Articles by Michael Turner

The Subaru Tecnica International packs come with an STI front lip spoiler, short-shift gear lever assembly and a flexible tower bar. The parts are suited to the current generation turbocharged WRX. The sports packs will give Subaru WRX owners more performance to complement the 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine, which can already go 0-100kms in 5.3 seconds. The front lip spoiler will add more of the STI look, and improves stability at high speeds. The short shift gear lever assembly has been fine tuned specifically for the WRX, and reduces the shifting distance by approximately 10 per cent. The flexible tower bar holds strongly against lateral forces, which improves the ride comfort and the handling. “The STI sports pack gives WRX owners the opportunity to customize their car with the peace-of-mind of Subaru factory production and warranty,” said Nick Senior from Subaru Australia. Only 100 kits will be made available, and can be found and ordered through the Subaru retail network.

You could wait longer to have your car repaired if 457 visas are dropped, a peak motoring industry body says. The Australian Motor Industry Federation (AMIF) says the current critical shortage of mechanics and other auto workers will worsen if 457 visas are capped. “The need is immediate. The shortage is now,” AMIF boss Richard Dudley told CarsGuide, “The shortage is of skilled automotive professionals is present now and likely to get worse, 457 visas are one of the few avenues available to try and gain the skilled people in the shortest possible timeframe.” “The Australian automotive industry uses 457 visas as a source of securing expertise in a range of automotive professions experiencing a critical shortage of skilled people including mechanical repair, auto-electricians, body repair, and vehicle painting. “ The AMIF say that these shortages will not just affect regional areas; the effects will be universal and nationwide. Automotive businesses are closing each week, with a lack of staff the most common reason. Due to this diminished skilled worker pool, 457 visas are necessary in maintaining the ability to provide these automotive services. A report surveying 700 automotive businesses by Auto Skills Australia has uncovered many cases of dealerships closing due to lack of staff, or inability to attract staff. In Brisbane, a dealership invested in facilities and transported workers to and from Central Queensland to service the surrounding communities. The dealer still had to rely on 457 visas to enable operations to exist. “There are numerous motor dealers along the Queensland coast who have   secured skilled professionals through the 457 visa program to ensure vehicle service and repair services to communities who otherwise may have faced considerable delays or lack of service altogether,” Dudley told CarsGuide. The 457 Visa Scheme is for skilled workers outside of Australia who have been sponsored and nominated by a business to work in Australia on a temporary basis. Recent commentary into the 457 Visa Scheme suggests that there should be a cap on these visas and that Australians should be at the front of job queues. “If we could find 19,000 skilled mechanics in the Australian-based workforce, we would employ them, but they simply do not exist,” Dudley said. The AMIF state that over the next five years, there will be a profound change impacting all automotive services due to the impacts of technology changes and globalisation. Dudley says that the Government have not spoken to the AMIF regarding their concerns to 457 visas. The potential restriction on 457 visas could affect the industry and hinder its ability to service Australian consumers. “ gain a better understanding of the entire automotive industry and stop ‘dog whistling’ on an issue that has serious implications if capped or made an emotional issue.”  

