Articles by Kevin Hepworth

The first part of the show is the release of a shadowy shot of the new super-limo's grille and front end. The new car — tagged the Grand Bentley for the pre-launch campaign — is only the fifth all-new four-door limousine in the company's 90-year history and will sit at the very top of the iconic luxury marque's range aimed directly at traditional rival Rolls-Royce. "This is the all-new Grand Bentley ... this will be our pinnacle product," says Ed Striebig, regional manager for Bentley in Australia and New Zealand. "I think you have to be realistic about your volume expectations at that upper echelon of the market, but we are very confident that it will receive a good reception." The Grand Bentley is the model Bentley has been in desperate need of for several years as the ageing Arnage range struggled to hold its own against newer, more technologically advanced products such as the Phantom from Rolls-Royce. "I think it should certainly appeal to existing Arnage owners and to those people that perhaps more recently have looked to Rolls-Royce for a pinnacle limousine product," Striebig says. "But we also hope it will attract people who perhaps hadn't considered a car from Bentley in that segment of the market for some time by virtue of it being all new and state-of-the-art technology." Striebig would not comment on suggestions the first concept model of the new car will be displayed at one of the world's peak gatherings for well-heeled car owners, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16 where Bentley are this year a featured marque. "We are not ready to announce our plans for market entry yet but there will be more information coming out within a couple of weeks," was all Striebig would say. Arnage production officially ends in September which will clear space at the Crewe factory for the new car, although it is not expected to be available for at least another 12 months. The Arnage replacement — it may well retain the historic nameplate — is expected to be built off a heavily modified version of Audi's modular platform seen in everything from the new A4 to the next A8. The V8 engine will be a bespoke Bentley powerplant and drive is most likely to be through ZF's new eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine is certain to be an E85 capable flex-fuel unit in the same vein as the recently launched Continental Supersports. While not confirming the new powerplant, Striebig says: "By 2012 all of our products across the whole portfolio will have flex-fuel capability, in the same way the Super Sport has. "This is very exciting ... it is a very rare occurence. If you look back over the 90-year history of the Bentley marque there have only been five all-new four-door limousines. "I know that everybody back at the factory — and there have been some 600 people involved directly from a design and engineering and manufacturing engineering perspective — is immensely proud to be involved."

...boasting fuel consumption more in line with small four-cylinder cars than its traditional luxo-rivals."This is a car that really redefines how efficient a large luxury car can be," BMW Australia's Toni Andreevski says.The new 730d has an official fuel consumption rating of 7.2L/100km, just 0.2 of a litre above the limit set by the government for cars to benefit from the green car exemption from luxury tax."It is just outside that level at the moment but with almost daily improvements in our efficient dynamics technology I am hopeful that it won't be too long before that level is reached," Andreevski says.In the interim BMW will just have to be satisfied that the 730d is the first car in the upper luxury sedan segment that emits less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometre, putting out 192 g/km.That measure puts it ahead of the Lexus LS600hL hybrid and diesel competitors in the segment and on a par with a clutch of other four-cylinder cars on the Australian market, such as the manual 1.8-litre Holden Astra CD, the manual 1.6-litre Skoda Roomster and the automatic 1.8-litre Honda Civic VTi."It's not often a luxurious five-seater saloon is compared with smaller four-cylinder cars, but in terms of fuel consumption the 730d demonstrates the remarkable achievement of BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme," says BMW Australia's general manager of marketing, Tom Noble.The 730d's Euro 5 compliant turbocharged all-alloy straight six-cylinder engine produces 180kW and 540Nm, giving the car a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.2 seconds.The 3.0-litre diesel features a third generation common rail direct injection system with piezo injectors and a maximum injection pressure of 1800 bar, variable turbo geometry, diesel particle filter and oxidation catalyst.Standard equipment levels on the 730d are the same as the recently released 740i, including heads-up display, rear view camera, metallic paint, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, Dynamic Driving Control, Brake Energy Regeneration, adaptive headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, sunroof, soft close on all doors, television tuner and voice recognition.

