Articles by Chris Riley

The sausage machine at Hyundai keeps on grinding them with the launch this week of a new Accent.It joins the new Elantra that went on sale a few weeks ago and is the second Hyundai model to get a name instead of a number.Confused?I am and I can only wonder what the man in the street must make of it all . . .To put things in perspective, models with a name like the Accent are targeted primarily at the North American market while those starting with the Applesque “i” are designed with Europe in mind.Lucky Oz gets to pick and chose which models it takes.In terms of size, the new Accent slots between the i20 and i30 models, but is available as both a sedan and hatch, powered by the same 1.6-litre four cylinder petrol engine.The hatch looks suspiciously like the i30 and doesn't appear to be that much smaller, but difference is likely to become greater with a new, larger i30 due early next year.Available in three grades; Active, Elite and Premium, the lineup is likely to change with the arrival later in the year of a 1.6-litre diesel and more powerful 1.6-litre GDI direct injection petrol engine.The latter is likely to power a sportier SR version of the car with an a body kit and the works. Disappointingly, at this stage, the choice is either five-speed manual or a pedestrian four speed auto (albeit a sequential).But this too could change with the introduction of a six-speed auto, probably at the same time the GDI gets here.The launch of the new Accent has also precipitated some changes to the i20 range which in future will be available only with a 1.4-litre engine.Prices for the new Accent start at $16,990 for the Active manual rising to $22,990 for the Premium auto (sedan and hatch are the same price).We were able to sample the manual hatch and automatic sedan at the launch in and around Sydney. Accent is a surprisingly impressive offering, maybe better than the best-selling Mazda2 which is starting to show its age.It looks smart, fit and finish is good, it's nice and quiet inside and is a snack to drive around town. For the time being at least the 1.6-litre engine is close to the most powerful in its class with 91kW of power and 156Nm of torque and fuel economy of 6.0 litres/100km.The manual change is slick and easy to use while the four-speed auto makes a fair fist of it, with the option of changing gears manually if you're looking for a little spark.The ride has benefited enormously from local tuning and this was particularly evident in the sedan which soaked up speed humps like they didn't exist.Rear legroom is good, the boot is generous and a full size spare is provided.We look forward to giving the Accent a more searching test drive later.Standard equipment includes Bluetooth and full iPod connectivity with AUX and USB inputs, along with steering wheel mounted controls for phone and audio.

The CT200h is unchartered territory for the Toyota's luxury car arm. It's both a hatch and smaller than anything that Lexus has produced so far. The drive train is also skewed towards economy rather than performance, in contrast ot its other hybrid offerings. But the larger 2.4-litre based hybrid system from Camry may find its way into the car, if the recent appearance of a concept with this power train at the famous Nurburgring is any indication.The Lexus CT is turning heads and could easily become the biggest selling car in its segment, as well as the biggest selling Lexus based on price alone. The main focus of the CT, it's raison d'etre is to lure younger buyers to the brand. Being a hybrid, it offers an important point of difference between it and its European rivals. Until now, the only Lexus that has been vaguely attractive to the Gen-Ys has been secondhand examples of the sporty IS sedan.Priced from $39,990, the five-seat hatch comes in four grades, Prestige, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury.  Our test vehicle, the flashy $49,990 1.8-litre F Sport model is not surprisingly proving to be most popular. Climate and leather with heated front seats are standard. Driver's seat is power adjustable and the F-Sport adds 17-inch wheels and sports suspension. Also gets satnav, Bluetooth and killer 10-speaker audio.It's all about the tech. Lots of LEDs used to reduce power consumption. Gets 5 stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide, same as a Prius with a C02 output figure of just 95g/km. One of the most interesting aspects of the car is the drive mode system that alters throttle response, electric-drive voltage and steering feedback, as well as the stability control parameters when switched to sport mode. Just so you won't have any doubts about which mode you're in, the ambient lighting changes from blue to red when the driver selects sport mode and the eco meter magically changes to a rev counter, unless cruised is activated.CT stands for compact technology. The car sits on an all-new platform but employs the same hybrid powertrain as