Articles by Craig Duff

The top-end marques respond by pushing hard into what was mainstream brand territory only a few years ago.That's why the "big three" — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — posted better than 10 per cent growth last year in a market that dipped by 2 per cent.It's still a case of you get what you pay for, so CarsGuide has looked at the cheapest (as distinct from best value) entries in the major car segments.This is the cheapest way to buy membership to the prestige club, but it's a basic package. First impressions are good, with the distinctive shield grille helping the supermini stand out. Inside though, only the Alfa badge on the steering wheel hub gives any clue this is a product from a premium brand.Still, Alfas are all about the driving and for the money, there's a spirited 900cc turbo engine matched to suspension that's much improved from the previous series.It is a long way off the perfect prestige car but it is the best buyers can expect at this price point.{C}{C}A Giulietta is a lot closer to what we expect from Alfa than the MiTo, even if it's not the car Alfisti want. The Giulietta adds rear doors and a lot more flair in cabin styling and performance. If buyers can find the extra $6500, this is the Alfa to own... at least until the Giulia heralds the return of rear-wheel-drive Alfas when it launches later this year.The Giulietta's suspension is generally well sorted and the turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine gives this five-door enough fizz to be a fun drive.For CarsGuide, this is the prestige entry point.Now we're cooking. The A3's interior finish looks as though it was assembled using a jeweller's loupe and the materials are a step up from that found in the VW Golf. The design inside and out is minimalist but classy.A turbo four-cylinder engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and has the neat party trick of dropping two cylinders under light load to help achieve a claimed fuel use of 4.7L/100km.The handling compromise is spot-on: breezing over city bumps while still hanging tough through the twisty stuff.The entry level 3 Series is basically a price spoiler for CarsGuide's Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Potential owners could save $8000 (the difference between the 316i and the Benz C200) but will miss out on luxury items.Performance won't set the world on fire but the eight-speed auto makes the most of the available urge. It handles well through the corners and around town. A six-speed manual is available for the same price.The faux leather seats look the goods even if they're manually adjustable rather than electric. Standard gear includes dual-zone aircon, 6.5-inch display with satnav and rear parking sensors.The Leaping Cat pounced on the large car segment with the XF, which now trails only the Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series in sales. There's good reason for that — the 2.0-litre turbo engine is a willing performer, if a touch thirsty, and is backed by a smooth eight-speed auto.Slide into the leather and suede front seats and first-time occupants will be impressed by the party tricks. The rotary transmission control rises out of the centre console and the air vents swivel open.Rear space isn't superb, but the Jag exudes old-world style supplemented by modern technology.Not so long ago you'd have been a fool to consider a Lexus sports car. Now you'd be a fool not to. The RC350 has striking looks — though some won't appreciate the massive spindle grille — and the poise and performance to back it up. A 3.5-litre V6 powers the rear wheels and the 100km/h sprint time is 6.1 seconds despite its hefty 1740kg.A four-year warranty and resale value of 56 per cent after three years are worth noting too.Standard kit includes LED headlamps, satnav, 10-speaker audio and heated/ventilated seats.The poor man's prestige drop-top embodies fun, from the wind-in-the-hair sensation to a sensational handling package. The 1.6-litre engine is no rocket — there's a turbocharged Cooper S for more oomph — but it is a willing performer in partnership with a six-speed manual gearbox (auto adds $2350).Practicality isn't part of the package with minuscule boot space and rear seats that shouldn't be occupied by much more than shopping bags. There's also wind noise and tyre roar with the top up or down.Live with that and the Mini is relatively cheap and extraordinarily cheerful.No, it's not all-wheel drive, but neither are many of its rivals. The 149mm ride height gives the Countryman enough clearance to negotiate rutted roads without challenging the 170mm clearance of an Audi Q3. Neither will be used for off-road duties, so the elevated drive position is the selling point here, along with a big (by Mini standards) 350L boot.It shares its 1.6-litre engine with the Mini Cabrio and rides almost as well, with just a touch more body roll through the turns.The most compelling aspect is the price, which is $8000 less than an Audi Q3 and $14,000 below a BMW X1.The five-door model doesn't quite have the drop-dead looks of its three-door sibling but is a more functional car to live with — and it is $2500 cheaper. The diesels have the lowest prices in the range, as the petrol variant is positioned as the performance model.The 2.2-litre turbo diesel is matched to a six-speed manual, making this front-wheel drive a frugal vehicle to operate. Claimed fuel use is 5.0L/100km There's plenty to admire inside, from the partial leather seats to the soft-touch dash and elegant switch layout. The base model — dubbed eD4 — has a five-inch TFT multimedia screen and rear parking sensors but can't be had with a reversing camera or air vents for the back seat.There are still ways to get a touch of luxury, if not outright prestige, in the major segments.The big all-wheel-drive wagon sits 210mm clear of the road, giving it more than enough room to clamber over kerbs and ride roughshod over piles of snow at the local ski field.Backed by a 575L boot, it is a hugely capable getaway machine.The Volvo is all about cruising in comfort, so the intentionally cosseting ride comes at the expense of cornering ability.The base diesel engine has more than enough go but some expected gear — like a powered tailgate and satnav — require a dip into the extensive options list.

