Articles by Ashlee Pleffer

The new model is just the second generation of its kind. And with its stylish looks, impressive retracting roof and great sound system, it seems the negative stereotypes of the brand in the past have all but disappeared.The new C70 should equally appeal to the young and the young at heart.It is available in two engine sizes: a 2.4-litre, five-cylinder 125kW unit called the LE and for those after a little more fun there's also the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, turbo-charged T5, delivering 162kW of power.Both are available in a six-speed manual or a five-speed Geartronic transmission.And the two are separated by $10,000 and some differing specs, the LE priced at $69,950 and the T5 carrying a $79,950 price point.And just because you can take the roof off, that doesn't mean the safety-crazy Swedes have sacrificed protection. The C70 program development director, Olle Odsell, says a new roll-over protection system provides a high level of safety for occupants."The roll-over protection system comes up in a roll-over or high-speed, rear-end collision to protect from flying objects," he says.The system is activated whether the roof is up or down, going through the back window when it is up. And while Odsell says the roof in the boot would "pretty much be a write-off" in a high-speed accident, it can take a collision of up to 15km per hour without any major damage. The roof takes 30 seconds to retract.And in doing so, it diminishes the amount of boot space, as you would expect. But there is still enough room for some smaller bags, although it is quite limited.The C70 also features other impressive Volvo technology such as door-mounted inflatable curtain airbags to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof, anti-lock braking system, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Side Impact Protection System, Intelligent Driver Information System and the Whiplash Protection System. The C70 hasn't undergone official crash testing, but Volvo is confident it will be a top performer."We are claiming it's the world's safest convertible. That's us knowing how we've tested it and how it will perform," Volvo spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says. "We're confident it will be a five-star rating."The convertible has also experienced improved body torsional rigidity over the previous generation, by 50 to 100 per cent.And on the road, the car feels very strong and confident, tackling the twisting country roads around Victoria on its launch this week.While it's slightly heavier than its predecessor, the C70 is still quicker, with the manual T5 taking 7.6 seconds to reach 100km compared to the old figure of eight seconds.Turbo lag on the more powerful T5 is not much concern and it has great low speed and high speed dynamics.The lack of a real noticeable lag can be attributed to the high 320Nm of torque at low revs, coming through from 1500rpm to 4800rpm. Turning is also quite sharp and the T5 adjusted well on the winding roads to Mt Buller. It's not a convertible that will see you break any speed records on the road; the C70 is more of a classy, elegant performer.And it is still enjoyable to drive.When testing the manual T5, a rattle in the roof was evident when this was up. While the problem was annoying, it seemed to disappear after a while.With two comfortable larger seats in the back, Volvo also claims this is the first modern, four-seater, hard-top convertible. Hallenbeck says while other models may have four seats, they're more 2+2-seaters.With the roof up, tall passengers may be a bit pushed for room, but there is a decent amount of leg space considering it's a convertible.The C70 also shares the same wheelbase with the S40, but has a wider track.It was at first designed as a coupe and then engineered as a convertible.It is quite a long car, especially for a convertible, but sits at a similar size in appearance to its competitors.These include the BMW 3 Series, the Saab 9-3 and the Audi A4 convertibles.Differing features between the two models include a better sound system in the T5, bigger 18-inch wheels compared to the LE's 17-inch and Bi-Xenon lights on the range topper. Rear parking assist is standard on both models.The LE has a high performance sound system with eight speakers, whereas theT5 features a premium sound 12 Dynaudio speaker system, with a six-disc CD player.The interior is well suited to the style of the car, with Volvo's floating console, leather seats and efficient storage spaces.

