Articles by Chris Riley

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 up-spec Euro minus satellite navigation. If you want to be told where to go, then that's going to cost you another three grand. HOW MUCH? $41,290 buys you all the trimmings, including leather and climate controlled airconditioning. One notable exception is Bluetooth which is a $500 dealer fit option. WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS? Plenty in this segment as the market looks to downsize. Ford's Mondeo looks the goods and offers sporty dynamics as does the all-new Kizashi from Suzuki which rates pretty highly in our books. WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET? 2.4-litre four cylinder engine that near the top of its class for power and torque. It's hooked up to a six-speed manual or five-speed auto and produces 148kW of power at 7000 revs and 234Nm of torque at 4200 revs. Translation: it's your typical high revving Honda power plant. HOW DOES IT GO? Very well. Ours was the auto with change paddles. Can be caught napping if you're not careful, as it needs a few revs to get going — but offers a satisfying combination of power and economy most of the time. Is it economical? Not bad for a car this size. The auto is is rated at 8.9 litres/100km, but we've been getting about 8.7 IS IT `GREEN?' Four out five stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius hybrid gets five). Is it safe? Gets a full five stars for safety from ANCAP with front, side and curtain airbags, plus active front head restraints and electronic traction and stability control. IS IT COMFORTABLE? Very. Not too big and not too small, feels just right. Comfortable seats. Front seats heated and driver's is eight-way power adjust, with plenty of room for adult frames. WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Not exactly exciting, but certainly doesn't put a foot wrong. Sporty looks are backed up by good dynamics, with flat cornering and plenty of traction. IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY? Yes and no. We like the look and feel and the price is competitive, but it has plenty of strong competition in this segment (Suzuki's sporty new Kizashi springs to mind). Gets front and rear parking sensors, but misses out on a revesing camera. WOULD WE BUY ONE? For many people the Euro is a hop off point before they can afford a European car. The styling is near perfect, but it still has that hint of plastic that plagues the interior of Hondas. The Euro would be high on our shopping list if we were in the market for a mid-sized sedan.

It's been a long time coming but Honda's hybrid Insight is finally here and on the road. For all intents and purposes it looks very much like the Toyota Prius on which it is obviously modelled. Given the world-wide success of Prius, it's not surprising. Honda no doubt wants a slice of that hybrid cake.VALUENot as large or expensive as a Prius, the Insight does what it does pretty well, providing economical transport at an affordable price. The thing is, for the asking price of $29,990 for the entry level Insight VTi, you could probably achieve the same if not better results with any number of diesel powered alternatives. The Golf 77TDI Trendline that we drove recently springs to mind. While fuel consumption for the Insight is officially rated at 4.6 litres/100km, the automatic version of the Golf tips the scales at 5.1.Having said that, we've been getting about 5.5 litres/100km from our test Insight VTi. To be fair, the Insight produces cleaner engine emissions, but most people will be focused on fuel consumption. But there's not much in it, with the Insight getting a five-star rating from the Government's Green Guide and the Golf sneaking in with a four. The problem with the diesels is that they emit of lot of nitrous oxides.Then again, if you are entirely unconcerned about the environment, $29,990 is going to buy you a large chunk of many other cars.DESIGNInsight's sloping glass back conceals a large but shallow load area, with a lower glassed panel just like Prius. It will seat four people in reasonable comfort, although it has seatbelts for five.TECHNOLOGYThe hybrid, petrol-electric power train consists of a 1.3-litre petrol engine, combined with a 10kW electric motor which provides assistance when necessary. The combined output is 72kW of power and 167Nm of torque, with maximum torque available at a low 1000 revs thanks to the instant on electric motor. With a smallish 40-litre fuel tank, the Insight has a theoretical cruising range of about 870km.DRIVINGWe never looked like getting anything like this in the car we drove, but we're getting an Insight for a longer period shortly so we'll be able to bring you further updates on the car's longterm fuel economy. Unlike diesels, it should be noted that hybrids perform best in city driving because the power train captures and stores the energy normally lost in braking which it uses to power the battery.The hybrid powertrain is teamed with a CVT-style, continuously variable automatic transmission with its trademark zoom acceleration.A sport setting is provided for better performance and greater engine braking on downhill runs. Performance was adequate if unexciting, but suited to its role as a city car. We'd also rate the ride quality as better than Prius. Although our test car was fitted with cruise control, it often had difficulty maintaining sets speeds, particularly on uphill sections.It comes with a five-star safety rating and full complement of safety equipment including six airbags. Bluetooth is also standard.HONDA INSIGHT HYBRIDPrice: from around $30,000Engine: 98kW/123Nm 1.3-litre, 10kW/78Nm electric motorTransmission: CVT; front-wheel driveEconomy: 4.4L/100km (95RON)

