Articles by Ewan Kennedy

Need a small car but don’t want one that’s so sensible it’s ultra boring? Then iconic Italian automaker Fiat has just the thing for you. The Fiat 500 is as far from being mundane as you can possibly imagine, yet is far more practical than you would guess from its oh-so-cute lines.The original Fiat 500, usually called the Cinquecento (500 in Italian) was a tiny car that was a big hit when introduced in 1957 and remained on the market until 1975. Quite a few reached Australia and are now collectors’ items.When the modern-retro Fiat 500 was introduced in 2007, exactly fifty years after the original, it too grabbed plenty of attention. Styling to match the earlier 500s was admired by all.The new 500 - still called Cinquecento by many lovers of the marque, despite it having a range of engine sizes, none of which displace 500cc - is a couple of sizes up on the old 500, partly to provide crash protection, but also to give it reasonable interior space.Australian imports of new Fiat 500 three-door hatchbacks began in February 2008, with a two-door convertible / cabriolet joining the range two years later. Sales weren’t particularly good as the original importer charged top dollar for the cars - they also imported Ferraris and Maseratis, so are accustomed to charging what the market will bear…The pricing situation changed rapidly when the Fiat factory took over Australian imports in May 2012. A series of price drops - which didn’t exactly please existing owners - saw sales take off in a big way and the cute little Italian machines are now becoming a common sight on Aussie roads.Believe it or not, four adults can fit into this tiny car with more room to move than you would anticipate, that’s principally because they sit tall in the car. The resulting high driving position isn’t initially to all tastes, but owners report they quickly become accustomed to it.Owners say their 500s are great fun to drive and love the way that people smile and even wave to them, particularly when they’re in a convertible with its roof open. Boot space isn’t great, even less so in the convertible, but that’s the price you pay for having a reasonable back seat. Realistically, most Australian owners are singles or couples and use the fold-down back seats to increase luggage space.The diminutive dimensions of the 500 mean it has a short wheelbase, which can result in a choppy ride at times. Around town, it’s natural habitat, the Fiat 500 is great. It buzzes around in the traffic and can be slotted into minute parking spots. On long open-road trips the busy ride and the equally busy little engine means it’s less comfortable.Fiat 500 is sold in several models; Pop, Lounge and Sport. There’s also a hot sports version called the Abarth 500 Esseesse (try saying SS with an Italian accent and the name suddenly makes sense). Technically the Abarth isn’t sold as a Fiat, it should be referred to as an Abarth. Same with the crazily priced ($69,990) Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari that’s crammed with Ferrari type features, though it’s only powered by a 1.4-litre turbo engine.The Fiat 500 has petrol engine capacities of either 0.9, 1.2 or 1.4 litres. The smallest unit has two cylinders (just like the old 500s), and is turbocharged. It has only been imported since 2012. The 1.2 and 1.4 are four-cylinder engines, with the 1.4 coming with or without a turbo - the blown examples being fitted in the hot Abarth tuned machines.There are turbo-diesel options, initially with a size of 1.3 litres, which was upped to 1.4 litres midway through 2011. Given that the petrol engines are pretty economical the diesel seems like a bit of an overkill on the Australian market, but owners say they love the big torque it provides.Transmissions are a five- or six-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual. The latter, like most of its breed, can be rough in its changes in the low gears but becomes much better in the higher ratios. Since Fiat took over importation to Australia the company has spent bulk money on constructing new offices, spare parts warehouses and appointing new dealers.This bodes well for the future, but it’s still wise to check on sales and servicing in your locality before falling for the appealing body shape and the sheer joy of driving. Insurance rates tend to vary more than normal from company to company, something that should settle down now Fiat is again part of the mainstream. Check by clicking and/or ringing around, but make sure you’re comparing apples with apples.WHAT TO LOOK FORThis is primarily a city car so the Fiat 500 may suffer the usual battle scars created by crowded parking areas, tight traffic and silly drivers. Check the body carefully for signs of damage or repairs to the same. Tiny repairs are acceptable, big ones aren’t.Look at the wheels to see if they have been kerbed, the front lefts are usually the first to suffer, but have a look at them all.Boot space is limited, particularly in the convertible / cabriolet so look for damage caused by luggage having been crammed in.Wheels with a lot of brake dust inside them probably indicate a hard driver.The engine should start easily and idle relatively smoothly from the moment it kicks over. The two-cylinder unit has a different note to the typical four- or six-cylinder to which the average Australian driver is accustomed. If you suspect there may be problems call in an expert.The interior is pretty well bullet proof, but we have experienced several cars where a piece of sound absorbing foam has fallen onto the floor beneath the glovebox - strange.CAR BUYING TIPCity cars with low kilometres may suffer from more wear and tear than country cars with much higher readings on the odometer.