NRMA motoring services has a program, Free2go, dedicated to young people. The three-year program offers free advice to young people and free roadside assistance for 17- and 18-year-olds.NRMA Insurance head of industry research, Robert McDonald, says young people shouldn't rush their purchase and should compare what's on offer after a good look at websites, newspapers and magazines."Buy as new a car as you can, avoid buying an older car to save money," he says.And McDonald urges young people to consider safety as one of the top priorities, claiming new cars are the best way to go."There are some small cars, like the Toyota Yaris, with excellent safety equipment for a low price," he says. "Side curtain airbags are dramatically effective in reducing head injuries, and you have ABS and stability control in many small cars, an added advantage."McDonald says people should also look out for stability control, which prevents the car getting out of control and sliding, particularly when going faster than expected.But if buyers can't afford a new or nearly new car, McDonald says there are some things to look out for in older models."If you are stuck with an older car, medium or larger cars would be a little better, safer than an old small car," he says."Make sure safety equipment is up to date, especially seat belts. There are a lot of cars from the late 1980s and early '90s that have airbags, you should be looking for at least driver and passenger airbags."Plenty of cars from the mid-1990s also feature ABS, McDonald says.And while image may play an important part in the final decision, a recent survey by the youth insurer branch of AAMI, Just Car Insurance, shows young people are more car savvy when it comes to purchasing than they're often given credit for. The national survey of 1053 young people, aged between 18 and 24, shows the look and appearance of a car is not necessarily a top priority. A total of 93 per cent rate value for money as an important factor when purchasing a car.Young people are also aware of the importance of safety and security, with 85 per cent of respondents ranking these as significant factors. More than half say environmental friendliness is also a key factor.Sheree Masters, 17, bought her first car in October last year, five months before she had her provisional licence. She bought a 2000 model Toyota RAV4, a car she's always had her heart set on. Masters purchased her vehicle from a dealership for just over $20,000."I saved up half of it, I have been working since I was 14, and I got a loan for the other half," she says.And while looks and appearance topped her list, she wasn't about to sacrifice safety."I wanted something I would be safe getting around in," she says. "I have to admit, the appearance did come first. But safety features like ABS, electric windows and central locking so I feel safe, and airbags were important."Masters turned to her father for advice when shopping for her first car. "My dad knows a lot about cars so he told me what I should be looking for, but besides that, I pretty much made the decision myself," she says."I always wanted to have my own car, that way I could call it my own, it's something I have earned myself. I'm never out of my car, I'm in it every day," she says. "Friends' places, to work, everywhere." Masters is hoping to slightly modify her vehicle with mag wheels and darker window tinting.McDonald reminds young people to be cautious if purchasing a modified vehicle, as they are often harder to insure."Make sure you check with the insurer that the modification is acceptable to them," he says. "Lower suspension, wide wheels or elaborate paint work can dramatically effect the cost of insurance."He says owners should especially check that engine modifications don't affect its ability to be insured.How to get a good dealNRMA motoring expert, Tim Pomroy, says buying your first car requires researching what to look out for, the bargains and the rip-offs. He's given the CARSguide a few key elements to be on the lookout for.Under $5000Don't be fooled into buying something if it "looks good". It may have mechanical problems, which will cost you more than the initial price to keep it on the road. Make sure the car has a recent or long registration. This indicates that it has at least had a registration inspection and the fundamentals should be okay. Also, if you're unsure, you probably need to spend a couple of hundred dollars for a vehicle inspection.While private sales are popular in this category, Pomroy says that as used car prices have recently decreased, you could also potentially get something from a car yard."It might be cheap for a reason: high miles, or a car that doesn't have a good reputation for reliability."Under $10,000There are some good bargains to be had, Pomroy says. "Some Commodores and Falcons from the 1990s are available for a couple of thousand of dollars upwards." But he warns there are issues with bigger cars, especially the running costs, and people should consider if they really need a large car."Identify what the use of the car will be. If it's for uni or to leave at the station and mainly suburban, short trips, a small four-cylinder car with an engine capacity of 1.6-litre would be ideal," he says."If you're doing a lot of country driving or commuting long distances, a larger car with a slightly bigger capacity engine might be a better choice."European models also come into play in this category as well as prestige cars.Pomroy warns European cars can be quite expensive to service and maintain, but he says if you know what you're looking for, there are some bargains to be had in some older prestige cars. Key safety features to be on the lookout for are ABS and airbags."In and around the $5000 mark will have driver airbags and perhaps passenger airbags," Pomroy says.Above $10,000You're nearly in the territory of buying a new small car. There are many small cars at affordable prices, such as the Kia Rio, Hyundai Getz, with nearly half a dozen models offering a good warranty and new features, according to Pomroy.The disadvantage is that you're buying a car that may be a little more basic than a bigger second-hand model from three or four years ago.Larger second-hand cars also come into play here, with petrol prices contributing to lower price tags.

