Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

IF the music is too loud you're too old. The same goes if the springs are too stiff. While I can always turn down the volume on the audio, I'm simply way too old for the highly-sprung Renault Clio Sport 200 Gordini Edition. This is a car aimed more at the cashed-up youth market who can still get away with wearing American basketball gear.VALUEAt $39,140, it's not cheap for a manual three-door hatch, but it's more powerful and cheaper than the Mini Cooper S and Honda Civic Type R and a bit more expensive and less powerful than a Golf GTI. There is a stack of kit in the car with cruise and speed limiter control, multi-function trip computer, climate airconditioning, streaming audio Bluetooth, aux and USB inputs, full-leather trim, cornering lights and auto lights/wipers.TECHNOLOGYAlthough it bears the name of Renault's famous engine tuner, this is really an exercise in styling, rather than a tuning. It has the same engine output as the other Clio RS models.DESIGNIt's like stepping out in a nice suit while wearing brightly coloured sandshoes. It just doesn't work and I certainly don't fit the profile of the "average" Gordini driver. However, you would feel quite at home with the sports styling if your Calvin Kleins were visible over your jeans with the crotch hanging down around your knees and a baseball cap was perched sideways on your scone.This wasn't styled in an auto factory, but in pit lane: The Gordini badge shows up all over the place, there are two GT stripes running from front to back, drilled aluminium pedals, F1-styled spoiler, the steering wheel has a centering stripe like a rally car and "Renault Sport" lettering adorns the front and back windows like a race car.You can't blame Renault for plundering its sports heritage what with its current F1 position and its long history of rallying success.SAFETYIt has the usual suite of six airbags, ABS and stability control. However, the fact that stability control is "sports tuned" for late intervention and can be turned off completely means this car is destined for track days.DRIVINGI left my spleen somewhere on the pavement just down the road from work. I won't say it's a harsh ride but I'm sure you could run over a book of Braille and be able to read every word through the seat of your trousers. It doesn't help that it rides on "cotton-reel" 17-inch wheels with a 45 per cent tyre profile.This car is tuned for sport with lightning-quick steering (sans torque steer), a gearbox nearly as much fun as the Alfa Sud's and powerful, biting Brembo brakes. Despite the sport orientation, the gearshift is smooth and the clutch is light and manageable for daily traffic duties.The engine is torquey but also likes to rev and with the close-ratio gearbox you can short-shift or completely skip gears and still get along quite quickly.The driver is surrounded by race-tech styling, sports seats, drilled pedals and a sporty steering wheel. Unfortunately the steering wheel is not adjustable for reach, so tall people cannot get a good driving position without their knees getting in the way.The audio and Bluetooth controls are hidden on a stubby third stalk behind the steering wheel, making it difficult to grab the right button and accidentally bumping it and changing the audio mode.There is a surprising amount of boot space, but almost no rear legroom. Build quality is excellent and the pearl white paint of the test model is stunning.VERDICTThis is more of an impulse buy than a practical solution to daily commuting and transport. It is a plaything that will suit the young and excitable. Everyone should own a sporty plaything once in their life and this one certainly stands out visually from the pack.RENAULT CLIO SPORT 200 GORDINI EDITIONPrice: $39,140Warranty: 3 Year/100,000km with 24-hour roadside assistanceResale: N/AService interval: 10,000km or 12 monthsEngine: 147kW/215Nm, 1997cc, 4 ?cylinder petrolBody: 3-door, 4 seatsDimensions: 4017mm (L), 2025mm (W), 1484mm (H), 2585 (WB)Safety equipment: ABS with electronic brake distribution, sports-tuned stability control, 6 airbags, cruise control, speed limiter, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, fog lights, cornering lightsWeight: 1281kgTransmission: 6-speed manualEconomy: 8.2L/100km (9.4L/100km on test), 195g/km CO2, Premium fuel (98 RON), 55-litre tank

Wineries, dairies, organic farms, horse studs and other boutique agriculture properties, especially those with indoor facilities, are opting for electric ATVs which don't emit any CO2, according to Polaris marketing manager Neil Anderson. Polaris has one electric model, the Ranger EV ($19,999 driveaway) with 22kW of power, a top speed of 40km/h and 80km of range. "These vehicles are a good fit for an organic farm where the owners don't want to store fuel on the property," he says. "It fits in with the whole ethos of organic so there are no diesel fumes belching all over the livestock or plants." He says the vehicles are also popular at cellar doors and other farms with tourist attractions and eateries. "It's much more impressive for those operations to have something quietly taking stock from A to B without belching diesel fumes around." Anderson says the Ranger EV is also a hit at dairies and horse studs. "It doesn't scare the stock or put the cows off their milk," he says. "If you have a million-dollar thoroughbred horse the last thing you want to do is spook it." "It also means you can have your staff zipping around an agistment property without waking up animals." Animals aren't the only ones able to sleep in while electric vehicles run their errands. Anderson says the Range EV is being used at mines. "There is a catering company in WA that bought a couple so they could deliver food to the mine site without waking workers," he says. "If you are in the middle of nowhere you want something that - rain, hail or shine - it can get to where you want. " "At mines you have people working 24 hours a day so you always have people sleeping." Polaris has loaned Ranger EVs to various agricultural operations to trial such as the Sirromet Winery in Brisbane and the Foster's Group of wineries. "Foster's have trialled and bought some for the Yarra Valley in particular and some wineries in the Margaret River area," he says.

