Articles by Bill Buys

One of the big magnets at Frankfurt motor show this year was the dynamic BMW i8 - but performance purists might be horrified to learn the Bavarian muscle car only has a three-cylinder turbo 1.5-litre petrol engine. And an electric motor.But the output is staggering: 170kW/320Nm from the tiny petrol motor and the rest from the electric power plant, for a total output of 266kW and a whopping 570Nm of torque. It goes to 100km/h in 4.4seconds and uses next to no fuel. Try 2.5litres/100km.It's an all-wheel drive model, with the electrics powering the front wheels and the three-potter the rear. Most of the body is of carbon fibre plastic, the suspension and other underbody parts are aluminium and the electric bit can be recharged at home in about four hours.BMW says the i8 is likely to go from concept to production in a matter of months and has even worked out a price for it: US$136,000. It might be a tad more if it comes to Australia.Ferrari produced a 458 Speciale, said to be its 'best V8 ever'. The blue-striped red coupe producing some pretty decent numbers: 445kW/540Nm, three seconds flat from standstill to 100km/h and a top speed of 325km/h.Across the passage Fiat had a flotilla of its cute littlies. There was the 500e, an electric powered one with a 140km range, the 63kW GQ Twinair, a turbo S version with 77kW and one called Living which offered a head-spinning 88kW.Plus a 500 Abarth circa 1959, one of the world's earliest mini hotties, alongside the latest and considerably bigger version. But Alfa Romeo's 4C was possibly the best of the Italian sporting machines, a lovely blend of style, performance and balance at a comparatively affordable price.  

Innovation, many hybrids and all-electrics, some high-powered models and a couple of striking retro-inspired coupes are the highlights of this year's Frankfurt motor show. Throw in some staged antics and the world's biggest car show becomes even better.Volvo set the pace with an unveiling of its Concept Coupe, a technologically advanced number of exceptional grace reminiscent of its iconic P1800 of the 1960s. It embodies what Volvo calls its 'human centric experience' and apart from a host of safety electronics, has the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor that will soon replace the brand's five and six-cylinder engines.The engine has turbo and supercharging plus a plug-in electric motor, resulting in V8-like performance, but with minicar fuel consumption. However, the classy coupe is not scheduled for production in the near future. Instead, it marks the capability of Volvo's new architecture and elements of its design will feature on all future models, starting with the new XC90 in about a year.Frankfurt was also used to display a growing trend towards compact premium SUVs. Mercedes-Benz showed its cute new GLA-class SUV with new generation 4matic all-wheel drive, and Infiniti unveiled its Q30 concept, which it said was in a unique class, being a blend of coupe, hatch and crossover. A surprise was the appearance of F1 racing camp Sebastien Vettel, who said he helped sort the Q30's handling.Minutes later, Lexus trumped that by having a couple of giant animated creatures, seemingly from outer space, whip the covers of its new LF-NX, another smallish Crossover concept. It, too, had a hybrid powertrain and despite an enthusiastic description of how it's brushed metal finish made it look as if carved from a single billet of solid metal, it was just plain ugly.Then there were the glam cars: Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, Aston-Martin and lots of specially-bodied creations from Brabus and similar outfits, scores of Fiats and Smarts, Hyundais and Kias and about 50 more brands. Spread through about a dozen vast halls, they added up to sore feet and bewildered looks as people did their best to absorb the techno and visual overdose of tomorrow's dream machines. 

