Articles by Gordon Lomas

This must surely be the way of the future.In fact, it makes you wonder why these donks haven't taken the passenger car market by the scruff of the neck and changed the world of motoring even more in Australia; like they have for so long in Europe.We are talking about the turbo diesel power plant that has been dropped into the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the new 320 CDI.Apart from the rapid C63 AMG hot rod, the CDI is now the range-topper for the C-Class family.And that is no idle claim to fame.Accepted that you have to be a diesel fan and that you must appreciate the way those engines blend performance with reasonable economy to justify even a look-see at one.At $92,800 it is priced in the upper echelons for what is in essence a small sedan that tucks into the garage beside a humble Mazda 3 sedan.A casual glance cannot pick the size difference.This new 320 CDI joins the all-new W204 model C-Class launched earlier this year.It is a rapid piece of kit and is not going to break your bank account considering the infrequent stops at the bowser.After a test of mainly freeway work mixed in with splashes of peak-hour crawling, the CDI was showing that it used half a tank of diesel after about 420km.So somewhere around 800-900km out of a tank would not be an unreasonable assumption.OK, so there is no doubting the economy but where it really stands up is in performance.After a think for a split second when you press the throttle, the CDI soon warms to the task, building up a healthy burst of energy that seems to have no bounds on open stretches.It is in the mid-range where it shines and the marriage to the 7-speed 7G-Tronic auto box seems to be a smooth union ordained in heaven.Third and fourth are particularly well hooked up to what is a beautifully refined powertrain. There is 510Nm on tap which not too many moons ago used to be the domain of bigger engine petrol muscle cars. That is a mountain of torque for a small car coming from the well mannered direct-injection V6 diesel.There is a bit of clatter at idle but other than that there is little suggestion a compression ignition motor lurks under the bonnet.But however good this Benz diesel is, it still lags behind BMW's 335d twin-turbo diesel available in Europe, which this tester sampled in a comparable three-series on autobahns and twisting roads.BMW has committed to bringing that engine here in the X5, which is a boon to BMW buyers because it is again a shining example of why you would be converted to these high-performance diesels.Over and above the engine, which is the primary story with this car, it gains all the kit of the new C-Class range which is, dare we say it, bigger, wider and taller than the W203 version it replaces.The interior switches and console layout is a little busy and cluttered compared to the BMW layout, which sways toward clarity and a simplistic design.But if you are greased enough financially, and you feel the need to look over and above the entry C200 Kompressor ($56,990), or the baby diesel C220 CDI ($60,300) and the V6 C280 ($85,000), then the 320 CDI is calling you.  SnapshotMercedes-Benz C 320 CDIPrice: $92,800Body: 5 seats, 4 doorsEngine: Turbocharged diesel 2987CC V6Power: 165KWTorque: 510NMTransmission: 7-speed automatic, rear wheel driveTyres: 225/45 R 17 (front), 245/40 R 17Economy: 7.6L/100KM (combined) 

GARTH Tander did what his teammate Rick Kelly could not do -- win the V8 Supercar Championship in style and dignity after prevailing in a cliffhanger finish.After a 14-round season of twists and turns, Tander pipped Triple Eight Ford star Jamie Whincup by two points to win his maiden championship in a drama that did not have its conclusion until the last corner of the final lap in the final heat.Tander restored credibility to the sport that was left reeling when his Toll/HSV teammate Kelly won the series 12 months ago after ushering his only threat Craig Lowndes off the track in a move that caused outrage.Todd Kelly (Holden Racing Team) inadvertently had a hand in Tander's success by winning the final 27-lap heat by 0.83sec from Whincup.Had Whincup left himself with the tyre life to close up behind Kelly and blast past him he would have won the series by two points, but Kelly held his nerve and did enough early in the race to set himself up for victory.Lowndes played his part by pushing his way past Tander to finish third and help Whincup's cause after what appeared to be a daring but legal move coming out of the tricky left-hand corner.At the time Tander was vocal, protesting Lowndes's move over the radio back to team manager Rob Crawford in the pits.