Articles by Chris Riley

Not everyone wants to drive a big, boofy SUV. Small wagons are making a bit of a comeback, especially sporty Euros with offerings from all of the big three - Audi, Benz and BMW.BMW's new 3 Series Touring wagon is one of the tastier morsels to choose from, due to arrive early next year in Oz. We got a taste of things to come this week in Munich.DESIGNThe 3 Series is still very much the jewel in the crown, by far and away the German car maker's biggest selling model. The wagon, although it doesn't account for a huge number of sales (less than 10 percent of 3 Series), still makes a worthwhile contribution. The look this time around is long and low with sweeping lines that convey a sense of athleticism. It's identical to the sedan from the centre pillar forward, with a wider stance and lower front 'kidney' grille designed to accentuate its sporty appearance. At the rear BMW's characteristic L-shaped tail lights with integrated LEDs serve to emphasise the car's wider, stronger haunches - 37mm wider at the front and 48mm at the rear.LARGERThe fifth generation Touring is almost as long as a Commodore and 97mm longer than before, with a 50mm longer wheelbase that translates to 17mm of extra legroom in the back and more space for luggage behind the seat.In fact, with an extra 35 litres of luggage space, BMW claims the car now offers a greater capacity than any of its rivals - with room for three golf bags. Through the use of high strength steel the engineers have been able to reduce the weight of the car by 40kg.THE BOOTThere's 495 litres of space with the rear seat upright and 1500 litres with it folded, with a power operated tailgate that has a window that opens separately for quick access. Wave your foot under the rear of the car and the tailgate opens magically. The rear seat splits and folds in a 40:20:40 ratio that means you can fit several pairs of skis down the centre of the car and still have room for four adults.A partition net and luggage compartment cover are provided that stow neatly under the floor when not in use. The floor hatch is reversible for carrying dirty items. In the front, larger stowage bins in the doors now accommodate 1-litre drink bottles.THE RANGEWe're getting three models: the 328i, 320i and 318d. The 323i is no more and the 335i performance model has been dropped due to lack of demand. The first two are powered by 2.0-litre petrol engines and the third by a 2.0-litre diesel. Of the trio we got to sample only the top of the range 328i.UNDER THE BONNETThe twin turbo 2.0-litre four cylinder direct injection petrol engine produces 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque. It will be hooked up to an eight-speed automatic as standard in Aussie cars. A sports auto with gear change paddles and more dynamic shift characteristics is also available. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 6.0 seconds flat, with a top speed that is electronically limited to 250km/h. The 320i meanwhile produces 135kW/270Nm and the 118d 105kW/320Nm.FUEL CONSUMPTIONThe 328i is rated at 6.8 litres/100km and produces 159g/km of CO2. During the launch this week we returned a figure of 9.4 litres/100km over a distance of 230 easy kilometres. All models will be fitted with stop/start and other fuel saving tech, as well as a drive control with Eco Pro mode to maximise economy.BMW claims the latter can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Stop/start as its name suggests shuts down the engine at traffic lights and in other situations to save fuel, automatically restarting the engine when the driver presses the throttle.ON THE ROADI have to confess it's been a while since I last drove a Beemer and I had forgotten just how sporty they always manage to make them. The transition from six to four cylinder engines in the name of better fuel economy has been seamless, with the 2.0-litre engine in the 328i punching well above its weight.The chunky steering wheel feels snug in the hands and performance is strong, with plenty in reserve for overtaking. It even sounds the part under full throttle which is so important. The eight speed auto is excellent and responds quickly to throttle input, with the option to change gears manually, via the shifter or the steering wheel mounted paddles.Whether you're in auto or manual mode, the effect is satisfying, especially under hard acceleration when the gears snap home. In fact, we'd go as far as saying it's more responsive  than the tranny in the Porsche wagon that we drove the other day. Whether barreling down the autobahn or threading our way through the many villages that dot the countryside, the car remained unfazed.INSIDETypical BMW. The cockpit has a clear driver focus and the computer screen is bigger than ever. There's even a cradle for your iPod in the centre stowage bin, along with AUX and USB ports. It's available in Modern, Luxury and Sport trim lines, as well as with the M Sport package with lowered suspension. And, of course, there's plenty of options.SAFETYIt hasn't been tested yet, but the sedan gets a full five stars and the wagon is expected to achieve the same rating. Front and side airbags are fitted, plus head airbags for front and rear along with a full suite of safety systems.VERDICTMuch more stylish. The previous model looks positively small in comparison, although this one is physically only slightly larger. Like we said not everyone wants to drive a rolly-polly SUV, particularly if you're just driving around town. In this context a wagon makes more sense as it offers the same kind of utility but in a more refined and more engaging package. Your call. Pricing and specifications for the new wagon will be revealed closer to launch in February-March.BMW 3 Series Touring wagon 328iPrice: from $66,900Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder direct injection petrol, 180kW/350NmTransmission: 8-speed automaticThirst: 6.8 litres/100km, 159g/km CO2 emissions 

