Articles by Craig Duff

 ... the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class with an entry price of $81,400. All X5s will now come standard with the company's "Innovations Package". BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott says the package amounts to more than $16,200 of extra value on the base 3.0-litre turbodiesel, which is priced at $92,100. The equipment upgrade includes xenon headlamps with high-beam assist, a reversing camera, electric front seats, satnav system and head-up display. A pair of electric exterior mirrors and an automated tailgate completes the pack. Scott says the pack addresses the equipment difference between the rivals and points to the BMW's better performance compared to the 2.1-litre engine in the Mercedes. "I can't see us putting a four-cylinder into an X5 purely from a performance point of view," he says. Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says imitation is the highest form of flattery. "We said it was game on when we revealed the M-Class," he says. "It's still game on . but now we've got more players on the field." "They (rivals) don't know what to do about this (car). The ML is priced between the BMW X3 and X5, so it's going to take sales from both. The same applies to the (Audi) Q5 and Q7." How they rate:                           

The standard gear in the midsized Mercedes is as extravagant as the pricetag. The $133,000+ spend is around $12,000 dearer than the comparable Audi A6 and $3000 up on a BMW 535i. In short, the E350 is a car that tells the world you're in business and doing alright, thanks very much.DESIGNSharper and stronger lines tapering up from front to back give the E-Class a more angular look. It's not as aggressive as a Beemer, but there's enough understated menace to steer well clear if you're not holding the keys.Horizontal bands of wood, leather and chrome in the interior reinforce to the impression of space and luxury and the faint but distinct clicks as the dials Harman Kardon sound system is cranked up highlights the attention to detail.TECHNOLOGYThe E-Class has picked up some clever toys and the E350 rolls standard with blind spot and lane departure assistance. The reversing camera is standard and displays on a hi-res seven-inch infotainment screen. The engine is a 200kW/350Nm 3.5-litre six-cylinder that runs through a silicone-smooth seven-speed auto transmission.SAFETYEleven airbags inflate the Merc's safety credentials but it's the software and sensors that should stop them from deploying. On the E350 that runs from adaptive brakes that automatically dry themselves, a driver fatigue warning system, the Pre-Safe system that sets the seat belt tensioners according to the occupants' size and lane departure and blind spot warnings. Toss in the fact this 1.7-tonne beast is built from the ground up to protect you and the E-Class is a safe choice.DRIVINGCompromises are for people who can't afford cars in this class. In the case of the Merc there's enough grunt to handle traffic light launches but it is 70-100km/h overtaking where the engine's 350Nm shines.The default suspension mode is lightly biased to comfort compared to the 5 Series, but flick the suspension switch and it tightens as quickly as the passenger's grip on the grab rail. Wind noise is a whisper over the A-pillars at highway speed and the E-Class would make a classy interstate commuter.VERDICTThe strength of the four-cylinder engines is rightly attracting new owners but for those who can afford it, the V6 powerplants (petrol and diesel) are a treat. That will only improve when the direct injection V6 arrives late this year with more power and torque but fuel use down from 9.4 litres to around 7 litres. Bring it on.Mercedes-Benz E350Price: From $132,635. Warranty: 3 years roadside, unlimited km.Economy: 8.5 l/100km; 199g/km CO2.Safety Equipment: 11 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP. Crash rating: 5 stars.Engine: 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre 6 cylinder.Transmission: seven-speed sports automatic, rear wheel drive.Body: Sedan 4-door, 5 seats.Dimensions: 4868mm (L); 1854mm (W); 1472mm (H); 2874mm (WB)Weight: 1735kg.Tyre size: 245/40 R18, Alloy.Spare tyre: Space saver/Temporary. 

The US-based company owns this section of the bike market with seven of the ten best-selling cruisers so far this year and the Softail Slim will only improve that.  The $26,995 machine is officially launched on September 1 but Harley dealers should already have a test bike on their showrooms. The Softail Slim fuses Harley's latest twin-cam engine in a classic, stripped down bobber frame styled from the 1940s. The styling includes a horseshoe oil tank, retro half moon footboards, retro speedo face, Hollywood handlebars and black steel-laced wheels. "It's time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle," Harley-Davidson senior designer Casey Ketterhagen says, "so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check."  "I'd personally like to strip the bike down even further but this is as far as we can go on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940/50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era." The beast is powered by the 1690cc TwinCam 103B V-twin engine cranking out 134Nm through a six-speed gearbox. To keep the rear of the motorcycle clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate. The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders are left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose the tire and give it the pared-down look Ketterhagen was chasing. "The bars are nice and low, too, so when you're riding you have an unobstructed view forward, which reinforces the idea that this is a very elemental motorcycle, a real back-to-basics ride," he says. An optional security package will add a proximity-based keyless start system and ABS brakes. First quarter cruiser market Yamaha XVS650: 223 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy: 167 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob: 151 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide: 146 Harley Davidson Softail standard: 144 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight: 142 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special: 129 Ducati Diavel: 118 Harley-Davidson Iron: 883 117 Triumph Thunderbird: 111  

