Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association boss Barry Baillie says camper trailer and tent trailer travel popularity is increasing because they provide a "vast range of products and can cater for any budget". "Camper trailers are becoming increasingly popular for young families and middle-aged couples," he says. "There are off-road and on-road varieties of camper trailers with soft and hard floors, some with simple living quarters and some fully equipped with extended kitchen and dining facilities. With their light mass and low wind resistance, camper trailers are also easy to tow and suitable for small tow vehicles." Camper trailers are low-profile caravans with a wind-up roof and usually push-out bed sections at either end of the trailer, ranging in price from $5000 to $40,000. Tent trailers are a cross between a caravan and a luxury tent. Baillie says they are compact and popular for on and off-road use. "With canvas extensions, they can make quite a large and comfortable camping unit. Better yet, you'll have all your gear set up in no time because tent trailers are so quick and easy to erect," he says. Baillie says their association has also noticed a strong resurgence in camping. "Camping is a great way for the whole family to get in touch with the great Australian outdoors and is the best way to experience and appreciate nature," he says. "Since the global financial crisis we have seen travellers returning to family values, camping in larger tents with all of the modern facilities. Camping has now become a luxury experience. Gone are the days when camping meant sleeping on a hard floor and being faced with the elements during the cooler months. Today, tents and accessories help modern campers enjoy natural surrounds in comfort and ease for the entire journey." However, caravanning remains the most popular form of touring because it is generally less expensive and gives travellers more flexibility of vehicle use, Baillie says. "Caravans can accommodate the whole family and are the perfect option if you like to take your own vehicle with you to do all of the additional tripping around once you get to your destination," he says. "Caravans can be designed to individual needs and personalised with a range of different interiors to choose from." He says 5th Wheelers have an "elegant and spacious" five-star atmosphere with huge storage capabilities including pull-out pantries, slide-outs, large lockers and full height wardrobes. Motorhomes come in all shapes and sizes, from smaller vehicles for two, through to larger A-class motorhomes, that can accommodate the whole family. "Motorhomes are easy to manoeuvre and take less than a few minutes to set up once you have reached your destination," Baillie says. "Once you have decided on the type of holiday you are after, there are hundreds of brands and products for you to research and compare." The association website (www.caravan-camping.com.au) has comprehensive listings of more than 600 caravan and camping retailers, services and places to stay.

You can be forgiven for confusion about the Subaru Impreza XV.The Impreza RX used to be a wagonesque variant of the Impreza that sold only about 100 a month until supply ran out in June because of production issues caused by the March 11 tsunami in Japan. But the new Subaru XV -- Subaru's seventh model -- has dropped the Impreza tag and has morphed into a small SUV. It is still based on the new-generation Impreza, but as Subaru Australia marketing boss Andrew Caie says, the two cars are "like chalk and cheese"."They are two separate categories, two totally separate cars and separate customers," he says. While the Impreza RX was considered a small car, this new model is described as a sub-compact SUV, smaller than a Forester, but bigger than a small hatch. The RX will arrive in Australia in January and will be followed in late February by the new Impreza four-door sedan and five-door hatch."The timing is everything to do with the tsunami," Caie says. "Our timings have been moved around about four times." The Impreza and XV will be the first Subarus with stop-start technology that switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary. They also feature new transmissions and a new engine.VALUECaie isn't talking pricing at the moment, except to say that both the Impreza and XV will be competitive. "Prices will be as low as they possibly can be," he says. "We're trying to put as much value into them as possible. It's not about being the first one to the bottom in pricing."The current Impreza range starts at $21,490 and goes to $28,490, excluding WRX and WRX STI which are now separate sportier models with their own build program. The previous Impreza RX sold for $25,990. The closest competitors for the XV are the Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990) and Nissan Dualis (from $24,990). Both new Subaru models come in three models: 2.0i, L and S.Even the base models come with Bluetooth while the L adds satnav and the S adds leather seats, heated in the front. Rear view camera, fog lights and a sunroof are optional on the L and S Impreza but are standard on all XVs.SAFETYSubaru Australia boss Nick Senior reminds us that they were the first company in Australia to have five-star safety across its range. "You can't be reactive in safety. You have to be proactive and we traditionally have been," he says. The new Impreza and XV come with seven airbags, including full-length curtain airbags and a knee bag for the driver.Neither has been crash tested yet, but Subaru product GM Akihide Takeuchi expects that they will retain their five-star ratings. Other improvements in safety concentrate on improving visibility: The front seats have been raised, the A pillar has been narrowed and the door mirrors are 20 per cent larger. The body and chassis are 20kg lighter but are also 10 per cent stiffer and therefore safer, Takeuchi says.TECHNOLOGYThe Impreza will be the first small car in Australia to have