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering  would you buy one?What is it?The second in Citroen's line of gorgeous sporty models. Looks like a coupe but actually has two "part-time" rear doors with fixed window glass.How much?$39,900 and that's the problem. For the same money you could have a WRX or Golf GTI or for a bit more Renault's superb Megane RS250 or Mini Cooper S for a bit more again.What are competitors?Any of the the aforementioned.What's under the bonnet?A 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine. In fact, it's the same turbo that powers the Cooper S, with 147kW of power and 275Nm of torque.How does it go?Six-speed manual only. If you want an auto then you're stuck with the 115kW engine instead. Strong mid-range performance, but it's a little slow off the line, with 0-100km/h taking 8.5 seconds.Is it economical?Takes more expensive 95RON premium unleaded. Rated at 6.4 litres/100km, we were getting 7.7 litres after about 300km.Is it green?Yes. Scores 4.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide, with CO2 emissions of 149g/km.Is it safe?No rating from Australian NCAP but Euro NCAP gives it five stars. Blind spot warning is standard.Is it comfortable?The leather-trimmed sports seats are a work of art. They're heated and have an in-built massage function. Rear legroom is tight and the interior a little noisy for our liking, depending on road surface.What's it like to drive?Fun and fairly lively on boost, with gearing which keeps it in the power zone. Positively surreal at night with its huge windscreen and instruments blacked (there's a button to do this). Doesn't cope well with broken surfaces. Front wheels scrabble for traction and some backlash through the steering wheel.Is it value for money?Yes. Nothing to spend. Has some unique touches too, like the huge windscreen, the ability to change the colour of the dials and instruments and the obvious attention to detail not to mention themassage seats. There's plenty of room in the boot too, although it hides a puncture repair kit instead of a spare.Would we buy one?It's appealing, that's for sure. Looks terrific, goes hard and has some extremely cool features. The 19 inch wheels are a work of art  but ultimately the DS4 falls short of the mark if measured purely in terms of performance ie. you can do better for less.Citroen DS4 D-SportPrice: from $39,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbocharged 147kW/275NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.5L/100km; 149g Co2 per km

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?Volvo's first ultra sporty jigger, a collaboration between Volvo Australia and performance partners, Polestar and Heico Sportiv. Think of Polestar in the same terms as HSV or FPV. Just 50 examples of this limited edition have been bolted together.How much?Priced from $82,990 it costs $10,000 than the T6 R-Design on which it is based. Not cheap but in the context of its of the segment it's almost a bargain.What are competitors?Anything sporty from the Germans Audi, Benz and BMW. Think S4, C350 or 335i. The S60 is cheapest but not by much after some pruning by Benz.What's under the bonnet?3.0-litre turbocharged six with 242kW of power and 480Nm of torque, underpinned by all-wheel drive and hooked up to a six-speed manumatic (but oddly no paddles). That's an increase of 18kW and 40Nm respectively over the standard S60 T6 R-Design. Polestar provides the extra herbs and Heico Sportiv, provided the dark 19-inch alloys and quad-exhaust system along with a custom rear air diffuser.How does it go?Wooshda. 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds. Not Ferrari quick but quick enough to get the blood pumping.Is it economical?Can be. Depends on how you drive. We clocked up close to 800km at a rate of 9.4 litres/100km after a bit of play time. Before that it dropped as low as 8.9 (bear in mind it takes premium 95RON unleaded).Is it green?Gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Guide, with fuel consumption of 10.2 litres/100km and emissions of 242g/km CO2.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars, with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (CWAB) including Queue Assist and Pedestrian Detection. Blind Spot Awareness too.Is it comfortable?Yep. Combo cloth and leather seats but as the top of the line S60 heated front seats should be standard. Elaborate steering wheel sits nicely in the hands.What's it like to drive?Easy-peasy. Pedal it softly or plant your foot and feel the difference. Good grip and strong acceleration. Sounds the biz under full throttle. Shame there's no digital speedo or speed camera warnings.Is it value for money?Features sports seats with firmer bolstering, leather clad three-spoke wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium ridged pedals. Satnav and premium 12 speaker sound included.Would we buy one?Very attractive car at a very attractive price. Looks and goes extremely well, with high levels of comfort and performance. Forget any preconceptions you might have about boring Volvos.Volvo S60 T6 R-Design PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

It's been 10 years since Porsche launched its four-wheel drivewagon the Cayenne. The naysayers poo-pooed the idea, claiming the company had no business producing anything other than sports cars.But, as history will show, they were oh so wrong. The five-seat Cayenne was an instant hit and has gone on to become the biggest selling Porsche of all time. In fact, on the strength of its success, they're getting ready to launch another, smaller offroader called the Macan.THE GTSAbout two years after launch, the GTS model was added to the lineup, a harder-edged, road-focused powerhouse with a naturally aspirated V8 engine. The GTS quickly became the most popular petrol model, with its characteristic V8 blatt, sporty good looks and lowered sports suspension. No one really cared if it wasn't much chop off road (for that matter very few Cayenne drivers even get their cars dirty).THE NEW GTSThe new one does just about everything better. It comes in two exclusive colours: Carmine Red and Peridot Green, with glossy black highlights and colour coded wheels. The GTS has been slimmed down and is lighter, faster and more powerful but uses less fuel (how do they do that?).Going on sale from September priced from $164,900 its by no means cheap but only $13,000 more than the S and $84,000 this side of the top drawer Turbo - and you get plenty of extra kit.THE STATSCayenne is based on the same platform as VW's Touareg and the Audi Q7. It’s 4846mm long and 1954mm wide, with a 2895mm wheelbase. The 4.8-litre direct injection V8 produces 309kW of power and515Nm of torque, an increase of 11kW and 15Nm on the old one.The engine revs to 6700 rpm and is hooked up to an 8-speed Japanese Aisin automatic, with steering wheel mounted paddlegear shifts. It has a top speed of 261km/h and does the dash from0-100km/h in a rapid 5.7 seconds (the old one did it in 6.5). Fuel consumption is a claimed 10.7 litres/100km, down from 13.9 and, with a knock sensor, we're told it will run on ordinary unleaded if need be - but maybe with a loss of power.WHAT ELSE?The car features automatic stop/start that shuts the engine down at traffic lights to help save fuel. The fact that it's lighter also helps in this department. They've managed to chop 160kg out, reducing the weight from 2245kg to 2085kg with extensive use of aluminium in the bodywork and power train components.The active all-wheel drive system is predominantly rear wheeldrive, but automatically sends torque to the front wheels as required. 20 inch alloys are standard, with 275/45 rubber and our cars will be fitted with air suspension.GOODIESComes with side skirts, wider colour coded wheel arches and a rear roof mounted spoiler. There's also LED daytime runners and tinted LED tail lights, plus a set of black, menacing quad tailpipes. The driver and front seat passenger get eight-way electrically adjustable sports seats. Also features dynamic lights, with integrated dynamic and static cornering lights.SAFETYThe Cayenne doesn't have a safety rating, at least not from ANCAP or its Euro equivalent. They won't buy the cars and Porsche won't supply them for testing, so the authorities must rely on supplied figures. Suffice to say with six airbags and a full suite of electronic aids, safety should not be a concern. A reversing camera is also standard.THE DRIVEIt's one of if not the best handling four wheel drives on the market. But it's definitely more at home on the road than on a race track as we discovered this week at Worthersee in Austria. The second generation GTS might be lighter and more powerful than its predecessor, but it still weighs more than two tonnes. And, in the end, it's this figure that counts against the car when you're charging full tilt into a corner. The harder you go and faster you corner, the sheer bulk of the vehicle becomes apparent, although there's surprisingly little body roll. That's at the extreme end of the spectrum. In normal circumstances, the GTS is fast out of the gates, sits flat on the road and remains remarkably composed, with very high levels of grip and brakes that just keep on braking. The dimensions of the car also came into play on the thin winding roads that we encountered in the Alps, especially when you meet oncoming vehicles - it doesn't leave much room for passing. The six speed auto has been replaced by an 8-speed unit in the second generation model. During normal operation it is designed to change up early and delay changing down to improve economy. In sport mode, gears seven and eight are locked out and the changes are more rapid - but in operation it is overly busy and does not change down quickly enough. The sound from the V8 is loud and raucous under full acceleration, but remains subdued unless the car is in sportmode. That's when the system opens up and delivers the full and unmistakeable growl of the V8 - a sound that signals get out of the way. Off throttle the exhaust begins to crackle, like the sound ofdistant fireworks but it lacks the declarative note usually associated with V8s - that sound that hoons love so much.WHY THE GTS?The economical diesel might be the best selling Cayenne in Australia but you can't beat the sound or responsiveness of a V8. It's cheaper than the Turbo, looks arguably just as good with firmer sports suspension that has been lowered 24mm. The active damper system automatically adjusts the ride to match the surface and way the driver is driving. Options include 21 inch wheels, Alcantara suede leather and for the first time the Sports Chrono Package that comprises a dashmounted stopwatch and additional performance information as part of the computer. The one thing the GTS doesn't get and that is not available is the PDK system and with its launch control. Bugger.WHAT ABOUT THE PANAMERA?The Panamera seats five too, but is more of an executive express. The Cayenne is the all rounder, the Porsche for cashed up Dadswith a family, that have a hankering for excitement and might want to tow a boat (it can tow 3500kg).THE COMPETITIONThe BMW X5/X6 M, Benz ML63 AMG, Range Rover Sport and perhaps Audi's V12 Q7, but in terms of handling it will probably outperform all.

In Sweden you can take classes in how to drive a car economically. Or, you could simply buy one of Volvo's new V40s, because the super smart hatch will do all the work for you. It has three different drive modes, selected from a carousel in the centre of the instrument panel, one of which Eco mode and is designed to reduce fuel consumption. It's not the only reason you'd buy the car, but it's certainly a drawcard - not to mention safety.BACKGROUNDThe V40 is Volvo's first 'proper' hatch, with four doors (five if you count the hatch) and room for three in the back. Prior to this it produced the C30, but it was a niche model, a funky four-seat hatch with only two doors and a tiny luggage area. As such the V40 (the V's for versatility) is likely to have much broader appeal. In fact, Volvo expects the car to become its biggest selling model worldwide. In Australia, however, its sales star is the XC60 - a mid-sized, five-seat SUV or offroader.DESIGNNot only does it look the goods, with sculpted panels, a low profile, wide stance and signature black tailgate - the V40 performs well too. The sporty dynamics (yes, sporty) really raise the bar for the Swede - better known for building safe cars than exciting ones.Inside, it's the same