Articles by Ewan Kennedy

Until the launch of the all-new Honda CR-Z, which the Japanese company has billed as ‘the world’s first hybrid sports coupe’, the only reason to buy a petrol-electric hybrid was to minimise emissions and fuel use.Honda CR-Z aimed to change that by making hybrids desirable – and succeeded enough that it took out the Wheels’ magazine 2011 Car of the Year award.Now the big names in sportscars are also working hard on developing hybrid cars, amongst them Ferrari and Porsche. These supercar hybrids are not only immensely more complex in their drivetrains than the little Honda, but also don’t do your bank balance any favours.Honda’s long overdue NSX hybrid supercar, due in 2015, is likely to rival the big name Europeans in performance, although probably not in price – we can’t wait to get into one ourselves.ENGINE, MOTOR AND TRANSMISSIONPower for the Honda CR-Z comes from the combination of 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric system. Maximum power output for the combined petrol/electric system is 100 kW with peak torque of 190 Nm (manual) or 172 Nm (automatic CVT).CR-Z comes with a choice of six-speed manual and CVT. Though we admit that CVT is a more efficient way of transmitting power, thankfully our road test car had a ‘proper’ manual gearbox.STYLINGStyling of the Honda CR-Z is distinctive with a sloping rear glass roof and chopped off tail that are reminiscent of the old Honda CR-X and the original Honda Insight. The latter being the first every production hybrid to go on sale in Australia.The horizontal split panel arrangement of the rear windscreen doesn’t do a lot for vision. Drivers who don’t adjust their door mirrors correctly could get themselves into strife.INTERIORHonda CR-Z is best considered as a 2+2 with the rear seats only there for emergencies. Front leg, shoulder and headroom are all good. Luggage space is reasonable at 225 litres, expanding to 393 litres with the rear seatback folded, the latter is a feature not always available in hybrids.SAFETYStandard safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control. On the crash avoidance front there are daytime running lights, LED taillights and rain sensing windscreen wipers.TECHNOLOGYUpmarket interior features include satellite navigation, reversing camera, panoramic glass roof, leather-trimmed front seats, climate-control air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted controls and USB and Auxiliary inputs.DRIVE IMPRESSIONSThis is the sort of car that cries out to be taken to your favourite country roads when traffic is light, or preferably non-existent – hills and curves that test car and driver to the limit if you want to really press yourself. The Honda couple sliced along in a most delightful way, hugging the curves and remaining beautifully balanced. The little high-revving Honda engine, aided by the extra torque provided by the electric motor was very much part of the driving enjoyment.Torque is paramount for most driving enthusiasts and, as with all pure electric or petrol/electric vehicles, there’s plenty of it at low revs meaning that it can accelerate sharply from a standing start. Add the high revs that are characteristic of Honda engines and there’s plenty to enjoy.Just as importantly, the CR-Z performs well in daily commutes because energy that would otherwise have been lost in a conventional car, is stored in a battery for reuse when taking off again. Once more the added torque that’s such a feature in country driving comes to the fore in traffic.On test our fuel consumption was between four and five litres per hundred kilometres in easy freeway running, rising to sixes and sevens in town. Impressive figures given that we made no real attempt at economy driving.Honda CR-Z has a three-mode drive system (Sport, Normal and Economy) which controls steering, throttle response and IMA assistance. ‘Sport’ mode increases throttle and steering responsiveness and increases electric motor power assistance. ‘Economy’ mode tunes the system for optimal fuel economy. ‘Normal’ balances performance, economy and emissions to suit most driving conditions.As part of a 2013 upgrade Honda’s new Plus Sport (S+) feature was added. With the press of a button this provides extra engine and electric motor assist power. It can be used with any of three drive modes. Other 2013 enhancements include a lithium ion battery; rear LED lights; redesigned front bumper and grille; 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels and two additional exterior colours.VERDICTThe very clever Honda CR-Z adds driving enjoyment to fuel savings and low emissions and is a true little sports machine that appeals to many drivers. Honda CR-Z Price: from $38,490 (manual), $40,790 (CVT), Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid, 100kW/190Nm (Maximum)Body: three-door hatchCapacity: 1.497 litresTransmission: 6-speed manual or CVTBoot space: 225 litres (393 litres with rear seatbacks folded)Turning Circle: 10.8 metresKerb Mass: 1115 kgFuel Tank Capacity: 40 litresThirst: 5.0L/100km CO2 118g/kmWarranty: three years, 100,000 kilometres

