Articles by Chris Riley

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?Where have they been hiding this beauty? The CRD is the diesel version of Jeep's five-seat off road wagon and definitely the pick of the bunch. Forget the V8, this is the one you want.It will set you back $50,000 but in SUV land this is something of a bargain, bearing in mind the cheapest long wheelbase Prado goes for $6000 more.The aforementioned Prado, Nissan Pathfinder and the Mitsubishi Pajero spring to mind. Nothing else has anywhere near as much off road ability as the Jeep.Built by VM Motori and developed together with Fiat Powertrain, the new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine produces 177kW of power at 4000 revs and 550Nm of torque between 1800 and 2800 revs. This translates to 10 percent more power and eight percent more torque than the engine it replaces.Extremely well. Big 4WDs are always a better proposition in diesel form. This is the first application of the new engine and a spin-off of Fiat's recent buy-out of a bankrupt Chrysler (it now holds more than 50 per cent).Rated at 8.3 litres/100km. That's pretty good for a big 4WD. The trip computer was showing 8.6 in mixed driving.Gets three stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius is the benchmark with five stars).The previous model got four stars. This one has just been tested but the results have not been released yet. With stability control, seven airbags plus active head restraints, it is likely to get a full, five-star result.All-new independent suspension front and rear delivers much better on-road manners. It also allows the spare tyre to be stored inside the vehicle instead of underneath. Adjustable air suspension is available for another $2500.Probably the best Jeep we've driven to date (if you exclude the wonderful SRT8 version). Diesel is teamed with a five-speed auto that can be operated in manual mode if desired. Selec-Terrain traction control system allows the driver to choose the drive system that best matches on- or off-road driving conditions.Power adjust front seats are standard and the rear seats recline 12 degrees. Cargo volume is up 11 per cent. A touch screen media centre with a 30GB hard drive is standard that responds to voice commands.You bet. Ticks all the boxes. Smooth, quiet and comfortable wtih a formidable off road reputation. At the moment the Grand Cherokee is by far and away the best mid-sized wagon in Australia. The big problem is glaying your hands on one.

With the swtich to liquid injection Ford's LPG powered Falcon has become a much more interesting option. It produces the same level of power as a petrol engine, but costs a lot less to run. The new EcoLPi in-line six-cylinder engine is a state-of-the-art, liquid phase injection, dedicated LPG powerplant that delivers impressive fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, as well as no compromise engine performance compared to Falcon's existing petrol I6 engine. The one issue remains the spare wheel, which if you want a full size one still takes up the majority of the boot.TECHNOLOGYThe new EcoLPi engine develops 198kW of power at 5000 revs and 409Nm of torque at 3250 revs, compared to the petrol I6 engine which produces 195kW and and 391Nm when operated on standard 91RON unleaded fuel. Claimed fuel economy for the LPi is 12.6 litres/100km in the case of our test G6E versus 9.9 for the petrol version. You use a little more LPG but of course it's much cheaper to buy.DESIGNThe car comes standard with a tyre mobility kit which is basically goo and electric pump. A space saver spare is available as a no cost option or you can order your car with a full sized alloy and tyre which will set you back another $250. Our test vehicle came complete with a full-sized spare wheel which unfortunately takes up a large part of the boot, large enough to be very annoying. The space saver is about half the height and takes up a lot less room, but either way there's no hole under the floor to hide the spare - it's made way for the fuel tank.BET EACH WAYSmart cookies could have a bet each way. They could use the tyre reinflation kit for daily driving or a full-sized spare if you'replanning on doing any country kilometres. Some of Ford's own employees do exactly this. But it's cheaper to order the full size wheel when you order the car at a cost of $250. The mobility kit will set you back about $295 from a dealer but an alloy without the tyre is $656.LPG REBATEThe LPG Vehicle Scheme provides grants for the LPG conversion of a registered motor vehicle or the purchase of a new vehicle fitted with LPG prior to first registration, subject to eligibility criteria. Under the Federal Government's LPG Vehicle Scheme private buyers are entitled to a $2000 rebateon the cost of a car that comes factory fitted with LPG.THIRSTThe LPI model comes with an 88-litre tank and claimed economy of 12.5 litres/100km. That gives it a theoretical range of just over 700km from a single tank. We were getting around 12.3 litres/100km, manily commuting on the motorway. Given that LPG is generally half the cost of petrol, that's like ghetting 6.0-litres/100km. At the time of writing the cost of LPG was 53.7 cents a litre compared to standard unleaded petrol at $129.9. That makes the cost of filling up the cars $47.25 versus $88.33 a big difference.DRIVINGGreat. Smooth and powerful. You wouldn't know you were driving a gas car. Hopefully the Falcon will survive long enough for them to fix the spare wheel problem.VERDICTYes and no. Depends what you want it for? The G6E is a lovely bit of kit and won't cost much to run. But the new model will arrive in dealerships around Christmas and we'd wait for that because it is going to cheaper and better equipped.The new price is $46,735 plus on roads, with the LPi option adding $2000 to the price initially because it still gets 17s instead of 18 inch alloys. It was previously priced from $$50,390.

