Articles by Ashlee Pleffer

Ford has unveiled the new Mondeo wagon at the Paris Motor Show and it offers the first clues on what the next generation Falcon will look like.The medium-sized Mondeo takes attributes from the Iosis concept car, which was unveiled by Ford at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September.The new Falcon, due in 2008, is also expected to draw similarities in design element, particularly in the front-end treatment."From some of the information you read, apparently there are a few design clues - but there's nothing we can officially confirm," says Ford spokesman Edward Finn.The Mondeo has been unveiled as a wagon but will also come in other body styles.Ford of Europe's design director, Martin Smith, says the Mondeo's design features include dynamic lines, a three-plane plan front-end view, full surfaces, strong shoulders, bold wheel lips, a rising belt line and a distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar.And while the Mondeo will be released for sale in Europe early next year, it won't be coming to Australia. Ford Australia is concentrating on the BFII Falcon, which is scheduled to be unveiled next month.Volvo drivers' bonusVolvo's newest and smallest car, the C30, was officially unveiled overnight at the Paris Motor Show. The C30 won't be launched in Australia until early next year ... but Volvo has revealed it will make its first public display Down Under at the Sydney motor show in October.The two-door compact C30, which is expected to appeal to a younger, active audience, will be available in a range of four and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.Australia will receive the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine, with 162kW and 320Nm, as well as the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, delivering 136kW of power and 350Nm or torque.The four-seater has a sporty design and retains some of the features from the C30 Design Concept, which was first displayed at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The front of the C30 will keep the dynamic character of the concept, with angled head-lamps and the low, wide grille.The C30 also boasts high levels of safety, a roomy interior and versatile rear seats."The new C30 is the car for people with an intense urban lifestyle," says Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice-president (Brand, Business and Product Strategy) at Volvo Cars.Production of the C30 will begin at the end of the year and Volvo has set a target of 65,000 cars a year, with most expected to be sold in Europe.Additional reporting from wires

It was one of many manufacturers to unveil exotic concept and production cars to motoring writers overnight Sydney time, ahead of the the show opening to the public today.The Pro-cee'd is an indication of how the three-door Ceed hatch, one of Kia's new C-segment models, will look when released in Europe next December."The Pro-cee'd is a show car built around the three-door hatch. It's obviously going a little further than the three-door hatch," says Kia's Jonathan Fletcher.The Pro-cee'd follows the original Ceed concept car, which was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.It features four bucket-style seats with aluminium alloy mountings for the head restraints. The two-part design wheels have five double spokes with a recessed black powder-coated centre and polished convex perimeter spokes. It also has low-profile tyres."Three recessed dials of the instrument panel have separate metal cowlings set beneath a top cowling that appears to float above the dashboard," says Kia's description.A five-door production version of the Ceed model will also make its debut at the Paris show and will be manufactured in Europe from November. The sporty hatch will be the third model in the range. A wagon version will follow next year.The chief designer for Kia at the European Design Centre, Gregory Guillaume, says: "Like the five-door Ceed, which has its world premiere at Paris, the new Ceed sporty hatch will be a truly European product, designed in Europe and made in Europe."Both the sporty hatch and Pro-cee'd concept will have a lowered roofline and shallower side windows with a chrome trim.While the five-door and wagon models are pitched at the family car market, the three-door Ceed will be marketed to a younger audience, Fletcher says.It is still uncertain if the Ceed models will make their way Down Under. "It is too early to tell. We don't even know when they're going to start production on the five-door in right-hand drive," Fletcher says.So we will have to hold out a while to see any members of the Ceed range, as the Pro-cee'd won't be at the Sydney motor show this year.Other concepts unveiled at the Paris show include the Renault Nepta, the Citroen C-Matisse, Peugeot's 908RC, the Hyundai Arnejs and Volkswagen's Iroc.