Prius, with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine along with an electric motor to give it some extra oomph when needed. Unlike other Lexus models, drive is through the front wheels with a continuously variable style CVT transmission.The combined output of the two motors is a conservative 100kW but it performs better than the figures might suggest. The car's biggest selling point is, of course, its fuel economy, officially rated at 4.1 litres/100km (less than a Prius). We got 554km from our first tank at a rate of 5.8 litres/100km.Electronically controlled anti-lock brakes, with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. Also gets stability, traction and hill-start assist control. Comes with a total of eight airbags, including knee bags for both the driver and front passenger. Also the first Lexus with a rear seatbelt monitor system. This model comes with a reversing camera for added safety.Hasn't received a rating from Australian NCAP yet, but has achieved 5 stars for safety in European crash tests.Here's a chassis that's crying out for something more. Tackles corners with confidence and composure, but you have to put the boot in to get the best out of it. Has a small 45-litre fuel tank and prefers premium unleaded which gives it a range of over 1000km.The switch to performance mode makes a significant to throttle response, releasing more power to the electric motor. In sport mode, the stability system allows some slide to fully exploit the vehicle's dynamic abilities.Not bad. Quiet and comfortable. More likeable than we anticipated. Certainly stands out in electric blue with black alloys. Rides and handles well but a little more power would be lovely — you can't argue with the economy though.

Don't laugh because it could soon be a reality as cars become not just safer but smarter too. For example Volvo is currently working on a system that detects wild life on the road that will when it is introduced render the bull bar obsolete. It works night or day at "rural" speeds and is likely to be put into production within the next two years. The idea is that by preventing the possibility of a a collision, it removes the need for such measures as a bull bar. It's a philosphy that could have far-reaching implications for the future of car design. The poor old kangaroo is not going to be too unappy either. The project is an extension of Volvo's City Safe and Collision Warning (with Pedestrian Detection) systems that are now finding their way into new models as they are released. The Swedish car maker is claiming an industry first for both systems which are all part of its grand plan for the future called "Vision for 2020" when it hopes that no one will be killed or injured a Volvo. Volvo chose Sydney's Eastern Creek race track to demonstrate the use of City Safe and Pedestrain Detection this week. City Safe which is now standard on some models is designed to prevent rear enders while pedestrian detection works at much higher speeds and can differentiate between objects. Using a combination of inflatabile cars and dummies, we were invited to let the cars do the braking. It feels strange but it works, with some caveats. City Safe first made an appearance in 2009 in the XC60 and uses a laser to detect objects ahead. It works up to a speed of 30km/h and provides the driver with visual and audible warnings of an impending collision. If the driver does nothing to intervene it will automatically apply the brakes. The more sophisticated Pedestrian Detection works up to a speed of 80km/h and uses a combination of radar and cameras to detect objects. To put things in perspective Volvo has been attending and keeping records of accidents in Sweden since 1970. Back then Volvo drivers had a 10 per cent chance of being killed or injured in a car accident. These days the figure is more like four per cent and continues to fall. Interestingly, however, Volvo believes the empahsis for avoiding an accident should remain squarely with the driver. As such safety system such as these are designed to be as uncomfortable as possible, so drivers will not rely them. Rear enders we're told account for some 75 per cent of accidents and though mostly minor are costly to repair. One thing is for sure, City Safe must get results or insurers like the NRMA would not be offering a 20 per cent discount on premium for cars fitted with the system. City Safe is standard on the XC60, S60 and V60 models. City Safety uses a laser sensor and is only active at low speeds. It will prevent an accident up to a speed of 20km/h and reduce the likely impact up to 30km/h - after that you're on your own. City Safe does not differentiate between objects but works for both stationary and moving objects. Pedestrian detection with full auto brake uses both radar and a camera to identify the type of object in front. It works up to a speed of 80km/h with a decline Radar and camera have a longer detection range than the City Safety sensor and therefore work in the full speed range.

