Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

The commitment comes after Holden this week could not guarantee the Commodore brand beyond five or six years, possibly replacing it with a smaller global car. Toyota sales and marketing director Matthew Callachor said they were in the midst of launching new versions of their locally produced medium-sized cars (Camry and Camry Hybrid) and the Aurion large car. "It is not generally recognised that Toyota Australia secured its investment for the new-model Camry, Aurion and Camry Hybrid without government co-investment support,'' he said referring to government support for both Ford and Holden. He said the majority of Toyota's new $300 million engine plant at Altona would be funded by the company with financial support from the federal and Victorian governments. "All these investments have provided Toyota Australia with the opportunity to improve its competitiveness and efficiency beyond the current model cycle,'' he said. "Planning for the next generation of cars is well under way and, as is normal for any Toyota affiliate, we will develop the business case to secure the next model. "Our firm intention is to build cars beyond 2016. In the long term, we intend for our local suppliers to provide more components.'' Callachor said their commitment to the Camry Hybrid and its 2.5-litre petrol engine had secured the new engine plant. The 20,000-square-metre engine plant was gutted last year and has since had a new roof and deeper foundations to support more than 350 heavy machines. Callachor said the first official trials for the casting plant would start in April, followed by the machining lines later that month and engine assembly trials from May. Engines will undergo durability testing from July to October in Australia and in Japan with plant production starting in November and "in full swing from early next year''.

Mitsubishi Lancer VR CVT and Holden Cruze SRi-V go head-to-head in this comparative review.

CARS are now more dependable as a result of the global financial crisis of 2009, according to a US study of customer satisfaction.  The latest J.D. Power and Associates US Vehicle Dependability Study found Lexus was the most dependable brand ahead of Porsche, Cadillac and Toyota. It also topped the American J.D. Power automotive satisfaction survey for the fourth consecutive year. Of the 32 brands included in the study, 25 improved on their scores from 2011, with only six losing ground and one remaining flat. J.D. Power spokesman David Sargent says the improvement in dependability is as a result of "grim sales" in 2009.  "Despite facing immense challenges in 2009, automakers placed a keen focus on delivering outstanding levels of quality, which they understood would be essential to their long-term success," he says.  "Three years later, owners of these models are enjoying unprecedented levels of vehicle dependability." The Dependability Study looks at vehicles that are three years old and assigns rankings according to the number of problems reported per hundred vehicles.  Toyota was the big winner in the survey with its luxury brand, Lexus, topping the list with 86 problems per 100, compared with the industry average of 132. Its youth-oriented brand, Scion, was fourth. The Lexus LS also had the fewest reported problems of any vehicle on US roads, with a score of 72, while the best light car was the Toyota Yaris and best small car the Toyota Prius hybrid.  In Australia, the second JD Power automotive satisfaction survey last year scored Subaru as the standout performer. For the fourth consecutive year, Lexus topped all other luxury brands on the J.D. Power Customer Service Index (CSI) survey. The CSI study compiles data from both owners and lessees of 2007 to 2011 model year vehicles, to determine their overall satisfaction with the dealer service experience. Among luxury brands, Lexus out-performed second-place Cadillac. While the award is the fourth consecutive for Lexus in the luxury segment, the brand has amassed some 15 top CSI rankings since 1991.      