auto stop-start across the range (except for the two hybrid models) while the XV will be the first compact SUV with the fuel-saving technology. Subaru quotes fuel savings of 5 per cent from the technology, but those are in-house figures and not Australian standards. "It will debunk the theory that all-wheel-drive cars aren't fuel efficient," says Takeuchi.Stop-start technology automatically switches off the engine in 0.5 seconds when the car is stopped and restarts in 0.35 seconds when the brake pedal is released. Together with the new two-litre boxer engine, new transmissions, improved aerodynamics and electric power steering, fuel economy has been increased 20 per cent to less than seven litres per 100km, Takeuchi says.The engine has the same power and torque as before but now has longer pistons for more torque at lower revs which translates to increased acceleration. The five-speed manual has been upgraded to six speeds with a taller top gear that reduces engine revs from 3000rpm at 100km/h to less than 2500rpm, which is not only more economical, but also quieter. Subaru customers will be pleased to see the inadequate and outdated four-speed auto replaced by a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters for six steps with wider ratios.Inside, the Impreza and XV abound with screens: one in the centre of the instruments, one in the centre stack and a third on the dashboard. The larger multi-function display has up to eight displays which can be personalised to show a range of useful and fun information and can even send you a happy birthday message.The upgraded audio also has USB, MP3 and iPhone connectivity and there is a new satnav system with voice control and predictive text when entering an address. It will even offer you a more economical route to save on fuel and CO2 emissions. Like all Subarus, they both come with symmetrical all-wheel drive.DESIGNTakeuchi says the cars have been designed from customer feedback wanting a sleeker exterior and more luxurious interior with more soft-touch surfaces and quality controls. The windscreen is raked, the bodywork more sculptured and muscular, and the headlights are sharper and more defined. The XV has high ground clearance of 220mm (same as the Forester), but has a lower body height than most compact SUVs for a rakish, sporty crossover look.Impreza is now 25mm longer in the wheelbase but the overall length remains the same which means interior legroom is improved. The higher front seats in the Impreza also allow rear passengers more legroom while both models have scalloped out the backs of the front seats for better knee room.Subaru has lowered the roof of the Impreza by 10mm, but the door sills have been dropped 30mm to allow easier access. The front door hinges have been slanted three degrees forward so the top of the door is further away from the car which allows more room to get in and out in tight carpark situations. The rear doorway also has a deeper access area.The interior feels more airy with the thinner A pillars and the horizontal lines across the dashboard. Door thickness has also been reduced for more shoulder and elbow room. Storage bins abound in both models with door pockets that fit a water bottle and an A4 folder or laptop.The centre console has a clever clip holder for a notebook and a pen so they don't rattle around. The cargo area is flat with a low loading lip and flat-folding rear seats. Underneath is a space-saver tyre, wide enough in the XV to still permit towing for a short distance. There are 10 exterior colours for both models, but the XV gets the special Tangerine Orange Pearl. Subaru is one of the few companies that doesn't charge extra for metallic or pearlescent paint.DRIVINGThe new cars were launched last weekend at the Fuji Heavy Industries Subaru research and development centre and proving ground at Kuzu in central Japan. It's a hilly area surrounded by forests inhabited by black bears, so Subaru is not concerned about spies taking photos of their cars in testing.We were only allowed two laps in each car on the high-speed bowl and three laps of a shorter twisty and bumpy circuit. About 12km in all. Not a thorough workout by any means, but enough to draw initial impressions.The soft interior plastic surfaces and firmer controls, such as the new door handles, give the cars a feeling of quality. However, the thinner dors feel a little flimsy when closing. Cargo space in the XV is disappointing, but similar to its sub-compact SUV competitors.On the road, they run quiet and smooth thanks to the new transmissions, but the wind noise from the larger door mirrors is increased. The frisky Impreza feels light and more flickable while the XV lumbers into corners, changes direction too slowly and over mid-corner bumps it hit the bumps stops several times and the tyre scrubbed the inside of the wheel arches.Takeuchi says the secret to the Impreza's deft handling is its low centre of gravity which is 504mm from the ground, comparing favourably with the Porsche Cayman S at 485mm. The CVT is smooth, responsive and seamless, but works best when used in manual mode with the paddle shifters, while the six-speed manual is a little notchy and it can be difficult to quickly engage third or fifth gears.VERDICTImpreza is another small step forward in quality, economy and safety that will appeal to the Subaru loyalists. Price may determine whether it wins new fans. Meanwhile Subaru taps into one of the fastest-growing sectors of the showroom with the handsome new XV. It is a modern design with sound technologies. Takeuchi says it is an urban adventurer whose owners are "living in the suburbs and are looking for new adventures".SUBARU IMPREZA and XVOn sale: January (RX), February (Impreza)Prices: from about $22,000Warranty: 3yrs/iunlimited kmService: 12,500km, biannualEngine: 2.0L, 4-cylinder boxer, 110kW/196NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual, CVTEcomomy: 6.9L/100km to 7.3L/100kmSafety: 7 airbags, stability control, ABS.

