Articles by James Stanford

Cashed-up customers can more easily absorb sharp pump price rises and it shows.Mercedes-Benz is not too worried about oil prices as it introduces its biggest model, the GL four-wheel-drive wagon.It is the largest model in the German brand's range — bigger than the Range Rover Vogue and the huge Toyota LandCruiser.The Merc wagon is primarily a five-seater, but a third row of two seats can be ordered for $2900 to turn it into a luxurious people mover.At $103,900 for the entry-level diesel and $146,900 for the V8, few GLs are going to run far off the beaten track.Even so, they can easily conquer some tough off-road obstacles thanks to standard air suspension that rises on demand to give a maximum ground clearance of 307mm.That means brave drivers can plough through water up to 600mm deep.The GL's transfer case also lowers the gear ratio for low-speed work and mechanical differential locks for the rear and centre differential and electronic aids help driver go up and down steep hills.The GL runs a constant 4WD system on and off-road, hooked up to a standard seven-speed automatic transmission controlled with steering-wheel shift buttons.A 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powers the 320 CDI base model and has 165kW and 510Nm.It returns an official fuel economy figure of 9.7 litres for 100km of mixed city and highway driving and propels the GL from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. The more expensive GL500 runs a 5.5-litre V8 with 285kW and 530Nm.The official fuel consumption figure is higher at 13.9 litres for 100km, but the V8 means the GL500 can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds — incredible given its size and weight.The GL has a single body chassis, unlike workhorses such as the LandCruiser, which are based on a separate ladder frame. It is 2370kg with the diesel engine and an extra 5kg for the V8 and has a towing capacity of 3500kg if whatever you are towing has its own braking system, or 750kg if it doesn't.Standard safety gear for both GL models includes front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the middle row and window airbags for all three seats.They also have electronic stability control, traction control and anti-skid brakes.The GL's third row of seats can fold into the floor at the touch of a button. Folding down the second and third row of seats offers 2300 litres of load space, which is 2128mm long.Standard gear for the GL320 includes Mercedes Artico synthetic leather-look seats with electric adjustment, 18-inch alloy wheels, air-suspension, eight-speaker CD sound, wood grain, roof rails, cruise control, front armrests, luggage nets, parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, climate control airconditioning and tyre pressure indicator.Stepping up to the V8 GL500 adds 19-inch alloy wheels, rear climate control unit, bi-xenon headlights, premium display with DVD player and satellite navigation, Harmon Kardon Logic7 sound system, sunroof, premium woodgrain, leather trim for the seats and dashboard.Optional extras for both models include a TV tuner, rear DVD screens, voice recognition control, keyless entry and a reversing camera.VEHICLES like the GL Mercedes are anti-heroes for many road users. They're big, heavy and block forward vision for other motorists.The chances of most of these wagons going far off-road are only a little better than their owners joining a work-for-the-dole scheme.Their owners love them because they carry seven, are comfortable, look better than people movers, tow well and can go off-road.Despite the GL's impressive off-road capability, it only has a space-saver spare tyre.Having to fit the skinny rim after a puncture would ruin any country adventure, especially if the driver was far from a Mercedes dealer or tyre dealer stocking GL tyres.Mercedes says it is working on a system to carry a full-size spare on the rear hatch.Mercedes isn't alone here, the new BMW X5 seven-seater will use run-flat tyres with no spare at all. The five-seater will have a space-saver.Our test car was a GL500, which was impressive.There were some glitches with the GL, including the space-saver spare and the way it handled rough country roads and parking spaces, but the huge machine will please a lot of its owners.It's a comfortable, spacious vehicle.The V8 model is pricey, but you get a lot of metal for the money. Its thirst wasn't as bad as we thought and the V8 ran at 11 litres/100km on the highway, rising to about 13 to 14 litres/100km around the city.These figures aren't good when compared with a normal family car, but when your consider the GL's size, weight, brutal aerodynamics and slingshot performance, they start to look a lot better. The V8 engine is a cracker and has a lot of torque and a nice sporty note. We are big fans of the seven-speed automatic, which changes quickly and smoothly.Running up to Canberra and back to buy a rally car gave us a good chance to test the on-road ability of the GL. It's excellent when cruising on smooth roads. It glides over the tarmac, is quiet, the seats are comfortable and the sound system is brilliant.The rough highway roads just across the New South Wales border revealed the GL is not so good on the bumpy stuff.It feels loose, just like many other large 4WDs and you notice the big body wobble as it tries to cope with the broken surfaces.Around town, the GL is happy, though there is some traditional 4WD body roll. Flicking the adaptive suspension damping to Sport helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.The cargo area is cavernous when you fold down the two rear rows of seats and there is sufficient headroom and legroom for all three rows.It's hard to park mainly because of its bulk. The parking sensors (with lights and buzzers) help, but it should come standard with a rear-view parking camera.For what it is, the GL is an impressive vehicle. But if you don't need to tow, go off-road or require all seven seats, we would still pick the better-handling and more efficient E-Class wagon.A huge, luxurious people mover that can (but probably won't) go off-road. Not as sensible as an E-Class wagon, but good for what it is. 