The Willwarn system, which stands for Wireless Local Danger Warning, was developed from European research. The five cars involved in the testing used a WLAN-based radio technology using the Car-2-X Communication system to transmit information on fog, black ice or obstacles on the road to cars approaching the problem .It gives drivers time to slow down and prevent further accidents, or find an alternate route."It is essentially a warning system for hazardous and potential danger ahead," says DaimlerChrysler spokesman Peter Fadeyev. The cars act as transmitters and receivers andcan send warnings to vehicles in a 500-metre radius. Once outside the car's range, other cars pass on the warnings.The information is provided through ABS, ESP steer angle sensors or the navigation system, so no extra sensors are needed.The technology was already developed in research six years ago, sending the first inter-communicating vehicle fleet out on the road.DaimlerChrysler says it is important to expand its technology to other companies."The system needs to work in a community of traffic," Fadeyev says. "Other manufacturers need to integrate it in their cars."He says it is not known at this time when the technology will be included in production models.ASHLEE PLEFFER

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe carries a $47,660 price-tag. This hard-top edition adds $2930 to the price of its soft-top sibling (with leather and Bose sound), which is not cheap for a small, rather impractical two-seater car.But it's in a league of its own as one of the few sports models priced below $90,000 with a power folding roof. So if you're after some fun and want to turn heads without hurting the hip-pocket too much, the MX-5 is up to the job. Sitting low to the ground, you spend most of your time looking up at the surrounding traffic.You physically feel small, in a good way of course, as you pass the larger Commodores, Falcons and Camrys. Despite a 37kg penalty for the folding roof, the MX-5 retains the class-leading dynamics and road manners for which the marque is famous.The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine puts out 118kW at 6700rpm and while you have to stay into the throttle to get the best out of the moderate 188Nm of urge on tap at 5000rpm, the fun factor remains high. While it may not be the most powerful sports car in the shed, its looks are matched to its performance balance — and that is all good. With its low height, low body weight and decently loud revs, there is a feeling of satisfaction as you settle into this Stuart Little-type car.The weight-saving — or more accurately, weight modification — in the roof comes from the use of leading technology plastics. Take the MX-5 to high speeds and you notice some minor issues. First, road noise. Second, it gets a little shaky and the steering weights-up considerably around fast, tight bends.But turn up the six-stacker Bose sound system and hold on tight and neither will be too big of a problem. Being so low to the ground, it has a ride like a go-kart, but with good firm suspension and a decent ride quality. With a six-speed manual gearbox, shifting is short and sharp and sixth gear particularly comes in handy on the highway. The MX-5 will travel smoothly around the 2500rpm mark.The pedals take some getting used to, and the footrest feels slightly wider than usual — which means the clutch, the brake and the accelerator are positioned a little further to the right than normal.The good thing about the Roadster Coupe, is that when you switch into topless mode (the car that is), you don't have to sacrifice the already limited boot space.Instead, the roof folds into a space behind the seats and it only takes about 12 seconds for it to become a convertible.There's also extra storage space behind the rear seats. The opening and closing of the roof isn't by the most technically advanced method, but it's efficient for the price.And although parts of the interior and the inside of the roof have a touch of the plastic look, the leather trim and sports seats do add a genuine touch of class.With the roof up, there's a large blind spot on the driver's side of the car and you have to ensure your mirrors are properly adjusted to avoid lane-change moments.If you have a passenger, it's not too bad as you can get some reassurance.But it's when you are driving on your own that it becomes scary.Also, drivers should be warned, when taking the top off, even though you feeltrendy and look cool, you leave yourself open to sunburn. This driver came to that conclusion the hard way. So it's slip, slop, slap all the way. The Roadster Coupe adds Dynamic Stability Control with traction control to the safety mix, on top of the ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and dual front and front side airbags previously offered on the soft top.These new additions are now standard across the MX-5 range. While it's affordable, it still seems a tad pricey at just under $50,000.But if you're after some fun, want to be noticed and don't mind the impracticality, the MX-5 could be the one. Good things come in small packages. While you'd think "cute" might deter some males, one who used to refer to the MX-5 as a "hairdresser's car" came back for several rides.

