Articles by Craig Duff

The seven-seat Cross-Blue SUV -- with an ultra-frugal diesel-electric hybrid powerplant -- is Volkswagen’s next move to tap into the North American market.

The Q50 sedan was revealed at the Detroit motor show this week and is a milestone car for Nissan’s luxury brand, with a new look and new naming structure that brings a Q prefix to all Infiniti models.

The move has been announced as Mercedes-Benz reacts to the demand for more four-cylinder cars. The E300 diesel-electric hybrid is expected to account for a relatively small 100 cars a year but it’s a vehicle Mercedes had to have, according to company spokesman David McCarthy.“We’ve wanted a hybrid for a long time … customers have told us they want it, now they have to step up to the plate,” he says. McCarthy acknowledges that even large prestige vehicles have been hit by engine downsizing and expects the E300 to satisfy customer demands for frugal economy without affecting performance.“It’s a really challenging market because people aren’t buying this size of car at any price point,” he notes. “They want fuel economy and low emissions but also expect a Mercedes vehicle to perform, so there’s definitely a market for a hybrid like this.”McCarthy adds the E wagon has a loyal customer base that means the company won’t cull it in favour of the CLS Shooting Brake, which is based on the E-Class platform. That is likely to extend to the AMG E63 Estate, despite Benz selling just four in Australia last year.“The E63 wagon may keep going - there’s no crossover between E Estate buyers and CLS owners,” he says. “As far as the (E63) sedan goes, it is our third most popular AMG vehicle, behind the C-Class and ML.”The E-Class range will start with the E200 petrol but the E250 diesel and petrol models will continue to be the volume sellers.”McCarthy says prices and spec are still being finalised ahead of the car’s international launch next month but he predicts little change in cost despite a lift in standard features.

The reliability of the Getz is translating into repeat sales for Hyundai's i20 light car. Sales figures say the i20 hatch is the third-best vehicle in the class. It trails the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2 by a long way but is ahead of the Holden Barina, Suzuki Swift and Kia Rio. And the five-year warranty can't be the

A customisable instrument display and heavily revised interior mark the mid-life facelift for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep’s flagship SUV adopts a more upmarket look inside and out, with smaller headlamps styled along the lines of the Chrysler 300, classier interior materials and a Euro-style eight-speed automatic that improves fuel economy and performance.Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters join the standard equipment, along with dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.The instrument gauges are displayed on a 7-inch colour “vehicle information screen” that drivers can customise to show everything from digital speed to fuel economy, stored messages, exterior temperature, average and current fuel economy and compass bearing.The centre stack has been revised with new switchgear and the 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen now uses the third generation of Jeep’s UConnect software, providing voice control of the phone, sound system and satnav functions. Functions can be upgraded using the internet connection, giving owners access to the latest software developments from the Chrysler group.A new top-spec Summit model will also be launched complete with 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and suede roof lining when the revised cars go on sale later this year.  Owners will also be given more scope to personalise their vehicles with more colours and interior trim options.The performance SRT8 versions now stand out from the line-up with blacked out finishes in place of the regular chrome. The ZF transmission has a launch mode and the infotainment system will display a range of performance statistics, from the transmission oil temperature to cornering G forces.