The Qashqai will be released in Europe in February and Nissan is considering bringing the small SUV to Australia.Nissan spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says the company is looking very closely at the Qashqai, but if it does go ahead, it won't arrive until about 2008."If the vehicle does make sense for the Australian market and we can get the sums right, I think we would be really keen to have it here as soon as we can," Fletcher says.The Qashqai will be available in Europe in four engine sizes: 1.6-litre and 2.9-litre petrol and 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesels. It will also be available with several gearbox options, depending on the model."It's a car that has created a new segment almost in that it sort of sits between C segment hatches and compact four-wheel drives," Fletcher says."It's a very funky-looking car and it should appeal to a lot of people."Although it may have similarities to the Murano, Fletcher says it has its own character. For a start, it is much smaller in size and in engine capacity, putting it in a totally different class.For this reason, if the Qashqai comes to Australia, it is likely to carry a lower price tag than the Murano, which starts at $49,990.The Qashqai, pronounced 'cash-kai', is also the name of a race of Turkish-speaking nomadic people who live mainly in southern Iran.Fletcher says that although the production model is less radical, the strong lines from the concept car are still in evidence.

"It was really different; you can't describe those sorts of feelings," he says."It gave me a different attitude to lots of things, I was usually on the bottom of the barrel, suddenly I was on the top."And it wasn't just a success for Holden and his partner BMC's Finnish works driver Rauno Aaltonen, but for Mini cars overall, which filled the top nine places.On Sunday October 8, Minis and Mini fans will gather at Bathurst before the 2006 Great Race to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their victory. Holden will lead a parade of more than 50 Minis, mainly older models, including a replica of the 1966 Cooper S he raced. The original was stolen from outside a Sydney nightspot, never to be seen again.Mini is also considering making a return to Bathurst next Easter for the 12-hour race for production cars."We're considering our options for 2007 and if the 12-hour race fits with our program we'll be there," Mini spokesman Alexander Corne says. "It has appeal to us because Mini and Bathurst have a strong history."Holden plays a big part in that history, launching Minis into the spotlight with his 1 1/2-lap victory in the 1966 event."I only drove little cars, which means you don't get noticed until something like Bathurst and you beat all the bigger ones, then you're on top again," Holden says.The racing legend's rise to success was one of determination and commitment.Born with what he describes as "twisted feet" and contracting polio while in hospital at the age of five, Holden was told he would never walk. But he was determined to "get mobile".Walking led to riding bicycles and competing, until an injured knee forced him out of the sport. It was a simple progression into his next sport of choice when he was 18."I wanted to do something else, so I started playing around with motorcars," he says.Even today, Holden doesn't hesitate to showcase his talents on the track, driving a Mini in last weekend's Speed On Tweed and competing at Eastern Creek and Queensland raceways in recent weeks. Earlier this year, Holden raced a V8 ute at Bathurst. "I still win races every now and then," he says.Holden's resume includes racing Peugeots, Holdens, MGs, Escorts, BMWs and Corollas and stretches to "thousands" of events spanning more than 56 years.He competed at Bathurst 34 times and says he particularly enjoyed driving the Minis."The car itself did things that no other car did in those days," he says."They were pretty important, they were attainable, it wasn't very expensive. You haven't got overhang, everything was balanced, it was front-wheel-drive which, at that stage, wasn't thought of very much."Minis began production in Australia in 1961 and Corne says they quickly became part of the racing scene.The Cooper S was introduced in 1964 and although production stopped in 1971, the cars were still racing up until 1976.At the upcoming anniversary, Holden will get behind the wheel of a 2006 model Mini Cooper S.This is one of three 2006 Minis that has been competing and will continue to compete in the big motorsport events throughout the year. And Holden says the new version of the car that has developed a cult-like following over the decades, is just as much fun to drive, even though it's a little bigger. "I love it," he says. "It's still got all the atmosphere. It has front pockets, it's front-wheel-drive; all Mini things."As with the cars he drove, Holden is kicking on and says he feels better now than ever. Even recent battles with cancer can't slow him down. "I love being me and being able to do this," he says."When you are told you're never supposed to be walking, every day's a bonus."People ask why I'm still racing. If I stopped, I'd stay stopped. I wouldn't get going again. I want to keep going."Mini launched a search for colour photos of the 1966 victory through CARSguide and they have reaped rewards, with the discovery of several colour pictures.The 2007 Mini will be going on display at the Paris Motor Show next week.