WE turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering ... would you buy one?What is it?The first three-door version of Toyota's mid-size off road wagon. We use the term mid-size loosely however because it's a pretty big beast these days. The blunt lines are in contrast to the contoured, European designed lines of the previous model, but it's more aerodynamic.How much?Priced from $55,990 (also a more expensive ZR model for $65,904). The three-door is available only as a diesel and in auto form only.What are the competitors?Used to be a three-door Pajero but they canned it leaving Prado with this corner of the market to itself. For the same price you can have the GX five-door.What's under the bonnet?3.0-litre turbo diesel hooked up to a five-speed auto with manual mode. The four-cylinder diesel comes with new injectors and a new front mounted intercooler but its output remains the same at 127kW and 410Nm.How does it go?Fine in a straight line, not so hot around corners and virtually unstoppable off road with its short front and rear overhangs.Is it economical?Gets 8.5 litres/100km according to the book. We were getting 8.4 after close to 700km. That's pretty good for something this size.Is it 'Green?'Bet each way with this one. Gets 2.5 stars out of 5 from the Government's Green Guide. It's a  diesel but it's a big heavy vehicle and it takes plenty of power to get it moving. Only gets 3 out of 10 for air pollution where 10 is the best.Is it safe?Full five stars for safety. All Prados get seven airbags, vehicle stability control, all-terrain traction control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.Is it comfortable?Yes, in an armchair sort of way. The high driving position and smaller dimensions make it easy to drive, but it doesn't like to be pushed.What's it like to drive?Plenty of rock and roll, both back and forth as well as sideways. Wait until you hit the brakes hard for the first time. Front has a tendency to nose dive which can be disconverting. Don't like the tacky trip computer either which doubles as a reversing camera.Is it value for money?$55,000 is a big chunck of cash, but it buys airconditioning, cruise control, smart entry with push button start, 220-volt rear accessory socket, along with Bluetooth, USB auxiliary input and iPod control, alloy wheels, conversation mirror and a ventilated coolbox.Would we buy one?Can't see any reason we'd want a three door. Plenty of room in the back seat, but obviously less space for luggage. Then again this one can lug a 3 tonne load.

The number of small delivery vans has grown dramatically in the past few years. Like Doctor Who's Tardus they're bigger inside than you think and often fit the bill better than a larger van, with offerings from VW, Holden, Peugeot and Renault — to name a few.VALUEFor $25,990 driveaway Renault's recently updated Kangoo runaround represents excellent value. For the same price you can have either the 1.6-litre petrol version with a four-speed auto or the 1.5-litre turbo diesel with a five-speed manual transmission.DESIGNThe new Kangoo is built on the Scenic people mover platform and offers a greater level of driving refinement, not to mention a surprisingly high driving position. Longer and wider than before, the diesel can swallow 3.0 cubic metres and carry a payload of up to 800kg, compared with the previous model's 2.75 cu m and 530kg. It's also significantly more than the petrol version's 650kg.Unlike some competitors, however, it comes in only the one length or wheelbase with a single sliding side access door. The kerb-side sliding door provides 635mm of access, while the rear barn-style doors open wide for bulkier items. Six tie-down points are provided in the rear.A driver's airbag is standard along with four-wheel disc brakes, with ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist). Sadly, electronic stability control remains an option and is available only with the petrol model. Bluetooth and cruise control with a speed limiter are standard. The equipment list is generous and you can stream audio from your Bluetooth phone.A load area liner and load area lighting complete the package. Kangoo comes with a 3-year 150,000km warranty which includes roadside assistance.TECHNOLOGYKangoo's 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine generates 63kW of power at 3750 revs and 200Nm of torque from a low 1900 revs. Offering class leading fuel economy of 5.2 litres/100km, with a 60-litre tank it has a range of well over 1000km. The engine is quiet and smooth thanks to a double flywheel damper, multi injection cycle and specially designed engine mounts.DRIVINGOur test vehicle the 1.5-litre turbo diesel was a real surprise packet, small and manoeuvrable and quite nippy. The elevated driving position, big windows and large exterior mirrors provide plenty of vision and the large wide opening doors make getting in and out a snack. Unlike larger diesels there's a limit to the amount of torque available and this means having to change down on steeper hills.We got 5.9 litres/100km over a distance of almost 500km during testing. Because the cabin is not physically separated from the load area the van is quiet noisy inside and it is difficult to strike a balance between hot and cold with the airconditioning.The seating position is comfortable, but the steering wheel is not reach adjustable and height adjustment for the driver's seat is optional, with a parcel shelf overhead for storing items. A bar behind the driver provides some protection from the load moving forward in the event of an accident.The new model is larger than before. Loads of up to 1218mm wide will slide between the rear wheel arches.

