Articles by Ewan Kennedy

Hyundai Accent arrived in Australia in June 2000 to replace the extremely successful Hyundai Excel. Hyundai attempted to push it a bit more upmarket than the Excel and that included a price rise that took it out of the cheap-and-cheerful category. The lower cost Hyundai Getz also stole sales from Accent.So sales of the Accent have never been as high as the Korean importers planned, but there are plenty on the used-car market and if you shop around there are some excellent buys out there.Hyundai’s build quality, which was a bit hit-and-miss in the company’s earlier years, had improved noticeably and the Accent benefited from being an all-new design. The later the car you buy the better it’s likely to be. The main structure of the Accent generally holds up well when subjected to the rigours of rough Aussie roads. Anything that squeaks and/or rattles, particularly inside the cabin, during your test drive should be treated with suspicion.There's good interior room in this small-medium Hyundai and buyers with pre-teen children can use the Accent as a full family car. The boot is roomy and easy to use and has a good shape that’s reasonably easy to load.Hyundai's Accent has good handling and the feel through the steering is better than average for an Asian import. There's some understeer if you push hard but the car is reasonably neutral until then. A good set of tyres can markedly improve things in the handling department and won’t set you back a huge amount of money.Model choices are quite limited because slow sales meant that the upmarket Accent hatchbacks, and all sedan variants were pulled off the Australian market in 2002. The sedan made a return in May 2006 with the introduction of a virtually all-new Accent.In September 2003 the Accent received a facelift to move it away from the somewhat bland look of the original model. This facelifted version is more popular on the used scene and it’s worth paying the extra if you’re looking for a bit of pizzazz in an affordable car.At the time of the 2003 body revamp, the Accent’s engine was increased in size from 1.5 to 1.6 litres. Performance from the new 78 kW unit made the small-medium Hyundai reasonably zippy on the road. It’s still not really sporting, but the car became more pleasant to drive, with shorter overtaking distances and the ability to climb hills with fewer gearchanges.Gearbox options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. This means it’s lagging behind more recent competitors with multi-speed manuals and autos. The manuals are generally good in their gearchanges but can bind up at times for no obvious reason. Automatics do sap a fair bit of engine power in a car of this size and are probably best left to those who do a lot of heavy-duty commuting in serious traffic.These days Hyundai is a fully established as part of the Australian automotive scene. The dealer network is large and widespread, though as is often the way in a car in this class, representation in the bush can be on the sparse side. We have heard of no real complaints about the cost of servicing or spare parts.The Accent is a simple design and has good underbonnet space, so it’s easy enough to work on. A lot of routine work can be done by a good home handyperson, though safety related items should be left to the professional. It’s always a good idea to have a workshop manual on hand before starting your own servicing and repair work.Insurance charges are moderate and there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of difference between companies as to the premiums they charge. Shop around but, as always, make sure you are doing a full apples-with-apples comparison before making your final choice.WHAT TO LOOK FORWe have seen Accents reach 200,000 km without any real problems. These cars had obviously been driven sensibly and serviced by the book - ask to see the full service records. Look over the interior, including the boot, for signs of rough usage. This may be a sign that other out of sight areas have also been mistreated.Rust isn't normally a problem, but look at all the lower body areas and around the front and rear windscreens to be safe. Any cars we have seen with rust in their bodies have been poorly repaired after crashes.Do an engine check for easy starting and smooth idling. Where possible this should be done with the engine cold, preferably after it has been sitting overnight.Feel for a manual gearbox that baulks during fast gear changes, especially during the three-two down change.Turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other whilst travelling at a very low speed and listen for clunking noises near the front wheels. These probably indicate the universal joints are worn.CAR BUYING TIPSellers will ask more for cars with a full service history, but it’s generally worth the extra outlay. Having paid the higher price it’s smart to keep its logbooks up to date. That way you can get most of your added investment back when it’s time to trade up. 

The Holden Captiva 5 LTZ comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed trim, eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and automatic wipers.Just as importantly, the Captiva LTZ has a new design of six-speed Gen II automatic transmission replacing the six-speed unit that was introduced in 2011.The new transmission is aimed at reducing fuel consumption and providing very smooth shifts to exactly match driving conditions and Australian drivers’ desires.  This new automatic transmission is installed not only in the five-seat Holden Captiva 5, but also in the Captiva 7 models.Holden Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Philip Brook said the upgrades are aimed at increasing Captiva’s appeal, and pointed out that, “SUV buyer expectations are changing. More and more customers are looking for a richer equipment list and expect their SUV to have all the convenience features normally reserved for more premium models.“The upgrades give us a great opportunity to increase Holden’s presence in the booming SUV market, particularly at the smaller end of the market.”Holden Captiva is built in South Korea by GM Korea and has a lot of Australian design and engineering work included in it. This gives it an advantage over many other SUVs from Asia and Europe as the engineers are intimately aware of Australian driving conditions and the likes, and dislikes, of typical Aussie SUV owners.