THE fastest motorsport event in Australia will also provide a financial and morale injection for the local Ipswich economy struggling to recover from January's disastrous floods. Billed as the biggest drag-racing event in the world outside of the US, the 44th Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway starting on Friday (JUNE 10) is the season finale for the ANDRA Pro Series, brackets of Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Door- slammer and Pro Stock. The four-day event is expected to attract more than 40,000 drag-racing fans. The track was built by volunteers 26 years ago and is still owned by those same drag-racing fanatics. It is part of a motorsport precinct that also includes Queensland Raceway which hosts rounds of the V8 Supercars and Australian Superbikes, a go-kart circuit, a rally track and a dirt kart track. The former Moreton Shire protected the motorsport precinct from urban encroachment to ensure its future. The current Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has been a long-time supporter of the precinct and council zoning of the area guarantees the precinct will never be closed as have other tracks in Australia such as Amaroo Park and Oran Park in Sydney. Queensland Sport Minister Phil Reeves got a close look at ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel Championship leader Darren Morgan's 8000 horsepower dragster this week. Minister Reeves donned earphones and took to the driver's seat while Morgan fired up the racer in front of Parliament House for a deafening performance that drowned out the most vocal politician. Minister Reeves says events such as Winternationals and the Ipswich 300 V8 Supercar Championship round provide a "much-needed economic and morale boost to the region". ABOUT THE EVENT The rubber will burn at Willowbank Raceway on Friday from 9am-7.30pm with Pro Stock qualifying at 5pm. On Saturday from 8am-8pm with ANDRA Pro Series qualifying from noon-5.30pm. Sunday action is from 8.30am with ANDRA Pro Series qualifying from noon-5.30pm. Monday fires up from 8.30am with ANDRA Pro Series racing at 11am, 1.15pm and all finals from 2.45pm. Children 13 and under free, students with ID discounted entry. One-day, two-day and full-event passes  available.

"There is no better roller coaster or theme park ride," says Michael Patrizi after riding piggyback with three-time World Superbike champion and MotoGP winner Troy Bayliss. "People think it's great when we take them on a V8 drive, but I've never experienced anything like this," he says. Bayliss, who retired from racing three years ago, has created a package of ride-day experiences which will be available in all mainland states. "After I retired, I was still contracted to Ducati and in 2009 I tested their GP bikes and since last year I've been testing their superbike," he says. "I also started teaching in their Ducati Ride Experience in Europe. I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to wean myself off Europe and thought I'd like to do something like that back here in Australia." Rather than reinvent the wheel, Bayliss has piggybacked on the established Champions Ride Day circuit to offer some special extras for fans. Riders will be able to follow Bayliss around the track to learn his lines, get special tuition from the champion and even dine with him. Non-riders like Patrizi can also enjoy a Bayliss experience by riding three laps two-up on the pillion seat of a special Ducati 1098 superbike with handles on the fuel tank, a specially adapted seat and lower footpegs. The Troy Bayliss Experience will be part of the Champions Ride Days at Queensland Raceway and Lakeside in Queensland, Eastern Creek and a 5.2km private track called The Farm Circuit in NSW, Phillip Island in Victoria, Mallala in South Australia and Barbagallo in Western Australia. Dates are available on the website . "(Patrizi) was my first two-up guinea pig and this is the first time I've ridden a bike on this circuit," says Bayliss after taking the V8 and Carrera Cup driver for a spin around Queensland Raceway which included a 100m wheelie. "It's great to see the look on his face when you get back to the pits. We've made a few adjustments so it's more comfortable on the back. It's a lot different with someone on the back, but I'm getting used to it. I even got my knee down in a few corners." Bayliss has put his four-wheel racing ambitions on hold for the new project after an abortive start in the endurance rounds of the V8 Supercars in 2009. He didn't get to drive in either race after early incidents with teammate Dean Fiore in the driver's seat. 2-up Ducati Superbike Experience: $295Day at the Track with Troy: QLD: Lakeside Raceway $895; Qld Raceway $795NSW: Eastern Creek $995; The Farm $1295 (limited to 12 riders)VIC: Phillip Island $995; Broadford Raceway $795SA: Mallala Raceway $895WA: Barbagallo Raceway $895 Web: www.troybaylissexperience.com.au