And the queue is unlikely to shorten anytime soon. Kia Motors Australia boss Tony Barlow confirms the long waiting list on some models. He says most customers are willing to wait, but concedes that enthusiasm is for the top-spec models, not entry-level cars. The waiting list is the product of Kia being surprised by a massive worldwide increase in demand. Global sales this year are expected to be about 2.34m, up 12 per cent from last year and are tracking at 18.2 per cent so far this year. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is up 40 per cent to 54,392 so far this year and in Australia up 4.6 per cent to 19,025. Barlow confidently predicts "double-digit" percentage increases in sales in Australia for the next few years. Where the increased production will come from to fuel this sales increase is not clear. Kia has embarked on a factory-building program in the past few years with new facilities in Europe, China and the US. However, Asia-Pacific director Jae-Yong Chung says there are no plans for more factories. "So we will look to improve our productivity and production capacity," he says. One of those initiatives is to add a third shift at their factories. Chung admits the increase in demand for Kia cars was not forecast. "We didn't expect this much demand. Now, our problem is every country wants more product," he says. "We like to moderately increase our production capacity so hopefully we can provide better supply." But right-hand-drive markets such as Australia may have to wait in line behind the larger demands of LHD markets. When asked about the introduction of the new lower-capacity, more-frugal turbo engines and eight- and promised 10-speed automatic gearboxes and new-generation continuously variable transmissions, overseas marketing director Soon-Nam Lee says there is a priority that starts with the domestic market and is followed by the US, then Europe. No mention of the small Australian market. "We need to balance volume and cost," he says. Kia is embarking on a program of downsizing its engines with the 3.3-litre V6 replaced by a two-litre turbo gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine, the current two-litre, four-cylinder substituted for a 1.6L turbo GDI and a 1.2L turbo GDI replacing the 1.6L. With worldwide demand tight and priorities elsewhere, Australia may not see these new turbo engines or hi-tech transmissions for some years.

A 125-year-old engineering company with its routes in the Hunter Valley coal region rocketed into the future this week in Brisbane with a 200km/h electric supercar. The evR450 was built from the ground up by Varley Electric Vehicles, a Brisbane-based division of the Varley Group and will be unveiled in King George Square for the third annual Australia Electric Vehicle Conference. Varley Electric Vehicles divisional manager John Bettini says the handbuilt car will be faster than a Porsche 911. "We are only expecting to make extremely limited numbers but will let the interest dictate volume," he says. "The car is hand built in low volumes and not a production car." The evR450 supercar is claimed to rocket from standstill to highway speeds in less than four seconds and have an electronically limited top speed of 200km/h. It will have battery range of 150km with an optional 300km range-extension pack featuring more batteries. Bettini says they have not yet set a price for the evR450, but it is believed to cost up to $200,000. "We see potential for domestic and export markets," he says. "We have not sought government assistance on this project. It has been fully funded by Varley." The official launch of the evR450 is planned for January. "Currently the car is not available to drive and photos are restricted as their is engineering work being performed," Bettini says. "I will be releasing more detailed specification in due course." It was built in partnership with Brisbane technology companies such as Tritium and Ultramotive. The Varley Group is a privately owned Australian company with a 125-year history in engineering, new technologies and specialised electric vehicles. It is one of the oldest firms in the Hunter Valley region.

