Articles by Ewan Kennedy

Mitsubishi Pajero is an important vehicle in the history of 4WDs in Australia. Prior to the Mitsubishi’s launch in the early 1980s buyers could choose between a 4WD that was truck-like, or find a lot more money and go for a very expensive Range Rover. Then Pajero arrived at an affordable price, with good off-road ability, on-road comfort and decent handling.The rest, as they say, is history and in the intervening four decades every car maker in the world has designed 4WDs and SUVs based on the principles introduced by Mitsubishi for its now-renowned Pajero.Now, Mitsubishi Pajero has been updated for the 2014 model year and Australians, who have bought it in the tens of thousands have an even better vehicle. For the 2014 season there’s a big emphasis on safety, with luxury items also being added and/or upgraded.TECHNOLOGYMitsubishi’s Link in the GLX and GLX-R provides voice controlled Bluetooth 2.0 with steering wheel controls, mobile hands-free and wireless audio streaming making it easier and safer to conduct business or enjoy some downtime in the Pajero. The VRX and Exceed receive the addition of the Mitsubishi Multi Communications System (MMCS incorporating 3D based satellite navigation) and rear-parking sensors.The entry-level, five-seat diesel Mitsubishi Pajero GLX has keyless entry; 17-inch alloy wheels; front skid plate; rear fog lamps; roof rails and wheelarch flares. Inside, there’s a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift lever; automatic climate control; and a multifunction trip computer.The GLX’s audio system has a single-CD player, six speakers, USB port with iPod control interface and AUX audio input so you can listen to your favourite music in any format. Voice controlled Bluetooth 2.0 with steering wheel controls, mobile hands-free and wireless audio streaming make it easier and safer to conduct business or enjoy some downtime in the Pajero.Next up the luxury line, the Mitsubishi Pajero GLX-R also gets colour-coded door mirrors and door handles; a rear tailgate spoiler; integrated side steps and front mudguards; front foglamps and black door sash detail.The Pajero GLX-R’s versatile seven-seat setup offers multiple options, with the third-row seat able to fold, drop or recline, it can even be stowed under the cargo floor, or totally removed. Automatic climate control is part of this package.The mid-range, seven-seat diesel Pajero VRX now has 18-inch alloy wheels; a restyled chrome radiator grille; darkened rear privacy glass, exterior door mirrors with built-in turn signals and puddle lamps. Inside, Pajero VRX’s cabin receives partial leather seat trim and leather look floor and console and door trims for added style, while the power adjustable front seats with seat heaters increase comfort levels.The all-new Mitsubishi Multi-Communication System (MMCS) found in the Pajero VRX features a high-resolution touch-screen panel with 3D satellite navigation for easier operation. The top of the range Pajero Exceed receives chromed details on the door mirrors and handles; chrome side strips and front foglamps with chrome bezels to brighten the exterior appearance. The added brightness of High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps come as standard on the Exceed.Inside, the Exceed comes with leather seat trim and stylish wood print to give it a luxury look. Entertainment comes from a quality 860 watt, 12-speaker Rockford Acoustic Design audio system. The kids get a rear seat 9-inch DVD entertainment system with dual wireless headphones.Crash prevention is the best form of safety. The Mitsubishi Pajero is equipped with MATT (Mitsubishi All Terrain Technology) for excellent off-road control, it also improves on-road safety and handling. A rear differential lock is standard across the range.SAFETYThe MATT system incorporates Active Stability and Traction Control, ABS braking system with EBD and Mitsubishi’s well proven Super Select II 4WD layout. This lets the driver switch between 2WD and 4WD modes at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour on any surface. Thus making for the best compromises of on-road fuel efficiency, off-road traction and many other areas between these extremes.Standard injury minimisation safety equipment on all variants of the Pajero includes front driver and passenger, side and curtain SRS airbags and IsoFix child restraints (the latter from July 2013 onwards).WARRANTY AND SERVICINGMitsubishi Australia continues to give a five year/130,000km new vehicle warranty and five year Roadside Assist. There’s capped price servicing for the first four years or 60,000km of ownership on all new vehicles. There are some conditions attached to the servicing so contact your Mitsubishi dealer to discuss your particular situation.