story, with darker trim that gives the car a premium feel, along with a more sophisticated LCD style instrument panel that changes colours plus a stylish illuminated gear shift knob. The seats are comfy and both driver and passenger sides have lumbar adjustment.Volvo reckons it's the most dynamic model that it has built to date and we're inclined to agree, after a searching test drive this week on some of Italy's treacherous mountain roads.Due for launch here in a little over six months, the V40 has all the makings of a game changer for the company, depending on the price and how much of the tech that we saw is actually standard.ORIGINSLike the C30 it's based on the same platform as the Ford Focus that enjoys an enviable reputation for sporty dynamics. Ford, by the way, used to own the company and even though Volvo is now owned by the Chinese the two still share some technology. V40 replaces both the S40 sedan and V50 wagon and maybe even the C30 which is also being phased out (more likely it will be replaced by another model - perhaps a V30?).RANGEWe got to drive three models of which two will be coming to Australia: the D2 1.6-litre four cylinder diesel, the D4 2.0-litre five cylinder diesel and the T4 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol model.The last one is not coming, at least not in its present form, and this is where it gets confusing. We will be taking the T4 - but with a five cylinder engine of the same capacity.A hero, high performance 2.5-litre turbocharged T5 R-Design model will be joining the trio too. It wasn't available to drive in Italy, but will be available from launch here in February.THE STATSThe D2 is good for 84kW/270Nm and 3.6 litres/100km and is basically the same engine that's in the current C30. It will be the entry level model and will be available as a six-speed manual only.The D4 puts out 130kW/400Nm and 4.7/5.2 litres/100km and will be available with a six speed manual or six-speed automatic. The five cylinder T4 puts out the same 132kW of power as its four cylinder cousin, but 300Nm of torque instead of 240Nm and will be available as an auto only. No fuel figures available.The T5 R-Design pumps out 187kW/360Nm and uses 7.9 litres/100km and will be auto only (odd that as a performance model there is no manual). All models are fitted with automatic stop/start to save fuel along with the ability to regenerate power.CHOICESThe driver has some choices to make before moving off, like how much assistance they want with the steering, which provides three levels of support: low, medium and high. Then there's three drive modes: Eco, Elegance and Performance, with different colour schemes for each - green for Eco, Amber for Elegance and red for performance. You can change drive modes on the move using a one of the steering column instrument stalks, but the car must be stationary to change the steering.THE DRIVEOf the three, the D4 with the larger diesel engine was the standout. The smaller D2 lacks torque off boost and this presents  a problem coming out of the rising, hairpin corners that we encountered. It is necessary to brake heavily and turn in sharply, dropping speed quickly and engine revs with it.As a result the engine is often left stranded between first and third gears, lacking any help from the turbo until the revs pickup - too fast to change down and too slow to change up.An auto would help smooth things out (are you listening Volvo?). Fortunately with plenty of grip the car can carry more corner speed than usual which helps alleviate the problem.The larger D4 is a revelation in comparison, with strong performance across the rev range and an auto to make things easy. Relatively quiet inside, it is not plagued by the same problem and was a pleasure to drive in most situations. Pricing it up is probably the only way to entice people into the smaller diesel.The T4 is also lively, feels lighter but lacks the torque of the diesel. The auto is much busier to compensate. As such we look forward to driving the torquier five cylinder version.Changing the drive modes and adjusting the steering makes a perceptible difference, but whether it's a novelty or used on a daily basis remains to be seen. In terms of fuel consumption, we got 7.8 litres/100km from the D2, 10.9 from the D4 and 14.7 from the T4 that we drove. Note though that all were being pushed hard.NEGATIVESAll-wheel drive is unavailable. There's only a space saver spare wheel and rear legroom is tighter than expected. There's no paddle shifts in sight either and they're needed  to keep pace with the competition.We applaud the addition of a digital speedo, but deplore the fact it is available only in performance mode. Not mention the fact that the navigation still does not provide speed camera warnings, although it does tell you what the current speed limit is.SAFETYComes with eight airbags and a whole range of safety systems - some standard, some probably not. It has not been crash tested yet, but Volvo is confident it will score a full five stars. They include a driver's kneebag and, in a world first, a pedestrian protection bag. The latter sits like a bra around  the lower part of the windscreen when activated to protect a pedestrian's head from injury in the unfortunate event that they are struck by the car.The car also brakes automatically when it detects a threat in front, the blind spot warning now also warns of rapidly approaching traffic and the rear parking sensors warn of approaching traffic from the sides when reversing out of a carpark.The lights also dip automatically when high beam is selected and parking assistance is also available. It will detect whether a space is large enough to accommodate the car, then reverse park with little intervention from the driver.COMPETITORSVolvo is targeting the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and soon to be released Benz A-Class - but not surpisingly the VW Golf. It believes the V40 is more of a premium product and will be priced accordingly, with the kick off figure likely to be $39,990. We reckon it sits somewhere between the two in terms of market perception and could appeal to buyers from both groups.