An updated BMW Z4 roadster will reach us Down Under at about the time the new financial year ticks over. Which may be good news for those who have done all right in the 2012/13 year, because a new entry-level model, the BMW Z4 sDrive18i, will be one of the most eagerly awaited models in the shipment.VALUEBMW Australia won’t reveal the price until closer to the launch, but can we speculate that it will be somewhere in the high $60s? That’s going to be a significant drop from the current $77,500 entry price for the BMW Z4 sDrive20i -- putting the BMW Z4 into closer reach for a lot of buyers.ENGINESThe new BMW Z4 sDrive18i (why does BMW insist on these extraordinarily complex model names?) is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW’s highly efficient TwinPower turbo technology. It produces maximum power output of 115 kW. Peak torque of 240 Nm is brilliant, spread from just 1250 rpm and is there all the way up to 4400 revs.As befits a pure sports model, the Z4 sDrive18i is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. An eight-speed sports automatic is an option.The 18i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a sporty 7.9 seconds with the six-speed manual box, (the automatic is a little slower at 8.1 seconds).The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4 sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control.TECHNOLOGYThe optional BMW Individual hardtop, available in Black non-metallic and Glacier Silver metallic, adds to the appearance for the person wanting to stand out in the styling crowd. The hardtop can be opened while the Z4 is moving at up to 40 km/h, further adding to its practicality. If rain is looming you can keep the car topless knowing you only have to slow down, push the button and be secure again.The standard bi-xenon headlights of the revised BMW Z4 have a very slim design and extend well back into the front guards. There are LED daytime running lights. The integrated turn signal indicators now have chrome-coloured surrounds.Changes to the standard interior include high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents and the iDrive control system’s folding Control Display (where fitted).The BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are offered with Kansas leather trim, which is available as an option for the two other models.STYLINGWith a facelift of the body style, interior refinements and what BMW calls its new Design Pure Traction equipment package all variants of the Z4s are interesting sports machines.BMW Z4 is a true roadster thanks to its long bonnet, stubby tail and a low seating position that’s right back at the rear axle. This is strictly a two-seater, and we admire it for that.BMW’s ‘Design Pure Traction’ option is a vivid new equipment package that will please those who are bored with the unvarying black-on-black of too many new cars.Such-equipped Z4's will feature bespoke Alcantara door trim and orange-coloured lower section of the instrument panel. The black leather seats have contrast stitching in Valencia Orange and an accent stripe running down the central section of the backrests and seat cushions. This stripe is likewise orange and is flanked by two thin white lines.Another exclusive element of the Design Pure Traction package is the metal weave trim strip, which can be combined with further decorative elements in high-gloss black for the door openers and the gearshift or selector lever. 

Just over a year ago, in February 2012, Ford Australia took a toe-in-the-water step by introducing its first Kuga SUV models. The first-generation Kuga was already approaching its fifth birthday in Europe, but Ford’s downunder people knew their Escape SUV was fading in popularity due to its age and outdated looks.An ever-increasing number of more stylish competitors in what was becoming the most crowded sales arena in Australia meant a new, more modern Ford SUV was desperately needed. After what must have been a long, slow wait the all-new Ford Kuga is finally on sale here.Ford uses its standard model designations of Ambiente, Trend and Titanium for the gen-two Kuga. Ambiente is offered in low cost format with 2WD, the front wheels, at a recommended price of just $27,990. It also comes with AWD at $31,490. Trend and Titanium come only with AWD.So important is the launch of the Kuga to Australia that Eric Loeffler, the global chief engineer of the Kuga project, came downunder. Over the dinner after the formal presentations, and during the drive program the next day, Loeffler impressed me with the attention to detail that has obviously gone into the design.Though Ford was keen to retain the practicality of the Ford Escape - with its sensible, boxy, not exactly inspiring looks - the stylists were well aware the medium SUV market has now become part of the automotive fashion scene.People no longer want to buy a practical 4WD to explore the great Australian outback, instead they are looking for a station wagon that can carry all sorts of family stuff - and look stylish in the driveway. While the overall theme of the new Kuga’s body doesn’t really break any new ground its execution is excellent and we feel it’s right up at the head of the medium SUV pack in looks.The frontal shape isn’t unlike that of the Ford Territory and we are told it’s indicative of the next generation Ford products. Ford has paid attention to complaints that the first Kuga was a little cramped in the rear seat and has not only expanded that area by stretching the length, but has also made the boot larger. Kuga’s interior styling is bold, with large sporty looking dials and a centre stack that protrudes towards the occupants for ease of use.Ford is pushing hard on the connectivity theme and, thankfully, is doing what it can to minimise driver