Articles by Malcolm Flynn

Malcolm Flynn
Editor

Back when all cars burned fuel and couldn't drive themselves, Mal was curing boredom by scanning every car his parents' VB Commodore drove past. His childhood appreciation for the car world exploded during a three-year stint in the US, and serious questions were asked when he spent a good chunk of his uni career perfecting lap times at Wakefield Park.

Mal got his big break scooping the VE II Commodore, before a stint at Overlander magazine and kicking off his online career with The Motor Report in its heyday. These days he's exactly the same height as Michael Schumacher and uses his powers for good at the helm of CarsGuide's editorial team. Mal proudly shuns brand allegiance and counts three young kids, an EH Holden, NA MX-5, KE20 Corolla, W116 Mercedes-Benz and the world's most versatile Toyota Echo among his personal stable. He also craves a Subaru Vortex, so get in touch if you know where to find one.

 

Summernats 32: Showroom looks take on street machines at their own game
By Malcolm Flynn · 08 Jan 2019
Australia's biggest horsepower party has been run and won for the 32nd time.
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Jaguar I-Pace S 2019 review: snapshot
By Malcolm Flynn · 18 Dec 2018
The $119,000 I-Pace S marks the entry point to the new pure-electric SUV model line, sitting $11,200 beneath the $130,200 SE. The I-Pace S comes standard with 'Luxtec' faux-leather seat trim with eight-way power adjustment on the fronts, 10-inch multimedia and 12.3-inch driver instrument displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Meridian audio system, dual-zone climate control, proximity keys, LED head and tail-lights and 'Style 1022' 18-inch alloys.The S also includes a warranty-length subscription to the 'InControl App Remote' smartphone app, which allows remote monitoring of the vehicle’s status and the ability to pre-condition the cabin temperature before you arrive at the car. Bound to be handy on particularly hot or cold days.Providing electric drive to all four wheels are twin electric motors located on the front and rear axles, with combined outputs of 294kW/696Nm delivering claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.8s. Its driving range is rated at 470km (WTLP) thanks to a 90kw/h battery lining the body's floor, which can be charged from empty in 43 hours via a standard power point, or regain 11km of charge per hour. You can step this up to 35km of range per hour with a Jet Charge wall box installed, which would cut the total charge time down to 13 hours. There’s also the option of charging at public charge stations (currently 150 compatible stations nationwide), but the current best-case charge scenario would be via the first 350kW ultra-rapid charger installed in Victoria, which promises 0-80 per cent charge in around 40 minutes.All I-Pace variants carry a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating.
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Jaguar I-Pace HSE 2019 review: snapshot
By Malcolm Flynn · 18 Dec 2018
The $140,800 I-Pace HSE will be the top rung in the pure-electric SUV line-up in the long term, sitting $8600 above the $132,200 SE and $18,900 beneath the $159,700 First Edition that’s available for the first year of production.On top of the SE’s features list, the HSE brings premium 'Windsor' leather seats, with heated and ventilated, 18-way adjustable memory fronts and heated rears, matrix LED headlights, auto powered tailgate, and 'Style 6007' 20-inch alloys.It expands on the SE’s 'Drive Pack' with the 'Driver Assist Pack', with steering assist integrating with the adaptive cruise control to provide semi-autonomous ability and a 360-degree camera system. Providing electric drive to all four wheels are twin electric motors located on the front and rear axles, with combined outputs of 294kW/696Nm delivering claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.8s. Its driving range is rated at 470km (WTLP) thanks to a 90kw/h battery lining the body's floor, which can be charged from empty in 43 hours via a standard power point, or regain 11km of charge per hour. You can step this up to 35km of range per hour with a Jet Charge wall box installed, which would cut the total charge time down to 13 hours.There’s also the option of charging at public charge stations (currently 150 compatible stations nationwide), but the current best-case charge scenario would be via the first 350kW ultra-rapid charger installed in Victoria, which promises 0-80 per cent charge in around 40 minutes.All I-Pace variants carry a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating.
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Jaguar I-Pace First Edition 2019 review: snapshot
By Malcolm Flynn · 18 Dec 2018