Another high-performance car has hit the high-performance scene in Australia - Polestar. Polestar is the tuning division of Volvo and joins Mercedes AMG, BMW M cars, even Holden HSV, in offering the excitement many Australian drivers crave.In a stunning recognition of Australian drivers, Australia is the first country to receive the Volvo S60 Polestar. Just 50 have been assembled at this time and all have been allocated to our country.The Swedish high-performance guys see Australia as being the most challenging market in the world, with a huge array of hot machines being sold here to those who appreciate the pinnacle of automotive excitement.We attended the world debut in Brisbane and came away most impressed with the S60 Polestar. Putting its money where its corporate mouth is, Polestar and Volvo are going all out in the high-performance stakes by entering the V8 Supercar series in 2014.“Australian V8 Supercar racing is the best in the world,” said Hans Baath, one of Polestar’s chiefs who came Down Under to introduce their new baby, “the racing is close and exciting and Swedish car enthusiasts love the TV coverage.”Nissan and Mercedes AMG began competing against Ford and Holden in the new-generation V8 Supercars in 2013 and it will be great to see Volvo in there as well.Of course, the V8 Supercars Volvo Polestar will be a pure racing machine, but we have just had a terrific couple of days in the road-going version of the car. Our particular car was the first off the line and appropriately numbered 01/50 on the plate on the steering wheel.With a retail price of just $109,990 the S60 Polestar is powered by the turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine we have admired in other Volvos. In this iteration it produces 350 horsepower (257 kW in Australian numbers) and over 500 Newton metres of torque.DRIVINGTorque is the important thing in any engine. "Power sells a car, torque moves it," smiled Hans Baath. We just loved the endless stream of grunt produced by the straight-six. Throttle response is all-but instantaneous despite this being a turbo engine and the torque is at its peak all the way from 2800 to 4500 revs.The automatic transmission is modified version of the standard Volvo six-speed unit and provides fast changes to match the engine. Overtaking is ridiculously quick and safe with an engine like this. All-wheel drive with sporting settings to ensure the correct torque is sent to each wheel and finishes off the excellent powertrain package.As well as the sporting engine Volvo and Polestar have worked on the suspension, steering, brakes and body stiffening. This results in a sporting machine that will bring a smile to the face of even the most demanding of drivers.Even more impressive than the sports sedan feeling is the way it copes with day-to-day driving. Ride comfort is almost as good as that of the standard S60 sedan.Obviously the most impressive thing about the new Volvo S60 Polestar is its performance, but we were also amazed at how easy it is to drive in real life conditions. Hans Baath again, “This is a car for all seasons, all reasons, and all conditions.” He is so definitely right.VERDICTThis is no hard-riding track-day special and we would be happy to use one as a daily commuter – with dreams in our head of taking it for that famed early-morning Sunday drive and/or to the racetrack on the same day. Volvo S60 T6 PolestarPrice: from $109,950Engine: 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turboPower: 257kW and 500NmTransmission: Six-speed auto, all-wheel-driveThirst: 10.2L/100km0 to 100km/h: 4.9 seconds

The relentless march of the South Korean car industry continues. A combination of style, low prices and decent dynamics is proving attractive to an ever increasing numbers of Australian buyers. The price of the entry-level Cerato S, at $19,990 plus on-road costs, gives you a lot of family car for a most modest outlay.Kia’s new Cerato sedan is a classic example. It is longer, wider, lower, with shorter overhangs than the second-generation car, all of which make for a sleeker styling with a fair touch of European in its shape.Inside the dashboard is simple, well-designed and functional. Clever design means the Cerato is lighter by around 50 kilograms, to help performance, reduce fuel consumption and trim exhaust emissions.Although it’s classified as a small car, we see the Kia Cerato as a genuine mid-sized family sedan. At 4.56 metres long it has enough legroom for two adults to sit comfortably in the rear, though the sleek styling means some may find rear headroom is marginal.Kia Cerato S now has a smaller engine than before. Its new design 1.8-litre four-cylinder produces 110 kW of power and 178 Nm of torque. The previous entry level Cerato had a 2.0-litre (115kW/194Nm) engine.If you do want the larger engine you have to buy a Cerato Si or SLi. These have the 2.0-litre engine, now with numerous upgrades to lift it to 129kW and 209Nm. All three Cerato models come with the choice of manual or automatic transmission, both with six forward speeds.As we’ve come to expect, Kia Cerato is well-equipped in the safety field. Standard on all models are Electronic Stability Control with traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist; and Emergency Stop Signal that