Articles by Bruce McMahon

... convert the machines for local roads. Performax has for more than 20 years time converted left-hand drive American machinery - Corvettes, Camaros and Chevrolet Silverados among them. Now the Gympie crowd are to add the Tundra to the list, promoted by growing interest in the Texas-built utes. "Over the past year or so we have experienced an ever-increasing amount of enquiries in regards to the Toyota Tundra," says Performax sales manager, Kevin Thoroughgood. "We have responded accordingly. We're currently completing R&D and hope to have compliance by the end of the year." Performax will focus mainly on the 5.7 litre V8 4x4 Double Cab, or what we know as an Extended Cab, and the 4x4 Crewmax Limited. These put out 280kW and 544Nm of torque enough to tow up to 4717kg. The Toyotas sit almost two metres high and six metres long on a 3700mm wheelbase with 260mm ground clearance. Thorough good says customers can special order vehicles or, if importing other models into Australia themselves. "We will be able to provide them with sourcing and shipping assistance and will be authorized to convert their vehicle to RHD with full compliance." The Double, or Extended, Cab is claimed to offer more room than Japanese dual cabs while the Crew Max is bigger again and includes a 'slide-and-recline' rear seat. The 2011 Tundras run with a trailer-sway control system, stability control system and automatic limited slip differential. There's front, side and curtain airbags plus options from Bluetooth connectivity to reversing camera and 'Power Thigh Support'. Queensland ute racer and Grove Juice boss Greg Willis already has a Tundra for work and play. He's fitted a bit of ARB gear including a lift kit, imported some US accessories, re-tyred it and supercharged the V8 with a TRD blower. Willis has explored the Birdsville corner with four adults aboard, says the Tundra was a dream. "And it's just fun to drive every day."

MAZDA zooms toward the top of the ute class with the all-new, bigger and bolder BT50. While there will be discussion about the move toward a more SUV-like style - inside and out - there will be few questions about the on and off-road ability of the new machines as lifestyle dual cabs.The BT50, as with its Ford Ranger counterpart, moves into this growing segment with confidence. The business is still dominated by Toyota's Hilux and the Nissan Navara; now there is fresh competition at this top end of the ute market from Mazda, Ford, Volkswagen's Amarok and the forthcoming Holden Colorado. People-carrying utes are a very healthy, steadily-growing segment of the local market and Mazda is prepared to forget some of the cheap-and-cheerful tradies workhorses to move in for a bigger slice of the top end. There are three BT50 cab styles, two and four-wheel drives, two engines, two transmissions and three spec grades. First up are the dual cabs driven at launch and available from November 1, followed by the Freestyle cabs later that month with single cabs due in early 2012.Final pricing for the 2011 class of BT50s is still under discussion but Mazda Australia promises 'competitive' deals to line up with rivals; prices are expected to rise between $1500 and $5000 across the range.Expect then the volume-selling XT four-wheel drive dual cab around $45,000, running through to close on $60,000 for the top-spec GT version. Few miss out on a pile of gear from air conditioning and Bluetooth to traction control, stability control and roll control.The BT50 sits on the chassis developed with Ford but Mazda, with 50 engineers in Australia for four years, have gone their own way with exterior and interior style (along with damper settings).The result is a ute infused with Mazda's current DNA - the front end carries the CX-7 wagon's big grin, the rear has its own special treatment with horizontal taillights that not only scream around onto the ute's side but also carry on to the tail gate.Mazda reckons this gives the BT50 a 'dynamic, futuristic' look; some are uncertain whether Australia's ute buyers are ready for the future.Mazda has stacked these utes, in particular these upmarket four-wheel drive versions, with a host of electronic driver aids. While there remains a full (and well-tuned) chassis below, an array of gear from stability and roll control to hill assist and hill descent control bring car-like driving and safety dynamics to the BT-50. The 3.2 litre diesel is Mazda's first five-cylinder engine.The aforementioned secondary safety aids - including Load Adaptive Control to plot the electronics' reactions dependent on load and Trailer Sway Control - are complemented by driver and passenger front and side airbags plus curtain airbags. Mazda engineers are confident of a five-star ANCAP rating.This new BT50 is a fair way removed from its predecessor. It is bigger inside and out, quieter and better-mannered on tar and dirt. Engineers have given it taut, passenger car-like dynamics with excellent turn-in to corners (with rack and pinion steering) and top grip on good and bad roads; it is particularly competent on fast dirt roads. The 3.2 litre engine is stacked with torque, handy on and off the road although the six-speed manual shift could be slicker; here the six-speed auto shines. But with either transmission the BT-50 is a quiet, always willing, machine at cruise or crawling speeds. This is yet another of these new generation utes that drive more like a capable SUV than load carrier.Some may find Mazda have zoomed a tad too far toward SUV with the style inside and out (the centre console and its buttons for instance feel a bit dinky) but there is no doubting the new BT50's ability to cruise the highway in a fair degree of comfort or climb a rutted scrub track with confidence.

