Articles by Matthew Hatton

The 2014 Audi S1 Sportback goes toe-to-toe at Tasmania's Baskerville Raceway by a replica of the Audi S1 quattro Group B rally car.The name Audi S1 quattro immediately brings to mind rallying's most extreme era - Group B.The 370kW+ monster was one of the most powerful cars in its class during the mid-80s and is now the stuff of legend, inspiring a myriad of all-paw turbocharged performance cars since.So knowing the new roadgoing S1 Sportback has a lot to live up to, Audi introduced it in the coolest way possible: letting it loose on Tasmania's Baskerville Raceway with a replica of its legendary namesake.

Honda highlights the alternate nature of the upcoming Civic Type R hot hatch with innovative 'The Other Side' ad.Honda's teaser campaign for the upcoming new Civic Type R is in full swing, with the latest teaser video highlighting the new Type R as the Civic's darker side, contrasting with the garden variety Civic hatch.Using a feature not seen before on YouTube, pressing the 'R' key will seamlessly switch between the mirrored stories of the Type R concept and regular Civic.While we've already been given a taste of the Type R concept's exhaust note and been behind the wheel of a prototype model, the new video is hopefully a sign the production version is getting closer.Watch the full effect here.

Pat Dougherty to head Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Australia.Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced Pat Dougherty will become the group's next Australian CEO and President, taking over the role from Veronica Johns who announced her departure on Tuesday.Dougherty has been with the North American arm of FCA for over 30 years, and moves into the role on December 1, from his current position of Vice President of Mopar, the parts and service division of FCA.Prior to this, he was the Head of Fleet Sales, Network and Operations and Head of Fleet Sales in North America.Veronica Johns tendered her resignation from FCA in August of this year citing personal reasons, but her departure was only made public earlier this week.Ms Johns’ two-year tenure at the top of FCA Australia saw not only record sales, but also a dramatic shift in the treatment of women within the company’s Australian arm.John Kett, Corporate Vice President of FCA and General Manager, APAC Operations said the company will look to continue down the path Ms Johns crafted."We need to continue our focus on sustainable growth across all of our brands and imperative to this will be the further development of our after-sales business to ensure that FCA is one of the most customer-focussed automotive companies in the market," he said.

Australasian Safari class-winning Isuzu MU-X SUV to compete in 2015 Dakar Rally in South AmericaIsuzu Motorsports is taking their class-winning MU-X SUV to the other side of the world to compete in the 2015 Dakar Rally, which starts in Buenos Aires on January 4.The MU-X entered in the Dakar is the same car that won its class in both the Finke Desert Race in June and the Australasian Safari in September this year.Based on the production MU-X available in showrooms, the racing version features the same 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine although it has been tweaked to produce 180kW and 600Nm - about 50kW and 220Nm more than the roadgoing version.Isuzu Motorsports team boss Bruce Garland - who finished 11th outright in the 2009 Dakar Rally - will step aside from driving duties this time around, with Adrian Di Lallo filling the seat alongside five-time Dakar competitor and Bruce’s usual co-driver Harry Suzuki.We always want to beat the Toyota HiLuxesDi Lallo piloted the MU-X to class victory and fifth outright in this year's Australasian Safari and is confident the production-based SUV has what it takes."The car's got what it takes to finish, obviously it'll be really challenging, but we have the right equipment and a very good chance at placing well in the production class and we'll be doing our absolute best," he said.The team is also quietly confident, however spokesman Dave Harding is mindful of the event's gruelling nature."We're quietly confident we can finish and post a good result," he said."There's so much luck involved, it's a pretty foolish person that says 'we'll finish on the podium'."We'd like to be one of the top-running diesels."The team also know who they have to keep their eyes on in order to succeed."We always want to beat the Toyota HiLuxes," Harding said.Although the Dakar hasn't run its traditional route between continental Europe and the Senegalese capital in seven years, the now-South American race is still regarded as one of the most arduous off-road rallies in the world.The 2015 edition of the Dakar will cover 8,500km across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile over 15 days. This year's event will also include 'marathon' stages; longer stages during which mechanical repairs are prohibited.The Dakar starts in Buenos Aires on January 4 and concludes January 17 after looping over the Andes mountain range to Iquique on the Chilean coast.