activates the hazard lights on emergency braking. Six airbags help to keep you alive if the aforementioned protection electronics can’t prevent a crash.On the luxury front, there’s cruise control, Bluetooth; Auxiliary and USB sockets; and steering wheel mounted controls in all models. Kia Cerato Si not only gets the bigger engine it also has 16-inch alloy wheels; a reversing camera; smart key with push-button start/stop; chromed highlight surrounds. There’s what Kia terms a ‘premier’ interior trim; 4.3-inch LCD computer screen; and automatic lights.The range-topping Cerato SLi scores 17-inch alloys; LED taillights; LED daytime running lights; leather trimmed seats; heated front seats; a powered driver’s seat; paddle-shifters when the automatic transmission is specified; and dual-zone climate control. A satellite navigation package including traffic information and DVD player displaying on a 7-inch LCD screen, is priced at $1000.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, we revhead road testers have to admit is what typical buyers expect from a car in this class.Our road test car this week was the topline Kia Cerato SLi with an auto transmission, coming in at $29,990 plus on-roads. That’s a lot of car for a very reasonable outlay - just compare it to some Euro family sedans in the same class. However, it has to be admitted that the South Korean Kia sits a long way down the prestige scale from the iconic Europeans. Such is life.The 2.0-litre engine has plenty of punch and the transmission generally responds with a minimum of hesitation when a lower gear is required. It’s a nice combination. Fuel consumption around town was in the eight to nine litres per hundred kilometres range, which isn’t bad for a car of this size. On the open road it wasn’t difficult to get the petrol use under seven litres per hundred with careful driving.At this stage only the Kia Cerato sedan has been introduced to Australia. A five-door hatch is expected within a few months. An upgrade of the existing two-door coupe, the Kia Koup, will be released towards the end of the year. Like all Kia models the new Cerato comes with a five year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

What a beast! Jaguar’s XKR-S makes its presence felt a hundred metres away, even when being driven in gentle sociable manner. Its supercharged V8 engine roars, spits and burbles. It idles with a gruff grumble to tell you that it would rather be revving to the heavens than idling.In everything it does this Jaguar supercar gives the world the definite message it wants to get up and work - work hard. Everywhere we drove our big cat attracted attention, not all of it favourable it must be said...ENGINEWhen you do give it a big bootfull the 540 horsepower (404 kW) Jaguar V8 becomes much happier. It jams you back in the seat with fearsome acceleration of the type only enjoyed by supercar owners, lifting it from rest to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds on its way to an electronically limited 300 km/h – on a racetrack of course.This ultra-hot Jaguar is built with track days in mind and takes the big coupe to a new level of performance. The standard Jaguar XK coupe is already a quick car, adding the R package to bring it up to XKR status and it’s fearsomely fast. But now there’s even more – for those who think too much isn’t quite enough Jaguar has come up with the XKR-S edition.The huge 540 horsepower (sorry, kilowatts just don’t work in supercar land) is put through a six-speed automatic, which passes it back to a sophisticated active electronic differential.DRIVINGThe big Jag grips the road within milliseconds of the throttle being mashed. If you’re at the track most of the driver-assist gear can be detuned or turned off completely. Obviously you don’t just stuff a 404 kW / 680 Nm engine under the bonnet and hope for the best. The complete Jaguar XK has received a major working over to match its straight-line capabilities.There are aerodynamic tweaks to increase downforce as speed rises, pushing the big coupe down to maximise cornering grip as well as safety. Obviously, the suspension settings lean in the direction of firmness, but the adaptive system means this XK variant isn’t as hard riding as some others in the same class.Huge disc brakes haul off speed even faster than the engine can pile it on. Jam the pedal hard and you feel yourself being jammed forward against the safety belts.And doesn’t it look just great. After attracting the attention of other road users, particularly pedestrians, by its racetrack sound, our big, Jaguar XKR-S coupe pleased almost all who saw it during our all too short week on the Gold Coast.VERDICTWould we pay $299,000 plus on-road costs to buy one? Definitely - but only if we had some money to spare for another car (or two) for everyday use as the XKR-S is too hard edged for a day-to-day machine.We love the shape of the Jaguar XF, so that would be added to our list, and the upcoming Jaguar F-Type, the smaller brother to the XK, is coming down under very soon. A nice trio...Jaguar XKR-SPrice: from $299,000Engine: 5.0-litre SC V8, 405kW/680NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, RWDThirst: 12.3L/100km, CO2 292g/km      The Jaguar XKR-S GT is the fastest Jag since the XJ220.   