“I thought I had a flat tyre I was going that far sideways,'' Tander replied.“Last time I looked he (Lowndes) was a long way back and I certainly didn't leave the door open.''That was about the only point of contention in an otherwise clean race.The driving standards were beyond reproach with many observers labelling it the best championship finish, even outdoing the cracking, fender-rubbing Dick Johnson and Peter Brock title fight at in 1981.Tander was roundly received as a deserving champion, winning 15 races out of 37 run for the year along with four round wins to match Whincup's round tally.Whincup may have lost the championship but he won the respect of observers from both sides of the fence (Ford and Holden) by accepting defeat so graciously.The 24-year-old was the consummate competitor, giving away precious little, fighting to the bitter end but never tempted to step over the line and wear the black hat.Triple Eight team owner Roland Dane summed up the result perfectly.“Garth and Jamie both excelled during the year,'' Brisbane-based Dane said.“Garth is the proper winner -- not like last year,'' referring to the Kelly/Lowndes fiasco.Whincup can hold his head high -- his behaviour in the heat of battle through the good and bad times in 2007 has been exemplary.“It was a fair fight in the end with nothing unsportsmanlike and the better driver won the title,'' Whincup said.“I have mixed emotions at the moment.“The moment on the podium is going to stay with me for a while as it's not a good feeling. Second is a dull feeling.''Holden won the manufacturers' title in a race that also went down to the wire with the Toll/HSV Dealer outfit winning the teams' gong.CHAMPIONSHIP1. Garth Tander (Holden) 6252. Jamie Whincup (Ford) 6233. Craig Lowndes (Ford) 5924. Rick Kelly (Holden) 5525. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 420 

The re-birth of one of Mazda's popular sports cars, the legendary RX-7, might be just over the horizon. There has been speculation about the revival of the rear-wheel-drive, rotary coupe that ended li

Mazda's much anticipated king hitter of the medium segment arrives ahead of schedule in Australia early next year sporting an arsenal of firepower but with one potentially crucial missing link.

Porsche plans to build 1960 special Boxster RS 60 Spyders but only 12 are destined for Australia.These will be over here around April/May and priced from $157,800.The new Boxsters are a throwback to the 718 RS 60 Spyder that swept all before it in the 1960s, beating much bigger engined machines.The 718 RS 60 started its winning run by claiming the Sebring 12-hour race in the US, which at the time, counted for the Manufacturer's world championship.The tribute model is distinguished by the Porsche SportDesign Package in the front end, a modified exhaust system with the sports exhaust combined with the twin pipe arrangement bumping up power from 217kW to 223kW.There are wheel spacers, which do a good job of placing the 19-inch Porsche SportDesign wheels further out for a more aggressive on-road squat and also improved traction.The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is standard.It is coated in striking GT silver metallic paint that is complemented by Carrera red leather with the ragtop roof also in red.Stainless steel doorsills carry the RS 60 Spyder insignia and a silver plate in the glove box lid is further authentication of its special model status.Other points of difference are a new gearshift lever, unique design touches for the sports seats, centre door linings, steering wheel and handbrake.The hood for the instrument binnacle has been removed to expose the cluster.A few more touches include a black windscreen frame, rear light clusters and centre console in red.The seat backrests, roll bars and seat belts are all finished in silver.The new-age racing version of the RS Spyder, a sizzling V8-engined prototype, starred in the American Le Mans series with the twin Penske Racing entries finishing first and second in the LMP2 category.Australian driver Ryan Briscoe was one of the series stars in the No. 6 Penske machine. 