It might not be on Fusion Automotive's shopping list right now, but the diminutive Tata Nano does have some future possibilities. At least that's what we thought after squirting one around Tata's test track near Mumbai.The original idea was to put a car within reach of India's masses, but after a year there's been a re-think and it is now being plugged as a mini for the city.PRICE AND FEATURESThe big thing about the little car is its price. It costs the equivalent of $3000, which is less than many Australians pay for a push bike. Viewed in that light, it's a very attractive little jigger. And it's not so little inside.There's room for four tall people, it has aircon, and despite its 28kW/51Nm twin-cylinder 634cc motor and four-speed gearbox, it runs pretty well. That's because it has a mass of only 600kg. And one windscreen wiper, three studs to hold each of the saucer-sized wheels on, and a few other cost-saving measures.DRIVINGWe managed to wind one up to 85km/h on the short test track and the upside of that is very little chance of setting off a Multanova or other safety device the politicians think up. Suspension is all independent, but without anti-roll bars. And to reach the boot you need to fold the back seat down.The steering was a bit iffy, likewise the four drum brakes, but for three grand we reckon it's much better than a bicycle. Whether it would pass our safety crash tests is another matter. It has to fare better than a bike though.And if it can cope with India's roads, it can certainly last a long time on our smooth blacktop. We had a lot of fun in it. But don't hold your breath for release in Australia. Not for a couple of years, at least -- by which time our cities might be so congested that Nanos might be the answer.

Tata will launch its six-variant Xenon range into local showrooms in October.

Long sections of the road between Mumbai and Tata's impressive plant at Pune, about 160km away, are more brutal than any track likely to be found in Australia. But the purpose-built Indian vehicles cope without trouble, indicating that the Tata Xenon utes soon to arrive in Oz could be among the toughest of their kind.PRICEThe one-tonners are robust machines, built for India's comparatively awful roads, but they're also stylish, well-finished and the Fusion Automotive distributors say they will be priced below their Japanese rivals and slightly above the new breeds from China. Prices will be announced when they land in October, but think $20 to 30K, depending on cab choice and 4x2 or 4x4 configuration.EQUIPMENTThe Xenon is one of the better-looking utes and comes with a fair bit of kit, including ABS with EBD, Bluetooth, air con, power windows and mirrors, an adjustable steering and a neat, uncluttered dash. But there's no cruise control or option of automatic transmission.Extra stuff, from late this year, will include a hill holder, traction control and electronic stability control. And prettying it up will be easy, probably via dealer-fitted alloys, decals, spotties and the like. The five-speed gearbox is a goodie, the power steering is typical ute and seating and visibility were fine, as were the paint and fit and finish.What Australia needs to realise is that Tata is no johnny-come-lately outfit. It is an up to date company that has been building vehicles for decades and Oz has somehow managed to become the last place on the planet to become aware of the brand.THE DRIVE A few runs on the test track at Pune, which has a surface like Australia's highways, showed the 110kW/320Nm turbo-diesel had lots of pace, stability and was commendably quiet. Tata has state-of-the-art facilities at its vast Pune plant, among them a division specialising in noise reduction.VERDICTThe Xenon has the looks, the muscle and the reputation. Final price will be the deciding factor.Tata Xenon utePrice: $20 to 30KEngine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/320NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4x2 and 4x4

A hybrid, running on electric power, with a throaty V8 growl? It’s one of a bagful of features in the Lexus IS 300h, the luxury brand’s first hybrid in its sports IS range, newly uprated to give its trio of Teutonic rivals some real trouble.The car is an attention-grabber with a bigger, three-dimensional spindle grille, wider stance and dramatically swoopy rear end styling. A 70mm longer wheelbase has given it greater interior space, the seating is lower and sportier and the driver-oriented cockpit is derived from the Lexus LFA supercar.The hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats and its battery pack is mounted low, under the boot floor, so there’s 450litres of cargo space, just 30litres less than the