Ford US has come up with a unique way to make sure a test drive of their cars is a memorable occasion.They invited 30 people to take part in a 'filmed test drive', but were asked run the car through a nearby carwash to make sure everything was spick and span.Straight forward, right? Not so much. Ford had a little surprise in store...

All-new Mazda 2 brings Kodo style, an improved drive experience, new more efficient drivetrains and driveaway pricing. Mazda has confirmed local specifications and pricing for the much-anticipated new third-generation Mazda2 ahead of its November 1 showroom debut.  While the old Mazda2 continues as the second best-selling car in its segment - behind the Hyundai i20 - the all-new 2 follows recent updates to its Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris rivals, along with the new-generation Honda Jazz.DESIGNThe new Mazda2’s Kodo design language aligns Mazda’s light hatch with the CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3, and continues with the Skyactiv weight saving and efficiency boosting technology used by its larger siblings.The new Mazda2 has grown in most dimensions, with the wheelbase lengthened by 80mm to 2570mm and the overall length increasing 160mm to 4060mm. It is also 20mm taller at 1495mm than the model it replaces.The increased size of the Mazda2 does not necessarily mean a boost in cabin space however. Aside from an 11mm increase in front seat shoulder room, rear shoulder room has dropped by 30mm, and headroom has shrunk by 20mm and 15mm front-rear. Legroom is also marginally reduced by 5mm in the front and 4mm in the rear. Luggage space in the boot remains unchanged from the old Mazda2 however, at 250-litres (VDA).Like the existing Skyactiv-based models, the 2's extra wheelbase has been used to move the front wheels further ahead of the cabin, creating a more cab-rearward profile. This has also left room under the bonnet for the complex Skyactiv ehaust manifold and enabled the driver controls to be straightened from the current model's left-skewed layout.  The all-new chassis and strut front/torsion beam rear suspension in the Mazda2 have been refined to reduce road noise and vibration, and a quicker steering ratio has been used for a sportier feel.VALUEFor the new 2, Mazda is reintroducing the three trim-levels used when the previous version arrived in 2007 - entry Neo, mid-spec Maxx and top-flight Genki. These replace the current Neo Sport and Maxx Sport trim levels used since September 2013.The $14,990 ($16,990 drive-away) Neo comes with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, cloth seats, matte black trim, USB/Bluetooth compatible audio system and multifunction steering wheel.The $16,990 ($18,990 drive-away) Maxx improves on the Neo with 15-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss black cabin trim, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift, and handbrake.Also on the Maxx - with white, silver or black body colours - a $250 colour pack can be optioned which replaces the black trim with high-gloss red centre console side-panels, front door armrest panels and ventilation louvre surrounds. The seats are also coloured red, as is the front door armrest.The top-spec $19,990 ($21,990 drive-away) Genki gets the same MZD multimedia interface as the Mazda3, with a  7-inch touchscreen with satnav, multimedia and communication apps and six-speakers. There is also a heads-up display for the driver, several black soft touch panels with red stitching, climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, front fog lamps, chrome-tipped exhaust and 16-inch alloys.The Xenon headlights with segmented LED daytime running lights seen on early Japanese-market images are absent from the Australian lineup due to cost however. Aside from the revised pricing, Mazda estimates value gains of more than $1200 for the Neo, $1500 for the Maxx and more than $2000 for the Genki compared with the previous 2 lineup.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONSUnder the bonnet, two versions of a new 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder petrol engine produce more power and torque than the current 2’s 1.5, while also delivering better fuel consumption.It can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic transmission for an extra $2000.The Neo comes with the 79kW/139Nm ‘standard-spec’ VP-5 engine, representing a 3kW/4Nm increase over the old model. Combined fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km with the manual or 5.5L/100km with the auto represent 1.0L and 1.3L improvements respectively.Maxx and Genki models step up to the 81kW/141Nm ‘high-spec’ FP-5 engine, with a higher compression ratio, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold and variable valve timing on the exhaust cam on top of the standard 1.5's variable inlet timing only. A stop/start system also helps reduce combined consumption to 5.2L/100km with the manual and 4.9L/100km with the automatic.Like all current Skyactiv petrol engines, the new 2 will happily run on 91RON unleaded petrol.SAFETYSafety features on the new Mazda2 include front, side and full-length curtain airbags, ABS, stability control and emergency stop signalling. Mazda expects a five star safety from ANCAP in the coming months, but is yet to be tested.One notable omission from all grades is a standard reversing camera, contrasting with the new Jazz that includes the safety feature even on the entry $14,990 VTi. A reversing camera is optional on all Mazda2 grades however, with a display integrated into the rear view mirror on Neo and Maxx models for $778 fitted, and via the MZD screen on Genki models for $420 fitted. Front and rear parking sensors are also available as individual options, priced at $599 and $399 fited respectively.    An i-Activsense autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system can be optioned in the Mazda2 as an extra across the range priced at $400.

