Coupe News

Mini adds $5000 worth of extras to Paceman and Countryman for 2015.More gear for the same asking price - that's the message Mini is sending with its revamped Countryman and Paceman.The BMW-owned British brand has given the pair some extra pep as well for their arrival next month but the claimed $5000 worth of extra gear is likely to generate more interest.The brand says the added features include satnav, audio upgrade and trim tweaks Its dashboard will have a 'new-look" instrument dial layout and air vent controls. Denser sound insulation improve scabin refinement.Cooper S versions of each, and the All4 variant of the Countryman, will pump out an extra 5kW. External changes include LED fog/daytime running lights, heated mirrors and windscreen washers.Countryman owners are not necessarily expected to go off-road - a main road through to the snow is more likely - so in addition to the heating functions there's also a new Offroad styling package standard on Cooper S All4 and Cooper SD All4 variants.Mini says the improvements are worth $5000, but it says it is (generously) absorbing these costs and aligning the prices - the upgraded Countryman and Paceman will start from $34,150, which is a $50 rise for the former and a cut for the latter by $1650.Mini Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz says the brand is in the middle of 'an exciting and eventful year".'The launch of the all-new Mini Hatch in April heralded a new era in Australia, with enhanced specifications and a major increase in customer value," he says.Sales have perhaps not reflected the maker's excitement, which is why staffers are looking forward to the five-door.So far this year only 1258 Mini vehicles have rolled from showrooms, a 17 per cent drop on its 2013 performance to the same point. Alfa Romeo and Porsche, among others, are outselling Mini.Bruesewitz says there is more to come from the British automotive icon.

Upcoming RC F coupe is the most potent Lexus V8 yet.Prestige makers such as Lexus are taking over from Ford and Holden as custodians of Australia's V8 heritage.An all-new Japanese road runner, the Lexus RC F coupe, is just around the corner and it's all about the performance package centred on its V8. The engine is the most powerful yet from Lexus, which has had a smoothly efficient V8 at its heart since the original LS400 in 1989.The new 5.0-litre V8 is packing more than 330kW and 520Nm of torque, figures set to run it head-on into the latest BMW M4 coupe and next year's all-new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. We will have full details later this week after the global press preview drive of the landmark two-door in New York."There is definitely a 5.0-litre V8 coming in the RC," says Lexus Australia spokesman Tyson Bowen. "It will produce more than 300kW and more than 500 Nm, yet deliver fuel efficiency better than 11.4L/100km The V8's output is not a threat to the supercharged 6.3-litre V8 in the HSV GTS, which makes 430kW.However, the difference is the Lexus engine has a future well beyond the end of local production of the Ford Falcon and Commodore. The V8-powered headliners from the red and blue teams are selling as well as ever, and better than ever if they have an HSV or FPV badge, but their time is running out.That means a V8 future in Australia is likely to wear an upscale badge from a brand such as Lexus, or Benz or BMW, or perhaps even Infiniti. Add to that performance brands such as Porsche and Aston Martin. And there will be V8s, including diesels, in top-end four-wheel-drive tow machines including the Range Rover, Toyota LandCruiser and the latest - pricey and unpopular - Nissan Patrol.Lexus says there is an obvious appeal in V8 engines, which is why it already has three V8-powered models - the LS, IS and LX SUV - in its Australian line-up. "We have V8s for a number of reasons. In the IS F it's all about performance and the visceral sound performance and acceleration that comes with a V8," Bowen says. "In the LS it's a slightly different proposition, because V8s are smooth and efficient. They are not stressed because they are not driven as hard."In the LX, it's about the flexibility and torque for low-end pulling power for towing, and the efficiency at cruising speeds."Bowen is not going into detail on the RC F, even though it's less than a week away from the public spotlight, but he is happy to discuss the Lexus obsession with V8s. "The original proposition was about the quietness, efficiency and refinement when you go back to the original LS 400 in 1989.Remember they famously balanced a coin on the engine to highlight its smoothness, they stacked a pile of wine glasses for a television commercial. They also use that 4.0-litre V8 in ultralight aircraft, because it can run so lean and for so long without troubles."