petrol-powered models.The IS 300h joins the IS 250 and IS 350 models in the model’s just-launched third generation, with prices starting from $55,900. The 300h is quite a performer, with a combined output of 164kW from its 2.5litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor. It runs just as well as the 153/252Nm V6 IS 250, and uses only about half the fuel.IS 250 Luxury is $55,900, the F Sport from $64,900 and Sports Luxury from $77,900. The IS 300 hybrid starts from $58,900 and the F Sport is from $67,900. IS 350 Luxury is $65,000, with the F Sport from $73,000 and Sports Luxury from $84,000.Despite being dubbed ‘all new’ the 250 and 350 have not altered their existing V6 motors. However, transmissions have changed in that the 233kW/378Nm 3.5litre V6 now has an eight-speed auto. The 250 retains its six-speed auto and the 300h gets a six-stepped CVT.The 300h is the first Lexus to use a Atkinson Cycle 2.5litre petrol electric/hybrid powertrain, which apart from lots of pep, makes it a sensation in the economy and clean air section, consuming and average 4.9litres/100km and emitting 113g of CO2/km. By comparison, the IS 250 data is 9.2litres/100km and 213g/km and the 350 uses 9.7litres and emits 225g/km.Lexus says the hybrid’s figures are unmatched by any rival petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles in the segment, and expects growing awareness of fuel prices and exhaust emissions to lift its hybrid sales  from their present 18per cent to close on 50 per cent.There’s the expected suite of electronic driver aids, plus eight airbags (10 of them in Sports Luxury models), a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring. Option packs add Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Monitor and a Pre-Collision system. The cars also have a bonnet that pops up to minimise pedestrian injury. Lexus says it’s confident of a five-star safety rating.The standard Luxury models all have powered, ventilated front seats, keyless entry, satnav, dual-zone climate control, digital radio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, bi-xenon headlights with daytime running lights, reverse-view camera, 7-inch colour media display, and Drive Mode select.A telematics system called Enform, will be available late this year, offering a vast range of data, including customer care, internet search, fuel station finder with fuel prices, weather, plus downloadable destination guides.We were able to compare an existing IS 350 with the latest one on the famed Phillip Island racing circuit, and the improvement, especially in grip, was immediately evident.Smoother lines and a stiffer body gave the newie better balance and its fast-shifting gearbox, complete with auto-blipping, was a delight. The rear-wheel drive IS has super balance – close to 50:50 front to rear – and that translates to very sporty road manners.However there’s no masking the considerable weight of the vehicle, and that undermines both off-the-line acceleration and cornering. Doesn’t destroy it completely, but leaves you with the wish that it could just make that extra leap to true performance characteristics.But it’s not performance most Lexus IS buyers will be looking for – it’s luxury and refinement. They won’t be disappointed. Cruising on public roads in various models, every kilometre was a pleasure. As for the burbling engine sound from the hybrid, it’s from something called Active Sound Control, presumably to counter the comparative silence of hybrid power. It can be customised or switched off, but we thought it hilarious.Passengers would never know the snarl came from under the dash, and if they didn’t see the ‘h’ badge on the tail, they’d never know the car was a hybrid.Given that few Lexus owners will venture onto the race circuit, we’d make the 300h our pick. It has all the prestige and luxury of the others, with phenomenal savings in running costs. And switchable joy sound.

The rapidly-rising Jeep range is poised to notch up further success with this month's release of its significantly uprated Grand Cherokee range. Sales of the Grand Cherokee have shot up by 3.5 times since the new generation arrived in 2011 and Jeep dealerships in Oz have doubled from 51 to more than 100.The latest development is the introduction of an eight-speed automatic transmission across the range, subtle styling improvements, better interiors - and the launch of a 4 x 2 version of the Laredo model.Priced at $45,000 drive away, the pretty high-spec Laredo 4 x 2 V6 puts a Grand Cherokee within reach of many more potential buyers.Laredo, also still available as a 4WD, is followed by the Limited, from $51,000, Overland, from $66,000 and the fire-breathing and feature-packed SRT8 