Mazda's new baby SUV to be revealed at Los Angeles motor show in November.Mazda has confirmed that the long-awaited CX-3 small SUV will make its production debut at the Los Angeles motor show next month.The CX-3 is expected to be based on the new Mazda2's platform, and sit beneath the CX-5 in Mazda's SUV lineup to rival the likes of the Holden Trax, Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the upcoming Renault Captur and Honda HR-V.Teased in a single teaser image for now, the CX-3 looks to evolve the Kodo design of Mazda's existing passenger car lineup, with a more shapely beltline and an aggressive headlight treatment that could resemble the recently unveiled fourth-generation MX-5.Other details will have to wait until the official unveiling on November 19, but we do know the CX-3 will join its big brother CX-5 and the Mazda2, 3 and 6 in having the full range of Skyactiv fuel-efficiency and chassis technology.Exact timing for the CX-3's local arrival is also yet to be confirmed, but the new model will hit Australian showrooms before 2016.

Project Sandman mixes Holden history with V8 Supercar engineering.Ahead of this weekend's Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercar round in Surfers Paradise, Red Bull Racing (RBR) Australia have taken the covers off Project Sandman, their in-house take on the old Holden panel van icon which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.Work began on the Sandman back in April, in collaboration with the Holden Design Department.While the shape and the name might be bringing back fond - or not so fond - memories of years gone by, the Tribute Edition Sandman is more than a trip down memory lane.Underneath the evocative, mattress-fitting body, (yes, Red Bull Racing claim it can still fit a short mattress in the back) is a race-spec V8 Supercar.Sitting on the 888-032 Car of the Future V8 Supercar chassis used by Jamie Whincup during the 2013 season, is the same 5.0-litre V8 engine used by the RBR racer, along with the same suspension, brakes and running gear.Unlike the V8 Supercars, the Tribute Edition Sandman features paddle shifters on the steering wheel, rather than the floor-mounted sequential shifter seen in the series.It sounds like a race car, it's faster than our race cars in a straight lineAnd while the V8 Supercar Commodore runs on Dunlop control tyres, the Sandman's 18-inch wheels are wrapped in Michelin-branded rubber. The different rubber will help dissuade any notion the car could be used for sly tyre data collection.RBR also plan to upgrade the circa-650hp/485kW race-spec engine to a 5.7-litre V8, once they finish building it, which will give the Sandman 705hp/526kW.The team say the differences are because they wanted to push boundaries, with Jessica Dane, the team’s Media Manager, saying "we wanted to create a piece of engineering art".Red Bull Racing driver Craig Lowndes says that car holds its own against the race-trim sibling."It sounds like a race car, it's faster than our race cars in a straight line," he said.Sadly, the Tribute Edition Sandman won't be hitting showrooms. The one-off special will be kept by the team as a promotional vehicle and for use during ride days.That's unfortunate, because the two 6ftx18 3/4" carbon fibre surfboards on the roof would certainly be a talking point in the beach carpark on a Sunday afternoon.The stiff, low-slung race suspension would also make nigh on impossible to get the Sandman 'a-rockin', which might detract from its appeal...for some.Red Bull Racing have no plans to bring a road-going version of the Sandman back to Australian roads, although RBR spokesperson Peter Jameson hopes it "inspires Holden" as the manufacturer moves towards the end of local car production in 2017.This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a Supercar take on a commercial Holden. In 2001 Garry Rogers Motorsport - back when they were a Holden-backed team - built a VU Commodore Ute V8 Supercar as a show and ride car.For now, the Sandman can be seen as part of the Gold Coast 600 event in Surfers Paradise which runs from October 24 to 26.

