Articles by Staff Writers

Watch these haphazard motorists take on a security gate with hilarious results.This security video in Iceland captured a pretty obscure warning to anyone thinking of using their car as a battering ram. If caution is not exercised, you could wind up on your roof.  Word has it that neither of these N15 Nissan Pulsar passengers were injured thankfully, but a damage bill approaching $50,000 AUD has been mentioned. Those security doors aren't cheap it would seem, as the Pulsar would struggle to fetch $5,000 on today's market. Perhaps they're treasured in Iceland?It's unclear whether alcohol or other drugs were involved, but it looks like a towbar may have been the snag that brought this pair undone.

Who needs a chairlift when you've got a Ford F-150 RaptorTRAX.Ken Block's latest contribution to the internet sees the heavily modified Ford F-150 RaptorTRAX unveiled earlier this year being put through its paces on the ski slopes of Baldface Lodge in Canada. While not skilful or carefully choreographed as his regular Gymkhana videos, its pretty impressive to watch the RaptorTRAX seemingly defy physics as it conquers the slopes. Block describes the RaptorTRAX as the ultimate backcountry snowboard expedition vehicle, and it does a pretty good job of transporting fellow Monster Energy athletes Zak Hale and Ethan Deiss in the custom tray. Aside from the Mattracks treads replacing the Raptor's all-terrain tyres, the RaptorTRAX has scored a bevy of expedition gear from aftermarket firm Special Vehicle Concepts, including snowboard racks, a roof basket, a rear-mounted winch, exterior audio system, Rigid Industries LED lighting, plus a driver-appropriate pseudo camouflage paintjob. The Raptor's 6.2-litre V8 has also been supercharged, and a full roll cage and Recaro seating add performance cred to the build.

Watch this Toyota 86 careen into a wall in the hands of an unskilled driver. The Toyota 86's tail-happy chassis earned it an instant cult following when it appeared in 2012, but this video proves that even the masterful development work of Tetsuya Tada won't overcome old fashioned over-confidence.  Even though he was smart enough to test the 86's limits on a racetrack, that Armco fencing sure ain't soft. 

New S Premium among several value changes to Kia Cerato lineup.

Helmet cam captures luckiest motorcyclist ever. We've all seen the impatient and risky overtaking moves that slow trucks tend to encourage on single-lane highways, but this innocent motorcyclist captured the nearest high-speed miss ever with their helmet cam. The oncoming car in this video is forced to quickly swerve back into their lane ahead of oncoming traffic, before overcorrecting and swerving back into oncoming traffic. If you listen closely, you can hear the car making contact with the bike, but a quick reaction from the rider helps them to keep upright and pull up safely. Phew.Also watch: BMW driver hits motorcyclist - and speeds off

Convoy of unmanned 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedans show off upcoming adaptive cruise control and lane departure technology.Hyundai are stressing that the stunts performed shouldn't be attempted but the showcased technology should soon be available to everyone. Well everyone who buys their new flagship 2015 Genesis model but as it is always the case, this technology will later trickle down to other models.Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC)Car automatically adjusts speed based on the car in front of it. It will even stop and start again without driver input.Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)Above 70km/h the system detects when the driver has difficulty staying in their lane and helps by using gentle steering compensation. For this film this technology was modified not to turn off.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)When a crash is imminent if the driver doesn't react this system can apply full brake force stopping power. Not all objects are detected, with the system being designed to detect vehicles in front of the car.

Kia launches new value-packed Sportage Si Premium.Kia wants to keep Sportage on the boil, so it has introduced a revised version this week to help fend off its compact SUV competition. They have put a greater focus on 2WD and added a new in-betweenie “twobie" called the Si Premium ($29,990).It gets plenty of kit including a six-speed auto as standard, 17-inch alloys, auto headlights, roof rails, reverse camera, leather/cloth seats, LED driving lights and lumbar support.Pretty much all the goodies most Sportage buyers look for on top of the other stuff are standard equipment such as Bluetooth phone/audio, cruise, climate control, glass tint, trip computer, auto wipers and keyless entry.This time around there's a revised 122kW/205Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine with direct fuel injection and variable cam timing. Fuel consumption is an official 8.4L/100km combined.Drive goes to the front wheels. Noise and vibration has been reduced and the gearbox revised.There's a different grille, tail lights, wheels, and aerial (shark fin). Inside, there are more soft touch surfaces, a new instrument cluster and a larger info screen.

Ad shows the benefits of automated braking systems.One of the key automotive safety gains in recent times has been the emergence of automated braking systems, which can detect obstacles and apply the brakes before the driver reacts. Several manufacturers are offering such systems by many different names, and now include several models within the budgets of mainstream buyers. Victoria's Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has put together this ad to demonstrate the safety benefits of auto emergency braking, with a distracted driver and surrounding traffic experiencing two vastly different outcomes to an everyday traffic situation. 

Commercial for US Sonata has father hooning in carpark, urged on by daughter in car seat.

Low-resolution charm trumps slick graphics and gameplay every time.