Articles by Jake Williams

Authorities in Germany have introduced speed limits on sections of the famously-unrestricted autobahns because of heatwave conditions. Behind the speed limits are concerns that high temperatures could create potentially deadly cracks in the surfaces of the roadways that could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.The roads reportedly weren’t built with such high temperatures in mind, which could be a future issue as global warming is being blamed for causing hotter global temperatures.As a result of this, many sections of the highways were limited to as low as 100km/h - much lower than even the highest speed-limited roads in Germany.Forecasts in the country have suggested that temperatures could top 38.2ºC this week, and the country’s all-time record of 40.3ºC, set in July 2015, could fall.While there were no immediate reports of accidents or carnage on the autobahns of the country, it has reportedly occurred previously. Authorities were quick to act by lowering the speed limit. In addition to concerns over infrastructure, the heatwave across Europe has been linked to injuries and even deaths caused by the sweltering heat. 

Rumours have swirled for years, but it appears Mazda is finally reviving the rotary engine with new patents emerging in Japan.It seems the long-held fantasies of old-school Mazda performance fans could soon become reality, with the brand currently investigating ways to make the notoriously inefficient rotary engine less expensive to run.While Mazda has spoken before about reviving the rotary as a range extender for its upcoming EV products, this doesn't appear to be the case here.The patents show a new side-port exhaust arrangement (like the 4-2-1 exhaust system in the company’s SkyActiv petrol engines) which will reportedly improve intake efficiency, and a new turbocharger design is bespoke to the powertrain - something that suggests this rotary design could be used as a standalone engine, and not as part of an EV setup. Other details such as displacement, power, torque and efficiency were not mentioned in the patents. The last rotary engine Mazda used was in the RX-8, which was eventually removed from sale in 2010 after failing to meet emissions standards.“A rotary sports car is our dream," Ichiro Hirose, Mazda’s powertrain boss, told CarsGuide in November 2018. “We understand the problems of the rotary engine. But understanding the problems means we can come up with the solutions. So we continue to research and develop the technology.”Asked outright whether a rotary performance vehicle would feature in the Mazda line-up, Mr Hirose said: “Technology wise, it’s more than 50 per cent. But the business case is the biggest issue. I don’t think it is impossible to make this kind of sports car.”

The next-generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution could share a platform and hybrid drivetrain with the next Renault Megane RS, if a report from Autocar UK is to be believed. Reportedly due in around 2022 and using the same CMF-C/D F4 platform as the next Megane, Mitsubishi will apparently aim to get back to its performance car roots with the next generation of Lancer Evolution. The next Evo will reportedly use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine boosted by a 48V mild-hybrid drivetrain, producing about 255kW of power and 450Nm of torque and be capable of a sub-5.0 second sprint from 0-100km/h. According to the report, the Evolution’s revival is part of Mitsubishi chairman Osamu Masuko’s plan to restore the Japanese maker to its previous position of strength within the performance car ranks. Previous plans to make a next-generation Evo were put on hold thanks to heavy financial losses at the company and its purchase by Nissan in 2016, but thanks to the Renault-Nissan alliance, such a product - and a regular Lancer small car - are more feasible. While the Lancer has stopped production for the western world, in markets like Taiwan it received a facelift and a name change to Grand Lancer. The Grand Lancer will possibly stick around until the next generation of the car is revealed.

BMW has debuted its most powerful ever car - but it’s not the M8 or M760Li, it’s an electric 5 Series concept named Lucy.Producing a massive 510kW of power and 1150Nm of torque from its tri-motor drivetrain - 75kW and 400Nm more than the potent hero M5 Competition model - Lucy is capable of a ‘sub-3 second’ 0-100km/h sprint, according to BMW. For the record, that is 0.4 seconds faster than the M5 Competition and more than a second faster than the M550i xDrive upon which Lucy is based. Lucy appears to be a regular 5 Series sedan from the outside, but underneath it hides a 45kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged quickly thanks to 200kW quick charging. Weighing 2400kg the car tips the scales about 500kg heavier than the M550i xDrive. It features a single electric motor at the front and two electric motors at the rear. Featuring electric torque vectoring, the setup is said to be more effective and precise than a regular limited slip differential, according to BMW. While the tri-motor setup is not yet due in any production BMW, the upcoming electric iX3 will feature the same front motor when it makes it debut later this year.