And now for something completely different - yet at the same time something that’s a blast from the past. VW’s marketing gurus like the new model’s name to be spelled as up! – complete with lower-case ‘u’ and an exclamation mark. Our computer’s spelling checker hates it, but ...Volkswagen up! is the reigning World Car of the Year and is available in three- and five-door hatchback bodies, with just one equipment level but a number of option packages. More about the latter.There are a number of cost-saving cues in the up! including sealed side windows in the rear of the three-door version and hinge-out windows (only to about 10 degrees) in the five-door.Fuel consumption during our test week was generally in the six to seven litres per hundred kilometres range, on the open road it was possible to get it under five litres without using any extreme economy driving measures.There are three option packages available with the up!. The biggest seller will almost certainly be the Maps+More Package; a portable infotainment system displayed on a five-inch touchscreen monitor mounted onto a bracket above the centre console. Features include satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, trip computer with a fuel-saving trainer and media player. At just $500 it’s a steal.The Comfort Drive Package ($600) provides cruise control, multi-function display and rear parking sensors. The $2500 Comfort Style Package includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, leather trimmed steering wheel, parking brake lever and gearshift knob, heated front seats and carpet floor mats. A panoramic powered sunroof is available for just $1400, so is also likely to be a popular option.Power for the cute little Volkswagen up! comes from a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine. Peak power is 55 kW at 6200 rpm and 95 Nm of torque between 3000 and 4300 rpm.By their nature lower-powered cars do require a bit more thought and planning in the driving technique needed to get best out of them. For the time being, there is no automatic transmission on offer. It’s sold only with a five-speed manual gearbox.The Volkswagen up! has a cheeky shape that’s like nothing else on the road. This is a very difficult thing to achieve because the smallest VeeDub could have looked like any other low-priced hatchback. Full marks to the designers who have used a clever front grille style and a distinctive kink in the rear pillar to make their up! stand out from the madding automotive crowd.There is seating for four, although rear seat adult passengers will need to impose on those in the front seat to get comfortable legroom. If you’re buying an up! as a small family car make sure the kids are aware that they won’t be able to wind down the rear windows.There are no headroom problems in any seat and just the occasional elbow bumping between the two front seat occupants.Maximising the size of the passenger cabin inevitably reduces storage space and, at 251 litres maximum, the boot is relatively small. However it is quite deep and can take a single large suitcase with several soft bags squeezed in around it. The rear seatbacks fold down to greatly increase carrying capacity.A major safety feature of the up! Is City Emergency Braking (CEM). This uses a laser sensor mounted at the top of the windscreen to scan a space in front of the car, detect the risk of imminent collision and selectively apply the brakes depending upon the force required. It will either prevent or reduce the impact of a collision at speeds up to 30 km/h.The blast from the past we mentioned in the intro is that there’s more than a hint of the original VW Beetle in the way up! feels on the road. Not in its handling, which is infinitely better than the old swing-axle Beetle that could see the car tipped onto its roof at a moment’s notice, but in the cheeky way it accelerated and the happy way it corners and stops. The buzzy sound from the three-cylinder engine is another endearing feature.If you don’t smile from time to time while in the driving seat of an up! we feel for you. At just 3.54 metres in length the VW up! is a delight in tight city areas and we found ourselves having access to parking spots that nothing else with four wheels could fit into.