The secret (and some not so secret) models that will power Ford, Holden and Toyota when their factories close.

Safer vehicles -- and car affordability at a 38-year high -- deserve at least some of the credit for the record-low road toll announced this week. Figures for July released by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development show 1157 people died on Australian roads over the past 12 months, down from the 2013 calendar-year tally of 1193 deaths. The latest 12-month tally is the lowest since 1935 when 1100 people died, and is down from a peak of 3978 deaths in 1970 when there were fewer cars on the road -- and the population stood at 12.2 million, a little more than half what it is today. Governments across Australia will no doubt take the credit for the latest reductions in the road toll as speed cameras continue to rake in the cash. But it is worth noting that five of the past six years have been records for new-car sales and most new models have six airbags and stability control (which can prevent a skid) these days. That means there is a greater chance the cars alongside you can avoid a crash in the first place and, if things do sadly go awry, you're more likely to be in a car that's better protected by airbags. The old adage that we don't make 'em like we used to is true when it comes to cars. Back in the Kingswood era, cars were designed to be strong -- and the human body took the brunt of the impact. Modern cars are in fact designed to crumple around you so that the forces on the body -- the rapid deceleration -- are minimised. We shouldn't pat ourselves on the back just yet, however. The average age of cars on our roads is getting younger but it is still not as good as other developed countries. The average age of all cars on Australian roads has dipped to below 10 years for the first time, but is still not as low as Japan, the UK and the USA whose vehicle fleets are an average of six to eight years old. Which is why the thought of opening the floodgates to imported used cars is disturbing. The Federal Government is still considering this flawed proposal. We need to find ways to continue to make new cars more affordable so they can filter onto the used market and be within reach of the masses. Today, you can have a brand-new Honda Jazz with six airbags, a five star safety rating and a rear-view camera for $14,990. Given that Australia's used-car prices are at 10-year lows, chances are near-new two- or three-year-old cars will soon be in the $8000-$9000 price bracket. Imagine how many more lives we can save as the nation's car fleet gets newer and safer -- and imagine the tragedy if a flood of older used cars led to an increase in the road toll. That would most certainly not be progress. Here's hoping common sense prevails. Fast facts Motorists need to give cyclists a bigger safety gap as the number of fatalities has risen by a staggering 44 per cent over the past year -- to 56 deaths in the 12 months to July 2014, or more than one fatality a week. The latest figures show Australia's road toll has fallen to a new low -- and deaths of 17-to-25-year-olds have dropped by 33 per cent over the past five years -- but fatalities among those aged over 65 have increased by 10 per cent over the same period. Five years ago, 307 drivers aged 17-to-25 died on the nation's roads compared to 235 road users over the age of 65. But in the 12 months to July, 204 young drivers died compared to 258 deaths of those aged over 65. Road deaths over the past five years are down in every state in Australia except Tasmania, where the road toll is up by 28 per cent (from 32 in the 12 months to July 2010, to 41 deaths in the 12 months to July 2014). The latest figures show motor vehicle fatalities in Australia have fallen to five deaths per 100,000 people for the first time since records were kept -- but our roads are still the 16th most dangerous among OECD countries, behind Turkey (4.99), Finland (4.71), Germany (4.39), Switzerland (4.26) and Spain (4.12). Figures from the World Health Organisation show China and India have much higher road fatality rates (approximately 20 deaths per 100,000 people according to 2010 data). The worst places on the planet for road deaths are the Dominican Republic (41.7 fatalities per 100,000 people), Thailand (38.1), Venezuela (37.2), South Africa (31.9), Iran (34.1), Iraq (31.5) and Oman (30.4), the WHO data showed.

Lexus RC-F chief engineer gives a behind-the scenes look at the new BMW M4 rival's development.Lexus has put the BMW M4 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG on notice with its upcoming RC-F performance coupe.The successor to the screaming IS-F sedan is set to feature a 330kW plus 5.0-litre V8, sending power to the rear wheels via a tricky torque vectoring differential. Lexus aren't saying just how quick it is yet, or exactly how much power it uses to get there, but the RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi assures it wasn't engineered just for speed, but for maximum driving enjoyment as well."The most distinctive characteristic is the emotional depth of driving enjoyment offered to drivers of any skill level," he says. Given that much of the RC-F's development time was spent at the Nurburgring, we're inclined to believe him.