The Polaris range of RZR (Razor) side-by-side vehicles are more capable than any SUV on the market and more fun than probably should be legal.Polaris is a big and fast-growing off-road vehicle manufacturer in northern USA which has been making great in-roads in Australia, even though their vehicles can't be driven on the road. But if you have somewhere private to drive them, they are the best fun you can have sitting down. Polaris has been introducing one new RZR vehicle each year since 2008, but this year they are adding the RZR 570 narrow-body single-cylinder model, plus an off-roader all the family can enjoy at the one time, the RZR XP 900.VALUEWhile ATVs can be imported without any duty, there is a 5 per cent impost on side-by-side vehicles. This seems strange as there is no Australian manufacturer to protect. The RZR 570 is the new adult-sized entry level model at $12,995. About the same price as some dirt bikes.At the top end of the fleet are the new XP 900 models that range from $23,495 for the Xtreme up to the XP 4 900 LE four-seater which is coming next month (MARCH!) but is yet to be confirmed on price. They also come with a two-year warranty with unlimited kilometres which is quite generous considering the bashing such off-road vehicles will no doubt encounter. Service intervals are also a generous 100 hours.TECHNOLOGYThe adult entry model has a 567cc single-cylinder, double-overhead-cam, fuel-injected engine, while the RZR XP 900 has a 875cc twin strong enough to carry four adults up most hills.To complement the new single-cylinder engine, the on-demand four-wheel-drive RZRs come with a new continuously variable transmission to keep the revs in the optimum power band so they don't lose momentum in sand, mud or on ascents.The all-wheel drive is an on-demand system with low and high range. It is switchable to two-wheel drive on the fly. Both have independent rear suspension with 22.9cm of travel on the 570 and a whopping 35.6cm on the 900.SAFETYThey come with seatbelts and roll-over protection cages and you can option them up with a roof, doors and even stereo systems. Brakes are huge discs more than enough to stop a car, let alone these lightweight buggies.DRIVINGPolaris drove to the middle of the Mojave Desert in California to demonstrate their large-capacity machines. The terrain here varies from rock-crawling over boulders to sharp gravel tracks and high-speed gritty sand trails with 1-1.5m whoops that can send an unsuspecting driver and machine into a cartwheel.Our mission was to drive 50km/h at high speed across this terrain to a tavern for a chilli-cheese-dog lunch, then back again without losing said lunch. These vehicles have conquered the Baja 1000 desert race, so this trip should be a breeze.At about 10km/h we come upon our first series of whoops which we don't see until the last second because the bright late-morning sun bleaches out the white sand. First reaction is to slam on the brakes and the vehicle responds with rapid deceleration.We still hit the first trench way too fast and brace for the expected crunch up front and corresponding bunny hop in the rear. Surprisingly, it dives in and out with few histrionics. Our Polaris instructor advises us not to back off. Hit the whoops at speed, he says.Bravely we attempt the next set without hitting the brakes and are astonished at how much better it handles the obstacle. Even a set of offset whoops that hit left and right at different intervals does not send the buggy into a corkscrew to hell. There is also little kickback in the power steering of the top-spec model.This is Baja racing for dummies. The four-seater scrapes over one whoop because of the longer wheelbase, while the two-seater clears it with no problems. At the end of our journey, even those ageing test drivers among us with bad backs have no complaints. The seats are comfortable and the passengers have not experienced one sideways head clash all day.VERDICTIf you have access to private land, ditch the expensive four-wheel drive and grab one of these buggies. The RZR XP 900 will be on show in the inaugural season of the Australian Rally Championship Side By Side Challenge this year.Ranger RZRPrice: $12,995 (570), $23,495 (XP 900), $24,995 (900 LE)Warranty: 2yrs, unlimited kmService: 100 hoursEngine: 570cc single (570), 875cc twin (900)Transmission: CVT, on-demand AWDBrakes: hydraulic discsFuel: 27.4L tankDry weight: 440kg (570), 539.8kg (900)

The tests were introduced across Australia over the past five years, and road safety expert Professor Jeremy Davey says even drug takers are now starting to realise that taking drugs affects their driving ability.  His comments come after the release of a report in the latest British Medical Journal that shows drivers who smoke cannabis within three hours of getting behind the wheel double the risk of a serious crash.  Prof Davey, from the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland, says early evidence in their research shows that the culture of drug-driving has changed. "Before there were random roadside drug tests of saliva, people didn't think they were impaired," he says. "People were ignorant of the effects of drugs on their driving.  "With the raising of the profile of drug driving we're starting to see an early shift of behaviour where people are deciding not to drive after taking illicit substances because they feel unsafe.  "It's hard to say how many or what proportion just yet." He says the impact has been mainly on occasional drug users, not habitual offenders. "It's people who don't classify themselves as criminals."  "It's a driving decision, not necessarily a drug-taking decision which is a positive outcome for road safety." He says there has been "very good broad comunity acceptance" of random drug tests, even among drug users.  "They are the people who live next door to you; regular people," he says. "Half the community have used cannabis at some stage in their life." Prof Davey agrees with the British research about the effects of drugs on driving ability.  "What people tend to forget is that cannabis, extacy or methamphetamines are psycho-active drugs just like alcohol," he says. "They change your mood, perceptions, congitions and behaviours, which is why people use them for an altered state.  "While different drugs have different effects they all impair driving ability. "Driving is a complex task that involves congnitive processing or thinkiing, and coordinating it into driving behaviour."  Prof Davey says drug taking has similar effects to alcohol, pointing out that a blood alcohol level of 0.05 made drivers twice as likely to be invovled in a road accident, 0.08 increased that incidence to seven times and at 0.10, drivers are 25 times more likely to be involved.  "People under-estimate the effect of alcohol and drugs on driving," he says. "Australia is a world leader on drink-driving prevention and with the introduction of random roadside drug testing we are the first country in the world to introduce it on a comprehensive basis.  "Now we have to start moving into the education area but there is a cost."