For those with deep pockets and a penchant for historical vehicles, the 5.5m left-hand drive Mercedes-Benz W124 A320 Cabriolet goes under the hammer during the show. Although not the fastest machine at the show, the 1948 car (with 59kW of power under the extraordinarily long bonnet) was originally built by Daimler-Benz as a design study for a future luxury cabriolet model.According to rare car insurer Shannons, which is conducting the auction: "As the company then had only just recommenced production after the devastation of World War II, the vehicle employed the 59kW side-valve engine and a number of other mechanical components from the last of the W142 long wheelbase Mercedes-Benz luxury cars manufactured from 1937 until hostilities and factory damage halted production in 1942."Price? Rarity and interest from local and international buyers means Shannons expects bids of $450,000-$600,000.

The four-pot in the German sedan has a turbocharger that helps it generate 125kW and 280Nm.It is the latest generation powerplant that has been already slotted into the A3 Sportback, A4 and TT models and uses direct petrol injection.In the smaller, lighter models, the engine is a cracker, but it has to work harder in the bulkier A6 (1555kg).Even so, it can still run from 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds, faster than the 2.4-litre A6 model that costs $7800 more.In both models, the new 2.0-litre is teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).A CVT, using a mix of cones, belts and pulleys, continuously changes the gear ratio so the engine is operating as efficiently as possible.To the driver, it feels as if the car has one gear. There are no step changes as with a regular automatic.The combination of the efficient CVT and the small engine means the entry-level A6 can score an official fuel economy figure of 8.5 litres for 100km of city and highway driving.The new model may be the cheapest in the A6 range, but comes with plenty of luxury, including leather seats, woodgrain trim, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control.The A6 comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, including a spare one in the boot.Safety is also covered with eight airbags, stability control and anti-skid brakes.A wagon version is available for an extra $3800. It adds roof rails and a storage system for the boot, including luggage nets and dividers.The CVT automatic is standard on the sedan and wagon and there is no manual gearbox option. If you feel the urge to change gears yourself, the CVT has seven pre-defined ratios you can flick between using the manual shift mode. ON THE ROADTHERE are no badges on the A6 to let you know it has a 2.0-litre engine.The A6 models with bigger engines have big badges on the boot proudly announcing the size of the powerplant.But there is no reason to be ashamed if you buy a 2.0-litre A6. It's not the fastest model, but has enough punch for most conditions and it is efficient.A mixture of highway driving and a bit of city work had the engine using between 6.8 litres and 7.0 litres for 100km. That is excellent for this size vehicle.Cruising at 100km/h, the 2.0-litre engine is running at just 1800 revs, which no doubt helps it achieve such good figures.The A6 is a bit sluggish when you put the boot in or try to accelerate hard up hills.The CVT auto also means it is smooth, with no jerky gear changes to worry about.Audi has not cut corners when it comes to the interior, even though this is the base model. The quality of the surfaces, the fitment of the trim and the woodgrain-lined panels bordered with aluminium all make the driver feel they own an expensive car.Small things such as the glovebox opening slowly at the touch of a button on the dashboard add to the luxury feel.Just as the other premium Audi models, the A6 has the MMI information controller.This system uses a roller ball and four corner buttons to let the driver control all sorts of things, from radio stations to heater settings.The MMI system is the best of the bunch and is easier to use than the BMW iDrive.There is plenty of room in the back for two people, though the middle rear seat is so hard it is almost unusable.You do have to wonder about Audi's priorities. There are no cupholders in the rear, but there are ashtrays on both rear doors and a central cigarette lighter.The ride comfort in the A6 is not bad, especially compared with many other Audi models that tend to be far too firm for Australian roads.Perhaps it is the fact this A6 runs on smaller wheels and higher-profile tyres than the more expensive A6 models. They help to absorb some of the bumps.The A6 is no sportscar, but it's still disappointing that the steering is rather vague, with little feel.Even so, the 2.0-litre A6 is an impressive car that offers good value for money.

