Articles by Ashlee Pleffer

Fiesta's latest addition is the Zetec model. Released in March, it is the top three-door model in the Fiesta family, and has been slapped with the sporty label.Fitted with new front and rear body-coloured bumpers, grille design, headlamps, which especially afford it a sporty look, rear tail lamps and tapered side body mouldings, it could be argued that the Fiesta has had the Beckham makeover of style and flare. But don't expect too much, just because of the sporty tag.It sits in the small car segment and the Zetec is priced at $18,490.The athletic qualities of the Zetec stretches to the sports suspension, the 16-inch alloy wheels and a revised manual transmission with a closer ratio gear set.Take a step inside and you'll find a cosy interior with modern and creative trim, available in three different designs for the Zetec model, although these interiors are a little on the plain side in comparison to those offered in the other Fiesta models.While the seats may feel a little firm at first, they do get comfortable after time, and the adjustable head-rests in the back look great. They are very practical to suit all, short and tall, although loftier people will suffer in the leg-room department in the back seats.The gadgets are easy to use and very straightforward, but the extra radio controls do not appear on the steering wheel like on most new cars. Instead they feature on a bulky lever behind the steering wheel, below the blinker, making it hard to reach. It's easier to use the main radio controls.The major annoyance of this car is the blinker, a minor thing perhaps, but it sounds like popcorn cooking and it can get pretty frustrating for anyone who gets irritated easily. Hence during my test drive, the radio was turned up and got a fairly good workout.Turning sharp corners produces some resistance on the wheel, with heavy steering required. There is a bit of pull when doing a U-turn or manoeuvring in tight car parks.In this generation of the Fiesta, airconditioning comes as standard and manual transmission versions are fitted with an input facility for an iPod or MP3 player.The Zetec is also available in three new colours, with the car tested here a Sea Grey, a little dull for my liking, but it did have a certain sense of style about it.The ability of the engine is not the most exciting available and behind the wheel it won't exactly give you that buzzing sensation you may experience in more expensive and powerful cars. However, for its class and price, it produces fairly competitive figures in the small car range.Its 74kW at 6000rpm is equal to or a little less than similar vehicles and on the torque front, it produces a slightly higher figure, with 146Nm at 4000rpm.The 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine trots along fairly confidently, with sufficient power in the lower gears and it travels comfortably when it hits the higher speeds.The Zetec is the middle child in the Fiesta range, with the three-door LX manual at $15,990 and big brother Ghia only available in five door, with the manual priced at $20,490.With a 6.8-litres/100km combined claimed fuel consumption, the Fiesta has a slightly higher fuel consumption than its small car competitors. The Honda Jazz VTi has uses a claimed 6.0-litres per 100km, the Toyota Yaris burns 6.1-litres per 100km and the Hyundai Getz uses 6.2-litres over this distance.I couldn't notice much difference in the handling and style between of the LX model and the sportier Zetec. This suggests the cheaper LX model is worth consideration, especially if you want to save $2500.Overall, the Fiesta seems to have most qualities people want in a small car.