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The festival, an initiative of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Auto Club of Victoria, is set for the Melbourne Showgrounds on March 26-29.Rival event Motorworld, organised by event specialist Definitive Events, is at Sandown Raceway in November. With the luxury of time on its side, it is expected to name its first exhibitors in May.Australia hasn't had a new-car show since the final Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in 2012, which folded because of a lack of manufacturer support.The industry consensus is that only one of the two new shows can survive long-term.Mercedes-Benz spokesman Jerry Stamoulis won't be drawn on whether the brand has signed up for the November show: "At this stage we are yet to come a conclusion regarding other upcoming opportunities such as Motorworld."The festival will offer them the opportunity to connect with the Australian driving public in a new and dynamic wayThe Australian Motoring Festival release says: "It will differ from a traditional display-style motor show by providing visitors with multiple opportunities to interact with vehicles and vehicle technology through test drives and simulation."VACC executive director Geoff Gwilym says the involvement of Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota will give car enthusiasts a diverse mix of vehicles and experiences."These three global brands are among the largest in the industry across the luxury sports, prestige and everyday categories," he says."We are confident the festival will offer them the opportunity to connect with the Australian driving public in a new and dynamic way."Mercedes-Benz Australia CEO Horst von Sanden says the interactivity is part of the appeal, enabling the maker to show the latest safety technology and performance vehicles.Ferrari Experience display area will feature 30 years of Ferrari supercar historyHe tips the brand will have "a few surprise vehicles".Ferrari Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth echoes the view. "This is a unique opportunity for lovers of cars to get close and personal with our brand and our beautiful vehicles," he says."Our Ferrari Experience display area will feature 30 years of Ferrari supercar history and a stunning showroom with the latest range of Ferrari road cars."Toyota Australia southern regional manager Stephen Slater says that enthusiasts can "look, feel and touch all the the technology in an interesting, interactive environment".Festival tickets start from $30 for adults and $20 for children, with discounts for RACV and VACC members.

Jeep international product planner Adrian van Campenhout says a strong reception for the small Renegade crossover and a volume-boosting "Com-patriot" replacement will be needed if the company is to comply with global boss Sergio Marchionne's demand to lift sales from 1 million last year to 1.9 million by 2018.We need to extend the line-up with new models, add variants to existing models and continue to lead our segments"Obviously he (Marchionne) has a vision for where the brand needs to go. And that's where we're going," van Campenhout says."To do that we need to extend the line-up with new models, add variants to existing models and continue to lead our segments."The Renegade is in play in the fastest-growing global segment. We have a new (compact) SUV in the pipeline and our new seven-seater (Grand Wagoneer)."We've got an all-new Grand Cherokee and Wrangler in 2017...with the vehicles we have now and the models we'll have soon...if you look at our growth over the last few years, we can meet the number."A Trail-Rated vehicle will always be the most capable off-roader in its segment with genuine four-by-four abilityVan Campenhout cites the Renegade as an example of how Jeep can adjust its "Trail-Rated" badging depending on the segment is selling in."Will the Renegade Trailhawk do the Rubicon Trail? No, it won't," he says, "That's what the Wrangler is for.""Will it go places most owners won't ever consider taking it? Yes it will. A Trail-Rated vehicle will always be the most capable off-roader in its segment with genuine four-by-four ability."Jeep is considering a vehicle smaller than the Renegade to cater to emerging marketsHe also says Jeep is considering a vehicle smaller than the Renegade to cater to emerging markets in Latin America and the Asia Pacific.He won't be drawn on whether that vehicle will be a rumoured three-door Renegade or a completely new model."The emerging economies represent a big part of our future growth and there's an argument the Renegade is too expensive for those markets," he says."We'll need a vehicle to (sell there). The brand is capturing a lot of market share everywhere around the world. We sell in 100-plus countries (so it could work).India would be an ideal market for developing a small vehicle with the usual Jeep attributes. "It would work in your neck of the woods (Australia), too, I would imagine."

