Articles by Bruce McMahon

AUDI showed it's Q3, the German company’s move into the compact SUV segment at this year's Shanghai Auto Show. This new all-roader goes on sale in Europe in June but isn't expected on the Australian market for another 12 months. Four engine options, two transmissions and a front-drive only version are destined for some markets with Australian specifications and pricing to be determined closer to launch, but expect pricing somewhere in the mid-$40,000s with rival BMW's X1 starting at $43,500. Taking on Audi's established SUV design cues  - single frame grille, sweeping, coupe-like roofline - the Q3 is a bit shorter, lower, wider and lighter than the Q5. Base, front-drive versions, roll out at less than 1500kg; it's 4.39m long, 1.83m wide and 1.6m high. Ground clearance is 170mm and the wagon sits on 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. Audi says this is a premium SUV with top-shelf engineering from body through drivetrains, driver assistance systems and multi-media systems - "a versatile companion for everyday life with an urbane character". In Europe it will be offered with four, four-cylinder engine options - all two litres, all turbocharged, the choice of petrol or diesel power and outputs ranging from 103kW to 155kW.  There the 103kW diesel (the last to arrive) will be front-wheel drive only with six-speed manual transmission. That same gearbox is also used for the 125kW petrol engine.  Both petrol engines, plus the 130kW diesel, arrive with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The 130kW diesel and 155kW petrol engines use Audi's seven-speed S tronic gearbox with steering wheel paddles part of the deal.  And among an array of options, Audi 'drive select' is available across all powerplants - allowing a driver to select between comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency modes, varying throttle and steering responses. Other comfort and convenience choices include park assist for the Q3 to park itself, side assist and lane assist to help change lanes, sports seats, on-board computer and panoramic glass roof.AUDI Q3 Compact premium SUV Size down from Audi Q5 On sale Europe in June; Australia 2012 European base version front-drive; others permanent all-wheel drive Two Petrol, two diesel engines ranging from 103kW to 155kW  Prices here expected in mid-$40,000s.

The 4650mm-long four-door, built in the company's Tianjin factory, runs the choice of naturally-aspirated 1.5 litre or turbocharged 1.5 litre and is being eyed off by Australian importer Ateco.More spectacular, and also a possible for export, is the Wingle CL, a four-wheel drive, four-door ute with size and attitude.Great Wall suggest this 5.5m long machine is the "first internationalisation pickup among Chinese pickups". It will run the choice of 160Kw or 110kW engines when it hits Chinese showrooms.

 SUBARU’S XV Concept runs the company’s trademark boxer engine and all-wheel drive in a tidy ‘crossover’ hatchback offering hints for an-all new SUV based on the Impreza platform.Subaru Australia’s managing director Nick Senior says:”XV Concept clearly flags Subaru’s intentions to capture even more of the crossover market in the future and this stunning new design no doubt provides some clues as to what we may expect.”The XV sits at 4.4m long on a 2335mm wheelbase with two litre engine, CVT transmission and 19-inch wheels.

While the next ute should arrive in 2012, an SUV from the same platform isn't yet confirmed for this market.  ""But we're working very hard to convince them," says Isuzu ute managing director Hitoshi Kono. "There's no final official confirmation but now that we have sold 10,000 D-Max here (in Australia) we do have a bigger voice." The new D-Max, and the SUV wagon to succeed the Isuzu MU-7, were "very close" to the production line but Japanese earthquakes and tsunami have disrupted those launch plans. While the vehicles are built in Thailand, transmissions and some electronic components come out of Japan. And those disasters may also limit Australian stock for 2011 as the current D Max utes go into runout phase with 'value-added' packs, such as the X-Runner variant. But Isuzu Ute remain on track for a reasonable year as ute sales, in particular four-wheel drive diesel utes, continue to climb.  The company launched here in late 2008 on the heels of the GFC with 38 dealers and 1000 vehicles in stock. The first month just 25 were sold and Kono admits he was very anxious. He is smiling now, having reached the 10,000 milestone, topping 600 sales in March, seeing first quarter results up 40 per cent on the same period last year and 80 dealers on board.  More fleet business is helping drive Isuzu Ute's expansion although the top-of-the-tree LSU D-Max remains their best seller.