But while it's stylish and, lowered by 15mm, has you feeling closer to the ground, the Jetta doesn't feel quite as sporty as it claims to be. Rather than appealing to young drivers, it seems to be better suited to an older, more sophisticated demographic — a car parents or grandparents are more likely to drive.A glass sunroof is available for an extra $1890, which might jazz it up and make it a bit trendier but its appearance is still more elegant than sporty.Given it is such a nice-looking medium-sized sedan, complete with a small spoiler, chromed-frame radiator grille, rear LED lights and a stylish shape, it seems fair to expect the comfort of the vehicle to be in the same class. But this is the Jetta's main problem.Even a 20-minute trip leaves your body a little sore, not helped by the bumpy ride, with the stiff sports suspension failing to cushion the driver from pot holes and dents in the road.The seats are too hard, as are the armrests, and no matter how much you try, you just can't seem to get comfortable.Perhaps spending the extra $2000-$3000 for leather upholstery would solve the problem.Space, on the other hand, is more than sufficient. The Jetta is longer than its predecessor, the Bora, and the Golf, on which it is based. There is plenty of storage space, with separate compartments under the front seats, and an impressively large and deep boot. Cabin space is also roomy and comfortable, although with three adults in the back, legroom can be a little squashy.The interior is dressed up with all the perks of a luxury car, including a leather steering wheel, leather handbrake lever grip and gear knob, cruise control, maximum-speed warning, reverse sensors, six-stacker CD, dual climate control and doors that automatically lock when you drive. The red and blue lights on the dash and stereo are a little too bright and distracting, and become irritating over time, especially on longer trips.Six airbags come as standard.The Jetta is available in three models, all 2.0 litre, four-cylinder engines, with six speed transmission. The first test car was the base model manual FSI, valued at $35,290.It handled quite well and gear changes were smooth with 110kW of power at 6000rpm and 200Nm at 3500rpm, but it wasn't until we tested the Turbo FSI that the excitement really kicked in.It is a little pricier, at $39,990, and available only in automatic, but it's worth every cent for that extra boost in power. Once you accelerate and feel the torque of 280Nm at 1800-5000rpm, and the power of 147kW at 5100-6000rpm, you won't want to turn back.There was a bit of a lag, with the torque coming on abruptly, which actually made the ride more enjoyable as the car flew once the turbo kicked in.Apart from the hard seats, the only complaint came from a passenger who shall remain nameless, who claimed the driver was "hooning". Hard to resist, though.The turbo is also available in diesel and starts at $37,790. Braking is good, with ABS as well as electronic stability.Overall, the Jetta is an impressive car, but because of the comfort factor, it was hard to feel truly satisfied.

As it turns out, it's not only what women want. Statistics say women buy more than 50 per cent of new cars and 85 per cent of buying decisions are made or influenced by women.Carmakers are increasingly taking this into account and turning to women to determine the design and comfort of vehicles, and it's not just for your typical "female" cars.Volvo is one manufacturer leading the way. It has developed a customer group of women in Sweden who have influenced smart solutions for the company and these have become qualities of all new Volvo cars, including the new C70, due in Australia by September.Volvo spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says: "It's been going for a few years, at least close to a decade. They're just very much in tune with ... how they can improve ."While the list of changes that evolved from this female customer group includes some qualities that may be viewed as typically "female", like colour coding on lids underneath the bonnet, "comfortable upholstery when wearing shorts or nylon stockings" and vanity mirrors, it also includes developments that suit all people regardless of gender.These include comfort, handling and logic for towing and steering-input forces and gear-shift forces. Volvo unveiled the first concept car in the world to be designed and developed by women at the 2004 Geneva motor show. It says the vehicle, Your Concept Car (YCC), was made for everyone. One of the YCC project managers, Camilla Palmertz, says: "We've included women, not excluded men."The end result was a sports coupe with gull-wing doors and a variety of practical solutions. Other carmakers are also looking to women for advice and increasing the number of women in the workplace.In February this year, GM Holden was awarded an Employer of Choice for Women citation for the second year in a row.GM Holden was the only automotive manufacturer this year to be among the 116 recipients of the Federal Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) award however Ford has won the award before. GM Holden spokeswoman Kate Holehouse says the establishment of a Women's Council in 2005 has resulted in greater contribution by women in Holden. The company also has five women on its board of 13 directors.GM Holden's Asia Pacific chief designer of colour and trim, Sharon Gauci, says women have various roles in Holden - with many influencing the outcome of vehicles.Ford Australia says it has 41 women in senior management positions and four out of of the 12 members on the company's Operating Committee, are women.Volvo's female-friendly changesChanges made to Volvo cars because of suggestions made by the company's female customer group include:Introducing colour-code markings on the lids under the bonnet, blue for washer fluid, black for oil and the same symbols used on the lids as used on the instrument cluster;Improving front-seat adjustment range;Improving seat-belt comfort and position;Altering seating position when driving with knees together;Using more comfortable upholstery for drivers wearing shorts or nylon stockings;Adjusting the doors to make it easier to get in and out of the car;Improving rear seat comfort;Making it easier to move seats when entering the rear seat of a convertible;Installing vanity mirrors;Putting logic, function and symbols on controls such as climate control;Putting controls within easy reach;Reducing force needed to use pedals, shift gears, park brake and steering, and for opening doors, bonnet and boot;Improving steering-wheel adjustment range;Parking assistance;Installing hooks and trays for bags and shopping in the boot;Making owner's manual less technical and easier to understand.

