Articles by Ian Crawford

Thailand’s devastating 2011 flood waters meant that no Honda CR-V models were available in Australia from October last year till July this year. Now things are really starting to pick up with the launch of an all-new, fourth-generation model.The entry-level CR-V VTi versions come with cruise control, a reversing camera, an AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 and WMA compatibility and USB connectivity, Bluetooth mobile-phone connectivity, an intelligent multi-information display, halogen headlights with an automatic-off timer, roof rails and remote central locking.Move up to the VTi-S and you add goodies such as dual-zone climate-control, rain-sensing wipers, satellite navigation and foglights. The top-spec VTi-L goes even further with a sunroof, HID headlights with an active-cornering function, leather trim, power lumbar support for the driver, keyless entry, push-button start/stop and powered and heated front seats.The three 4WD versions – the VTi, the VTi-S and the VTi-L – are blessed with a bigger 2.4-litre powerplant – again a DOHC unit but its power-and-torque figures are higher at 140 kW at 7000 rpm and 222 Nm at 4400 rpm.The 2WD Honda CR-V VTi and VTi (with navigation) are powered by a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine that’s good for up to 114 kW of maximum power at 6500 rpm and 190 Nm of peak torque that arrives at 4300 rpm.Honda measures the CR-V’s combined fuel consumption figure at 7.8 litres/100km for the manual version and 7.7 litres for the automatic. While on the national media-launch drive program we recorded 8.8 litres in the automatic, so there’s little doubt most drivers will be able to achieve Honda’s figure.Honda’s official combined fuel consumption figure for the 4WD automatic is 8.7 litres, some enthusiastic punting on the launch drive saw this rise to 10.8 litres/100km. Again, owners driving under normal conditions should have little trouble meeting Honda’s figure.To assist drivers achieve economical motoring, the CR-V comes with what Honda calls Econ mode and Eco Assist systems. Press a button and the Econ mode alters the drive-by-wire throttle’s mapping for increased torque and better economy. Transmission for all three 4WD versions is a five-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.Despite being shorter, lower and lighter than its predecessor, the gen-four CR-V is more spacious. Its body is 20 mm shorter, height is down by 30 mm and the windscreen has been moved forward by 60 mm, the latter a design tweak that has helped cut aerodynamic drag by eight per cent.The new CR-V is built on the same platform as its predecessor but Honda engineers have improved front and rear suspension design and tuning and increased the car’s overall structural rigidity. While the six-speed manual VTi 2WD has a lever-type hand brake, all other models have one of those horrible foot-operated parking brakes.Honda engineers have done a lot of work on limiting how much engine and road noise is transmitted into the cabin. Sound insulation material is now fitted to the under-cabin floor pan and additional sound absorption material has been fitted to the rear door, rear wheel arches, door frames, fire wall and bonnet. As well, the wagon’s doors now have a double seal.For the CR-V’s occupants, there five drinkholders, front-and-rear door pockets and there is plenty of space for their luggage. With the rear 60/40 split-fold seats occupied, there is 556 litres of cargo space but drop the seat backs to an almost-flat position with a clever lever and this rises to a pretty impressive 1648 litres.In the safety department, the new CR-V has a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a full suite of electronic safety gismos including ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, stability and traction control and front, side and full-length curtain airbags with rollover sensors. Adding to the car’s safety are front seats incorporating a whiplash-mitigation system designed to limit neck injuries in the event of a rear-ender.Gear changes in the 4WD models are pretty slick and the paddles add to the driving pleasure. One of the key results is that during spirited cornering, the new model turns in more precisely and sits noticeably flatter than previously. While the seats are comfortable enough, they are a bit limited in their thigh bolstering and especially with the top-spec VTi-L’s leather trim, there could be a tad more leg support during hard cornering. For the driver, all-round visibility is excellent and the cockpit has been designed very much with the driver in mind.