Speak to any motoring journalist and you will find they all love driving the big Porsche Panamera sports hatch. But they have differing opinions on the styling, many hate it, a few like it, but I can’t say I know one who really loves it. Always happy to listen to owners – and even to us journos if need be – Porsche has given the Panamera a major makeover. This is far more than simply a facelift and tail-tuck. The changes to the rear in particular give it a much more refined look than the somewhat clumsy original. We like the look that has been achieved by the wider rear windscreen and a revised bootlid. At the front, Panamera has a bigger, bolder air intake and the shape of the headlights has been altered. Most important of all, the windscreen has a sharper angle. This time the Panamera looks less like a bulked up 911 and more like a luxurious sports sedan in its own right. These days when you’re launching a new upmarket model you don’t do so at a motor show in Europe or the USA. No, you go the Shanghai Motor Show to give yourself first crack at the world’s largest car market. Interestingly, Porsche is introducing the world’s first upmarket plug-in hybrid as part of its push in the second-generation Panamera. As well as the standard car, Porsche is also introducing an extended-wheelbase version. These stretched models are vitally important to sales in China as very few luxury cars are ever driven by their owners – which sounds strange to us Aussies. Indeed, Porsche Australia knows its customers well, so the extended wheelbase Panamera will not be offered in Australia. However, never say never. The gen-two Panamera S E-Hybrid has a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and, just as importantly the ability to be plugged in for charging externally from the electrical grid. The electric drive produces 70 kW, which is more than double the power of the previous model’s electric motor. It gets its power from a newly developed lithium-ion battery, which at 9.4 kWh has over five times the energy capacity of the previous nickel metal hydride battery. Amazingly, the previous model’s official European fuel consumption figure of 7.1 litres per hundred kilometres has been reduced to just litres per hundred. The acceleration time from zero to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 5.5 seconds. Porsche Panamera is taking part in the engine downsizing technology that’s sweeping Europe. A V6 engine with 3.0 litres displacement and bi-turbo charging replaces the previous 4.8-litre V8 engine in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S. This powerplant has 15kW more power and 20Nm more torque, with a maximum torque of 520Nm available over a very broad range of engine speeds. Most Panamera models are equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK. An eight-speed automatic Tiptronic S is standard in the Panamera Diesel and Panamera S E-Hybrid. The second-generation Porsche Panamera will be sold in Australia from late July, pricing has yet to be confirmed.  

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used Chrysler 300C.

Bizarre as it may sound, we are willing to accept that three or four people will be killed in car crashes in Australia every day. Crashes that were almost invariably caused by somebody making a mistake. So accustomed are we to smashes that we call them ‘accidents’, with the inference that they are somehow unavoidable and out of our control. Car designers are doing some sensationally good work to (a) prevent crashes, and (b) to stop, or at least minimise damage to the vehicles occupants. Indeed, the most recent cars can even try to make life easier for pedestrians and possibly even cyclists. Electronics are heavily involved in lifesaving features in modern vehicles. Some cars use radar or even ‘electronic eyes’ to watch out for danger in front of vehicles. Drivers are alerted of the possible danger, then the car may apply the brakes as hard as possible to either stop before the crash or at least reduce impact speed. Often, at the same time as the first danger is spotted and the signal sent to the driver, the car prepares for a crash just in case it does happen. Seat belts are tightened, windows and sunroofs closed, headrests set into their ideal location and airbags are set to trigger. Other clever crash prevention features are cars that steer back into the lane should the driver let the car wander off course due to lack of attention. Or advise that there are vehicles in the so-called blind spot created when mirrors are incorrectly adjusted. Keep in mind that we recently published a report revealing that many idiots pay a minimum attention to driving; they are too busy texting, checking emails, drinking coffee, shouting at kids in the back seat, checking their hair’s in place, and many other deadly acts. The next big step in safety is autonomous vehicles; cars and trucks that drive themselves. Believe it or not you've probably already ridden in an autonomous vehicle - they are quite common in airport shuttle trains. I recently travelled on Metro trains in Paris that don’t have a driver. Having tracks to guide these vehicles is obviously an enormous advantage. Initially, it’s likely that the first autonomous road vehicles won’t be guided by some sort of electronic track beside or under the road, but by another vehicle. Truck makers are already running extensive tests of convoys of trucks in real life conditions. The driver in the front truck does all the work the other trucks follow the leader automatically. At this stage the drivers in all the following trucks are sitting in their seats ready to take over at a moment’s notice. Eventually the plan is for the vehicles to look after themselves. Similar plans are underway with cars, though not to quite as advanced a stage as in trucks. In my driving life to date I’ve had two car crashes, one where the car needed a tow truck, while I was able to drive away from the other. But, I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve suffered from computer crashes - and on several occasions the computer was lucky it didn’t have a major head-on crash with a very hard wall... I opened this piece by saying that we are willing to accept that people will die every day in car crashes. But, and it’s a huge but, will we happily forgive an autonomous car if it crashes due to a computer crash? Obviously, the electronics guys will have to install backup systems as is normal in today’s jetliners. But the people in the legal departments must be worried silly about the consequences. Imagine the public outcry if it’s shown that people have died as a result of electronic problems. There could be a complete refusal to use that make of car again, maybe even resulting in the company going out of business. Or will car makers persuade us that because computers cause far fewer fatalities that human operators we should learn to live with them.