It now includes the existing 154kW 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine, at $69,950, the new 2.4-litre, five-cylinder turbo diesel engine for $72,950 and the range-topping V8 for $84,950.And it dispels any stereotypical connotations that may have previously been connected to the brand. Volvo boasts a whole lot of "firsts" and "bests" for this new 4.4-litre V8 engine.It's the first V8 for the company, the cleanest petrol V8 and the most compact V8 on the market. Volvo also claims the XC90 is the world's safest SUV. This model is the first car to house the new V8 engine, producing 232kW of power at 5850rpm and a whopping 440Nm of torque at 3900rpm.The V8 replaces the previous T6 engine and offers more torque and power, as a smooth runner both around town and on the highway. It growls nicely as the six-speed automatic transmission rolls over into each gear.The V8, which wasn't initially on the cards for a right-hand drive, is fitted transversely like all Volvos. But Volvo expects its new diesel XC90 to be most popular in the range.The cheaper, new and refined five-cylinder diesel engine produces slightly lower figures, with 136kW at 4000rpm and 400Nm at 2000rpm to 2750rpm. It has a claimed 9.0-litres per 100km consumption, compared with the claimed 13.5-litres per 100km for the V8 petrol.The diesel also dispels the myth about noisy engines, as the cabin is relatively quiet, especially on highway cruising.It has plenty of grunt when you accelerate from a standstill, with a slight lag, but responds reasonably quickly at both low and high revs. It also has good pull up hills.It's a softer ride in the turbo diesel: even after a 20km forest run your backside couldn't complain. It handled well through a small creek, over bumps and on the dirt road. This diesel improves on power and torque figures over its predecessor and, with a particulate filter fitted, offers better tail-pipe emissions.As with the V8, the diesel is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, featuring Geartronic function. Both new models feature an All Wheel Drive system with instant traction, improving the grip on bad surfaces.The XC90 has had a few subtle changes, with a nose change for the V8 and changes with some of the plastics. It's a big car, but at the same time, it doesn't feel too big or bulky to drive like others in its class. You sit at a good position above the road and it is still easy to manoeuvre in carparks.The XC90 comes with seven seats as standard and the second row can be moved to change the leg room. Space is generous throughout the car, and the front passenger travels in great comfort with good legroom.Folding the seats is also easy, with each one folding individually. Volvo has a reputation for high levels of safety and the new XC90 doesn't disappoint, stretching features to the third row of seats. It is fitted with Roll Stability Control, safety belt tensioners and inflatable curtains and has received a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The car is also designed to be pedestrian friendly.It comes with the usual nice touches as standard, including leather trim, electronic climate control, steering wheel controls, a removable front armrest and cruise control.The V8 adds Premium Sound with Dynaudio sound system, with a six-disc in-dash CD player, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain sensor wipers and colour-coded wheel arches, as well as roof rails.The XC90 gets a little pricier when adding options. A new Blind Spot Information System is available to warn of potential danger. With cameras under the large side mirrors, it can detect objects in your blind spot, setting off an alert light on the mirrors.While this improves safety, it's just as easy to check your blind spot and you still find yourself doing it, so the jury is still out as to whether it's worth the extra $1200. The Satellite Navigation system, with a Park Assist camera, was impressive. Reversing cameras in large cars like this are an important feature, but together with the satellite navigation, it costs $5500, a rather expensive option.FAST FACTSPrice: LE $69,950, D5 $72,950, V8 $84,950Engine: 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder turbo engine, 154kW@5000rpm, 320Nm@1500-4500rpm; 2.4-litre, 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine, 136kW@4000rpm, 400Nm@2000-2750rpm; 4.4-litre, V8, 232kW@5850rpm, 440Nm@3900rpm.Transmission: 5-speed auto with Geartronic (LE), 6-speed auto with Geartronic (D5 and V8). Fuel: 80-litre tank, LE 12.0L/100km (claimed), D5 9.0L/100km (claimed), V8 13.5L/100km (claimed).