While the boom in SUV sales in Australia has knocked station wagon sales for six, some brands, including Volkswagen and its Audi and Skoda cousins, are persisting with keeping both SUVs and wagons in their model line-ups. The latest offering from the people at VW is the Passat Alltrack a car designed to bridge the gap between the traditional wagon. One that can take on a bit of the rough stuff for adventurous families.VALUEThe Alltrack comes with a value-for-money $47,790 price tag and generous standard-kit inventory. As well as its leather trim and heated front seats, buyers can look forward to 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, automatic lights and wipers, a clever electrically operated tailgate, an electric parking brake, front-and-rear parking sensors and a rear-vision camera, dual-zone climate-control “air,” a 6.5-inch touch screen with satellite navigation and a 30GB hard drive, one-touch up-and-down electric windows and Bluetooth mobile-phone and music streaming.Also standard are a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, fog lights, cruise control and an automatic-dimming electro-chromatic rear-vision mirror. Options include metallic/pearl-effect paint ($700), a panoramic electric glass sunroof ($2000), park-assist 2 ($900), a driver-assistance and visibility package ($3300), adaptive cruise control and front-assist with city emergency braking ($2000) and the sport package ($2800).If you want more-sporty, more-bolstered seats it will cost you $2800 as part of the Sport option that includes other goodies such as steering-wheel-mounted gear-shift paddles. The Alltrack’s competitors include the new $69,900 Audi A4 Allroad and the much-cheaper $43,990 Skoda Octavia Scout. Then there’s the $46,990 Subaru Outback Premium that also comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine but cannot at this stage be specified with an automatic transmission.TECHNOLOGYThe new VW is a slightly beefed-up version of the standard Passat wagon and uses the same 125 kW turbo-diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. What sets the Alltrack apart from the Passat wagon is the addition of the Touareg and Tiguan SUVs’ off-road driving program, a less-intrusive electronic stability program and unique front, side and rear body-kit features.On surfaces such as unstable gravel, the off-road driving program automatically remaps the ABS, shift points, throttle response and electronic differential lock to deliver even more traction than when the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is in normal mode. An automatic hill-descent-control system adds to the Alltrack’s surefootedness.DESIGNVolkswagen Alltrack’s interior is a stylish, classy affair with leather trim as standard, soft plastics and brushed-chrome dashboard/centre-stack highlights. There are black-faced speedo and tacho dials with red needles, clear white numbers and an analogue clock that adds to the overall ambience.With 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats occupied and a cavernous 1716 litres when the rear-seats are folded flat, there’s no shortage of storage capacity. Other storage cubby holes include a sunglasses holder, front-and-rear door pockets, a reasonably sized glove box, front-and-rear drinkholders and a bin beneath the centre front-seat armrest.Alltrack’s ride height has been raised 30 mm above that of the standard Passat wagon, resulting in increased approach, departure and ramp-over angles. A limited amount of front-seat bolstering doesn’t exactly hug you into position during enthusiastic cornering on winding roads.VW’s engineers have fitted a tough, steel under-body protection shield to look after the engine and gearbox during off-road excursions. One niggle however for this 185 cm tall reviewer is that with the seat right back, there is insufficient outward adjustment for the exterior mirrors.SAFETYThe Alltrack has a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and standard safety kit that includes eight airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, a driver fatigue-detection system, hill-descent assist and a tyre-pressure monitor. In addition, the tyres come with an internal polymer layer that automatically seals holes made by nails, bolts or spikes up to 5mm in thickness.DRIVINGHeight-and-reach-adjustable steering and plenty of seat adjustment means getting a suitable driving position is easy. Out on the road and irrespective of the road surfaces the Alltrack handles itself with aplomb. Armed with 350 Nm of torque, hills and overtaking are dispatched with ease and even during enthusiastic tight cornering, the car sits nice and flat.With its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and new SUV-derived off-road driving program, gravel surfaces were no problem to this surefooted new Volkswagen. Out on the road and irrespective of the road surfaces the Alltrack handles itself with aplomb.VERDICTVolkswagen’s new Allroad keeps alive the tradition of the family wagon but it does it with a tad more aggression, an adventurous spirit and greater all-track ability.Volkswagen Passat AlltrackPrice: from $47,790Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 50 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: space saverEngine: two-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 125kW/350NmTransmission: 6-speed twin-clutch automated manual; 4WDBody: 4.9m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.6m (h)Weight: 1704kgThirst: 6.31/100km, tank 70 litres; 166g/km CO2

