Luxury Reviews

Volvo's handsome S60 has shifted the Swedish automaker up a cog in a number of areas - style, value, safety and performance.But the latter got a real boost following the arrival this week of a special, locally-fettled S60 T6 model called the Polestar.COMPETITIVEIt's a funny name derived from a company connected through motorsport to Volvo for decades. Polestar is in the box seat to provide guidance on performance models that allows Volvo to "compete'' with AMG and M Sport enhanced cars from Benz and BMW.The S60 Polestar doesn't face-off with the Benz C63AMG or the BMW M3 in outright hard-edged performance terms. It's not far behind though being more of a grand touring vehicle with an easy to drive feel (at half the price). The initial Polestar run is limited to 50 vehicles priced from $82,990 - a ten grand premium over the S60 T6.LOCAL EFFORTThe Polestar "brand'' is likely to be introduced on other models in the local Volvo lineup and is under close scrutiny from Volvo head office in Sweden which is likely to pinch the idea if it's successful here.THE PACKAGEThe Polestar car gets some cool kit with gorgeous 19-inch Heico alloys fitted with ultra low profile rubber and there's a stainless Heico quad outlet exhaust with tuned sports note. The turbo, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol engine's control computer is re-chipped to deliver more power and torque rated at 242kW/480Nm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 10.2-litres/100km.The upgrade is carried out in Sydney at Volvo Australia headquarters and the Polestar has full factory warranty and maintains a standard factory service schedule. The new engine program delivers a mountain of torque (grunt) from low in the engine rev range and into the mid-range.EQUIPMENTBeing based on the T6 means the Polestar scores a heavy inventory of safety equipment - and all wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission from Japanese manufacturer Aisin.The dynamic package remains the same as the T6 model. A range of settings is available to the driver through "My Car'' on the trip computer. Inside is a sea of leather and metallic fascia with a comfy seats, easy to use controls and a modern design. There are seats for four, five at a pinch and a decent boot.THE DRIVEWe had a real good go at the Polestar covering some 300km of mixed urban, freeway and country roads. It's a rapid piece of kit for sure, hitting hard off idle and ripping through the mid engine speeds like a sprinter.But in deference to everyday driving requirements, it buttons off a tad approaching peak revs. So the focus is more on mid-range response for overtaking and such like. It is super quick in this area blasting past slow vehicles in a blink. The suspension is sporty firm but not too jiggly and we liked the steering which offers sharp responses.The auto worked best in normal D mode because it hunts a tad in the sport mode. No wheel paddles are fitted which is a bummer because it means you have to take your left hand off the wheel to sequentially change gears using the stick shift. A small annoyance.VERDICTImpressive effort from Volvo. A seriously quick car at a sharp price. Looks the business, safe, stylish, well equipped, an engaging drive.  They should do a wagon version too.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

I did so want to believe the soon to be sole surviving Swedish carmaker was sponsoring the star turn of a Stockholm gentlemen's club.Yet while the model's designation might make for base humour, this limited edition sports tourer is no laughing matter. The meekest throttle opening makes that abundantly apparent. Polestar is Volvo's motorsport and performance partner.This house of fast cars (not fast women) has devised the software solution by which the already impressive 3.0-litre inline turbo six of the S60 becomes weapons grade.While there's but 50 to be had, a positive reception all but guarantees further such gambits from Volvo Australia. We wager this is a cert.VALUEAt $82,990, the Polestar carries no slight premium over the T6 with an R-Design kit and sports suspension. Essentially the extra $10k gets bespoke wheel/tyres, computerised zap, diffuser and exhaust. But in addition to this and the un-Germanly high spec of the T6, the Polestar brings the allure of virtual uniqueness. Volvo undertake to protect the investment by resisting the temptation to bring in more of this edition.Each is individually numbered and further distinguished by a discreet but distinctive Polestar badge hard by the R-Design logo. It's a subtle, desirable addition to a car that scarcely lacks on-road presence, an aspect enhanced by 19-inch Heico alloys around which are wrapped 254/35 Pirelli P Zeros with a ride height dopped by  by 15mm.DESIGNVolvo having mercifully dispensed with the "a bit naughty" ad campaign, we can now enjoy the lines of arguably the handsomest four door on the road free of the compulsion to grind teeth and clench fists.If it's true certain Asian auto house designers don't so much as sharpen a pencil until they've got an eyeful of the latest wares of their Euro contemporaries (and let's face it, they don't), it'll be treat to see affordable renderings of this distinctive sedan.Captivating enough unenhanced, the S60 appears full of intent and even predatory