Fashionable Gen-Y buyers and the “young-at-heart” are the targets of Mercedes-Benz’s new four-door coupe, which will be priced in the $50,000s when it goes on sale in Australia late this year.The CLA looks like a scaled-down version of the CLS but is based on a stretched platform of the front-wheel drive A-Class. All-wheel drive is optional across the line-up but Australia will only take all-paw grip in the high-performance AMG version. Similarly, Aussie-spec cars will use a dual-clutch seven speed as standard rather than opting for the six-speed manual.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says customers will care about the features and how the car drives, rather than which wheels are providing the traction. “If a car drives as the customer expects, they don’t care whether it’s push or pull,” he says. “We don’t see it (AWD) as a big issue for us.”Three versions of the CLA will be sold in Australia: a 1.6-litre turbo petrol, 1.6-litre turbo diesel and an AMG 2.0-litre performance turbo petrol.All cars will be highly specified, with a radar-based “Collision Prevention Assist” system that warns drivers of imminent crashes at speeds above 7km/h. Linked to the adaptive cruise control, the CLA will auto brake if the driver fails to respond.Telematics are also a major focus to woo Gen-Y buyers and include internet connectivity with Facebook and Twitter, Siri voice control and location sharing. The CLA is the third model spun off Mercedes-Benz’s modular front-drive MLA architecture, following the A and B-Class cars.Another two versions are planned: one has been confirmed as the GLA baby SUV and the other is expected to be a shooting brake version of the CLA. The car is bigger than the current C-Class sedan, giving a good indication the next-gen C will also grow in size to differentiate itself from the front-wheel drive model.The interior look is similar to the A-Class, with extensive use of alloy finishes, the SLS-style round air vents (though three vents in the centre of the dash is probably overkill) and a stand-alone touchscreen. The exterior design is edgy and stylish, with strong contour lines along the flanks and over the bonnet that pictures don’t do justice to. Mercedes-Benz sales and marketing head Dr Joachim Schmidt says the CLA is “a real Mercedes, but not as you know it”“Our new CLA-Class has everything to attract new customers and it’s one of the few new cars to turn heads. But at the same time it comes packed with all of the traditional values which are typical for a Mercedes,” he notes.

More of everything is the mantra for the overhauled E63 AMG. The Mercedes-Benz mid-sized performance line now hits 100km/h from rest in a supercar-quick 4.2 seconds despite the inclusion of new safety features and the sensors to support them. The 2014 model will have an automated emergency braking system that detects pedestrians and the “Pre-Safe” collision preparation software can now identify an imminent rear-end crash and prepare the car accordingly. There are also always-on LED headlights and an automated parking system for parallel and end-on berths. More than 1500 changes have been made to the vehicles, headed by an optional four-wheel drive system that launches the AMG products into a different league again with sprint times from just 3.6 seconds. The mid-life addition of all-paw grip means the cars haven’t been configured to operate in right-hand drive mode. Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says that will change when the engineers craft the next generation E-Class. Power from the twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 is up from 386kW to 410kW and torque has climbed 20Nm to 720Nm. All-wheel drive versions with the “S-Model” performance upgrade have 430kW/800Nm. The changes will flow on to the CLS four-door coupe, which sits on the E platform. AMG began experimenting with all-wheel drive for the baby A-Class model. The acceleration and handling benefits were so impressive the performance division now plans to launch AWD versions of all its vehicles to sell alongside the traditional rear-powered line-up. Vehicle development leader Tobias Moers says the all-wheel drive system takes the AMG experience to another level. “The newly developed, performance-oriented AMG 4Matic all-wheel drive attains the best acceleration values in the segment, as well as offering our customers markedly higher driving dynamics than ever before," he says. With details of the 2014 E-Class range just being released Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to finalise prices or specification for its cars, though Stamoulis expects any changes to the $241,000 price for the current model will be minimal.  

Where there’s a will there’s a way and Mazda’s engineers have weighed in with one of the most willing diesel engines this side of a German badge.