But while the catch phrase will have you believe you will feel "really, really, really good inside" when driving the Tiida, the reality is the expectations are a little high. The Tiida leaves you with the feeling you get when you have a discount movie ticket, but then the flick you choose is just average. Not bad, but not as good as you would like.At first glance, the top of the range 1.8-litre Tiida Ti Sedan seems ordinary and not as eye-catching as others in its class, such a Mazda3, Holden Astra or Ford Focus.It just doesn't get you as excited as you would like to be for $26,490. And after driving it for a week, the feeling is the same as it blends into peak-hour traffic, lacking that trendiness. But the metallic red paint on the test car does allow the Tiida to have its moments, as do the stylish repositioned rear-view mirrors further down the door, with tiny fixed windows where the mirrors would usually sit.The name Tiida derives from the word "tide" which refers to the flow of the ocean.Nissan feels this reflects its commitment to constant change highlighted with the Tiida replacing the Pulsar, which established the $19,990 price-point.But it remains to be seen if this change is really as good as a holiday.The Ti's interior is more impressive than its exterior, especially the comfortable seating, leather and cloth trim, making those long drives more tolerable. Nissan rightly boasts the spacious cabin, which had no problem in fitting four adults quite comfortably, with ample leg room.The dashboard tries to give off a sporty vibe, with silver strips above the glovebox, on the gearstick and the steering wheel.The sporting theme continues down to the individually defined gauges. However, it feels like it's trying a little too hard to impress and falls short of pulling off the sporty look.The 1.8-litre engine provides 93kW of power at 5200rpm with 174Nm of torque at 4800rpm. In terms of performance, the Tiida lacks the power to tackle hills, with the automatic transmission struggling to take on any reasonable incline.Equipped with ABS, the Ti Tiida has responsive braking, which handles well in stop-start traffic. But the drive is a little bumpy and not quite as smooth as desired.The Tiida hatch is a little more impressive in appearance and has a sense of style about it, particularly more appealing to its younger female audience.The more affordable starting prices of $19,990 for the ST and $22,240 for the the ST-L, come with a less impressive interior.The seats are a lot harder than those in the top-of-the-range hatch Q and Ti Sedan and there's no added luxuries, such as arm rests in the front and back, front map lights or a leather steering wheel.In the middle back seat of all hatch models, there is only a lap belt, which is a little disappointing. There is plenty of space to store wallets and mobile phones, with reasonable-sized compartments.While the Nissan Tiida is considerably priced against its competitors and has the new-car vibe, you can't help but feel you're missing out on something — that it's just a little too ordinary, and not quite as enjoyable as Kim Cattrall might make it out to be.