The fastest growing vehicle segment in Australia is that of medium SUVs. So it comes as no surprise that Fiat, which is currently undergoing rapid expansion in Australia, has entered the arena with a model called the Freemont.Fiat Freemont, shares many components with the Dodge Journey because Fiat took over the American car maker when Chrysler/Dodge went under during the GFC. Chrysler has long been a major designer of what our cousins on the other side of the Pacific call ‘minivans’. Downunder we use the term ‘people movers’.Though Freemont is more people mover than SUV, its styling leans in the SUV direction and Fiat Australia hopes many buyers will compare it with others in the huge range of SUVs now on sale. Despite its appearance, the Fiat Freemont isn’t offered with 4WD, the engine is connected only to the front wheels.There’s no better way to grab the attention of Australian car buyers than with a low price tag. Hence the introduction of the Fiat Freemont with a price list that starts at just $27,000 driveaway. Our road test was done on a 2.4-litre petrol Freemont Lounge which came in at $30,300 plus on-road costs.Fiat Freemont is available in three specification level: Base, Urban and Lounge. The so-called base Freemont ‘Base’ is far from being base when it comes to standard equipment. It even has Fiat’s Uconnect infotainment system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen; CD/MP3; and integrated telephone with voice command and Bluetooth audio streaming. There are USB and Aux inputs.Freemont Base also features 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone air-conditioning and keyless entry and start. Then there are automatic headlights; rear-parking sensors; an alarm system with an anti-intrusion feature; and the added safety of a tyre pressure monitoring system.The mid-range Fiat Freemont Urban receives a larger infotainment screen, at 8.4 inches; a DVD player; automatic temperature control in the air conditioning; six-way electronic adjustment for the driver’s seat; a leather-wrapped gear-lever; and Sunscreen glass.Fiat Freemont Lounge tops off the lineup. It gets 19-inch alloy wheels; satellite navigation; leather upholstery and premium door trims; heated front seats; chromed roof bars; an Alpine audio system with a subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier.Built-in booster seats for children are standard on all models, making the Freemont excellent value for cash-strapped people mover buyers.The Fiat Freemont comes standard with a five-seat layout. A seven-seat configuration is available as an option, including three-zone climate control. The second row of seats can slide forward by up to 100 mm from their rearmost position, giving parents easy access to children sitting in the second row. All seats, including the front passenger one, can be folded down to create a vast flat load area.Theatre-style seating in seven-seat Freemonts ensures good visibility for those travelling in the back seats. Though a lot of luggage space is, naturally, lost when all seven seats are in use it’s possible to fit three cabin bags upright in the remaining space. Cleverly this is supported by nets to prevent it falling when the tailgate is opened.As well as regular crash avoidance electronics the Fiat Freemont also has a trailer sway control, roll mitigation and tyre pressure monitoring. Should a crash still occur occupants are protected by six airbags, with the side-curtain ‘bags extending to coverage of the third-row seat. Integrated child booster seats are another welcome standard feature.Fiat Freemont is powered by either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The 2.4-litre petrol engine produces 125 kW of power, and 220 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. The diesel has up to 125 kW, and 350 Nm between 1750 and 2500 rpm.Both engines drive the front wheels via either a six-speed automatic transmission when the petrol engine is fitted, or a six-speed manual with the diesel. So if you want the economy and added grunt of a turbo-diesel you will have to do your own gearshifting, which will hamper sales in Australia as local drivers don’t follow the European path of maximising driving pleasure.On the road we like the way the Freemont rides and the excellent insulation from noise and vibration it displays. It really does feel as though it’s as smooth and relaxing as significantly more expensive SUVs and people movers. The vehicle’s Dodge underpinnings show in a slight vagueness in the steering, and handling that’s safe but with no sporting overtones. American roads are pretty rough and ready in many places and they like a soft ride over there in the US of A.The petrol engine in our test car probably had enough power for the typical buyer, but its torque is developed high in the rev range (max is at 4500 rpm) so the six-speed auto is kept busy in hilly terrain and/or when there’s a big load on board. Not a problem as the auto is a nicely responsive unit that’s generally in the gear the driver would have selected manually.Fuel consumption will be in the nine to ten litres per hundred kilometres range around town, falling to seven to eight litres in country running.

Mitsubishi Lancer is a small to medium Japanese car designed and made to a high quality, making it one of the leaders in the reliability stakes.