Chevrolet was founded in Detroit, in November 1911, by racer Louis Chevrolet and General Motors founder William C. Billy Durant, who developed cars that quickly earned reputations for performance, durability and value. Those traits remain at the core of Chevrolet, which is the world's fourth-largest automotive brand. From the very start, Chevrolet brought technology and features typically reserved for more expensive cars to its lineup of affordable cars and trucks. The first Chevrolet — the Series C Classic Six, offered an electric starter and electric headlamps at a time when both were rarities among even luxury cars. In the decades that followed, innovations such as safety glass, fuel injection, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control systems were used on Chevrolet models at the same time as more expensive vehicles. As one of the largest-selling brands in the industry, Chevrolet's early adoption of landmark technologies fundamentally changed the way they were applied to new vehicles. Chevrolet also made performance affordable. Its early four and six-cylinder engines were known for durability and strong performance, but it was the 1955 introduction of Chevrolet's small-block V8 that began a new era in attainable high-performance. The engine would power millions of cars and trucks in next 50 years, with its legacy passed on to a new generation of small-block V8s used in today's trucks and SUVs, as well as performance cars including the Camaro SS and Corvette. The performance characteristics of the small-block V8 helped establish Chevrolet as a force in almost all forms of motorsports. Chevrolet-powered race cars were immediate contenders in the fledging stock car and drag racing worlds of the 1950s, growing to dominate them in the next decades. Design has been a cornerstone of Chevrolet and its models have become icons of American culture. The soaring fins of the 1957 Chevy Bel Air epitomized the optimism of the Jet Age, while the sleek 1963 Corvette Sting Ray is regarded by many automotive historians as one of the best-looking cars ever designed. Other Chevrolet models' designs had cultural impacts that resonated for decades. The Camaro, introduced in 1967, brought great design and affordable performance to younger customers. The heritage-inspired design of the fifth-generation model, introduced for 2010, became the best seller among its primary competitors. In the truck world, Chevrolet design innovations helped drive changes and create new markets in the industry. The Suburban was introduced in 1935 and continues as the longest-running automotive nameplate in industry history. Its concept of delivering greater passenger and cargo capacity has remained true for 76 years. In 1955, the special-edition Chevrolet Cameo Carrier introduced smooth rear fenders for the first time to a mainstream pickup. The styling gave the truck a flowing, upscale appearance that differed greatly from the traditional step side design of other contemporary trucks. Within a few years, the entire industry was transformed. The smooth cargo bed sides, which became known as fleetside styling, were found on every truck on the market. The electrically driven Volt leads Chevrolet into its second century and redefines what a car means. It is the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range, providing up to 500km of driving.  That means Volt provides the benefits of an electric vehicle without the range limitations associated with other electric vehicles in the market  expanding the boundaries of performance and efficiency. It exemplifies Chevrolet's heritage of introducing advanced technology on value-driven products.