at $77,000. The 210kW/347Nm twin-cam 3.6 V6 continues as the standard motor in Laredo, Limited and Overland, with the impressive 184kW/570Nm Italian 3.0-litre turbo-diesel as an option.Limited and Overland also have the option of the 5.7-litre V8, which puts out 259kW and 520Nm, while the high-performing SRT is powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8. It's a mighty beast, capable of producing 344kW and 624Nm - and a throaty bellow.The smooth ZF eight-speed auto gives each engine option longer legs and slightly better fuel economy. And there's a bewildering list of 4x4 systems: quadra-trac, quadra-drive, quadra-lift, selec-trac and selec-trac among them. Some raise or lower the vehicle, others let the driver pick a mode suited to sand, snow, mud or rock.Slim, high density bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, new bumpers and a restyled tailgate are the most visual exterior changes of the new Grand Cherokees, which also get new instrument clusters, new steering wheels with audio, cruise and voice command buttons and paddle shifters.All models have Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, TFT customisable displays and audio systems that range from a six-speaker kit in the Laredo to nine speakers with sub woofer and 506W amplifier in Limited and an option pack for the SRT that uses 19 speakers and an 825W amplifier. Crazy.The Laredo gets good cloth seats, Limited has leather, Overland uses Nappa leather and SRT luxuriates in premium Nappa. Get the picture?Hill start assist is standard on all models, as is auto-on headlights, seven airbags and a full suite of electronic driver aids. There's loads of room for up to five adults and 782-litres available in the cargo area .Fold down the back seats and cargo capacity increases to 1554litres.We did about 200km in a Laredo in Queensland's mountainous Maryvale region shortly after a major downpour, and never had a moment of bother, irrespective of the gamut of road conditions, including stretches of dirt, mud and some river crossings.The two-tonne SUV coped admirably, the sole niggle being a split second of nothingness on exiting tight corners while the new gearbox consulted its abacus to decide which ratio was needed.That little problem did not affect the SRT, which now comes with Launch Assist, a bit of electronic wizardry that can let the flagship take off as if fired from a catapult. We tried ours out on a drag strip, where it rocketed from zero to 100km/h in 4.8seconds and went on to record 13.4 seconds for the "quarter mile.''At $77,000 it's no wonder Chrysler can't get enough if them. They're about half the price of some of their class competition. It's meaty motor emits a wonderful sound with all the taps open, so why bother with an over the top audio system to drown it out?The SRT does 20.7 litres/100km in the urban area, but has an official average of 14.0 litres/100km. The Laredo's average is 10.1 with the petrol engine, although we didn't come within cooee of that on our brisk up-and-down route, and the diesel uses just 7.5litres/100km.Overall, an impressive line-up; classy, well engineered vehicles, big on street cred, finish and performance.The grandest Cherokees yet.

SUV in Ford-speak stands for ‘Smart’ Utility Vehicle, and that’s what its new Kuga is all about.The US-styled, Spanish-built Kuga is the first on Australian roads to automatically call 000 if you have a serious accident – and it also has attractions such as the ability to park itself and is the first to offer hands-free tailgate opening.A mum with her hands full of shopping need only pass her foot under the bumper to have the tailgate pop up.There are among many more innovative features in the latest contender in the medium SUV sector, a global model that seems to be Ford’s brightest light in a while.The neatly-styled SUV is a bit longer, lower and narrower than the impressive previous 2.5-litre Kuga.It comes in three spec levels and now has 1.6-litre turbo-petrol or optional 2.0-litre turbo-diesel power.The Ford Kuga starts at a competitive $27,990 for the front-wheel drive Ambiente 1.6 Ecoboost with 110kW/240Nm. The automatic model, only available with all-wheel-drive, is $31,490 with 134kW/240Nm.The mid-spec Trend is $36,240 and the top-dog Titanium rises to $44,740. Both are automatic AWDs, and can be had with the diesel motor with 120kW/340Nm for an extra $3000.Standard on Ambiente are 17-inch steel wheels, foglights, Bluetooth, USB and aux jacks for the six-speaker audio system, rear parking sensors, halogen headlights, adjustable splitfold rear seats, keyless ignition, airconditioning, trip computer, cruise control and stop-start (manual only).The Trend comes with 18-inch