The new BMW 3 Series sets a high benchmark with a bigger body, more room, greater safety, higher technology, more dynamic performance and smaller, more powerful and "greener" engines.VALUEThe new model lines make price comparisons difficult, but there has been a slight increase in base models and substantial decreases in middle and flagship models. As all but the 335i have economy figures lower than 7L/100km, they save buyers the luxury car tax. There is also a substantial increase in creature features and hi-tech driver aids, so value has improved, forcing Mercedes-Benz to recently make some price adjustments to combat the coming model.Initially we get the sedan variants in base and three trim "lines" (modern, sport and luxury), with two transmissions and three engines, two of which have different outputs. However, because of production schedules, the entry level 118d and 120i models will not arrive until the middle of the year.BMW Group Australia product and market planning manager Toni Andreevski says the new model lines make customer buying decisions easier, but it still makes my brain hurt thinking about the choices. He admits that half of all buyers will simply choose a car off the dealer's showroom floor, anyway.As usual, there is also a host of options such as adaptive M suspension (up to $2200 depending on model), sunroof (up to $2900), TV (up to $2250) and satnav (up to $2000).TECHNOLOGYMany will mourn the passing of a straight-six naturally aspirated engine in a 3 Series, but the new all-turbo line-up will write a new chapter in BMW history.Top of the range is the three-litre twin-turbo six 335i, but the new hero car is expected to be the 328i with its high-spirited 180kW of power offset by low fuel consumption figures of 6.3 litres per 100km. The same two-litre petrol engine in the 320i has 40kW less power but is only 0.3L/100km lighter on fuel. At $9300 less, it is expected to be the big seller. The two-litre diesel engines also come in two output variants. The 320d has 135kW of power and 389Nm of torque compared with the 318i with 105kW/320Nm, but they have the same economy figures of a paltry 4.5L/100km.All models come with stop-start, but even Mazda is about to introduce that technology across many in its range.Another new feature is Driving Experience Control or driving modes where you can switch between an economy mode that is claimed to save up to 20 per cent on fuel, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ where even the traction control can be adjusted to suit. The 318d doesn't get the Sport+ mode. They come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts (except 318d) or an optional six-speed manual.DESIGNYou have to squint to notice the exterior difference, but the overall impression, thanks to sculpted flanks and slitty-eyed headlights, is that the car has gone on a diet. It's all smoke and mirrors, though. Or at least aerodynamic lines and a cinched-in waist. Thankfully, the rather austere interior has been fussed up a bit with multi layers of trim. Gone are the vast acres of oppressive rubberized plastics.There are several trim styles to chose from, but worst-trim-ever award goes to the knotty "driftwood" in the Modern line with its rough texture. It is extreme kitsch and should be immediately omitted from the options. Drivers have been acknowledged with controls angled toward them and there are now even cup holders in the centre console and large map pockets.SAFETYStandard in all 3 Series is an Active Protection package that you can feel as soon as you hit 18km/h and the seatbelts tighten up. At 20km/h the doors lock and you know BMW is looking out for your safety. There are many other safety driver aids and secondary safety features, but one of the smartest is an automatic brake that engages if the vehicle is involved in a crash to prevent it rolling into the path of another vehicle for a secondary collision. It's smart thinking like this that has kept German car manufacturers at the forefront of automotive safety.BMW fully expects to receive a five-star merit badge from the ANCAP safety assessors. But we are still concerned about the lack of a spare tyre and the fact that a rearview camera is not standard issue.DRIVINGBMW has gone soft. Ever since the German manufacturer began using run-flat tyres in the 1 Series in 2004, it has been widely criticized for its harsh ride. Over the years, the suspension engineers have gradually come to grips with the restrictions of the hard tyre sidewalls while the tyre manufacturers have also evolved into their four generation of rubber and fund some subtlety.We are pleased to report that today's 3 Series is plush in Comfort mode and not painful even in Sport or Sport+ modes. The national launch was held this week on lumpy Yarra Valley roads, a tough test for any vehicle. Here, the vehicle felt poised and planted. It almost floated in Comfort setting.All engines are refined, smooth and quiet; even the diesel. Drivers will learn to love the Driving Experience Control button next to the transmission. Push that button forward from Eco Pro to Normal to Sport and then Sport+ and with each mode the steering tightens, the throttle sharpens, the transmission quickens and so does your pulse rate. It sends a tingle back through your fingers, toes and the seat of your trousers. You feel so much in control. This is simply the best electronic steering I have felt.Although the dimensions are bigger, it is difficult to feel the extra space in the cabin. But the less chunky dashboard and lighter colours at least provide an airy feeling. In the back, the legroom, headroom and shoulder room provide ample comfort for two adults or three children, while access is easier with wider-opening doors. Out back there is also a 20-litre bigger boot that conveniently opens automatically if you wave your leg under the rear bumper, just so long as you have the keys in your pocket.Australia's harsh sun plays havoc on the instruments with plenty of reflective glare, yet the new stand-up satnav is the best I have seen in direct sunlight. It is also better positioned so drivers don't have to look as far away from the road in front to view the map.We mainly drove the new hero model  328i on the launch and found it has more than enough wick to light most drivers' fuses. It fairly sizzles at the top end, but it's the usable torque that comes on song from as low as 1000rpm that will put a smile on most drivers' faces. Only the true enthusiasts will want to spring the extra $25,000 for the 335i. As for the 320d, it feels the extra weight in the front and, although we are assured the suspension is the same as the petrol models, it feels a little soggier.VERDICTOur heart belongs to the 328i, but it might pay to wait around another six months for the 320i. That could be the performance/price sweetspot. Besides, orders already have a six-month waiting list.