Toyota has continued its release of special Altitude packages with the introduction of a special edition Kluger SUV Altitude. Features that Toyota tells us are valued at over $9000 have been added to the Kluger.It’s available in two-wheel drive with a recommended retail price that starts at $44,490, the four-wheel drive begins at $48,990. This is only $1300 more than the price of the seven-seat Kluger KX-R on which the Altitude is based.Major additional items are a tilt-and-slide moonroof; satellite navigation that incorporates traffic updates and 3D images on its 6.1-inch LCD touch screen; and a rear entertainment system using a nine-inch screen mounted in the roof and three wireless headsets.The Altitude’s audio system includes Bluetooth streaming for compatible smart phones and MP3s, phonebook and SMS message access, voice recognition, SMS text-to-voice. Inputs include a SD card slot, USB, and iPod control.Alloy wheels have 19-inch rims and 245/55 tyres as fitted on the top-grade Toyota Kluger Grande. Other external changes include black roof rails and front foglamps. There’s an Altitude badge on the tailgate.Kluger's safety package includes seven airbags and driver assist technologies such as vehicle stability and traction control, Hill-start Assist Control and, on the all-wheel drive version, Downhill Assist Control.DESIGNKluger Altitude has three rows of seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. The split-fold second-row seat has a removable centre seat. The second row seat can have legroom that’s almost limo like, and shoulder room that’s better than in any limousine saloon. Best of all is the completely flat floor in this area.The independent seats in the second row slide backwards and forwards depending on how much passenger/luggage space you require. Toyota’s Kluger is slightly smaller than the Toyota LandCruiser and Toyota Prado and is a major player in the ever expanding soft-roader market.TECHNOLOGYPower for the Toyota Kluger is provided by a 3.5-litre petrol unit that produces 201 kilowatts. Peak torque of 337 Newton metres isn’t reached until 4700 revs, but there’s strong build up to those figures so there’s good grunt from about 2000 onwards. It’s a pleasant, easy going engine to sit behind.DRIVINGKluger’s on-road comfort is very good and it’s an excellent people mover. A bonus of the 2WD version is that it’s lighter than the 4WD, giving it slightly better performance and/or making it more economical at the same time. Handling of the Kluger on-road is better than average for the class. Though not to the standard of a passenger car in the way it reacts, it corners in a safe and predictable manner and will provide the aforementioned family with a smooth quiet ride.Away from sealed roads the limiting factor in the Toyota Kluger isn’t traction, which is pretty good for a softroader, but restricted ground clearance. This sits about halfway between that of a normal 4WD and a passenger car. On gentle off-road excursions the Kluger should look after a driver with no real off-road experience, and can tackle reasonably harsh conditions in the hands of an expert.VERDICTToyota’s ability to produce a variety of SUVs has been further expanded by this special edition Kluger Altitude. It’s likely to sell out pretty quickly so if you’re halfway interested hesitation could mean you miss out.Toyota Kluger AltitudePrice: from $44,490 (FWD), $48,990 (4WD)Engine: 3.5L six-cylinder petrol, 201kW/337NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, FWD or 4WDThirst: 11.0L/100km

Holden Captiva is a medium-large SUV that has a lot of Australian input in its design and engineering teams. It is available in two slightly different body styles, with the MaXX having a sporty look and five seats, while the other body type can be purchased as a five- or seven-seater.The third row seats are larger than those in many of Captiva’s seven-seat competitors and, while still better suited to children than adults, can carry the grownups in reasonable comfort.Storage space when all seven seats are in place is severely restricted, hardly unusual in this size of vehicle. The seats can the folded down in a variety of ways and, when all are flat, you have up to 1565 litres of luggage space.There are a number of smaller stowage compartments including a large wet/dry area beneath the load compartment floor. Interior storage is excellent, with seatback pockets; a glovebox cooler; front and rear centre console storage; door bins; drink holders; and an overhead sunglasses holderWhen introduced in 2007 the only Captiva powerplant was a 3.2-litre V6 petrol built by Holden. The engine was shipped to the South Korean factory to be installed in Captivas used on many global markets. A 2.0-litre diesel engine was added to the range in March 2007.Initially all Holden Captiva models used the same part-time 4WD system, with drive normally being to the front wheels and the rear wheels being engaged when extra traction was demanded.The 4WD system is well engineered and the Holden Captiva can tackle some quite tough off-road areas as it has good approach and departure angles. It’s not a heavy-duty 4WD but can go surprisingly far in the hands of an experienced operator.A 2WD version, through the front wheels, was introduced in December 2009. Called the Captiva 5 and using the MaXX style body it’s a five-seater powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.A five-speed automatic