A few months ago we had the pleasure of driving the latest versions of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet and coupe in their home country of Germany as part of the international launch. Now the cars have reached Australia and we’ve had a chance to test them under local conditions.DESIGNThough the profile of the just superseded E-Class cabriolet and coupe was very good, the frontal styling was overly complex, with numerous shut-lines at the front interfering with the otherwise smooth shape. The new look is significantly neater and more attractive. Indeed, so great is the alteration to the appearance that it’s hard to believe the bonnet and front guards remain as before.  Cleverly, the appearance changes haven’t interfered with the impressively low coefficient of drag of 0.24.Inside, the latest E-Class cabriolet and coupe retain the same overall design theme as before, with the exception of a reworking of the central area of the dash. Changes to the colours and finish of the materials give the cabin a different look as well.ENGINESThe biggest news in the E-Class range is the introduction of a new V6 engine in the E 400. In keeping with Mercedes’ downsizing policy – to reduce emissions and trim fuel consumption – the engine displaces just 3.0 litres, but achieves V8-like performance thanks to its twin turbochargers.With up to 245 kW of power, it has a huge 480 Nm of torque all the way from 1400 to 4000 rpm. On our road test out of Melbourne we loved the effortless surge of torque. This Mercedes biturbo engine not only makes for effortless long distance touring, but also provides the safety of effortless overtaking on tight country roads.Also on offer are a four-cylinder turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines in the E 200 and E 250 coupe. The cabriolet only gets the petrol units as buyers of the previous model steered well clear of the diesel option offered at the time. Many buyers will be happy with the output of the E 250 petrol, we are yet to get behind the wheel of an E 200.PRICEFor the first time, Mercedes-Benz Australia offers an E-Class coupe for under $80,000 (plus on-road costs) in the form of the $79,990 E 200 coupe. The most expensive model in the upgraded range is the E 400 cabriolet with a recommended retail of $142,900.SAFETYSafety is of increasing importance to Australian drivers and these mid-sized Mercedes have many crash avoidance features designed for the much more expensive S-Class. To try and avoid crashes these German machines looks for potential dangers for 360 degrees around themselves. There’s also lane keeping assist, radar cruise control, automatic braking and pedestrian collision protection.If you should still have a serious collision these Mercedes E-Class sports models will do their very best to prevent or minimise injuries.DRIVINGWe are pleased to report that the sporty Mercs work as well here as in Europe. Tyre noise on coarse-chip surfaces doesn’t intrude to any real extent, even in the cabriolet when the roof is open. Similarly big bumps on roads that have seen better days are generally dispatched with disdain. However, we did bottom out the suspension a couple of times when pushing hard over big undulations. Nothing to worry about when you remember these are low slung sports models.Handling is excellent due to the low centre of gravity, as is the balance offered by the front-engine rear-drive layout and by the dynamic precision the suspension offers.Cabin space is better than you might expect given the sleek lines of these cars. If those in the front seats want to stretch right out the coupe and convertible are two-plus-two machines, rather than four-seaters. However, moving the front passenger seat forward to share legroom does give an adult behind that seat surprisingly good space.Though we were testing the car on a day of eight to nine degree temperatures, the heated seats and Airscarf that blows heated air onto your shoulders made for comfortable travel. The clever Aircap, that rises up from the top edge of the windscreen and lifts the airflow by about ten centimetres, further improves life inside the open-top car.VERDICTMercedes-Benz has long been a leader in sporting coupes and convertibles. This new E-Class pair, with their prices trimmed, performance increased and added standard features seems sure to attract even more buyers.The complete Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and cabriolet range is:E 200 two-door coupe: $79,900 (automatic)E 250 two-door coupe: $96,400 (automatic)E 250 CDI two-door coupe: $98,900 (automatic)E 400 two-door coupe: $128,900 (automatic)E 200 two-door cabriolet: $88,900 (automatic)E 250 two-door cabriolet: $106,400 (automatic)E 400 two-door cabriolet: $142,900 (automatic) Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/cabrioletWarranty: 3 years/100,000 