inattention. While many drivers will continue to ignore safety warnings and take their attention off the road, the voice recognition system used to control many functions should significantly reduce the number of crashes.A clever feature in the big array of safety features is Driver Alert. This looks not only for driver inattention, but also for signs of fatigue during long trips that are such a feature of Australian country driving. Should you be unfortunate enough to be in a crash the topline models will ring 000 and get help by informing emergency telephone operators of your position using GPS signals.Talking of crashes, the new Kuga, with seven airbags amongst a host of other damage minimisation features, has obtained the highest ever ranking in its class in European testing. It goes without saying it scored a maximum five stars in Australasian NCAP barrier testing.Power for the gen-two Kuga comes from either a turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engine. Both are at the head of their respective fields in performance and economy. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol unit provides up to 110 kilowatts of power and 240 Nm of torque, when fitted in the lower cost 2WD version of the Kuga. Power is increased to 134 kW, but peak torque remains the same, in 4WD variants. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel’s power output is 120 kW, with 340 Nm of torque.Even the Kuga Ambiente is well equipped, with keyless start, cruise control with auto speed limiter, a leather wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, Sync in-car connectivity with voice control, single CD audio system that is USB and iPod compatible, 3.5-inch mono TFT screen, front and rear foglights, Bluetooth mobile phone integration, single USB port and Auxiliary port.To this the Trend adds 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, 5-inch colour TFT screen, leather inserts and bolsters, heated front seats, interior ambient lighting with multi-colour choices, tables on front seatbacks and active park assist. Topline Kuga Titanium gains 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, bi-xenon headlights with automatic levelling and daytime running lights front and rear.We tested a variety of models during a drive program in South Australia that took us from Glenelg, south into the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula and came away with the smoothness and quietness of the ride, even on tough Aussie roads that had seen better days. There’s strong torque through the six-speed gearboxes (manual or automatic in the 2WD petrol Ambiente, auto only in the others).The handling during our brief initial drive of six different variants always felt safe and predictable. Should you approach a bend at a silly speed Ford has installed a range of electronic stability and traction aids that will do all they can to get you out of trouble.Ambiente 1.6-litre petrol FWD five-door wagon (manual)Ambiente 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon (automatic)Trend 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon (automatic)Trend 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon (automatic)Titanium 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon (automatic)Titanium 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon (automatic)

Volkswagen Golf is a huge player on the world’s motoring scene and has been so for almost 40 years. Total sales over the six Golf generations to date are approaching 30 million.We were among 1500 plus journalists invited to the global launch of the all-new Golf 7 in Italy last year. Now Golf has arrived in Australia and we have just experienced it in local driving conditions to check how it copes with our sometimes harsh roads.DESIGNStyling of the Golf has always been relatively conservative and the all-new Golf 7 continues that tradition. It retains cues to its predecessors, but comes with some sharp new lines that tie in with the latest styling trends.The front has a neat grille that ties in with modestly shaped headlights. Naturally, Golf 7 has the kinked C-pillar that has been a distinctive feature since the first model. The shape is neat, competent and likely to be as timeless as that of its honourable ancestors.Inside, the theme continues in that the cabin is sensible and ergonomic, with no unnecessary frills. Two large dials are easy to see and the satellite navigation, where fitted, is clear and legible, though the screen is perhaps smaller than we like.The Volkswagen designers have gone right back to basics with the new model. This is not an evolution of the Golf 6, which was in turn closely based on the ‘5. Rather the ‘7 is an all-new design using the latest in weight reduction.Though the car itself is slightly larger than the Golf 6 the overall weight is up to 100 kg less than before. Even more cleverly, this has been achieved without having to use expensive materials such as aluminium in large quantities. Light weight, of course, assists in performance, reduced fuel usage and lower CO2 emissions.Boot space is useful at 380 litres, up from 350 in the Golf 6. Volume is increased to 1270 litres with the rear seat backrests down. Cleverly, the luggage cover stores neatly under the boot floor when not required, so you don’t have to find space for it elsewhere. The cover can be set at two levels, one of them providing the security of out-of-sight space under it.SAFETYActive safety features include Lane Assist that actively steers the car back into the correct lane or away from the edge of the road (providing there are clear line markings at the road’s edge); City Emergency Braking at speeds up to 30 km/h; crash anticipation and preparation; and adaptive cruise control.The basic safety features are standard in all