Think Forester before it morphed into just another high riding SUV and you've got the Skoda Scout. That's not doing the Scout an injustice because as a small wagon with some off road ability it is a very practical and appealing vehicle.Skoda (VW's Czech subsidiary) has just added to this appeal with the addition of a 'manumatic' robotised manual gearbox that promises swift gear changes and frugal fuel consumption.There's just two models — the Scout and better equipped Scout Premium — and they're both powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine. It's Volkswagen's 103kW/320Nm direct injection diesel and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or the aforementioned six-speed DSG transmission. It's the same engine that can be found in the Golf and other models in the Volkswagen range.Priced from $39,490 the attraction in the case of a Skoda is the opportunity to purchase Volkswagen technology but at a greatly reduced price. The downside, if you can call it that, is Skoda's low resale values but this will improve as time goes on.There's nothing wrong with the cars. Our test vehicle was the top of the line Premium model with the DSG box, priced from $45,790.The Scout is an offroad version of the Octavia wagon with a 40mm lift kit and some body cladding to provide protection from bumps and scrapes. The fourth-generation Haldex clutch, the heart of the all-wheel drive system, represents the latest in all-wheel drive technology. It works with other onboard electronic systems to transfer drive between the front and rear wheels.An electronic control unit evaluates information such as wheel speed, accelerator pedal position, engine speed, and data from the chassis stability programs. This information is used to vary the torque distribution ratio between the front and rear wheels, up to 98 per cent in either direction.But with only 180mm of ground clearance any off road adventures are limited strictly to snow and the odd dirt track.The all-wheel drive system does however add an extra safety dimension to the car, especially in the wet. We clocked up close to 600km in the Scout.With fuel economy rated at 6.1 litres/100km, we were getting closer to 6.5 litres/100km from the 60-litre tank.The Scout delivers a punchy drive experience, if at times a little noisy because of the intrusion of the diesel. Acceleration is surprisingly rapid and the steering is if anything a little too responsive at times, requiring constant attention to stay on track. The brakes on our test vehicle were also very aggressive, but you get used to them.Rear legrom is good as is the size of the luggage area behind the rear seat. Even the base model Scout is well equiped with six airbags, a full complement of safety technology and satellite navigation system with a 30Gb hard drive and eight speaker audio. There's also climate air, heated front seats and an off side mirror that dips when reversing.The Premium adds electric glass sunroof, privacy glass from B-pillar, and cool 17 inch polished alloys, suede-leather upholstery, and electric driver's seat with memory. It's what you don't get that is annoying. Bluetooth is noticeably absent from both models - it's $550 plus dealer fitting charges.SKODA SCOUTPrice: from $41,790Warranty: 3-year / unlimited kilometreResale: 75% (est.)Service interval: variable, condition-basedSafety: 4-star Euro NCAPEngine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 103kW/320NmBody: five-door wagonWeight: 1550-1570kgTransmission: 6-speed manual and DSG, four-wheel driveThirst: 6.1 L/100km, CO2 160g/km.

It wasn't so long ago that we used to draw straws to see who'd have to drive the next Kia.These days, however, it's a completely different story. It's difficult to pinpoint just when it happened, but sometime in the past fews years the Korean company has discovered how to make not just good, but highly desirable motor vehicles. The Sportage, a compact five-seat SUV is a case in point.It's the fourth vehicle to bear the name here but a far cry from any of the models that preceded it, both in conception and execution. The ladder chassis has gone, so too has low range four-wheel drive, to be replaced by an edgy, soft roader that's designed mainly for urban duties.I confess to owning one of the first Sportages, a rugged little wheat-silver coloured off roader with a big heart and a 2.0-litre Mazda engine. It was excellent value for its time and, just like the first one, I wouldn't mind owning the latest models either - but for different reasons.The Sportage can hold its head high in any company. Not only does it look the goods, it's well built and rides and handles just like a BMW. There's a big call for you. Much of the cars success can be attributed to Kia's chief designer Peter Schreyer, who used to knock out new models for Audi.Schreyer has headed up the design team since 2006, putting his stamp on a range that has improved in leaps and bounds in the past couple of years. But mention the name Kia and there is still some prejudice to overcome. Guys, you really need to get over it, because this is just not the case anymore.For $38,990 you get a compact, five-seat soft road wagon with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, six-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive and Australian-tuned suspension along with all the trimmings including a heated and cooled driver's seat.The turbo diesel packs a wallop with 135kW of power and 392Nm of torque, and uses just 7.5 litres/100km. With a smallish 55-litre tank, that gives the diesel Sportage a theoretical range of about 730km. We've been getting about 7.7 litres/100km.Kia spent some time tuning the suspension for Australian roads and it shows, with a smooth planted feel that's not unlike a BMW. The Dynamax all-wheel-drive system is the latest of its kind and more advanced than that in the ix35.Inside you'll find leather upholstery and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. There's also a six-stack CD changer and high end sound system with separate subwoofer, as well as two power outlets in the centre console with AUX and USB inputs.The Platinum also gets fancy daytime LED running lights like the expensive Euros, larger 18-inch alloys with 235/55 rubber, tinted windows and a power operated sunroof. As long as you've got the key in your pocket the door will unlock automatically and its got keyless push button start too.Gets my vote.