Diesel fuel made from plant material may receive an environmental tick, but one importer has issued a stern warning about its use in their vehicles. Korean manufacturer SsangYong has released a facelifted all-diesel Kyron SUV. However, the importers have advised against using bio-diesel, which could compromise their warranty. Sales of sub-standard bio-diesel remain unchecked and there have been a growing number of cases of contaminated fuel systems, they say. SsangYong say they can't honour a warranty repair on damage, which has been caused by dodgy bio-diesel fuel. They say when a case comes in they take two samples of fuel; one for SsangYong with the other going to the owner for independent testing. Even if testing proves that inferior fuel has caused injectors, fuel pumps and rails to fail it can often be a hard task determining when and where the dirty fuel was put in the car. The owner is often caught in the middle with car companies and service stations absolving themselves of blame. An owner could face a bill of up to $6000 if it is found in the injectors, fuel pumps, rails and fuel lines need to be replaced. SsangYong is advising against using bio-diesel, reinforced by a warning sticker placed inside the fuel flap of its diesel-fuelled vehicles. There have been a number of cases reported in the past year. Ssangyong Australia managing director Keith Timmins says faulty fuel will not completely void a warranty but he says his company cannot pick-up the bill if some service stations are “selling rubbish.” “If it's proven with our test of the fuel that it's faulty then whatever repair needs to be done is not warrantable. However, the rest of the vehicle's warranty remains intact." “There hasn't been a lot of them full stop but there's been enough to worry about and the problem is broader than just ourselves. I know of a $23,000 repair job on a Range Rover because of dirty bio-diesel.” There are no known hotspots where inferior bio-diesel is sold in Queensland; however some parts of Western Australia have come under the microscope. Timmins says the problem with bio-diesel and new age diesel engines is amplified by the non-enforcement of standards. “The standards for bio-diesel in Australia are not really enforced.” Ssangyong Australia sales and marketing general manager Brad Larkham says dirty bio-diesel is a growing issue. “It's a growing issue as diesel gets more accepted in the mainstream and no one wins." “It's a three-way tussle (car maker, fuel provider, owner) over who's going to hurt the least,” Larkham said. Is it fair that manufacturers and service stations to absolve themselves of liability? Are you a bio-diesel 'home brewer'? Are there manufacturers whose warranties aren't voided by using bio-diesel? Tell us what you think below...

The XC90 Sport runs the transversely mounted 4.4-litre eight cylinder donk that was developed in association with Yamaha.It may not be endowed with the lashings of torque that Aussie-bred V8s develop but its a giggle to see the needle spin quickly to the top end.And then you tune in to the manic sound the engine creates when everything is singing.The XC90 Sport is not all about grunt and testosterone, but it rather reinforces just what a smart device this large SUV is and for the money it undercuts a lot of its higher selling rivals, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.This Volvo is done with plenty of finesse and striking styling.Sometimes the chassis performance and steering is a little off song compared with others but the strengths of this car are compelling in other areas such as safety, comfort and packaging.The test car was equipped with the BLIS (Blindspot Information System) that illuminates a light on the inside door trim near where your eyes would catch the side mirrors.And what a particularly useful device it is, especially with the odd motorcycle which seems to appear suddenly and for those pesky vehicles that persist in travelling in the blindspot of another vehicle.There are head restraints for all-seven seating positions, which can also be cleverly folded over when not needed so the driver has an unimpeded view out the rear.The two, three, two layout of this SUV is also a snap to reconfigure. Packaging has always been a Volvo strength and the XC90 doesn't let the side down. If you have gear to load, children, whatever, and you need to play around with the seating arrangements, don't fear.The rear seats can be stowed away or clicked into place ready to use with one hand; with a simple lever and tab system; where the seat squab can be pulled or pushed and the seat back nudged into place or pulled forward to fold flat.The second row seats all have various degrees of split-fold and can be laid horizontal to