Australia's most popular family sedan has topped an insurance poll of the most stolen cars across the country.An analysis of AAMI insurance claims showed that early model Holden Commodores filled seven of the top 15 most stolen models in NSW, rising to nine out of 15 on a national basis.The most popular target for thieves was the 1999 VT Commodore Executive with 90 claims in NSW and 150 across the country. Hyundai's 1996 Excel (87) was second in NSW while another Commodore, the 1998 VT Berlina took silver on a national basis.Ford's Falcon was ignored by NSW thieves missing a spot on the top 15 table but the Blue Oval's 1999 AU Forte was ranked third nationally with 128 stolen.AAMI Corporate Affairs Manager Mike Sopinski said it wasn't surprising 1990s makes and models featured so prominently on the list."Vehicle theft has dropped remarkably over the past 10 years, primarily because of advances in technology and theft deterrents such as engine immobilisers increasingly being a standard feature on new cars," he said.Mr Sopinski said the dominance of Commodores on the list had nothing to do with a particular lack of security on the Holden model."If anything they are a victim of their own popularity with professional thieves seeking to cash in on strong demand for spare parts," Mr Sopinski said.The AAMI data mirrored figures collated by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRD) which reported three times as many Commodores than Falcons were stolen in the first three months of this year. According to the NMVTRD figures 1767 Commodores were stolen compared to 507 Falcons and 288 Hyundai Excels.While industry figures point to a 50 per cent reduction in car theft over the past five years, Mr Sopinski said there are some simple steps owners can take to make their cars less appealing to thieves."At a very basic level, drivers can be doing a lot more to keep their car safe and secure, such as parking in well-lit visible places, always locking doors and windows, and keeping personal items like sunglasses, handbags and portable music devices hidden from view," Mr Sopinski said.NATIONAL THEFT FIGURES1999 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1501998 COMMODORE BERLINA VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1311999 FALCON FORTE AU F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1281998 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1251996 EXCEL SPRINT F/INJ 3D HATCHBACK 1051997 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1041990 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VN F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1021996 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VSII F/INJ 4D SEDAN 1012002 RAV4 CRUISER 4X4 ACA21R F/INJ 5D WAGON 1001999 EXCEL SPRINT X3 F/INJ 3D HATCHBACK 982001 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VX F/INJ 4D SEDAN 981999 PULSAR SSS N15II F/INJ 5D HATCHBACK 931992 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VP F/INJ 4D SEDAN 911997 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VSII F/INJ 4D SEDAN 911997 EXCEL SPRINT F/INJ 3D HATCHBACK 89 

Where will it all end? Australian automotive manufacturers and importers are hoping the answer is: right here, right now.For the first time in months, there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that may not be another oncoming train.The Federal Government's cash handouts have helped the Australian economy dodge a recession on a technicality, consumers are spending again and car showrooms are beginning to fill with a whole lot of shiny new offerings.With a fresh financial year dawning, something in the order of 60 all-new or refreshed models are waiting in the wings before the end of 2009.Ranging from the first of the Chinese invaders to a couple of machines from the supercar stratosphere, these are the recession-busters the automotive industry is relying on.Here are a handful of the key players in this revival.Great Wall Motors AFTER what seems an age of yes-we-are, no-we-aren't games, the first of the Chinese-made brigade will be in showrooms next month.A pair of workhorse utes — the 4x4 V240 (known as the Wingle in China) and the 4x2 SA220 — will come as single-specification models with prices expected to be "around two-thirds of their logical competitors".That could mean a starting figure of $17,000 to $19,000.Alfa Romeo MiToTHE classic Italian marque's new baby, which arrives next month, has the task of taking on BMW's iconic Mini in the quest for buyers with more cash than responsibilities."It's a growing market as people downsize their cars to achieve better fuel economy but don't want to give up performance or style," Alfa Romeo Australia's Edward Rowe says."Our aim is to beat the Mini on both price and equipment."To that end, Rowe says the newcomer — which sits on a Fiat Punto platform — will launch as two models: the 88kW MiTo and a sparkier, 114kW MiTo Sport.Both have turbocharged, 1.4-litre petrol engines with six-speed manual gearboxes. Expect a starting price in the low $30,000 range.Hyundai i20AFTER the success of the i30 hatch and wagon, Hyundai has high hopes for its German-designed, Indian- made small car.Expected to hit showrooms towards the end of this year, the three-door and five-door i20s will sit at the higher end of