Articles by Karla Pincott

At least 250 of the plug-in electric cars will be built by the end of next year after it completed real-world testing, including duties as a family's car as part of the "One Tonne Life" project. The C30 Electric, built alongside its petrol-powered siblings, can be fully-recharged in seven hours using a standard household power socket. The C30 boasts a range of up to 150km from a full charge, as well as the ability to hit 50km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. Volvo says the electric drivetrain fits into much of the petrol-powered car's existing structure and doesn't eat into the luggage space, an issue that confronts many hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. Volvo Australia's Jaedene Hudson says the electric version of its little hatch is on the wishlist for Australia. "We've seen the initial information from Volvo Cars Corporation and have expressed interest in the C30 Electric - the next stage will be to put together a business case to see if the car will be viable in our market," she says.

“The XV concept is a stepping stone for all new Subarus.” spokesman David Rowley says. “There are distinct possibilities for a new trend in sub-contact SUV’S ... the challenge is making them more affordable.” The XV Concept - that will be at the Australian International Motor Show - reveals that Subaru intends to grab even more of the growing compact end of the SUV market. While pointing out the success of the Forester and Outback, the Japanese carmaker will also be eyeing the Hyundai ix35, which took top spot in May with 1035 sales – just 31 ahead of the popular Forester. Like the current AWD Impreza XV, the five seater XV Crossover Concept is powered by a standard 2.0 litre, 110kW boxer engine. Though not yet confirmed it is likely to include a five-speed manual gearbox. Power is delivered to the XV’s all-wheel drive system through a Lineartronic CVT system. The Subaru XV crossover concept will be on display at the motor show in Melbourne from July 1-10.

The 1.0-litre unit – shown in the Ford B-Max concept at May's Geneva motor show – is the smallest the Blue Oval has ever introduced, but comes with promises that its power and torque will match current four-cylinders. "Our new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice," Ford vice president of global product development Derrick Kuzak announced on Friday. "The 1.0-litre engine is a little dynamo," he said, although without outlining the specific output figures – which are likely to be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September. The current Fiesta in Australia carries an 88kW/151Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder with fuel economy of 6.1L/100km, which means that any significant improvement by the new engine should see it at least matching the Suzuki Alto’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 4.7L/100km (manual). Any improvement on that would make it yet another non-hybrid rival for the eco-worthiness of the Toyota Prius’ 3.9L/100km – at likely better than half the price. The new three-cylinder Ford engine uses several cooling and fuel-saving technologies – such as an offset crankshaft, slipt cooling system and one-piece manifold/cylinder-head assembly that widens the rev band and saves weight. The engine also features the turbocharging, direct-injection and twin camshaft timing already seen in the rest of the Ecoboost line. It will be available globally in the company’s small cars and will be built in several plants around the world. There was no information about which plants those would be, or indication of whether Australia had a chance of making the list. Ford is also working on developing two new transmissions – an eight-speed automatic similar to the swift shifting ZF seen in the Audi and BMW ranges – and an electronic CVT to replace the Japan-sourced one currently used in the company’s hybrid vehicles in overseas markets.