alloys, leather inserts, powered driver's seat,  auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, auto-on headlights and nine-speaker audio with digital radio reception.The Titanium runs on 19-inch alloys and adds bi-xenon headlights, a glass sunroof, satellite navigation, that magic tailgate, a reversing camera and a self-parking feature. Plus a lot more.For an extra $2650, there's an optional Technology Pack that stops the Kuga from running into other traffic at up to 30km/h, adaptive cruise control, blind spot and lane departure warning, self-dipping headlights  and a device that tells the driver it’s time to take a break when it detects doziness.Kuga scores a five-star crash rating, but the ‘intelligent’ AWD system does a great job of preventing the car from getting out of control in the first place.The torque vectoring feature uses a plethora of sensors to subtly correct driving imperfections through corners.Other items are a stiffer frame, seven airbags, Dynamic Stability Control with ABS, Trailer Stability Function. Hill Start Assist and Brake Assist.The cabin is roomy, exceptionally quiet and very comfy, the latter due to excellent Mexican-made seats and there’s a big flared panel in the centre of the dash that houses all the main cabin controls, aircraft cockpit style. Pretty impressive.Cargo space has increased from 360 to 406 litres with the rear seats in place, and to 1603 litres when folded down.We drove all three versions – and liked them all.The 2WD Ambiente, the sole manual in the range, was a delight and its six-speed shifter was a honey. Performance was more than adequate for the twists and turns, ups and downs of the South Australian countryside and it had the best economy.Ambiente AWD, Trend and Titanium have the more powerful 1.6 petrol motor, an eager performer that drives through a conventional six-speed auto.Diesel models use Ford's PowerShift twin-clutch 6-speed automatic.Suspension is very Euro-like in being firm, which translates to better handling and road behaviour as well as less fatigue, and the steering is light and precise. The different sized wheels also give each model a slightly different ride.

The Paceman is built on the same platform as the more practical Countryman, but has a distinctive wedge-like shape, runs on sports suspension and is aimed mainly at young up-and-coming city slickers. It also lays claim to being the world's first SAC, or sports activity vehicle.THE RANGEPaceman come in two models, the Cooper and more powerful Cooper S, both running a BMW-built 1.6 litre four cylinder motor linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed auto with paddle-shift is an option.THE WORKINGSThe Cooper has a 90kW/160Nm output compared to the 135/240 of the turbocharged S, which also has an overboost button that frees up an extra 20Nm of torque for a short burst. The bulldog-stanced car can get to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds with the 90kW engine while the S is three seconds quicker, but at 7.5litres/100km, it's a trifle thirstier. The non-turbo model averages 6.5litres/100km.PRICEParked in the premium compact nook of the market, the Cooper is $35,900 with the standard manual gearbox and the Cooper S is from $44,100.Mini expects most urbanites to opt for the auto shifter, which adds $2350. There's an extensive options list, from a glass roof and auto climate control to Sat nav, a 10-speaker Harman-Kardon audio and park distance control, plus a variety of alloy wheels, to customise the Paceman and adjust the price northwards.FIT-OUT AND EQUIPMENTLike others in the now seven-model range, the Paceman gets the dinner-plate sized central speedo with a rev counter in front of the driver, ambient lighting via switches above the windscreen and the full suite of electronics such as traction and stability control, hill start, brake assist and ABS. There's also an optional electronic diff lock that works when the stability control is switched off.The steering wheel is a multi-function delight and Bluetooth and a USB interface are also standard. Likewise front and rear fog lights auto-on headlights and wipers. The twin back seats can be folded nearly flat to expand cargo space from 330 to 1080litres. And that low sports suspension can be swapped for the regular set-up and ride height as a no-cost option.Seating is great, likewise visibility, and the sloping roofline is a bit of an optical illusion. The rear seats, which may appear to be squishy, can comfortably accommodate a couple of really big blokes.THE DRIVEWe spent time in a Cooper S manual and a Cooper automatic in the twisty terrain of Queensland's D'Aguilar range and on the freeways near Brisbane.The S is a potent beast, though