kmResale: 57 per centService interval: 12 months/25,000kmCapped price servicing: NoSafety rating: 5 starsEngines: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder petrol, 135kW/300Nm (E200); 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 155kW/350Nm (E250); 2.1L turbodiesel four-cylinder, 150kW/500Nm (E250 CDI);  3.0L twin-turbo six-cylinder, 245kW/480Nm (E400)Transmission: 7-speed auto; RWDThirst: 6.0L/100km (95RON), 141g/km CO2 (E200, E250 coupe); 6.5L/100km, 151g/km CO2 (E200, E250 cabrio); 4.7L/100km (diesel), 122g/km CO2 (E250 CDI coupe); 7.5L/100km, 174g/km CO2 (E400 coupe); 7.7L/100km, 180g/km CO2 (E400 cabrio)Dimensions: 4.7m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: 1560kg/1710kg (E200 coupe/cabrio); 1600kg/1725kg (E250); 1700kg (E250 CDI coupe); E400 N/ASpare: None  

Holden’s medium-large Epica wasn’t a sales success during its time on the new-car market that began in March 2007, with the car being quietly slipped off the new-car price list in February 2011.The Epica was relatively expensive and had a sedan body in a class that favours hatchbacks. Its South Korean heritage didn’t do it any favours either, though there was some Holden input in the design and mechanical setup. The result is poor resale value that makes the Holden Epica a real bargain on the used-car front.Epica has moderately good steering feel as it has some Aussie design input in the suspension and steering. However, it may be firmer in its ride on medium to rough roads than some owners like. On motorways it’s impressively smooth and quiet.Holden Epica’s interior space should be better for a car of this size that has the space saving layout offered by a transverse engine. Legroom in the rear is restricted unless those in the front are willing to give up a few notches of seat travel. Boot space is good, an advantage of the sedan body as it has a longer tail than hatchbacks’.Holden Epica has proven reliable to date and we see no reason why this won’t continue as, by the time it was designed, the Koreans had learnt a lot about build quality. As always, good cars can fall into bad hands so it still pays to have a professional inspection before forking out your hard-earned.The biggest feature of the Holden Epica is its straight-six petrol engine in a class of car that’s totally dominated by four-cylinder engines. The sixes are delightfully smooth and give Epica a real air of refinement.The six-cylinder petrols come with capacities of 2.0 litres and 2.5 litres. The former are offered only with a five-speed manual gearbox, the latter with an automatic transmission, also with five ratios. Performance is good without being outstanding as these are relatively small engines in a largish car. A slow seller, the 2.0-litre engine was pulled from the Australian market midway through 2008July 2008 saw the introduction of a turbo-diesel engine. This time with just four cylinders and a capacity of 2.0 litres, but with the advantage of a six-speed automatic transmission compared with the five-speed in the petrol autos. It has far too much turbo lag but once that has finally passed it works well when climbing hills, even with a load on board.Holden is well represented Australia wide, with dealers in even the smallest of towns. It’s unlikely country dealers will have spare parts of the Epica in stock, but bits can generally be delivered within a couple of business days. We have heard no real complaints about spare parts prices, or of shortages in the populated areas of Australia.Epica is easy to work on with a decent amount of underbonnet space. Good home mechanics can do most of their own work – but we advise they steer clear of any safety items.Insurance costs are generally low. As is sometimes the way with any car that’s a relatively small seller, there can be quite a variation in premium prices so it’s worth shopping around. Just be sure you are comparing apples with apples.WHAT TO LOOK FORBuild quality is generally good, but listen for squeaks and rattles when driving on rough roads, especially in the area behind the dashboard. This is unlikely to be a cause for breakdown, but can be irritating. Check under the bonnet for signs of weeping at the petrol pump.A petrol engine should start easily and idle very smoothly, anything else is a sign to be wary. Diesels that are overly noisy may be due for a major service, or an overhaul.Epicas with the 2.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine are underpowered by Australian drivers’ standards and may have been thrashed. Get a professional to check it if there’s the slightest doubt.Upholstery that gets a lot of work may be showing signs of wear. Check the rear seats as bored kids can knock them around. Look for damage to the front wheels as the Epica is a bigger car than some drivers realise and the wheels may have skimmed the kerb more than once.CAR BUYING TIPCars that were unpopular when new sometimes pick up in value as they age - note the word ‘sometimes’, though. 