That's the opinion of global spokesman Michael Choo, who says the combined research and development talents of Kia and Hyundai could produce something to rival the European supercar manufacturers. "But what we really need is more status in our brand," he says.  Kia Motors Australia boss Tony Barlow agrees, saying that Kia builds quality cars, but needs to build the brand. So it comes as strange that the next car Kia is thinking of introducing into Australia is an entry-level 1.2-litre Picanto light car, rather than some hero model.  Picanto is the top seller in Korea - about 10,000 a month - but that's a 998cc model which attracts generous government subsidies such as no stamp duty or registration fees and half-price road tolls and parking.  If Australia gets the cutesy little car, it will have a "heftier" 1.2-litre engine, but there aren't any attractive government incentives to give it a push. And while it's a capable car with similar looks and high build quality to the new Rio, it's not a hero model that will lift the brand's status.  Picanto is Spanish for spicy. It's hardly spicy. It's more cheap and cheerful. Depending on price and specification, it would admirably compete with the Barina Spark, Nissan Micra and Suzuki Alto.  It's certainly got more spark and spice than any of those. With its Peter Schreyer design elements inside and out, it's also a stylish little urban funkster.  On a test drive back and forth across the Korean peninsula this week, it proved eminently capable on the open highway and a frisky little tool in some of the most congested traffic on the planet.  Despite enthusiastic praise for the car from the team of Australia motoring writers, the A segment Picanto is far from a done deal for Australia, says Barlow. "We have to wait in line for judgement from the company," he says.  Kia vehicles are much in demand around the world, especially its two biggest markets, America and China. Some Kia models have a waiting list of up to six months in Australia, confirms company spokesman Kevin Hepworth.  Kia has manufacturing plants in Korea, the US, Slovakia and China and no short-term plans for more, so supply is expected to remain tight. The car has been around since 2004 and has recently been updated.   "We are late into the process of asking for it," Barlow admits. He says the car would be "an asset to our line-up", but says it is not their primary focus. "Our main focus at the moment is Rio with a three-door model coming in January," he says. "The three-door Rio will give us a lot better idea of what the A segment is doing."  The Picanto may eventually arrive in Australia by default; not because of its virtues, but because Hyundai may not be able to import the i10 at a competitive price. The two cars are built off the same platform. "Of course we benchmark ourselves with Hyundai, but mostly we benchmark off the market," Barlow says. So the future of the Picanto could rely on how well the three-door Rio sells.

Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback v VW Golf 118TSI Comfortline v Mazda3 SP20 Skyactiv v Ford Focus Titanium hatch v Holden Cruze SRi-V.CAPITALISM is all about choice and no vehicle type offers more choice for buyers than small cars. Australian motorists are blessed with 31 small car models, the largest category on the showroom floor. Little wonder, since the small car appeals to so many buyers on so many levels: It's a great first car, an urban run-around, the modern young family car, a sensible second car and a downsizing option for empty nesters and retirees.In fact, the recently upgraded Mazda3 is actually challenging long-time market leader Commodore for the outright honours in the showroom battle for sales. The classy field of challengers comes from Australia and around the world, including Japan, the US, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, China, Malaysia, UK, Thailand and the Czech Republic.TEST DRIVERSWe chose five of the seven top-selling small cars for our comparison test and asked a young family and a couple of empty nesters to join us for a suburban drive to find out what they offer.Chris and Trinity Bond, and their children Coen, 6, and Oscar 2.5 live in suburbia where they conduct an insulation business. They are used to bigger cars but acknowledge the economic advantages of a small car and were surprised at the roominess of these vehicles.Bill Griffin, 50, and John Kremastos, 62, are semi-retired builders whose children are now independent. They also see the advantages of a small city run-around and were equally surprised at how many features small cars have these days.From left: Trinity and Chris Bond, John Kremastos and Bill Griffin.VALUEOur field includes high-spec automatics that vary in price by just $2600 from $29,990 for the Holden Cruze SRi-V to $32,590 for the Ford Focus Titanium.Despite being slightly cheaper, the Cruze sedan certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of features with fog lights, rear parking sensors, colour satnav, USB/iPod/MP3 plug and play, 30GB music hard drive, DVD, leather seats, heated front seats, lit vanity mirrors, aux 12V front and back. However, our test car didn't have Bluetooth (it is now standard on the latest models) or rain-sensing wipers which all of the others have.Ford Focus is the only one here with an automatic self-parking system. It also features electric driver's seat, rear parking sensors, Sony sound, dual-zone aircon, partial leather trim, Bluetooth with audio streaming and fog lights.The oldest model in the field is the Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback ($32,490) which is shortly due for a mid-life model  update. Even so, it doesn't suffer from a comparative lack of features with USB connectivity, pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, alloy