Articles by Matthew Hatton

New Volkswagen Golf Wagon and Tiguan R-Line models added to existing Golf hatch, Beetle and Touareg R-Line lineup.Volkswagen has expanded its range of R-Line sports-flavoured models with new R-Line option packs for the Golf wagon and Tiguan, along with a new standalone Tiguan 155TSI R-Line flagship.The R-Line packages bring unique body styling and wheels, chassis improvements and other spec upgrades, without going for the full-house GTI or R performance boosts. Golf Wagon with R-Line packageUnlike the Tiguan 155TSI R-Line and the larger Touareg V8 TDI R-Line, the Golf R-Line is not a standalone model, but a $2200 option pack that can be applied to both the Golf 103TSI and 110TDI Highline versions of hatch and now wagon bodystyles.The R-Line package brings with it special front and rear bumpers, colour-coded sideskirts, tinted windows, R-Line badging, aluminium trim and 18-inch alloy wheels on the Golf's exterior.Inside the cabin there is aluminium finished brake and accelerator pedals, leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters and sports seats.The R-Line package also improves the handling of the Golf by giving it 15mm lower sports suspension and progressive power steering for a sportier feel.Tiguan R-LineThe standalone Tiguan 155TSI R-Line takes its model name from the 155kW/280Nm  2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that sits in the engine bay.It's coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission - with paddle shifters on the steering wheel - that delivers drive to all four wheels via VW's Haldex 4Motion system.The Tiguan R-Line gets similar R-Line external styling to the existing models - rear roof spoiler, unique front and rear bumpers, and R-Line badging. It also receives leather upholstery, adaptive suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and satnav.A $2500 R-Line package is also optional for the regular Tiguan 132TSI and 130TDI models, which comes with all of the 155TSI R-Line's extra goodies aside from the leather trim and adaptive suspension.

Tiguan SUV refreshed for 2015 with a standard reversing camera, a more powerful turbodiesel and sporty R-Line options.Volkswagen has made some welcome tweaks to its Tiguan SUV for 2015, aimed at helping the now seven-year old basic design compete with more recent rivals in the highly competitive small SUV segment.The biggest changes include a standard reversing camera across the board, driver fatigue monitoring as standard, an improved turbodiesel engine, and the addition of the sporty R-Line trim level.All Tiguan models now benefit from VW's XDL electronic diff lock, which expands on the existing electronic limited slip diff (EDL) element of the stability control to further improve traction and stability through corners.Pricing has risen over equivalent 2014 models, however. The price-leading 118TSI variants now cost cost $500 more, while the 132TSI is up $1000, and the uprated 130TDI diesel costs $1500 more than the previous 103TDI.While the size of the Tiguan's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel remains the same, the new 130TDI adds 27kW and 40Nm over the old 103TDI turbodiesel for new totals of 130kW and 380Nm. Despite these output gains, combined fuel consumption remains at 6.2L/100km.The 130TDI turbodiesel engine is paired to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives all four wheels through VW's Haldex 4Motion system.Petrol options remain unchanged from the previous models with 118kW/240Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 118TSI, 132kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder 132TSI and 155kW/280Nm turbocharged four-cylinder 155TSI options available.The 118TSI can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with two-wheel drive. The 132TSI and 155TSI come with a seven-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.Along with the other changes for the 2015 Tiguan models, Volkswagen has also elevated the 155TSI into their sporty R-Line trim level to sit alongside the existing Golf, Beetle and Touareg R-Line variants.The Tiguan 155TSI R-Line gets similar R-Line styling to the existing models - rear roof spoiler, unique front and rear bumpers, and R-Line badging. It also receives leather upholstery, paddle shifters, adaptive suspension, 18-inch alloys and satnav.A $2500 R-Line package is also optional for the 132TSI and 130TDI which comes with all of the 155TSI R-Line's extra goodies aside from the leather trim and adaptive suspension.

Reversing camera now standard across most Octavia models, along with minor price increase for 2015.The total absence of a reversing camera in the third-generation Skoda Octavia raised eyebrows when it first arrived in Australia nearly 12 months ago.This proven safety feature was previously seen as a luxury item on up-market models, before finding its way into most current mainstream models. Even budget runabouts like the $14,990 Honda Jazz are now becoming so-equipped.Skoda has now addressed this safety shortfall by including a reversing camera as standard on most Octavia models for the 2015 model year.All Octavia Ambition Plus, Elegance and RS sedans and wagons will benefit from the change, leaving just the entry Ambition grade camera-free.The addition of a reversing camera has added between $300 and $450 to the Octavia's list pricing, aside from the Ambition which remains unchanged.