The first Ford Kuga was a latecomer to Australia, having already been on sale in Europe for four years before it reached us early in 2012. Ford finally appears to be getting serious in this market segment, one of Australia's fastest growing. This time around the all-new TF series Kuga has reached us only a matter of

Fresh from the excitement of slashing prices and therefore greatly increasing sales of the Fiat 500 in Australia, the new importer has reintroduced its Punto hatchback.Now that Fiat Australia is controlled by the Italian head office, rather than a private importer, the Italian marque is pushing to become a mainstream player.Punto came to Australia between 2006 and 2010, but sold in modest numbers as it was expensive and not promoted with any real vigour. That’s about to change as the ‘new’ Fiat Australia has dramatically reduced prices and is about to launch a major advertising campaign.Almost nine million Fiat Puntos have been sold globally in the past 20 years and the new president of Fiat in Australia, Veronica Johns, is confident she can play her part in helping it reach the magic figure of 10 million in the next year or so.Unlike the cute Fiat 500, and the trendsetting Fiat Panda that’s due in Australia late in 2013, Fiat Punto is aimed at relatively conservative buyers. Hence it has neat but somewhat subdued styling. While the Punto has lines that are smooth and likely to prove timeless, it certainly didn’t create any visual interest from during our introductory test drives out of Brisbane.In Europe the Punto’s chief competitors are Volkswagen Polo, another vehicle that leans in the conservative direction so there’s no doubt the Italian designers are on the right track.However, Fiat dealers carry an extensive range of customisation gear so your Punto can take its own direction in the styling stakes. More about this in a moment.The engine in the Punto is the basic version of Fiat’s 1.4-litre four-cylinder unit. With only two valves per cylinder it has a power output of just 57 kW. Peak torque is 115 Nm at 3250 revs.The recommended retail price of $16,000 driveaway for the Punto Pop five-speed manual is significantly lower than that of Polo, Yaris, Mazda2, i20, Rio and a host of other cars in an exceptionally crowded market segment. Should you want an automatic transmission, Fiat’s Dualogic, which is an automated manual not a full auto, costs $17,500 driveaway.Be aware that these driveaway prices are only for the Punto Pop, you have to factor in on-road costs in the other two models in the Punto range.Far from being a stripped down ‘get-them-into-the-showroom’ special the entry level Punto Pop has a fair bit of gear; the denim inserts in the seats make a statement, the six-speaker radio/CD/MP3 audio system has steering wheel controls, and the Fiat Blue&Me hands-free Bluetooth phone setup reduces the dangers of driver inattention.Next up the line, the Punto Easy has 15-inch alloy wheels, a fancier design of dashboard, a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, a front seat armrest, and rear parking sensors.The range-topping Fiat Punto Lounge has 16-inch alloys, a pair of sports seats in the front, a soft-touch finish to the dash, climate control air conditioning, ambient lighting and automatic windscreen wipers.A huge range of accessories and custom features is on offer. Some of our favourite dress-up items are checkered-flag covers for the door mirrors, Italian national-colours decals on the B-pillars, a twin-tailpipe extension on the exhaust and Fiat embossed covers for the tyre valve caps. Not to forget a huge choice of side stripes and alloy wheels.Major active safety items are ESC and ABS and hill-hold. Passive safety is by way of seven airbags on all models with the exception of the Pop, which misses out on a driver’s knee bag.It comes as no surprise that this low-power engine is no ball of fire and requires frequent use of the gearbox to keep it working in a reasonable manner. The change action of the manual is better than average for a front-drive car and driving a car like this can be fun for those who love their manuals.The Dualogic generally changed down promptly under its own volition, and has manual overrides should you decide your driving skill need to be called upon. Having said all that, if you’re looking for a performance hatch you should probably shop elsewhere.