A month after the release of its Hyundai seven-seat Santa Fe SUV cousin, Kia’s 2013 Sorento has arrived in Australian dealerships.Kia says that Ford and Toyota have found that more than 50 per cent of their Territory and Kluger sales are 2WD models – a clear demonstration that there is a significant market – especially in urban areas – for large family SUVs.The 2013 Sorento range starts from $37,490 for the automatic Si 3.5-litre petrol two wheel drive and climbs up to $50,390 for the Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four wheel drive. Alloy wheels ranging from 17-inch versions on the Si to 19s on the top-spec Platinum are fitted and each has a full-size alloy spare.Other across-the-range standard features include cruise control, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and shift knob, a six-function trip computer, remote central locking with keyless entry and tailgate release, power windows and exterior mirrors, nice big sun visors with pull-out extenders, dual-zone climate-control air and tinted glass.All models come with an MP3-compatible, six-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system, AUX/USB input and iPod compatibility, Bluetooth functionality for phone and media streaming. The list goes on and on and for the top-spec Platinum there is a huge panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation and climate-controlled front seats.All three versions have front-and-rear parking sensors and both SLi and Platinum models add a reversing safety camera with a 130 degree wide-angle lens. The Platinum also gains active high intensity discharge Xenon headlights.While at first glance exterior styling changes appear minimal, under the skin there’s a raft of upgrades that have improved the big Korean no end. That said, so far as its persona is concerned, there are new headlights and LED daytime running lights and new-look LED taillights as well as a redesigned grille and tailgate and new bumpers and wheels.One of the good-news stories for the new Sorento’s passengers is that Kia’s clever designers have been able to give second-row seat occupants another 30 mm of leg room and those in the third-row pews can stretch out another 9 mm.Family buyers will welcome not only the seven-seat capacity but a raft of storage cubby holes and a cargo space that, depending on the second- and third-row seats are occupied or folded flat, ranges from 258 litres to a whopping 2700 litres. Split-folding second- and third-row seats add greatly to the Sorento’s cargo flexibility. In summary, it’s surprising how much better the new face lifted Sorento is than its look-alike predecessor.Unlike its Santa Fe cousin which is a 4WD-only vehicle, the buyers of the new Sorento can opt for a 2WD petrol version. At launch, the new Sorento is available with two engine choices – one petrol and one turbo-charged and inter-cooled diesel. A 141 Kw/242Nm 2.4-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine could be added down the track.The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is good for 145 kW of maximum power at 3800 rpm and 421 Nm of peak torque (manual) and 436 Nm (automatic) that is on tap between a lazy 1800 and 2500 rpm. A new exhaust-gas recirculating system has cut CO2 emissions from 177 g/km to 153 g/km and Kia claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of 6.6 litres/100 km for the manual version and 7.3 litres for the automatic.The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine delivers 9.8 L/100km and its power and torque figures are 204 kW at 6300 rpm and 335 Nm at 5000 rpm respectively. The transmission for all models bar one is the Hyundai/Kia group’s excellent sequential-sports-shifting automatic. The exception is the 2.2-litre diesel Si six-speed manual 4WD.Kia says an 18 per cent boost in torsional rigidity has refined the ride comfort and improved its handling. Adding to the handling improvements are various design and engineering tweaks to the MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension set-ups and upgraded cross-members.Over the years both Kia and Hyundai received their share of criticism about poor handling. To their