To be auctioned by Shannons at Sydney's Meguiars MotorEx on July 25, the Bathurst homologation special is expected to fetch close to $300,000.  The Palais White A9X, serial number J590981, was the very first of just 100 two-door hatch and 305 four-door Torana A9X sedans built for sale to the public between August and December 1977.It was initially one of two Holden press and promotional vehicles before being acquired by leading Sydney Holden dealer and racing driver Ron Hodgson.  And it has covered just 16,000km since new in the hands of a series of careful collector/owners.Created as an improvement of the previous L34 racing Toranas, the A9X was actually a Performance Equipment Package available on a range of LX models fitted with the 5.0 litre, 308-cid engine.  It was introduced in August 1977 to ensure its eligibility for that year's Bathurst 1000 race and was priced at a now-bargain $10,600 for the four-door Sedan and $10,800 for the Hatch.Yet surprisingly the A9X was a slow seller, leading GM-H to broaden the model's colour palette to clear stocks.  While race versions were equipped with the L34 engine, T10 gearbox, roll cage, wide wheels and long-range fuel tanks, new Australian Design Rules and Emission laws dictated that all A9X Toranas rolled off the assembly line in the same, more basic specification — fitted with Holden's stock L31 5.0-litre V8.The A9X was the first Holden to be fitted standard with rear discs and its Salisbury differential also meant the extra tall 2.60:1 final drive ratio could be used to advantage on Bathurst's long Conrod straight.  The cars were clearly identified by their new rear facing, bonnet-mounted carburettor induction scoop, one of the 100 or so differences that set the A9X apart from standard LX Toranas.The rest is history.  Although failing to spoil Fords’ Moffat Dealer Team 1-2 party at Bathurst that year, the A9X went on to become the most successful , ever built by Holden.

WHAT IS IT?Kizashi is Suzuki's first go at a larger car and it's an impressive effort. Looks the goods and is about the size of a Camry or Mazda6, with a 2.4-litre four cylinder engine and space for five occupants. The Japanese name interestingly means 'something good is coming'.HOW MUCH?Our top of the range XLS manual is priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs. A CVT style auto will set you back another $2000. Bluetooth is $500 and satnav is a prohibitive $4000, though we're told Bluetooth will soon be standard on XLS.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS?The aforementioned Camry and Mazda6, plus the likes of Liberty, Mondeo, Accord Euro, new Hyundai i45 etc. In terms of size it's exactly the same width as a Camry but with its short rump is about 16cm shorter.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?A 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine, with 131kW of power and 230Nm of torque. That's more power and torque than Camry, but it falls short of the current front runner the i45 at 148kW. The engine is a development of that in the Grand Vitara.HOW DOES IT GO?Not bad. Smooth and nice and quiet, with impressive ride and handling. The manual lends a sporty feel, but it could do with a bit more torque down low. Nice to see one-touch blinkers too!IS IT ECONOMICAL?Yes. For an engine this size 7.9 litres/100km is excellent. With a 63-litre tank that gives the car a theoretical range of close to 800km. Mind you, we were getting 8.3 and it was nearly empty with 454km on the trip meter.IS IT 'GREEN'?Yes again. Produces 186g C02/km. The Green Car Guide gives it an air pollution rating of 8.5 out of 10.IS IT SAFE?From all accounts. We're still waiting for it to be crash tested here, but in the States it scored a full five stars. Comes standard with six airbags, electronic traction and stability control and anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution.IS IT COMFORTABLE?Thumbs up. Nothing like heated seats to get you through cold winter mornings. Power adjust driver's and passenger seat, with 10-way adjust for the driver and 4-way for the front passenger (plus driver's lumbar adjustment too).WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?Sportier than your average family bus. The four cylinder engine needs and likes to be revved and the shortish-throw manual falls easily to hand and is a snack to use. We found the steering a little heavy initially. It's the first Suzuki with steering wheel reach adjustment, but either our legs are too long or our arms are too short, because finding the ideal position eluded us.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY?Competitively priced. Well equipped. Feels like a quality job. Full size alloy spare. XLS gets a 425 watt sound system with a USB port for music devices like iPods. Standard gear leather and twin-zone air, along with auto everything, front and rear parking sensors, trip computer with distance to empty, a sunroof, foglights, push-button start and cruise control.WOULD WE BUY ONE?It would certainly be high on our list of contenders if we were in the market for a mid-sized Korean/Japanese car. Being a brand newie, it also has early adopter appeal.