European motorhome market leader and the second largest caravan manufacturer, Hymer and Europe's sixth largest caravan and motorhome maker, Adria, have released a range of models at the Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow at Rosehill. It marks their launch on the Australian market.Australian distributor of Hymer and Adria, Terrence Burchett says: "The Australian leisure van market is growing at a rate of more than 18 per cent a year; five times that of the automotive industry," Industry figures show that Australians and international visitors will make more than 600,000 caravan and motorhome trips in Australia this year. And with the industry worth more than $2.1 billion annually, it's no wonder that these European companies want a piece of the action.German manufacturer Hymer has introduced to Australia two motorhomes, the S-Class and B-Star-Line and three models of caravans in the Nova range. Hymer is closely aligned with Mercedes-Benz.Its top of the range motorhome, the S-Class, is built on a Mercedes-Benz chassis and is powered by a 2.7-litre, five-cylinder Mercedes turbo diesel engine, producing 116kW.Hymer and Adria spokesman Richard Towson says: "Hymer is Mercedes-Benz' biggest customer, and they use each others facilities. They have a very close relationship."Hymer's products range from a $45,000 caravan, to the top of the range motorhome, the S-Class, valued at about $325,000.Slovenian company Adria has introduced two models of caravans to Australia, the Adora and Adiva range. It will release its Vision motorhome later this year. Adria caravans range in cost from $39,950 to $59,950.Towson says a major feature of these new European caravans is their light weight and easy towing ability. He says they are the lightest mid-size and large caravans on the Australian market."They are equivalent to Australian brands and you can tow them in a normal family sedan," he says.Adria's largest caravan in Australia, the Adiva 642UP, weighs 1350kg. He says similar sized caravans can weigh up to two tonnes.The company is aiming at people who are joining the caravanning world rather than going on boat or hotel holidays.The caravan industry expects to deliver up to 25,000 vehicles in Australia this year, with 70 per cent caravans, 20 per cent motorhomes and the remaining 10 per cent, "pop tops".

Free from the everyday responsibilities of kids and work, the bands of grey nomads escape on the long and winding Australian roads, with their custom-built vans, their freedom and their desire to explore our sunburnt country.Many of these free spirits will be part of the 80,000-plus crowd expected to check out the latest technology and mobile home trends at the Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow. The Rosehill Gardens Racecourse event starts today and runs until next Sunday. There will be more than 500 new makes and models of caravans on display, which include about 140 camper-trailers, more than 60 luxury motorhomes and 100 types of tents.One couple to be found wandering around the show is Rob and Jan Compton."We come as lookers but we always end up customers. We don't need anything this year, but there's always something," Jan says.The Comptons are just one of the many retired couples rediscovering the freedom of life in their caravan.The Queensland couple have put their working life behind them, and have moved on to the next stage — "a whole new life" where freedom is to be enjoyed and where "nobody is dictating what we will do"."The opportunities are not there in your working life because you can't take the time off," 58-year-old Jan says.For seven to eight weeks at a time, and travelling between 10,000km and 13,000km a year, the Comptons jump into their LandCruiser, which is equipped with a fridge and a shower, and travel around Australia.They also tow their 2003 Jayco Heritage, 21ft (6.4m) caravan, which also has a shower, toilet, two-door fridge, airconditioning, TV, oven, microwave, and of course, an electric blanket."The longer you're away, the harder it is to go home," Jan says. "The biggest thing is taking that first step and driving out the front gate."Rob says it is important to plan your trip and make sure you relax and smell the roses."We travel for about four to five hours a day, leisurely of course. We get up late and stop early ... there's no pressure," the 63-year-old grandfather of seven says.Caravanning for the Comptons isn't just a new fad adopted in their retired lives.They have always enjoyed holidaying on the road, buying their first van in 1966 and taking their three children on vacation.Rob says as their kids got older, they lost interest in going on trips with "Mum and Dad", forcing them to put their adventures on hold. With their three children now in their 30s, and living overseas with kids of their own, the Comptons have rediscovered their interest in the open road.They say while some may dread retirement, they were "winding up to it".Since 1998, their travels have taken them far and wide. They have been locked in a theatre in Wyndham, in Western Australia; visited a deserted town in Tasmania; had a ball in Mackay and taken their seven-year-old Canadian granddaughter to Victoria. These are just a few of their journeys.The Comptons, who found their new retirement home in Hervey Bay after holidaying there, say one of the best parts of the travelling life is meeting people who share a common interest, labelling it an "instant friendship"."You make friends you pass in the night, and everyone has a story to tell. It doesn't matter what your background is or where you come from," Jan says.One common interest is taking their mini-poodle, Molly, on every trip. "She has her little bean bag under the table. One other lady, she had two maltese dogs and she had a child's playpen for them," Jan says.The Comptons worked as wheat farmers for most of their lives, before spending their last five working years employed by Jayco.They believe they have acquired the skills needed to drive the vehicles and are always prepared for conditions on the road.But to potential owners, they warn that there are many things to consider before jumping on the caravanning bandwagon."Do your homework, work out what you want to do with the caravan. It's not much good touring Australia in something that's not very comfortable," Rob says. "The biggest is not necessarily the best," Jan adds.And for a final piece of advice from the Comptons, a little unwritten rule from the caravanning world. "If the van's a rockin', don't come knockin'."