From the background to the limelight, cars have been a vital ingredient in Australian television – be it Ted Bullpitt's obsession with his Kingswood, to Kath's "beep beep Barina".The Wiggles would be lost without their Big Red Car - and how would Australia's best on-screen detectives have caught their criminals without their trusty Fords and Holdens in shows such as Division 4, Homicide, Matlock or Blue Heelers.Cars have also been involved in the invention of new technology, with Channel Seven pioneering the Racecam, a camera mounted inside race cars that lets viewers see their driving heroes in action.It ranged from the lively connection to the camera from Sydney car dealer and driver Peter Williamson and the whimsical Dick Johnson to others such as Bob Morris, who wasn't quite as excited over the technology.Four-wheel drives have allowed the Bush Tucker Man, Russell Coight and Malcolm Douglas to explore nature, bringing the outdoors to our living rooms.Outback automotive ingenuity starred in Bush Mechanics.And it was cars that came to the rescue when Seven experienced a power outage during filming for the first show, with car headlights used to light the set.Now take a walk down memory lane as CARSguide brings you the best, the worst, the coolest and the daggiest cars of Australian television.Kingswood Country"Not the Kingswood" were the words made famous by Ted Bullpitt as he spoke of his pride and joy, never allowing his son or son-in-law to drive his beloved Holden car.The Leyland BrothersIt was a Toyota LandCruiser that allowed Mike and Mal to "travel all over the countryside, ask the Leyland brothers", as they brought the delights of Australia to television - a forerunner to today's travel shows such as Getaway and The Great Outdoors.Beyond TomorrowA show exploring new and upcoming technology, Beyond Tomorrow has shown off some of the fastest and most impressive cars, from the Lotus Exige to the Koenigsegg CCX and concept cars such as the Holden EFIJY.BathurstThe top race car drivers and the best cars are brought to the small screen in an annual ritual. Highlights have included the Australian innovation of Racecam, which put cameras inside speeding cars; Dick Johnson's famous tangle with a rock and the resulting crash in 1980 that led to an impromptu fund-raising telethon; Peter Brock's teammate Doug Chivas running out of petrol and pushing his car in 1973, and the 1977 Ford 1-2 finish captured by Channel Seven's chopper.SkippySonny and Skippy, his clever pet kangaroo, were the undoubted stars of the show, but who can forget Tony Bonner's knockabout ranger character and his tough-as-teak XR Ford station wagon kicking up clouds of dust as he made his daily runarounds?The SullivansSet during Word War II, this story followed the Sullivan family - and it was an old Ford that was their vehicle of choice.Comedy CompanyGlen Robbins' character Uncle Arthur, one of the stars of this Channel Ten sketch show, relied on an Austin A70 for transportation.The WigglesThose skivvy-wearing, finger-pointing Wiggles travel in class as they bundle into their Big Red Car.Kath & KimThe "beep beep Barina" took foxy Kath on all of her journeys, especially her shopping trips to the Fountain Gate shopping centre.The Aunty Jack ShowThe star of this comedy series, which aired in the early 1970s, was a motorcycle riding, transvestite boxer. And it wasn't just any old motorcycle but a Harley Davidson that everyone's favourite aunty rode.Mother And SonA divorced son, a peculiar mother and a Morris Minor. Mother and Son was a classic Australian comedy and the quaint and quirky British car matched the characters.The Bush Tucker ManIn his trusty, rugged Land Rover, Australian Army bush survival expert Les Hiddins went right off the beaten track to bring the Outback and its host of hidden, free culinary delights to city slickers' lounge rooms.TorquePeter Wherrett's pioneering ABC car show broke new ground by bringing car tests and new products to our screens in the '70s. No other Australian car shows have reached the same heights. However, Jeremy Clarkson and his BBC Top Gear show have followed the theme and taken car shows to a new level.Sylvania WatersIn what was essentially Australia's first reality television show, this documentary followed Noeline Baker and Laurie Donaher and their family. The Donahers were already a motor-racing family, with starts at Bathurst in a Holden Commodore and in historic touring car racing in a classic Ford Mustang.HomicideShot in Melbourne, Homicide used Falcon XPs and XRs as police cars. It ran for a decade from the mid-'60s to the mid-'70s and was one of the most popular and influential programs of the time, winning 11 Logies.Matlock PoliceNot so much a car as the star (Valiants filled the car role) - instead it was the police bike Paul Cronin's character rode that is synonymous with this '70s cop show.A Country PracticeFew star TV cars have ever lived beyond the small screen, but the red Falcon ute used in Wandin Valley has survived. Now restored, it is a regular at Sydney car shows.Peking To ParisThe car hit of 2006 saw five ancient machines recreate an historic car race. The three-wheeled Contal was the star.All-Aussie AdventuresAnother persona of comedian Glenn Robbins. In this hilarious show, inept would-be larrikin adventurer Russell Coight, the man who is a danger to anyone (or anything) he meets, gets around the outback, somehow, in a rugged-looking Toyota LandCruiser.Acropolis NowIt was hotted-up Valiants and Monaros, mag wheels and fluffy dice all round in this Greek Australian comedy set around a restaurant in Melbourne.Great commercialsAnd love them or hate them, there have also been some great car ads on Aussie TV. They include: the Yellow Pages Goggomobile ad (gee-oh, gee-gee-oh), Honda's award-winning Cog ad where an Accord performs piece by piece, GMH's "Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden cars", Valiant's "Hey Charger" campaign, and the catchy "Go well, go Shell" jingle are among them.