the light-car segment, beginning at $16,000 to $17,000.This will leave the popular Getz as Hyundai's entry-level model, but will likely spell the end of the Accent.VW Golf GTITHE sixth-generation Golf GTI arrives in October with all the shiny new technology seen on its more mundane stablemates but lots more go.With 155kW driving through a new limited-slip differential, it promises all the attitude of its predecessors wrapped into a more refined package."It has all the safety and enhancements of the Golf VI and more power than the outgoing GTI, yet it's quieter and more efficient," VW Australia's Karl Gehling says.Pricing isn't yet set, but should be close to the outgoing model's $39,990.Holden VE CommodoreTHE first mid-life makeover for GM-Holden's "billion-dollar baby" is likelyto be remarkable for what ishappening under the skin rather than for any cosmetic body changes.A founding member of the Large Family Car segment — the hardest- hit sector of the industry over the past couple of years — the Commodore will celebrate GM's survival with a much more focused and fuel-efficient engine package.Although a four-cylinder option isn't on the cards, a smaller V6 is. That could be a three-litre or even a version of the 2.8-litre that has recently been shipped to Mexico for the Cadillac SRX.Expect to see it around October.

Few and far between they may be but the sheer joy and, sometimes, childlike delight they elicit make so much of the rest of it worthwhile.The great thing is that they need not be earth-shattering — nor even particularly practical — they are just memorable for being what they are.The first experience of Saab's delightful dancing cup holder that, when freed from the dash, pirouetted and opened with all the grace of a prima ballerina is just one example.A more recent — and practical — example is the joystick control centre in the new.Tagged the Remote Touch system, the control toggle for what were previously touch screen functions is intuitive, elegant and a no-brainer for anyone who has ever used a mouse.It uses the principle of physical feedback through the toggle to alert the user when the cursor has moved over an active command area of the screen.The strength of the clunky feel and audible click — a combination known as Haptic feedback and used by gamers, mobile phone manufacturers and surgeons operating by remote — can be adjusted for sensitivity.So ergonomic and just plain touchy-feely is the toggle and mouse button arrangement that it is hard not to play with it just for the fun of it.There are lots of other nice things about the upgraded RX350 — standard satellite navigation, reversing camera, side view camera (mounted in the passenger side door mirror), adaptive headlights, a heads-up display for speed and navigation controls — but the headline act is the toggle and mouse show.Improvements to the RX350's 3.5-litre V6 have lifted its output to 204kW and 346Nm, with the engine now coupled to a sequential-shift six-speed transmission replacing the five-speed shifter from the previous model.Those engine tweaks and the extra ratio, according to Lexus, are more than enough to offset extra weight from extra equipment, giving the RX350 an official fuel economy rating of 10.8L/100km, down from 11.2L/100km.Unfortunately we didn't see anything like that during the test run with an average north of 12.5L/100km closer to the mark, although that was predominantly in city traffic.AWD for the RX350 is a full-time active torque control system with drive to the front wheels until wheel slip is detected then torque is delivered to the appropriate corners.While the car is almost exclusively going to spend its life ferrying the well-heeled around town, the clever torque-shift system is certainly capable of some light off-road work and adds a layer of control on wet tarmac surfaces.That is on top of a safety package that includes a fully integrated stability control system (vehicle dynamic integrated management), pre-collision system — which tightens the seat belts and adds urgency to the brakes when a bank of sensors determine a crash is imminent — and 10 airbags.Trim levels are what we have come to expect from Lexus. There are swaths of nice leather, some shiny plastic wood bits and a generally refined and whisper-quiet environment in which to move from point A to point B.The lightly bolstered seats are comfortable, both heated and cooled and have 10-way electronic adjustment with memory function.Front passenger space feels generous but that impression slips when you move to the rear seats. The main offender is head room, where the price is paid for the styling of the roofline which makes the car look less boxy than some key rivals. There is reasonable space in the boot with no pretence to a third row of seats Dynamically the RX350 can hold its own with most of its SUV competitors.The ride is comfortable without being plush and stable enough to handle some enthusiastic driving.While the suspension keeps the RX350 from being roly-poly the steering is a little too ‘playstation’ and rather devoid of feedback.The engine delivers good power and urge without hunting up and down the ratios, making for a fairly relaxed drive experience.The Bottom line: If you must have an SUV you may as well have one with a really cool feature.