Mazda is owned by Ford. To save cash, the two companies, along with siblings Volvo and Land Rover, share a small-car base and this is the base the Mazda3 and Ford Focus are both built off.UNDER THE BONNETWhen it came to building hot versions of their small hatches, Ford and Mazda had very different ideas. Mazda decided to slot in a turbocharged four-cylinder engine it developed for its all-wheel-drive Mazda6 MPS. Ford pinched an in-line five-cylinder turbo engine from Volvo, which uses the boosted blaster in its S40 T5 sedan.The Mazda unit uses direct fuel injection and pumps out 190kW at 5500 revs and 380Nm at 3000 revs. It has a top-mounted intercooler, usually fed with air through a bonnet-mounted scoop as seen on a Subaru WRX.Mazda decided against a bonnet scoop because it didn't want the car to look like a "boy racer", so it came up with a double-skinned bonnet that carries air from a front grille intake up to the top of the engine.The Swedish engine in the Focus is fitted with a front-mounted intercooler. It's not as potent as the Mazda3, but still has a healthy 166kW when the tacho hits 6000 revs. The torque figure is lower than that of its rival ... but the Ford's 320Nm of maximum torque is available from as low as 1600 revs - all the way through to 4000 revs.Both cars are front-wheel-drive and run six-speed manual gearboxes; neither are available as automatics. The MPS is fitted with a limited-slip differential, which prevents one of the drive wheels spinning faster than the other by temporarily locking the differential. The trick diff is not available for the Focus XR5. Both cars come standard with electronic stability control and traction control, which can be switched off when you are in the mood for fun.APPEARANCEThe Focus looks plain angry, while the MPS is just plain. Indeed, the MPS doesn't look much more special than regular Mazda3.It sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and has a body kit, but both are fairly mild. The Focus stands out instantly with a more aggressive body kit, including a meatier front grille, side skirts and rear bumper. It also runs 18-inch alloys, and has sport, five-spoke wheels.WHAT YOU GETThe Focus XR5 is $35,990, while the Mazda3 MPS costs $39,990. The specification levels are similar, both cars coming standard with 18-inch alloys, sports seats, airconditioning, six airbags and stability control. Cruise control is not available on the Focus XR5 - not even as an option - but it is standard on the Mazda3 MPS.ON THE ROADThe Mazda3 MPS and Focus XR5 are like pizzas. They might share the same base, but they taste very different. The Mazda3 MPS is like a Mexican pizza with extra chilli, and has a real kick. It might be too spicy for a lot of people. The Focus XR5 is more of an Americana. It has plenty of spice, but is just not quite as hot as the Mexican. It's more mild-mannered and easier on the taste buds. The Focus wins on looks but when it comes to driving experience, it is the Mazda that gives you the biggest kick in the pants.You might have already guessed from the power and torque figures, but the MPS is even harder-edged than the numbers suggest. The four-pot screamer in the mild-looking Mazda has enough low-end torque, but goes bananas from about 4000 revs.Matching the slingshot acceleration is a level of induction roar that is truly unique.From outside the car, the MPS sounds like a big jet aircraft roaring past, without the high-pitched whine. The Focus also has an awesome note, but it is completely different. It has a lovely lumpy sound all the way through the rev range. Around town at lower revs, the Focus sounds much meaner than the MPS. The power delivery of the Focus is also smoother. It is meaty all the way through the rev-range and there is no particular point that it kicks harder. The ride is more comfortable in the Focus and feels a touch softer than the Mazda.VERDICTYou have to ask yourself a question before choosing between these two cars. Do you want a fairly sporty car that's easy to live with or a red-hot blaster with a hard edge and very firm ride? When it comes to pure driving thrills, the Mazda is a clear winner. The rush it delivers when the engine goes into hyper-drive above 4000 revs is just stunning.That's enough to ensure it wins this comparison. Its interior also feels better than the Focus. But the Ford is certainly no slouch. It is a great package and is easier to live with. It sounds better, looks better, rides better and - apart from the fact it doesn't have cruise control - is the more sensible option.