The second edition to the C2 range is a somewhat comical car. With bigger windows in the back, it looks like two different cars have been stuck together. The C2 VTS is priced at $23,990, $2000 dearer than the VTR model. And that's as far as the C2 range stretches.While its heart is the same size as the VTR with a 1.6-litre, four cylinder engine, it gives even more, delivering an extra 10kW, producing 90kW at 6500rpm and 143Nm at 3750rpm.But there's a big hurdle to conquer before you can enjoy the ride. While the first thing you notice is the character, jump behind the wheel, start the engine and you'll soon find it is very entertaining or frustrating, depending on your mood. The culprit is the clutch, as it takes some getting used to.The first couple of times you take off, it feels like you're back on your L plates, and in this case, perhaps it stands more for loser than learner. Drive it like a normal manual and you'll find yourself reaching 5000rpm, 6000rpm with little movement, but lots of revs, which is somewhat daunting.Once you get over it, there are other features of the car to enjoy. Such as the plain, simple, but chic interior. The dash has a sense of style and the seats, which wrap around your body, are quite comfortable and supportive.Leg room in the back of this four-seater is limited, but it feels as if there is plenty of space around the top half of your body, perhaps a result of the large windows.In keeping with its comical nature, the C2 has a blinker that brings back memories of playing space invaders on the Sega Megadrive or Pub Pong (for those who are older) with its electronic ponging noise. The headlights on and door open electronic warning alerts have a similar arcade-game sound.The five-speed manual transmission is quite smooth once you figure out the quick release of the clutch and how to engage it, when you can feel the benefit of good pick-up in the lower gear range.Tall drivers will suffer as they find their knees reaching their ears. A slight exaggeration perhaps, but the seat feels lower than usual. The C2 is also easy to park and while the steering is a little light, it's quite a nifty little car for getting around town.Unloading the boot is made easy with a split tailgate, although you would have to keep shopping to a minimum. It handles and corners well and for such a little car, it gives out a huge roar, with a rather noisy engine.As well as extra power, the VTS has a slightly stiffer suspension than the VTR, making it more sporty and the gear ratio is significantly lower, which gives a quicker 0 to 100km speed, 8.3 seconds compared with the VTR's 10.9 seconds.The C2 lacks storage inside the car, with cup holders that don't hold drink bottles, slightly impractical and little space for accessories. The glovebox is also very tiny. The speedometer is digital, so you can't see the top speed, only how fast you're going, and the tachometer is also different and hard to see, as it's a curved line sitting above the speedo.The claimed fuel consumption of 6.9-litres wasn't achieved, instead sitting more around the 8-litres per 100km mark, but this was mainly on city driving.The C2 comes with a leather steering wheel, CD-player, air conditioning, rain sensing wipers and a four star NCAP safety rating.According to VFacts, the C2 sits in the light segment putting it up against the Hyundai Getz, Holden Barina and Toyota Yaris, all of which have models well below the starting price of the base VTR. Perhaps it's closer to its other competitors such as the Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Polo, but it doesn't seem to offer as much for the price tag.Fast factsPrice: $23,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 90kW@6500rpm, 143Nm@3750rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.9L/100km (claimed), around 8L/100km (tested)Body: 3-door hatchVerdict: A lot of character to this sporty VTS, but it takes time to adjust to a different driving style.ALTERNATIVESVolkswagen Polo MatchPrice: $19,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 77kW@5600rpm, 153Nm@3800rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 45-litre tank, 7.1L/100km (claimed)Body: 5-door hatchVerdict: Volkswagen's small car offers less power than the VTS with a much cheaper price tag. But, the Polo also has sporty character.Suzuki Swift SportPrice: $23,990Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinders, 92kW@6800rpm, 148Nm@4800rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 43-litre tank, 7.5L/100km (claimed)Body: 5-door hatchVerdict: The Swift was CARSguide's Car Of The Year for 2005 and the new Sport model offers better performance figures than the C2, for the same price.