Volkswagen Australia have thrown a two-wheel drive wagon into the Tiguan mix, looking to maintain the momentum of these compact soft-roaders in one of the country's brightest sales segments.The all-paw Tiguan has been one of Volkswagen's bread-and-butter products since introduction here in 2008. Sales topped 6000 last year and look headed toward a bigger year in 2011; the Tiguan, Golf and Polo are VW's major volume winners.Now the wagon range has been refreshed with some style tweaks, extra fuel-saving technology for some models plus a front-drive version with the 1.4-litre 118TSi engine and six-speed manual (for now) from a keen $28,490.There are already a number of two-wheel drive wagons here - Mitsubishi's ASC, the Rav4, Holden Captiva, Sportage and Nissan X-Trail among them.The Tiguans' advantage, says VW marketing manager Jutta Friese, is the reputation for German engineering, the wagons to be marketed across the board with the line "get a taste for quality".VALUEThe front-drive Tiguan is the big news here, giving VW a starter under $30,000 for the six-speed manual; the auto DSG transmission due next year will likely add around $2500.But the entry-level wagon misses for little over the rest of the range, all with decent dynamics, great engines, all packed with safety and convenience features and all German-built.DESIGNThere are few style or design changes here. The Tiguan's grille and front end has been reworked to bear similarities to big brother Touareg, rear taillights also now closer in style to the Touareg. Interiors remain as before aside from new seat upholstery.SAFETYThe previous Tiguan scored a five-star rating in European NCAP tests. There's two front airbags, two side bags and two head/thorax bags plus any number of electronic driver aids from ABS to electronic diff lock.TECHNOLOGYThe VW empire allows for even these family wagons to carry a host of today's technology from seven-speed auto DSG transmissions to Bluetooth phone connectivity.BlueMotion, fuel-saving technologies on the 103TDI and 118TSI two-wheel drive include VW's stop-start system; new here on the two litre 103TDI DSG only is a (switchable) `Coasting Function', declutching the engine and allowing the vehicle to roll under its own momentum.A fatigue detection system, which analyses a driver's characteristic behaviour at the wheel and then warns of deviations, is fitted to the top-flight 155TSI.DRIVINGThe front-drive Tiguan should satisfy a number of today's families. While there's just the six-speed manual for now  and the 1.4 litre turbo engine does not punch quite like the bigger engines  the cheapest wagon misses out on little in the way of comfort, versatility and dynamic drive.Indeed on some back roads the ride comfort bettered that of others in the range. It is a willing engine, as are all in this mob, and handled two big blokes with ease.Off the bitumen, down a bush track, the Tiguans are the equal of any in this class; perhaps a little better with all the electronic traction aids and VW's long-established, well-refined 4Motion drive system.A proper handbrake lever, rather than the Tiguans' electro-mechanical parking brake, would be appreciated in the manual VWs when off in the scrub.VERDICTThere are a swag of competent soft-roaders on the market; the Tiguans boast some of the segment's best engines plus that Volkswagen badge plus German engineering and build quality. The front-drive version widens the appeal.RATINGVOLKSWAGEN TIGUANPrice: from $28,490 to $42,990Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 75 per centEngines: 1.4 litre petrol, 118kW/240Nm; 2 litre turbo diesel,103kW/320Nm; 2 litre petrol,132kW/280Nm; 2 litre petrol,155kW/280NmSafety equipment: Six airbags, ABS, ASR,ESP. Five-star crash rating (previous Tiguan)Transmissions: Front drive, all-wheel drive, 6-speed manual, 7-speed DSGDimensions: 4427mm(L), 1809mm (W),1686mm (H),2605mm (WB)Ground clearance: 195mmTowing capacity: 1800kg to 2000kg.