Australian models, but you have to pay extra for some of the advanced safety items in the lower cost variants. Check with your local VW dealer for information.ENGINESPower comes from new-design turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The petrol displaces 1.4 litres; the diesel is a 2.0-litre. The petrol engine comes in two states of tune, producing either 90 kilowatts of power, and 200 Newton metres of torque between 1400 and 4000 revs; or 103 kW and 250 Nm from 1500 to 3500.Diesel peak power is 110 kW, with torque running at a strong 320 Nm between 1750 and 3000 revs. The biggest impression made by the all-new Volkswagen Golf 7 is of sophistication. It is as smooth and quiet as a car at least a size larger.The Golf’s engine is almost electric-motor quiet at idle and little noise intrudes into the cabin, even when it’s accelerated hard. Response is significantly better than that of most modern turbocharged engines, to the extent you can forget it’s a turbo most of the time.DRIVINGHandling is neat and precise and the Golf is easy to point and willing to change direction. Comfort is good and even on some of the very rough backroads we punted it over in a 300+ kilometre drive program out of Melbourne, the coarse-chip surfaces and large potholes didn’t increase sound and vibration levels to any real extent.The windscreen pillars are reasonably slim and don’t hamper the view outside as much as in many contemporary cars.VERDICTVolkswagen Golf 7 is an extremely impressive car with a highly refined feel inside the cabin and the level of performance offered by relatively small engines. It seems assured of sales success in Australia, as it has already been in dozens of other countries.The complete Golf 7 range is:90TSI 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $21,490 (manual), $23,990 (DSG)90TSI Comfortline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $24,990 (manual), $27,490 (DSG)103TSI Highline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $31,990 (DSG)110TDI Highline 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $34,490 (DSG)Volkswagen Golf 90TSI ComfortlinePrice: from $21,490Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 90kW/200NwTransmission: 6-speed manual or 7 speed DSG, FWDThirst: 5.4L/100km, CO2 126g/km

Daihatsu Sirion is a well-built Japanese car with an excellent reputation for reliability and low running costs. It wasn’t as successful as big brother Daihatsu Charade.So there are some bargains in Daihatsu Sirions as they are regarded as orphans and have suffered in resale value because of this. Despite this they can be kept on the road with a minimum of expense if you choose a good one and look after it correctly.A new Daihatsu Sirion released in April 2002 was more of a facelift, and although longer and given a freshened face, did not offer anything different in the way of drivetrain. For that we had to wait until the all-new Sirion launched here 2005 -- infortunately not long before Daihatsu exited the Australian market altogether. It was substantially bigger than the first-generation model that was launched in Australia in 1998. There’s decent interior room and a boot that can handle a fair amount of luggage. The older models are smaller and probably best left to couples and singles, but the 2005 model can work as a family car if the children are in their pre-teen stage.Daihatsu Sirion is well equipped, coming with air conditioning, a four-speaker CD stereo, power door mirrors, lap-sash safety belts in all five seats and dual airbags. A model worth chasing down is the Sirion Sport, with alloy wheels, a front body kit that includes foglights, a sportier design of rear lights, colour-coded door handles and ABS brakes it provides a lot of small car for a pretty reasonable price.The first series Daihatsu Sirion used an interesting three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine of the type the Japanese marque had made famous for many years. It continued with the larger model of 2002, but in the 2005 Sirion power came from a more conventional four-cylinder, twin-cam unit displacing 1.3 litres. The latter produced a relatively modest 64 kilowatts, but variable valve timing meant it has strong torque throughout most of the rev range, peaking at 120 Nm at a reasonably low 3200 rpm.Transmission choices are five-speed manual and four-speed automatics. Autos don’t take as much out of the performance as you might expect as the Sirion is relatively light. But our gearbox of choice would be the manual unless you’re doing a lot of commuting in traffic. The manual’s gearshift is light and easy so it’s not a hardship to do your own shifting.Handling is competent without being in any way exciting – definitely not a car for the enthusiast. There’s a reasonably neutral feel at everyday road speeds, but understeer comes in too early. A good set of tyres can give it a better feel and provide grip.Daihatsu has been controlled by Toyota since the early 2000s after getting into financial trouble. Toyota Australian stocks spare parts for most models younger than about 10 years. Check with your local dealer and/or check out parts recyclers in your neighbourhood.As it’s a relatively small car the Sirion doesn’t have a lot of underbonnet space so can be annoying to work on. Workshop manuals are available and are recommended. Don’t tackle any safety related items unless you’re an expert.Insurance costs are generally towards the bottom end of the scale and we don’t know of any major company that charges extra for the Sirion Sport, probably because it’s a dress-up variant not a real sporty design.