Jazz is the smallest Honda sold in Australia and since its launch in October 2002 it has gained an excellent reputation for build quality and trouble free running. Style is also part of the equation and the Honda designers have come up with a tall machine that has plenty of character, yet doesn’t look like everything else in its class.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively short body. It can seat four adults with little compromising on legroom so can be used as a family car even with kids in their teenage years. In Australia the Jazz is more likely to carry either a couple or a family with young children.There’s reasonably easy entry to the back seat, but some may find the rear door opening is a little tight in the original model. Jazzes sold from the new model of 2008 provide easier access.Honda Jazz has one of the best folding rear seat designs you will find anywhere. The rear seat slides backwards and forwards to let you choose your own compromise between people and/or luggage. The seat can be folded in a few moments to create a huge luggage area.Additionally, the front passenger seat backrest can be reclined all the way down to let you carry long loads extending from the dashboard to the rear window. Build quality is of particular interest as the Honda Jazz comes from Thailand, not Japan, to keep its price down.We have visited Honda’s Thai plant and came away impressed, though hardly surprised, to note Honda's big emphasis on quality control. In August 2008 Honda introduced a new Jazz that looked the same as the first generation, but was actually a major evolution of the old.The gen-two car is larger and sits on a longer wheelbase, so has significantly more space inside, particularly in the rear area of the cabin. Boot space increased and the 60/40 split rear seats could be folded flat without having to move the front seats a few notches forward as in the original model.At the same time the body was more rigid to improve NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness). The post-08 Honda Jazz has the sort of refinement that normally required a car a size larger.Handling of the little Honda is good if roads are reasonably smooth, but the older models can be bounced about on Aussie backroad bumps. On surfaces that suit it, the Jazz turns in easily, is happy to change direction in corners and is generally well set up for everyday driving. Keen drivers aren’t likely to be impressed, but it’s not that sort of car.Honda Jazz comes with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Though the engine sizes remained in the second-generation Jazz, they were actually all new designs. Power and torque were both increased, yet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions decreased.Best of all, the second generation engines, from 2008, have their torque spread over a wide range, with particular emphasis on the lower end of the tacho dial. The gen-one Jazz has a continuously variable transmission (CVT).The 1.5 CVT comes with a sports mode offering seven preset gear ratios operated by steering wheel shifters. The 1.3-litre engine runs purely as an automatic. Honda decided to go back to a conventional torque-converter automatic transmission in the gen-two Jazz as some potential buyers didn’t like the characteristics of the CVT, particularly the way it selected relatively high engine revs to gain maximum efficiency.An interesting new hybrid powertrain was added to the options list in early 2013. The extra charge for the clean, green petrol-electric drive system isn’t as high as it has been in the past, so buyers keen on minimising climate change are showing a lot of interest in the Jazz Hybrid.While the Jazz is reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to work on, there is some underbonnet crowding that’s inevitable on a car of this size. Keep some band aids handy – and don’t forget the workshop manual.The Honda Australia dealer network is widespread in the heavily populated areas. Spare parts prices for Hondas are more reasonable now than they have been in the past thanks to a strong push on getting costs down over the last few years.Insurance charges for the Honda Jazz generally sit in the mid-range of the field. It’s always wise to spend some time shopping around for the best deal, though there isn’t a big spread on premiums.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck that the engine starts easily and responds quickly and positively to the throttle, even when it’s completely cold.A continuously variable transmission should be crisp in its reactions to changes in throttle position and road conditions. Because a CVT transmission sounds and feels different to conventional automatics, have an expert drive it if you are not confident it’s working correctly.Make sure the brakes stop the car without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still turning.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. Corrosion is not common unless the car has been poorly repaired after a smash.Look over the interior to make sure it hasn’t suffered at the hands of uncaring owners, especially bored young kids.CAR BUYING TIPSpend just as much time shopping around for the best deals on finance and insurance as you do for the car itself.