Sydney Motorsport Park played host to the men of the biggest motoring show…in the wooooorld. The Top Gear Festival was an action-packed menu of stunts and exhibits for everybody from the casual car lover to the hardcore motoring enthusiast. Fans were treated to a feast of tasty metal, including some high-end Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLarens, with the ‘Bruce’ in us all treated to some rally stages, motocross challenges, drag races -- and of course some Holden v Ford utes. Top Gear fans and car lovers alike were treated to a rare event, the Red Bull Infiniti F1 tearing around the Sydney track, before Webber took on Jamie Whincup and Casey Stoner in the Aussie Speed Showdown. Immediately the buzz turned to Sydney possibly hosting an F1 stage, but Mark Webber disagrees. “No, I think that it will need some heavily revised changes…it’s a short lap…in its current state no, never say never, things could change.” Webber said. Top Gear flaunted their signature mismatched face-offs, testing the performance of a V8 Supercar driven by Jamie Whincup, by pitting it against a stunt plane. Jeremy Clarkson also tested the performance of the Nissan GT-R by racing it against a 12 year old dubbed Usain Bolt Junior. Clarkson won, but took the youngster for a ride back to the pits, easily the young boy’s highlight of the day. Clarkson’s disdain for the ute may have changed, after Top Gear Australia hosts Steve Pizatti and Shane Jacobson gave them a lap in the Holden and Ford Utes. They didn’t want to stop. “They are brilliant!” Clarkson declared to the fans while sliding sideways in the second-last corner. The entire event was packed with Top Gear-esque stunts and events, with stars in the reasonably priced car, James May driving Postie bikes and tractors, and even the tame racing driver, the Stig, having a few hot laps around the track. It wouldn’t be a Top Gear event, if it wasn’t capped off with Clarkson's favourite car, the Reliant Robin, in the final of the Tri-Nations Motoring event, with Jeremy Clarkson and James May going up against Steve Pizatti and Shane Jacobson in a comical Reliant Robin Football match on the main straight. The Sydney crowd proved that Australians can cheer for anything that even remotely qualifies as a sport, as the Australian duo triumphed over the Brits 4-3; however Clarkson and May easily won in the crash category. In typical Top Gear style, the final event of the day could only end with driving tips from Clarkson himself. “When you are driving home, please remember you will be driving on public roads, so for heavens sake, drive fast.” And on that bombshell, goodnight.

BMW are looking to put the 'spark' back in the electric car market with two new i series cars that debuted at Geneva. BMW strive to solve the issue of 'range anxiety', saying while current electric models have an average range of 40 kilometres the i3 is capable of up to 160 kilometres.Purchase the optional range extender however, and BMW says that range will rise  to 300 kilometres. For consumers the cost of energy efficient cars is a major deterrent, but BMW says they can't give us a definitive answer at this stage -- except to say they will be keeping a strategic eye on the price level."We expect it will be competitive." BMW spokesman Scott Croaker told Carsguide. The new i series will be released in Australia next year, with the i3 coupe set for a mid-2014 launch and the i8 Spyder soon after.BMW have also stated that if a certain journey is not possible with all energy saving measures exhausted, they will provide a replacement conventional BMW for a given number of days.The German manufacturer has implemented a few drivers aids to make the electric car an attractive option with a range assistant, which can limit speed and consumption to increase the charge range, and also a display which can locate the nearest convenient charging stations.BMW said that charging their electric vehicles will no longer be a time-consuming task with them claiming that you can charge 120kms of range in the time it takes to stop for a cup of coffee.Whether that means the European designers like to take lengthy coffee breaks or the new i series really is a step ahead, we are likely to find out more as these cars move from concept to production.

To launch this year's Top Gear Festival, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Shane Jacobson fronted the press to promote their two day show -- but only for 10 minutes before being whisked away. At the event with the outspoken duo were the Mclaren Spider, Honda CBR and the Infiniti Red Bull F1 car. Top Gear's tame racing driver The Stig was also present at Circular Quay, and would not give us a comment on the Tesla court case against the BBC. Clarkson was keen to show off his 'British tan' to James May -- who arrived in Sydney this morning. The pair were quick to compliment Australian drivers, however Clarkson had other issues on his mind. The outspoken host was more interested in the graphics displayed on Australian cigarrette packets. "Why on earth do cigarrette companies put dead babies and eyeballs on the packets of cigarettes..." But expect that to be the most outspoken he will be during his time in Australia with a repeat of the now infamous 'Gordon Brown' quip unlikely. The Top Gear Festival is on this weekend, March 9-10th at the Sydney Motorsport Park.