Hyundai Tiburon coupe arrived in Australia in March 2002 to somewhat mixed reviews. The biggest stumbling block to sales was the unusual styling.A minor facelift in February 2005 didn’t make a lot of difference to the overly Asian shape, but a major reshape in February 2007 was a winner. Though it retained the same overall silhouette the ’07 Tiburon looked so much better that it could have been an all-new design.At the start but Tiburon’s price was somewhat optimistic for a South Korean company that still sat low in the image stakes. Prices were slashed and sales lifted to a reasonable level, so there are quite a few on the used-car scene.Coupes have made a comeback in Australia in the last couple of years. Hyundai’s own Veloster with its striking shape and interesting door layout grabbed a lot of attention, but the biggest publicity came from the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 twins.Prices of Tiburons may increase due to this renewed interest in coupes, no promises though...The South Koreans have a similar attitude to Australians in their likes of good chassis dynamics and driving pleasure. So the Tiburon has a nicely neutral feel and gives good feedback through the steering.It’s not going to rival the big name Europeans but is a lot better than you might expect, particularly if you invest in a good set of sporting tyres.Interior room is pretty good in the front seats of the Tiburon coupe, chiefly because front-wheel drive through a transverse engine takes up less space.The rear seat is about average for this class, meaning it’s much better suited to kids than adults. Access to the rear seats of the Hyundai Tiburon requires a degree of flexibility, but we have seen worse.When launched in Australia the Tiburon came with a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing a somewhat lacklustre 102 kW, and a 2.7-litre V6 with a healthier, though still not outstanding, 127 kW. The latter output dropped marginally to 123 kW with the introduction of the 2007 model because the old-design engine had to be modified to meet new emission regulations.The four-cylinder engine was withdrawn from the Australian lineup midway through 2004. At the same time the price of the V6 was drastically reduced, to the extent that the V6 was then cheaper than the four-cylinder had been at the time of its 2002 introduction.Transmission is by a five-speed manual with the four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual beside the V6. A four-speed automatic transmission is available with both engines, its relative lack of ratios is partly counterbalanced by it having sequential-manual modes that let a keen driver make their own decision about which gear the Tiburon needs.Build quality has improved markedly in Hyundai cars in the last few years. Tiburon is one of the older generation models but isn’t too bad in the quality stakes. Our ‘what to look for’ section will give you some advice on areas of possible concern.A good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of work on this car as the design is relatively simple. As always, it's sensible to leave the safety related items to the experts.There seems to be some confusion among insurance companies as to what class the Tiburon falls into, so it's worth shopping around for a good deal. As always, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck the remote locking is working correctly on Tiburons made before 2005. Electric windows that are reluctant to work aren’t unknown in early models. Look for power steering hoses that are swollen and/or leaking oil. While bodies are generally good, interiors can be of variable build quality. Check for untidy edges between plastic panels, minor controls that don’t fit neatly and controls that are stiff or sloppy in operation.Listen and feel for hesitation from the engine when it’s suddenly asked to work hard. Make sure the manual gearbox has reasonably slick changes and that there's no grinding or jamming during fast downshifts. Check for uneven tyre wear, especially at the front wheels. This can be an indication of harsh driving.CAR BUYING TIPHaving finance on standby before walking into a used-car yard puts you in a stronger bargaining position.