AUDIThe much-anticipated second generation of the Audi TT Coupe made its public debut at this week's New York International Auto show. Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the new TT will be in showrooms here before the end of the year.The new TT features Audi's new magnetic ride-damper system, which uses metal particles suspended in the damper oil and electric current to provide variable damping. The car is also longer and wider than its predecessor while retaining the sleek lines pioneered in the original TT Coupe.DAIMLER CHRYSLERChrysler will unveil the stretched version of its popular 300C sedan. The extended wheelbase adds 150mm to the length while the rear seat environment has been enhanced with illuminated writing tables, more power outlets, footrests and custom-paint colours. Chrysler expects the 300C long wheelbase to attract interest from the limousine industry, as well as retail customers. Its arrival date in Australia is still uncertain.DaimlerChrysler has also showcased the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, claimed by Jeep to be the most spacious ever offered. Also on the stand is the compact Jeep Patriot.The Dodge Caliber will bring the Dodge badge back to Australia and will provide a second passenger stream for Chrysler. It will arrive in Australia for sale mid year. Dodge plans to release a new vehicle in Australia approximately every six months for the next three years.MERCEDESThe mildly face-lifted E-Class with engine revamps will make its way to Australia in September or October. Other vehicles on display include the R-Class, which had its Sydney launch this week and G-Class, due in Australia in November.HONDAThe next generation of the Honda MDX large four-wheel-drive, sold as Acura in the US, is on show as a concept car. It is expected to be a pointer to the production model that will go on sale in the US later this year.Honda is not giving away much about the second-generation MDX model, which it says is designed, developed and will be built in North America. The current MDX started as a left-hand-drive-only model, but after sufficient lobbying, Honda agreed to build right-hand-drive models for Japan and Australia. Honda Australia says it doesn't know if the second-generation MDX will be made in right-hand-drive but hopes it will be.It is keen to keep the prestige MDX in its line-up because the big crossover wagon, which is about the same size as a Ford Territory, added 829 sales to its tally last year.SUZUKIThe Suzuki SX-4 – a joint Suzuki-Fiat enterprise – is set to be released to markets outside Europe in the coming months. Suzuki Australia will not officially commit the car to Australia but privately is understood to be anxious to add it to the marque's limited garage.The latest generation of the large XL-7 will not make it to Australia with a decision having been taken last year to phase the model out of local sales.FERRARILaunched at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's 599 GTB has embarked on its world tour. Described as the company's most powerful V12 production car, the innovative and technologically advanced performance star is expected to make its first appearance in Australia at the Sydney motor show in October.MAZDAMazda has unveiled the CX-9, a seven-seat crossover sport-utility vehicle. Its arrival in Australia is still uncertain, with Mazda assessing the possibility of making the vehicle available in right-hand drive and getting it to market at a competitive price. Also on the stand – and confirmed for Australia – are the mid-sized crossover CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3 (badged as the Mazda3 MPS for Australia).LEXUSThe LS600h, which Lexus claims will be the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 engine, has been unveiled in New York.This new version of its flagship will be available in Australia only in long wheelbase, and is due to be launched in the first half of 2007. Lexus claims the car will be economical for such a large body, averaging 14 litres/100km.PONTIACOne highlight of the New York showcars not destined for Australia is the G6 GXP concept car. It features Pontiac's distinctive nose also seen on the US-version of the now-defunct Holden Monaro. This concept car has 19-inch wheels and boasts a 200kW, 3.9-litre V6 engine.Which of these cars excites you?