Picture this. The boss tells you that everyone at work is going to get a tattoo of the company logo to show their loyalty. Tick…tick…tick…would you do it?The crazy, fun-loving Swedes at Volvo's skunkworks Polestar have done exactly that - all 30 of them (they're passionate about their brand). Launched in 1996 and located in the city of Gothenburg, Polestar has been involved in motor racing for many years but has only recently turned its expert hand to building a road-going, go-fast Volvo. No one could accuse them of holding back.THE GOODSWith a turbo-charged 3.0-litre six, the all-wheel drive S60 Polestar produces an astounding 374kW of power (or 508 horsepower) and a thumping 575Nm of torque. It has a top speed of more than 300km/h and blasts from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.JAY LENOPolestar has built only one of the cars so far and word has it that it will soon be in the hands of that noted collector, US talk show host Jay Leno.The price? A cool $US300,000. Jay's mechanic, "Volvo George" as he's nicknamed, is reported to own 75 Volvos himself, worked on the cars for 30 years and has apparently given the Polestar the thumbs up.DISASTER STRIKESSorry Jay. But there could be a slight delay in delivery mate. For one thing, we blew the clutch when test driving the beast at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenburg this week. Well, not personally, but we were part of a crew of Australian journos who put the car in the pits for the rest of the day - luckily we got to drive it first (others weren't so lucky).THE DETAILSFinished in stunning Polestar blue with gunmetal grey 19 inch alloys, the S60 Polestar is a whole lotta car. Planning for a production version is still in the early stages, but the good news is that Australia is one of three countries that will be getting it - along with the UK and United States. Sitting 30mm lower than the already sporty T6 on which it is based, the guards and front and rear aprons have all been replaced with pumped out, carbon-fibre panels to accommodate the larger, wider wheels shod with 265/35 Michelins.The track is 20mm wider and the body has been braced and reinforced to accommodate the extra demands of the powertrain that produces a massive 67 per cent more power than a standard T6. Power is fed to all four wheels through a six-speed manual tranny, Haldex clutch and limited slip rear diff. Prior to this, Polestar built a race going version of the C30 hatch from which it has drawn experience.WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?Bloody quick. It's difficult to get off the line cleanly, but hits hard once the big Garret turbocharger kicks in. It brakes hard too, late and deep into corners, with six-pot Brembo stoppers up front. Weighing in at an optimised 1640kg, the battery has been relocated to the boot to provide better weight distribution and to free up much needed room under the crowded bonnet (blocking the ski hatch in the process).THE COMPETITIONAlthough it hasn't signed off on the project its obvious Volvo plans to build a production version of the car but probably for a lot less - how close it is in spec to the original remains to be seen? What and how much will more than likely be determined by the competition, BMW's M3 and the Benz C63 AMG sedans - not forgetting the Lexus IS-F. The cheapest, the IS-F, is priced from $127,000, the Benz from $153,000 and BMW M3 from $145,000 (Audi is yet to produce a new RS4). No matter how good the Volvo is, however, it's going to have an extremely difficult time persuading the cashed-up blokes that buy these cars to bypass any of these icons. Polestar's managing director Hans Baath said an initial run of 100 cars is planned but the company is not limited to this number.As yet the company has done nothing to promote the car, but news of it has travelled fast mainly by word of mouth. What did they have in mind when designing the S60? "We're a race team and we didn't benchmark the car against anything really," he said. "We want you to do that." The car looks purposeful but fashionably understated in an Audi sort of way. But the note from the two, large bore exhausts soon gives the show away.TOO MUCH?It's almost too much car, especially on the tight Volvo circuit with little room for runoff. We'd really need a couple of hours behind the wheel before feeling sufficiently comfortable to explore its limits. The engine revs to 7100rpm before the rev limiter kicks in which happens quickly, with holographic LEDs to indicate its time to change up. The shift action of the close ratio box is light and the clutch pedal is not what you'd call heavy, but with a high takeup point. The electro-hydraulic steering is also relatively light for a sports model. The thing is the production version will really need to be offered with a self-shifter as an option, whether it’s an auto or twin clutch.They are so much better at getting off the line quickly and, for those attracted by the lure of this tasty morsel - that's what it's all about (showing a clean pair of heels). We'll be interested to see what kind of time the car posts at the Nurburgring. Polestar says it has no plans to take it there, but it said the same thing about the previous C30 - only to be beaten by bad weather on the day.OZVolvo Cars Australia is of course keen to get hold of the car, more for the halo effect that it will have on the brand than sales it will generate. Certainly, no one in their right mind could label this another "boring" Volvo - not by any stretch of the imagination.The figures show Aussies are sports model focused, fixated almost with one in four Golfs sold being GTIs and one in 10 C-Class Benzs being C63AMGs. Volvo Cars Australia boss Matt Braid said sedans are the one weak link in the local lineup at the moment and the Polestar will have a huge spinoff in building the S60's profile. “The S60 sedan is a fantastic car in its own right but arguably that link will give us a leg up in credibility,'' he said.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: from $US300,000Weight: 1640kgEngine: 3.0-litre six turbo-charged, 374kW/575NmTransmission: six-speed manual, all wheel drive 

