Articles by Bill Buys

High points from the biennial Delhi motor show include a well set-up SUV that now has an ambitious auto option. Bill Buys reports.

SUVs and hybrids were the flavour of the month at last week's Delhi Auto Expo, India's big biennial event.

Is it a tiger, or an iguana? A bit of both, actually, in the latest Volkswagen Tiguan.

Bill Buys road tests and reviews the 2015 VW Scirocco R, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Bill Buys road tests and reviews the 2015 Nissan Navara, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Tigershark, Longitude and Trailhawk are among the latest names in the ever-changing Jeep family, all associated with the totally revised new Cherokee, a model entirely different from previous wearers of that nameplate.The new medium-sized SUV is still a pretty capable off-roader, but it's now much more civilised, with a classy cabin, aerodynamic styling and some impressive technology.There are four models, starting with the Sport, a four-cylinder front wheel driver and the sole city-oriented model. Then come the Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk, all with 4WD in several configurations, and V6 power. Common to the entire range is a nine-speed automatic transmission; it's a superb self-shifter with smooth action and very effective in cutting fuel consumption.Longitude is a bit of an oddball. It's called a Latitude in its home country and in many other markets, but in Australia a Latitude is a Renault sedan. So the name lines had to be redrawn.The Sport is from $33,500, Longitude $39,000, the more luxurious Limited is $44,000 and the Trailhawk $47,500. In contrast to earlier Cherokees, the new ones are well-appointed, beautifully finished and packed with all the electronica du jour. All get keyless remote entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a good audio system with a touchscreen interface, USB/iPod integration, an auxiliary audio input and an SD card reader.Specs increase with each ascending model and a long list of options lets every buyer tailor the car to taste and needs. The V6 models get dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, bigger touchscreens and the rest of today's essentials. US industry authority Ward's gave the new Chero a 'best in class' rating. There are lots of onboard storage nooks and bins and several power outlets. Occupants get good seating and comfort, but the trade-off is a not-so-big cargo area.Colours? Morocco, Iceland, Grand Canyon and Vesuvio. Or in non-Jeepspeak, black, black and grey, brown and brown and indigo. In cloth or Nappa leather. The exterior colour, for all models, is bright white.  Mango tango, granite crystal, true blue, cashmere, billet silver and brilliant black are all available – as options.The four-pot Sport uses a 2.4litre Fiat-derived but US-assembled Multiair single cam motor that happily spins into redline territory and produces 137kW and 232Nm. It runs on 91 octane and averages 8.2litres/100km. Why Jeep added 'Tigershark' to the engine's name is a mystery. Probably sounds good in the marketplace.What matters most is it's a whopping 33 per cent more fuel-efficient than the old Cherokee. The Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk have the class-leading 200kW/316Nm 3.2litre Pentastar V6 motor. Based on the brand's 3.6litre V6, it's also happy on 91 brew, and averages 10.0litres/100km. A 2.0litre Fiat diesel motor will later be available on the Limited.Longitude and Limited come with Active Drive I, a light-duty 4WD system sans low ratios that will cope with most conditions. It includes a Selec-Terrain traction control dial to choose between auto, snow, sport and sand/mud. The V6 Cheros also seamlessly change from four to two-wheel drive when they sense there's no need to drive all the wheels.Folk planning to tackle more serious offroad surfaces need the Trailhawk, which has 18-inch alloys with all-season tyres, raised suspension, recovery hooks and a more aggressive 4x4 system, including low gearing and a locking rear diff for crawling over rocks and suchlike. It also has a 'rock' switch on its Selec-Terrain system – and it's the only one to get hill descent control .As for safety, the new multi airbagged and electronics-equipped Cheros got a five-star safety rating.  And those stylish lines with the waterfall grille and scalloped sides have greatly improved not only the car's looks, but its wind-friendliness. That, in turn, makes it quieter, appreciably quicker and more fuel-efficient.The all-independently sprung SUVs have 45 per cent more high tensile steel in their unibody construction, making them a lot more rigid and better handling. We got to drive all four models in South Australia's spectacular Flinders Ranges, liked their quiet cabins, compliant rides and precise steering. The suspension soaks up bumps in the roads and tracks and gives a good balance between comfort and roadholding.Much as we liked the extra power of the V6 trio, we think the Sport will be the top seller. It's a smart package with a terrific drivetrain, gives the best economy and should be the choice of the nine out of 10 buyers who never go off-road.And here's a bit of official Jeep tech talk on the styling that we can't quite figure out: 'The front visually flows through the rest of the vehicle with windows that link together, with the fast front windshield speeding to the backlight.' 