The R model is expected to arrive in Australia late next year as both a sedan and a hatch, but the price has yet to be locked in. A direct-injection 3.6-litre V6 provides the punch for the R36, with 220kW on tap. It has a six-speed automated DSG manual gearbox that feeds power to the four wheels for best possible traction. The Passat R36 sedan can blast from zero to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, close to serious sports car territory. The R36 wagon also doesn't mess about, doing the same sprint in 5.8 seconds. Both cars have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Volkswagen has given the Passat's suspension an overhaul, with firmer springs and dampers aimed at giving the R36 sportier handling characteristics. Also upgraded are the brake discs and calipers in order to provide extra bite. The new Passat also has some exterior upgrades, including 18-inch alloy rims and low profile rubber. The R36 runs a body kit with a rear spoiler, side skirts and deep front and rear bumpers. The front grille has extra chrome and there are two chromed exhaust tips. Just as all other Passats, the car comes with a high level of standard equipment, but the R36 adds xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control and heated seats. The Passat is the second model to be given the R treatment, and Volkswagen is considering releasing more models in the R range. Until now, the Golf has been the only model to be developed as an R car. The R36 will be the most potent model in the Passat range. Volkswagen has also confirmed there will be no eight-cylinder Passat with the current model. The W8 version of the previous generation Passat, which arrived in Australia in 2004 with a price of $97,900, was not popular.

There was also the traditional cast of LA stars, including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tiger Woods and Molly Sims smiling in front of their sponsor's cars.Some of the car stars included the Giugiaro Mustang, Volkswagen Tiguan and Aston Martin V8 Vantage convertible that we featured last week.More show specials have since been unveiled, ranging from wild to wilder.One of the most eye-catching cars is the Hyundai Hellion, which could point to some of the company's future design themes.It is an aggressive three-door crossover hatch aimed at young American drivers. Its exterior skin is wrapped around a rib-cage system that forms the car's safety structure, and the wheel arches have been flared.The slit headlights flow back into the front wheel arches, and the flat tail-lights protrude from the rear windows.Hyundai designers have also made a feature of a turbo air scoop on the bonnet to emphasise the car's performance.A 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel sits under the bonnet, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that feeds drive to all four wheels.The Hellion sits on 20-inch alloy wheels that are Teflon coated to repel mud, road grime and brake dust.Honda was not about to be upstaged and rolled out two very different concepts.The Remix is a sleek coupe that Honda says is just a design concept.If it was to eventually make it into production, the Remix could become a new-age CRX.Finished with polished aluminium, the low-slung two-door explores the possibility of a lightweight sportscar.Honda says the two-seater four-cylinder Remix has a wrap-around canopy that gives the interior a jet-like feel, but the rear hatch section provides a practical load space.The other Honda concept rolled out at Los Angeles indicates the Japanese carmaker is considering following the lead of Toyota and introducing a box-style small car aimed at young people.The Step Bus concept, which follows the cubic shape of Toyota's Scion XB, is described by Honda as the ultimate urban utility vehicle."The Step Bus seeks to create the largest possible interior with the smallest possible exterior," Honda US vice-president John Mendel says.Fitted with a small, mid-mounted engine, the Step Box is rear-drive and has seating for five people.

Ateco Automotive, which already imports Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Fiat is deep in negotiations with a leading Chinese carmaker.The importer says it aims to show the first model at the next year's Sydney Motor Show in October, before the brand is officially launched a few months later.Ateco is not providing details, but admits it is working hard on a deal.Ateco won't comment on which Chinese brand — or brands —— it is negotiating with, but points out it needs a deal with a company that can offer a full suite of light commercial vehicles, an all-wheel-drive wagon and passenger cars.Chery Automobile is one of the brands most likely to be on its way to Australia. It has a full range of appropriate models and is keen on exports, though it is not the only contender.Geely Automobile also builds cars and vans, along with Hafei, which could also be in contention.The brand given the green light for Australia will come with bargain prices to offset concerns about sub-standard design and build.Ateco is keen to have another budget brand after importing Kia cars from South Korea from 2000 to the end of last year, when Kia Motors took over Australian distribution.

