Articles by Staff Writers

Staff Writers

The CarsGuide team of car experts is made up of a diverse array of journalists, with combined experience that well and truly exceeds a century. We live with the cars we test, weaving them into our family lives to highlight any strenghts and weaknesses to help you make the right choice when buying a new or used car. We also specialise in adventure to help you get off the beaten track and into the great outdoors, along with utes and commercial vehicles, performance cars and motorsport to cover all ends of the automotive spectrum. Tune in for our weekly podcast to get to know the personalities behind the team, or click on a byline to learn more about any of our authors.

VW Scirocco refines design and adds new engines
By Staff Writers · 11 Apr 2014
VW's new Scirocco sports coupe cuts a sleek profile and boasts new engines with engines that offer up to 206kW yet also promise fuel efficiency improvements of up to 19 per cent, without compromising the Scirocco's dynamic performance. Externally, the Scirocco's stylish shape has been refined and modernised with new headlights and tail lights, as well as revised bumper styling.The revised front bumper features aerodynamic `blades' in the outer section, like those of the latest-generation Golf GTI, with integrated indicator lights, daytime running lights and fog lights. At the rear, all Sciroccos now have LED tail lights, while the bumper has been reshaped to appear lower and more purposeful. As on a Golf, the Volkswagen logo badge now has an additional purpose: functioning as the tailgate release handle.Range-topping Scirocco R has a distinct look, with individual bumpers and alloy wheels. The Scirocco R now comes as standard with 18-inch 'Cadiz' alloy wheels, as on the Golf R. The rest of the range also receives new alloy wheel designs, including the option of the `Talladega' alloy previously reserved for the 'R'.Under the bonnet is a choice six new turbocharged direct-injection petrol and diesel engines, all of which meet EU6 emissions standards. We will get the 2.0-litre petrol engine as before with a seven speed DSG transmission. Inside, the dashboard has been updated, with new-look dials and an auxiliary instrument cluster above the centre console, consisting of chronometer, charge pressure and oil temperature gauges a tribute to the 1974 model. Here soon (maybe). 
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Ricciardo on the ball with AFL
By Staff Writers · 10 Apr 2014
In the quest to find out what Red Bull race driver Daniel Ricciardo could do after his F1 driving days are over, he’s trying out a few different career prospects.Yesterday we saw him give pizza delivery a whirl, but today it’s AFL. However he might have more success trying to punt the ball through the posts with a car than with his fot.Watch the desktop version of Ricciardo on the ball with AFL video here. 
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VW Golf turns 40
By Staff Writers · 09 Apr 2014
To this very day, more than 30 million Golfs have been sold around the world. From day one, the Golf has reflected technological progress. The first production Golf rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg on March 29, 1974. It heralded a new era... transversely mounted, front engine and front-wheel drive.As the successor to the legendary Beetle, of which over 21.5 million units were built, the Golf I designed by Giorgio Giugiaro and Volkswagen Design, had to live up to the immense expectations. It worked.In 1976 the first Golf GTI heralded the introduction of greater dynamism in this class. The Golf Cabriolet, introduced in 1979, was at times the best-selling open topped car in the world. Successive Golfs have continued to lift the bar.The 1983 Golf II introduced the catalytic converter, anti-lock brakes, power-steering and all-wheel drive. And, as far back as 1989, Volkswagen was already unveiling a prototype of this Golf with an electric drive system and another with a hybrid drive system.Golf III in 1991 ushered in a new era of safety. The Golf III was the first of the series to have front airbags, while major advances in the area of construction resulted in significantly improved crash safety. Many new features made their debuts in this Golf: the first six cylinder engine (VR6), cruise control, the first direct injection diesel engines and side airbags.Golf IV, 1997. With the debut of Electronic Stability Control in 1998 the car continued to democratise safety. The first direct-injection engine (FSI) and the debut of the standard head airbag followed in 2002 along with the R32 and a top speed of 250 km/h. It was in this model a year later that the revolutionary dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) debuted.Golf V, 2003, boasted levels of comfort and dynamic performance that left many a competitor in its wake. It also saw the debut of the first turbocharged direct injection engine and the world's first twin charged engine, combining turbo and super charging. The Golf BlueMotion also made its debut with fuel consumption figures of 4.5 litres/100 km.Golf VI, 2008 saw new assistance systems introduced such as Light Assist automatic main beam management, Park Assist, hill start assistant and technologies such as DCC dynamic chassis control. The current Golf, the Golf VII, made its entrance in September 2012. Weight was reduced by up to 100 kg and fuel economy improved by up to 23 per cent. Another innovation, automatic cylinder shut-off (ACT: active cylinder management) was also introduced.Earlier this year Volkswagen electrified the compact class with the all-electric e-Golf with a range of around 190 kilometres. In addition, the new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid drive will soon be introduced with fuel consumption of 1.5 litres/100 km – 50km in all-electric mode. The future looks bright for the world's best selling car. 