To look at BMW's new X5 is pretty much the same as the previous one.  A nip here, a tuck there, a new eight-speed auto, with engines that have been tweaked to produce more power but better fuel economy.Separately they don't amount to much but together they add up to a significantly better motor vehicle -- one that doesn't stray too far from the tried and tested formula.It's a formula that has turned the soft road wagon into a landmark for the Bavarian car maker and one that has spawned plenty of imitators, many from within its own ranks.  The single biggest market for the car in the world remains the United States which once accounted for half of all X5s sold.It's not surprising then that BMW chose the States to launch its new 2010 X5 lineup.  As car sales floundered in the wake of the global financial crisis, the X5 emerged from the economic ruin with its sales record virtually intact.It says something about the popularity of this vehicle.  The new X5 is due to arrive here in Australia in June, but we got a taste of things to come this week.  Miami is home to the likes of J.Lo, canals filled with million dollar yachts and a rich mix of traditional American and Spanish cultures.  The flat, low-lying countryside is traversed by long, wide boulevards, roads that are just made for cruising.X5 is BMW's secong biggest seller and these days it's looking more sophisticated and muscular than ever.Variants and drivetrainsThe previous entry level model, known as the XDrive 30i, has become the xDrive 35i, reflecting the higher output of its three-litre turbocharged straight petrol six.  Twin turbos have been replaced by a single, twin-scroller turbocharger, the same as in the GT and 5 Series.The 3.0-litre direct injection engine now produces 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque -- 12 per cent more power and a whopping 27 per cent more torque.  The extra 85Nm of torque is reflected in the car's performance figures, particularly the dash from 0-100km/h which now takes 6.8 seconds instead of 8.1.Although the car is up to 85kg heavier, the back room boys have still managed to trim fuel consumption, down from 10.2 to 10.1 litres/100km.  The story is repeated wit other models which now comprise the xDrive 30d and 40d diesels and the xDrive 50i V8 petrol model -- not to mention the firebreathing X5 M.All of the car are force-fed in one form or another and all benefit from the introduction of fuel saving technologies, with brake energy regeneration standard across the range.AppearanceYou only have to park the new X5 next to one of the first generation 1999 models to see how dated the older car is looking, to see how similar yet different they at once are.  Front and rear bumpers along with the lights have been redesigned, large diameter tailpipes and lower profile roof bars fitted.  Inside there's a couple of new colour schemes.DrivingWe got to drive the XDrive 35i model both on and off road, although BMW readily admits few owners actually get the car's tyres dirty.  The free revving straight six is a willing worker with a turn of speed and angry rasp under hard acceleration, but can be a tad thirsty around town (we were getting 15.8 litres/100km.It was the X5 that introduced car-like dynamics to the luxury SUV segment.  This one like the previous model is smooth and easy to drive, with little body roll to speak of.The xDrive intelligent four-wheel drive system distributes torque between the front and rear axles via an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch.  With eight cogs on call, the transmission is never found wanting but it does feel busy at times.The real benefits are in performance and fuel economy, both of which have improved.  Disappointingly, the optional head-up display continues to be invisible to polarised sunglasses.Prices for the X5 currently start at $86,000, the new pricing structure will be announced closer to launch.  As always there are a host of options, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go that automatically brakes and accelerates the car to a set speed -- just the thing for city traffic. 