It's been eight long years since Volkswagen last offered a Golf with a soft top. The cabrio skipped the previous fifth generation Golf all together, but the wait has been worth it because the new one's a beauty at a red hot price - considering the asking price for the last one was $50,000.CLOTH OR METAL ROOF?It's a four-door with a folding, three-layer cloth roof. Push a button to open the roof. Takes just 9 seconds to open and can be opened up to a speed of 30km/h. Closing takes a slightly longer 11 seconds. The roof has to go somewhere when it is closed and that means a small boot - par for the course with convertibles. You can drop the rear seat for longer loads.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?A 1.4-litre twin charged four cylinder engine that produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque from 1500 revs. Our respect for this engine continues to grow and it does an outstanding job of powering the cabrio. You could argue more power is warranted, but in reality this engine is all it needs. There's every likelihood of a diesel and perhaps the 155kW from the GTI will find its way into the car - but they reckon it won't be called a GTI. GTI and R concept versions of the cabrio have already been exhibited overseas.WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?Extremely well given its size and 1400kg weight. In either six-speed manual or seven speed DSG form, performance is strong and sporty. It's difficult to believe an engine this small can produce such satisfying results - but that's technology for you. Body flex is minimal and the thing goes around corners with impressive ease, although the ride can be a little jiggly on secondary roads. The manual change is easy to use and the self-shifting double-clutch box does what it does very well.WHAT ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY?55-litre tank. Takes premium unleaded. The manual is rated at 6.6 while the DSG trims this figure to 6.5 litres/100km. In reality they will use more than this, but not much more if drive steadily. During the launch the manual we drove recorded 9.9 litres/100km while the DSG driven by a colleague delivered 10.3 (we tend to get carried away at times).IS IT SAFE?Gets a full five stars, with five airbags including a driver's knee bag, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and two roll bars that pop up in the event of a rollover accident. Not sure how it gets five stars without any protection for the rear passengers?ANYTHING WE DIDN'T LIKE?VW made the decision to equip all cabrios with sports suspension. The result is a car that, driven enthusiastically, hangs on like a cat that doesn't want to go out for the night. BUT the ride is anything but smooth and we predict the largely female buyers that will be attracted to this car would have appreciated a smoother, more comfortable ride instead. Rear legroom is tight, but the majority of people who own these cars tend to drive two-up. A reversing camera should be standard, but it's a $1400 option which also requires the $3000 satellite navigation system. Space saver spare.SO WHAT'S IT COST?The manual is priced from $36,990 while the auto/DSG carries a $2500 premium bringing the price tag to $39,490 - both prices before on road costs. There's only one equipment grade, with cloth upholstery standard, along with cruise control, auto dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers, two-zone temperature controlled airconditioning, Bluetooth for phone and audio plus 6-speaker audio with USB multimedia interface for music players. Also comes with 17 inch alloys with 225/45 rubber and lowered sports suspension as standard.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CABRIOLET TSIPrice: from $36,990Resale: 54% (approx).Warranty: Three years, unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: Five star ENCAP, ABS, BA, stability and traction control, hill start assistEngines: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection supercharged & turbocharged petrol 118kW/240Nm.Transmission: Six speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated; FWDDimensions:  4337mm (l) 1423mm (h) 1782mm (w) weight 1424kg (DSG 1443kg)Thirst: 6.6l/100km, 155g/km, tank 55 litres.COMPETITORSThere aren't any really, not for this price. There's the Renault Megane priced from $45,990, BMW 1 Series from $53,200 or the Peugeot 308CC from $55,490. We're wondering what impact it will have on sales of the larger EOS coupe-convertible, but then again prices for EOS start from $49,990.