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering ... would you buy one?WHAT IS IT? Confusing. There's two Accords. This one tagged the Euro is the sportier one. Don't know why they don't just call it the Euro and be done with it?HOW MUCH? Priced from $29,340 right up to $44,290 with satnav. The good news is the price of the entry level 6-speed manual has been slashed by $2150.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS? Any of the Jap sedans with sporty pretensions. We'd also throw in the new Kia Optima for good measure (just wait until you see one). But the Euro is the best looking of the lot.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET? 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine. Produces a class leading 148kW of power and 234Nm of torque (only matched by the new Optima which actually delivers a bit more torque).HOW DOES IT GO? Good blend of performance and economy. The manual change is slick and easy to use. It's a while since we last drove the Euro and we'd forgotten just how good this car is.IS IT ECONOMICAL? The 6-speed manual is rated at 8.7 litres/100km. We covered a couple of hundred kilometres at 8.5, but we reckon it will do better than this.IS IT 'GREEN?' Gets 4 out of 5 stars from the Government's Green Guide, with a greenhouse rating of 6/10, air pollution rating 8.5/10 and CO2 emissions of 212g/km. (Prius sets the pace with 5).IS IT SAFE? Gets a full 5 stars for safety, with six airbags, active front head restraints, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution as well as electronic traction and stability control.IS IT COMFORTABLE? Nice and quiet and very comfortable. Seats are excellent and the driving position is good, with rake and reach adjustment for the wheel. 10-speaker sound system standard with iPod integration.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Very smooth. Very responsive steering. No red light racer, but has a sporty edge with excellent dynamics. Suspension is firm but not harsh.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY? Recently upgraded with some minor cosmetic changes. Now comes with Bluetooth, a new foldaway key, USB connectivity and Trailer Stability Assist on all models. Phone can be controlled from the steering wheel.WOULD WE BUY ONE? You bet. This is the best thing Honda makes at the moment. We hear you can get the recently superseded model for just $32K driveaway - what a bargain?

The Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion is certainly a fuel miser of the highest order, better than a Prius and almost the most fuel efficient car in Australia. That honour goes to Ford's smaller Fiesta Econetic hatch, but not by much which is rated at 3.7 litres/100km, the BlueMotion's is 3.8. With just over 750km on the clock, our test vehicle still had a third of a tank of diesel left and the trip computer claimed it was good for another 310km. That's impressive.We were also impressed by the car's sporty appearance and comfortable seating, but still baulk at the prospect of having to buy a manual (there's no auto). If you are a commuter and you do a lot of kilometres, most of them on the motorway, then this is the car for you. But, if you live in the city, and often get caught in traffic, pushing the clutch in and out and having to change gears all the time is likely to become tiresome.TECHNOLOGYWhat's even more irksome, is the fact that Volkswagen actually removed the 1.6-litre 77TDI diesel with a 7-speed DSG transmission from its inventory to make way for this car. The BlueMotion features the same 1.6-litre turbo diesel but with several refinements to improve fuel economy.The 1.6 delivers 77kW of power at 4400 revs and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 2000 revs. It's paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, with gear ratios that we're told do a better job of keeping revs in the torque band where it is most efficient.The engine management system has been revised to reduce idle speed and a visual prompt tells the driver when to change gears for maximum economy. A stop/start system is also part of the setup that shuts down the engine at traffic lights, provided the car is put into neutral and the energy normally lost during braking is diverted to the car's battery.Although the Golf Blue Motion is rated at 3.8 litres/100km, motorists are unlikely to achieve this figure in daily driving. We were getting 5.1 litres/100km, an excellent result and one of the best. But it's not that far