Volvo has unveiled plans to launch a hybrid version of its S60 wagon in Australia. But unlike other hybrids already available here, this one's a little different because it combines a diesel with an electric motor.The result is a car that is capable of achieving the amazingly low fuel consumption figures of 1.9 litres/100km - yet still post a time of 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash. It's a plug-in hybrid which means you can simply plug it into a wall socket if the battery is running low, an operation that takes as little as 3.5 hours for a full charge depending on the number of amps you feed it.With a small 45 litre tank it can travel more than 1000km on a single tank of fuel. Sounds too good to be true.SWEDENSpeaking in Sweden this week, Volvo Cars Australia boss Matt Braid revealed the company hoped to have the car here and on sale before the end of next year. "It's a demonsration of our technology and what we can offer, but the volumes obviously won't be massive,'' he said."With Polestar at the other end of the market, we'll have both ends covered.'' Polestar is Volvo's high performance brand of which we are sure to be seeing much more in the near future.BACK TO THE HYBRIDThe V60 D6 AWD wagon is equipped with a 158kW 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine that drives the front wheels and a 50kW electric motor that drives the rear wheels, either separately or together - making it rear wheel drive, front wheel drive or all-wheel drive at the push of a button. It is capable of operating in one of the drive modes.In pure electric or `EV' mode it can travel for a distance of up to 50km, depending on how fast you're travelling (the faster you go the quicker it chews through the charge in its lithium-ion batteries). Top speed in EV mode is 120km/h.The wagon can also operate in full hybrid mode (the default mode) during which power is regenerated to recharge the batteries. And, in power mode, the diesel and electric motors team up to drive both sets of wheels, providing up to 208kW of power and 640Nm of torque in total.THE DOWNSIDE?The price, mainly. In Sweden the car retails for 560,000 Krona with the help of a tax break from the Government. In Australian dollars that's about $80,000 (or $12,000 more than the equivalent petrol powered T6 AWD model). But remember, that's with a tax break (the Australian Goverment hasn't been exactly helpful in this department to date).Mr Braid said it is too early to start talking about prices for the car yet, but he hopes to offer it for less than $100,000. That's probably a bit optomistic. We think $75,000 is closer to the mark - anymore than this and buyers are likely to reject the hybrid as an option."We hope to have it by 2013,'' Braid said. "It's now becoming quite a firm option. We showed the concept at the Melbourne motor show last year and the feedback we got was very positive.''TEST DRIVEDuring a flying visit to Sweden this week we had a quick spin in a pre-production version of the hybrid at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenberg. Performance is strong, particuarly in power mode and the car is nicely balanced.This is despite the extra weight of the electric motor, batteries and other equipment that add more than 300kg to the kerb weight. The batteries by the way are hidden under the luggage compartment floor, requiring the floor to be raised by 60mm. The result is less luggage space - 305 litres compared with 430 in the standard wagon.With no room for a spare because of the batteries a reinflation kit is supplied in the event of a flat tyre. Production of the hybrid wagon is due to start in earnest in November, with an initial run of 1000 cars. By the end of next year, however, the hybrid is expected to account for 10-15 per cent of production.Volvo V60 D6 AWD Diesel HybridPrice:  $75,000 - $100,000 (etimated)Engine: 2.4-litre turbodiesel 5-cylinder; 160kW/440Nm + electric motor 50kW/200NmAcceleration: 0 to 100km/h: 6.2 secondsTransmission: 6-speed automatic: AWDThirst: 1.9 L/100km

So. This is the car that is going to save Ford's bacon?Just as Holden did with the Commodore in the early 80s, Ford has introduced a four cylinder Falcon in the name of better fuel economy. The difference is that this four is turbocharged to compensate for its smaller capacity. But is it all too little too late?It's a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with direct injection that produces 179kW of power at 5500 revs and 353Nm of torque at 2000 revs.This compares with the good old 4.0-litre straight six that delivers 195kW and 391Nm and the the EcoLPi (liquid LPG) engine that kicks out an impressive 198kW and 409Nm.The asking price for the six and the EcoBoost four is exactly the same, making the decision easier  but the LPG model is $2500 more which has us reaching for the calculator.At the time of writing the cost of unleaded was $1.34 a litre and LPG 61 cents per litre. After doing the sums, the cheapest of the three variants to run works out to be the LPG model at $7.61 per 100km.The EcoBoost model on the other hand costs $10.93 per 100km and the six at $13.36 per 100km to fuel. But, because it cost $2500 more, it will take 75,000km before you recoup the $2500 outlay for the LPG model and it starts to pay for itself. Given that 80 per cent of Falcon sales are to fleets, they would be turning them over long before that.Fine. It's smooth, quiet and comfortable and there's no bloody great spare hogging the boot as with the LPG model. It doesn't have the same urgent feel as the six, but it's certainly no slouch and if you've never had it you're not going to miss it. After about 500km we were getting 8.3 litres/100km which is pretty close to the manufacturer's claim.But apart from the promise of better fuel economy what does the car have to offer? The Commodore in all guises looks sporty, but the Falcon sadly does not.Nothing has changed much apart from the centre computer screen which is larger and has been relocated to the top of the dash. Our test car was the G6 priced from $40,835 which is one step up the ladder from the base XT and as such is better equipped.But the Commodore can't really be considered its primary competitor any longer and the Falcon is starting to look pretty ordinary compared to the competition. The big touchscreen is in truth a waste of space without satnav or a reversing camera.And the steering wheel controls for cruise and audio need to be backlit because they're invisible in the dark. The driver's window is not even auto up.