credit, both companies have taken the negative reviews on board and these days they put a great deal of time, money and effort into local testing and tuning their underpinnings for Australian conditions.In Kia’s case, suspension engineering wiz Graham Gambold has worked closely with Australian and Korean engineers and product-planning people on setting up vehicles for this market. Stronger sub-frames, beefier anti-roll bars and dual-low dampers have been fitted and like the new Santa Fe, the motor-driven power-steering has three settings – normal, sport and comfort modes.The new Sorento rides on Kia’s interpretation of the new Santa Fe’s platform and engineers have used new ultra-high-tensile steel to endow the car with greater rigidity and enhanced crash protection for its occupants. As well as boasting a stronger body shell that means better front, side and rear impact protection, all models come with dual front airbags, front side airbags and side-curtain airbags for front- and second-row occupants).Standard too is Kia’s vehicle-stability management system that bundles stability control, traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, hill-start assist and downhill brake control. Also standard are front-and-rear parking sensors while the SLi and Platinum variants add a reversing safety camera with a 130-degree wide-angle lens.Platinum models also gain active HID (high-intensity discharge) Xenon headlights. Bigger (320 mm) ventilated front discs and the carried-over 302 mm rear discs have improved the Sorento’s stopping power and Kia claims that if the driver jumps on the brakes at 100 km/h, the big SUV will stop in an impressive 36.3 metres.A maximum safety rating helped along by driver- and front-passenger airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags active front head restraints and other safety goodies combine to make the new Sorento an extremely safe family chariot. Like virtually everything from Korea these days, the Sorento – even the entry-level Si version – comes with an impressive standard-kit inventory. Active driver aids include Kia’s vehicle stability management system with electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, hill start assist and downhill brake control. While on the subject of brakes, the Sorento has one of those horrible foot-operated parking brakes.Out on the road both the petrol and diesel versions are surprisingly spirited vehicles and hills and rapid overtaking are dispatched with ease. Irrespective of which engine is under the bonnet, one of the first things you notice is how quiet the Sorento’s cabin is. This is the result of a great deal of work by Kia engineers to cut noise, vibration and harshness levels. While the front seats are comfortable enough, a bit more thigh bolstering would be handy – especially for the leather-trimmed Sli and Platinum versions during enthusiastic cornering on winding roads.Speaking of cornering, the newly tweaked suspension settings delivers flat, confident cornering and precise turn-in and while the motor-driven power-steering system’s ‘Sport’ mode is great during highway cruising, we found ‘Normal’ to be a better bet on the twisty bits.It’s a quieter, more comfortable, more handsome, roomier and better-handling vehicle that offers value-for-money family motoring.

When grouped together, there are certain letters in the alphabet that conjure up images of motoring excitement and out-of-the-ordinary performance and handling. Various companies Ford, Holden and Subaru use FPV, HSV and STI respectively for super-tweaked versions of some of their models.Not to be outdone, Chrysler Jeep uses three letters and a number – SRT8 – for its stove-hot offerings. SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology and the latest model to hit our shores under this banner is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.Jeep’s new $76,000 Grand Cherokee SRT8 has sports-car-like performance, a generous standard-kit inventory and all the practicality of a big family SUV.The new Jeep comes standard with an impressive array of goodies and some of the standout features include great-looking 20-inch alloy wheels shod with P295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat tyres and superb Brembo brakes. HID headlights and rain-sensing wipers make like safer and simpler.While the Benz ML 63AMG and BMW’s X5 M might seem the new Jeep’s obvious competitors – given that you can buy two SRT8s and have a heap of change for the price of each of the German offerings. But image is everything in the car business and the big Germans are in a league of their own in that regard.Basically it’s a Dodge Challenger (which doesn’t come here) in SUV clothing with a Jeep badge and the beefy brute comes armed with a 6.4-litre hemi V8  boasting 344 kW of power at 6250 rpm a hefty 624 Nm of torque