Mitsubishi already has a full-on rally racer, the EVO Lancer, but a less expensive, sporty model will add spice to a new Lancer line-up, which will start arriving here in September 2008. The boosted all-wheel-drive Lancer, expected to carry the Ralliart name, will slot into the line-up below the red-hot EVO model. The Lancer range will be similar to Subaru's Impreza stable, which has a turbo AWD WRX as the main performance model and a faster, more expensive STI as the hero car. It will be the first time Mitsubishi has had an affordable WRX rival since the cult GSR Lancer was cut from the local line-up 10 years ago. The Japanese carmaker has started to adopt a "bang for your bucks" approach, beginning with the Ralliart version of the Colt baby car. Apart from giving the struggling model much-needed positive publicity, the turbo model has added about 40 sales a month to the Colt's tally. Mitsubishi has added to the build-up to the next-generation Lancer, which is the brand's best-selling model in Australia, by releasing a sketch of the car that will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The sketch shows the car will look much more aggressive than the existing model. It has many similarities to the Concept X that was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year. The first of the new Lancers, which will be slightly bigger than existing cars, are expected to arrive in Australia in September 2008. A standard model will be the first on sale. It will have a new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is expected to produce about 120kW. A miserly 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a new diesel will be offered in Europe, but it's unlikely either will make it to Australia to start with. The performance turbo AWD model, which will compete with the WRX, is expected to join the range in the first half of 2008, along with the full-on EVO model. Mitsubishi now offers a wagon version of the Lancer, but it is unclear whether a similar load hauler is part of the next Lancer plan. It is more likely a sporty five-door hatch will be part of the line-up, according to Mitsubishi sources.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation was deep in discussions with the organisers of the European GT3 Championship — contested by race versions of cars such as the Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911 and Lamborghini Gallardo — but the class will not race at the Australian Grand Prix in 2007.It is understood the bid to bring the GT3 racers to Australia was on track until late last week.Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Tim Bamford said the company was involved in discussions with European GT3 series organiser Stephane Ratel."Up to the last minute we are considering options and making decisions, so the reality is there is lots of things that we think about," Bamford said.He said the fact the GT3 championship would not run at the Grand Prix did not detract from the event."I think that really it is a matter of making sure we have got the best possible package of entertainment and we are confident that with Formula One and four days of on-track action ... that is what we have got," he said.The main support races for the Grand Prix will include the Porsche Carrera Cup, Formula Three and the celebrity race, with Aussie Racers and V8 utes joining the line-up next year.Race organisers are keen to fill the void that will be left by the absence of the V8 Supercars, which will be missing from next year's Formula One festival for the first time.Many fans looked forward to the V8 Supercar races at Albert Park, even though the races did not carry championship points, because it was often the first chance to see the Ford and Holden race cars, with some drivers making their debuts for new teams at the track.Asked if having the V8 utes race at Albert Park would appeal to V8 fans, Bamford suggested the Formula Ones were already doing so."You know what, we have got V8s at the Grand Prix? We have the best, the loudest, the most exciting V8s in the world — Formula One," he said.Australian Mark Webber said the V8 Supercar class was a great category, but added the Grand Prix would draw a good crowd without it."The event is big enough and strong enough, it is an F1 event, that is the main drawcard," Webber said.While it is still unclear whether or not the loss of the V8 Supercars would hurt the Melbourne Grand Prix, it is worth noting the support card still outshines that of many Formula One races held overseas.