create a massive, flat load area.There is abundant comfort inside and a commanding view from behind the steering wheel.Speaking of which the extra chunky steering wheel may not be everyone's cup of tea, particularly those with small hands like this tester.Inside there is plush trim throughout and excellent ergonomics.Fuel consumption nudged 15litres/100km on this drive which is on the high side but probably closer to real-world figures with weight and passengers on board. SnapshotVolvo XC90 V8 SportPrice: $89,950Engine: 3 starsRevvy number which spins up to the chunky end of the tacho in quick timeTransmission: 3 starsSmooth changing and quick to respondHandling: 3 starsWould be overshadowed by key Euro rivals but a none-the-less competent chassisSafety: 4 starsYou wouldn't feel any safer in a vaultValue: 3 starsHas a decided edge against some of its V8 rivals Tech specsBody: five-door, seven-seat wagonEngine: 4414cc quad cam V8Transmission: 6-speed automatic, sequentialPower: 232kW @ 5850rpmTorque: 440Nm @ 3900rpmWeight: 2102kgDimensions (MM): 4807 (l), 1909 (w), 1781 (h), 2857 (w'base)Fuel: 80 litres, 15l/100km (as tested city/highway) Verdict For: Build quality, packaging, user-friendly interiorAgainst: Engine down on torque, fuel economy is up there Overall: 3 starsHard to ignore at the price 

The arrival of the Holden VE utility brings more style to an icon brand.At $100 million, it cost one tenth of the budget needed to develop the often lauded VE sedan of last year.The ute is now more than ever a sports coupe, with refinement, road-holding, handling and a blissful ride allowing it to stand head and shoulders above any Holden ute before it.Indeed there are claims that this is too good to be a working vehicle used to lug trade equipment, all manner of tools, et al.That can be at odds with some of the boffins at Holden who curtly reply: “What do people want us to make? Something which is rough, agricultural and rides poorly?”The point is that now, in VE land more than ever before, the ute is in fact more of a sports coupe than a sports coupe itself and that should be taken as one gigantic compliment.It is equally at home as a weekend warrior or a weekday workhorse.Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the VE Ute has exceptional ride quality and body control and like the sedan it gains Electronic Stability Control,which is a massive tick in the safety race.Another massive leap forward is the increase in space behind the seats, which has now tripled to 245 litres.In effect the compromise is a shortened tray but the amount of useable space in the tub (which now comes with a liner) remains the same.The independent multi-link cover spring layout is taken from the Statesman, which differs from the Ford equivalent which runs leaf springs.There are pluses and minuses with both set-ups, the Holden rides better but the Ford can cope with a heavier payload.The VE Ute line-up comes with a complexity of choice in that there are two Omega base models to choose with different V6 engine tunes.The six-speed manual runs the higher rated 195kW V6 while the four-speed auto uses the 180kW version and both cost $30,990.From here the range steps up to the SV6 with the manual, using the same 6-speed Aisin box as the Omega costing $35,990 while the six-speed automatic SV6 is $1000 more.The booming manual SS is $39,990 (auto $41,990) while the range-topping SS V runs at $44,990 for the manual and $2000 more for the auto.It essentially mirrors the sedan range in standard equipment although some differences are no side airbag offerings and Bluetooth compatibility starts as standard on the SS.Styling-wise the utes have a more integrated look than any carrying the Holden badge before, with the chunky El Camino-styled B-pillars making the VE blend in.In this sense it is smoother, and nothing like where a cabin is simply chopped where the sedan stops and the ute's tray starts.The number plates fit into the tailgate and not the bumper and the clean look of the rear is helped by hidden tailgate hinges and wraparound taillights.Extensive use of high strength steel for body stiffening has contributed to kerb weights rising up to 150kg.Out on the road the Omega entry models are a revelation, though the four-speed automatic is still dated and sloppy.Sure, it has been reprogrammed and doesn't lunge in and out of gear as it did in the past, but its days are up.Jump into the six-speed manual and you will instantly feel more kick and enthusiasm, a totally different character which of course has a lot to do with the upgraded engine.However, the Japanese-sourced gearbox is reasonably well-gated but, more importantly, the clutch-feel is lighter and has a sweeter take-up point.In these base cars where much