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Renegades are always a problem, as the fast-growing micro-SUV segment is about to discover.Jeep's take on the baby crossover adopts the same high-riding hatch formula as its rivals but then ups the ante with a Trailhawk version that combines compact dimensions with serious off-road prowess.Jeep acknowledges that most cars in this class are front-drive, which is why it has 2WD versions to help cut the price, along with all-wheel drive variants for those who want to step up in performance and ride height.Being Jeep, it also has a true four-wheel drive that will clamber up steep slopes, ford streams and rock-hop with the best of them.The squared-off two-box body has the head and legroom to take four adults in comfort, backed by a decent 351-litre cargo area and an exuberant two-toned interior with metal bezels on most of the dash controls and a seven-inch digital driver's display. No surprise that Jeep is chasing "youthful and adventurous" customers with this vehicle.The Renegade is going to be a problem child for Jeep Australia in terms of pricing, for a couple of reasons.The Aussie dollar's decline against the greenback and euro (the American brand's newest car is made in Italy alongside the Fiat 500X) won't do it any favours when it comes time to set prices before the October launch.The Renegade is a demonstrably better car than the Patriot in every areaJust as troublesome is the stablemate Patriot, now $25,500 drive-away.The Renegade is a demonstrably better car than the Patriot in every area, from driving dynamics to interior design, so it is hard to see this light SUV being priced below the larger Patriot.That will give the impression that the Patriot and similarly-sized Compass are beyond their use-by date, even though a replacement for the pair isn't due until 2017.In the US the base Renegade Sport front-driver sells for $US18,990, climbing to $US26,990 for the top-spec Trailhawk 4WD. A straight currency conversion equates to $24,400-$34,700.Rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 start at about $22,000, while the Skoda Yeti is $23,490 and the Holden Trax costs from $23,990.The Jeep has a higher quality interior with smart use of an airiness the competition can't match, another spanner in the pricing works.A front-drive Renegade Sport with 1.4-litre turbo engine and six-speed manual was the appetiser in the models rolled out for media testing in the hills around San Jose. Not many people will buy it, but those who do will have the performance pick of the litter.The engine wants to rev and does its best work from above 2500rpm. As the torque champion of the petrol engines, it easily overcomes the base Renegade's relatively hefty weight of 1381kg and doesn't need as many gear shifts, even on decent inclines with tight turns.The ride is sportier than regular light SUVsThe Australian line-up is expected to start with a manual 1.6-litre, largely to keep a lid on costs. The US doesn't get this variant, so we've yet to drive it. The outputs won't challenge the turbo sibling for acceleration times.The Limited and Trailhawk use a 2.4-litre four-cylinder matched to the best example of Jeep's nine-speed we've driven yet. Good thing, too, as the engine itself doesn't feel like a headline act.Much improved on upshifts, the auto can still hesitate before deciding how many ratios to kick down in response to right-foot pressure.The ride is sportier than regular light SUVs, to the point where it can be tiresome on badly broken or ridged surfaces. The upside is that body roll and floatiness are all but eliminated.Grip is noticeably absent, though, so most owners aren't likely to push the Renegade too hard. Given how well the suspension works and the solidity of the body — this vehicle uses the greatest proportion of high-tensile steel of any Jeep — the tyres are the obvious culprit and I'd be trying better aftermarket hoops to improve its contact on bitumen.The electric steering is direct and has decent heft but is largely lifeless. An electric park brake is more user-friendly and has freed up space in the centre console for a pair of full-sized cupholders.The MySky removable roof panels, a nod to the Wrangler's top-down ability, stow in a bag beneath the boot floor.It eats gravel roads and mud with easeOff the beaten track, the regular all-wheel drive models enjoy 200mm of ground clearance, backed by Jeep's Selec-Terrain drive mode setup that optimises steering, shift points, throttle mapping and stability control intervention for various surfaces.It eats gravel roads and mud with ease. The plastic cladding around the lower body and wheel arches is there for practical rather than decorative purposes.The Trailhawk takes off-roading to the next level, with a low-speed crawl ability, an extra off-road mode, hill descent control and 220mm of clearance backed by 205mm of wheel articulation and decent approach/departure angles.

BMW has fired its first riposte to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class since the arrival of new MD Marc-Heinrich Werner, introducing more equipment and gear on the 3 Series.

It's all about the look with the Renault Captur, from the optional two-tone exterior styling to the dimpled surfaces, coloured zippers and bright plastic highlights in the cabin. But there's a method behind the interior-designer madness. The surfaces will be easy to wipe down, which will endear them to parents with

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2015 Skoda Superb 4x4 Outdoor, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

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