ahead of the of the 77TDI model that we had for several weeks, rated at 5.1 but returned a steady 5.5 litres/100km.DRIVINGThe gearing in the Blue Motion model is very tall, with higher than normal stall speeds in each gear — so you need to be vigilant. Not sure why they don't fit a 6-speed which would provide a tall final gear, but zippier performance in between. With a 55-litre fuel tank and economy of 3.8 litres/100km, the car has a theoretical range of 1447km.Like other Golfs it has seven airbags, plenty of driver assistance systems and a maximum five-star safety rating. But the spare wheel has been replaced by a reinflation kit to reduce weight, which is down to 1234kg. The car is well equipped and comes in four colours including environmental blue, but misses out on Bluetooth which remains optional.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF BLUEMOTIONPrice: from $28,990Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo dieselPower: 77kW at 4400revsTorque: 250Nm from 1500revs to 2500revsTransmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive.

Peugeot's new 508 replaces not one but two models _ the 407 and larger 607 which has been around for years.It's a more conservatively styled car, right down to the badge which now floats on the bonnet and no longer the main focus of attention.The French car maker hopes the new look will have a longer shelf-life than the confronting, "frog-mouthed" look epitomised by models like the 308 and 407.DESIGNAvailable as a sedan or wagon, there's no word yet whether there will be a coupe but the two-door SR1 concept car shown last year strongly suggests so.Just to confuse matters, there is in fact a 408 but it's a 308 sedan with a longer wheelbase that is also coming here.The 508 shares the same platform and power trains as the gorgeous Citroen C5 with which it shares a production line in Rennes, France.It's 116mm longer than a 407 and 110mm shorter than the 607 sedan, but actually has a longer wheelbase than either.It's also 77kg lighter than a 407 and the longer wheelbase translates to 53mm more legroom. Of perhaps more interest is the expected arrival in May next year of a hybrid, jacked-up, all-wheel drive version of the 508 wagon called the HyBrid4.TECHNOLOGYIt will be powered by a combination of diesel and electric motors, with a diesel engine at the front driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear axle down the back. Peugeot claims it is a solution that breaks new ground in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.The 508 will be available initially with a choice of 2.0 or 2.2-litre turbo diesel engines, with a 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine and super economical 1.6-litre turbo diesel to follow. The 150kW/450Nm 2.2 -litre engine produces the same amount of power but slightly more torque than the twin-turbo 2.7 litre V6 that it replaces.The 2.0-litre delivers 120kW/340Nm and fuel economy for both engines is a claimed 5.7 litres/100km.In future all Peugeots will be offered in a choice of three grades _ Access, Active and Allure. The 508 gets the ball rolling, with a sedan in mid-spec Active and top spec Allure grades. The Touring station wagon is offered in top spec Allure only .Over and above these models sits the top of the line GT sedan, powered exclusively by the 150kW 2.2-litre diesel.Described as more of a driver's car, it features a different front suspension setup. But, it's no sports sedan _ think relaxed tourer.All models are fitted with a six-speed Japanese Aisin transmission that allows the driver to change gears manually.VALUEPeugeot is pitching the car against the new VW Passat.Priced from $36,990, it's $1000 less than the Passat but has a number of advantages including fixed price $330 servicing each year for three years or 60,000km.DRIVINGWe drove the 2.0-litre Allure sedan and 2.2-litre GT sedan at the launch of the car in Victoria's Yarra Valley this week.It's a handsome thing, with flowing lines suggesting a touch of Jaguar's XF and BMW 6 series around the boot line.Fit and finish are good but the first thing we noticed was how quiet both models are inside, despite the rattler up front.Both exhibited plenty of grip on damp winding roads, with finely tuned stability control that is not intrusive.The GT feels quantifiably more communicative and responsive to the wheel thanks to its lightweight double wishbone front suspension.With its looks, price and performance Peugeot could have a winner on its hands.