with the R-Design/Polestar treatment. It's in the eye of the beholder, to be sure, but do make mine white. Within all seats, particularly those up front manage the rare feat of being both supportive through bends and comfortbale over the long haul.TECHNOLOGYThis is a tuning package, Volvo are at pains to emphasize, that is not achieved via a chip not a plug in nor by any means of the tuner's dark art. Rather it's a bespoke software application that boosts the blown inline six's already formidable output by 18kW and 40Nm to a blistering 242kW/480Nm. That's better than the recently discarded V8 of the bigger S80 saloon.This is got to the road in an orderly and effective fashion via a six-speed Aisin torque converter auto (there being no in-house twin clutch transmission to handle all this twist) and an on-demand all-wheel-drive that kicks at 1/16th of a rotation variation in wheel speeds. Effectively that's instantaneous.SAFETYToo often Volvo road tests read like a cut and paste of the safety spec, so volumous is aspect. We'll spare you that, save to once more enthuse about the effectiveness of the Volvo's blind spot warning system and, in this instance patricularly, superb brakes that have cosiderable bite without breaking the ABS barrier.Almost equally reptitively, the S60/V60 range's massive caveat remains the absence of any sort of spare tyre. A boot space eating space saver package is a cost option. This appalling omission arguably cost the S60 entrant  the otherwise excellent T4  Carsguide's Car of the Year.DRIVINGVolvo people are at pains to paint their Polestar as anything but an M car or AMG, more an equivalent to the BMW and Merc below that exalted level. At any rate, the Polestar is a hugely able sporting grand tourer, rather than a sports sedan per se. Off the mark performance is rapid  the 0-100km/h time is shaved back to 5.8 seconds. Save for front wheel chirrup as the traction control kicks in, delivery is almost completely linear.That can't be said of the steering, which even in the lesser models is just a bit too abrupt off centre and more so here due to the rigid walls of the specially selected Pirellis. Not that it's innacurate or, at at about 2.7 turns lock-to-lock, overly quick.Rather this slightly artifical feel makes you think twice about exploiting the immense grip and corner carving potential that would surely approach  its klick crushing straight line capability. Tyre roar on coarser surfaces and a rigid, but generally complaint, ride are more than acceptable trade-offs not only for the dynamic but the visual enhancement they provide.VERDICTA blessing to the eye with soul-stirring performance to match, the Polestar is a fine alternative Euro. In the absence of genuinely new models, look forward to more such digressions from the Volvo norm.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

WE turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?What is it?The Mercedes-Benz sedan that looks more like a coupe. They even call it a coupe, but of course it has four doors. This one is equipped with a torquey fuel efficient 3.0-litre turbo diesel.How much?Priced from $159,200 (same price as the 3.5-litre petrol model what a choice? It's another 50 grand jump up to the V8 from there.Who are the competitors?The closest competitors in design are probably BMW's high-riding ugly GT or perhaps the attractive Audi A7. But the Benz really nails it, based on the attention it attracts.What's under the bonnet?3.0-litre six cylinder direct injection turbo diesel produces 195kW of power and 620Nm of torque, coupled with a seven-speed automatic with drive through the rear wheels.How does it go?Nice. We love the V8 but this is definitely the thinking man's car. You might be interested to learn it actually produces more torque than the 600Nm V8.Is it economical?Claimed fuel economy is 6.2 litres/100km and it produces 163g/km of CO2. We were averaging 7.8 long-term but it was bang on the money over shorter distances.Is it green?Gets a creditable 3.5 stars under the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius sets the benchmark at 5). Interestingly the 3.5 petrol model scores an even better 4.5 stars.Is it safe?No worries here. Gets a full five stars for safety. More than a dozen driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. Active Blind Spot Assist flashes a warning if there is someone hiding in the lane next to you while the Active Lane Keeping system causes the steering wheel to vibrate in your hands if you happen to stray into the next lane.Is it comfortable?Typical Benz. Quiet, luxurious and comfortable. Individial seating for four occupants, with divided rear seats. The CLS is a class act and a stylish one.What's it like to drive?Like a stealth fighter. Slides through the traffic with consumate ease. Plenty of torque gives it a real kick off the line.Is it value for money?Fitted with 18 inch wheels, satellite navigation, LED high peformance head lights, Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound audio system and a 10GB hard disk for music.Would we buy one?If only? Priced from $159,200 before on-road costs. We get to drive them but we certainly don't get to keep them certainly not with what they pay us.MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 350 CDICLS turns heads with its predatory look.