Infiniti's new M35h is easily the best hybrid I have driven to date. Think of the electric motor as a new age turbocharger and not an economy option, because this carreally goes.That's not to say the car's not economical, because it is at less than 7.0 litres/100km. But thinking of the hybrid in strictly these terms does the car a grave injustice - because it's much more than that.The rear-wheel drive Infiniti M sedan is one of two models that will lead the Japanese luxurycarmaker's return to our shores in August. The other is the all-wheel drive FX crossover.BACKGROUNDInfiniti is the luxury arm of Nissan, in much the same way as Lexus is the luxury extension of the Toyota brand. It's been around for over 20 years, but until now has made cars primarily for the US market.It did however sell a single luxury model here in the early 90s called the Q45, a sedan that retailed for $145,000 of which the company sold a grand total of 132. Over the years successive Nissan CEOs have vowed Infiniti would one day return, but not until it had a full range of vehicles to offer. That day has finally arrived.WHAT WE GETNothing brand spanking new in gloal terms but certainly nothing we've laid eyes on before. Ironically the crescent-shaped badge bears a passing resemblance to China's Great Wall Motors which unfortunately has been on the scene longer.The fourth generation M sedan was launched overseas in 2011 and is the newest of the vehicles coming our way. It will arrive in 3.7-litre petrol V6 guise, 3.0-litre turbo diesel form and the aforementioned 3.5-litrepetrol-electric hybrid petrol.Surprisingly, the hybrid with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 secs is the fastest of the trio and billed as the fastest accelerating production series hybrid in the world. The other car at launch will be the FX, a large SUV about the size of a Nissan Murano.Launched 2009 the second generation FX will be available with a 3.5-litre petrol V6, 5.0-litre petrol V8 and 3.0-litre turbo diesel. Both vehicles share the same platform and both are built in Japan. They will be followed in November by the G sports coupe and convertibles.HOW MUCH?These are luxury vehicles and as such don't expect them to be cheap. They are designed to go head to head with the Germans (Benz, BMW and Audi), not to mention Lexuswhich by virtue of its Japanese origins will by default be seen as its natural enemy.Infiniti however argues its cars are sportier, driver-orientated cars that will appeal to a wider crosssection of buyers, especially younger buyers looking for something other than what the establishment drives. Infiniti has not revealed pricing yet, but its competitor models provide a strong indicator.Think $80K and upwards for M and probably around the same mark for the FX. Like the price features and final specifications are still to be determined, making it difficult to say what is or is not standard at this stage. Some models will come with 4-wheel active steer, sports suspension and 20 inch alloys.THE MWe only got to drive the M35h hybrid at a preview event in New Zealand this week. The drivetrain consists of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that puts out 225kW of power and an electric motor that adds another 50kW to the equation, for a combined total output of 268kW (6.9 litres/100km).Maximum torque from the petrol engine is 350Nm, with another 270Nm available from the electricmotor - but no figure is provided for the total torque output which is difficult to quantify. It's a parallel hybrid that provides full decoupling of the V6 when the car is in electric mode orregenerating power.The M37's 3.7-litre V6 puts out 235kW of power and 360Nm of torque (10.2 litres/100km), while the M30d turbo diesel is good for 175kW and 550Nm of torque (7.5 litres/100km). Neither provide the same kind of performance or economy as the hybrid.All three are fitted with a 7-speed automatic with a facility to change gears manually, although the hybrid's auto is a little different with an electronic clutch instead of a torque convertor.THE FXWe were able to drive the FX37 and FX50. Like the M37 the FX37's 3.7-litre V6 produces 235kW of power and 360Nm of torque (12.1litres/100km). It's basically the same engine as in the superb Nissan 370Z along with the 7-speed tranny too.It's interesting they didn't opt for a CVT which seems to be the preferred option in the Nissan-Renault Alliance. Similarly the diesel generates the same 175kW and 550Nm (9.0 litres/100km) while the grunty 5.0-litre V8 pumps out an impressive 287kW and 500Nm (13.1 litres/100km). The petrol engines all prefer top drawer 98RON unleaded but will accept 95 Premium.SAFETYThe FX has been crash tested in Europe where it scored five stars, but has not received a rating from the Australian authority yet which has even more stringent regulations these days that have seen some vehicles score only four. The M is yet to be tested.Suffice to say the cars come with a full complement of safey equipment, including six airbags, stability control and forward collision warning with intelligent brake assist that automaticly applies the brakes if a collision with the car in front is imminent (and the driver hasn't braked).The FX takes lane departure warning to the next level with Lane Departure Assist that automatically applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle to bring it back into the confines of the lane if the driver strays.BIG SOUNDThe 16-speaker Bose sound system in the hybrid we drove is the most advanced Bose system available in any car in the world, with active noise cancellation just like hi-end headphones. It includes two personal speakers mounted in the top of each front seat and can be teamed with a satnavguidance system that provides a 9.3Gb worth of music storage to which you can download your CDs or stream audio from Bluetooth phones or audio devices like iPods.THE DRIVEThe roads around Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island provide plenty of scope to put the cars through their paces. Of the three cars that we drove the hybrid M35h stood out in terms of performance and refinement.NZ's coarse chip roads generate a lot of tyre noise, but the hybrid was noticeably quieter and morerefined. Straightline performance is strong, with plenty in reserve for quick, sharp overtakes and the carremained surefooted in often damp conditions.A console mounted dial allows the driver to select from four driving modes: Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow. The steering in the hybrid is electro-hydraulic and feels direct and responsive, with wheel mountedgear change paddles.The result is a car that is engaging and satisfying to drive, and its appeal grows the more you drive it. We don't normally get excited about hybrids but we'll make an exception in this case. Of the two FX models that we drove, the V8 was by far and away the nicer drive, not just because it has more power but because it was more refined, more composed and held the road more confidently.In normal operation the FX remains predominantly rear wheel drive, with torque transferred to the front wheels as required. Both cars were fitted with the sports pack that includes sports suspension and 21 inch wheels, with 265/45 series rubber.The active damping system modulates the shocks, allowing the driver to dial in a firmer ride - with auto and sport settings. On the downside we found the transmission a little slow to hook up, more so in the V6 and the stability system cut in too early at times. We look froward to driving the diesels when they become available.FINAL THOUGHTSThe jury is out on the styling. At the very least it is going to get the cars noticed and that for a new entry is not such a bad thing. The M looks generic from some angles while the FX with its long bonnet and chromed side ventsexudes an air of aggression. We note however the boot in the hybrid is hatchback size and could be an issue while it is necessary to watch your head getting in and out of the FX with its plunging roofline. There's certainly a smorgasboard of features available but which we will have to pay extra for remainsto be seen.Infiniti concedes it will not be trying to undercut competitor prices, but rather float a value for money arguement, with a strong emphasis on delivering a rich flexible customer experience. Lexus of course is stifll trying to crack the German nut so it will be fascinating if nothing else to see what impact the new comer has?2012 Infiniti M35hPrice: from $80,000Engine: 3.5-litre petrol V6, 268kWTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 6.9 litres/100km 