University students break electric speed record with solar-powered vehicle.Students from the University of New South Wales have designed and built a solar powered electric vehicle which recently set a new world speed record for vehicles of its type.The Sunswift eVe is now the fastest ever electric vehicle to cover a 500km distance, with an average speed of 106.966km/h.The previous record of 73km/h had stood for 26 years before it was toppled by the 100-strong Sunswift eVe team.The record was set back in July at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) in Victoria, with former V8 Supercar drivers Karl Reindler and Garth Walden behind the wheel. The record was formally acknowledged this month by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the worldwide governing body for motorsport.Hayden Smith, a third-year engineering student who serves as Sunswift's Project Director said moments like this happen rarely."It's not often you can confidently say you made history before you even graduated," he said."If there is one thing we've learned, it's that you're never too young to make an impact," Smith said.And the impacts might not stop at just a speed record.Since 1996, the UNSW Sunswift team has built four generations of solar-powered vehicles that have set a number of distance and speed records both nationally and globally.For their fifth generation, Sunswift departed from the futuristic-spaceship style of design and instead built the eVe solar car to more closely resemble a typical coupe.They are now in the process of modifying the eVe so it can meet Australian road standards and be registered for road driving like any other car.The Sunswift team are hoping they will be able to take a street-legal eVe out on the road within a year.

New Blackhawk range adds street cred to Jeep SUV lineup.Jeep has announced new Blackhawk special editions of all existing models aside from the new Cherokee mid-size SUV.Following Jeep's recent local success - ranking among the top ten brands for the first time in September - plus a 40.5 per cent volume gain year-to-date, the new Patriot, Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawk models add variety to the SUV brand's lineup with a distinctly sinister attitude.In a clear nod to the current aftermarket trend of 'murdered out' black SUVs, Blackhawk models feature black detailing inside and out to replace most chromework, plus black wheels and Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawks feature bespoke seat trim.Jeep Patriot BlackhawkThe 2.0-litre petrol engined Patriot Blackhawk is based on the entry-spec Patriot Sport model with CVT auto.Jeep is offering the Patriot Blackhawk for $27,500 drive-away, which is actually $200 cheaper than the Patriot Sport’s $27,700 list price before on-road costs.In the Blackhawk, the Jeep signature seven-slot grille, roof rails, 17 inch alloys and badging have a gloss black finish. The rear bumper with step pad share the same body colour as the rest of the vehicle.Inside are heated seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, voice-controlled audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel.Jeep Compass BlackhawkThe Compass Blackhawk is also based from the entry Sport variant with CVT auto and is being offered at $29,000 drive-away, which is equals the price of the regular Sport CVT without on-road costs.It has the same 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission as its Sport sibling.The same gloss black external and internal trim changes from the Patriot are also applied to the Compass Blackhawk.Jeep Wrangler BlackhawkThe Wrangler Blackhawk - based on the mid-spec Wrangler Overland - is available in either two or four-door bodystyles at a $2000 premium over their respective 'plain' variants.In the engine bay is the 3.6-litre Pentaster V6 petrol engine and five-speed automatic transmission of the Overland with the same Trail Rated dual-range four-wheel drive system.As with the Compass and Patriot, the Wranger gets a gloss black grille and badging. The Blackhawk hood decals are matte black, just to change it up.In addition, it also sports 18-inch black alloy wheels, tinted windows, three-piece hard top roof, rear window wiper and defroster, as well as a fuel filler cap with black/chrome screws and black gloss hard spare tyre cover. The seats are black leather with accent stitching.In the cabin are heated seats, floor and cargo mats and piano black interior accents on the door handles, dash grab-handles and vent surrounds. The Wrangler's audio system comes with voice control and remote USB port.Jeep Grand Cherokee BlackhawkThe Blackhawk edition of the popular Grand Cherokee is based on the entry Laredo trim level with four-wheel drive. It comes with the same engine choices of 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol or 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with both coupled to the eight-speed automatic transmission.Like the Wrangler, the Blackhawk Grand Cherokees will cost you $2000 more than the regular models. In keeping with the other Blackhawks, the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk has gloss black 20 inch alloys, badges, grille accents, roof moldings, tinted windows, dual chrome exhaust tips, gunmetal headlight bezels and grey satin tail-light details.The front seats are heated and there is an 8.1-inch touchscreen interface coupled to the Uconnect entertainment system.Jeep Blackhawk Edition pricingPatriot Blackhawk - $27,500 (drive-away)Compass Blackhawk - $29,000 (drive-away)Wrangler Blackhawk - 2-door - $45,000 (list)Wrangler Blackhawk - 4-door - $49,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.6-litre petrol - $50,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.0-litre diesel - $55,000 (list)