It is doubtful Karl Abarth had ever even heard of the adage, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog", yet Mark Twain could have been summing up some of the Austrian-born designer's best work.A world-class motorbike racer in the 1930s, Abarth is revered for the outrageous transformations he has performed on some ofthe world's tiniest cars - the diminutive Fiat 500s and 600s.They are not the only models or marque to wear the famous Scorpion badge - but the tiny "Bambinos" are certainly among the most talked about and coveted."My brother is to blame," jokes John Di Rocco, bitten by the Scorpion almost 30 years ago and still under its spell. "He married into a family with Fiats ... now we all have them."Di Rocco fell in love with the baby Fiats, but it was always the out-of-reach Abarth models that fired his imagination. "We knew back then we would never be able to afford an Abarth ... and they never came to Australia anyway," he says.That passion for the unattainable never died and while he gathered a collection of 500s and became an active member of the Italian Made Social Motoring Club there remained the dream of adding the elusive Abarth to the garage. Finally, in 2004 Di Rocco could wait no longer. Still unable to find an original that met his exacting standards the Fiat aficionado decided he would make one."I started with a 600 donor car that I decided to build into a replica of an Abarth," Di Rocco says. "It was something I really wanted to do."What came out the other end was not just any restoration. Two years after starting what seemed like a Quixotic endeavour, Di Rocco was the owner of an amazingly faithful replica of an 850 TC (Turismo Competzione) Nurburgring. The Nurburgring badging was added to Abarth's TC after the little racer had nailed the first eight finishing spots at the famous track in 1963.Overall, Abarth-badged cars lay claim to 10 world records, 133 national records and 10,000 track victories as well as hundreds of successful rally campaigns. With such a proud record of performance, Di Rocco was adamant that his replica would be true to the originals.Genuine Abarth stock sourced from around the world makes up 90 per cent of the parts used to make the replica."About 50 per cent of the parts came from Italy and a large proportion of the rest came out of the United States," Di Rocco says. "The Arbaths are huge over there in classic racing. They absolutely love them."While parts were largely sourced overseas, help and advice for the project was universal. "There was local support from people who have done a similar exercise and they were very generous with advice and help," Di Rocco says. "It took a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money ... but we don't talk about that." 

The baby soft-roader that will bring the German prestige brand yet another step closer to the masses when it hits Australian showrooms early next year.These latest pictures show a pre-production model of the X1 during testing in Europe this month.The X1 is a further stretching of the premium SUV envelope bringing a luxury twist to a market presently dominated by more mainstream offerings such as the Toyota RAV4 or Nissan Dualis.The X1's only direct competitor, Audi's new Q3, is not expected to reach Australia until the end of next year at the earliest.“The X1 is going to slip in under the X3 as a perfect fit to give people looking at the smaller end of that market an option they don't currently have,” BMW Australia's Toni Andreevski says.“It will have all of the key characteristics of the X3 and X5 but in a package that hasn't previously been available.”Andreevski says the expected customers for X1 will differ from those looking at the larger SUVs primarily in that they will be urban-based with little intention of heading off-road.“They are people who like the styling and practicality of the SUV's higher driving position and extra space but don't need the size of a serious off-roader,” Andreevski says. “It is the go-anywhere feel to the car that is most important.”While the X1 will launch sitting on an all-wheel drive platform there is a possibility BMW Australia may also offer _ for the first time in its X range of models _ a two-wheel drive version. “That is a bit further down the track,” Andreevski conceded. “We will monitor market requirements and if there is a clear demand for that then it is certainly possible.”BMW is expected to officially introduce the X1 to the world at the Frankfurt motor show in September having given a good indication of the car with a near-production concept at the Paris expo late last year.“We expect to have the X1 on sale in Australia by February next year and while it is far too early to give any firm price indications it will be at a competitive level below the X3,” Andreevski says.It is likely that the X1 will start in the low $50,000 range for what will be the entry-level engine, the tried and tested 2-litre diesel already available in the X3 _ in which it accounts for 70 per cent of all sales _ and 1, 3 and 5 Series passenger cars.However, the hero engine of the range will be the spanking variable vane technology twin turbo four-cylinder diesel which has been taking Europe by storm in the 123d. With 150kW (204HP) of power and 400Nm of torque the engine is the first all-aluminium diesel to rate above the 100HP per litre output.While BMW Australia will launch the X1 as an all-diesel range there is a possibility that a 3-litre six-cylinder petrol engine will be added to the line-up towards the end of next year, although the company was offering no comment on that.Based off the company's 3-Series platform, the X1's interior is likely to run down similar lines to the small sedan from switchgear to the revised and refined iDrive controls.