While the focus until now has been cutting the harmful engine emissions of cars, commercial vehicles should not be overlooked. Utes and vans and the like make up about 20 per cent of the vehicles sold in Australia and most of them probably clock up more kilometres each year than the average family car.With this in mind it's comforting to learn French car maker Renault has produced an electric version of its small delivery van the Kangoo - as well as the electric Fluence sedan. We drove both vehicles on a recent visit to Portugal but to be frank it was the Kangoo ZE that was more impressive.The Kangoo is targeted at business customers looking for an economical solution but one that is more "respectful" of the environment.Maybe it was the fact that we had lower expectations of the van, but we reckon it was the better drive. To put this in perspective we drove the 1.5-litre diesel version of the Kangoo not too long ago.While its a tough little competitor, the electric version could easily replace it and save operators of small fleets money into the bargain. Imagine a dozen of these things with a range of 170km which that take less than $100 a month to charge? It'd be perfect for a city-based delivery service like a courier or florist for instance.In Europe the battery is leased through the Better Place company which charges the equivalent of $95 a month which includes the power. Over there 70 per cent of delivery vans travel less than 100km a day.Renault has not confirmed whether it is bringing the Kangoo ZE to Australia, but given its strong desire to have us drive the vehicle it's a fair bet.The Kangoo ZE comes in two sizes, short and long wheelbase as well as a five-seat passenger version  - all with a 650kg carrying capacity. With a 22kWh battery that weighs about 260kg the ZE it has a range of about 150km from a single charge. The electric motor produces 44kW of power and 226Nm of torque. More importantly maximum torque (the important half of the equation) is available from zero revs. The battery does not intrude in anyway into the cargo area of the van which has the same capacity as the diesel.Unlike the Fluence however the battery cannot be swapped for a fully charged one. It must be plugged into a charge point to be recharged which takes six to eight hours or less with a commercial grade charger. The battery is mounted horizontally beneath the floor.The smaller lighter van is surprisingly nippy to drive and the pick of the bunch. The larger versions feel considerably heavier but the extra weight has little impact on power consumption. The harder you drive the van less range it has, but an eco button limits the speed of the van and can boost range by up to 10 per cent.With less moving parts Renault estimates maintenance costs are 20 per cent less than a petrol or diesel powered vehicle. That will also appeal to savvy fleet operators. With electricity something like 10 cents a kilowatt hour, it's a powerful argument.

By 2020 it's predicted that 1 in 10 cars will be electric vehicles. At the moment there's only a smattering of electric vehicles or EVs as they are called in Australia and not all of them are for sale to the public yet.There's the tiny Mitsubishi i-MIEV, the Lotus-based Tesla sports car and Nissan's hatchback LEAF, 16 of which are being trialled by the Victorian Government.Joining them soon will be the Renault Fluence ZE, an electric, zero emissions version of the French car maker's mid-sized sedan. The big difference between Fluence and other EVs is that it's entire battery can be swapped for a fully charged one greatly extending its range.Range or more specifically lack of it is one of the major drawbacks of EVs that can normally travel only 100km or so before they need to be recharged.Also, being new technology, until now EVs have been prohibitively expensive. Due to to arrive in showrooms towards the end of next year, we travelled to Portugal this week where we were able to drive the Renault Fluence ZE.VALUERenault has not set a price yet but has indicated it will be under $40,000 and that it will be generously equipped. To that figure, however, must be added the cost of the battery which will be supplied separately under a lease arrangement by Better Place based in Melbourne.With branches in the Israel, Denmark and the United States, the company has been formed to provide the necessary infrastructure that will make electric vehicles possible.It's not talking prices either, but overseas customers are paying $110 a month which includes the power itself but there could be an additional charge