From every angle the all-new Kia Cerato sedan displays a sleek, almost futuristic look, but the low sporty appearance belies the fact that there is more space inside the passenger cabin than in the previous model.Despite being lower, the new Cerato sedan (a hatch is due to arrive in Australia midway through August) is longer and wider and has a longer wheelbase.Even with the sporty roofline head room has been improved up front by lowering the seat hip line, there’s also more leg room and occupants can spread their wings into increased shoulder space. Overhangs front and back have been trimmed, yet the boot is bigger than before and takes up to 420 litres of cargo.Kia Cerato sedan comes in three specifications – S, Si and SLi – all with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, the S hooked up to a 1.8-litre four-cylinder multi-point fuel injected (MPI) engine, while the Si and SLi enjoy the extra boost of a 2.0-litre gasoline direct injection (GDI) motor.Fuel consumption during our week’s test was in the high fives and low sixes on the open road, but 11 to 12 litres per hundred kilometres around town. A generous 50-litre fuel tank has the Cerato comfortably cruising more than 600 kilometres between fill-ups.The six-speed automatic transmission features fully automatic operation or Sport mode engaged by moving the lever towards the driver when in Drive. Not many drivers ever use this feature, but it’s there for those who like to have a say over what gear the car is in. The steering wheel has tilt-and-rake adjustment. Instruments and controls are purposefully directed at the driver.Active safety items include electronic stability control and vehicle stability management that works with the ESC to provide ‘corrective’ steering inputs to help the driver avoid loss of control, especially on mixed wet and dry road surfaces, front corner and rear parking sensors. Passive safety sees the car with are six airbags and the Cerato has been given a four-star Australian NCAP rating.All Cerato sedans have projector-style headlamps, powered front and rear windows, keyless entry, cruise control, trip computer with external temperature display, and front corner and rear parking sensors. Connectivity is by a USB/iPod compatible radio/CD player with six speakers and Bluetooth hands-freeCerato Si adds 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior highlights, electric folding door mirrors, automatic headlights, rear seat air vents, a 4.3-inch touch-screen audio system with LCD display, push button start and smart key and a reversing camera.We were most impressed with the solid feel of the gen-three Kia Cerato. It’s almost as good as many European cars. The new Cerato, like all Kias of the latest models sold in Australia, had a considerable amount of local input in the suspension and steering. While some of the early Aussie-modified Kias can be on the firm side, this new Cerato is impressively smooth in its ride, even over badly corrugated roads.This added comfort may be due to the fact that the suspension guys have backed off a little on the sportiness of the Cerato. Resulting in handling that is safe rather than exciting. Which is what typical buyers expect from a car in this class.Noise, vibration and harshness have been minimised by a stiffer body shell and new vibration-damping front subframe mountings. The rear parcel shelf and cargo bay have insulating filling. In addition, the front side chassis members, A-pillar and side sills are filled with acoustic foam and there is a dynamic damper fitted to the shorter of the front drive shafts.The electric power steering has three settings to match customer preference with Normal, Sport and Comfort modes, the effort required to turn the wheel varies with mode, while the number of turns lock-to-lock remains the same. It’s hard to go past Comfort mode for day-to-day city driving.Storage is good, thanks to a glovebox that’s grown by 30 per cent, front door pockets capable of holding a 700-ml bottle and rear door holders for 500-ml bottles. The centre console incorporates a covered two-litre multi-box, ahead of the gear lever, twin cup holders, behind the gearshift and on the rear centre armrest a 5.6 litre box between the front seats. Soft-touch materials further enhance cabin surroundings.Though style is likely to be the big talking point in the new Kia Cerato sedan, there’s a lot more to be considered. It has decent handling that’s tuned for Australian drivers and roads, it’s well equipped and sells at a highly competitive price.

Subaru Australia has brought the BRZ S pack Down Under to further enhance its stunningly successful new sports coupe. As soon as the announcement of the local availability of the pack was known we put up our hands to spend a week road testing one.It arrived in Subaru WRX Blue and has spent a lot of time being fanged around some of the special roads in our local area. All the BRZ S pack components are made by Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru’s performance arm.STYLINGThe Subaru BRZ S has lowered suspension that’s visually enhanced with a body kit consisting of a front spoiler, a rear diffuser and side skirts. The 17-inch black alloy wheels are an STI design and tie in neatly with the lower-body add-ons. A boot mounted spoiler adds to the tough look.Inside, the cabin is enhanced by a gear lever with a Duracon knob on manual boxes; the engine gains a push-button start with the large button done in brilliant red.The BRZ S pack isn’t only available to new-car buyers, owners of existing BRZs can have a sports pack retrofitted. Subaru Australia says the installation should be done by an authorised Subaru