And the orders and interest in prestige and luxury brands has continued with stand managers claiming an increase in figures, despite a slight decline in overall attendance.The Mercedes SL500 was bought by a customer who was part of a group of VIP guests and has since sold four more models."We're generally generating around 45 to 50 leads of interest every single day during the motor show," Mercedes Benz spokesman Peter Fadeyev said.The new Bentley GT Continental Convertible has also generated a lot of interest with its first appearance at the Darling Harbour event.Bentley spokesman David Jackson said up to six orders have already been taken for the $400,000 car."We generate a huge proportion of enquiries from the motor show and we sell a lot of cars as a result of it," he said yesterday.Two Ferrari 599 GTBs, worth $700,000 each, have been sold while on display in Australia for the first time.Audi spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf said there has been a lot of interest in its R8, with 10 strong leads and major interest in the much-anticipated new TT model.BMW has already sold two cars from its stand and has generated a lot of interest in the coupes and M6. What's on today* The third nightly fashion parade features Sydney designer Nicola Finetti, noted for high fashion and cocktail wear. There will be two shows at the Saab stand at 6.30pm and 7.30pm.* When: 10am-10pm* Where: Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre* Tickets: Adults $17, 5-16 $10.50, under 5 free, family (2 adults and 3 children) $42* Follow the show online at the official Australian Motor Show website

The Astra CDTi, Holden's first diesel-powered passenger car in about 25 years, makes a loud racket and definitely announces its presence, especially when idling and at low speeds. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in a small truck.But while it may seem a little overpowering at first, spend a week in this little baby and you'll no longer have the noise on your mind.The 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine is one thrill of a ride, especially when pressing the "sport" button. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.The six-speed manual version tested delivers 110kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm at 2000rpm to 2750rpm, rather impressive for this size of car. The $29,990 price-tag isn't too bad either.While you experience a slight lag on take-off, it's hardly noticeable as the torque kicks in at low revs and boosts you through to your desired speed.Sitting on the centre console, the sport button is just screaming to be pushed. And as one male passenger noted, it's in a great position for your co-pilot to activate, much to their enjoyment.The button switches the car into sport mode and you instantly feel a boost on the throttle, the revs rising without having to pump the accelerator any harder. The steering also sharpens as the power steering steps up.The manual model has a firmer sports tuned suspension, making the ride slightly jolty, but suited to the sportiness of the car.So when you match the noise to that sudden burst of energy, it all seems to be at one; that growl is no longer a concern, instead a melodic tune. And after a while you come to enjoy the sound of the engine.The cabin seems to be a little compromised with a rather basic interior. But it is adequate and what you could expect for the price-tag.The storage space is very limited as there is nowhere to put wallets and mobile phones, only two very small spaces for coins or one bottle. There are also cup-holders in the doors, but it's the centre section that lacks the space and looks bare.The dash appears rather plain and basic and seems to sit very straight. Airconditioning and cruise control are standard, although the latter required some reading of the instruction manual to put into action. It's not the simplest one to use.While the environment is relatively comfortable, the seats are a tad too firm and your back tends to suffer on longer trips. Leg room in the back is impressive for the size.And while our diesel experience was in a silver car, a shiny black one was a head-turner on a busy motorway and seems like a more stylish choice.During the week, this Astra diesel averaged 6.2 litres per 100km, not far off the claimed 6.0 litres for the manual model. This included a lot of Sydney peak hour driving.The Astra turbo diesel is also available with an automatic transmission and while this wasn't tested, it seems less impressive on paper at least.While it also comes with the 1.9-litre engine, it has a single overhead camshaft as opposed to the double overhead camshaft in the manual.This results in lower output figures, with 88kW at 3500rpm to 4000rpm and 280Nm at 2000rpm to 2750rpm.It has a higher claimed fuel consumption of 7.4 litres per 100km and comes at an additional $1500.So if you can't drive a manual, it may be time to upgrade your skills.Unlike the petrol variant, the diesel comes standard with traction control and Electronic Stability Program for added safety. You'll also find six airbags, side impact protection, 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps.The appearance of the new generation Astra is quite trendy. With its round backside and futuristic styling, the hatchback has all the character you could want in a small car. And don't worry, boys, the turbo diesel engine and the noise it emits ensures it's so much more than just an attractive car. Show off.