Jensen, the classy British brand founded in 1934, has had more start-ups and close-downs than a travelling circus. But it’s on the go once more.The two Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard, got going with the business of building special bodies for various UK makes such as Singer, Morris, Wolseley and Standard and then US actor Clark Gable got them to design a car using a Ford V8 flathead engine.It was quite a hit in 1935 and evolved into the Jensen S-Type. Beautiful roadster models emerged and just when things were looking rosy, WWII broke out and car production stopped.In 1946 they fired up again with the luxurious Jensen PW saloon. That was followed, from 1950 to 1957, by the popular Interceptor. Then came the 541 and the CV8, the latter using a big Chrysler engine instead of the Austin 6.Jensen also built bodies for Austin-Healey, and produced their own sports car -- the unfortunate problem-prone Jensen-Healey.At various times Jensen also produced bodies for Goldie Gardner’s record-breaking MG K3, the Volvo P1800, Sunbeam Alpine and a variety of trucks, buses and jeeps.The company was taken over by the Norcros Group in 1959 and by US car distributor Kjell Qvale in 1970. In mid ’76 Jensen stopped trading, crippled by the Jensen-Healey’s dismal record of troubles.Next, an outfit called Britcar Holdings got involved, but soon sold out to Ian Orford who put the Interceptor back into production as the Mk IV. Only 11 cars were made before the company was sold to Unicorn Holdings, which also produced just a handful of cars.A striking two-seater cabrio, the Jensen S-V8, was launched at the 1998 British Motor Show, and 110 orders were placed. However, only 38 made it to the production line and of them, only 20 ever left the factory. The company went into administration in mid- 2002. In 2010 SV Automotive had a go, followed by JIA and then CPP (not City of Perth Parking).Now two men well acquainted with Jensen techniques are doing ground-up restoration of old Jensens in a bid to keep the name alive. Trading as Jensen Motors Ltd are Gregg Alvarez, who worked at the original firm as a young apprentice, and Steve Barby, who has broad marketing experience in the classic car and engine tuning industry.Jensen Motors Ltd has ambitious plans to produce eight examples of authentic Jensen models to celebrate 80 years of the marque this year. "We want to keep preserving and protecting Jensen cars as a prime example of British engineering and heritage," he said. Good luck. Jensen deserves a break. 

A sensuous sculpture that stimulates desire; voluptuous curves that make you want to reach out and caress. It's not a line from a Hollywood romance blockbuster, but a quote from the chap who designed the new Renault Clio.In the case of the just-arrived Clio GT, the object of desire is more of a warm number than a serious hottie, but with the coolest of looks. And a lot of very nice equipment. The GT is an interesting mix. It looks just like the high-performance RS model, but has a cleverly-engineered 1.2-litre turbo motor that's more attuned to economy than performance.PRICE / FEATURESThe GT perched about midway between the three-cylinder Clio and the fiery RS, starting from $25,290 for the standard version and $28,790 for the Premium. Both have the 88kW/190Nm four-pot 1.2 engine which drives the front wheels through a superb EDC six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission from Getrag.The Clio GT also has a chassis specially designed for keener handling, with stiffer springs and dampers than in the standard Clio range and it rides on 17-inch alloys shod with lo-pro Michelin Primacys.Standard gear includes cruise control, rear parking sensors, twin exhausts, tinted glass, keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, auto-on wipers and headlights, Renault's Media nav system with Bluetooth connectivity and RS Drive with Normal and Sport modes. Plus an advanced speaker system. The RS button instantly adjusts the steering, accelerator and transmission settings for a sportier drive. For the extra $3500 the GT Premium adds R-Link entertainment system, reversing camera, a fixed glass sunroof and leather upholstery.DRIVINGWe squirted the Clio GT through the ups, downs and curves of the Great Dividing Range around Victoria's King Lake district, and enjoyed its quick steering and confident road manners. The EDC changes cogs in milliseconds when in RS mode and there's a choice of gearstick or paddleshift. The nicely-bolstered seats gave good support, the steering wheel is fully adjustable, visibility was fine and the car handled road imperfections very well.The direct-injection engine is not the most powerful in its class, but the handling package makes the GT a pretty quick point-to-point machine, and in RS mode, the revs run into outer space. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 9.5 seconds and the top end is good for just on 200km/h. More importantly, fuel consumption is a very impressive 5.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions rated at 120g/km.The voluptuous curves and minute shutlines also give it a dynamic coupe appearance, although it's really a practical five-door hatch with proper adult-sized back seat accommodation. Renault reckons it's got the measure of class rivals like Peugeot 208 Allure, Citroen's DS3, the Fiesta Ecoboost and Suzuki Swift Sport.VERDICTThe Clio GT is quite pricey, but you do get a lot for your money built into a classy, sexy little number with big headlights and other features that make you want to reach out and caress.Renault Clio GTPrice: from $25,290Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 88kW/190NmTransmission: 6 speed dual clutch auto, FWDThirst: 5.2L/100km

  Hiking boots are big, cumbersome things while hi-tech hiking shoes have much the same performance, but are much sleeker, sportier and efficient. That's what Mercedes-Benz said this week at the launch of their new GLA 200 CDI, the hiking shoe of the motor world, if you will, and just the thing to step out in. It

A bigger range, lower prices, plus the addition of a sporty wagon last year, has given Renault extra impetus in its drive to give the Megane more space in the crowded small car market.