Pricing confirmed for 5-door Mini Cooper, starting from just $27,750.Mini has confirmed pricing for the 5-door version of the Cooper hatchback, with all models priced just $1100 more than their respective three-door models.The five-door Cooper will be available in same three trim levels as the existing three-door, starting with the $27,750 entry-level Cooper before moving on to the mid-spec $32,900 Cooper D turbodiesel and the hot $38,050 Cooper S.Mini have lengthened the wheelbase on accountof the extra doors, giving the five-door an extra 72mm over the three-door for a total of 2567mm. The five-door is also 11mm taller than the three-door.The longer dimensions have also boosted the luggage space. The 278L capacity is 67L more than the three-door.Five-door Cooper drivetrains mirror the existing three-door lineup, starting with the Cooper’s 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The Cooper S ups the displacement to 2.0-litres, the power to 141kW and the torque to 280Nm.Combined fuel consumption for the Cooper is rated at 4.9L/100km with the standard six speed manual, and 5.0L/100km with the optional six-speed auto.The sportier S is rated at 6.0L/100km for the manual, and 5.5L/100km for the auto.The efficiency-leading Cooper D comes with a 85kW/270Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel, and consumption of 3.8L/100km in manual and 3.9L/100km with the auto.Feature-wise, the five-door Mini Cooper comes with 15-inch alloys, air-con, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, automatic wipers and lights, LED interior lights, rear fog lights as well as an audio system that has USB, auxiliary and Bluetooth connectivity.The mid-spec Cooper D replaces the air-con with dual-zone climate control and the audio system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen Radio Mini multimedia system. It's controlled via Mini's version of the BMW iDrive interface. There are also front arm rests, fog lights on the front and the alloy wheels are 16-inches.The top-spec Cooper S adds leather/cloth trim, front sports seats and satnav.The five-door Mini Cooper goes on sale in Australia from November 1.

Nissan adds efficiency leading turbodiesel TS and TL models to X-Trail lineup.Six months after the arrival of petrol versions of the third-generation X-Trail SUV, Nissan has added new 1.6-litre turbodiesel versions to the lineup.Available with either 2WD auto or 4WD manual drivetrains, the 96kW/320Nm unit is the same found in the smaller Qashqai, and drops nearly half a litre from the previous-generation X-Trail’s 2.0-litre diesel unit. The new engine also drops 14kW over previous X-Trail diesel automatics, and 31kW and 40Nm over previous X-Trail diesel manuals.However, the new X-trail diesel’s 5.3L/100km combined fuel consumption figure with either transmission is 2.1L/100km better than the previous diesel auto, and 1.9L/100km better than the old manual.A 1500kg braked towing capacity for 2WD turbodiesels is a match current petrol X-Trails, but 4WD diesels step up to 2000kg.All turbodiesel X-Trail variants come with five seats, unlike the seven-seat layout available with 2WD petrol models.The new turbodiesel engine is available in TS and TL trim levels, with each available in either 2WD with a CVT automatic or 4WD with a six-speed manual transmission.The entry TS turbodiesel matches the petrol ST for features, while the top TS turbodiesel matches the petrol Ti on spec.The $35,380 starting price for the 2WD TS turbodiesel commands a $4,890 premium over the equivalent ST petrol when paired the CVT auto.The petrol/diesel price difference narrows considerably between 4WD models due to the turbodiesel being manual only.