pedals, gear paddle shifters and a rocking Rockford-Fosgate sound system. However, it has a tilt-only adjustable steering wheel while the others also adjust for reach.The newest model is the Mazda3 which is actually the cheapest at $27,990, but ours came with a $3000 optional Luxury Pack featuring Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seats, Bose 242-watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer cleverly tucked inside the space-saver spare wheel in the boot. In standard trim it's still got a lot of kit including fog lights, dual-zone climate aircon with pollen filter and Bluetooth with audio streaming.The Golf is the only model with front and rear fog lights and daytime running lights. It also has dual-zone aircon with a dust and pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB and a chillable glovebox. However, it has no parking sensors, but you can get an optional rear camera and rear sensors. Other options include a parallel parking assistance system, iPod connection and sat nav.The Golf and Mazda have standard keys, while the Lancer has keyless start and the Cruze and Focus have proximity keys that also automatically unlock the car door.All models now come with cruise control, steering wheel controls and auto headlights. In the value stakes, the Focus wins with its high level of spec and the party trick of automatic parallel parking.TECHNOLOGYAll models are petrol-powered, with the Cruze and Golf having turbo engines. Despite these turbocharged models, it's the naturally aspirated Lancer and Focus that win the power stakes on paper, sharing 125kW thanks to their bigger displacement engines.The Golf has 118kW, hence its model name 118, and the Cruze has the lowest power at 103kW. But power figures don't really mean much in real-world situations and the turbo models are certainly the liveliest of the crop, albeit with a little turbo lag off idle.The idea of turbocharging in small cars is not just about power, anyway. It's also about economy with these models having lower capacity engines that sip fuel in a miserly fashion. In the Golf that's 6.2 litres per 100km and 6.9L/100km in the Cruze.The just-released Mazda3 comes with the new fuel-efficient Skyactiv engine and transmission that equal the economy of the Golf. It is also the only model with stop-start technology that switches off the engine while stationary and starts again when you take your foot off the brake.The Lancer is the loser here with 8.9L/100km and no hint of any changes that promise improvements in the November model update.If music, connectivity and Bluetooth are important techno features, most models have a choice of systems. The easiest to use is Bluetooth with audio streaming. However, the Cruze offered the most entertainment options with DVD and a hard drive that the others don't have.Transmissions are six-speed autos with the Golf adding a seventh ratio and the Lancer using a continuously variable transmission.On the low-tech side of things, wheels on our test cars are a mix of 16-inch alloys (Mazda and VW), 17-inch (Cruze) and 18-inch (Lancer and Focus). All feature space-saver spare wheels restricted to 80km/h.DESIGNNew usually means better, but the Lancer's modern design has stood the test of time against the more modern models.Meanwhile, our testers thought the Golf looked "bland" and "plain" in this field.Winner here is the masculine-looking Focus with its menacing grille grimace with Bond declaring "I'm a Holden man but I like the look of the Focus", while his wife prefers the female curves and cute smiley "face" of the Mazda3.The Australian-made Cruze is the only sedan in the crew and comes with a lot of "Holdenised" bits of chrome and detailing. Griffin praises it for looking like a small-scale Commodore. It also has the neatest rear end with a discreet tailpipe.Inside, the Golf loses out again for appearing austere by comparison with the three newcomers, while the Focus is the other extreme, attracting comments that it looked too fussy and like "being trapped inside a 1980s ghetto blaster".The Mazda3 cabin draws some praise, but the wrap-around cockpit styling is criticised as "claustrophobic" and the forward display with colour satnav shines in the windscreen at night and is a distraction.Mitsubishi will have to address the expanse of hard plastic on the dashboard when it updates the Lancer, although the styling is simple, modern and functional.The Cruze is the winner inside with a combination of modern styling enhanced by tasteful touches of chrome, but traditional controls that are easy to understand and use.All have 60/40 rear split seats and fair legroom for small cars.In the back, all cargo areas are well carpeted with flat floors. The Focus boot seems the smallest, while the Cruze cargo area is very deep and despite not being a hatchback, it fits a ladder with ease.SAFETYEvery car in our comparison test - like many of the vehicles in this category - comes with a full five-star ANCAP safety rating making them a truly family car.They have six airbags while the Golf and Lancer add a knee airbag for the driver.They also feature stability control which works best in the Golf and was found to be a little over-reactive in the Lancer during a brief, but heavy downpour.DRIVINGSmall cars are built for the city streets and occasional highway run, so that's how we tested these vehicles.The benchmark in driving dynamics has long been the Golf which is a former Carsguide's Car of the Year.It has road-handling poise, a fast-acting transmission, a lively engine, sharp brakes ("severe" says Kremastos) and a natural steering feel.Our testers unanimously criticise the turbo lag from idle. Kremastos and Chris Bond claim it would "drive them nuts", however