A bulletproof version of the Volvo XC90 SUV has been revealed, and it apparently gives the car the ability to survive a bomb blast. Reportedly under development for more than two years after receiving “numerous requests” for such a car, Volvo claims the armoured XC90 is rated for ‘VR8’ protection. This means that it has ballistic protection from every direction, and will protect you against explosives.This is because the windows in the XC90 Armoured can be up to 50mm thick, and the steel armour is up to 10mm thick. There’s a fire suppression system in the engine bay, and an emergency escape hatch in the boot so occupants can escape the cabin if need be.Because of the upgrades, the XC90 Armoured reportedly weighs 4.49 tonnes, and upgraded suspension and brakes were fitted to cope with the added weight.Under the bonnet of the XC90 Armoured is the standard XC90’s T6 all-wheel drive powertrain, though Volvo is yet to disclose if it has been upgraded from the standard tune, which makes 235kW/400Nm."Production is carried out with extreme diligence, which is imperative in order to fulfil the exceptionally high requirements placed on this class of security product. We strive to ensure that the car retains its properties despite the extensive armouring," said Stephan Green, head of marketing at Volvo Special Vehicles."The armour is fitted discreetly to make the car barely distinguishable from a standard XC90. Every customer also has their own unique requirements, which we satisfy by means of customised production."The XC90 Armoured is priced from £450,000 (AUD$818,000) in the UK. A cheaper XC60 Armoured is also under development, as well as a less armoured XC90. The model is reportedly aimed primarily at Latin American countries.The XC90 Armoured is only available in left-hand drive, and therefore will not be sold in Australia.

The 2020 Kia XCeed small SUV has finally been revealed after a months-long teaser campaign - but it will only be sold in Europe, leaving Australia to run with the recently-unveiled Kia Seltos 2020 model. Based on the Ceed hatchback - also not sold in Australia - the XCeed “combines compact SUV practicality with the sporty packaging and engaging handling of a hatchback,” according to Kia. Styled much sportier and sleeker than the Seltos, the XCeed has been designed for European tastes. It will be built solely at Kia’s Slovakian factory, which rules it out for Australian sales. Measuring 4395mm long, 1826mm wide, 1490mm tall and with a 2650mm-long wheelbase, the XCeed is 80mm longer, 26mm wider, 130mm less tall and with a 40mm longer wheelbase than the Seltos. The XCeed is only 90mm shorter than the Sportage, which will likely grow in its next generation. Practicality of the XCeed has been enhanced over the Ceed with a 426-litre boot (31L larger than the Ceed) that opens to 1378L with the seats folded, as well as an electric tailgate, 40:20:40-split rear seats and a two-step boot floor.The interior of the XCeed is similar to the Ceed, though has been fitted with a JBL sound system, the company’s latest 10.25-inch touchscreen - to debut in Australia in the Seltos - and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The interior is sportily styled with yellow highlights and stitching, as well as piano black and satin chrome trim finishes.Heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated windscreen, heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats add extra comfort to the XCeed, and those features will no doubt be welcome in Europe’s colder climate. Like the Ceed, the XCeed offers safety tech including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, auto high beam, automatic parking and speed sign recognition. Lane following assist is also available, which gives the XCeed level two autonomous driving technology - it controls acceleration, braking and steering autonomously.  Five turbocharged engines will be available in the XCeed: an 88kW/172Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit used in the Australian Rio GT-Line, a 103kW/242Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder and a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre unit used in the Cerato GT.Two diesels will also be available, both using a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with outputs of either 85kW or 100kW (torque figures are currently not confirmed). All engines come standard with a six-speed manual, while a seven-speed dual-clutch auto is optionally available on every engine excluding the base petrol. All XCeed models are front-wheel drive, and Kia has confirmed hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will join the range in 2020. Like the Ceed hatchback and wagon, Australia won’t be receiving the XCeed thanks to its European production source. Instead, the Seltos will be sold in its place, which is due in October 2019.

The Lightyear One is the world’s first solar-powered production car. Founded by the members of Solar Team Eindhoven, a successful solar car team, Lightyear claims to employ people who have worked with Tesla and Ferrari, and the brand's first-ever vehicle has been revealed at an event in the Netherlands. Taking the team's experience from solar cars experiments, the engineers behind the Lightyear One have designed the sleek, long production-ready car for maximum efficiency; it features an electric motor at each wheel to minimise energy loss, the body features a long tail and covered rear wheels and as little wasted weight as possible. The One is claimed to offer a 725km driving range under the WLTP test cycle, and features five square metres of solar panels built into the roof and bonnet - and don’t worry, these are protected by safety glass that is said to be able to withstand the weight of a human. Lightyear claims that in ‘optimal conditions’, 12km can be added to the car’s range each hour, purely by way of sunlight - perfect for Australian summers. The company also claims these solar panels are 20 per cent more efficient than traditional panels.But the One is not just powered by the sun - it’s able to gain around 507km of range from one hour of charging through a 60kW fast charger. Charging it using a 230V socket adds around 400km of range overnight. Unlike Teslas and other electric cars, the Lightyear One is not a performance benchmark - the company is yet to release power and torque figures, though claims that the One will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in around 10 seconds - it's clearly aiming more at range than outright performance, and that's unsurprising given it's the name of the game in solar car racing. Looking very much like a four-door Volkswagen XL1, the Lightyear One is futuristic. The interior is minimalistic with two large screens and plenty of storage space, including a centre console cubby to hide valuables. Pricing for the Lightyear One starts at €149,000 (AUD$244,000) and production will start in 2021. Reservations are open on the company’s website and deposits start at €19,000 (AUD$31,000).

