Articles by Malcolm Flynn

Renault’s SUV tally will swell to three next year, with the segment-splitting Kadjar joining the local line-up.

The $41,490 2.5i-S is the new top-of-the-range option in this fifth-generation Subaru Forester line-up, sitting $3000 above the 2.5i-Premium and just $8000 above the 2.5i entry model.

It might look just like the last one, but there are plenty of changes hidden under the skin. The question is, how does the all-new Subaru Forester stack up against the mid-size SUV competition?

It's taken 11 years for Jeep to put together the new Wrangler. Does it live up to the badge?

I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty sick of concept cars with all the functionality of a Matchbox car.

It might look like a sedate family hauler, but Volkswagen's Golf R wagon Grid Edition is hiding a ferocious secret under that understated bonnet.

Concept cars usually have one job, and that's to look good on a motor show stand for a few days.

International demand has delayed the Australian launch of the all-new JL Wrangler back to Q1 2019, after initial expectations of a December 2018 debut. Speaking with CarsGuide at the international launch of the new Wrangler in the USA this week, FCA Australia and Jeep Asia Pacific boss Steve Zanlunghi explained that the Wrangler's sales success in the USA has meant right-hand drive markets like Japan and Australia will have to wait longer than expected. This means we'll be at least 12 months behind the US, and more than a year after the JL Wrangler made its public debut at the LA motor show last November. It should be worth the wait though, with the first all-new model since 2007 promising more off-road ability, safety, fuel efficiency, power, tech, and refinement than ever, while also reducing weight.All of these advancements have been made without compromising the Wrangler's core ruggedness, with a solid axle front end and fold-down windscreen remaining on the features list after 77 years of evolution since the first Willys Jeep. This safety is set to include AEB on all variants, which means a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating is a possibility. Australian drivetrain details are yet to be finalised, but we expect to see a revised version of the existing 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel to replace the existing 2.8-litre unit. US versions also feature a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four and a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. We will continue to get both short-wheelbase two-door and long-wheelbase four-door Unlimited versions, with a variety of trim levels including the most off-road focused Rubicon at the top of the range. We're also set to score the new Scrambler ute version, but its timing is still up in the air given we're still awaiting its reveal.Keep an eye on CarsGuide for further Wrangler updates as they come to hand over the coming months.

The Wrangler is set to add five-star safety to it's seemingly endless arsenal of capabilities when the all-new JL model launches in Australia in Q1 2019.   Speaking with CarsGuide at the international launch of the new Wrangler in the USA this week, FCA Australia and Jeep Asia Pacific boss Steve Zanlunghi confirmed AEB will come standard on all versions. New 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesels are planned internationally, although Australia is expected to only see the 2.2-litre, in addition to a revised version of the existing 3.6-litre petrol V6. Both will be equipped with AEB.Mr Zanlunghi explained his team will be shooting for the highest safety rating available, and AEB is now a pre-requisite for scoring the maximum five-star ANCAP rating. The availabilty of AEB is no guarantee for the top rating though, with the Kia Stinger initially scoring dual three and five-star ratings when it launched because AEB was not available on all versions. This situation has not affected the Honda CR-V however, with all versions carrying a five-star rating despite only the top-spec VTi-LX coming with the auto braking tech.The current two-door, 3.6-litre JK Wrangler was given a four-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2012. 

The $210,000 A8 L 55 TFSI represents the top tier of the new fourth-generation A8 line-up.