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BMW 4 Series convertible | new car sales price
By Staff Writers · 08 Apr 2014
The new convertible shares the same underpinnings as the coupe, with enhanced dynamics and driving pleasure over the 3 Series sedan on which it’s based.Exterior features have been designed to highlight the vehicle's sporty pedigree, starting with a large wide air-intake in the front apron which accentuates the convertible’s increased width. The air-intake is capped at both ends by apertures for air-curtains to smooth aerodynamics which are complimented by air-breathers located just behind the front wheels. It’s a sleek looker with the convertible top up or down.DYNAMICSThere have also been some significant changes made by the engineers at BMW to enhance the steering accuracy and agility over the out-going model. The chassis has been significantly extended with 50 mm added to the wheel base and substantial increases to the track width with 45 mm extra at the front and a full 81 mm extra width at the rear.Refinements have also been made to the suspension of the vehicle, including fine-tuning of the springs and damping, axle kinematics, as well as providing additional strengthening elements in the front section and undercarriage of the car.FOLDING HARDTOPThe three-piece retractable hardtop in the BMW 4 Series Convertible is based on the tried and tested mechanical design from the predecessor, albeit with numerous enhancements that reduce noise level to improve the interior ambience. The new, more noise absorbent headliner also includes interior lighting features to bring it more in line with the fixed top Coupe variants.With the push of a button the three-piece retractable hardtop opens in 20 seconds, even when driving at speeds of up to 18km/h and includes an easy-loading function for convenient access to the boot.For added comfort the new BMW 4 Series Convertible is also available with the optional Air Collar feature (standard on 435i) that warms the neck with a variable stream of air and includes three-position adjustment via a control cleverly integrated into the switch for the convertible roof.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONSPower comes from a variety of the latest BMW TwinPower turbo engines with strong performance and impressive fuel economy. Entry point is the 420d Convertible equipped with a turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 135kW/380Nm. It accelerates to 100kmh in 8.2 seconds and boasts a low fuel consumption figure of 4.8 l/100km.The 428i Convertible features a turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 180kW/350Nm. The 0-100kmh sprint is 6.4 seconds while fuel consumption is 6.7 l/100km. At the top of the range the 435i Convertible runs a turbo in-line six-cylinder petrol engine which produces 225kW/400Nm. The numbers are 5.5 seconds 0-10 and 7.7 l/100km. All models have an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all three combine a suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies to achieve low consumption and emissions figures.EQUIPMENTFeatures include auto Stop/Start, Brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO mode and on-demand ancillaries such as electric power steering. The equipment levels in all three models is generous Safety is five star and a range of driver assist features are included - front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC), rear view camera, bi-xenon headlights with auto headlight control and rain sensor, as well as an anti-dazzle interior rear view mirror.Prices start at $88,800 for the 420d Convertible.
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BMW X7 was a sure thing
By Staff Writers · 08 Apr 2014
BMW recently expanded production capacity at Spartanburg in the US where BMW makes most of its SUVs. More than that actually, they increased capacity by 50 per cent – so something big is afoot and that is an X7 which will compete with the likes of Audi’s Q7, VW Touareg, Benz GL class and other big, luxury SUVs.BMW X3, X5, X5 M, X6 and X6 M models have been manufactured so far in Spartanburg, BMW’s centre of competence for X vehicles. They recently added the X4 fast back to the production schedule.BMW is open about the X7 saying "With the BMW X7, we are developing another, larger X model, which we will produce at our US plant for our world markets - once again underscoring our commitment to the US."The range topping SUV will feature plenty of flow on features from the 7 Series passenger cars including luxury kit, technology and powertrains. Think 3.0-litre turbo diesel six cylinder as a starting point - with eight speed automatic transmission. Also factor in the latest in digital connectivity and think reasonably good off road ability on some models.It will probably weigh well over two tonnes and approach the size of a Toyota Landcruiser, perhaps bigger an style-wise, the X7 will share the family look - much like a scaled up X5 which isn’t a bad thing gauged off the new model X5.Prices? Toss a coin, but rest assured there will be an extensive list of options and availability is likely here sometime next year. 