Driving Hyundai's new Santa Fe diesel we had a spectacularly good run on the leg from Port Augusta to Adelaide thanks to a handy tail wind, a distance of just over 300km.   A figure of 4.9 litres per 100km is an impressive achievement for a wagon that weighs almost two tonnes, but still not as good as the one achieved by Mitsubishi rally great Ed Ordynski who brought his vehicle home with just 4.8 on the trip computer.  Bugger.Hyundai entered two, 2.2-litre diesel Santa Fe CRDi's in the Eco Challenge section of the event that caters to production cars.  It's run in tandem with the famous World Solar Challenge out of which the event grew a couple of years ago.It took the two Hyundais six days to drive from Darwin to Adelaide, with the longest leg between Alice Springs and Coober Pedy 685km.  It might not sound that far, but at a speed of around 75km/h the journey starts to take on epic proportions, especially with no air conditioning and an ambient temperature nudging 40 degrees.It turned that particular leg into 9.25 hours of living hell.  You can't use air conditioning because it eats into the fuel consumption.  Now, no one in their right mind is going to drive that far in those conditions without air, but it shows what can be achieved if you try hard enough.The two Santa Fe's were neck and neck for most of the way, averaging between 4.8 and 5.4 litres/100km each day, with only a tenth of a point separating them.  It led to some good natured rivalry as the teams vied to see who would record the greatest improvement in fuel consumption (the Santa Fe is rated at 6.7 litres/100km).While the the rally driver may have won the day, it's the journalist that gets to have the last word.  "We was robbed,'' springs to mind.  Ordynski had had some practice conserving fuel on the transport stages of rallies, where he'd managed to achieve 8.5 litres/100km instead of the outrageous 100 litres/100km that the car consumed in competition.Records tumbled and the rules evolved as the Green Challenge unfolded.  Japan's Tokai University team took out the Solar Challenge while the Tesla sports car set a new record of 501km for the greatest distance travelled by an electric car between charges.Incredibly, it was HSV's Maloo ute that was declared the winner of the Eco Challenge with a figure of 7.74 litres/100km, while Ford's Fiesta EcoNETIC recorded the lowest fuel consumption slipping below 3.0 litres/100km.The winner was the entry that recorded the most improvement and while the Maloo may have done that, it also used the most fuel and produced the most carbon emissions.  Hyundai was elated to claim the crown as the most economical SUV after Ordynski's car finished a fraction ahead of the Kia Sorento at 5.1 litres versus 5.17 litres/100km _ a 24 per cent improvement.The other car piloted by myself and other Carsguide journos finished with 5.35 litres/100km.  The Kia and the Hyundai share the same 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine and transmissions, but the Kia is lighter and has a better wind drag co-efficient.The event concluded with a three hour urban leg around the streets of Adelaide.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

The incident occurred at the end of the 512km leg between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs on Monday afternoon.  The 3000km economy run between Darwin and Adelaide which started life as the World Solar Challenge was expanded two years ago to include production cars as well as electric cars and other alternatives.This year it has attracted entries from 17 manufacturers including arch rivals Ford and Holden.  The event is being run under the supervision of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) and the entry fee is $10,000 per car, with some manufacturers entering up to three vehicles.With big money at stake and plenty of kudos on the line, competition has naturally been fierce.The fuel tank of each vehicle is filled and sealed before the start of each leg, then refilled and sealed again after the conclusion of each day, with the amount of fuel used and distance travelled recorded.  Entrants must also complete each leg within a specified time period which a minimum speed must be maintained.The overall winner of the event which concludes in Adelaide on Friday will be determined on the basis of which  vehicle records the best overall improvement in percentage terms compared with its `stickered' fuel consumption figure.Organisers of the Eco Challenge section of the event in which the production cars compete had adopted a `two click' rule for refilling the vehicles after each leg.  Rather than filling the fuel tank right to the brim where fuel is clearly visible, scrutineers have instead been stopping after two clicks of the fuel filler nozzle.The practice has been the subject of much comment and criticism among teams because they say it is not an accurate method.  