Complacency can be a dangerous, and no one is more aware of this than the chiefs at Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL). With the company approaching an astonishing 25 years at the head of its market segment in Australia, Isuzu knows that competitors have them in their sights. So IAL has launched several new models that, combined with upgrades to existing ones, have the intention of keeping others in the sales race as far back as possible. Isuzu has just outdone Heinz by introducing new variants so that it’s now offering Australian buyers no fewer than 58 varieties of its N Series light commercial vehicles. The light- and medium-duty N Series Isuzus operate in a market area where customisation is the norm, so IAL provides a large range of standard models; as well as working closely with companies that carry out modifications. IAL director and chief operating officer, Phil Taylor, explains, “Isuzu has been particularly successful over many years at identifying niches in the market and introducing models with specifications that go hand-in-hand with customer requirements.” Major new models are the Isuzu NLR 200 AMT Tipper, the NPR 400 Tipper and the NPR 400 Crew. These can be driven by holders of car licences. All new N Series trucks now have cornering lamps. These are located in the same position as the indicator repeater lamp on the side of the cab doors and shine light into the turning area once the turn indicators are used. Isuzu NPR, NQR and NPS standard cab models are now fitted with Isuzu’s driver suspension seat which has previously only been available in the Premium models. Though Isuzu has made its reputation on building no-nonsense trucks it has recently moved strongly into the latest in in-vehicle communication and entertainment systems. Indeed, some of these systems put it in line with the newest luxury cars. This makes sense – after all drivers of light commercials spend a lot more time in their truck than do owners travelling in their prestige German machines. The latest N Series introduces what the company cutely calls Dave (Digital Audio Visual Entertainment). This includes digital radio, a blessing for those covering long distances as it not only provides higher quality sound, but also gives access to a much wider choice of stations. An added benefit of the DAVE is that there is no need to tune-in to stations or change frequency to keep listening to your favourite stations, the radio automatically seeks and latches onto the strongest signal. The main visible change is a much bigger 6.1-inch touchscreen. Many of the system’s functions can also be controlled using voice recognition. The unit retains key features of the earlier system including Bluetooth, iPod and MP3 compatibility, USB inputs and front jack. Steering wheel remote controls are an option. Satellite navigation is also an optional extra and comes with three years of mapping updates upon purchase. As well, the appearance of the cabin has been lifted by a new design of matte chrome finish to the door handles, power window switches and to the rings around the speedo and tacho. Engines are unchanged as they are still bang up to date in performance and economy, but the latest Isuzu NNR and NPR 200 models move up from a five to six speed manual transmission. The existing six-speed automated manual remains as before. Rear disc brakes are now fitted to the Isuzu NLR medium wheelbase and all NNR models for improved braking performance. A useful safety fitment across the N Series range is a cab-tilt warning lamp, to alert the operator if the cabin is not properly secured after being tilted. With the exception of the improvements to the braking system, none of the aforementioned changes are major, but all make sense in that they improve comfort and convenience for the driver. That sort of thinking makes us feel that Isuzu Australia Limited is likely to remain at the head of the game for many years to come. There are 58 models in the Isuzu N and F Series range. A selection of models and prices is: NLR 200 4x2 SWB: $49,729 NNR 200 4x2 SWB: $54,478 NPR 250/300 4x2 MWB: $63,672 NPR 400 4x2 Tipper: $81,035 NLS 200 4x4 SWB: $64,661 FRR 500 4x2 SWB Tipper: $107,366 FRR 600 4x2 MWB Premium: $107,501 FSR 700/850 4x2 LWB: $123,434 FXR 1000 4x4 LWB: $160,254  

Passat is a medium-large German car that appeals to those who refuse to pay big dollars for a similar car from one of the more prestigious marques from the same country. Audi won’t thank us for saying so, but there are quite a few out of sight components that are shared by Passat and upmarket Audi vehicles.The Passat in all its formats offers better than average comfort thanks to well-shaped seats and suspension which is able to soak up just about anything thrown at it. Handling is good, with virtually neutral road behaviour at normal speeds, gradually changing to safe understeer if the big car is pushed hard.In the earlier days almost all Passat imports were four-door sedans but with the introduction of the 1998 model, five-door wagons were offered. Wagons have been a popular choice ever since as their squared off rear end makes for a practical load area.An interesting style called Passat CC was introduced in February 2009. Virtually a four-door coupe in the manner of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the sleek CC is just right for those who seldom use the back seat but want the convenience of rear doors. The back seat is reasonably comfortable and is certainly much better than that of the typical two-door coupe.Volkswagen went all cute with the marketing of the latest CC when it arrived in June 2012, dropping the Passat from its name and calling it simply the CC. Don’t forget to check out both names if you’re doing a search for the pretty coupe on used-car sites.Engine options show a fascinating variation, with four-, five-, six- and eight-cylinder layouts. The V5 and V6 use an interesting design with a narrow-angle V which enables it to run one cylinder head covering both cylinder banks.Though