Rural owners and those who find comfort in a higher hip-point are the targets of the new Subaru Liberty model. The high-riding Liberty sedan was revealed at the Beijing Motor Show this month and has been confirmed for Australia as part of the 2013 Liberty range due in the third quarter this year. The as-yet unnamed variant has 18-inch rims and a rides 60mm higher at 210mm to help navigate dirt roads. Inside the seats are raised 70mm to improve ease of entry and exit a major issue for older drivers and parents of kids in car seats. The 2013 range will include a revised grille, repositioned park brake and SI-Drive switches, a black "metal-type" centre panel and console and chrome-look sill highlights. Subaru Australia says the variant will only be sold here and in China, reflecting the unique road conditions in the two countries. Managing director Nick Senior points out 60 per cent of Australias roads are still unsealed and says the new variant will make it an obvious contender in rural markets. "This new Liberty variant will be ideal for Australian roads, where we have a huge percentage of unsealed surfaces and the extra ride height adds to its capability in regional and rural areas," he notes. "We see its main market to be in rural areas, but it will also be ideal for those with tricky driveways, those who travel with trailers and caravans, or just those who want a sedan where you can sit a bit higher." Subaru has yet to announce prices but says the new variant will be sold with 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 3.6-litre six-cylinder engines, mated to Subarus symmetrical all-wheel drive system.  

Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Welcome to America is not the catchcry you expect from a British motorbike company but in the case of Triumph it's a relevant call.The America fuses UK engineering quality with a look straight off the US streets to create a laid-back cruiser that's easy to ride and hard to resist. And given Triumph flogs a lot of bikes in the 'States, it makes marketing sense too.VALUEThe middleweight cruiser field is as competitive as a schoolyard queue. Triumph deservedly plays at the head of the heap, pitching the America against Harley-Davidson's Iron 883 and Super Low duo.The Harley's are the segment's top-sellers and just beat the Triumph's $13,990 sticker price. The 12-litre tank size on the Iron restricts its range as a cruiser, though, and the America probably has the edge in overall build quality.TECHNOLOGYIf it was too modern it wouldn't be a classic cruiser. That hasn't stopped the Hinckley-based outfit from refining the parallel twin engine to the point where it is more than a match for the V-twins.There's enough power to entertain new riders and encourage old hands but it is the smoothness across the rev range that makes this a willing performer, even without a sixth gear.STYLINGIt is impossible to tell from looking at it that the America started life as a Bonneville. The stretched wheelbase is bracketed by a 16-inch front wheel and 15-inch rear to give it the sloping cruiser look and the low-slung seat means even the vertically challenged can put both feet down at the lights. The fuel injectors housed in fake carburettor bodies adds to the old-school charm.SAFETYThere's no ABS braking but you shouldn't need it on this bike - it is a sit-back and enjoy the scenery style of machine. The biggest criticism comes in the form of the lights mounted on the tank - they're almost impossible to see in direct sunlight.It's also easy to find the limit of the Kayaba suspension when you're riding two-up, which can be aggravating on particularly bumpy roads.RIDINGLearner Approved Motorcycle Scheme restrictions stop the America from sporting L or P plates, but it is still a great cruiser to learn on. The combination of peak torque at 3300rpm and peak power at 6800rpm means it can be gently pushed along or given a decent run as your mood dictates.The weight is low enough that it's easy to handle at walking pace and while the pegs touch down early they can be held there if you've overcooked the entry speed and desperately need the lean angle.VERDICTA slick alternative to the V-twin cruisers on the market and Triumph's now on the Harley-Davidson game of having enough genuine accessories for owners to personalise the America as their own freedom machine. 

The prestige car wars have spilled onto two wheels with Audi buying the Ducati motorcycle brand. The financial validity of the deal has been questioned by analysts, but no one can question the marketing logic that will give Audi a platform to directly compete with BMW and its motorbike Motorrad division. Analysts say the Ducati buyout has no economic basis and instead fulfills VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piech's desire to own the Italian company's expertise on design and light engines.  Piech tried to buy the Italian bike builder in 2008 and is a long-standing fan of the marque.  "I can't think of a concrete reason for Audi to warrant a business case for buying Ducati," Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach, says. Audi boss Rupert Stadler disagrees. "Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles," he says. "It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world's most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi." The takeover also marks the end of Ducati's partnership with Mercedes-Benz high-performance arm AMG. "The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration," Mercedes-Benz says. "The takeover of Ducati was never our aim - our focus lies clearly in developing and producing premium performance cars and we will be concentrating all our energy on this." Audi built 1.3 million cars last year to overtake Mercedes-Benz in second place on the global prestige sales charts. BMW is now firmly in the company's sights - and the Ducati brand can only help draw customers, based on AMG boss Ola Källenius observation when he teamed with Ducati in 2010 that : "The people who are into performance cars often also have a performance bike in their garages." Ducati builds about 40,000 bikes a year, led by the Diavel cruiser and Panigale superbike. BMW's Motorrad division sold more than 104,000 bikes in 2011, while industry leader Honda shipped 16 million motorcycles.