Proton has finally earnt the coveted five star ANCAP safety rating for one of their cars.The Prevé is the first car in Proton’s range to receive the top safety rating – an achievement ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh says is a testament to the Malaysian manufacturer's commitment to improving car safety."A lot of time and effort has been invested in improving the design and safety equipment of the Prevé and it is reassuring to see Proton reach this mark." McIntosh said in a statement. “Proton hasn’t let previous poor results for its vehicles hold it back; rather they’ve used this as an incentive to strive for the top safety rating for the Prevé.”The Prevé managed to match the rating of several cars in the same category, including Mercedes-Benz B-Class, BMW 3-Series and the Volvo V40.In the official ANCAP report the Prevé provided acceptable driver chest and leg protection, passenger chest protection in the even of an offset crash and side impact crash. The car received high ratings in all collision tests; however the only drawback was its rating in pedestrian protection."ANCAP is increasing the standards for pedestrian protection for all star ratings over the next few years," said Mr McIntosh. In order to achieve a five star safety rating, the minimum pedestrian protection rating is being raised from ‘marginal’, to ‘Acceptable’ from 2014. The Proton Prevé was released in January of this year. Its high safety rating and affordable price tag (from $18,990) may help make it a more attractive option in a crowded compact market.

Pininfarina says the concept is built in honor of Sergio Pininfarina -- son of Pininfarina founder Battista Farina -- who passed away last July. From the concept sketch, the car sports a very sleek ground-hugging aerodynamic design, with what looks like a rollbar and attached headrests behind the passenger segment. Pininfarina has had their hand in many prestige production cars, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, Maserati Granturismo, and the Volvo C70, but for the Sergio the famed house has pushed styling to the extreme. Those eager to see what is powering the Italian concept will have to wait, with the designers giving no indication to what will be under the bonnet. Pininfarina first teased us with a glimpse of the concept design last month, and have confirmed that the Sergio will feature at the show. The car will debut officially on the 5th March at the Geneva motor show.      

Only 200 of the X-Runner utes will be made available in Australia, priced at $46,990 drive-away.Based on the 4x4 LS-U D-Max, the newcomer has plenty of added value, according to Isuzu.“You’re getting $4500 in added value (accessories) as well as on-road costs; the X-Runner D-Max represents great value over the standard LS-U model,” Isuzu spokesman Dave Harding says.The $4500 of extras includes unique metallic paint, three-piece tonneau cover, black sports bar, tub liner, carpet mats and unique X-Runner decals.Under the bonnet the X-Runner will carry a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, four cylinder engine that will output 130kW and have 380Nm of torque. There is a five-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic variation that will come standard with ABS, central locking, six airbags and 17-inch alloys.The release of the X-Runner ute commemorates the Max-Run Challenge, which is Isuzu’s annual challenge on the long distance capabilities of their diesel ute range.Isuzu ambassadors Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki will be driving a 4x2 LS Crew Cab Ute, and will travel as far as one tank will take them. The previous record was set in 2009, when a similar model travelled 1716.4km from Far-North Queensland to South Australia on a single tank.

Honda’s new diesel Civic Hatch DTi-S will hit our shores later this year, but will only come in manual. In a market where drivers are deserting manuals in their rush to automatic transmissions, the lack of an auto might hinder sales, but Honda Australia says it has no other option on offer. “The reality is there is no automatic available for this car,” Honda spokesperson Melissa Cross says. “If there was one, we would definitely make it available here.” The possibility of Honda producing other diesel transmissions for this model however, could still be in the pipeline. The new Civic hatch -- expected for release around April at a starting price of $26,990 -- will be the first diesel in Honda Australia’s range. The car will be the first released in Australia that will feature Honda’s new, lighter engines. The new hatch is powered by a 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine, which will output 88kW and 300nM of torque. The new engine is a complete redesign from the previous model, which was a lot heavier and had a larger carbon footprint. The new model’s CO2 emissions are expected to be as low as 105g/km, with a fuel economy of 4-litres/100km. Standard features will include 17-inch alloy wheels, hill start assist, auto headlights and wipers, dual zone climate control, ECON mode, and a five star ANCAP safety rating.  

Suzuki will unveil its new concept C-segment crossover at next month’s Geneva motor show. The car is based on the S-Cross design which was first introduced at the Paris motor show last September.