Things came to a head shortly after 4pm on Monday when fuel started running down the side of Ford's Fiesta EcoNETIC driven by journalist and motor racing personality Peter McKay.The turbo diesel Fiesta happens to be Australia's most fuel efficient car with an official fuel economy figure of 3.7 litres/100km.  It had been achieving figures as low as 3.15 litres/100km.  With such a small margin to play with, every drop counts.Ford's team manager Justin Lacy refused to comment about the incident, but was clearly unhappy.  The company has plenty at stake with nine support crew, as well as support vehicles and accommodation costs to pay for — not to mention its entries: the Fiesta and a turbocharged Falcon.Officials and team managers met late yesterday afternoon to discuss concerns.  It is understood the Ford will have one litre deducted from its total for the Fiesta after yesterday's refuelling fiasco.Changes will also be made to the rules including having team managers fill cars under supervision of the scrutineers.  Teams will also be forced to take a 15 minute break for lunch and the distance used to calculate fuel readings will not vary regardless of odometre readings.Global Green Challenge boss Ivar Stanelis admitted the event had teething problems, but said the organising committee welcomed feedback.  He hoped to see the event grow but pointed out it was run by volunteers.  “We all want to make it better,” he said.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

At a time when most manufacturers are downsizing engines in the name of fuel economy, luxury car maker Jaguar has decided to take a different route.The Tata owned British marque has updated its mid-sized XF range with a brace of larger, more powerful diesel and V8 engines that deliver better performance.But, incredibly, they are more fuel efficient and produce less harmful carbon emissions than the engines they replace.All engines are teamed with an enhanced version of the excellent ZF six-speed automatic which allows the driver to change gears like a manual.Many other mechanical changes have been made along with some minor cosmetic touches, the most notable being new exterior mirrors.The four-door XF which looks more like a coupe certainly seems to have struck a chord with Aussies since its launch here last year, as it now accounts for 65 per cent of the company's sales.It will soon be joined by a striking new flagship the XJ limousine that is also set to adopt a more modern look.DrivetrainsWith the launch this week of the new XF, Jag has taken the opportunity to add a fire-breathing XF-R model, complete with a supercharged, 5.0-litre direct injection V8.With 375kW of power and 625Nm of torque under foot, the R is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.That's 23 per cent more power and 12 per cent more torque than the previous 4.2-litre V8, with fuel consumption rated at 12.6 compared to 12.5 litres/100km and carbon emissions 292 compared to 299g/km previously.But it's the exciting new 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel, developed in conjunction with PSA Peugeot-Citroen, that stole the show, with 202kW and class-leading 600Nm of torque down low — a 33/38 per cent increase in power/torque.With no real, discernible turbo lag, 500 of the 600Nm of torque is accessible within 500 milliseconds of planting your right foot, allowing the car put away the dash in 6.4 seconds.And it is able to achieve this while using just 6.8 litres of fuel per 100km and producing only 179g/km of C02 (compared to 7.5 and 199 previously).Quiet, smooth and responsive, it's without doubt one of the best diesels that we have ever driven.The naturally aspirated V8 meanwhile produces 283kW and 515Nm (up 29 and 25 per cent) while the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with 175kW and 293Nm is the only carry over from the previous model.PricesPrices for the new XF start at $109,450 for the V6 petrol, $116,250 for the diesel, $147,900 for the V8 and $208,450 for the supercharged XF-R, which is distinguished by quad tailpipes, bonnet air inlets, deeper front air dam and a tiny lip spoiler atop the boot.DrivingWe got to put the cars through their paces over two days and several hundred kilometres of country roads.Performance is strong and convincing across the range in keeping with Jag's aspirations to build beautiful, fast cars.The diesel and naturally aspirated V8 models exhibit a little too much body roll for our liking, but it should be kept in mind that this is a tourer rather than full blown sports car.The steering too lacks some feel off centre, a trait not exhibited by the XF-R with its quicker steering rack.Overall as might be expected the XF-R has a more secure, planted feel than the previous S Type R, thanks to Bilstein dampers, a new variable suspension system and a trick electronic diff — the previous CATS system has been dropped.Not only do the cars look and go well, but they are also finished to a high standard.Our one minor disappoint is Jaguar's reluctance to include a digital speedo as part of the centre computer screen. We're told by Jag's ‘Mr XF' Kevin Stride that only one other person in the entire world has requested this facility.