ChargePoint CEO James Brown says they have installed more than 50 public charging stations since their first was installed on May 24, 2010. "Since then we have installed points from Townsville to the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and New Zealand," he says. This comes as the company has become the first in Australia to feature on satnav units, thanks to a collaboration with digital mapping company NAVTEQ. "Integration into the NAVTEQ map means drivers can easily navigate to their nearest electric vehicle charge points with a minimum of effort," he says. The navigation software will also allow motorists to unlock the charging stations ready for the recharge before they pull up at the outlet. "We would see the viability of our business going hand in hand with the introduction of more electric vehicle models this year," he says. "2012 will be a watershed year and profitability will come in a couple of years when the scale of electric cars on the road takes hold. At the moment we are still in that investment period." Brown says the next step is a rollout of stations into regional areas. "It's like an octopus with tentacles lowly spreading," he says. "We would anticipate upwards of 3000 ChargePoint charging stations within three years." ChargePoint has more than 300 users even though the number of manufacturer model EVs is only about 150 because most EVs have several registered users. ChargePoint customers can sign up via the internet or phone for free. The charging stations take about four hours to fully charge a 15amp EV such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV or the coming Nissan Leaf. Brown says a full charge from flat would cost about $3 and provide more than 100km of range, compared with more than three times that cost for a petrol-powered car. While ChargePoint does not yet have quick-charge stations that can recharge an EV in as little as 20 minutes, Brown says they are "working on getting quick charge stations now".