Glenn Allerton, who is 58 points clear in the Australian Superbike Championships at the halfway point ahead of next weekend's round at Queensland Raceway, is set to test for a WSB team. "I can't say who they are, but it's a German team that is extremely competitive and have been world champions in the past," the 30-year-old Sydney rider said. "Towards the end of the year I might do one of the last rounds of the World Superbike Championships with them. "I'd like to put on a really good show and get them to want me and pay enough to make it work." Allerton has already shown his winning ways internationally with a win last weekend in the Malaysian Superbike Championship. "It's not as competitive or professional as here, but it was a favour to a friend and it was good practice." The 2008 Australian Superbike Champion has won three rounds out of the four at the halfway point in the season. After Allerton, there is a tight points spread for the next four positions with Troy Herfoss (130 points), Queenslander Ben Attard (129), Victorian Craig Coxhell (123) and two-time champion Jamie Stauffer (119). "It's good to be in first position with a handy points margin but you have to keep the pressure on because if one of those boys gets a roll on it only takes one mistake from me and it's back on," he said. "I'm keen to race at Queensland Raceway which is a favourite. You always like tracks where you have good results." Allerton said his BMW S 1000 RR was very strong "straight out of the box" two weeks before the first round at Phillip Island. "It's a really powerful motorbike with traction control standard. We haven't touched the engine at all, just worked on the chassis and suspension to get the most out of the package. "If you push the power you get reliabiilty problems and this is already a fast and reliable motorbike. "Riding previously for Honda I can tell you they spend a lot of money to get it as fast as the BMW is straight out of the box." AT A GLANCE Glenn AllertonAge: 30 Current placing: 1st, 188 points 2010 Queensland Raceway result: 8th (round 3) and 4th (round 5) 2010 Championship Overall: 3rd Past highlights: 2008 Australian Superbike Champion 2011 RESULTS Round 1: Phillip Island - 1st Round 2: Symmons Plains - 1st Round 3: Hidden Valley - 2nd Round 4: Barbagallo Raceway - 1st AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKES (after 4 of 8 rounds) 1. Glenn Allerton (NSW), 188 2. Troy Herfoss (Vic), 130 3. Ben Attard (Qld), 129 4. Craig Coxhell (Vic), 123 5. Jamie Stauffer (NSW), 119 6. Wayne Maxwell (Vic), 101 7. Cole Odendaal (NSW), 98 8. Robert Bugden (Qld), 90 9. Joshua Waters (Vic), 88 10. Ben Henry (Qld), 75

The Swedish factory is back in action again after months of protracted ownership issues. Saab Cars Australia managing director Stephen Nicholls admits that sales have been "pretty slow". "We're all very pleased that we're starting to get back to normal operation," he says. "We've been trying to conduct business as usual, but of course some people are a bit hesitant until they see cars coming off the production line. It's been a difficult time but we had faith it would be sorted out." "We're a real car company again." Saab Automobile this week restarted production at its Trollhattan factory for the first time since April 6. The daily production rate will be increased in coming weeks to meet worldwide orders of 6500 vehicles, including 1300 destined for China. The halt in production occurred while complex ownership and financial issues were sorted out with European and Chinese investors. "There's not a magic bullet but a number of different solutions," Nicholls says. He says the halt in production had not caused any supply problems, but it may delay the launch of the new 9-5 Sport Combi by "a month or two". "Before the shutdown we had the stock to go through to July but we do have a few cars delayed until August," Nicholls says. Saab Cars Australia has "pretty reasonable supplies" of the full range of 9-3 models (Sports Sedan, Sport Combi, Convertible and 9-3X SUV launched in March) and the 9-5 Sedan (Aero and Vector petrol and diesel) launched in April. Saab Cars Australia is a fully owned factory operation which is taking over responsibilities from GM Holden. "We are still in the process. There has been a prolonged handover," Nicholls says. "They are still doing parts distribution and warranty processing, but we intend to take that into our house in the next month or two. "We're working on the transition with our colleagues at Holden and it is being planned as we speak and will work pretty smoothly. I'm not aware of too many problems at the moment that will cause us too many sleepless nights." "As far as the customer and dealers are concerned there is no change except address." Saab has eight dealers in all states except Tasmania and up to 15 service outlets. Only 17 Saab vehicles (six 9-3s and 11 9-5s) were sold last month for a total of 41 so far this year. "We would like to be selling a few more, but news out of the factory in last six weeks or so has meant some people have held off on purchases," Nicholls says. "Now we're running normally we will re-contact those people and get them to buy a Saab."