of the sedan elements are carried over, the cabin is tranquil; the lid has been kept on road and tyre noise.Considering Holden has done such a fine job on ride and handling there is all the more reason to be disappointed with the undermining performance characteristics of the four-speed.The argument of building to a cost is a bit of a cop-out and there simply is no reason why the buyer should not have the choice of a more-state-of-the-art auto box.Still, aside from lack of side airbags on the safety front, the four-speed auto is the weakest link in this VE Ute family.The SS auto is the supreme athlete of the range. It sounds, feels and goes hard.The mapping of the ESC has been modified from the sedan range and is a little intrusive but it does the job for which it is meant to and that is to keep a driver from losing control.Switch it off on the gravel and the SS remains quite tractable on freshly graded roads. Once the rear starts to stray it remains all quite controllable under a measured throttle. It all tucks back in at a dab of the brake pedal.This 6-litre monster comes with the sinister soundtrack that it deserves once the revs reach mid-range. It is an excitement machine that is fast, flashy and fun but which is practical to boot.There are varying load capacities for the range. The Omega auto can cope with 775kg, the most of the family. The least is the SS V, with its 19-inch, low profile shoes restricting any load to just over 500kg.Finally the final word on fuel, according to factory figures, is that it ranges from 11.3/11.4l/100km (Omega auto/manual) to 14/14.5l/100km (SS and SSV).The SV6 manual consumes 11.4l/100km with the automatic version using 11.6l/100km.VE Utes will be in showrooms from next week.

 Organisers of the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 are predicting the massive crowd generated last year by the death of Peter Brock will be overtaken tomorrow week.More than 193,000 spectators, a rise of almost 30,000 on 2005, turned up over four days at Mt Panorama in 2006 as the tide of emotion following nine-time winner Brock's untimely death a month earlier descended on Australia's most hallowed motor-racing venue.“We are on track for the biggest Bathurst 1000 ever,” V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane said.“Many people thought with the death of Peter Brock last year those crowds would never be repeated.“More than 80,000 advance Bathurst ticket sales had been made before the Sandown 500 last month.“We are further ahead with grandstand sales than we were last year.”Special celebrations have been organised for the 45th running of Bathurst that will include a parade of some former champions and their cars.The legendary Harry Firth and tyre king Bob Jane wrote the first chapter in the Bathurst story when they shared a Ford Cortina GT and won what was called the Armstrong 500 Mile race in 1963.Firth and Jane's Cortina will be one of several former winning machines which will be honoured in a special parade of champions before the 161-lap marathon next Sunday.The traditional race start of 10am will be pushed back to 10.30am to make way for extended pre-race hoopla.Series broadcaster Channel 7 will showcase each of the 31 cars in the race, showing them on individual laps immediately before they grid-up and informing viewers of their progress since rolling out for the opening practice sessions on Thursday.The Bathurst bangers will go off on presentation laps at about 40-second intervals which will add about 20 minutes to the pre-race hype.Channel 7 has committed an unprecedented 21 hours of live coverage over three days from next Friday to Sunday.Even if bad weather and safety cars conspire to slow the race, Seven has given an assurance that it will bump its 6pm news back if necessary to show the race in its entirety.The later start gives organisers some breathing space to help spectators filter into Mt Panorama and there is now time for two support races prior to the Bathurst 1000 starting.“The later start helps from a point of view of filtering traffic into the circuit precinct, easing the pressure on day-trippers from Sydney and has made way for two support events (Carrera Cup and Touring Car Masters),” V8 Supercars general manager of special events, Shane Howard, said.There are modifications to the movement and consumption of alcohol in response to a tightening of NSW liquor laws at major events this year.An insignificant number of punters have requested refunds in light of the changes.“Let's deal with the truth . . . we are approaching over 80,000-odd advance ticket sales,” Cochrane said.