Griffin says you can drive around the problem.Once under way, the Golf is a spirited and rewarding drive.The Focus launched recently to rave reviews that hinted it might knock off the Golf for dynamics.However, our testers are not as impressed. They criticise the rough and indecisive transmission while Mrs Bond doesn't like the zigzag patterned gate of the selector.Her husband says handling is good, but "power is average and it's not super responsive," comments reflected by the others."Size is good for me," Bond says. "It's quite comfortable, but I wouldn't like to be sitting behind me."Griffin says that by comparison the Mazda3 is "more refined, quieter and smoother than the Focus"."The gearbox and motor feel better matched with no over-revving like you are flogging it." He also likes the ergonomics.Bond thinks there are "too many confusing buttons on the steering wheel" and says the car is "not as responsive as I'd like." His wife agrees and says the brakes are also "unresponsive".Kremastos says that except for the slight turbo lag, he is more than a little surprised at how nippy the car is around town, even though it has a 1.4-litre engine which is 400cc less than his Honda Goldwing motorcycle.The Cruze also attracts praise as "sprightly", although the bonnet rises and falls on acceleration and braking.It's steering also cops criticism as light and vague, while several drivers commented on the rough gear changes.Mrs Bond says the seats are quite comfortable and her husband likes the cabin."Looks can be deceiving. I'm a big fella and it was quite comfortable," he says. Griffin doesn't like the lack of a left-foot rest.The Lancer attracted neither good nor bad comments on its driving dynamics. It seems a handy utilitarian machine that delivers the goods in a no-fuss, unspectacular manner. The only criticism came from Griffin who said it got "a bit unsteady in the wet".Bond is unimpressed with the rally styling of the pedals and flappy paddle shifters on the steering wheel which he says is "a novelty I don't think I'd use".VERDICTIt's horses for courses here and we found a mix of preferences from our testers. If it's a driver's car you want, the Golf wins, but it loses points for tired design, lack of features and an austere interior.Lancer is praised as a no-nonsense car, but again feeling the signs of age in its features and interior design. The new model may be make amends.Focus draws extreme comments. It is praised for its exterior design, but criticised for its interior, while the driving dynamics fall slightly behind the Mazda and Golf.Griffin sums up the Mazda as the "best all-rounder". It performs all functions well without being a standout in any particular area.But the winner by three votes to one in our test team is the handsome Aussie-built Cruze.Mitsubishi Lancer VRX SportbackPrice: $32,490Options: pearlescent paint $450Engine: 2.4L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/226NmTransmission: CVTEconomy: 8.9L/100kmCO2: 213g/km, 6/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 10 years/160,000km (powertrain), 5 years/100,000km (car and roadside assist)Service: 15,000km/12 mthsVW Golf Comfortline 118TSIPrice: $31,990Options: metallic paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder twin turbo, 118kW/240NmTransmission: 7 speed DSGEconomy: 6.2L/100kmCO2: 144g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited km, VW Assist.Service: 15,000km/12 mthsMazda3 SP20 SkyactivPrice: $27,990Options fitted: Luxury Pack (Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim, premium Bose 242 watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer - $3000)Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmTransmission: 6-speed autoEconomy: 6.1/6.2L/100kmCO2: 145g/kmSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService: 10,000km/6 mthsFord Focus Titanium hatchPrice: $32,590Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmTransmission: 6-speed Powershift DSG,Economy: 6.6L/100kmCO2: 154g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mthsHolden Cruze SRi-VPrice: $29,990Options: prestige paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder, turbo, 103kW/200NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, Active SelectEconomy: 6.9L/100kmCO2: 164g/km, 7/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mths

KIA'S curiously cubed small car may have Soul, but now it also has some guts.The Korean company has shoehorned a frisky two-litre petrol engine into the Soul, given the range new six-speed transmissions, added a few cosmetic touches and is now hunting for more mature customers.Kia Motors Australia boss Tony Barlow says the funky car has won some hearts among older buyers who appreciate its high hip height for easy access, good visibility and ease of parking.Soul sales are up 22.9 per cent this year to 386, however, it is languishing near the bottom of the light car category, one of the most competitive segments."Around the world it's a big seller, especially in the USA,"  Barlow says. We are looking at ways to appeal to older drivers to improve sales."VALUEThe base model 1.6-litre six-speed manual model remains $21,490 despite going to a sixth speed and adding vehicle stability management and hill assist control. The automatic adds $2200. The top-of-the-range Soul+ diesel manual is $27,990 up $800 while the auto adds $2000. It also now gets 18-inch alloys and a luggage cover.The two-litre petrol model comes with the same level of specification as the diesel and costs $26,990 with the standard six-speed auto. The only real competitor is the equally well-specced Toyota Rukus which starts at $27,490, but doesn't feature a diesel variant. It's also a bigger car and comes with a more powerful 2.4-litre petrol engine.TECHNOLOGYKia has