THE diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee could be this summers sleeper; an off-roader with class and value which should attract more than a few appreciative customers.Other petrol-powered models in the 2011 Grand Cherokee range have already won plaudits for the American wagons new-found style and substance. Here the 3 litre turbo diesel joins the ranks to add another dimension - good fuel economy from a creamy V6 with 550Nm torque from 1800rpm through to 2800rpm.It's a wagon much anticipated in some quarters, particularly at these prices, 3500kg towing ability and decent on-road dynamics.Price is one of the diesel Grands big selling points with this engine option running from $50,000 for the Laredo through to $69,500 for the top-of-the-tree Overland edition; the same prices as the 5.7l V8 and $5000 over the 3.6l V6 versions. Impressive here is the level of trim and gear, even on the entry-level Laredo. You'd shop these Jeeps against (the dearer) Volkwagen Touareg and, depending on usage, Nissans Pathfinder and the Toyota Prado.The Grand Cherokee arrives with the option of air suspension with five settings from park to extreme off-road over 104mm plus Selec-Terrain, also with five settings for conditions from highway sprints to rock crawling. Like rival Land Rovers system, Selec-Terrain co-ordinates engine, transmission and electronic driver aids for optimum response to different conditions. And the V6, built by VM Motori, has a number of innovations including Fiats MultiJet injection system for better power, economy plus lower noise and harshness levels over its predecessor.It's an all-new body here, more exterior sculpting, higher and wider than before and more cabin space while retaining Jeeps seven-slot grille and squared-off wheel arches. It's quite a handsome machine all round, exemplified by the Laredo not looking anything like an entry-level, cut-price model. That premium feel flows through to the cabins where fitment, trim plus standard comfort and convenience features outshine many rivals. Among quibbles is that awkward foot-operated emergency brake and the forward vision is compromised a bit, especially for taller drivers, by that shallow windscreen.Six airbags, ABS, stability control and active head restraints are de rigueur these days. The Grand Cherokee adds Electronic Roll Mitigation, HID headlights, trailer sway control (part of the stability control system) plus hill descent control and hill start assist for less stress off road.It's a pretty comfortable, premium driving position behind the Grands steering wheel (aside from that quibble about that emergency brake pedal sitting where one might expect a dead pedal). But it's a stylish and ergonomic set of dials and controls.From outside the diesel fires with a sweet little growl; inside its all peace and quiet. There's the tiniest hesitation before the V6 gets into stride yet once past 1200rpm it's very willing. It will run in the low 8 litres per 100km down the highway, mid-nines around town and down a lumpy track, more once in full-on four-wheel drive territory.On the road its quick and comfortable. Initial steering response is slower than say a Touareg, a trade-off for a better wheel feel and control when crawling off-road. And while the Jeep is willing to tackle turns at decent highway speed theres body roll which may upset passengers.Naturally the Grand Cherokee is a fine off-roader. For the most part Selec-Terrain works well left in Auto, electronics taking care of finding traction. Low-low is decent for an auto machine.And the diesels torque is always a bonus, whether looking to climb out of rocky gully or looking for extra grunt to keep moving through soft sand. Best to keep that torque under control on loose surfaces, if the electronics take hold engine responses can be quite dull.This Laredo had the optional air suspension. It's great for smoother track conditions, great for lifting the body in real rough country but a tad disappointing on mid-speed corrugations where the suspension has trouble keeping up with quick changes.Yet at the end of the day a driver will appreciate this wagon as a quick, comfortable and competent tourer for all manner of road and track conditions.The diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2011 is a smart machine, a premium off-road wagon with style, substance and a value price tag.

Toyota is polishing up the HiLux team, readying for a fierce season as new and improved players take to the ute field. The HiLux, as a two and four-wheel drive, remains the country's favourite ute but faces renewed attack with the imminent arrival of all-new Ford Rangers, Mazda BT-50s and Holden Colorado. Then there's

Running a three litre engine producing 177kW and 550Nm of torque, the oil-burning Grands for 2011 start at $50,000 for a Laredo, running up to $69,500 for the top-of-the-tree Overland.