smaller engines aren’t always accepted by Australian buyers, even the four-cylinder Passats have enough performance for many buyers. Many of the later petrol – and all diesel – Volkswagen engines use a turbocharger to generate significantly extra torque.Volkswagen started a strong push on turbo-diesel engines in Australia in 2006 and these days the company often sells more diesel cars than petrol ones in Australia.A four-speed automatic was used in the pre-1998 model, followed by a five-speed unit with tiptronic. The forward ratios were increased to six with a DSG installation from 2006, and to seven forward ratios from early 2010.All-wheel drive isn't all that common in Australian Passats but gives better traction coming out of corners and on slippery surfaces and is worth considering if you are doing a lot of driving on unmade surfaces, or even on the snow and ice for which it was originally designed.For the revhead, Volkswagen imported the Passat R36 from June 2008. R36 has a 220 kilowatt engine, all-wheel drive and is sold in both sedan and wagon bodies.Volkswagen Group Australia has put a lot of work in recent years in getting its supply of spare parts up to international best practice. Prices are similar to those of other European imports in its class. Similarly, the dealer group has grown markedly in recent years and VW is represented in most population centres of significant size.Passat is a relatively complex machine in the modern manner, but a competent home mechanic should be able to do a fair bit of work on it. Always have a workshop manual on standby, and please leave safety items to professionals.Insurance is generally not expensive but make inquiries from a number of companies as there can be quite a difference in premiums.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook over the condition of the interior in case the Passat has had a hard life. It’s not common in a car like this, but can happen and rectification can be expensive.The engine should start within a second of the key being turned and should settle into a steady idle within seconds. If there is a flat spot in acceleration there could be fuel-injection problems.Check the insides of the front wheels for signs of severe brake dust build up, indicating hard driving. This is more likely on one of the sporting models, but Passats do seem to attract people who like to pedal along hard.Look over the body for signs of crash repairs, especially paint that doesn’t match and panels that don't fit exactly. Check the complete body, including hard to reach areas under the bonnet, in the boot and under the car.CAR BUYING TIPBefore settling on any car it makes sense to check on availability of spare parts and servicing in your home and work neighbourhoods. 

Some research shows inattention causes as many as seven times as many fatalities as exceeding the speed limit. Note that I use the word ‘Inattention’ - for some reason there’s an increase tendency to talk about ‘Distraction’ rather inattention.  To my way of thinking distraction is something caused by outside influences that a good driver can choose to ignore. Inattention is a deliberate move on behalf of the driver to take their mind off the potentially deadly task of controlling a motor vehicle. Even those who really should know better are talking about distraction when I think they really should say inattention. The TAC (Traffic Accident Commission) in Victoria is one of the chief offenders. It’s currently running a campaign to alert drivers to the dangers of ‘Distraction’. Then again I reckon that an organisation which uses the word ‘Accident’ rather than ‘Crash’ in its title is on the wrong track right from the start… Am I being pedantic in my use of words? Perhaps, but if you put the question to the many thousands who sorrowfully attended funerals of those who died in crashes in the last few months they may put a different slant on it. If anyone is interested in the reasons for crashes it’s insurance companies. CUA has just released the following statistics on ‘distracting activity’ behind the wheel - there’s that distracting word again... Beginning with the statement: “If you think Australians aren’t paying attention to the road whilst driving, then you’re not far wrong,” the media release says that more than three quarters (76%) of Australians admit to doing a distracting activity while driving their car, including restraining a pet, reading a book/magazine or map and even finishing getting dressed. The most common non-driving activities that Australians admit to doing behind the wheel are drinking coffee (52%) and making a phone call (50%), followed closely by eating breakfast (39%). Watch out for parents on the road, they’ve also got the added distraction of the kids, with almost half (48%) admitting to wrangling with their children while driving. The CUA’s Jason Murray, said, “It would seem that multitasking is being taken to the dangerous extreme, with people juggling non-driving activities like eating, drinking and even reading while driving their cars. “Our research also showed that animals are a big distraction in the car, with nearly a quarter (24%) of Australians saying they’ve restrained a pet while driving. Almost one in four (24%) women are also distracted by putting on their make-up or carrying out personal grooming while driving. It’s clear that it’s not just the road we need to watch while driving, but the distracting habits of other drivers around us.” CUA commissioned independent research company Auspoll to conduct a survey on activities Australians undertake at the wheel in February 2013. The overall sample size was 1516 segmented and weighted to be nationally representative of Australia’s population by gender, age and residential location. I’m deeply concerned that these idiots are sharing the road with me, my family and my many friends. Which brings me back to my longtime safe driving mantra: Always keep two eyes on the road, two hands on the steering wheel and all of your attention on driving.  