that is on tap all the way from 2800 rpm to 6000 rpm.The result is a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of five seconds and while people who fork out a $76,000 cheque for the big 2.3-tonne Jeep probably won’t be too concerned, the SUV’s claimed combined fuel-consumption figure is 14.1 litres/100km. That said, it is a 13 per cent improvement on its predecessor.This has been achieved despite the bigger-capacity engine churning out 10 per cent more power and 10 per cent more torque than the old model. To help in the fuel-consumption department, the big Jeep SRT8 has a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down four cylinders when relaxed driving is the order of the day.The glorious-sounding Hemi V8 is mated with a five-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters add to the fun. While the transmission does a perfectly adequate job, it is not one of the SRT8’s finest features. One excellent feature is Jeep’s so-called Selec-Trac system that, via a big console-mounted button, allows the driver to choose from five dynamic modes – auto, sport, tow, track and snow. Trailer-sway control is there for the person who wants to use the Grand Cherokee for towing.Inside you will find adaptive cruise control, Nappa leather and suede seats, satellite navigation, a powered fully adjustable steering column and keyless entry and “go”. Also on the standard-kit menu is a great-to-hold multifunction, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bilstein adaptive damping, fair-dinkum carbon-fibre interior highlights, a powered tailgate and polished-alloy pedals.In the electronic driver aid and safety departments the hot 4WD Jeep boasts ABS brakes, brake-assist and override, active head restraints, roll mitigation, forward collision warning, a rear-vision camera, a limited-slip differential, stability and traction control, a full suite of airbags including one for the driver’s knees, blind-spot monitoring and an enhanced accident-response system.During an extensive media-launch drive program that included time at Victoria’s Anglesea proving ground, the big Jeep Grand Cherokee proved itself to be a dynamic, great-handling, great-sounding performance car with stopping power as impressive as just about any car I’ve driven.

Hyundai is in the third phase of an ambitious five-phase fuel-cell-car development program based on the ix35. Like its Australian predecessor, in Korea the car is known as the Tucson - and while under the current development phase there are around 100 FCEVs as they are known - undergoing day-to-day testing and evaluation, from 2015 10,000 units a year will be produced and sold to ordinary motorists. Hyundai says the realistic price tag for the Tucson FCEV will be around $50,000 but government rebates such as those in the United States would drop this to a more palatable $30,000.  So far as Australian governments are concerned, despite continuing industry lobbying, there is stony silence on the issue of possible rebates for fuel-cell and straight electric cars.  The Tucson FCEV powertrain is based on a 100kW fuel-cell system that is fed by two hydrogen storage tanks that hold 700bar. Power is transferred to a 21 kWh battery-driven electric motor.  For its current guise, Hyundai engineers have been able to shrink the fuel-cell system by 20 per cent and have proved it can operate at temperatures as low as -25C. Interestingly tests have involved the full range of ANCAP/NCAP impact crashes and even shooting the tanks with bullets.  The big advantage fuel-cell cars have over electric vehicles is their range. In the case of the latest Tucson FCEV it's around 650km  an impressive 76 per cent improvement over the predecessor model's capability.  The Tucson's range compares with many electric vehicles' 150-or-so kilometres. To fill the Tucson with hydrogen from empty takes four-to-five minutes  a bit longer than filling a petrol-powered car. Most of the gas for Korea comes as a by-product from chemical processing.  Korea could run 500,000 fuel-cell vehicles annual on just 20 per cent of by-product hydrogen so no additional investment will be needed for many years. During a drive of the Tucson FCEV on a tight road around the complex the front-wheel-drive SUV was, as you'd expect, eerily quiet and other than the monsoonal rain that was falling on the Tucson's roof and bonnet, all we could hear was the fuel-cell system's air compressor.  Despite the car's claimed 12.9 second sprint time to 100km/h, it actually felt quite spirited. While it will probably be many years before fuel-cell cars establish themselves as a major segment of the motoring world, there's no doubt they're here to stay and in much greater numbers than the test cars that are currently undergoing shakedown programs around the world. And with zero emissions, the planet will love that.