Here's ten of our favourites treks.Tip: Hema Maps have a variety of maps and guides for all parts of Australia, their Australia Road and 4WD Atlas is a handy tool to start planning any SUV trip.AUSTRALIAThe OUTBACK HIGHWAY runs between Brisbane and Perth, some 5000km of ever-changing scenery and people. Road conditions vary from decent bitumen to desert sands and bulldust. There are stunning places to camp, motels, hotels and resorts as the route runs through Winton in Queensland, across to Alice, down to Uluru and then west again to Laverton and through Kalgoorlie to Perth. Visit www.outbackway.org.au.QUEENSLANDFRASER, the world's largest sand island (123km long), boasts beautiful beaches, sparkling freshwater lakes and kilometres of sand to make best use of an SUV with the family and maybe the fishing rods. Best to take a half-decent wagon (little ones will struggle in the soft stuff, especially with a load on board). A snatch strap and lower tyre pressures are recommended. Visit www.fraserisland.net.CAPE YORK is one of those 'gunna' trips but remember it's more than 1000km from Cairns to the Tip, it can be rough and it may take patience. Mid to large four-wheel drives are recommended, travellers should be self-sufficent and allow time for side trips to coastal settlements. Check road conditions, the dry season from mid-April to mid-November is the time to go. Visit www.capeyorkinfo.org.NEW SOUTH WALESFor a long run into the west head to the BACK OF BOURKE, onto the charms of Tibooburra in the state's northwest, back through the wilds of White Cliffs and returning through Dubbo. It's a long haul but, in good condition, the roads and tracks won't destroy a vehicle and there's opportunity to experience the serenity of the outback, history and a host of characters. Visit www.bourke.nsw.gov.au.TASMANIAThe WEST COAST of the island offers an abundance of drives. Start from Zeehan, take the C249 north leaving time to explore isolated seaside villages. This C249 becomes the Western Explorer Road and heads northeast though the famed Tarkine with plenty of options to explore the rugged coastline before ending up on the road to Smithton. The road can be rough in places depending on the time of the year. Visit www.discoverthetarkine.com.au.SOUTH AUSTRALIAThe BIRDSVILLE TRACK is one of the few drives that retain a sense of adventure. Running from Marree in the state's northeast to Birdsville in Queensland, the 520km track snakes through magical desert country with horizons that stretch forever, broken in parts by oases of welcome green. And this track, no matter how tame it may seem in spots, always demands respect.Visit www.australian-4x4.com.au/birdsville-track.The FLINDERS RANGES boasts spectacular scenery, an abundance wildlife, a clutch of historic towns and stories stretching back to the Dreamtime. There's plenty of tracks to explore, ridges to climb and camping spots plus the comforts of the likes of Wilpena Pound resort in the southern parts and Arkaroola Village in the north. Some parts can be reached by two-wheel drive but an SUV is recommended to make the most of the experience. Visit www.flindersranges.com.WESTERN AUSTRALIAThe GIBB RIVER ROAD between Kununurra and Broome in the north of WA is not for everyone. Parts of this 660km haul through the Kimberley can rattle teeth and hole tyres. But this road tracks through some of Australia's most stunning scenery and, if running from east-west, magnifies the delights of Broome at journey's end. Check road conditions, take spare fuel and a spare, spare tyre. Visit www.gibbriverroad.net.The 1850km CANNING STOCK ROUTE between Wiluna and Hall's Creek is not for the faint-hearted or first-timers. The isolated desert track requires top-notch vehicle preparation and should be tackled in the cooler months and in a convoy. Travellers need to be fully self-sufficient - from food, fuel and water to radios and medical kits; fuel drops may be needed. One of the last real adventures. Visit www.wiluna.wa.gov.au/tourism/canning_stock_route.NORTHERN TERRITORYALICE SPRINGS is a great base for exploring the Red Centre. Leaving aside a run to Uluru, there's options such as heading south to turn right onto the Ernest Giles Road, onto Kings canyon and then heading back on the Mereenie Loop and the Namatjira Drive the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Check in town for permits and road conditions, take towels and togs for some of the country's best swimming holes. Visit www.en.travelnt.com/explore/alice-springs.aspx.What's your favourite SUV drive? Comment below.