Honda Accord finally achieves maximum five-star safety rating along with Nissan X-Trail, Honda City, Toyota Prius C and upcoming Peugeot 308.Honda have overcome the shock of last year's four-star safety rating for the Accord sedan, with recent structural tweaks helping it to earn the full five stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).When the 9th generation Accord appeared in May 2013, ANCAP deemed its frontal offset test performance unsatisfactory for a five-star rating, scoring 11.21 out of a possible 16 .Honda has since implemented changes to the frontal structure of the Accord in August 2014 which has raised its score in the frontal offset test to 14.79 in this round testing, pushing it over the line for a maximum five-star rating."This is a great example of a non-regulatory program at work," ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said."Honda has reviewed the ANCAP test results and actively implemented changes to offer consumers a safer car."The same praise was not lavished on the X-Trail mid-size SUV however, with ANCAP critical of Nissan's omission of the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) from Australian-spec models. Despite this the SUV still gained a five star safety rating.ANCAP was similarly critical of the Qashqai small SUV's AEB omission when it was tested earlier this year.Like the Qashqai, AEB is available on European-spec X-Trails, along with several other models on the Australian market. It can prevent collisions by detecting stationary objects and applying braking force before the driver reacts.For the Honda City and Toyota Prius C, all model variants have been given the maximum five stars by ANCAP. Only diesel versions of the new Peugeot 308 have been awarded five stars, leaving petrol versions unrated.

BMW's high performance plug-in hybrid now available for local test drives ahead of 2015 delivery.Although Australian customers won't be getting their hands on BMW's i8 before the start of next year, the German manufacturer’s first foray into the world of high performance plug-in hybrid powertrains is now available to test drive locally.The six specialist BMW ‘i dealerships’ across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide are now armed with i8 demo models to help whet Australian appetites for the innovative petrol-electric sports coupe.The $299,000 i8 is one of a raft of similar models being developed by manufacturers in the face of tightening emissions laws, with such petrol-electric drivetrains capable of mixing green-cred with performance. BMW's The i8’s overall design is focused on saving weightThe two-door, four seat coupe is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor coupled to a lithium-ion battery pack.The petrol engine drives the rear wheels and develops 170kW and 320Nm. The electric motor powers the front wheels and develops 96kW and 250Nm.The i8 also has a second, smaller (15kW/50Nm) electric motor that is used to start the petrol engine and recharge the 7.1kW/h liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack on the move.The battery pack can be charged with a standard household power outlet in two and a half hours, or in 1 hour 45 minutes hours through the optional BMW i Wallbox Pure charging unit.Three driving modes are available - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport – which can adjust the drive experience between a 37km range of pure electric power, to using the full potential of both petrol and electric power sources to deliver 0-100km/h acceleration in a supercar-like 4.4 seconds.The i8’s overall design is focused on saving weight. The chassis is made up of carbon fibre and alloy and uses an innovative manufacturing process developed by BMW, and the outer skin from high-tech thermoplastic polymers, the same as the electric i3 hatchback.In the cabin, a magnesium panel houses the instruments while the air conditioning ducts are made from a foam-plastic material that provides further weight savings over more traditional materials. Even the glass in the windows is thinner than the norm.The i8’s satav system has the smarts to collect information on the status of the batteries, driving style, real-time traffic and topographical information in order to work out a route that maximises use of the electric engine.Customers will also have the option to hire a more traditional BMW for holidays etc, where a more practical vehicle may be needed.

Family Pack extras and drive away pricing added to Sorento SUV lineup ahead of all-new model.Kia has added value to the Sorento large SUV, with a new Family Pack now standard across all existing variants to help maintain showroom appeal ahead of the all-new third-generation model’s arrival next year.Raiding the Sorento’s accessories catalogue, the Family Pack comprises an alloy nudge bar, side steps, tow bar kit, cargo and floor mats, and weathershield. Kia values the Family Pack at $3400, but is now included at no extra cost.Kia is also offering drive away pricing on all Sorento variants for at least the month of October. Kia is covering all on-road costs for just $1000 over the list price on all versions beneath the top Platinum, where offer costs $1300.These extra features will help to leverage the Sorento against its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical cousin, along with other large SUV top-sellers like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Kluger and the Holden Captiva 7.The exclusively seven-seat Sorento is also covered by Kia’s new seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty which also includes seven years of capped-price servicing and roadside assistance. 2014 Kia Sorento drive away pricingKia Sorento Si - 2WD 3.5-litre petrol automatic - $39,990Kia Sorento SLi - 2WD 3.5-litre petrol automatic - $42,490Kia Sorento SLi with Navigation - $43,990Kia Sorento Si - 4WD 2.2-litre turbodiesel manual - $41,490Kia Sorento Si - 4WD 2.2-litre turbodiesel automatic - $43,490Kia Sorento SLi - 4WD 2.2-litre turbodiesel automatic - $45,990Kia Sorento SLi with Navigation - $47,490Kia Sorento Platinum - 4WD 2.2-litre turbodiesel automatic - $52,790