doesn't faze Australia's first manufacturer of EVs....Ross Blade of Blade Electric Vehicles in Victoria says they will take on the big companies with a cheaper and faster-charging home-made product.Their Electron Mark V, which is based on a Hyundai Getz, costs about $48,000 despite the petrol-powered equivalent Getz selling for $13,990-$16,340.However, Blade says they will still be cheaper than EVs such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf."We also have features in our product which are superior," he says.While the average charge time from standard mains power is about eight hours for most mass-produced EVs, Blade claims their vehicles recharge in two to four hours because they are designed for 15 amps tops and we are designed to take the full 30 amps."Our vehicle is designed to optimise the standard charging point infrastructure now being rolled out in Melbourne," he says."We've been in the business four years now and we know what technologies are coming and can make big changes quickly."The major car companies make their decisions several years in advance and can't make rapid change."Blade is moving from the Hyundai Getz (Electron Mark V) to the i20 this year (Electron Gen II) and the Holden Cruze late next year."Cruze will ultimately be our prime business as we want a locally made chassis to match our locally made components."We'll have a Cruze prototype this year, a pre-production model early next year and we're looking to make it available as a commercial product late next year."It will be fully ANCAP crash tested and we'll be targeting a minimum of a four-star safety rating."Since production began in February 2008, Blade has sold 40 petrol-powered Getz models converted to electric power.But Blade doesn't refer to his business as electric conversion."We crash test our vehicles and are licensed, so we're a second-stage manufacturer," he says.Most of their customers are private, not government or business, but they recently broke into the fleet market."We've now taken a big step forward where we are accepted by lease and insurance companies which is a whole new playing field."DISCARDED ENGINESBlade has a couple of container loads of discarded Hyundai petrol engines in their backyard.Company owner Ross Blade says they eventually will be used as "tri-generation gas generators" for heating or cooling."But right now we have our hands full manufacturing electric cars," he says.Blade buys petrol-powered cars directly from Hyundai Motor Company Australia."Why do we bring them in with a petrol motor? Because it's expensive to push a car body on and off a ship," he says.Blade removes the exhaust system, fuel tank, engine and gearbox before implanting an AC synchronous electric motor, Azure Dynamics drivetrain, lithium iron phosphate battery and management system.

Road rage will be a thing of the past when electric cars rule.

…in the European New Car Assessment Program.

…at Lakeside flat out and went into a wild 360-degree spin in his 1965 Triumph Spitfire 4 Mk2. The British sportscar hit the wall under the bridge and ended Ezzy's club sprint day. "I had got it up to 101.01mph (162.6km/h) but I came unstuck and hit the wall. "But I could still drive it home." The 57-year-old Gold Coaster bought the car for just $50 from a local wrecking yard in 1978 for his sister. "She was about to get her licence and we needed a car for her to drive, so I bought it for her," he says. "Then she got married and didn't want it so I've kept it going all these years, building, building, building, spending and upgrading. "I once did a Harley custom show bike and I'd always wanted to do a car up." The Spitfire was a rusted wreck when Ezzy got it, so he bought another body from Melbourne and started cutting the rust and replacing panels until he had a complete car. He finally got it running and registered in 1982 and has been driving it ever since. The original Spitfire was painted white with red trim, had a four-speed gearbox and an 1147cc four-cylinder engine with about 47kW of power and a possible top speed of 96mph (155km/h). Ezzy painted the Spitfire his favourite blue, bored the engine out to almost 1300cc, reflowed and modified the heads, fitted a handmade stainless-steel straight-through exhaust system, bolted on South Australian Globe 13-inch wheels and converted to a five-speed gearbox after the original packed it in while competing in the Speed on Tweed timed sprints in 2009. "I do all my own work," he says. "It purs at 4000rpm, but I just want to take the diff down from 4.875 to 4.1." The paintwork is good, the badges aren't all original and he doesn't have all the Jaeger instruments. But, as Ezzy says, "all the money is underneath". Open up that massive one-piece front end and you discover an engine in gleaming chrome. "All the chrome looks good but it keeps the heat in so I have to get the cooling just right. I'll use more polished stainless steel parts rather than chrome in future," he says. "Chrome takes a lot to keep clean." There is also a massive air plate underneath that runs from front to back. "It's good for a show where they put it on a hoist as you don't see the gearbox and other mechanicals," he says. "It looks a lot cleaner." That hair-raising wild ride at Lakeside led to two other modifications after he fixed the dented panelwork; a fire extinguisher on the front floor and a roll bar. "It's about 99 per cent where I want it.," he says "I drive it as much as I can, weather permitting." When the weather does turn foul, he can deploy either a material tonneau cover or fibreglass hard top. "There have been a few times I've been tempted to sell it but where do I go to from here?" he asks. "I was offered $22,000 but I had already stopped keeping receipts at $30,0000." "It's a hobby and part of my life. I'm not married, I have no children, so it's my baby."