THIS is a handsome, well-mannered machine for the more genteel, more mature outdoors type.  Launched in Europe in early 2009 and based around Saab's 9-3 Combi, the X adds all-wheel drive, a little extra ground clearance plus some exterior cues to distinguish the wagon from stablemates.It is, says Saab designers, the machine for those who eschew traditional SUV styles; more Timberland than Blundstone perhaps.  And if anyone can combine practical solutions for conquering indifferent roads with practical and smooth design for family transport it ought to be the Swedes.The result here may have been late into the segment - when the likes of Subaru, with the Outback, and Volvo with the XC70  - had already beaten a track into this area. Even one-time stablemates Holden had tackled this niche with the Adventra, that Commodore-based wagon being usurped by the Captiva after a three-year production run.In fact this Saab 9-3 X - while carrying a very different body - has that Adventra approach with the black wheel arch extensions and skid plates, fog lights and such, dressing up the family wagon into an all-seasons, all roads machine.VALUEAt $59,800 the Saab is about line-ball in price with Volvo's petrol-engined XC70, a bit dearer than the top-of-the-tree Subaru Outback and around $20,000 ahead of Skoda's Octavia Scout. Audi's A6 allroad has moved up and out of sight, coming in just a tad over $100,000.The 9-3 X misses for little over these all-wheel drive rivals; all have the Swiss army knife approach to these designs - give 'em lots of gear and hidey holes and some talking points such as cup holders which fold out in ballet-motions from the dashboard. And there's plenty of leather and comfort features here though it could be hard for this Saab to match the resale values of the Subaru and Volvo.TECHNOLOGYUnderpinning Saab's all-wheel drive adventure wagon is the Swedish manufacturer's XWD system, designed with Haldex and allowing seamless transfer of torque to whichever wheel can find traction.It also allows up to 85 per cent of torque to be shared between rear wheels. And the system incorporates the usual array of driver aids - ABS, stability programs, traction control and emergency brake control.DESIGNThe current 9-3 style, tweaked here and there, has been on the roads for almost a decade. There's nothing wrong with that, these shapes are familiar and comfortable. And here, with the aid of the raised ride height (up 35mm) and the adventure-style add-ons - including more aggressive front bumper, dual exhaust pipes - the style still has attraction.Inside style is also smooth and familiar, right down to the ignition key mounted on the transmission tunnel between the front seats. Dash and instruments are most tidy and very legible. But it's not a big cabin and while the cargo area is a reasonable size, the back seat is best left to smaller people.SAFETYThe Swedes have long held trophies for safety in cars; other manufacturers may have caught up but the folk at Saab haven't backed away from driver and passenger airbags, roof rail airbags, side airbags and all those primary safety features to keep the 9-3 X upright and pointed in the right direction.DRIVINGThe Saab 9-3 X is a mature and very comfortable machine. It is a sure-footed wagon under all manner of conditions, torque is transferred smoothly and with little fuss on greasy and gravel surfaces. And it can be moved along a country road with confidence, without the high-riding drawbacks of traditional SUVs. The steering hasn't too much life but the ride is excellent in a wagon suited to cross-country cruises.But the performance-economy ratio with this petrol-engined Saab and its six-speed transmission drags the wagon back. It is a docile engine-transmission combination, adequate rather than adventurous.  Saab's claimed city consumption is 15.5l/100km; certainly this test, a mix of city, freeway and country, saw fuel figures closing on 12l/100km. While these may not be alarming numbers, drivers may expect a bit more punch for their petrol.SAAB 9-3X ***Price: $59,800Warranty: 3 years, 60,000kmResale: N/AService interval: 20,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 10.1l/100km;242g/km CO2Safety equipment: six airbags, ABS, ESP, ABD, TCSCrash rating: 5 starEngine: 154kW/300Nm 2 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrolTransmission: Six-speed autoBody: 5-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4690mm (L); 2038mm (W);1573mm (H with roof rails)Wheelbase: 2675mmWeight: 1690kgTyre size: 235/45 ZR18Spare tyre: 6.5x16