The new i30 is the first of Hyundai's new genre to move to a second generation and just like the first i30 the newcomer is a standout. It looks fresh and attractive, with the same flowing lines as the Elantra sedan, and a stylish new interior that is a huge step forward from its functional but rather plain predecessor. The i30 is Hyundai's biggest selling car and it competes in the mostly fiercely contested segment of the market.Priced from $20,990 the new i30 the entry point is $400 more than the current model but represents $1600 better value, with a longer list of standard features.There's a choice of petrol and turbo diesel engines, six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmissions and two of the three new grades - Active, Elite and Premium - are fitted with satellite navigation as standard.The i30 has been a huge success for Hyundai. It's currently the number four small car in Australia, behind the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Holden Cruze. The company really turned a corner with this one and hasn't really looked back since.The Hyundai i30 has been benchmarked against the Mazda3 and VW Golf and it shows. The car is slightly longer and wider but sits lower than before giving it a sportier, racier profile.The restyled body brings it into line with the "fluidic'' design that characterises Hyundai's other offerings.The front is sharper and more aggressive with a dominant hexagonal radiator grille, and those huge taillights have gone from the rear, replaced by a more contemporary horizontal design.The entry Active model is priced from $20, 990, Elite from $24,590 and Premium from $29,990.Standard kit includes cruise control, fog lamps, rear parking sensors and a touch screen audio system, with Bluetooth, USB and steering wheel audio controls. A reversing camera is standard on Elite and Premium models.The new i30 looks, feels and is significantly better inside, with greater use of soft touch surfaces. The free standing console is reminiscent of Volvo. We're told there's more room inside the cabin, along with 10 per cent more luggage space. Surprisingly however the new model has 10mm less rear legroom.It's a touch screen with bright easy-to-read graphics and SUNA traffic updates that route you around traffic snarls automatically. Unlike other manufacturers, Hyundai has also done the right thing and included warnings for speed cameras and other road hazards.It's designed to score five stars for safety with seven airbags standard across the range and a full complement of safety systems, but is yet to be tested.Unfortunately the new range will not include a wagon. Production of the i30cw as it is called has been moved to Hyundai's plant in the Czech Republic making it unavailable to our market. This could change down the track as the initial demand for the new model eases freeing up production time. We'll see.The 1.6-litre CRDi turbo diesel carries over from the previous model, along with the six speed manual. The good news is that the old four-speed has been replaced a brand new six-speed auto.As before, the diesel puts out 94kW of power and 260Nm of torque, but the switch to the new auto is going to produce better fuel efficiency. The diesel returns a claimed 4.5 litres/100km in manual form and 5.6 litres/100km in auto form.The 2.0-litre petrol engine has been replaced by the 1.8-litre multipoint injection unit from the Elantra. In Europe the car is offered with a 99kW 1.6-litre four with direct injection but Hyundai felt this was too modest for our tastes and our roads.The 1.8 is smaller and misses out on direct injection but it actually produces more power than before. Torque however is down. It produces of 110 versus 105kW of power and 178 versus 186Nm of torque. The petrol returns a claimed 6.5 litres/100km in manual form and 6.9 litres/100km in auto form.Overseas the diesel will also be offered in Blue Drive trim, with fuel saving technology such as Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low-rolling resistance tyres and an alternator management system. Unfortunately we won't be getting this model.Three cheers. Hyundai has confirmed it is looking at introducing a sports model, not just with this model but across the entire line-up. The segment-leading Mazda3 comes in SP25 and MPS forms and to compete Hyundai needs to offer an alternative.The i30 sport or whatever they decide to call it could be fitted with the 130kW 2.0-litre direct injection engine or the 150kW 1.6-litre turbo from Veloster. At this stage however there is not time frame for its introduction - but they say they're looking seriously at the proposition.We had a crack at the mid-priced, Elite petrol manual model and top of the line Premium diesel auto at the launch in Victoria this week. The petrol model is quiet and refined and not surprisingly reminds us of the Elantra with which it shares a platform.But it feels breathless at times, particularly under load and it is necessary to go looking for third to get it really moving. A tiny bit more power would be welcome. We look forward to trying the auto when it is available. With the addition of the six-speed auto, the diesel is a much better thing than before.It offers strong performance and is the one you want if you regularly clock up the kilometres, but it costs $2600 more in any of the three grades. The auto is a $2000 option, but standard with the Premium.The diesel variant feels heavier in the front end, with heavier steering. But that's where the new Flex Steer system comes into its own. Overkill -- but standard across the range -- it provides a choice of styles: Comfort, Normal and Sport. They provide varying levels of steering assistance and feedback to the driver. Unfortunately, there is no option to display the vehicle's speed digitally - a rare oversight in an otherwise comprehensive package.The i30 has a 53-litre tank and takes standard unleaded. We recorded a figure of 7.4 litres/100km for the petrol model on the drive program and 5.9 litres/100km for the diesel over a combined distance of about 250km.Hyundai just doesn't seem able to put a foot wrong these days. If you like the current i30 you're going to love the new one. It does everything the old one does and more, with a quality, big car feel and more lavish interior.Like its predecessor the suspension has been tuned for Aussie roads and Aussie tastes, with an impressive ride spoiled only by the larger 17 inch wheels on the Premium model.