We still can't get over the fact that the medium size Volvo S60 T4 luxury sedan has a 1.6-litre engine. Albeit it's turbocharged, but it sure doesn't feel like a little 1.6. Except when your visits to the servo are once in a blue moon.Volvo is party to the worldwide trend towards smaller capacity, high-tech, force-fed petrol engines to replace larger gas guzzlers. If this is the way of the future, then bring it on.ENGINEThe direct injection engine, a blood brother to the 2.0-litre in T5 Volvos, sees duty in other cars with and without turbocharging and is a crackerjack good for 132kW/240Nm output. Fuel consumption is a handy 7.2-litres/100km and has been hovering around that mark for the past six weeks of our "ownership." Better still is the price which Volvo pitches at $51,990.KITThis money gets you plenty of kit including luxury, safety and performance equipment. You can specify what type of dynamics you prefer - Touring or Dynamic and the electronic safety stuff such as stability control has sports modes. Ours has the Touring suspension which adds extra comfort.COMFORTSWe have grown to appreciate the leather seats electrically adjustable for the driver, and pollen filtration system that knocks out diesel smoke from the ventilation system. The audio system is impressive and we can't see why you'd spend the extra on an upgrade. You only have two ears after all.SAFETYSafety equipment is manifold and includes City Safety that helps prevent rear enders in traffic. The car gets a five star crash rating and has dynamics capable of avoiding a collision in the first place. Though the "base model" the T4 has stylish 17-inch alloys and a quality "European" look to its flanks. The boot is large and there's plenty of room inside.VERDICTWhat's not to like?

Rain is sluicing across the road and the roof as the Mini Cooper S Coupe snorts its way up the mountain. The turbo 1.6-litre engine is appreciating the cold, dense air and the suspension and tyres are clinging tighter than the moss that’s made its home on the edge of the road.Welcome to the Mini Cooper S Coupe, the brand’s sexiest styling effort yet and a car which at $43,000 is as quick and surefooted a vehicle as you can hope for this side of an all-wheel drive Subaru WRX.VALUEEurope will offer four variants of the helmet-headed Mini Coupe but in Australia we’re only getting the good stuff. That means the Cooper S will start proceedings at $42,990 when it goes on sale in late February, with the John Cooper Works version another $8000-$9000 above that (BMW won’t announce the JCW price until closer to launch).The money buys a great-looking two-seater with a huge boot - 280 litres - along with 16-inch alloys, airconditioning and reverse parking sensors.TECHNOLOGYThe Mini Coupe doesn’t break new ground, it just covers it quicker than any Mini before it.Brake energy regeneration helps drive the ancillaries, which kick in only when needed and there’s an auto stop/start system, shift display and low rolling resistance tyres.The smarts are in the way this car has been set up to sit on the road, irrespective of the conditions or speed.A rear spoiler pops up at 80km/h and folds back when speeds drop below 60km/h. It’s there to aid the aerodynamics but there’s a switch if you insist on having it up when cruising past the shops.STYLINGCoupe designer Anders Warming said at the international launch of the car that the look was intended to mirror a ``backwards baseball cap''. Every iPod-enabled teenage rapper now wears their cap at some obscure angle other than front-on and are generally ignored for it.Not so the Coupe. People in passing cars and pedestrians stare when this Mini rolls past. Inside is the standard Mini switchgear - a huge central speedo with displays on the bottom for stereo position.Chrome toggle switches control the likes of the interior lights and windows. It’s based on the “three box” structure - engine, passenger cell and boot - common on most cars but new to this former British brand.SAFETYThe Coupe hasn’t been crashed in the lab yet, but its siblings have earned a five-star rating and the extra work in the chassis should ensure this car is also a top performer. A “tyre defect” indicator warns if the run-flat rubber has a problem. There are only four airbags, but with no back seat passengers, there’s no need for more. DRIVINGThe only car that comes close