The Sovereign Bumper-Guard, designed to follow a host vehicle's lines, is claimed to be lighter, safer and tidier than current protection systems. It is also claimed to be more pedestrian-friendly, less confronting to bystanders The light weight guard uses a vehicle's existing frame, rather than replacing front chassis pieces, to best integrate with engineering and safety systems. Made from aluminium extrusions, the Bumper-Guard is added with unique absorber mounts which allows closer fitting to the front of the vehicle without compromising protection, according to Sovereign's Henri Baumann. The modular design, to suit a range of SUVS and passenger cars, has been tested to ensure it is airbag compatible, compliant with Australian standards and also conforms to Europe's 'lower leg form criteria'. "This is a benchmark for the industry," says Baumann. He and staff have drawn on wide experience in the business as the designers and makers of Bocar accessories for more than 40 years. Queensland-based Bocar was a supplier of bullbars, sports bars and roof racks to a number of vehicle manufacturers until 2009 when global financial disasters and a forced move to new premises took their toll. But Bauman and his designers have come back with the Sovereign Bumper-Guard. "After working though many product briefs of car manufacturers we were well aware of the challenges in designing a solution that meets those briefs," Baumann said. We consider this an effective, stylish solution for modern motor cars and an excellent alternative to conventional, and in some quarters considered controversial, bullbars or nudge bars." Prices vary, in general a little dearer than a comparable nudge bar but cheaper than a bulbar. Options, in a contrasting finish to the bars' titanium look, include 'under-run' guards and mounting bases for lights, number plate and aerials. Sovereign Vehicle Integrated Systems have just begun marketing the Bumper-Guard through a handful of outlets with more to follow; for more information: www.sovereigndesign.com.au

... with a facelift and more gear for the X240 and a facelift plus price slice for the V240 ute. And importers Ateco promise there's more to come with diesel engines and automatic transmission options on the way.For now the X240 wagon scores new front panels and grille, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, DVD player, reversing camera, follow-me-home headlights, rain sensitive wipers and a touch-screen for the audio system. The on-road price remains at $23,990.The Great Wall V240 dual cab also gets new front panels and grille plus the steering wheel controls but here the on-road price has been cut $1000 to $22,990 for the two-wheel drive; the four-wheel drive is a $3000 option.Ateco spokesman Daniel Cotterill says the facelift and equipment changes are part of a refresh across the range."The V240 ute's price has dropped for a couple of reasons, the currency's quite good at the moment and, with China being a left-hand drive market, it cost them money to develop and homologate right-hand drive vehicles," Cotterill said. "They're now starting to recoup some of those costs (Australia's already sold 10,000 Great Walls) and we can pass on these savings to the customer."And Ateco's push to broaden the range is paying dividends."The main things we've been chasing are diesel engines and automatic transmissions, we'd dearly love to be operating in those segments," he said. "And we should see those (diesel and auto options) later in the year, most likely in the third quarter, starting with manual diesel utes first."The first diesel option is likely to be Great Wall's 2 litre, 110kW turbocharged engine and the automatic transmission, for the wagon at least, should be a five-speed. For now Ateco managing director Ric Hull is upbeat about this month's upgraded machines following Great Wall's promising start on the Australian market with 10,000 sold in the 18 months since launch. "These upgrades and the extra value they add, along with the price decrease on the utility, will help us sell another 10,000 Great Wall vehicles in 2011," according to Hull.

So when a pristine 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood limo was offered for sale by a New South Wales funeral director fallen on hard times Mike was quick to name his price. And for $30,000 scored a big and handsome American machine to park alongside his aquamarine 1966 Ford Mustang convertible and yet-to-be-loved 1967 Mustang coupe. "The bloke bought a PT Cruiser convertible from me a while back because his wife had one she wouldn't let him drive," says Mike. "Six months ago he fell into a bit of strife and tried to sell the Cruiser back. That didn't work out and I asked about this Cadillac he'd told me about. "He reckons he'd spent $87,000 on the Cadillac but how do you research a price on something like this? I offered him $30,000 and he drove it up one day while we were out. We raced back and did the deal." The long-standing Brisbane dealer also bought a black 1972 Cadillac hearse, since onsold, from the Ballina funeral director. But it's the gold-painted and chromed Fleetwood limo that's now taking up some time and space in Mike's shed. Originally black, the Cadillac was brought in from San Francisco where it was owned by a man with an interest in a Reno casino; he was chauffeur-driven the 350 kilometres between the two North American cities. Here it was converted to right-hand drive, rebuilt and resprayed in Cadillac Pale Gold. The 6 litre V8 and three-speed transmission were rebuilt to General Motors' specifications while the eight-seater's internal trim was remanufactured in the USA. Standard Cadillac equipment here - all operational - includes ducted air-conditioning, power windows and front seats, glass divider behind the front seat, power brakes, steering and radio antenna. All that's been added to the original comfort and convenience features is a CD stacker and 600 watt amplifier, tucked tidily away in the boot, plus a cassette radio under the dashboard. Mike allows the Fleetwood 'is a bit of a beast to drive'. "It'd be okay out on the highway, probably cruise pretty well. Around town the brakes are either on or off and she's a bit long," he notes. But with daughter Rachael's wedding approaching in May, someone will be driving the bridesmaids in the Cadillac. The bride? She wants to go in the Mustang convertible. About the Cadillac Fleetwood Cadillacs were the favourite transport of the King, Elvis Presley, who owned a string of them from the 1950s to the 1970s. For these were the Rolls-Royce of the States, favoured by presidents, celebrities and gangsters. Less than 1000 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperials were built in 1956, priced close to $7000. Almost six metres long, the Cadillac weighed in around 2.3 tonne and rode on a 3.8m wheelbase with 15 inch wheels. The V8 produced 285 horsepower with one four-barrel carburettor; 305 horsepower with the option of an extra four-barrel carb. And for 1956 the Cadillac's three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission was claimed to smooth out shifting qualities. Other models in the 1956 line-up included a Fleetwood sedan, DeVille four-door hardtop and Eldorado Seville two-door hardtop.