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Schumacher signs of wakening
By Staff Writers · 07 Apr 2014
Schumacher, 45, fell while skiing in France on December 29 and hit the right side of his head on a rock, cracking his helmet. Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded.Schumacher's condition stabilised after he was placed in a drug-induced coma. In late January, doctors at a hospital in the French city of Grenoble began the process of withdrawing sedatives to try to wake him.'Michael is making progress on his way," Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement. 'He shows moments of consciousness and awakening."'We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident," Kehm said.She added that she and Schumacher's family 'do not intend to disclose details". Schumacher earned wide acclaim for his uncommon and sometimes ruthless driving talent, which took him to a record 91 race wins. He retired from Formula One in 2012 after winning an unmatched seven world titles. The accident happened on a family vacation in the Alps as Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son.
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CCTV shows how not to go postal | video
By Staff Writers · 07 Apr 2014
Watch the CCTV shows how not to go postal video on our desktop site. 
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Volvo Flybrid next step in energy recovery
By Staff Writers · 03 Apr 2014
Volvo and engineering company Flybrid Automotive, have been conducting UK tests of lightweight Flybrid flywheel KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) technology that boosts performance while cutting fuel consumption and emissions.The partnership, using real-world driving data from tests on public roads and test tracks in both Sweden and the UK, has shown that the flywheel-based hybrid technology can deliver an 55kW performance boost, together with fuel savings of up to 25 per cent.The research forms part of Volvo's continued Drive-E Powertrain research and development programme, which demands no compromise between performance and efficiency. Flybrid KERS tests deliver impressive results and confirm that it is a lightweight, financially viable and very efficient solution.The system is the first full-scale trial of a rear-axle mounted flywheel system in a front-wheel-drive passenger car. The Flybrid KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is fitted to the rear axle of a Volvo S60 powered by a 200kW five-cylinder T5 petrol engine. Under braking, kinetic energy which would otherwise be lost as heat is transferred from the wheels to the KERS, and is used to spin a 6kg carbon fibre flywheel at up to 60,000 revs per minute.When the car starts moving off again, energy stored in the spinning flywheel is transferred back to the rear wheels via a specially designed transmission, and can either boost power or reduce load on the engine. The combustion engine that drives the front wheels is switched off as soon as braking begins. The energy in the flywheel can then be used to accelerate the vehicle when it is time to move off again or to power the vehicle once it reaches cruising speed. 
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Ford Fiesta ST plays in snow | video
By Staff Writers · 03 Apr 2014
Watch the desktop version of the Ford Fiesta ST plays in snow video here.  
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Top car news | Hoff's KITT, Commodore 4th, BMW M3 and M4, fines slammed, Mazda demo sale
By Staff Writers · 02 Apr 2014
The Hoff's KITT for saleBased on a 1982 Pontiac Firebird, KITT was the car sidekick everybody wanted to roll with. And somebody will get a chance to do just that with the one owned by The Hoff.Holden Commodore sales surge puts it in fourth positionThe Holden Commodore has made a surprising recovery in the March sales race with a staggering 85 per cent sales increase compared with the same month the prior year -- narrowly missing a place on the podium as the nation's fourth most popular car. Preliminary figures show it was the Commodore's third-best monthly sales tally since the new VF model went on sale 10 months ago, as the Holden brand overall posted a 19 per cent sales surge.BMW M3 and M4 | videoBMW shows off the coming M3 sedan and M4 convertible -- arriving in Australia in June -- with some action footage.Mazda joins the demo derby, moving masses of 'dealer demonstrator' carsThe Mazda3 may be Australia's top-selling car so far this year according to official sales data -- but a special investigation by Carsguide has unearthed the industry secret that is driving its sales. A staggering one-third of Mazda3s sold in January and February were so-called “dealer demonstrator” models -- more than four times the industry average for “demo” vehicle sales, which is 7 per cent.Road safety expert slams 'revenue raising' speed finesA leading road safety expert has called for all revenue from speeding fines to go directly into building safer roads -- and warned the government's constant focus on speed is blinding us to other causes of car crashes. The national road toll fell to its lowest level in 89 years in 2013 but more than 200,000 people are expected to be injured on Australian roads between now and 2020. Injury rates are not falling as dramatically and are a bigger financial burden on the community because of the ongoing medical treatment.PlusRenault Kangoo stands up to crash test 2014 Toyota HiAce | new car sales price2014 Nissan X-Trail pricing and specifications 
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