And, for the first time in Australia, a leading design company will join manufacturers at the exhibition as the local branch of the German design and engineering company EDAG

At least 40 new cars will be unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show, which begins in Sydney in two weeks.Futuristic concept cars, with designs and features hinting at possibilities for production vehicles, will lead the line-up.The Mazda Kabura is one such concept. Sitting between the size of an MX-5 and an RX-8, the Kabura features a glass roof that connects to the windscreen, and borrows chassis components and the 2.0-litre double overhead cam engine from the MX-5.For Nissan, the stand-out will be a concept car by the name of Foria, which was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. The compact coupe has easy access to the rear seats through centre opening B-pillarless doors.Likewise, Honda's new Sports 4 concept, also revealed in Tokyo last year, will be on display at the show. It features a low centre of gravity and low inertia body and a sports cockpit with futuristic controls.Over at the Saab stand, the aviation inspired Aero X will be on display in Australia for the first time. With a 298kW, twin turbo V6 engine, fuelled entirely by bioethanol, the Aero X does 0 to 100km/h in 4.9seconds.An eye-catching feature of this concept car is the cockpit-like entrance, usually found on a jet aircraft.Straight from the Paris Motor Show, Hyundai's concept car, the Arnejs, is aimed at developing a stronger identity for the brand. Designed in Germany, the Arnejs gives an indication to the upcoming FD-series Elantra, expected here late next year.While there will be a plethora of eye candy in the concept cars, they won't be the only stars to debut at the upcoming motor show. Production vehicles will also go on display to the public for the first time.Perhaps the biggest on the list will be the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. But those interested shouldn't reach for their wallets just yet. All models destined for Australia and New Zealand for this year and next have already been sold.The new Ferrari, which races from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, has a $574,000 price tag for the manual model and costs $600,000 for the model fitted with the F1 superfast gearbox.Over at Audi, the all new R8 will go on show. It is the company's first attempt at the rarefied supercar segment. With its 309kW 4.2-litre, V8 engine, the Audi R8 has a top speed of 301km/h.While the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione made an appearance in Australia at the 2004 Sydney motor show, that was merely the concept version. Now, two years later, the 8C will return in production form as a 336kW, 4.7-litre, V8 supercar.The new Holden Captiva, launched to the media this week, will also go on public display. The Captiva is Holden's attempt to break into the compact SUV market.Toyota's new V6 family car, the Aurion, will also make an appearance.Motor show spokesman, Mark Mathot says: "It will be as strong as any motorshow we have ever had and we still have a few surprises in store."Other new production cars to feature at the show will include the Alfa Spyder, the Mazda CX-7 and the new Audi TT.* Don't miss the official motor show magazine exclusively in The Daily Telegraph on October 27.FAST FACTSWhen: Thursday, October 26 until Sunday, November 5Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling HarbourPrice: Adults $17, children under 16 $10.50 (under five free), family $42, seniors $10.50More information: australianmotorshow.com

So now you can have your cake and eat it too, to put it figuratively. In other words, you can have that big, luxury four-wheel drive, without feeling too guilty.Lexus has gone a step further to practically remove that guilty complex by introducing the world's first luxury SUV hybrid.But being green and feeling good about the environment doesn't come cheap. The RX400h is the third member of the RX family and is now the range topper in terms of pricing, with a $94,100 price point, a hefty $10,000 premium on the RX350 Sports luxury.And while it's new to Australia, the RX400h has been available in the US since April last year (selling more than 33,000 vehicles), as well as in Japan.Lexus says the reason for the delay in bringing the vehicle to Australia was largely the result of unique conditions here, and the extra testing required.The RX400h uses the 155kW 3.3-litre, V6 petrol engine, which was used in the previous RX330 model. The new 3.5-litre engine in the RX350 was not available at the time of the development and world launch of this hybrid.The RX400h also uses a 123kW front electric motor and a 50kW