the standard Cooper is hardly a slouch. Both have a razor-sharp electro-power steering, serious stopping power and provide a ride that's great for zipping along smooth roads, but fidgety on corrugations. The engine of Cooper auto, super-quiet inside at low speeds, howls at higher revs, whereas the twin-tailpiped turbo S provides much better music.VERDICTNeither sports coupe, nor SUV, the Paceman is more a fun package that separates the individual from the sheep.Mini Paceman/Cooper SPrice: $35,900, $44,100 (Cooper S)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/25,000kmSafety: 6 airbags, ABS with TC, ESC, EBD and hill assistCrash tested: Not testedEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl, 90kW/160Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 135kW/240Nm (Cooper S)Transmission: 6-speed manual; FWDDimensions: 4.12m (L), 1.79m (W), 1.52m (H)Weight: 1380kgSpare: Tyre inflation kitThirst: 6.5/7.6L/100km, 152/175g/km CO2 (manual/auto); 6.6/7.5L/100km, 154/177g/km CO2 (Cooper S)

Never underestimate a cat -- they're surefooted, sleek and agile. The words come from Makoto Arimoto, charismatic chief engineer of the totally restyled Toyota RAV4. And he should know, he has 18 cats.So it's no surprise that the compact SUV has more than a touch of feline in its looks and performance. The fourth generation of the super-popular RAV4 has just launched with two four-cylinder petrol engines: a 2.0 and a 2.5-litre, and its first diesel a 2.2 litre.VALUEDespite big improvements throughout, most models are at the same level, or less than the outgoing version. The GX 2.0-litre 2WD manual is $28,490 ($500 less), the all-wheel-drives are from $31,990 (same as superseded models) and the top of the pops Cruiser AWD automatic is $48,990 (a saving of $1000). There are 16 models, three up from 2012. Gone are the three-door and the V6.All models get Bluetooth phone and music connectivity, a 60/40 split-fold reclining rear seat, roof rails, rear spoiler, cargo net and tonneau cover. Here's another thing about Makoto Arimoto: he was once a guitarist and vocalist in a Tokyo rock band, so the Rav4's six-speaker audio system should not to be underestimated.The entry GX grade is pretty well spec'd with 17-inch steel wheels, projector headlights, a CD thingo and fabric seat coverings. The GXL has alloy wheels, reversing camera, display audio, sports seats, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, keyless smart entry and push-button ignition and Cruisers add Satnav, a blind-spot monitor, power cargo door, high-intensity discharge headlights, eight-way power driver's seat and a glass sunroof.Most also get a sport button, which sharpens torque distribution and steering and auto transmission response.TECHNOLOGYThe petrol engines are a 2.0-litre 107kW/187Nm and a 2.5-litre 132kW/233Nm, while the debut turbo-diesel is a common-rail 2.2-litre unit producing 110kW/340Nm. All three come standard with new six-speed manual transmissions. Interestingly, the GX 2WD has the option of a seven-step CVT, said to be best for economy, but AWD models get a six-speed auto. Difference is 7.4 litres/100km with the CVT, 8.4 with the auto.The diesel is rated at 5.6 manual and 6.5 with the self-shifter. There's new suspension too, Macstruts up front and a sophisticated double-wishbone set-up at the rear. Oddly, the high-torque diesel has the poorest tow capacity: 550kg as opposed to the GX's 800kg and the AWD 2.5's 1500kg.How so? It's new and we'd rather be conservative, was the unconvincing answer.DESIGNThe car has a dynamic look, which Toyota calls the `strong athlete'. But with its bright, narrow, slanted eyes and flared nostrils, it looks rather like a cat about to pounce. It has a rearward-sloping roof and a character line, and the top-hinged tailgate and 17-inch wheels, alloys on all but GX - which add to the action image.DRIVINGThe new RAV4 has a stiffer frame that, with the new suspension, helps in the handling section. The car, slightly bigger inside than before and a smidgen smaller outside, has 577 litres of cargo capacity. It is a pleasure on the road, and can also handle a fair degree of offroad action.Yes, the AWD did display surefootedness and agility on the twisty ups and downs of the Sapphire Coastal roads. Looked jolly good too, with its LED daytime lights aglow and with a gentle purr from its diesel motor. The windscreen pillars are thinner, the bonnet edges a bit higher, which make for better forward vision and more precise parking.The RAV4 has the latest in stability control and the safety package includes traction control, ABS, hill start assist and the rest of the electronic aid alphabet.VERDICTThe cat's whiskers of the compact SUV class.