to the Mini for chassis and suspension balance is the Audi TT - and it costs another $20,000. The on-paper figures of 135kW and 260Nm are backed by an official 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, but those numbers don’t do justice to how well this car goes around corners.It’s more a case of how hard do you dare to go - and on wet roads, that’s amazingly hard. The ventilated brakes bleed speed faster than tossing out an anchor and it is as close as a road-going car can come to go-kart performance.The suspension is biased to ride rather than comfort but is still not horrible on city streets and it’s a trade-off I’d happily accept for its ability to make your smile on tight roads. The front and back screens are intentionally small  to focus attention on the road ahead and the vehicle’s you’ve just passed.VERDICTI take my cap off to the Mini Coupe - this helmet-headed car is a masochist’s dream. The nastier the road and the harder you flog it, the better it responds. The two-seat layout is offset by a respectable luggage area and the build quality is up there with cars that cost a lot more.And then there’s the ability to personalise it so no one mistakes your car from what will be an ever-expanding Coupe pack.Mini Cooper S CoupePrice: $42,990Warranty: Three years/100,000kmResale: (no previous model)Service Intervals: Determined by driving conditionsEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo, 135kW/240NmBody: Three-door coupeTransmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel driveThirst: 6.3 litres/100km, 146g/km CO2Dimensions: 3734mm (L), 1683mm (W), 1384mm (H), 2467mm (WB) 1459mm/1467mm tracks front/rearSuspension: MacPherson strut front, multi-link rearBrakes: 294mm vented front discs, 259mm vented rear discs

Summer means top-down motoring. For those who can afford it, that in turn means the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet. It's the trendy way to shop in the trendy streets and a stylish item in its own right.And in the E-Class, even Melbourne's fickle summer weather can be tolerated with the soft-top down. Unlike the SLK, it can also cope with four adults in comfort.Audi and BMW are both switched on to the whole topless thing. They just don't fight in exactly the same space as the mid-sized Merc. BMW jumps from the smaller 3 Series drop-tops to the to-die-for 6 Series that is almost $90,000 dearer.Audi comes closer with the A5 cabrio - and it has all-wheel-drive reassurance - but it doesn't have the style of the three-pointed-star. And that's like having the body without the tan. The base Merc is still loaded with a seven-inch colour display, 6Gb hard drive for storing music, 17-inch alloys and leather seats front and back.It is hard to argue with a car that feels this solid but is powered by a 1.8-litre engine and still manages a sub-8 second sprint to 100km/h. It's like arguing with your younger sibling when they know martial arts ... not advisable.  The Merc has bi-xenon headlights with adaptive lighting and memory front seats for those rare occasions when you let someone else behind the wheel.The Mercedes is well-proportioned with the soft top up. Drop it and it makes me look good. That's because people tend to look at the angular lines of the car and ignore the obviously pretentious middle-aged bloke behind the wheel. The interior is smart but not spectacular. It is more refined than the outside but still exudes more class than I'd otherwise be capable of.A body shell that's tougher than your primary school vice-principal is matched with enough software to save a lemming from the cliff face and nine airbags for those that accidentally get pushed off. No surprise then that it earns five stars. Do something insane enough to roll the car and the hoop-bars will punch up behind the rear seats to protect the back seat passengers, who did nothing wrong in the first place.Pop the windows down on the E250 and the coiffed hairdo may get a natural touch-up. Leave them up, though, and there's little to critisize about the way it runs. We're not talking sports car performance here but cabrio owners shouldn't delude themselves they can take on a C63 AMG.We are talking style and there's not much to argue with here. The Merc copes with speed humps and stares with equal aplomb and this is a boulevard cruiser that few this side of a Maserati can match.