My son was disappointed that it wasn't turbo or supercharged. But it was this very thing that attracted me to the car. Force-fed engines have their place but there's nothing like the sound and feel of a free revving naturally aspirated power plant.TECHNOLOGYThe 3.8-litre flat pack in the Porsche Carrera produces 300kW of power at a lofty 7300 revs and whips the car into action like the throrougbred it is. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 4.6 seconds and the car has a top speed of 306km/h — not that it matters much on our crappy bloody roads. So what if the Turbo's quicker off the mark?The GTS comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard or you can tick the box for the 7-speed PDK auto, which adds 4km/h to the top speed and reduces the time it takes to get to 100km/h from 4.6 to 4.2 seconds.VALUEIt's also costs 100,000 more, not that I could afford either car anyway. Priced from $270,000 the new 911 Carrera GTS wears its badge well, with pumped out rear guards, black 19 inch alloys and fiery red brake calipers.The quad exhaust outlets could he described as overkill, but what the hell — go big or go home? The GTS sits midway between the Carrera S and race bred GT3 with 17 more kilowatts than the S but 20 less than the GT3.DESIGNIt's splitting hairs really because there's nothing unexciting about the way this car looks, sounds or performs. The GTS combines the wider body of the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 with its wider track together with a classic rear engined, rear-wheel drive arrangement.It's a classic Porsche in every sense of the term, wtih guards that hide massive 305/30 series Bridgestone Potenzas designed to keep the bum pinned down.Other features which set this car apart include the SportDesign front apron edged in black, special sideskirts, also in black, and the GTS logo on the doors and rear lid — in black or silver depending on the body colour (our car was white). The area between the two tailpipes at the rear is also finished in black.The interior of the car is trimed in suede-like Alcantara and getting in and out can be challenging which explains why they sell so many Cayennes.DRIVINGSlower it may be, but we'll take the manual every day thank you, because we like to drive and after all — isn't this what this car's supposed to be all about?After punting around for a couple of days trying to stay away from the highway patrol we discovered the little button that adds a louder, more urgent note to the exhaust. That's the button you'll want to hit before going anywhere — too bad it won't stay on all the time.The suspension is switchable and ranges between firm and very firm which can be irritating at times, especially on our beloved back roads — them's the breaks. The only thing we didn't like about the GTS was having to give it back (and all the wankers in Fords and Holdens that want to race you).PORSCHE 911 GTSPrice: $270,100 (coupe), $288,700 (cabriolet)Engine: 3.8-litre inline six; 300kW/420NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; 7-speed twin clutch autoThirst: 10.2L litres/100km (estimate) 

…by adding a petrol engine. Now, you'd think this would turn the car into a petrol-electric hybrid, but not so according to the Swedish car maker. It prefers to think of the "supplemental" petrol engine as a range extender. When it comes to electric vehicles "range anxiety" has been identified as one of the chief consumer concerns. It's the nagging fear that the car is going to run out of charge leaving the driver stranded by the side of the road. At present the two electric cars on the market in Australia both have a range of less than 150km. Volvo says it has developed "range extenders" for its electric cars that add 1000km in extra range. It is able to achieve this by fitting an internal combustion engine to increase their effective range. Volvo describes the move as the next step in its electrification strategy. "Battery cost and size mean that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range," says says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering. "With the Range Extender, the electric car has its effective range increased by a thousand kilometres — yet with carbon dioxide emissions below or way below 50g/km." Volvo has come up with three different combinations, all with three cylinder petrol engines to "complement" electric drive to the front wheels. All three variants feature brake energy regeneration and will run on both petrol and an ethanol E85 combination. Two of the solutions are based on the Volvo C30 Electric. In both cases, the standard battery pack has been reduced in size to make room for the combustion engine and its fuel tank.