made no changes to the mechanical underpinnings, only the addition of the new "NU" generation two-litre engine with 122kW and 200Nm of torque. The base 1.6-litre petrol engine gets a minor power and torque improvement to 96kW and 157Nm while the diesel retains 94kW and 260Nm.The five-speed manual has been replaced with a six-speed box in the base and diesel models, while they all get a six-speed auto, up from the previous four-speed shifter.Fuel economy has marginally decreased in the petrol auto by 0.3 litre per 100km to 7.3L/100km, while the diesel figures remain unchanged at 5.2L/100km (manual) and 5.9L/100km (auto). The two-litre model returns respectable figures of 7.5L/100km.Inside, they still get a good suite of technology including Bluetooth, cruise control, iPod and MP3 connectivity. From a low-tech standpoint, the Soul now features reach-adjustable steering that makes it easier for drivers of any size to find a comfortable position.DESIGNStyling remains a "love-it-or-hate-it" proposition. Until Nissan decides to bring in the Cube, Its only style comparison is the Rukus. It's hard to make a brick look good, but the influence of chief designer Peter Schreyer is apparent in the new grille, headlights, taillights and snarly face.It's 15mm longer in the nose, 12mm wider in the rear track, but otherwise has the same dimensions. The interior has also been tidied up and Kia has paid attention to damping noise, vibration and harshness for a more subtle and comfortable ride. Thankfully, they have removed the gimmicky disco lights from around the speakers.SAFETYIt already comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and is unlikely to be re-tested as the structure is unchanged. It has six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags, and crash-preventative driver aids. It's a shame it still comes with a space-saver spare, but there is room for a full-size wheel under the cargo floor.DRIVINGIt's difficult enough negotiating the chaotic left-hand-drive traffic of South Korea in a LHD car, so spare a thought for our west-to-east and back again crossing of the Korean peninsula in right-hand-drive Australian-spec models.Thankfully, the quiet cabin, comfortable ride and no-fuss controls made the job a lot easier. The greatest advantage of a squarish car is that the windows are as far as the car's body goes in every direction except forward. That makes judging its girth a lot easier in tight lane-changing traffic.Performing radical u-turns across several lanes of rush-hour traffic is also a doddle with a tight turning circle. But most of our drive was outon the smooth country highways where the only noise was from the music played through convenient Bluetooth audio-streaming.There is little road or wind noise, which is a surprise given its non-aerodynamic shape, and the two-litre engine only intrudes under heavy acceleration with a pleasant thrumming.It's no race car, but the new petrol engine provides plenty of oomph for passing, hills and sudden lurching into gaps in the traffic. It is perfectly mated to the new fast-changing and almost seamless six-speed auto. Ask for speed and it's there without fuss.Despite pushing fairly hard on occasions, it returned fuel economy figures of 7.9L/100km. The cabin is a pleasant place to be with a commanding view of the road and oodles of legroom in the back, even with a lanky driver up front. Vision is good everywhere except the rear three-quarters, but the big mirrors fill in with plenty of rear coverage.VERDICTSome say it's funky, some say it's quirky, but it's certainly practical and versatile. Now the Soul comes with a bit more power, it should appeal to a broader range of drivers.KIA SOULOn sale: NowPrices: $21,490 (Soul 1.6L man + $2200 for auto); $26,990 (Soul+ 2.0); $27,990 (diesel + $2000 for auto)Warranty: 5yr/unlimited kmService: 15,000kmEngines: 1.6L 4-cylinder petrol, 95kW/157Nm; 2L 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW/200Nm; 1.6L 4-cylinder diesel 94kW/260NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual and auto (2.0 auto only)Economy: 6.5L/100km (1.6L man), 7.3 (1.6 auto), 7.5 (2L), 5.2 (diesel man), 5.9 (diesel auto)CO2: 156g/km (1.6 man), 170 (1.6 auto), 179 (2L), 137 (diesel man), 155 (diesel auto)Dimensions: 4120mm (L), 1785mm (W), 1610mm (H), 2550mm (WB)

The latest to introduce traction control is Yamaha with its 2012 R1 arriving here in December. The traction control system was developed from the MotoGP YZR-M1 bike ridden to a world championship last year by Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo. It works in conjunction with the new ECU to adjust the throttle, fuel injection and ignition timing to reduce power when the system senses rear wheelspin. There are six levels of traction control plus it can be switched off completely. The ECU features three power modes which, together with the TCS settings, means 21 fine-tuning rider options to suit most weather and road surface conditions. The only other updates are cosmetic changes to the front cowl, handlebar crown and footpegs. Unlike most model updates which feature lighjtweight materials for a lower overall weight, the bike measures 206kg with 18 litres of fuel on board, which is 1kg more. It remains the heaviest of the litre sports bikes. While Yamaha doesn't supply power and torque figures for Australia, the European specs seem to remain the same as the current model at 133.9kW at 12,500 rpm (without air-induction) and 115.5Nm of peak torque at 10,000rpm. Yamaha Australia's road bike sales have increased 1.5 per cent to 28,469 so far this year, but the R1 has dropped 24.9 per cent to 283. It is still the fourth best-selling sports bike after the Honda Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX10-R and Hyosung GT650R.