While there’s no V8 yet, US company Magnaflow has revealed custom exhausts for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator to enhance its sound quality and street presence. Available in three different configurations for the V6 petrol Jeep Gladiator, buyers can select two ‘Street Series’ cat-back systems or a ‘Rock Crawler Series’ system designed for maximum clearance. The Street Series systems offer “a comfortable interior note providing just enough engine feedback while not producing an undesirable drone and deep performance sound outside”, according to Magnaflow.One features a single rear exit with a polished stainless steel tip, while the other has a dual-split exit with a satin black finish under the bumper. The Rock Crawler Series exhaust uses a single straight exit on the driver’s side that’s supposedly packaged in a way that favours extra space for bigger bumpers, aftermarket suspension and so on. Pricing for the exhausts starts at US$517 - that’s on top of the US$33,545 starting price of the Gladiator Sport. The Gladiator is due to launch in Australia in the first half of 2020. Local pricing and specs will be revealed before then.

The new Ford Puma 2020 small SUV has been revealed by Ford Europe - and the curvaceous new model will replace the boxy EcoSport in European showrooms. The Puma sits below the Escape and is based on the Fiesta light car, the ST version of which is due in Australia late this year.  But sadly for Australian small SUV customers, the Fiesta-based Puma high-rider is not destined for our shores for the time being, with the EcoSport continuing as the brand’s local small SUV competitor.From the images released by Ford Europe it appears the Puma sits at the smaller end of the small SUV segment with the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Kona, and not larger models such as the Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai. The design of the Puma is unique in the Ford range. Rather than appearing as just a smaller Escape or larger Fiesta, the Puma has its own style with a Porsche-style nose and large LED tail-lights. It’s sleek in profile, and looks quite different to the EcoSport that it will replace in Europe. The interior of the Puma follows other recent Fords such as the new Fiesta, Focus and Escape with a dash-mounted screen. The materials used appear to be good quality with soft plastics and high quality leather, and the latest in Ford tech is available including a new 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.Drivetrain details are yet to be announced, though a safe bet would be the Fiesta’s range of three- and four-cylinder engines. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol in 92kW and 122kW power outputs will reportedly sit at the top of the range for now, though an ST variant is reportedly in the works. Both six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions will be offered. Available safety features include auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, rear AEB and adaptive cruise control. Also available is a full-length panoramic glass roof, selectable driving modes, an electric tailgate with gesture control, automatic parking, Ford’s Sync 3 multimedia system software with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, a 575W B&O Play sound system and even a lumbar massaging system for the front seats. Though Ford is yet to announce the Puma’s dimensions, up to 456 litres of boot space will be available and the company’s new ‘MegaBox’ under floor storage system will also feature. MegaBox adds 80L of space, and can be hosed out and drained for “the ultimate in practicality”, according to Ford.CarsGuide has reached out to Ford Australia for any further comment on the 2020 Puma small SUV.

Porsche has announced plans to launch new Heritage Design Packages for its iconic 911 range, as previewed by the 911 Speedster from this year’s New York motor show. While ultimate customisation is the name of the game, each Heritage Design option will pay homage to classic models with a choice of colours and trims. According to Boris Apenbrink, director Exclusive Manufaktur Vehicles at Porsche AG, the brand’s future must reference models from its past."To us, it is vital to transport the brand’s values into the future. Heritage Design models represent an intentional addition to contemporary hybrid and electric vehicles as part of which technical innovations are in the focus.”Reportedly, the wider 911 range will eventually be available with some elements from the Speedster including numbering on the side, tartan interior trimmings and a wider range of interior materials.Included as part of the special edition rollout will be design elements from certain decades, leaving open the possibility of each package being devoted to a certain decade - a 1950s Heritage Design Pack, for example.The 911 Speedster revealed at the 2019 New York motor show previewed the Heritage Design Package with exterior numbering and different colouring, tan interior leather, Porsche Exclusive stamping on the centre console and a unique black leather steering wheel with a tan strip at the 12 o’clock marker.Should more manufacturers offer similar design packages on their cars? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.