This small — but growing — band of eco-warriors has an armoury not of high-tech gadgets and expensive systems but rather a collection of small ideas and commitments, the sum of which make a powerful argument.Among this common sense army is a small number of Audi faithful who proudly sport a small letter ‘e’ on the exterior badging of their otherwise unremarkable A3 Sportback rides.The ethos of the ‘e’ car philosophy — started with the A3 1.9 TDIe — is largely common sense and involves use of design strategies available to any manufacturer. There is no breakthrough technology in the engine, no super-efficient gearbox.Drivetrain and fuel economy What allows the A3 1.9 TDIe to post genuine hybrid-challenging fuel efficiency — 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the official government cycle and, quite remarkably, achievable in real-world driving — is a series of rather small tweaks that together result in an 8 per cent improvement in economy and the consequent improvement in emissions.The road to Audi's greener vision is paved with a couple of in-house adjustments: specific tuning of the electronic control of the ageing 77kW 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine and lengthening of the ratios for third and fifth gear in the five-speed manual box.The changes mean better fuel efficiency under most circumstances — and considerably better fuel efficiency if the driver has any real commitment to the cause.And you don't have to have the ear of a piano tuner to pick an optimum change point for the gears — that is all done for you by the engine management system and indicated on a digital dash-mounted display.The only other changes from a standard A3 are that the "e" car has been lowered to improve efficiency through the air, lightened, fitted with aerodynamic plastic covers for the 16-inch wheels and shod with low-friction Michelin rubber to reduce rolling resistance.Driving If you really want to concentrate, give up the little luxuries in life such as air-conditioning and spend as much time as possible on neutral throttle you can get returns of around 4-litres per 100km even in city traffic.It is not fun and anyone who is not a fully paid-up member of the green movement is going to tire of it pretty quickly.Still, even the average punter will see benefits from this car. The sum total of the little improvements in aerodynamics and engine mapping are enough to compensate for the occasional heavy right foot.In many ways it is the 1.9 TDI e's lack of obvious change that makes it more acceptable to the average buyer.The car boasts most of the nice things you will find in any other Audi. Billet-like build quality, a nice touch of plushness, quality fittings and fitment, the all-round nice drive quality and the growing prestige of the four rings badge.There are some trade-offs: you can't get an automatic and you don't get cruise control. There is also a slightly harsher ride on the lower suspension and low rolling resistance rubber and the engine — at least from outside — is unmistakeably diesel.Then there is the little matter of paying to feel good about yourself — the 1.9 TDI e starts at $38,900 before statutory fess and delivery charges. That is not cheap for a manual compact hatch.The Bottom line A sensible way to feel good about your fossil fuel use.

The British-based, German-owned, manufacturer now guarantees that 85 per cent of all materials used in its Continental models are recyclable which also makes it more attractive for the company to offer environmental recovery at the end of the car's life. Official recognition of Bentley's efforts came in the form of a certificate from the German Motor Transport Authority (KBA). In a ceremony in Berlin, KBA's President Ekhard Zinke presented the official European-wide certificates to Dr. Arno Homburg, head of Whole Vehicle Development at Bentley Motors. "Our environment policy is based on sustainable principles and we take a holistic view of the whole process," Dr Homburg says. ""At the design stage we consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. This is despite the fact that over 70% of all Bentleys ever produced are still in existence - our cars tend to end up as collectors' items rather than scrap." The recycling certificate is part of a comprehensive environmental strategy Bentley is applying, including offering bio-fuel capable models pioneered with the Continental Supersports which can be powered by either gasoline or ethanol. Bentley announced at the Geneva motor show earlier this year that by 2012, all Bentley models will be available with flex fuel technology.        