Volkswagen's Czech brand Skoda has begun something of a product onslaught for its Australian operations with the launch of the DSG-transmission-equipped Octavia Scout 4x4 wagon.The Skoda Scout first saw the light of day in Australia back in 2009 but until now it was available only in six-speed manual guise - a decision that limited its sales success.The new DSG-equipped Scout comes in two models - the entry-level version priced at $41,790 and the Premium that tips the dollar scales at $45,790. Both of the manufacturer's list prices are $2300 more than the manual versions and Skoda believes the top-spec model will account for around 60 per cent of sales.With Subaru's petrol-and-diesel Outback firmly it his sights, Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner says he and his team are excited to offer what they believe is the best all-round package in this segment.Using the DSG Scout as a product-launch springboard, Wiesner plans to follow the wagon in the next few months with the funky Fabia hatch, a sporty Monte Carlo version of the Fabia, the Yeti 2WD and 4WD and a stove-hot Fabia RS wagon.But back to the Scout.Its powerplant is the VW group's excellent new-generation 2.0-litre common-rail-equipped turbo-diesel that delivers 103kW at 4200rpm and a handy 320Nm of peak torque that is on tap between 1750 and 2500rpm.As well as its great torque delivery, what is seriously impressive about this engine is its combined-fuel-consumption of just 6.1litres/100km. Environmentally conscious buyers will also be impressed by a CO2-emissions figure of 160g/km.Safety is also one of the Scout's highlights and as well as its top-lint 4x4 system, standard kit includes six airbags, electronic stability program, ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, anti-slip regulation and hill-hold control.The wagon's all-wheel drive system uses a fourth-generation Haldex clutch that works with its other onboard electronic systems to deliver super-fast fast responses.Even the entry-level Scout comes standard with a generous inventory of standard goodies and it includes satellite navigation, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning, rear acoustic parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, roof rails, a multi-function, leather-wrapped steering wheel, twin chrome exhausts and unique interior-trim features.Opt for the Premium model and you add an electric glass sunroof, privacy glass from B-pillar, polished 17-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara leather-appointed upholstery and an electric driver's seat with memory.Ground clearance is 180mm ground clearance and Skoda engineers have modified the wagon's springs to raise the ride height by 40mm over the standard Octavia Wagon. With the rear seats occupied, there is 580litres of luggage space and this rises to 1620litres when the 60/40 rear seat backrests are dropped down.Preliminary driving impressions gleaned in the Queensland and northern New South Wales hinterland showed the DSG-equipped Scout to be a smooth, capable cruiser that is not unsettled by a bit of rough stuff. Its steering is beautifully weighted, turn-in is impressive and predictable and the car's surefootedness on rough gravel surfaces was right up there with the best of them.In fact it was surprising how infrequently the Scout's ESP kicked in, even during the most enthusiastic of gravel-road punting. The 103kW/320Nm and the DSG go together like peaches and cream and the fuel economy means visits to the diesel pump are infrequent.SKODA SCOUTPrice: from $41,790Warranty: 3-year / unlimited kilometreResale: 75% (est.)Service interval: variable, condition-basedSafety: 4-star Euro NCAPEngine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 103kW/320NmBody: five-door wagonWeight: 1550-1570kgTransmission: 6-speed manual and DSG, four-wheel driveThirst: 6.1 L/100km, CO2 160g/km.

BMW gave the 3 Series a final upgrade before an all-new model breaks cover mid-way through next year.