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook for sun damage on the dash top and rear shelf. Check for tears in the seats and damage to floor and boot mats.Rust is rare but if it does get a hold it can run through very quickly due to the light construction of the Sirion. Look in the lower body areas, as well as the doors and hatchback. The corners of these panels are usually the first to suffer. Check the floor of the cabin and the boot for rust. Repairs there can be expensive.Look for signs of crash repairs, minor repairs correctly executed are to be expected in older cars that spend a lot of time in city/suburban driving, but if you think a Sirion has been in a major crash have it inspected by a professional as sub-standard cars can be dangerous.The engine should start quickly even when cold and should have a relatively smooth idle from start-up. Four-cylinder engines are smoother than the threes.Check there is no smoke from the exhaust tailpipe when the engine is accelerated hard after idling for a while. Gearchanges should all be light and easy, with the clutch taking very little effort to operate.If the gearbox baulks or crunches when you do a fast change down, there could be expensive troubles. The third to second change is usually the first to suffer. If the clutch is heavy or sticks during its movement it could be due for an overhaul.Drive the car at low speed with the steering on full lock in one direction and then the other and listen for a clicking sound of worn universal joints.CAR BUYING TIPBuying an ‘orphan’, a car that’s no longer imported, can save you money. But do your homework on parts and knowledgeable mechanics before getting in too deep. 

The name ‘Pulsar’ is back in the Nissan fold, replacing the much-unloved ‘Tiida’ tag to the delight of just about everyone in any way connected with Nissan in Australia - be they owners, buyers or sellers.The subject of this road test is a top-of-the-line 1.8-litre Pulsar Ti sedan. Four doors are the only body type on offer at this time. Pulsar hatch, including the sporty SSS, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged, direct injection engine is due downunder mid year.The five new Pulsar sedans range from just $19,990 to the $28,990 Ti we drove, and there is plenty to choose from both in features and price. The new Pulsar comes in three specification levels: ST, ST-L and Ti.The Pulsar Ti has all the advantages of hands-free Bluetooth and MP3/iPod connectivity, six-speaker audio, touch-screen colour display, reversing camera with guide lines and satellite navigation.Pulsar’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine develops peak power of 96 kW and maximum torque of 174 Nm. It’s mated with a CVT, resulting in a quiet, continuous delivery of power. They can be ordered with either a six-speed manual gearbox or Nissan’s new Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) offering smoother acceleration and broader gear ratios than a conventional automatic. The Ti we tested comes only with the CVT.Smart Revolution Control keeps engine speed constant even if a driver operates the accelerator pedal roughly under gentle acceleration, while it also smoothes irregularities of vehicle speed on undulating roads. Without the driver noticing, it all adds up to minimising fuel consumption and enhancing drivability.During extended open road cruising ‘our’ Nissan Pulsar Ti used five to six litres per 100 kilometres. In town it recorded nine to ten litres per hundred. While most of the automotive world measures fuel consumption in litres per hundred kilometres, the Japanese do so in kilometres per litre, which is shown in Australian import’s dash displays of current Pulsars. Hopefully, Nissan Australia will have this corrected on future models.The Pulsar has Nissan's new style trapezoidal radiator grille and large wraparound headlights. Riding on 17-inch alloy wheels, the Pulsar Ti’s low stance and belt line add to its appearance of length.Interior space is impressive. New Pulsar has a longer cabin than its main rivals, making for extensive rear-seat legroom than can carry two adults in comfort.Pulsar has a co-efficient of drag of just 0.30, this is partly due to the attention paid to the vehicle’s underbody, with air flow funneled by a large front spoiler past the front and rear wheels via strategically-placed deflectors.A stiff body structure is designed to maximise occupant protection and minimise vibration, while mechanical and road noise have been isolated by sound absorbing materials.Soft-touch segments – dashboard and driver’s door armrest - plus leather seat accents imbue the cabin with a feeling of quality, while the Ti must have close to the most comfortable seats in class. Not nodding off comfy, but long-distance comfy.Gauges, set out on an instrument panel that curves outwards to the doors, are backlit, even in daylight, making them easy to read.Safety systems include front, side and curtain airbags; ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; traction control and vehicle dynamic control.The CVT transmission has what Nissan calls Smooth Start Assist control. This irons out any accelerator pressure imperfections, which makes the car accelerate in a smooth and fuel-efficient manner.During extended open road cruising ‘our’ Nissan Pulsar Ti used five to six litres per 100 kilometres. In town it recorded nine to ten litres per hundred. While most of the automotive world measures fuel consumption in litres per hundred kilometres, the Japanese do so in kilometres per litre, which is shown in Australian import’s dash displays of current Pulsars. Hopefully, Nissan Australia will have this corrected on future models.It’s still early days, but it’s already looking as though dumping the Tiida and reintroducing the Pulsar is paying big dividends in sales. It’s not just the name change that’s doing the work, our week in the Pulsar has impressed us with its competence in many fields.