for the home charging station. The power by the way is all `green' power.TECHNOLOGYAt 4.75m the ZE is 180kg heavier and 13cm longer than the standard model. The extra length accommodates the battery which sits vertically behind the rear seat. The electric motor generates 70kW of power and 226Nm of torque.There's no gears or gearbox as such, just forward and reverse and it has a top speed of 135km/h. Full torque is available from zero revs and it can accelerate to 100km/h in 13.0 seconds (petrol model does it in 10.1).With a capacity of 22kW/h the car has a range of 185km on a single charge, but this varies a lot depending on conditions and the way you drive. Apart from a smallish boot, it's in all other respects just a normal car.DRIVINGNot bad. It's certainly no golf buggy. It feels and performs like a real car, not some pretend one and could easily replace that gas guzzler in the driveway. It's much quieter of course and throttle response was slow at times but generally okay, providing you're not expecting a V8. It can even be punted hard through corners without coming unstuck.We particularly like the braking effect provided by the engine going downhill. But we suspect the hard, low roll resistance Goodyears could be harsh on our roads. A sophisticated GPS-based management system keeps track of power usage and let's you know when and where to find a charge or battery swap station if needed.RECHARGINGRenault and Better Place believe 90 per cent of customers will charge the car when they get home at night. This takes from 6 and 8 hours but for longer journeys the idea is to call into one of the Quick Drop stations that will be established where a depleted battery can be replaced with a fully charged one, a process which takes about five minutes.Both the power supplied this way and at home is provided free as part of the lease deal. If you spend $80 or more a week on petrol Better Place claims it will save you money.VERDICTYou better get used to the idea. It's the way of the future and as the technology gets better so will the cars (and their range). The price of oil is only going to go up, not to mention the environmental consequences of continuing to pump CO2 into the atmosphere.The very fact we've been driving this car suggests the change is closer than you think. It's simply a matter of making the decision to switch.

The big A8 is Audi's flagship model and competes against the likes of the Benz S-Class and BMW's 7 Series.But it's sportier than the Benz and stands out in a way that the 7 Series never could - a car that for some reason is virtually invisible on the road. The big diesel walks the line between performance and economy, unlike a petrol V8.VALUEDeep breath. It's high end luxury and the asking price is a whopping $234,500, about $80,000 more than we guessed. For the same price you can have the 4.2 FSI petrol model or, if more legroom is required, there's also a long wheelbase version for another $15,000.Standard features include leather, wood, a sunroof, four-zone airconditioning, power operated boot, plus hard drive audio with satellite navigation and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.The thing is even at this price many features remain optional some of which should perhaps be standard like adaptive cruise control at $5400. It's opulent all right but for a high end model, a little light on in the gadget department.DESIGNThe A8 is Audi's technology leader. It's a long 5.137 metres, aluminium bodied to save weight and kitted out with lots of leather and wood trim. Our test vehicle even smelled like it had been freshly polished inside. The front seats are 22-way power adjustable and the ambient strip lighting in the cabin is a real treat at night.SAFETYAs good as it gets with a pre-sense safety system for avoiding accidents and for minimizing their consequences. Comes with all the safety gear you'd expect including six airbags, all-wheel drive, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.TECHNOLOGYThe 4.1-litre, not 4.2 twin turbo diesel V8 (it has a capacity of 4134cc) delivers 258kW of power and a massive 800Nm of torque from a low 1750 revs. 0-100km/h takes a surprisingly quick 5.5 seconds and it even sounds like a V8, but doesn't have anywhere near the same appetite for fuel.Claimed fuel consumption is an incredible 7.6 litres/100km, which with a 90 litre tank gives the car a range of 1184km  but the trip computer was showing a more realistic longterm average of 12.8.The V8 is hooked up to a state of the art eight speed auto complete with paddles shifts, with drive