rear-axle electric motor, with a combined reading for all three power sources of 200kW.The petrol V6 generates a maximum of 288Nm at 4500rpm, while the electric motors produce 333Nm in the front and 130Nm in the rear. All power is delivered through an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission - which blends the electric and petrol power.On take-off, the RX400h is very quiet and smooth, using only the front and rear electric motors. But you can hear the petrol engine really kick in when more power is needed.The torque also feels like it takes a while to respond and the brakes are rather spongy, which could be attributed to the regenerative braking system. Once reaching normal driving conditions, however, the system no longer uses the rear electric motor and as with other hybrids, the petrol engine switches off when completely stopped, conserving fuel.The electric motors are available for immediate start up. Lexus claims the hybrid has a fuel consumption of 8.1-litres per 100km and on our test on a combination of busy roads and highway stretches out to Camden, it recorded an average of 8.3-litres per 100km, making it better than some four-cylinder family cars.For example, the Honda Accord Euro claims 9.1L/100km, new Toyota Camry 8.9L/100km and Mazda3 8.6L/100km.Cruising, the RX400h provides seamless driving and feels very smooth, with good handling and comfortable ride. But travelling at constant high speed, you feel like you're doing about 20km/h less than the reading on the speedo. This hybrid doesn't have that thrilling performance of the larger, more powerful engines and won't satisfy everyone.But for those wanting to save some money at the pump, and who don't mind spending the initial premium (or for those who tend to be a little green minded), the RX400h may just be the right cup of tea.The RX400h is also the first mass-production hybrid to power both axles. It has rear-wheel drive capability with an E-Four System (Electric Four Wheel Drive) activating all wheelsonly when it's needed - for instance in situations like low-speed cornering, take-off, acceleration and traction. It gains the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDiM) over the RX350, sending more torque to the rear wheels when dangerous situations arise.The RX400h is almost identical to its siblings in the RX range in appearance, with that sophisticated shape and flowing lines, exuding style and flare.In addition, the hybrid has a new, muscular sporting front bumper as well as a large central opening to assist with the cooling of the hybrid system and a larger Lexus badge on the front. It also has a hybrid emblem.The RX400h has the same specification level as the RX350 Sports Luxury. It sits on 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, has LED rear lamps, power seats, air conditioning and leather trim.It also features Bluetooth connectivity, touch-screen satellite navigation, 11-speaker, six-disc sound system and rear-view camera, all as standard. It gains heated seats up front, leather steering wheel and metallic trim on the shifter. Rear spoiler, roof rack, rails and that sporty moonroof, add a more flavour to RX range's classy character.There are lots of elements going on and you can monitor the process on the interior display screen. And forget the traditional tachometer, as the RX400h has a power meter instead. The RX400h has seven airbags, anti-skid brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control, active traction control and rear-view camera.And while the battery in the hybrid system costs around $3000 to $4000 to replace, Lexus claims it has a life of more than 10 years. It expects sales of around 50 per month, with 200 orders taken, and is available from October 16.FAST FACTS Lexus RX400hPrice: $94,100Engine: 3.3-litre, V6 petrol engine, 155kW@5600rpm, 288Nm@4400rpm, front electric motor, 123kW@4500rpm, 333Nm@0-1500rpm, rear-axle electric motor, 50kW@4610-5120rpm, 130Nm@0-610rpmTransmission: electrically controlled continuously variable transmissionFuel: 60-litre tank, consumption 8.3L/100km (as tested)OTHER HYBRIDSHonda Civic HybridPrice: $31,990Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, 85kW@6000rpm, 170Nm@2500rpmFuel: 4.6L/100km combined claimedToyota PriusPrice: $37,000Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 1.5-litre petrol; 57kW@5000rpm, 115Nm@4000rpm; electric motor 50kW between 1200 and 1540rpm, max power restricted to 82kW, combined torque 478NmFuel: 4.4L/100km combined claimedLexus GS450h HybridPrice: $121,990Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol electric motor, 218kW@6400rpm, (V6) and 147kW (electric), 368Nm@4800rpm (V6) and 275Nm (electric)Fuel: 7.9L/100km combined, claimed