Hyundai's upcoming Genesis flagship sedan has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating.ANCAP has given the soon to be released Hyundai Genesis sedan a five-star safety rating after it scored highly across all areas in the assessment process.The new Genesis sedan is Hyundai’s attempt to rival the luxury sedans offered by prestige European manufacturers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.This is the first time we have seen the word 'standard' listed against every safety feature on our checklistThe Genesis scored the maximum 16 points for the side impact test, maximum two points for the side pole test and maximum three points for seat belt warnings.The only area where the Genesis didn’t score the maximum was in the front impact test, where the steering wheel could pose an injury risk for the driver’s upper legs.Overall, the Genesis scored 36.88 out of a possible 37.Aside from the structural integrity needed to pass crash tests, ANCAP said the inclusion of a number of technological assistance systems as standard fitment gave the driver and passengers high levels of protection."This is the first time we have seen the word 'standard' listed against every safety feature on our checklist," ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said.These standard safety features include a pedestrian-cushioning active bonnet, adaptive cruise control, adaptive front lighting, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), daytime running lights, emergency stop signalling, lane support system, reversing collision avoidance, and tyre pressure monitoring.Although the Genesis has been available overseas - in left-hand drive only - since 2009, the second generation of the design is due to go on sale in Australia for the first time in November, with an expected pricetag of around $60,000.

Local specs for refreshed Scirocco R confirmed ahead of 2015 arrival.Volkswagen has announced details for Australian versions of the updated Scirocco R sports coupe, before its arrival in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year.First unveiled in February for the European market, the new Scirocco R updates are largely cosmetic, but bring it into line with the styling of the recent Mk7 Golf R. The shape has been tweaked with new lights and bumpers appearing on both the front and back, matte chrome mirrors and the 19 inch 'Cadiz' alloys from the current Golf R.Inside, the instrument panel has been updated with a new look to the dials. There's also a new auxiliary gauge pod above the centre console, housing a chronometer, plus boost and oil temperature gauges.Scirocco R safety has also been improved with the addition of a reversing camera as well as front parking sensors to accompany the existing rears.Like the Golf, the reversing camera is housed within the VW badge on the hatch, which also gains a strong horizontal crease that continues through the new tailights.The reversing camera is displayed on a 6.5 inch multimedia screen, which also now includes satnav and 30Gb of hard drive storage.There are no changes in the engine department though, with the new Scirocco R keeping the same 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine from the previous version and the Mk6 Golf R.Unlike the Golf R, the Scirocco R's drive still comes via the front wheels, and can still be had with either six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic.Local pricing is yet to be confirmed for the new Scirocco R, but will echo the previous version in being positioned between the Golf GTI's $41,990 starting price and the $51,990 Golf R.VW Australia has hinted that the Scirocco R could drop below its existing $47,990 starting price however, with the lineup consolidated to just four colours and reducing the options list to the leather trim pack and a panoramic glass sunroof.