with tiptronic-style manual override was the only transmission option until the arrival of the Captiva 5, which is offered with a six-speed manual as well as an automatic transmission. The automatics were upgraded to six forward ratios with the introduction of an upgraded Captiva in February 2011.All Captiva models come with electronic stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist, traction control, active rollover protection and descent control. There are dual front airbags in all models with side curtain airbags optional in the lower cost models and standard on the others.Holden is very well represented in most areas of Australia and dealers in all regions are likely to carry the more common spare parts for the Captiva. Other components can usually be shipped in within a couple of working days. Prices are lower than average for an imported vehicle in this class.Parts and servicing costs are reasonable and the relatively simple layout of the Captiva means the good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work. Safety related items should only be worked on by professionals.Insurance costs are pretty reasonable and we haven’t seen a big variation between companies. However, it’s always smart to shop around for the best deal making sure that you’re comparing apples with apples when doing so.Check for rust in the lower area of the body and in a Captiva that may have been used on the beach. Look over the interior for signs of dirt having been ground into carpets. Similarly, check for damage and/or stains on the seats.Look for off-road damage to the bumper corners, the door sills and for light scratches in the paintwork on the doors and the front guards. If the load area has been used to cart heavy gear and/or has been damaged by poor loading and/or fastening there could be severe damage to the carpets. Again, signs of sand may be bad news.Engines that are slow to start or blow smoke when worked hard may be due for major repairs. Automatic transmissions that don’t go into Drive quickly when moved from Neutral or Reverse may need servicing.So few SUVs ever get taken off-road that it’s probably worth passing up one that has been used as an SUV. Silly, isn’t it? 

Honda cars have long held a reputation as being a step above other Japanese marques in quality and prestige. Nowhere does this show more than in the medium-large Accord sedans.These days the Honda Accord sells in Australia in two different market segments. One, called Accord Euro, has a real emphasis on sporty handling and has gained a good reputation amongst those who enjoy driving. It gives, precise communicative steering and plenty of road grip. Handling was improved further when an upgraded Euro model arrived in Australia in June 2008.The other variant, simply called the Honda Accord, is larger, American-based and leans in the direction of passenger comfort rather than sporty dynamics.Many owners only drive gently and find the Accord’s characteristics most acceptable. Those drivers with more of a sporting makeup will find these Accords are rather soft and inclined to understeer at relatively slow speeds.Australia is the only country that takes imports of the two significantly different models, showing the high regard in which our country is held by the head office chiefs in Japan.Honda Accords in Australia are four-door sedans (though the European market also has a station wagon variant). Interior space is good, though the Euro is smaller than American Accord so for adults to get comfortable in the rear seat the front seats have to be set a few notches forward.Boot space is good, with a wide, low opening which makes it easy to load. Naturally, the boot in the larger car has greater volume, but the Euro’s luggage area is more than acceptable if only couples are using the car.The Honda tradition of designing cars with good outward visibility makes the Accord easy to drive and park, as well as making it comfortable for young children to see out of. However, crash safety regulations that made thick pillars necessary mean that there's less outwards visibility in the these post-2003 Accord. They aren’t bad, just not as good as the excellent older models. A four-cylinder engine used in the Euro model and the American Accord has a capacity of 2.4 litres. The engine in the Euro is set to a higher state of tune than the one in the American car so need high octane unleaded petrol, the Accord is happy to run on 91, though a diet of 95 does seem to make it feel good.A V6 3.0-litre unit is used in the American Accord, but not in the Euro. The 2008 model change saw an increase in the V6 engine size to 3.5 litres. The newer engine design offers plenty of relaxed torque and uses less fuel than the smaller engine it replaced.The Accord Euro is offered with a six-speed manual to suit its sporting nature, though in Australia most are fitted with a five-speed sequential automatic. The American car is imported only with a five-speed automatic transmission.The Honda dealer network usually concentrates on the major population centres. If you live in the relatively remote country area it might be wise to make inquiries to Honda’s head office, or your local regional office, if you are considering buying one of the cars. Ask about the time it takes to source parts, although this is unlikely to be more than a couple of business days.Honda has worked hard at reducing spare parts costs in recent years. However, the price drops usually apply more to the common parts than to the unusual ones.These are relatively complex cars, especially from the 1998 model, and are best left to professional mechanics. A good amateur, armed with a workshop manual, can tackle some of the routine work.Insurance is generally very reasonable as is only to be expected from a car in this ultra conservative market segment. It will be interesting to see if the new sport-oriented Accord Euro changes the premium structure.