A new nose, more gear and aggressive pricing are at the core of the Falcon fightback. Holden has just introduced its VE Commodore and Toyota rolls out its new Aurion late this month, but it will be 2008 before Ford debuts its all-new Falcon.To see it through, Ford will introduce a freshened-up BF II late this month.The upgrade includes a new look for many models, fresh equipment and price adjustments, including some serious reductions on premium models.Ford will also introduce an optional Euro Sports pack on the base models. It includes electronic stability control, 17-inch wheels, sports suspension and the world-class six-speed automatic transmission for a launch price of just $250.The ZF six-speed automatic, as used by Jaguar and BMW, is normally worth $1500 as a stand-alone option.To help Ford models compete with the new Commodore range, the company has cut the prices of some premium models.The Fairmont Ghia tumbles $6370 to $46,490, the V8 XR8 has shed $6340 to $44,990 and the XR6 Turbo slips $2415 to $43,990.Some models stay the same and others, including the base XT and Futura, have increased by $100.Some ute models have increased by $500. Others have stayed the same.There has been some finetuning of the automatic transmission start-up that has seen a slight fuel saving on four-speed models, but the running gear is effectively unchanged.The most noticeable change has been made to the front of the XT, Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia and base ute models, all with new bonnet, bumper and light assembly.Most sedans also have a revised rear bumper and many models have fresh alloy wheels.Ford designers left the exterior styling of XR models alone.The XRs do pick up some minor interior improvements, including a new instrument cluster backing, brighter metallic touches and new interior trim.There are also four new colours, including a new shade of orange.The Fairmont Ghia will be the star of its BF II advertising campaign.The prestige sedan picks up the nose and tail tweaks, and it will also run an XR-style bodykit, including side skirts and rear bumper.Its interior has also been upgraded with a new-look steering wheel, shiny black centre trim, new instrument cluster, new front seat headrests and extra chrome touches.A Bluetooth hands-free phone connection, which allows most mobile phones to connect to the car's sound system, will be available across the range as an option for $495.The new Falcon weighs the same as the previous model, but uses slightly less fuel (0.2 litres every 100km). The base XT four-speed automatic now uses 10.7 litres for 100km of mixed driving when tested to the ADR 81/01 standard.This figure is now 0.2 litres less than the base Commodore Omega, but a Falcon XT fitted with the ZF six-speed automatic transmission records an impressive fuel economy figure of 10.2 litres for 100km.These consumption figures are 0.3 litres per 100km more than the front-wheel-drive Toyota Aurion.THE front end is only a small part of the BF II upgrade. The new nose has freshened the non-XR models and gives the cars a more modern look, which is important when it has to compete against an all-new Commodore.But the most important part of the BF II upgrade is the price and specification levels.The price cuts for the XR8, XR6 Turbo and Fairmont Ghia are welcome, but a customer buying a base Falcon is the real winner.The new Euro Sports pack that includes live-saving electronic stability control, 17-inch alloy wheels and the six-speed automatic transmission for $250 transforms the XT and Futura into world-class cars at a bargain price.An XT Falcon fitted with the pack costs $36,240 and a Futura with the pack costs $39,540. That is great value.Anyone who has driven a high-end Falcon or Territory fitted with the six-speed automatic knows it's a good thing.We drive a base XT model fitted with the six-speed automatic at the BF II launch in Tasmania and are instantly impressed.The standard four-speed automatic does the job linked to the torquey in-line 4.0-litre engine, but the six-speed is a much better unit.Its changes are smoother, quicker and less noticeable thanks to two extra gears with which to play.The ZF six-speed unit is more likely to hold a gear rather than flick up and down hunting for the correct gear.The premium transmission works well with the Falcon's six-cylinder 190kW engine, which was upgraded when the BF was introduced last year.It's a punchy plant with great pulling power, and there is also the bonus of fuel savings that come with running the six-speed automatic. That's handy when fuel prices are so volatile.We record a fuel economy average of 9.8 litres per 100km on an undulating road with a mixture of cruising and getting on the gas, which is very good.The other changes that come with the BF II upgrade are less noticeable. The interiors of the base models are the same — old and plain. The changes to the interior of the XR models, apart from the new seat trim, are almost impossible to pick. It's a shame they didn't also get an exterior upgrade.Ford spent most time and effort upgrading the Fairmont Ghia. The interior looks a lot better, with the use of shiny black dashboard sections and metallic highlights rather than woodgrain. The exterior is now much more masculine.The driving experience hasn't changed, but that is a good thing.A nice mix of performance and luxury, the Fairmont Ghia has a softer suspension set-up than its Holden Calais rival and that will be welcomed by many drivers.The Ghia, along with all the other Falcon models, still handles very well with precise steering that is not too heavy, not too light and gives you just the right amount of feedback.The BF II upgrades are minor compared with what Holden did with the all-new VE Commodore, but the Falcon was already a good car. It might not be totally new, but the exterior tweaks, the additions of stability control and brilliant six-speed automatic mean the Falcon is right back in the fight with its Commodore opponents.