People must be recalling the ‘populate or perish’ warning of last century, judging by the boom is seven-seat vehicles. Gone are the minisbuses of old, though. Carmakers are now elevating such broods in high-riding SUVs, letting the driver at least pretend they’re on top of things. If that’s your lot in life, the updated Kia Sorento rates as one of the picks of the pack. The latest iteration is technically a facelift but the changes are comprehensive rather than cosmetic and make the already good seven-seat SUV even better.The Si model is the entry point for either the 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The petrol engine is reserved for front-wheel drive duties and costs $37,490, with the diesel lugging the extra 60kg that comes with the all-wheel drive system. The six-speed manual diesel is $38,990, the auto adds $2000. Standard gear includes LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, electric folding side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and cruise-control. It’s better on-road that Holden’s Colorado 7 and cheaper than the Ford Territory.Under the familiar sheet metal is a stronger body and improved noise suppression. Better insulation in the engine bay and transmission tunnel have notably reduced mechanical noise.The electric power steering has a three-mode operation that varies the steering weight, but not the number of turns needed to move the front wheels. It works to a degree: the effort may vary but the feedback doesn’t.The nose cops the expected makeover and now has vertical fog lights, the signature Schreyer grille and headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Down the back, the tailgate and tail-lights have been given a minor makeover and there are new alloy wheel designs across the three-model range.The Si misses out on some of the sexier fruit inside but remains a hugely versatile bus -- fold both sets of rear seats down and there’s a barn-like 2700 litres of cargo space. The plastics are rock-hard, but, given the smudge marks and food spatter they’re likely to cop, it probably makes sense.Improved handling, all-paw grip and bigger front brakes (320mm discs) are the first line of defence. A reinforced body and six airbags come into play when things get messy. ANCAP rates it a five-star car, with an overall score of 33.21/37.Ride and handling on the Sorento are better than a bus this big should be. Drive it like you stole it and there’s some body roll, but owners of the pre-facelift version would appreciate the 18 per cent lift in torsional rigidity.The biggest handicap is the lack of feedback from the steering. I’m not asking for sports car precision, just a degree of feel for what the 17-inch front wheels are doing. It is one of the few flaws in this package, even if it won’t bother the vast majority of Sorentos that will spend their life ambling around the urban jungle at legal speeds.In those situations, the diesel engine is a responsive occupant, aided and abetted by a six-speed auto that’s quick to shift cogs to keep the torque on tap. Adults won’t have any cause for complaints in the second row seats, while the third row is a kids-only affair. A word of warning -- if you’ve had quintuplets, look elsewhere: the child seat anchorages are only on the second row seats.The Sorento looks good and handles the bumps better than most in this class. It’s also $8000 cheaper than the comparable Ford Territory. The Ford’s better, but not by that much. That leaves its stablemate, the Hyundai Santa Fe, as its biggest rival. Or there’s Kia’s own Grand Carnival with the same engine … same space, less roll.