It delivers 171kW at 3500rpm to 4000rpm and the real fun comes with the 450Nm coming on at a low 1400rpm to 3250rpm.Audi claims this engine is the most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine in its class and also one of the lightest diesels in the world. But the fun and the upper-class looks of this Audi comes at a price, $86,700 to be precise.It goes up against rivals such as the BMW 320d and the Chrysler 300C, which are both cheaper but by the time you add some options, you're not far off.And the BMW offers a less impressive performance, with only a four-cylinder engine, and while the diesel 300C has good figures, it is a lot bigger on the road, compared with Audi's more compact sedan.Audis A6 model, sharing the same turbo diesel engine, took the award for the best luxury car over $57,000 at Australia's best car awards last year. In the A4, it sprints to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds and offers a good performance and good fuel economy, all wrapped up in a package that delivers surprisingly little noise. Although no need to fret, a revving growl is still present and impresses as you launch from a standstill.This turbocharged V6 engine uses the latest-generation common rail technology and piezo injectors, as well as twin intercoolers in the turbocharging.It also provides the security of the quattro all-wheel-drive system.Fitted to a six-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic functions and steering-wheel mounted paddles for quick shifting, this diesel A4 has comfortable and dynamic handling, although it does feel a little firm oncity roads.Its extra fun when slipping the smooth slider into the sporty "S" mode, as it holds on to the gears a bit longer, like music to your ears. But the steering feels too light and mundane and takes away some of the fun.The benefits of a diesel are evident when looking at the fuel economy of the Audi. The official claimed fuel consumption of the A4's latest edition is 8.4 litres per 100km and our test showed it to be accurate, with even better figures reaching below 8 litres per 100km.Audi's smaller 2.0-litre A4 petrol model produces similar figures, with a claimed 8.3 litres per 100km, but doesn't have such an inspiring performance as its diesel sibling.And as can be expected, the Audi offers all the elegance of a classy, luxury car, the only way to really contrast such an impressive engine. These features include leather interior, electric front seats, wood trim and cruise control, to name a few.But while the package has an aura of classiness and elegance, it is plain in design. There is also limited leg room in the back and the car could do with some more storage compartments in the front.The A4 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers, a front centre armrest, and a good sound system with 10 speakers.It looks sporty in appearance with an attractive single frame grille on the front and features high levels of safety, including Electronic Stability Program, anti-lock braking system and brake assist. It also has front, side and curtain airbags.Open the boot, and the A4 has plenty of storage space, as well as a full-size spare.

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990

Holden impressed with the highly anticipated VE Commodore launch last month, with lights, cameras and well, a blimp. So for the luxury WM models, it's only natural that they went one step further this week by inviting the Prime Minister along.And while previously these cars may have conjured up an ideal audience of, let's say people of Mr Howard's era, the new WM models, to put it plainly, are more hip and stylish, yet still offer that level of sophistication and classiness.The Statesman and Caprice are available in both V6 and V8 engines, with the Caprice experiencing a considerable price drop over the previous WL models. At $69,990, the range-topping (and most expensive) WM model has dropped by $5400.The V6 Caprice has a $65,990 price point, $4700 less than its predecessor.The Statesman, on the other hand, has seen a slight increase in price, with the V6 now costing $58,990, compared with the previous $56,990 and the V8 priced at $62,990, $1300 more than the WL V8 Statesman.With their great, sturdy looks, impressive on-road performance and a lengthy list of goodies, it's no wonder the PM echoed the words of his predecessor, Ben Chifley, who also appeared at a Holden launch in 1948, in exclaiming: "I think she's a beauty, too", referring to both new models.The launch of the new long-wheelbase luxury sedans is the result of a $190 million investment, on top of the $1.03 billion VE program.The new models are made in the Elizabeth plant in Adelaide, and a tour around the factory showed the amazing process of the Matrix-like, animated robots, which almost seemed to have their own personalities, hard at work.When reaching full production in the coming weeks, the factory will produce 620 vehicles a day, which include WMs, VEs and the VZ Utes and wagons.The WM models differ from the shorter wheelbase VE Commodore, obviously