HE'S tried his hand at presenting on Australia's Top Gear, now self-confesdsed revhead Shane Warne has become the first Australian to design a Hot Wheels model car. The limited edition of 10,000 'Spin King' Hot Wheels cars will be available worldwide next March. Warne joins other motorsport stars such as 2010 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo, F1 driver Felipe Massa, and American racers Danika Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Junior,to collaborate on "Designed By'' editions. "I've always had a passion for cars," says Shane Warne. "I used to play with Hot Wheels cars as a kid, so when they offered me the chance to design my own, I jumped at it." The  'Spin King' features a triangular flaming exhaust, as well as a large rear spoiler. It also features Warne's lucky cricket and footy shirt number 23 on the side of the rear spoiler and engine cover.Prices have not yet been announced.

Despite announcing yesterday that he would quit V8 Supercar endurance driving to take up his role as the sport's commission chairman, he says there are other local and international events he can compete in. "I've had some offers to do some racing overseas and a few more offers have come in since Bathurst to race locally," he said. "At this point I haven't made my mind up and don't have to until after Christmas." The rules of the V8 Supercars Commission state the chairman must be independent to any individual team. Skaifes' initial term is two years. While he won't be able to compete in the V8 series, he says there is no conflict with the chairman's position and other racing categories. "I can't say what just yet, but there are a couple of overseas opportunities plus some local stuff. I wouldn't mind doing that so long as it's not too taxing and it wouldn't take too much of my time. Clearly as an absolutely outright professional race driver those days are gone. What I'd like to do though is pick the eyes out of the events which suit and then I'll contemplate how that works. Meanwhile, I'll continue to get my head down and attack the commission role with 100 per cent effort and then see what the rest of the world looks like as the year closes down." Skaife announced his retirement from full-time racing in 2008 and returned to race the endurance rounds at Phillip Island and Bathurst with Greg Murphy the following year. Last year he won both endurance races with Craig Lowndes and returned this year to win the Phillip Island race and finish second with Lowndes at Bathurst. Lowndes said Skaife rang him late last week and told him of his decision. "I was sort of thinking he would go that way," he said. We've always had this joke that the longer we stuck together the harder it was for me to catch his Bathurst record. Seriously, as a driver, he realised it's getting tougher every year to compete when you are not a full-time driver. He has to look at what's best for his family." Skaife was scheduled to announce his decision at a press conference yesterday but instead issued a press release in deference to the death of Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon in Las Vegas. "I've never seen a crash as wild as that," Skaife said. "My decision obviously pre-dates that incident and certainly wasn't based on safety. It's a very sad day for motorsport and for a guy who recently won the Indy 500 and was scheduled to join us at the Gold Coast 600 this weekend. I'm just blown away by the incident." MARK SKAIFE BIOGRAPHY Born: April 3, 1967 in Gosford Racing: Started in karts in 1980s and moved to cars in 1984, joining then Australian Touring Car Championships in 1987. Retired from full-time racing in 2008. Career: 5 touring car championships; 6 Bathurst wins; 220 races; 41 round wins; 87 podium finishes; 88 race wins; 41 pole positions Awards: 2004 Medal of the Order of Australia.