The move for ABS across the range coincides with a mild refresh for the utes, including restyle tweaks. From early shots of the top-of-the-tree, four-wheel drive SR5 diesel dual cab, the makeover has added extra style to the sometimes gawky, often customised, front end. There's a new front bumper, revised guard flares, restyled bonnet with air scoop now central. The grille looks cleaner and bolder with three horizontal bars plus wrap-around headlights. The interior trim's been upgraded and at the back, the sports bar revised and the taillights now clear. Toyota are also promising a greater choice of entry-level Workmate models come September while all four-wheel drive models will have an uprated towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes. The HiLux crown slipped a bit in the first half of 2011, two-wheel drives down 21 per cent, the four-wheel drives down 8.6 per cent on last year's figures. The overall two-wheel drive market has fallen in 2011, down 12.7 per cent to the end of June. And Toyota's ute production line in Thailand was affected by the Japanese earthquake disrupting some suppliers. And in 2011 there is more competition for ute buyers. Nissan's Navara and Mitsubishi's Triton are a tad newer in design, Ford and Mazda's all-new, all-beaut machines are close to showrooms and there are good deals on run-out Rangers and BT-50s. Then there are cheaper rivals such as Great Wall's V240 and the sparkling new Volkswagen Amarok at the other end of the segment. VW supplies here have been hamstrung by strong worldwide demand for the German ute and by the current lack of an auto transmission and singe cab _ both options due late next year. All these market elements have been taking, and may well continue to take, some of the gloss off the Toyota range. The HiLux may well remain the country's best-selling ute, best-selling four-wheel drive and most popular commercial vehicle; helped in part by company and government fleets. But the market is fickle. In June four-wheel drive Navaras outsold the rival HiLux and Ford's Ranger was a very close third.

The updated Jaguar XF is sharper and bolder than before and very comfortable for steaming down a wet German autobahn or climbing alpine ways.But while the style team has lifted the British car's appeal inside and out with a number of design tweaks, while there remain sporting V8s and diesels, it's the little diesel engine joining the ranks that adds extra substance at a keen price.Arriving in Australia around October, the quiet achiever of the refreshed range could well be this 2.2 litre, four cylinder engine claimed to deliver 5.4 litres per kilometre. The engine is the third generation of this powerplant, used before in the likes of the Freelander and here turned north-south and mated to an eight-speed auto.Along with the parsimonious fuel consumption comes a very competitive price tag - $78,900 for a premium sedan designed to fire a shot under the bows of the German diesel executive offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.Fitting that the Jaguar launches the refurbished range in Germany where driving remains a privilege, not a right, and the new cat can show off its full potential.Indian-owned Jaguar is chasing new markets and new segments with rumours of a smaller Jag, perhaps an SUV and a wagon (or estate) to join the stable at some point. Between Jaguar and sister Land Rover there are plans for 40 new cars in five years.For now it's about the reworked XF, a car that's helped bring life and customers to the brand since its original launch four years ago. The current petrol V8 and V6 diesel versions have been given a polish, some of this thanks to the trickle down of technology from the larger XJ Jaguars, some of it thanks to style and interior upgrades.But today it's all about the new little 140kW jigger, strategically critical for Jaguar and XF.VALUEFrom the showroom floor this 2.2 Luxury looks like a handsome buy. The 'entry level' Jaguar lacks for little and, in fact, outdoes the competition in the style and substance stakes while undercutting current prices of the German rivals.There is a host of technology, the 8-speed auto and thrifty diesel engine. These are wrapped in a stylish sedan with a plush interior that shows up the blandness of some of the competition's cabins.DESIGNThe XF was always a handsome car; the 2011 version adds extra sparkle and boldness with more aggressive front end from the windscreen forward. New headlights, a J curve of LED running lights, more pronounced bonnet lines give the Jaguar more snarl. (This is most marked in the XFR versions with huge air intakes below the front bumper.TECHNOLOGYA deal of work's been done to ensure this engine is worthy of a Jaguar, most importantly on noise and vibration levels with new materials and construction for externals such as sump and timing cover. There's