For the first year of production, the Jaguar I-Pace HSE is also available in the limited First Edition guise, which adds a bunch of usually optional extras for a discounted package price. Sitting $18,900 above the regular HSE, the $159,700 First Edition adds $23,440 worth of options.Beyond the HSE, the First Edition adds a fixed panoramic glass roof (usually $3380), tinted windows ($845), gloss black window surrounds ($598), front fog lights ($403) and 20-inch 'Style 5070' alloys ($390 on HSE).The inside scores First Edition sill plates, the full extended leather package to include dash and more ($2763), four-zone climate control ($1820), Alcantara headlining ($2496), First Edition-specific wood trim, the 'Cold Climate Pack' ($1060) of heated steering wheel, heated windscreen and windscreen washers, variable ambient lighting ($507), head-up display ($1040), waterproof activity key ($910), carpet mats ($299) and DAB+ digital radio ($520).Under the skin the First Edition adds active airbag suspension ($2002), 'Adaptive Dynamics' with configurable drive modes ($2405) and 'Adaptive Surface Response' ($2002) to optimise its loose surface ability. Providing electric drive to all four wheels are twin electric motors located on the front and rear axles, with combined outputs of 294kW/696Nm delivering claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.8s. Its driving range is rated at 470km (WTLP) thanks to a 90kw/h battery lining the body's floor, which can be charged from empty in 43 hours via a standard power point, or regain 11km of charge per hour. You can step this up to 35km of range per hour with a Jet Charge wall box installed, which would cut the total charge time down to 13 hours. There’s also the option of charging at public charge stations (currently 150 compatible stations nationwide), but the current best-case charge scenario would be via the first 350kW ultra-rapid charger installed in Victoria, which promises 0-80 per cent charge in around 40 minutes.All I-Pace variants carry a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating.
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Jaguar I-Pace SE 2019 review: snapshot
By Malcolm Flynn · 18 Dec 2018
The $130,200 I-Pace SE is the second rung in the pure-electric SUV line-up, sitting $11,200 above the $119,000 S and $8600 beneath the $140,800 HSE. Beyond the S’s spec list, the SE adds leather seat trim with 10-way power adjustment and memory settings up the front, what’s described as ‘Premium LED’ headlights, a power tailgate, auto-dimming folding door mirrors, and 'Style 6007' 20-inch alloys.It also adds to the S’s safety arsenal, with the 'Drive Pack' bringing adaptive cruise control with stop and go, high-speed AEB and blind-spot assist.Providing electric drive to all four wheels are twin electric motors located on the front and rear axles, with combined outputs of 294kW/696Nm delivering claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.8s. Its driving range is rated at 470km (WTLP) thanks to a 90kw/h battery lining the body's floor, which can be charged from empty in 43 hours via a standard power point, or regain 11km of charge per hour. You can step this up to 35km of range per hour with a Jet Charge wall box installed, which would cut the total charge time down to 13 hours. There’s also the option of charging at public charge stations (currently 150 compatible stations nationwide), but the current best-case charge scenario would be via the first 350kW ultra-rapid charger installed in Victoria, which promises 0-80 per cent charge in around 40 minutes.All I-Pace variants carry a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating.
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Jaguar I-Pace 2019 review
By Malcolm Flynn · 06 Dec 2018
Jaguar has beaten all its big rivals to market with a fully-fledged EV, but should you wait to try the others?
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Porsche's electric future on show in Sydney
By Malcolm Flynn · 08 Oct 2018
Tesla-trumping Porsche set for local showrooms within 18 months.
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Porsche Cayenne 2019 review
By Malcolm Flynn · 02 Oct 2018
When Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to become a politician, most of us didn't take him seriously. His successive eight-year stint as Governor of California proved our instincts correct, however.
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Audi pairs new RS 5 Sportback with Coupe
By Malcolm Flynn · 21 Sep 2018
RS 5 Sportback to bring the mid-size Audi RS tally to three, for the same price as the coupe.
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Renault Megane RS 2019 review
By Malcolm Flynn · 14 Sep 2018
More power, more wheelarches, more steering, more doors and more transmissions. Does this mean more R.S.?
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