with a stretched wheelbase providing more interior space, lengthened rear doors, an increased rear overhang, to name but a few of the exterior changes, and the new models have a wheelbase 70mm over the WL, but an overall length 32mm shorter.The 3.6-litre V6 produces 5kW more power and 5Nm more torque than the previous model, with 195kW at 6500rpm and 340Nm at 2600rpm.The 6.0-litre, V8 engine also experiences an increase in performance, with 270kW at 5700rpm, up from 260kW and 530Nm at 4400rpm, an increase of 20Nm of torque.The WM models are big cars and similarities can be seen to the Chrysler 300C. But on road they aren't as hard to manoeuvre as you'd expect, and tight turns and parking lots are easier to tackle than you initially think.Both models have great steering and go exactly where you point them. The Caprice has a sportier feel with firmer suspension compared with the Statesman. The V6 sounded a bit noisy, but that could just be the result of just having departed the quiet V8, where you could almost hear a pin drop.The Statesman is marketed as the "comfort prestige" model, while the Caprice has been given more aggressive styling, with a "prestige sport" persona. And while the differences between the two are minimal, they are noticeable, including the grilles, 18-inch, five-spoke wheels for the Caprice and 17-inch, 10-spoke wheels for the Statesman and different lamps for each. And if you think the Statesman has an impressive list of features, the Caprice goes even better.The Statesman comes with front and rear park assist, 11-speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, MP3 and Bluetooth mobile-phone connectivity, eight-way electric front seats, night-mode dash illumination and auto rain-sensing wipers.The Caprice also offers a Bose audio system, an impressive DVD player, a tri-Zone electronic climate control system, and 10-way electric adjustment front seats.And what's a beauty without its jewels. These luxury vehicles are adorned with front fog lamps, grilles and badges, rear valance and exhaust tips, chrome bodyside moulding and Bi Xenon headlamps for the Caprice, all the jewelled elements for a sparkling finish.On the safety side, the WM models come with six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, electronic brake assist, anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution. There's a notion of exclusivity attached to the luxury models and the interior is especially designed to match this description.The leather interior provides great comfort for all passengers, adding to the cosiness of the spacious cabin. The onyx with metro leather trim, in other words the black or darker leather interior, had a more stylish, sporty feel over the lighter, light urban leather. The interior also features wood trim.And the Caprice is particularly more suitable for the entertainment buffs, or those just wanting the "are we there yet?" cries to stop, with a DVD player featuring a roof-mounted speaker and rear DVD screens set into the headrests. The Statesman offers a roof mounted DVD player as an option.Fuel economy for the V6 in both models is 11.7-litres per 100km, and 14.7-litres per 100km for the more powerful V8. Holden says the target customers for the long wheelbase are those "fortysomething, successful and self-assured" buyers and it's the Caprice where Holden hopes to attract new customers.

Holden's new long wheelbase WM models got put to the pace this week, as I made my mark on the Adelaide roads, while enjoying the green, hilly scenery so different to my usual busy Sydney life. But firstly there was a quick visit by the Prime Minister, a browse at the human-like robots in the Elizabeth plant and before long the wind was blowing in my hair and the power roaring at my foot. The WM is made up of the Statesman and Caprice models, both available in a 195kW 3.6-litre, V6 and a 270kW 6.0-litre V8 engine. The new Caprice has a price drop from the previous WL model, with the V8 at $69,990 and the V6 at $65,990. The Statesman gets slightly dearer from its predecessors, with a $58,990 price point for the V6 and $62,990 for the V8. In looks, performance and comfort, the WM models gets two thumbs up. The car is surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, despite its large size and offers awesome interior space in the front and back. The brakes and the horn particularly got put the test when an Adelaide bus driver showed they also have crazy drivers, as he unexpectedly and with no indicator, decided he liked the lane I was driving in better, much to the fear of the Holden engineer I was driving with. But we came out the other end, unscathed and survived to tell the tale of the good handling ability of Holden's new luxury models. The launch of the new long wheelbase luxury sedans is the result of a $190 million investment, on top of the $1.03 billion VE program. Ashlee Pleffer is CARSguide staffer whose work appears in The Daily Telegraph on Friday. A version of this review, plus other news and analysis, will appear in The Daily Telegraph’s CARSguide on Friday.