to all four wheels via a self-locking centre differential. Despite its size it weighs only 1995kg because of the all-aluminium construction.DRIVEThe all-wheel drive system is biased towards the rear to give the car a sportier feel, with a sports differential that distributes power between the rear wheels for better handling. Feels slower than it is but when the lights go green you'll soon discover yourself 200 metres down the road ahead of everyone else. Even in dynamic mode the adaptive air suspension was a little soft for our liking, but you can add sports suspension for another $2200.It has really annoying brakes that pull you up abruptly but then the car rocks backwards and forwards on its suspension before finally coming to rest.VERDICTOf the big German three we prefer the Audi, but if economy is a priority we'd probably opt for the much cheaper 3.0-litre diesel which also offers plenty of performance. Then of course there's the superlative S8 which we'd buy in heartbeat if we won Lotto.AUDI A8Price: $234,000 (FSI), $188,000 (V6), $234,500 (TDI V8)Engines: 4.2L V8 petrol, 3.0L TDI V6, 4.2L TDI V8)Power: 273kW (FSI), 184kW (V6), 258kW (TDI V8)Torque: 445Nm (FSI), 550Nm (V6), 800Nm (TDI V8)Transmission: 8-speed auto with paddle shiftsEconomy: (l/100km): 9.5 (FSI), 6.6 (V6), 7.6 (TDI V8) CO2 (g/km): 219 (FSI), 176 (V6), 199 (TDI V8)

In a way it really had to be or the high fliers who buy these cars would not have given it a second glance. It had to be something very special and special it is indeed as we discovered this week behind the wheel at Victoria's Sandown race track.Sure it goes hard and stops just as quickly, with an exhilirating exhaust note that sounds like an F1 car — but there's so much more to this car. Ten years in the making, the LFA symbolises everything that Lexus says it strives to be — innovative, passionate and inspirational.TECHNOLOGYThe heart of the matter is a carbon fibre shell fitted with a light weight all-aluminium 4.8-litre V10 that pumps out 412kW of power and 480Nm of torque, combined with a sequential single clutch robotised manual transmission and oil cooler.The LFA has a top speed of 325km/h and accelerates to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. A special Nurburgring edition boosts power to 420kW. Yamaha gave the guys some help with the engine design and as a result it revs all the way to 9000rpm.DESIGNSixty-five per cent of LFA's body structure is carbon fibre, while the remaining 35 per cent is aluminium. The original analogue dials were replaced with a digital instrumentation because the analogue tachometer couldn't keep up.The LFA is an infinitely better looking thing than Nissan's GT-R and faster around Germany's famous Nurburgring too, where it held the production car record until recently. Among others the LFA boasts the world's first seatbelt airbag to reduce chest and neck bruising.LIMITED EDITIONOnly 500 of the cars will be built, of which 170 have already found homes in the United States, another 150 have gone to Japan itself and a mere handful are headed our way — 10 to be exact (maybe a couple more if Lexus can swing it).In the States, one couple bought the car simply because it was the most expensive Lexus available and they had always owned the top model. But the buyers are not the usual suspects, revealed Lexus Australia corporate manager Peter Evans.For the most part they're successful, self-made men, 35-45 years of age whose faces you are unlikely to see in the newspapers. One owns a Bugatti Veyron and the others own or have owned other performance cars. One man is even thinking of buying a second Nurburg edition to keep and drive in the United States.As a group, Evans said they are remarkably unpretentious.Lexus took three buyers to the Nurburgring where until a few weeks ago the LFA held the lap record for a production car. What they share is an overwhelming enthusiasm for the car."They're a fascinationg group of individuals," he said.So what do you get for your $700,000 apart from the car? For one thing you get private tuition from racing driver Alan Jones who is the Lexus LFA ambassador. It doesn't get better than that.LEXUS LFAPrice: $750,000Economy: 16.7 l/100km; 387g/km CO2Safety equipment: 5 airbags, ABS, EBD, stability control.Engine: 412kW/480Nm 4.8-litre 40-valve DOHC V10Transmission: rear-mounted six-speed automated sequential gearboxBody: 2-door, 2 seatsDimensions: 4505mm (L); 1895mm (W); 1220mm (H); 2605mm (WB)Weight: 1540kgTyre size: 20in (fr 265/35, rr 305/30), no sparePerformance: 0-100 km/h 3.7 seconds, top speed 325km/h.