If you want to succeed in the prestige car business in this country you need to field a competitive mid-sized model.BMW gets by on the back of its 3-Series, 'Benz depends on its C-Class, and Audi its A4, so when it comes time to renew these models there's an understandable level of nervousness among executives of the respective companies.It was the turn of the Audi execs to feel the heat when the company revealed its new A4 in 2008. The company had established the credibility of the A4 over previous generations, but knew the on-going success of the brand depended heavily on the eighth generation model. The previous generation fell somewhere between the BMW and 'Benz. It didn't handle as well as the 3-Series and wasn't as comfy as the C-Class, but the B8 A4 was improved on most fronts, which was needed to keep pace with the competition.Unlike its rivals the Audi is predominantly front-wheel drive with some premium four-wheel drive models. There was quite a selection of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 1.8-litre direct injection turbo four boasting 118 kW and 250 Nm to a 3.2-litre V6 petrol with 195kW and 330Nm powering the range-  topping four-wheel driver.The base four came standard with a six-speed manual; the diesels were hooked up to a CVT, and the 3.2 V6 to a dual-clutch auto. With its engine moved back a little and the steering rack shunted forward the A4's handling was improved, although it was still not quite in the 3-Series league.The ride was also found to be a little too hard for the class, especially when stacked up against the C-Class. Inside, the cabin was well fitted out and nicely refined, with little road or wind noise to upset the inner peace. The seats were comfortable and supportive, and there was plenty of head and legroom for those in the front and the back.As befits a car in it class the A4 came with a decent list of gear, like climate-control air, auto headlights and wipers, leather trim, fog lights, alloy wheels, 6.5-inch colour info screen and a split-  fold rear seat.IN THE SHOPThe eighth gen A4 is relatively new to the market, so there's little to report in the way of niggles or serious flaws. Right now it's important to find a car that has been well cared for and serviced according to the book.Most on sale will be fresh out of a lease so should have been maintained, but check for a service record anyway. Oil changes are important with modern engines so make sure the oil and filter have been replaced at the correct intervals.VW and Audi engines tend to consume a little oil, which makes it important to keep an eye on the oil level at regular intervals. The oil usage is minor and not an issue, but it has caught some people out before when they never bother to lift the bonnet. Make the usual checks for panel damage, that's poor panel alignment and mismatched paint etc.Overall the A4 is a sound vehicle and not one to give serious trouble.IN A CRASHFive stars says it all, there's no higher rating available. To get the top tick of approval the A4 had eight airbags, ABS brakes, traction control and stability control.UNDER THE PUMPThe choice of petrol and diesel engines gives buyers plenty of choice when it comes to fuel consumption. The best of the bunch is the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel at 5.8 L./100 km; the thirstiest is the 3.2-litre V6 that Audi claimed would do 9.0 L/  100 km. All petrol engines required 95-octane premium unleaded fuel.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $50,900 to $88,500Engine: 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol, 118 kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 105 kW/320 Nm; 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel, 140 kW/400 Nm; 3.2-litre V6, 195 kW/330 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 8-speed auto, 6-speed auto. FWD and AWDEconomy: 7.2 L/100 km (1.8 TFSI), 5.8 L/100 km (2.0 TDI), 6.9 (2.7 TDI), 9.0 L./100 km (3.2 V6 Q), 7.4 L/100 km (2.0 TDI Q), 6.9 L/100 km (3.0 TDI Q)Body: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagonVariants: 1.8TFSI, 2.0TDI, 2.7TDI, 3.2-litre FSI Quattro, 2.0 TDI Quattro, 3.0 TDI QuattroSafety: 5-star ANCAP.Not as sporty as the 3-Series, not as comfortable as the C-Class, the A4 fits somewhere in between. Worthy of a look.