Forget the New Year’s resolutions, it’s the new year revolutions car buyers should be paying attention to. Dealers are looking to usher in 2013 with the same fervour you are but their focus in on removing 2012-plated vehicles. As a result there are bargains across the board from light cars to heavyweight SUVs. Carsguide takes a potted look at the promotions, deals and runout specials carmakers have on the books this week. TOP FIVE Mitsubishi Pajero. Solid turbodiesel, seven seats and a major price cut make the Pajero a belated Christmas present for off-road families. $54,990 will put you behind the wheel of a GLX-R fitted with an auto transmission, dual-zone climate-control, Bluetooth with USB and iPod inputs and cruise control. Now that’s worth toasting. PEUGEOT 308 This is a franc discount. The baby Pug’s hatch is $29,990 and the wagon just $34,990 drivaway. The catch is the stocks are limited to what’s on dealer lots, the deals have to be done by Monday and the vehicles have 2011 build plates. Still, at these prices, buying an old new car starts to make sense. FORESTER X The forester is the fourth most popular mid-sized SUV on the road and there’s now more reasons to own one. A 31,990 tag for the Forester X “Luxury Edition” manual includes plenty of bling, from front fog lights to heated front seats with leather trim and and de-icers for the front wipers. Subaru says that represents a $5900 saving over the normal price. TOYOTA AURION Big cars aren’t big sellers these days and, despite Toyota’s reputation for reliability, the Aurion is tanking just like the Falcon and Commodore. The Japanese carmaker’s loss is your gain, with the AT-X selling for $32,990. That’s almost $8000 off the usual price and the AT-X includes dual-zone climate-control, a 6-inch touchscreen, seven airbags and reversing camera. That’s a big saving. FORD MONDEO Ford’s EcoBoost engine line-up is a ripper and the 2.0-litre fitted to the Mondeo Zetec hatch is no exception. The driveway price of $33,990 represents a $3750 saving before calculating the on-road costs. It comes with a nine-speaker sound system, Bluetooth with voice control and front and rear parking sensors. CITY CARS A Suzuki Alto with satnav, weathershields and a bonnet protector can be yours for $11,990 driveaway. Like all Suzukis sold until year’s end, it comes with a five-year/130,000km warranty. Nissan’s Micra range starts at $13,490 and has a 0 per cent finance offer until December 31. LIGHT CARS Hyundai is pushing driveaway pricing and 2.5 per cent finance on its fleet. Be quick, though, as the deal ends on Monday. The Active i20 three-door hatch can be driven off the showroom floor for $13,990, a saving of $1400 over the regular price before on-road costs, including compulsory third party insurance, dealer delivery fees and registration. The base Ford Fiesta CL manual hatch’s price of $15,990 is just $500 more than its recommended list price. Kia’s three-door Rio S is $14,990 driveaway, while the base model five-door starts at $16,990. Both come with a $500 Myer gift card. Toyota has a 1.9 per cent finance rate on all Yaris models while the $16,990 driveaway price on Volkswagen’s Polo Trendline five-door hatch makes the on-road costs free. SMALL CARS The bargains in this segment start with the Peugeot 308. If you’re happy with a 2011-plated vehicle, the Active hatch and wagon can be driven away for $29,990 and $34,990 respectively until December 31.  Ford’s Focus Trend automatic hatch and sedan are also worth a look. The pair is good value with driveway prices of $21,990 and $23,990 that are $300 and $600 less than their book value.  A Kia Cerato starts at a driveaway price of $18,990 for the hatch or sedan, plus a $1000 gift card, while South Korean sibling Hyundai’s Elantra Active manual sedan is being rolled out for $20,990, which is just $400 more than the manufacturer’s regular price. The Mazda3 is fighting on the same terms, with a $20,990 all-up price that’s $660 more than the normal list value. Opel’s Astra stock in dealerships is on special until Sunday from $24,990 driveaway. It is $1000 more than its regular price and includes capped price servicing at $299 a visit. VW’s base model Golf with a DSG auto transmission is $23490 and includes free metallic paint. Those with a sporting bent can pick up one of 250 special edition Subaru WRX manual sedans for $47,275 on the road. MEDIUM CARS The Citroen C5 diesel sedan heads the savings here, with more than $5000 off its list price plus free on-roads. The $34,990 pricing only applies to white and black coloured cars in dealerships now - and the deal must be made by Monday. Ford’s 2.0-litre Mondeo Zetec hatch is almost as good a deal at $33,990, a saving of $3750 plus on-road costs. Those looking for a Liberty can now join the Subaru set for just $31,990 for a manual or auto base sedan, undercutting the list price by $3000. The Toyota Camry Altise is being registered for $1500 less than book value at $28,990, while Honda’s Accord Euro can be driven away for $29,990, saving $350 before calculating the on-roads. LARGE CARS Aurions are unloved and that makes them a great buy at this time of the year. Toyota is selling the AT-X for $32,990 driveway, a saving of $3500. The Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo’s $42,990 all-inclusive price is more than $3200 off its recommended price and that’s before worrying about the on-roads. Buy a Nissan Maxima and the finance rate is 0 per cent. Skoda has the same deal on its Superb sedan and wagon SMALL SUV A $25,990 driveaway price for the ASX 2WD means the on-road costs are free, while Hyundai is effectively charging $1000 to put the ix35 Active on the streets at $27,990. Skoda and Nissan both have 0 per cent finance on their Yeti and Dualis ranges respectively. MEDIUM SUV Subaru reckons the $31,990 price on its Forester X manual is a $5900 saving and is the best buy in this group. Land Rover has free on-roads for its rugged Defender and family friendly Freelander ranges. Suzuki’s $26,990 driveway pricing for the five-door Grand Vitara Urban is just $500 more than its book price. LARGE SUV The Pajero GLX-R is the pick of the bunch at $54,990 for the automatic model. That’s $4000 better than the book price. Subaru has almost as good a deal with its Outback 2.5i at $35,990, a $2500 saving plus free on-roads. The $39,990 driveaway price for a rear-drive Ford Territory TX puts the big SUV on the road for free and Toyota has the same offer on its Kluger KX-R.