It is really a matter of horses for courses. What may seem a terribly desirable thing to consumers in one market is going to leave those in another wondering what the fuss is about.The three bar heater that seems indispensable to the good citizens of Gnome, Alaska, will simply gather dust in a shop window in Bangkok.And that brings us to the Smart Fortwo. As clever as all get-out in the alleyways of Rome or the backstreets of Paris the little two-seater micro-car elicits less enthusiasm in a wide brown land.It is not that the ideas are any less clever nor the solutions any less elegant it is just that there is less opportunity to be struck by them.We have long been a closet fan of the Smart concept — much the same way as one would be a fan of Morris dancing ... there is a certain skill involved but you don't want to actually do it yourself, or let others know that you do.DrivetrainThe latest Smart close encounter has been with the so-called MHD (that's mild hybrid drive) which really isn't a hybrid at all — at least not as we know it.The Smart MHD has no electric motors to help it slip quietly away in the mornings, no battery packs soaking up regenerative power from the brakes or pouring additional urge to wheels as the workload increases.What it does have is a button marked Eco and a nice green light on the dash to make drivers feel good about their efforts to save the planet.That Eco button does have a function. It engages the stop-start capability of the MHD's dual-mode starter/generator and battery to shut down the three-cylinder, 1-litre naturally aspirated engine as the car is braked to a halt and restart it when the foot is lifted off the brake pedal.What the off-again, on-again engine means to the environment is a claimed saving of six percent in fuel use — down to 4.7L/100km on a combined cycle — with a similar saving in emissions (112gms of CO2 per kilometre).For a petrol car they are pretty impressive figures, until you remember that to move the same number of people as any other small sedan you need to use twice as many cars.Body, fit-out and equipment And that is probably what makes the Smart such a niche vehicle. It is a selfish car. There is nothing gregarious about it.Heading off for a game of golf? It's you and your golf bag on the passenger seat. Going shopping? Don't plan on taking a passenger because they are going to have to walk home as an average family shop fills the Smart to overflowing.The Smart is about satisfying very particular personal needs.There is no arguing that the car's tiny 2.7-metre length opens up never-before explored options for parking while the fuel-sipping economy is a wallet saver.It is also one of the better cars in the market for ease of entry and exit. The upright stance makes the seat height/hip relationship very suitable for joints that may not move as well as they once did.Interior space is also good. That may seem a strange statement given the criticism of the car for its selfish nature but head and shoulder room in the square passenger compartment is surprisingly generous.There is nothing flash about the car's interior with a small dash display for the speedo, a clock and tacho in two individual pods on top of the dash and materials that are tactile and pleasing.The seats are supportive and with enough range of movement to get a reasonable driving position from the fixed steering wheel.Driving The biggest surprise is just how adequate the performance of the Smart is. With just 52kW of power and a meagre 92Nm of torque it would be fair to assume that the little city car would struggle.It doesn't. While a 13.3 second 0-100km/h time is not the stuff of excitement the combination of the engine and five-speed automated manual transmission is good enough to handle most needs that arise in city traffic.The changes are not particularly smooth, especially if the manual selection is used and the engine run out to its peak performance range around 5000rpm.Ride quality on the 15-inch wheels is reasonably well controled through the McPherson strut front end and DeDion rear axle with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers.As good as it is it can't completely isolate the tall body and relatively short wheelbase and narrow track from the laws of physics.On the open road the claimed maximum top speed of 145km/h is not something any sane person would want to explore but the car will cruise quite comfortable at the speed limit.However, getting away for the weekend will pose its own problems.With two people on board the luggage space is — well, restricted. There is a narrow bin behind the seats into which one could squeeze a soft sports bag and suitbag or a couple of briefcases.The bottom line A clever concept but as awkward in Australia as a carnivore at a vegan party.Rating: 70/100