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should be all but inaudible at idle, even in the four-cylinder units. Any roughness may indicate problems.Check there are no oily black stains in the exhaust pipe and the surrounding body and bumper. Make sure there isn’t a puff of oily looking smoke from the exhaust when the accelerator is floored after the engine has been idling for a minute or so.Manual gearboxes should move freely with no sticking or crunching on fast gearchanges. Automatics should go into gear promptly and their changes should only be noticeable when you're accelerating hard.During your test drive check the brakes pull the car up evenly without one wheel locking before the others. On cars with ABS, feel for a pulsing through the pedal during very hard braking.Look at the condition of the interior, paying special attention to the top of the dashboard and the rear shelf for sun damage. Fading or cracking in these areas can cause hassles.Rust is not common but may have found its way into cars that have been badly repaired after a crash. If you’re not sure, have a professional check out the car as repairs can be expensive.CAR BUYING TIPCars used by families often have more wear and tear in the boot than those used by couples. The condition of the back seat in a kid carter depends greatly on the amount of discipline the juniors have been taught... 

There are those who will disagree strongly with this statement: “The new Porsche Cayman is simply the best vehicle ever produced by the iconic German marque that specialises in sports machines.”The disagreement will come from those who insist that the famed Porsche 911 is better. They will insist that the character and personality of the Cayman simply doesn’t match that of its big brother 911.Let me put my argument in favour of the Cayman; the Cayman has its engine in exactly the right spot - behind the seats and in front of the rear axle, thus making it a true mid-engined machine. This placement of the engine (the gearbox is mounted immediately behind it) gives the best possible chassis balance and is used by all pure racing cars, from Formula One down.VALUEThe fact that the Cayman/Boxster cost about half the price of the 911 is a major factor in the equation. While a starting price of $107,100 doesn’t exactly put them into the affordable category, anyone with a decent income can certainly put them seriously onto their wish list.The all-new Porsche Boxster arrived in Australia in June 2012; exactly a year later its closed-coupe brother Cayman now takes pride of place in Porsche showrooms Down Under.DESIGNCayman shares most of its body parts with the Boxster. Indeed, there are many components from the 911 under there are well. Obviously, the fixed roof of the Cayman takes an altogether shape to that of a Boxster with its roof closed.To our eyes the styling of this fixed hardtop Porsche is simply brilliant. There’s a strong hint to the iconic rear window shape to please 911 purists, yet the Cayman definitely makes its own statement.Porsche Cayman differs in appearance in its lower areas of the body, with changes to the style of the the front air intakes and rear diffuser. Like the Boxster, the Cayman has been on a diet and uses a substantial amount of aluminium to trim weight. This results in even nimbler handling, reduced fuel consumption (down by about seven per cent on official measurements) and lower emissions.TECHNOLOGYPowertrains on offer are a 2.7-litre flat-six with 202 kilowatts and 290 Newton metres driving through a six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch PDK automated manual. Or a 3.4-litre 239 kW / 370 Nm unit with the same transmission options.Zero to 100 km/h acceleration from the smaller engine is 5.4 seconds, that from the larger unit is an impressive 4.7 seconds, in both cases this requires the PDK gearbox and the Sports Chrono package.DRIVINGThough our initial road testing of the all-new Porsche Cayman involved far too much Sydney traffic crawling (OK, it’s what people do in real life, but…) the open road and twisting segments of the Porsche organised program showed just what a stunning car this is.The close-to-perfect balance, well sorted suspension that comes with various electronic settings, and low centre of gravity make it a delight to push hard and fast. Steering is nimble and Cayman is more than happy to change direction mid bend if need be.Tyre noise is extreme at times on coarse-chip surfaces, to the extent that the occupants have to significantly raise their voices.The sound from the engines, we tested both powerplants, is sensational and even at low speeds there’s an eagerness from the flat sixes that makes the driver feel alive within the car.VERDICTNew Porsche Cayman is a brilliant sports machine at an extremely affordable price when compared with the supercar brigade. We would be more than happy to have one in our garage – or better still out of it – any day.