Peugeot's 308 was a polarising car when it arrived a few years ago — that big, froggy mouth, the under-tuck at the rear, the long front overhang — you either liked it or didn't.It's undergone a mid-life revamp which sees a styling tone-down shrinking the grille, changing the bonnet and bumpers and adding new lights including LED running lights.Inside has also undergone modest changes. The effect is positive and should give the 308 broader appeal.VALUEWe drove the mid-range Active five-door hatch with six-speed auto that sells for $31,490 — edging towards the premium end of the small car spectrum. It's not as exey as a 1-Series BMW but is in there with Golf.Active spec' brings plenty of goodies including an electric parking brake, park assist front and rear, Bluetooth, satnav, dual zone climate control, auto wipers and headlights and sports seats (no leather).The audio is good and fully connected while the 16-inch alloys are on the small side these days. Something else to consider is the fixed price service plan applicable to 308 which effectively means you pay $330 a year (every 20,000km).SAFETYThe 308 scores a five star rating and has the full array of active and passive safety equipment, bolstered by the front and rear park assist and other handy stuff. The inherent safety of 308's dynamics also contribute to its safety because you can more readily avoid a collision.UNDER THE BONNETPlenty of kick comes from the 1.6-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder with variable inlet valve timing. Peugeot is another automaker with the high tech/smaller capacity engine philosophy (like VW and BMW) and it works a treat.Some 115kW/240Nm percolates from the smooth, punchy engine that is capable of sipping 7.4-litres/100km, 6.6 in the manual. Emissions are low contributing to the 308's Euro 5 endorsement. The six-speed auto is silky smooth and almost intuitive contributing to the positive feel of the car in all driving conditions. It doesn't have paddles but there's a sequential stick shift mode.INSIDE"Impressive'' encapsulates the interior's looks and function. As good as a VW — possibly, but much better than the mainstream small cars — Corolla, Lancer, Civic, Cruze. It's as good as new Focus but not as funky.The sporty seats are comfy and have plenty of adjustment, the dash has a smooth shape, the instrumentation is classy. It's a roomy interior with a huge windscreen while the boot is a decent size, expandable with folded rear seats.THE DRIVELoved driving this car because it has a distinctive feel and plenty grunt to get you places without slurping much fuel. The auto is a cracker and would be on our check list. Ride from the simple Macstrut front and beam rear suspension is surprisingly competent offering comfort and control with a sporty edge.This is aided by the electric steering and strong brakes. The 308 has shed 25kg this model and it feels lithe and sporty behind the wheel — very satisfying. Solid.VERDICTYes, we had pretty much forgotten about Peugeot 308 as a small car contender — big mistake. It's heaps better than many offerings in the segment and has plenty of class at an affordable price. The new look has more appeal and Peugeot seems to have regained its suspension prowess.PEUGEOT 308Price: starting from $31,490Engine: 1.6-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder, 115kW/240NmThirst: 7.4-litres/100kmTransmission: six-speed auto, six-speed manualSafety: Five star rating

Ah, yes, a new engine and most of the tricky bits in Mercedes-Benz's performance armoury rolled into one package - the E63 AMG four door sedan. It would have to rate as one of the meanest four doors around given the fact that there's 386kW /700Nm percolating from the 5.5-litre biturbo V8 under the sculpted bonnet.Thing is, you can up the ante by ticking the Performance Package box for $17,900 that gets 410kW/800Nm and even sportier chassis bits.This is the force fed replacement for the much loved naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that is being shuffled out the back door due to fuel consumption and emissions issues. Pity, we were big fans but it lives on for a while in the C63AMG.The new unit has direct fuel injection, variable cams and is intercooled. Fuel economy is appreciably better than the 6.2 V8 at 10.0 litres/100km combined - a big improvement. And the good thing is the 5.5-litre is just as lusty as the 6.2 but not quite of the same voice due to the turbo set-up.E63 is crammed with luxury drive assist technology including multi-mode chassis dynamics and multi-mode transmission - a seven-speed MCT (Multi Clutch Transmission) with paddle shift and a blip function on the down change. It's one of the best in the business.There's AMG Ride Control - adaptive suspension with air springs and self levelling on the rear. The front suspension is unique to the E63AMG, designed to deliver better cornering and feel. Three stage stability control is used and engine stop/start comes into play when 'eco' mode is selected which also means second gear take offs and short shifting to prevent high engine revs. Inside is a wall of high tech equipment to entertain, stay connected or make travel time more comfy.Though it tips the scales at 1840kg, the E63 is a dab hand through corners and feels more lithe than its size would suggest. Powerful six piston brakes up front, wide front track, the adaptive suspension, huge tyres and clever technology combine to deliver an exciting drive experience. It absolutely hammers into, through and out of corners and brakes with total control. Then, back everything off and the big bad 'E' glides into luxury cruise mode wafting along like it should be chauffeur driven.We still haven't figured out all the kits inside this car - the amount of driver assist and luxury features is monumental. We particularly like the active front seat side bolsters and lane keeping assist function that kicks the car back into your lane if you stray. Premium audio and satnav, seats that do just about everything, keyless push button start, radar cruise, adaptive headlights - there's plenty to justify the $241,000 sticker. It has a super small battery and space saver spare in the large boot.