reduced piston friction and water-cooled turbocharger to ensure this motor matches the V6 diesels.And there's the clever eight-speed ZF gearbox which drops out of drive when the car is stationary plus a Tandem Solenoid Starter for 'intelligent' stop-start. It's claimed to allow quicker re-starts in stop-start traffic and can refire the engine before the stop cycle is complete if needed. Among wow bits is Jaguar's Easy Off - when a driver undoes the seatbelt, takes the foot off the brake, the Jaguar engages Park and shuts down the engine.SAFETYThe current XF has a four-star safety rating and there's no reason the 2012 models won't match that. There are six airbags, ABS, traction control, stability control and electronic brake force distribution.DRIVINGIt's a wet, sometimes crowded day on the autobahn so we don't see Jaguar's claimed 225km/h though 180km/h is pretty effortless with two on board. Moving on to those flowing German country roads shows the XF as a quick and comfortable sedan.What's impressive, aside from the general willingness of this little motor, is the Jaguar's composure at decent speeds. It is not a sports sedan but it is a very competent sporting sedan with balanced dynamics; it turns in neatly and the rear sits squat as the car is powered out.The diesel, helped by the smooth auto, is rarely caught out. At 100km/h in eighth it's ticking over at 1200rpm. Yet there's little hesitation when asked to accelerate from cruising speeds; the motor delivers with surprising refinement from low down in the rev range, if not as smartly as the 3 litre V6 diesel nor as explosive as the XFR V8s.Sport mode on the transmission further sharpens the deal with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts keeping the show on the move. Whether crawling through towns, belting down highways or attacking hillside climbs this XF's ride comfort, and cabin comforts, are much appreciated. From previous experience with the outgoing XF the 2011 Jaguar's ride and dynamics should not be compromised on Australia's rougher road surfaces.VERDICTThe 2.2 XF diesel is a surprise package, refined, economical and keenly priced. Jaguar is a bullish company in 2011, looking to make inroads into rival territory with product such as this.JAGUAR XF 2.2 LUXURYPRICE $78,900WARRANTY 3 year/unlimited kmSAFETY 4-star NCAP, 6 airbags, ABS, traction control, stability controlENGINE 2 .2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 140kW/450NmTRANSMISSION Eight-speed automaticTHIRST 5.4 l/100km, CO2 149g/kmBODY Four-door sedanDIMENSIONS 4961mm (L);1877mm (W);1460mm (H);2909mm(WB)

…to rival the German trio of BMW, Benz and Audi. The Tata-owned, British-based manufacturer has a bright future according to ebullient executives, looking to new models and new segments to conquer. The CX-75 supercar unveiled last year will be tomorrow's flagship but there is talk too of a possible SUV, perhaps a wagon based on the XF and broad hints of a two-seat sports machine to revive memories of the E-Type. And with the E-Type celebrating its 50th anniversary, there were plenty of Jaguars from across the ages plus Jaguar bosses talking up the future at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Tata Motors chief executive Carl-Peter Forster says demand for the iconic British marque is growing, thanks to the enthusiasm and passion of the Jaguar team plus financial backing from its Indian owners. Forster believes the new 2.2 litre diesel XF sedan highlights the company's resolve to find new markets and its commitment to both Jaguar and Land Rover. "We (Tata) have agreed to double the annual investment in new product over the past couple of years," Forster said at Goodwood. "Any kind of cash we generate we are pouring back into the business." Forster suggested Tata's approach, and the resultant freedom now offered the likes of designer Ian Callum, should silence those who criticised Tata's 2008 takeover of the two British marques. But while Tata would like to see Jaguar as the world's number four premium brand the push would not be about volume. "We want to be different and we can afford to be different," Forster said. "We see other premium brands caught up in a race to see who's got the highest volume which I don't find is a particular viable message to customers. "We think the good message is to make great cars, to create great cars with charisma and perhaps different to the other premium brands." He said Jaguar would be expanding its product line up, adding new powertrains plus 'some extraordinary stuff like the CX-75 because we would like to demonstrate the capability of the team'. Among the problematic advances would be creating efficient powertrains and more sustainable motoring while retaining the brand's emotions. "But the more we are working on this, the mroe confident we are that we can deliver such product," Forster said.