Benz execs are not talking about the Brabus version of the Coupe because it's not officially sanctioned. But the company has partnered with Brabus in the past to produce other high-performance models including one of the tiny Smart. It makes us wonder whether there may in future be room for two performance lines in the Benz lineup — a move that would surely add much-needed sales? Drivetrain A 6.1-litre Brabus V8 replaces the standard 5.5-litre unit in the top of the line E500 that will be fitted with an AMG kit as standard when it arrives in our showrooms in July. The bigger V8 puts out 340kW of power and boasts an impressive top speed of 315km/h. The 6.1-litre engine is a bored and stroked version of the E500's 5.5-litre V8, with a maximum 340kW of power and 615Nm of torque — the latter available from 3100 revs. It'll do the dash from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The increase in engine displacement has been achieved through the installation of a billet crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons. The four-valve cylinder heads have also been machined and fitted with custom camshafts. Contributing to the higher power output, the engine management system has been reprogrammed and a sports exhaust system fitted with high-performance metal catalysts. Appearance The Brabus model has also been fitted with an aero kit developed after extensive wind tunnel testing. Further highlights include custom wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, sporty yet comfortable suspension solutions and exclusive interior options. Exterior enhancements include a Brabus front spoiler with LED daytime runners that not only gives the car a more striking appearance, but also reduce lift at high speed. New aluminium front sport quarter panels with integrated clear-coated carbon-fibre inserts have also been added. Together with new rocker panels that incorporate LED entrance lights into their undersides, it give the coupe a lower and sleeker stance. You can also option rockers with an integrated illuminated BRABUS logo. Down the back the Brabus rear apron features a centrally mounted reflector and custom-tailored cutouts either side for the quad tailpipes. One-piece or multi-piece monoblock light-alloy wheels round out the look, ranging in size from 17 to 20 inches. The larger 20-inchers are fitted with Pirelli or Yokohama rubber, shod with 235/30 ZR 20 in front and 265/25 ZR 20 on the rear axle. The list of interior options includes stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and an entirely new interior crafted from especially soft yet durable Brabus Mastik leather and Alcantara. Platform A variety of suspension solutions are offered, tailored to the various engines available in the new E-Class. The kits range from simple lowering springs to complete height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension. Brabus even offers a high-performance brake package, with six-piston aluminium fixed calipers and 360mm vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle. The rear axle stops with four-piston aluminium fixed calipers.

But it's a gorgeous thing with a range of engines and transmissions that is sure to win many hearts, including those of current CLK owners.You could say the coupe is a replacement for the current CLK, but that is not quite true because there's likely to be a replacement for that model down the track.Although the coupe sits on a modified version of the sedan platform, it has a shorter wheelbase and the two don't share any body panels. They do, however, share the same engines, transmissions and other running gear.The rear-wheel drive, four-seat coupe goes on sale here in July, with the E350 and E500 to kick things off — but there's more to come in September when the fuel efficient diesels will be introduced.Benz is not talking prices yet, suffice to say it will be more expensive than the sedan. But it's going to be less expensive and better equipped than a CLK.The launch marks the introduction for the first time of two four cylinder engines in keeping with the European trend to smaller, more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly solutions.The 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivers 215kW of power and 365Nm of torque between 3000-5100rpm and is paired with a slick seven-speed auto that adds shift paddles to the wheel allowing the driver to change gears manually. The new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offers 150kW/310Nm, and the range-topping 5.5-litre V8 offers 285kW/530Nm.The 2.1-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel in the E250 CDI has 150kW of power and an impressive 500Nm of torque — the latter available from a low 1600 revs — and is mated to a choice of standard six-speed manual or five-speed auto. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel in comparison delivers 170kW/540Nm.Inside, the coupe will be trimmed and specified differently, with a unique set of sports seats for driver and front passenger featuring adjustable side bolsters.The pick of the colours is pearlescent white that, teamed with the optional glass panoramic roof, looks a million bucks.Headroom in the back is restricted because of the sloping roof, but Benz figures these cars will be driven mostly two up. The back provides individual seating for two passengers.Agility adaptive control suspension is standard on all models with dampers that adjust automatically to the current conditions.The coupe comes with an arsenal of safety equipment as standard including seven airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and Attention Assist that monitors the driver's reactions using 70 different parameters to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. The bonnet is also designed to pop up in the event of an accident to cushion pedestrian impact.The top of the range E500 will come with an AMG sports package as standard that includes AMG garb, bigger wheels and sports suspension — but no extra oomph.On the road the E350 did not disappoint, with plenty of power and torque from the super smooth V6. Weighing in at 1670kg, the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in a rapid 6.5 seconds, with fuel consumption rated at 8.5 litres/100km (we were getting 9.5).The surprise packet, however, turned out to be the four-cylinder diesel, which might not be quite as quick out of the gates as the V6, but does a terrific job of carving up the curves, powering out with a big finish thanks to all that lovely torque.