Ever since its 1973 global launch, Volkswagen's Passat has been one of the burgeoning German brand's hottest-selling products. In fact, with total world-wide sales of more than 15 million units including 34,000 in Australia it is  after the original Beetle and the Golf - VW's third-biggest seller of all time. With this firmly established pedigree behind it, the seventh-generation 2011 Passat sedan-and-wagon range goes arrives in Australian dealer showrooms next month and clever new technology, stronger value-for-money and safety credentials and impressive new-found fuel efficiency will ensure the continuation of this success. VALUEPricing kicks off from $38,990 for the 118TSI sedan, rises to $43,990 for the 125TDI and tops out at $55,990 for the V6 FSI Highline. Wagon versions carry a $2000 premium over the sedan prices. Fuel-efficiency improvements apply across the range of up to 12 per cent.TECHNOLOGYThe new Passats come in entry-level and Highline guises and three outstanding engines are on offer. The 1.8-litre,118TSI petrol engine with 250Nm is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission while for top-spec Highline, buyers can choose between a 2.0-litre 125TDI with 350Nm and six-speed DSG combination or a V6 FSI petrol engine with 220kW/350Nm that also uses a six-speed DSG.The V6 Highline also has VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and can put away a 0-100kmh sprint in 5.5 seconds. Standard kit for the Passat includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity, leather seats, a dashboard-mounted analogue clock, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control.Electro-mechanical power steering, electric windows, an outside temperature display, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, automatic boot-lid opening, a fancy RCD 510 audio system with MP3 playback capability, a multi-functional leather-wrapped steering wheel, electric lumbar and backrest adjustment for the driver's seat, and a leather gearshift knob.DESIGNWhile styling-wise, the Passat does not appear vastly different from the current model, VW says that other than the roof, all its panels are new. New also is the grille and headlight treatment and there are also design tweaks for the side and rear of the sedan and wagon. Build quality like all VWs these days is exceptional and there is a feeling of solidarity and refinement that's right up there with the very best from Europe. While I believe VW's Audi cousin does the world's best interiors, the new Passat's treatment is now right up there.The dash styling is clean and ergonomically excellent and nice soft-feel plastic is used on the top of the dash. The leather-clad seats  both front and rear  are superbly crafted and comfortable and the overall feeling for the driver is one of behind-the-wheel confidence and relaxation.DRIVINGPreliminary driving impressions gleaned during the media-launch drive program confirm the new Passats as top-line mid-size sedans and wagons. The styling, while evolutionary is clean and classy and the design tweaks have given both versions an enhanced, more handsome road presence.SAFETYPassat scores a five-star Euro-NCAP rating helped by eight airbags, electronic stability program, an electronic differential lock and a low-pressure tyre indicator. New safety goodies for 2011 include a driver-fatigue-detection system, seatbelt-fastening detection for the rear seats and front-seat head restraints that now also adjust horizontally to reduce the risk of whiplash injury. Radar-controlled adaptive cruise control is optional in a package. It includes an emergency-braking system and an equally clever radar-controlled lane-departure system. This package also includes goodies such as dynamic-cornering bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime driving lights and tail lights, and front fog lights. VERDICTNew Passat is another clear confirmation of why Volkswagen is doing so well. It is one of the finest mid-size offerings around.

After years as a Golf with a boot, Volkswagen's just-released 2012 Jetta has come of age with its own longer-wheelbase platform, handsome new styling, more standard features and pin-sharp pricing.PRICES AND DRIVETRAINSOffered in entry-level Jetta guise as well as Comfortline and Highline specifications, pricing kicks off at $26,490 (down $2500 on its predecessor) for the 1.4-litre 118TSI six-speed manual version, $28,990 buys you the seven-speed DSG automatic version and the seven-speed DSG Comfortline is $32,490.When mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, the cracking little 118kW/240Nm turbocharged and supercharged engine delivers a combined fuel-consumption of 6.5 litres/100km and just 6.2 litres/100km with the optional DSG transmission. The sprint time to 100km/h is 8.3 seconds.The petrol range-topper  the 2.0-litre 147kW/280Nm 147TSI with its six-speed DSG transmission — is $37,990 and VW claims a combined fuel figure of 7.9 litres/100km.The $37,990 103kW/320Nm 103TDI Highline DSG can sprint to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds and achieve a miserly 5.5 