Britain’s Range Rover had the luxury 4WD market all to itself for many years until the Germans finally entered the arena. Led by the M-Class, Mercedes’ first luxury SUV, this market segment has become highly competitive. There are now also entrants from Mercedes’ biggest rivals, BMW and Audi.Mercedes-Benz M-Class arrived in Australia in September 1997 and has sold well since then thanks to a combination of image, price (more about this in a moment) and genuine 4WD ability. While the M-Class is used by most owners as a luxury station wagon rather than a 4WD, if you choose the right off-road packages it is pretty competent on unsealed surfaces.You wouldn't tackle Jeep’s Rubicon Trail in an M-Class, but it will cope with far tougher conditions than likely to be attempted by 99 per cent of owners. Why mention the famed ultra-tough Rubicon Trail? Because the Mercedes SUV was primarily aimed at the American market - and is made in the USA.Build quality was poor in the early days, but following some serious overhauls in the factory systems things improved greatly. Vehicles from the early 2000 update are noticeably better than the original units. The body on the original vehicle had a fair bit of movement, even squeaks and rattles in the really rough stuff, but was stiffened up for the year 2000 model.The high centre of gravity when compared to a car reduces the cornering ability of the big Mercedes 4WD on sealed roads. But electronic aids in the form of traction and stability controls make it cling to the road remarkably well. Amazingly, the big Merc M-class corners safely at speeds far higher than are likely to be attempted by the average owner.The generation-two models (W164) replaced the original W163 in October 2006 and the gen-three (W166) came to us in April 2012. Each version increased the stylishness of the vehicle, but put ever more emphasis on on-road performance. However, the Off-Road Pro packages are there for those who want to get down and dirty in the serious stuff.There's good interior space and the boot is a good size. As is the norm in the car business each model was larger than the previous, came with more a luxurious finish - and sold in greater numbers. Mercedes-Benz offers a staggering range of V6 and V8 petrol and engines. Diesels come with five or six cylinders, with the great majority featuring the V6 powerplants.Automatic transmissions are fitted to all vehicles, with five forward ratios in the early days and seven since the introduction of the W164 in 2006. At the top of the performance tree are the AMG variants of the M-Class. Improbable as they may seem, the ML 55 AMG and later the ML 63 AMG rocketships are much loved in Australia and ours is one of the world’s biggest market on a population basis.The Mercedes-Benz dealer network is very well established in Australia. Spare parts aren't overly expensive for what the vehicle is. Insurance charges are surprisingly moderate for an imported German luxury vehicle, reflecting some of the cost cutting that has gone into the manufacture of the M-class.Few vehicles are more popular on the Australian used-car market than Mercedes-Benzes with full service records. You will usually be asked to pay more, but wise men say they are well worth the additional money.If you don’t want to be seen driving a large 4WD why not consider a Mercedes-Benz R-Class. These are much more conventional-station wagon in appearance than the M-Class, but are driven by all four wheels and share many major components under the skin.WHAT TO LOOK FORVery few M-Class will have been used in serious off-road conditions; clues are light scratches to the body sides caused by squeezing past bushes and trees, scars on and/or under the bumper corners or scrapes on the underbody protection plates.Carting kids around the suburbs isn't all that easy on a 4WD, either. So have a good look over the interior, particularly at the seats, door pockets and the door controls.Make sure the engine starts easily, even the old-style turbo-diesels in the first models only take a second or two on the glow plugs.Check that the engine idles smoothly from the moment it fires up.On your road test make sure the engine pulls strongly without any initial hesitation, diesels won’t be as responsive as petrols but if you feel one is too slow to react be very careful.The automatic transmission should work almost imperceptibly, even when worked hard by the driver.Try engaging all the 4WD modes to make sure that they operate.Having done your preliminary inspections, always call on the services of a professional before committing yourself.CAR BUYING TIPAnyone buying an upmarket vehicle without a professional inspection - or a large budget on standby - is taking a major risk. 