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz Australia wants to compete in the affordable small-car market in this country. Well, in the top end of the affordable market - you wouldn't expect the iconic German luxury marque wanting to be down amongst the cut-throat entry-level Asian cars.This small Mercedes-Benz will appeal to the young and the young at heart. A combination of style and image means that something like 1000 Aussie buyers have already shown a serious interest in it, an interest likely to result in many names on dotted lines. If you’re halfway interested it might be an idea to get in touch with your local Mercedes dealer soon to avoid a waiting list.In September an extra-hot A45 AMG will be introduced. The ’45’ doesn’t stand for the engine size but to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of AMG, the hot ‘tuning’ arm of the Mercedes-Benz group. Expect a price tag in the vicinity of $80,000.We attended the global launch of the A-Class in Europe midway through last year. Now the car has made it downunder - and has a price list starting at just $35,600 plus on-roads for the A 180.Despite that low price, for its upmarket class that is, the Mercedes A-Class is certainly not a stripped down special aimed at pulling customers into the showroom in the hope of selling them.Every model in the range has alloy wheels, cruise control, sports seats, a trip computer, a minimum of six speakers in the audio system, active park assist and a reversing camera, and an electric parking brake.The A-Class is almost an iPhone on wheels with the way it lets you communicate and/or entertain its occupants. Expect the features to become available on the bigger Benz models soon, but the A-Class has them first.All are automatics, using a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. Power comes from a choice of turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines. The petrol is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit in two stages of tune; producing 90 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque in the A 180, and 115 kW / 250 Nm in the A 200.The A 200 diesel’s peak figures are 100 kW and 300 Nm.We reported on the A 250 Sport two weeks ago on a separate launch. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has 155 kW and 350 Nm.The third-generation A-Class has moved in a completely new direction – from being quirky at its 1997 launch to becoming a leading-edge contender for top marks in the automotive fashion scene.New Mercedes A-Class will sell on style alone. Just look at the bold front that carries more than passing styling cues to the high-performance AMG Gullwing SLS and Roadster. Then admire the way the style lines on the doors swoop up boldly to almost join the taillights.The all-new A-Class isn’t just about style; under that shapely skin it has the features you just don’t see in this class. Because in luxury, connectivity and safety it’s as well equipped as its big brothers.Mercedes has fitted the A-Class with multiple crash avoidance items of the type previously only found in much more expensive Mercs. Lane departure, blind-spot and tailgating warnings are all offered. Should everything still go wrong, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has occupant protection systems to minimise harm to occupants.You are given the choice of multiple driving modes ranging from sedate to sporting. This isn’t really intended to be a sports hatch – at least not until you get into the A 250 – but if a keen driver turns on all the correct settings in the lower cost models it gives them plenty of driving pleasure.New Mercedes A-Class has a nicely balanced feel and almost gives the dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive car. Throttle control is easy and the steering feedback is excellent. Yet, even with the sports setting turned on the car didn’t lose a lot in comfort, even on some of the interesting backroad Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific chose for our initial drive program out of Melbourne.