“We've had 20 — two-zero — requests for refunds.”Alcohol can still be brought into and consumed in the camping areas but it is prohibited to take alcohol into or out of the licensed areas, defined this year at the bottom of the circuit.The bottom of the mountain from the Chase through to Pit Straight and Harris Park and up Mountain Straight will be fully licensed.“We don't have any choice in that these are the terms and conditions of operating a major event in NSW,” Howard said.“What we can do is negotiate with our caterer to ensure that alcohol prices in the venue are as low as the caterers can operate to.”More than $750,000 is being spent on beefed-up police and security.There will be 160 police at the circuit, double that of last year and there will be tougher searches at the entry points for fireworks and other contraband.Great Race highlights1963 Legendary Harry Firth and Bob Jane claim the first Bathurst enduro, the Armstrong 500, in a Ford Cortina GT.1966 It was the year the mighty Morris Mini Cooper S conquered Mt Panorama with Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden sharing the wheel.1967 Firth claims his second Bathurst win with Fred Gibson in a Ford Falcon XR GT.1972 A youthful Peter Brock won the first of his nine victories at the mountain with a brilliant solo drive in a Holden Torana LJ XU1.1981 A star was born when Dick Johnson and his co-driver, Brisbane car dealer John French, steered a Ford Falcon XD to victory a year after the well-chronicled “rock” incident.1995 After suffering a puncture on the opening lap, Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall came from a lap down to win.2002 The decorated Jim Richards claims a seventh title as co-driver to Mark Skaife in the lead Holden Racing Team Commodore.2006 Peter Brock's understudy Craig Lowndes takes an emotional win with Jamie Whincup a month after the legendary racer was killed in a tarmac rally in Perth.

Wagons, or more specifically Touring in Munich language, are still in fashion despite the assorted SUV raiders including BMW's own X3 and X5.The 5-series touring still wins friends because of its flexibility, practicality and genuine car-like handling for those who want a driver's package to boot.There are arguments that the SUV's of this world can do the job but as the saying goes, once a truck always a truck.A long-time owner of a 5-series Touring, who had the M-sport package kitted out on his vehicle, had a dog and a young child and yet wanted a vehicle, which could also offer driver enjoyment whenever his family and dog were not being ferried around. He didn't believe the X5 could do that, something that can be debated until the cows come home.In any case the overall message is that Touring wagons have survived the onslaught of SUVS in this country because of the aforementioned reason.In the CARSguide garage for a week was a 530i Touring, which did some weekend haulage work between the usual obligatory visits to the normal retail outlets.Short of carrying a queen-size bed home with the rear-seats folded down, it is possible to stash a good payload into a Touring.It's practicality is unquestioned and by virtue of its run-flat tyres, like them or lump them, there is no spare so there are a whole heap of individual compartments where you can stash stuff underneath the cargo floor.Hmm, run-flats. They have never been CARSguide's cup of tea. They might now be in their third or fourth generation but it doesn't matter.By the nature of their construction with almost bullet-proof sidewalls, the ride quality is compromised.A Volvo S80, set on the comfort setting admittedly, was in the shed at the time the 5 Series Touring was around and the big Swede played it off a break.In the owner's manual (very unmanly of us to even contemplate a look, we know) the recommendation from the manufacturer is that new tyres be fitted after not more than six years regardless of wear.Why?Because most tyres, run-flats are no different, become brittle with age and the run-flats must be replaced rather than repaired is the message.Furthermore there is also a recommendation you do not rotate the tyres between the front and the rear because, the manufacturer advises, it might impair handling.Maybe, maybe not.It might be more of a case of trying to coax drivers into shelling out for tyres before they otherwise should.The 530i Touring needs a bit of urge down low but once it's spinning the luxury wagon is agile and responsive.Vision is excellent and the seats are firm, supportive and can easily be set to a position to suit all shapes and sizes of occupants.On this drive of more than 800km average fuel consumption stood at just under 13litres/100km.This wagon has a lot of virtues and still carries plenty of on-road presence.And obviously there is still demand for such body styles from luxury car makers despite the seemingly insatiable appetite for SUVs.