that moves. And that could include you. Here are our top picks for innovative use, ranging from ridiculous to, frankly, a bit disturbing.DRIVERLESS VEHICLESGoogle’s driverless car might have seemed like a publicity stunt, but autonomous vehicles are already on the way.At the recent Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin, French firm Ligier showcased its Vipa – a driver-free electric vehicle with room for six passengers.On sale in Europe this year, the robot car uses cameras and GPS to map a route (including waypoints) and once that’s done can drive along it unmanned at speeds up to about 20km/h, then return to base and recharge.The Ligier engineer who took journalists for a ‘look ma no hands’ trip around the fairly complex Challenge Bibendum test track told us the vehicle was initially destined for controlled areas such as airports, carparks and shopping centres, and could be linked in a multiples to form a hands-free convoy.BABY JESUSHe's always with you - if you make sure he's got an embedded GPS chip. Apparently the Christmas holiday nativity-nicking fad has sparked the marketing of trackable mangers. And for all those gnomes looking forward to their next round-the-world holiday (complete with ransom snaps sent home by your kidnappers) . sorry, you're next for the chip.CONDOM FINDERAn iPhone GPS app will navigate you to the nearest free condom supply - among the 3000 listed - in New York. It also provides details of how to use them. Although if you're devoting this much effort to finding condoms, we think you probably don't need further instructions.FOOTBALLERSWell, it had to come to this, didn't it? Brit soccer club Arsenal is using GPS to monitor its players on and off the field. If one says he's going home, the club can track him by computer. It's an idea that could interest Australian football codes - and probably the hotels they frequent.SHOPPING TROLLEYSThe psychologists who design shopping aisles to trap and tempt you will be outraged to hear the next generation of trolleys will be able to direct you straight to the items you want. No more heading out for bread and coming back with bath towels, beer and a kilo of bacon. Future trolleys will become so sophisticated they'll even navigate you through a Westfield shopping centre.SCHOOL UNIFORMSYet another bid to keep tabs on the kids, a UK clothing maker is embedding GPS trackers into school uniforms. Parents are more likely to discover the uniform spends the day rolled up in a railway station locker after being ditched in favour of the latest fashion code for truancy.ARTSize matters in the art world, it seems. The method du jour is travelling with a GPS and sketching out a drawing over a large area. While the route is meticulously planned, the results are far from the elegant linework of giant prehistoric art - the White Horse for example - and more like preschooler doodling.DOG TRACKINGNothing to do with the hallowed form of racing commonly known as 'the dishlickers'. This is about trying to work out where Fido has escaped to. Devices range from expensive hunting products that include a camera and compass to cheaper domestic versions that simply let you know what in direction your unfaithful companion has headed. The device can save hours of wandering around the neighbourhood. We know.SHOESFootwear makers GTXC have launched GPS shoes that can not only track where the wearer has been, but set perimeters and give a mobile phone alert if the shoes cross the line. Parents are probably already asking about an option to remotely administer an electric shock if the shoes trespass.GOLF BALLSThis is such a pressing need, we're astonished it wasn't the prompt to invent GPs in the first place. It's being touted for its ability to monitor the trajectory, distance, angle and speed of your drive. We'll be using it find the ball after every stroke.USB TRACKERThis disturbing little object can be placed in somebody's car or pocket, and then when later plugged into a computer will report where they've been. Available all over the internet, and coming soon to a suspicious spouse near you.