IF our maths is right consider this: a Volkswagen Caddy Van could fit some 1800 cans of beer in that big-little cargo area. That'd be some 58 blocks of 30 cans with a spare pair of cartons up front to even out the load. And no doubt the VW would do its level best to haul that cargo - close on 700kg - around.We didn't try anything quite that demanding (or rewarding) with this Caddy but did come away with respect for its workmanlike approach to business without bruising the workers; small delivery vans have come a long way.VALUEThe newest line of Caddys, released late last year, starts at $21,990 through to $32,990 for the top-spec Maxi version. There's the choice of petrol and diesel engines plus auto or manual transmissions. The Holden Combo (one model only) is $21,280, Citroen's Berlingo starts at $22,990 and there's not a lot of other competition in this area.DESIGNThe Caddy, by default, is a simple and compact box on wheels. But with attention to detail it offers a comfortable driving position, excellent ergonomics and 101 storage spots which include big door pockets with bottle holders, dashboard spots for pens plus odds and ends and a large shelf running across the cabin above driver and passenger.Handy touches run to one-touch electric front windows and daytime running lights. The rear floor, thanks to front-wheel drive, is flat with minimal intrusion from rear wheel arches. The load floor is just over half a metre from the street, back doors open wide and sliding side doors (right-hand one optional) allow easy access to cargo up front.TECHNOLOGYWith speed-sensitive steering, turbocharged diesel and the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission, the Caddy is up there with current engineering for small passenger cars. Differences include the leaf springs out back. The braking system (discs all round) covers stability and traction programs, ABS and hill holder.SAFETYVolkswagen's smallest van arrives with driver and front passenger airbag plus the option of head and thorax bags. There's ESP and ABS among primary safety features and a four-star crash rating.DRIVINGThis little jigger gets up and goes. Okay, so we didn't fill it up with a big load of beer but with two up, light load and full fuel tank, then slotted into Sports mode on the transmission, the Caddy is a mighty quick little cargo carrier.Here the DSG and turbo diesel engine help slip and slot through city traffic with ease. Steering is quick and accurate, quick enough to introduce a little body roll from the high-sided van.And, despite limited visibility with those van sides, the Caddy is easy to park around the shopping centres (rear park distance controls are optional).VERDICTComfort and zest in a load carrier.

The prototype, the BJ, appeared in early 1951 and promptly crawled up Japan's Mount Fuji to demonstrate it's abilties. And in June 1954 this short wheelbase machine was renamed the LandCruiser.But it was the FJ40 from the 1960s through the 1980s which wrote the legend; more than one million were sold around the world, 121,000 to Australian farmers, miners and adventurers.Early LandCruisers arrived here from 1958 and among first customers was construction magnate Sir Leslie Thiess who used the rugged, go-anywhere machines during construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. These FJ25 and long wheelbase FJ28 modelshad a cnavas hood, 3.6 litre engine, four-speed transmission and part-time four-wheel drive.The FJ40 series arrived in 1962 but the first LandCruiser designed for civilian use didn't arrive until the FJ55 wagon in 1969. A HJ45 ute arrived in 1975.  And so it went until the LandCruiser range now spreads from this FJ Cruiser, through utes and troop carriers and Prados to the LandCruiser 200 series.Toyota's range, and reputation, of four-wheel drives has long been popular here. To date some 765,000 LandCruisers have been sold in Australia, the world's largest single market for the Cruiser and taking 12 per cent of production.