Ford starts testing of right-hand-drive versions of the Mustang in Detroit.Ford has started testing right-hand-drive versions of the Mustang muscle car ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms next year, priced from about $50,000. Ford has never made a right-hand-drive Mustang on a production line before. Mustangs sold in Australia in the 1960s and early 2000s were built in left-hand drive in the US and then converted locally. After declaring for half a century it was too expensive to engineer a right-hand-drive Mustang -- especially given that left-hand-drive new cars can be legally registered in other key right-hand-drive markets, the UK and Japan -- Ford is boldly going global with the new model.Ford has sold more than 9.2 million Mustangs since the first one was built in 1964The Mustang will be sold in 125 countries next year, including 25 right-hand-drive markets such as Australia, Japan, and the UK. "The Mustang is the heart and soul of the company and part of American culture," says Nair. "Of all our models, it's top of the list for brand perception and recognition." The Mustang has 7.6 million Facebook fans at last count (August 2014), making it the most "liked" car on the social media site, Ford claims. The Mustang has also appeared in more than 3000 movies, including James Bond's Goldfinger (1964), Steve McQueen's Bullitt (1968), and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). Of the 400 Mustang clubs globally, more than half of them are outside North America. Ford has sold more than 9.2 million Mustangs since the first one was built in 1964, but only 161,000 were sold outside North America. The Ford Mustang will arrive in Australia as the Falcon nears the end of the Broadmeadows production line. However, at the preview of the new Ford Mustang in Detroit last year, executives insisted the Mustang was not intended to replace the Falcon as Ford's hero car. "The Mustang is not intended to replace Falcon, it's bringing the Mustang back to Australia," said Raj Nair, the Ford group vice president, global product development. Meanwhile, Australians struggling to understand the merit of a four-cylinder Falcon will need to get their head around the idea of a four-cylinder Mustang: it will be available with four-cylinder or V8 power. Indeed, Ford's latest four-cylinder turbo engine has more grunt than many V8s (227kW). It will also be much more fuel-efficient. Ford made four-cylinder Mustangs from 1978 to 1993 but they were discontinued because the technology wasn't as advanced then as it is today. The V8 version -- which will come standard with a "burnout" button -- will likely be the most popular choice (Australia misses out on the US-only V6); the option of a four-cylinder engine is intended to broaden the Mustang's appeal, especially in Europe as the Mustang goes global for the first time. FAST FACTS The Mustang is one of the few cars in the world to clock up 50 years of continuous production. The other is the Ford Falcon (to be retired in 2016 after 56 years), the Volkswagen Kombi (retired after 56 years, 1957 to 2013), the Volkswagen Beetle (retired after 65 years, 1938 to 2003), the Chevrolet Suburban SUV (79 years and counting, since 1938), the Ford F-Series pick-up (66 years and counting, since 1948), and the Toyota LandCruiser 4WD (60 years and counting, since 1954), and the Porsche 911 Carrera sports-car (51 years and counting, since 1963) to name a few.

Updated2015 Subaru BRZ poised to offer improved comfort and style.

Mazda is getting closer to the revival of the iconic RX-7.

Watch the hot BMW M235i take on the Cape Town CBD – sideways.What's cooler than seeing BMW's new 240kW/450Nm M235i rear-drive small coupe slide its way through the closed streets of the South African metropolis of Cape Town? Five of them in formation of course, and particularly so with the skilled hands of world-class drifters Samuel Hübinette, Rich Rutherford, Rhys Millen, Conrad Grunewald and Dai Yoshihara at the wheel. Directed by Hollywood stunt expert Mic Rodgers, and coordinated by Riley Harper, the M235i "Drift Mob" video shows exactly how naughty the M235i can be with the stability control set to Off. 

The on-again, off-again Datsun 1600 is back on! We think.