litres/100km.EQUIPMENTStandard Jetta safety kit includes a clever new crash-impact sound-sensor system, electronic stability program, brake-force distribution and differential locking as well as anti-slip regulation, six airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and three height-adjustable head restraints in the rear.Standard entry-level goodies include heated exterior mirrors, remote central locking, air conditioning with a dust and pollen filter, an eight-speaker audio system, cruise control, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and six-way front-seat adjustment.Move up to the 118TSI and 103TDI Comfortline versions and you gain 16-inch alloys, parking sensors, central armrests, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone "air," and sexier chrome air-vent surrounds.The range-topping 147TSI gets all the fruit including 17-inch alloys, sportier suspension, a six-CD changer/touch-screen audio system with, a headlight-cleaning system, more exterior chrome highlights, leather upholstery, heated sports front seats, handy under-seat storage drawers, interior-trim features, front fog lights and static-cornering lights.DRIVINGOut on the road during the Jetta's national media launch, the car proved to be another example of why VW is doing so well here and around the world. It is beautifully put together in Mexico as it happens and it has exterior and interior style to match. It is also a quiet, refined car with impeccable on-road manners.The engines and their performance and fuel efficiency are one of the new model's strong points and the new electro-mechanical steering works a treat.The car turns in accurately with no hint of understeer and while the top-spec Highline's sports suspension is set-up 15mm lower than its siblings, it is not harsh and it certainly enhances the car's overall driving dynamics as it rides on a MacPherson-strut front-suspension set-up and a multi-link rear arrangement.Like all Volkswagen vehicles, the seats in the entry-level- and Comfortline models are excellent  and the sports versions in the Highline are even more excellent.VOLKSWAGEN JETTAPrice: $26,490-$37,990Warranty: Three years, unlimited kmEngines: Supercharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre (118kW/240Nm), 2.0-litre  turbodiesel (103kW/320Nm), 2.0-litre turbo petrol (147kW/280Nm)Body: Four-door sedanTransmission: Six-speed manual (1.4 only), seven-speed DSG (1.4 only) six-speed DSG (2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines)Thirst: 6.5 litres/100km 150g/km (1.4-litre petrol manual), 5.5 litres/100km, 143g/km CO2 (2.0-litre diesel), 7.9 litres/100km 183g/km (2.0-litre petrol)

Specialist South African tuning company LupiniPower has trumped our Holden an outrageous supercharged version of the 6.0-litre Holden SS ute. Dubbed the Chevrolet SuperUte and selling in its home country for around $A91,000, the ute boasts the seriously impressive figures of 400kW of power at 5600rpm and 800Nm of torque that is on tap at a pretty relaxed 3400rpm.. Its big highly tuned V8 can sprint the ute to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds in six-speed automatic guise and surprisingly, LupinaPower says the ute, that is also known as the Pontiac G8 in the United States, is more fuel efficient and greener than the standard ute. The company claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of 11.9 litres/100km for the SuperUte (compared with 12.2 litres for the standard version) and its 227g/km CO2 emissions figure compares with 237g/km in standard guise. The SuperUte reaches 160km/h in 9.9 seconds and 200km/h comes up in 15.5 seconds - that's more than five seconds quicker than its standard sibling. The new South African-tweaked rocketship can cover the quarter-mile dash in 12.7 seconds and break the timing light at 182km/h. Its standing-kilometre time is 22.8 seconds at 241km/h while top speed is 282km/h. LupiniPower's Michele Lupina said there has already been interest from Australia so we might get to see the stove-hot ute here before too long. To help drivers manage all this power and performance, LupiniPower has fitted bigger race-specification front disc brakes and calipers and tweaked the suspension for better handling, road holding and overall driving dynamics. The company insists these enhancements have not compromised ride and comfort. Speaking of the brakes, there are 320mm ventilated discs at the front and 290mm units at the rear. Both use four-piston alloy calipers. One enhancement, known as the TractionBar, is unique to the SuperUte and the wild machine rides on 20-inch alloy wheels that are 8.5Js at the front and 10Js on the rear. They are shod with 245/35R20 Bridgestone Potenza RE050 ultra-high performance tyres at the front and beefy 285/30R20 rears put the power to the road. If buyers are not content with the SuperUtes's suspension, they can tick the options box for a full Bilstein setup and add a limited-slip differential. The other news is that if a ute is not the kind of vehicle that appeals, LupiniPower will build a Chevrolet SuperLumina sedan. It is based on the Holden Commodore SS.