Though Italian car maker Fiat is a giant player in Europe it has been sadly under represented in Australia until very recently. That’s probably because the previous importer seemed to concentrate on the halo marques in the Fiat empire – Ferrari and Maserati – at the expense of the affordable models.That situation suddenly changed midway through 2012 when Fiat’s head office took over the Australian arm of the company from its previous private importer.As further background to this story, Fiat took control of American car maker Chrysler during the fallout from the GFC, something that has helped both car makers; Chrysler now has the capital to keep itself and Jeep operating. Fiat has picked up the American company’s expertise in SUVs.The fastest growing of a multitude of vehicle segments in Australia is that of medium SUVs, and Fiat has thrown its Italian hat into the arena with the Freemont. Though Freemont is more people mover than SUV, the looks lean in the latter direction and we can see Aussie buyers comparing it with the big range of SUVs now on our market.It seems there’s no better way to grab the attention of Australian buyers than with low price tags. Hence the introduction of the Fiat Freemont with a price list that starts at just $27,000 driveaway. Fiat Freemont is available in three specification level: Base, Urban and Lounge.The entry-level ‘Base’ is far from being a stripper, it has 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 tyre pressure monitoring system.Interestingly, built-in booster seats for children are standard, an excellent idea for the people mover buyers. The so-called base ‘Base’ 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.Added to the extensive features of the Freemont Base, the mid-range Fiat Freemont Urban also has a larger screen, at 8.4 inches, for its Uconnect infotainment system. It gains a DVD player; automatic temperature control in the air conditioning; six-way electronic adjustment for the drivers’ seat, a leather-wrapped gear-lever and Sunscreen glass.The range-topping Fiat Freemont Lounge gets satellite navigation; 19-inch alloy wheels; accent-stitched leather upholstery and premium door trims; heated front seats; chromed roof bars; an Alpine audio system with a subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier.The Fiat Freemont comes standard with a five-seat layout. A seven-seat configuration is available as an option, this includes three-zone climate control. The second row of seats can slide forward by up to 100 mm from their rear most position, giving parents easy access to children sitting in the second row. All seats, including the front passenger seat, can be folded down to create a flat load area.Theatre-style seating in seven-seat Freemonts ensures good visibility for those travelling in the back seats. The options list includes a ‘Rear Seat Video Group’ that has a second row overhead screen and wireless headphones.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 220Nm 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 (despite its appearance, the Freemont isn’t offered with 4WD) via either a six-speed automatic transmission when the petrol engine is fitted, or a six-speed manual with the diesel.

The all-new Volvo V40 takes the premium hatchback to a new level. As well as arguably being the most stylish Volvo for many years, it’s undoubtedly the most intelligent and safe car in its segment. Indeed it can show many far more expensive cars a thing or two in these important fields.DESIGNAs well as the sleek body, Scandinavian simplicity and ergonomic design abound in the Volvo V40’s cabin. The T5 we tested had quality materials on sculpted R-Design sports seats with contrasting stitching; gearshift knob LED-illuminated from the inside and LEDs in the door panel storage pockets.If there’s anything we didn’t like it was the over-abundance of black inside our test car. The low roofline will have most occupants ducking to get in and out. A panoramic sunroof limits headroom. Legroom in the rear is adequate and shoulder space not overly cramped for three people of average build.TECHNOLOGYThe innovative Volvo Sensus infotainment system, in which information is presented on a five- or seven-inch colour screen depending on the model, in the upper instrument panel, makes it easy for the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road. All functions can be operated from the steering wheel or via controls located directly below the screen.Volvo My Car allows access to a wide range of settings, such as for City Safety, Collision Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Driver Alert System, Active Cruise Control, lighting, door mirrors, climate unit, central locking and the audio system.With the optional multimedia audio system, Volvo Sensus comes upgraded with a seven-inch screen that also displays information and images from the navigation system, phone, reversing camera, DVD player and more.A new digital instrument cluster directly in front of the driver uses a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display to present the most important information in any situation. The driver can choose between three graphic themes: Elegance, a traditional amber illumination; Eco, a green background illumination, designed to create an environmentally-inspired look.An Eco meter, plus current and accumulated fuel consumption figures are displayed. The driver gets a green light when eco-driving is optimal. The third theme, Performance, provides