Looking at the Jaguar XF's speedo showing 110kmh doesn't compute when you glance across at the tacho registering a scant 1300rpm. But that's what the new turbo diesel four pot Jaguar XF 2.2 does on the highway. It cruises just above engine idle speed.FRUGALSome cars would be humming away at 3000+rpm sucking fuel like there's no tomorrow. Not the XF 2.2 which is claimed to be capable of 5.4-litres/100km. We couldn't get that but saw a reliable 6.5-litres/100km with mixed driving.Doesn't matter how you cut it, this sort of fuel economy from a 1700kg medium large luxury sedan car is damn impressive. Needless to say, the XF 2.2 is the most economical Jag ever made.PERFORMANCEAnd it goes pretty well too thanks to the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine made by PSA in Europe. PSA is an offshoot of Peugeot and supplies engines to BMW and Mini.This engine is also in the Land Rover Freelander and new Range Rover Evoque. It's a good-un capable of delivering a handy 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.Not as good as the Benz 2.1 turbo diesel rated at 150kW/500Nm but enough not to notice. There's an eight-speed auto driving the rear wheels with seamless precision and paddle shift if you want a sporty drive.VALUEThe entry level XF Luxury hits the showroom at $78,900 plus on roads but start ticking the boxes for options and up it goes - rapidly. We drove the Premium Luxury model at $86,100 with more kit but you can still crank it up. Happy with the Luxury?It gets you leather, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, automatic dual climate control, air filtration, auto bixenon headlights, LEDs front and rear, a seven inch colour info ' touch screen and multi' steering wheel controls.Other goodies include an electric park brake, pop up dash vents, pop up gear selector knob and rain sensing wipers. The XF was revised recently inside and out but still looks like.....an XF with XJ headlights.THE DRIVEThe 2.2 is great to drive and you wouldn't know it was a four cylinder diesel except under hard acceleration because of low noise and vibration. It hauls the big sedan around with aplomb. Ride quality is supple and controlled and overall drive feel is positive.DOWN SIDEBut it only gets a four star crash rating, has a space saver spare and there is some lag off idle when you punch the accelerator - waiting, waiting, whoosh. The test vehicle developed an annoying frequency vibration in the front door area which would drive an owner nuts. We didn't `get' the engine stop/start system that seemed to have its own agenda. The boot opening is narrow.VERDICTIt's up against some classy opposition in the BMW 520d, Benz E220CDi and Audi A6 2.0 front wheel drive -  all around the same money. Hard call.....JAGUAR XF 2.2L TURBO DIESELPrices: $78,900 (Luxury 2.2 turbodiesel), $86,100 (Premium Luxury 2.2 diesel), $84,990 (driveaway Luxury 2.2 white or black)Warranty: 3 year/100,000 kmService: 26,000km (diesel), 24,000km (petrol)Safety: 4-star NCAP, 6 airbags, ABS, traction control, stability controlEngine: 2.2L litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 140kW/450NmTransmission: 8-speed automatic, RWDThirst: 5.4 l/100kmCO2: 149g/kmDimensions: 4961mm (L);1877mm (W);1460mm (H);2909mm(WB)