Victoria Beckham has teamed with Land Rover to create a special edition four-door Evoque with bespoke details

The problem is that their training hasn't dealt with the safety technology intended to save their lives. The result is many drivers can't effectively control their car in an emergency because they don't understand how the software systems work.  That is the blunt assessment of Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy chief instructor Peter Hackett based on his observations of 200,000 drivers a year who undertake courses in South-East Asia with the German car company. "If you don't know how technology works, it is useless," Hackett says. "It's as simple as getting people to feel what activating the ABS system is like - and then showing  them how to get the most out of it. And that means keeping the foot hard on the brake even when steering. "For older drivers, everything you were taught about driving a car has changed. Cadence braking, steering in the direction of a skid  technology has made that redundant." "These courses aren't about selling cars - the people who turn up have already done that. It is about exposing people to the systems and showing them how they work and what the driver can do to maximise their effectiveness." The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy programs cover all the vehicles the company sells, from the sub-compact Smart to the S-Class limousine, vans and trucks.  Novice drivers are catered for with a First Gear course and, at the other extreme, owners of high-performance Mercs can attend an AMG drive days for some one-on-one coaching with a professional instructor. The courses are held around Australia but the Albert Park Grand Prix and the Phillip Island circuits are the ones to be seen at. "Our AMG drive day at Albert Park before the Australian Grand Prix is the only FIA-approved track," Hackett says, "and it appeals to AMG owners from around South-East Asia for just that reason." COURSES Siobhan Taylor has never activated the ABS on her 1997 Falcon. That horrifies chief instructor Peter Hackett. "It is incredible that people don't know how long it takes to stop from 100km/h because they've never been taught," he says. "And that varies from car to car, so the only way to know is to try it." And try it Taylor does. She starts with a 60km/h emergency stop - and lifts off as soon as the ABS system kicks in. Hackett says it is an instinctive reaction - and therefore one that has to be countered by repetitive training. "Just about everyone eases up on the brake pedal first time," he notes. "It takes practise but too many people never get that training."  To prove his point, within 15 minutes Taylor is confidently performing emergency stops at 100km/h and keeping the brake pedal flat to the floor until the car stops moving. It is a similar situation at the skid pan, where Taylor is shown how the stability control works - and what happens when it doesn't. Mercedes simulates a lack of grip with special plastic tyres imported from Finland. At 25km/h they're fine; at 35km/h you're effectively driving on ice. The parallel parking system, blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control are also explained and demonstrated. "I've had a ball, learned heaps and got to drive some amazing cars," Taylor enthuses of her time behind the wheel. First Gear participants are generally children of Mercedes owners or their friends. The course is restricted to 17-24-olds and the vehicles include a B-Class hatch or two-seat Smart, along with a hero car, such as the SLK roadster Taylor drove. A Mercedes-Benz Actros prime mover is also driven as part of the course. Mercedes spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says it gives young drivers more respect for B-double drivers - and helps stop them cutting in front of the big rigs at lights. "When you personally experience what it takes to stops an unladen prime mover, even one with the latest safety equipment, you have a better understanding of the potential consequences if you pull in front of a fully loaded B-double," he says. AMG Taxi rides are often unsettling. When the cab is a chrome-wrapped C63 AMG sedan and the driver is Peter Hackett, it is absolutely unnerving. At least his English is passable - but vocalising anything beyond "aaargh" as the car hits 250km/h on the run into Phillip Island's turn one is usually too much for most passengers. The C63 was chosen for the jod because, as Hackett puts it: "it is the least capable of our performance cars". "This is the taxi of the AMG range and the lap shows drivers what that car is still capable of," he says. "The only thing different about this C63 to our regular cars is the suspension, paintwork and the rollcage." The chauffeured ride comes at the end of the AMG Challenge drive day. The rest of it is spent in a fleet of AMG-enhanced vehicles learning the limits of the vehicle's _ and driver's _ capabilities around one of the fastest and most picturesque circuits in the world. The instructors are the young guns of Australasian circuit racing and include the likes of up-and-coming V8 Supercar drivers George Mediecke and James Brock to go-kart tyros such as Josh Hunt. The approach varies but the intent does not - to give drivers a better understanding of what their vehicle in doing in an extreme situation. Knowledge is power and that experience can then be applied to a real-world situation, with the driver having a better grasp of how their vehicle will perform. And keeeping drivers' safer, be it through through improving the biological and/or electronic responses, it ultimately what the courses are designed to do. DRIVING EXPERIENCE MERCEDES-BENZ DRIVING ACADEMY SCHEDULE First Gear (half-day course, $95): Sandown Raceway, Victoria, May 2 Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW, May 8 RAC Perth, WA, July 17 Driving Experience (half-day course, $350): Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW, May 7  

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2012 Renault Koleos.