dealer.VALUEDriveaway prices for the Subaru BRZ S are $45,145 (manual) and $46,925 (automatic). The extra price over the non-s models is $7195, including fitment, for the automatic BRZ, and $7995 for the manual, meaning the S pack is pretty well priced when you consider the serious engineering effort put in by STI and the high quality of materials in a very Subaru manner.Subaru BRZ S pack models that are ordered online at the same time as a new BRZ and fitted prior to delivery to the customer are covered by the normal three-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty. Items bought after the car’s delivery come with a two-year factory warranty if fitted by an authorised Subaru retailer.ENGINEPower for the BRZ comes from an all-new 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four engine that puts out 147kW of power at 7000 rpm, and 205Nm of torque at 6600 revs. Though 147kW is nothing to be sneezed at in a car like this, the engine feels much stronger than the numbers suggest. That’s partly due to the highly responsive nature of the engine and the fact that it’s willing to nudge the redline without the slightest of fuss.The great throaty sound of the Subaru boxer engine when you get stuck into the pedal on the right - something that we did at every opportunity during our review period - is a joy to the ears of those who like their cars to sound exciting.DRIVINGHandling is even sharper than in the standard BRZ, not only due to the lowered suspension and centre of gravity, but also because extra stiffness is added to the body by way of a tower-strut brace.The steering is nicely weighted and sends just the right amount of feedback to the driver. Road grip is excellent and the modified BRZ is more than happy to change direction mid corner. The low centre of gravity and fore-and-aft balance certainly make this a true sports coupe.The ride of the standard BRZ is quite firm in a true sporting manner. Interestingly, it doesn’t really seem to have deteriorated in the S pack car. This is a real tribute to the guys at STI and means the S can be used as an everyday driver even if your commuting trips do take in some rough and ready Aussie backroads.VERDICTIn a couple of words - we love it.Subaru BRZ S 2.0-litre two-door coupePrice: from $45,145 (manual), $46,925 (automatic)Engine: 2.0 litre four cylinder, 147kW/205NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or automatic, RWDKerb weight: 1256 kg (manual), 1278 kg (automatic)Turning circle: 10.8 m kerb to kerbFuel tank capacity: 50 litres0-100 km/h: 7.6 seconds (manual) 8.2 seconds (automatic)Thirst: 7.8L/100km CO2 181g/km (manual), 7.1L/100km 164g/km (automatic)Wheels: 17-inch alloys

Suzuki Swift was a big seller in Australia in the 1980s and '90s, but was inexplicably discontinued in 2000. Realising they had made a mistake, the importers introduced an all-new Swift in February 2005. The older Swifts, which incidentally were also imported by Holden and badged as Barinas are also worth a

Lexus Australia has launched a special edition RX 270 with a range of ‘extras’ usually seen only on higher grade models.The Lexus RX 'X' Special Edition package is based on the RX 270, the entry model in the RX range. It is being produced in limited numbers, with just 300 destined for the Australian market. Styling changes in the special edition are achieved by the use of the RX Sports Luxury front bumper; 19-inch alloy wheels and 'X' exterior badges.VALUELexus Australia tells us the upgrades give over $7000 in added value, but it sells for the same recommended retail price of $69,400 as the base grade RX 270.TECHNOLOGYInside you will find heated front seats; a Smart Key Card, that fits in a wallet or purse, cleverly it even lets the driver open the doors and start the engine if the Smart Key batteries are flat; Head Up Display that projects important information on the windscreen, such as speed, satellite navigation directions, gear position and audio settings; and a luggage tray for stowing items and protecting cargo area trim.Externally, the Lexus RX 270 ‘X’ package provides Clearance and Back Sonar to assist when parking in tight spaces; an Adaptive Front lighting System, this swivels the headlamps when travelling around tight bends; and Illuminated scuff plates.A year ago Lexus gave its popular RX range of SUVs a mid-life facelift. Even more important was the introduction of a 2WD model for the first time. Tagged the RX 270 it had a four-cylinder engine, previously all Lexus RX models came with all-wheel-drive and a V6 engine.The lighter weight of the RX 2WD (that drives through the front wheels) means there was less loss in performance than you might expect given the smaller engine.Lexus cars are about comfort, quietness and refinement and the Lexus RX 270 certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Lexus RX range has significantly less ground clearance than the typical crossover. This means it has road holding and ride comfort closer to that of a station wagon than an SUV.INTERIORInterior materials and the quality of fit and finish of the body and cabin are immaculate in all models and the entry level RX 270 certainly doesn’t miss out.Interior room in one of the RX wagons is good for two adults and three children, but three adults in the back seats starts to squeeze their friendship. Boot space is reasonable considering the stylish slope of the rear window, but carrying boxy items can be a problem. The rear seat has a handy 40/20/40 split.COLOURSThe RX 270 'X' Special Edition is available in five exterior colours: White Pearl, Mercury Grey, Premium Silver, Starlight Black and Garnet Red, and two interior colours: Ivory and Black.