As the lighter and larger sixth-generation BMW 3 Series hits Australia, there are five "base" models, plus three trim options and two transmission options. Like their "arch enemy" the Mercedes-Benz C-Class there are more variants than any other vehicle on the Australian showroom floors. Prices start at $56,400 for the base-model, 318d two-litre diesel and range all the way up to $93,900 for the Sport or Luxury Line 335i three-litre turbo petrol model. Even more if you start to "personalise" your 3 Series. The two-litre turbo petrol comes in 320i and the more powerful 328i variant which is the newcomer to the fleet, while the two-litre turbo diesel also comes in down-tuned 318d and more powerful 320d variants. However, the entry level 318d and 320i will not be available until the middle of the year. The base models come standard with twin-turbo power, automatic stop-start to improve fuel economy and a choice of eight-speed auto with paddle shifters (in all but the 318d) or six-speed manual. Base models also feature dual-zone climate control, cruise control with brake function, electric front seats with memory function (except 318d), power-operated windows and exterior mirrors, remote locking with boot open button, multifunction steering wheel, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, front and rear parking sensors (318d rear only), Bluetooth, and MP3 connectivity. Modern Line adds 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminium trim highlights and two choices of interior colours for $1000 to $3900 more depending on model. Sport Line adds sports seats, a red and black exterior and interior colour schemes and double-spoke alloy wheels for a price premium of $2000 to $4900. The extra cost is the same for the Luxury Line which adds multispoke wheels, high-gloss chrome accents inside and out and three leather upholstery options, while the interior gets "fineline anthracite" wood and "pearl gloss" chrome. As usual, options abound, including safety features such as lane departure warning and an audio system that Bluetooths the music from your smart phone and even displays the album cover artwork.

Called the Hard-Ball, the bike will launch in Australia next month. It's basically the High-Ball with hard, lockable luggage (bags) and it comes in any colour you want ... so long as it's matte black.  Victory external relations manager Robert Pandya calls the Hard-Ball a "bad-ass custom bagger".  "Fifty per cent of our sales are now touring models," he says.  The bike retains the menacing look of the High-Ball with its ape-hanger bars, which surprisingly are quite comfortable and can be angled back for easier reach for shorter riders.  But it's a step up in price to $26,495 drive away considering the High-Ball is $19,995.  The only additions are red pinstriping on the paintwork and wheels, four more litres of fuel capacity for touring and a massive 92 litres of luggage space. It also weighs 45kg more. Its hard bags are lockable with the ignition key and they are top-loading so your luggage doesn't spill out on the road when you open them.  Otherwise, it's a High-Ball underneath with the 106 (1731cc) v-twin engine with 72kW of power and a whopping 153Nm of torque like the rest of the Victory fleet.  Drive is via a low-maintenance belt with a six-speed overdrive gearbox. Retro design is enhanced by the 18-Inch laced wheels and stopping power is guaranteed by big twin discs up front and ABS.  On a short drive during the Victory Judge launch in Palm Springs, California, the Hard-Ball handled, stopped and turned well for its size. But most of all it turns heads. Victory Hard-Ball Price: $26,495 ride away Warranty: 2yrs unlimited km Service: 8000km Engine: 1731cc v-twin, 73kW/153Nm Fuel Tank: 21 litres Transmission: 6-speed, belt drive Dimensions: 2652mm (L), 1670mm (WB), 667mm (Seat), 148mm (Clearance) Dry Weight: 345kg Suspension: inverted cartridge telescopic forks; mono-tube gas rear shock Brakes: 300mm discs, ABS Tyres: 130/70 B18 (front), 180/60 R16 (rear)

While 299,000 vehicles have been recalled around the world, it affects only 7181 Volkswagens and 85 Skodas in Australia.The diesel vehicles affected are VW Golf, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Transporter, and Skoda Octavia and Superb built between 2009 and 2011.VW Group Australia spokesman Karl Gehling says there have been no incidents of diesel leaks reported here."We are proactively contacting owners of vehicles covered by this recall and directing them to take their vehicle to the nearest dealer for the affected parts to be replaced," he says.The fault occurs at certain engine revs where there is excessive vibration causing a crash in the injector line. This can lead to a fuel leak and although diesel fuel is less flammable than petrol, there is still an increased risk of fire in the engine bay.The company has not issued a safety recall in Australia since 2007.