a sporting red background illumination.Vehicle speed is shown digitally in the centre of the display. The right display includes a power meter – a gauge that informs the driver how much power is available and how much power is being used at any time.Below the armrest is a storage compartment suitable for CDs and other small items, while the glove compartment includes space for two cans or bottles. The latter are cooled by air from the climate control system.SAFETYA major new safety feature is a world-first pedestrian airbag technology. Most serious head injuries involving pedestrians are caused by the hard structure directly under the bonnet, the lower edge of the windscreen and the windscreen pillars.Seven sensors in the front of the new Volvo V40 transmit signals to a control unit. When the car hits an object, the signals change, and if the car thinks the object is a human leg the pedestrian protection system reacts.The bonnet rear hinges are released and the bonnet lifts to get it away from the hard surfaces under it. The pedestrian airbag is activated. The airbag covers the entire windscreen wiper recess, about a third of the windscreen and the lower part of the A-pillars.Before this amazing technology springs into action, the V40 has already done its best to avoid the collision. The car ‘looks’ down for pedestrians and other risks and if need be applies full auto braking. This is part of the existing Volvo City Safety system and in its latest development it operates to avoid, or at least minimise, collisions at speeds up to 50 km/h.Keeping the car out of trouble are lane keeping aid with automatic steering, automatic road sign Information, park assist, active high beam headlights and a cross traffic alert radar system. These aren’t all standard in every model, contact your Volvo dealer for full specifications and optional charges.ENGINEThis high-performance Volvo V40 T5 R-design can cover the zero to 100 km/h acceleration test in just 6.1 seconds thanks to its five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine putting out 187 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque.Interestingly, this powerplant is a relative of that used in the latest Ford Falcon with EcoBoost and there’s speculation Ford Australia may bring out a high-performance Falcon using an adaptation of the Volvo five-cylinder unit.In the R-Design Volvo the engine drives though a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, with a manual mode for sporting occasions. We feel it should have steering wheel paddles to add to the excitement.DRIVINGThe Volvo has smooth acceleration thanks not only to the design of the engine, but also because of impressively fast gear shifts. Steering is direct and produces positive feedback of the type that’s enjoyed by enthusiastic drivers.The Sport chassis, standard on the T5 R-Design, is 10 mm lower than the standard set-up. Springs and shock absorbers have a firmer setting, resulting in extra-responsive driving with sharper control.Steering has electrical power assistance and can be optioned in three ways: City, with a high degree of power support for easy manoeuvring; Normal offers more road response at higher speeds; and Sport, adds a dynamic character. Thank goodness for the body-hugging sports-style seats as it grips hard in all modes.The stiffer suspension works well on better bitumen surfaces, but supplies a harsh ride on surfaces that have seen better days. Recent heavy rain on the Gold Coast didn’t do the test car any favours, with pot holes and washouts jolting the body all too frequently.With a large C-pillar and small rear window reversing could be hazardous but for assistance from sensors all round the car. Auto dimming headlamps reduce glare for oncoming traffic, cornering lights are controlled by steering input.Daytime running lights, a safety feature invented by Volvo decades before the rest of the world caught onto the idea, provide improved visibility of the V40 to all other road users, be they drivers or pedestrians.VERDICTVolvo Cars is working towards its vision that by 2020, nobody should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo. A seemingly impossible target to our way of thinking, but the V40 certainly showcases the incredible amount of intelligent thinking the Swedish marque continues to put into safety.MODEL RANGEV40 D2 Kinetic 1.6-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $34,990 (manual)V40 D4 Kinetic 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $39,990 (manual)V40 D4 Kinetic 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $41,990 (automatic)V40 D4 Luxury 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $45,990 (automatic)V40 T4 Kinetic 2.0-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $41,990 (automatic)V40 T4 Luxury 2.0-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $45,990 (automatic)V40 T5 R-Design 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $49,990 (automatic)Volvo V40 T5 R-Design 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagonPrice: from $49,990Engine: 2.5-litre 5-cylinder, 187kW/360Nm Transmission: 6-speed auto, FWD Turning circle: 11.7 mKerb weight: 1468 kgFuel tank capacity: 62 litresAcceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.1 secMaximum speed: 250 km/hThirst: 8.1L/100 km, CO2 189 g/kmBrakes: Ventilated discs (front); ABS with Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)Steering: Electric power assistedWheels: Alloy 7.5 x 18-inch IXION II R-Design