... even among the crowd of cutting-edge cars at Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin. You'd expect that from the formerly French manufacturer that made its name in the 80s with track-bred cars and now - after a bankruptcy and rescue - is based in Monaco with a focus on alternative technology. But the Volage, unveiled at the 2008 Paris motor show and slated to go on sale in 2013, even tops the brand's solar-electric hybrid Astrolab and solar/wind powered Eclectic concepts. What's special about this exotic two-seater is not the Tron-like styling but the wheels, each of which holds two electric motors - a 55kw one to drive the wheel while the other is an active suspension motor that controls traction, torque distribution and all the damping. Out on the test track this meant it handled like it was pinned to rails, staying flat through high-speed cornering, braking and acceleration that made the most of the total 220kW/232Nm outputs. It's the latest version of Michelin's Active Wheel concept, but the first time a brand has planned to put it into production - and hinted at it spreading into other models. "The Volage will be very limited, and the price will be also very exclusive," Venturi spokesman Clement Dorance said. "It will be only for those who want something so special in a performance car, but yes, we will think also about this in a saloon. This is the future." There's no similar sales future planned so far for the other two stand-out exotics at Challenge Bibendum: the Peugeot EX1 and Citroen Survolt. But the new-age Batmobile that is the EX1 is already getting the chance to prove itself on the track, having broken a Nurburgring record a few weeks ago. Don't get too excited - it was the fastest time for an electric car, but at just over nine minutes for the 20.8km lap it's still more than two minutes behind the petrol cars. Under the carbon-fibre body are two motors - one on each axle - that let it log a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5secs with the electric signature of torque on tap from start. There's a similar surge off the line in the Survolt, but with only 224kw from its pair of electric motors it's a good second behind the Pug in getting to 100km/h, and there's an odd and unpleasant noise from the undercarriage as it winds up. While we're all for the usually-silent electric cars warning pedestrians on approach, this wouldn't be our pick for a soundtrack and is something Citroen will have to work on if they use the Survolt technology - as they've hinted - for a smaller production model.

LPG has been strongly touted over the past few years as being an economical fuel source compared to petrol. But that benefit has started to dwindle as conventional engines have downsized, become more efficient and more environmentally chummy.Take the Holden Omega LPG dual-fuel. Aimed at the tradie and fleet buyers, it offers a simple, economical and fairly comfortable vehicle. But there are still compromises -- for both your wallet and the environment.VALUEYou have to weigh the $38,890 price for the dual-drinker against the latest petrol-only Omega ute at $3400 less - but $1400 after $2000 government rebate. But to do that, you need to measure the 175kW/318Nm 3.6-litre's claimed 15.1L/100km on LPG - which is how most people will use it -- against the 3.0-litre petrol's claimed 9.6L/100km and not dissimilar outputs at 190kW/290Nm.With current fuel prices (which vary on location), that means 1000km costs about $94 on LPG, and about $40 more on petrol. So you have to travel 35,000km to make up the price difference.On test, after 420km of mixed driving it took 67.7L of LPG and 8.3L of petrol for a total cost of $55.90, so our 1000km would cost closer to $130, but in real-world driving the non-LPG ute would also return a higher fuel figure than the claimed one, so the difference could still be around $40.The emissions weigh-up is grimmer. On LPG, the ute belches 244g/km of CO2: more than the 3.0-litre's 229g/km - and for that matter, more than the 210kW/350Nm version of the petrol V6 at 236g/km. And no amount of driving evens up that imbalance.DESIGNThe body looks solid and simple, but the LPG tank means a large lump in the tray, and while you can sit something on top, it reduces the payload area and prevents you anchoring large objects behind the cabin. The tank also reduces cargo capacity by 109kg to 700kg, but you still get the braked towing capacity of 1600kg.The filler caps are both under the same lid, and this leaves little room to get your fingers around the LPG one when refilling.The interior relies on hard plastics - the steering wheel is particularly unpleasant -- but enough effort has been made to give the cabin a comfortable feel and there's plenty of room behind the seats for storage. It also has a reasonable equipment list, including dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and the Holden-iQ touchscreen infotainment system.The main gripe is lack of visibility, with the thick pillars and high rear window forcing you to look twice in lane-changing and parking.TECHNOLOGYThe Alloytec V6 engine starts on petrol and automatically switches over to the gas-injected LPG after a few seconds, but will switch back if you run out of gas It's a capable unit, but it's mated to a museum-eligible four-speed auto and you can't help wondering how much another cog or two would improve the fuel economy.Holden is currently working on an LPG-only system, due to arrive later this year.The independent rear suspension feels a bit firmer than in the sedan, and the ute rides and handles fairly well with an empty tray. The steel wheels' 16-in diameter helps with that, but it improves more with some weight in the tray.SAFETYFive crash stars, helped by six airbags, stability and traction controls, and anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distribution for optimum braking and brake assist for extra effort in emergency stops.DRIVINGWe'd factored in that the LPG ute would mutter at hills, and it didn't take much foot input before it needed to kick down. But we didn't expect it to make so much racket. It's an industrial symphony, with transmission noise singing harmony and tyre roar as the chorus - all of which begs for better damping in the cabin. Otherwise it offers a fairly practical experience. Give it a task and it steadily sets about getting it done, then dusts its hands off and lines up for the next one.The 11.7m turning circle is handy for a workhorse, and its road manners are as good with the tray empty as when loaded.Overall, there are no real problems, and the cabin is a well-equipped and pleasant enough mobile office, but the ute doesn't really shine in any area. The poor visibility and antique four-speed transmission make everyday tasks just a bit harder than they need to be, and the LPG consumption doesn't compare as well to more modern and frugal petrol engines as it once did to the previous guzzlers.The main factor will be whether you're prepared to pay the extra up front to save bowser budget later in its life.VERDICTIt's a good prospect if you're going to drive it long enough to recoup the extra cost and don't mind losing some payload area. Otherwise go for the petrol version or wait to see the new Falcon Ute with liquid phase injection LPG that arrives mid-year or the LPG-only system Holden will launch later in the year.HOLDEN OMEGA LPG UTEPrice: from $38,890 (- $2000 government rebate)Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assistResale: 62%Service: 15,000km/12 monthsThirst: LPG only 15.1 litres/100km; 244g/km CO2. LPG/petrol 13.4 litres/100km; 217g/km CO2Crash rating: 5 starsSafety equipment: six airbags, ESC (inc ABS, EBD, EBA, TC)Engine: 3.6-litre, V6; LPG/petrol; 175kW/318NmTransmission: 4-speed auto; rear-driveBody: 2-door ute, 2 seatsDimensions:  4894mm (L); 1899mm (W); 1476mm (H); 2915mm (WB)Weight: 1734kgTyres: 225/60R16 tyres, full-size spare

It's a pit lane like no other in the world. And most of them silent as they circle the track.

The brand's spokesman David McCarthy says it would love to bring in some of the electric cars that starred at the recent Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin - but would get no government help.

While the Shinari - the first concept from Mazda's new 'Kodo' (soul of motion) design direction - has been seen at shows in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Geneva, it's the first time the Aussie public will have a chance to see it in the metal. The concept is the debut car from the brand's new global director of design Ikuo Maeda, and is intended to suggest 'a predator ready to pounce'. "It captures the moment just as motion begins .  every element of Shinari is designed to suggest the presence of pent up energy propelling the car forward," Mazda says. The streamlined shape suggests a coupe, but the flowing lines camouflage the four-door body, following in the path set by the Mercedes-Benz CLS and similar luxury brands who have developed 'four-door coupes'. The interior makes strong use of machined aluminium and natural leather, and features a glass-roofed cockpit and steering-wheel paddles that entirely relace the more usual gearshift lever We're unlikely to see any of that - or the exterior design - make it into production cars, but the Shinari's engine is already on the way. The Mazda3 upgrade coming later this year will carry the same 2.0-litre Sky-G engine that drives the front wheels of the concept car. However the Shinari's four-seat cabin design with centre tunnel shows that it could easily be used for rear-wheel drive and hints it may end up seeding a future sports car.

Souped-up 'green' vehicles going head to head in an international eco-marathon to see who runs the longest on as little energy as possible. Germany's Eurospeedway Lausitz, around 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Berlin, hosted the Shell Eco-marathon last week where nearly 3,000 participants are putting the world's most fuel-efficient vehicles to the test.

Bearing the new sinister Lexus stylying, the Lexus LF-Gh concept will be a highlight of the Lexus stand at the show, only the second appearance for the car after its star turn at New York Auto Show last month. The brand says the main feature of the new mean face - the spindle-shaped grille - will become part of the signature for all cars from Toyota's luxury arm - while other aspects of the design might 'father' a future grand touring sedan. But the grille is not just for decoration, Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb says. "It also plays a substantial role in airflow control and stability," he says. "Much like in the case of the Lexus LFA supercar, the designers and engineers for the LF-Gh concept have used function to inspire and mould the design."