Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

I can understand why the chauffeur at the airport would rave about Skoda’s new flagship, the Superb. I stepped into the vehicle without paying much attention and mistook it for an Audi A6, although subconsciously registering that it felt narrower.Then I noticed the unusual green logo — looking like a chook's head with an arrow through it or perhaps an anorexic bird on the wing – and realised I was in the Skoda.The instruments and standard of trim and fittings give the illusion of a much more expensive car, hence the A6 impression.The driver said he was thinking of buying a Superb because it looked the part and had good head and leg room. However, he said, it was a bit narrow and would only fit two adults and a child in the rear.It is based on a stretched Passat/Octavia platform, but it's no wider, so it looks too narrow for its length.From behind it appears almost comically out of proportion, an illusion made worse by the strange shape of the boot necessitated by the twin-folding liftback.However, it shares a lot of its VW cousin's pedigree which means it's a lively, but frugal performer with a lithe handling spirit.In a short launch drive through the suburbs and surrounds of Sydney this week, the car proved to be quiet, comfortable and spacious with plenty of leg and head room.It shows plenty of composure over rough surfaces, with a smooth and quiet ride, but the steering feels a little heavy and ponderous, especially in the V6 AWD model.The six and seven-speed DSG transmissions are a proven delight. There is no manual option.Variants and pricing The Superb comes in five models with VW-sourced petrol and diesel powerplants, all with direct fuel injection.The base model 1.8-litre TSI costs $42,990 and comes standard with ESP, dual zone airconditioning, six-CD sound system with touch screen and SD memory card, tyre pressure monitors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, self-retracting wing mirrors and fog lamps.The same engine is also featured in the Elegance model costing $45,990 and adding adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, alarm system, electronic driver's seat and upgraded 10-speaker sound system.The two-litre turbo-diesel engine is also available in the Ambition ($45,990) and Elegance ($48,990) variants.The top-of-the-range 3.6-litre V6 petrol comes in Elegance trim only with Haldex all-wheel-drive and costs $56,990.Equipment Leading the Superb's distinguishing features is its patented ‘Twindoor’ two-part hinged liftback boot.At the flick of a switch on the electro-mechanical lock, the tailgate can act like a normal boot or a large hatchback, revealing an enormous 565-litre, flat-floored, lush-carpeted cargo area that is bigger than the Ford Falcon boot.Under the floor is a full-size spare in the front-wheel-drive models and a space saver in the AWD.Superb is also distinguished by a host of other surprising innovations and quirky technological features.These include headlights that change focal point and spread according to speed and weather conditions (standard in Elegance), fog lamps that automatically light up corners at slow speeds, a rain braking system that dries the discs by bringing the pads into gentle contact with the discs every 3km for three seconds, and nine airbags, including a knee airbag.Options include an affordable self-parking function ($890) and a solar-powered sunroof ($2290) which circulates cabin air to keep the car cool while it is parked in the sun.There's even an umbrella in the rear door; the sort of feature you expect in a Rolls-Royce, not a medium-sized passenger car.Sales and marketSkoda Australia head Matthew Wiesner says he won’t speculate on sales figures, but that they had about 100 in the country with orders "in the teens".He said a wagon version would arrive in early 2010 with the same trim and engine configurations, but would not confirm a sporty RS version.Wiesner said the car would compete against Australian large cars, Japanese medium-sized cars and fellow European models.Skoda is expecting to lift its profile over the next year with the launch of the Superb. It will be followed by a wagon version and an Octavia facelift early next year with a new compact SUV mid-year.Skoda Australia head Matthew Wiesner admitted they had been a one-car company in need of more models."We haven't devoted a lot of time to the Roomster so we've basically been an Octavia car company," he said this week at the launch of the Superb in Sydney."It's a hell of a car, based on the value, innovation and technology," he said."You would be well challenged to find something with such a strong combination."Wiesner said their main challenge was brand awareness.He said that in the 18 months since it relaunched in Australia, customer awareness of the brand as a car company had increased from about 40 to 60 per cent, according to Roy Morgan research.Wiesner said the Superb would help "mature" and "stretch" the brand with its appeal to private buyers, user-choosers and government and corporate fleets."Our customers (for the Superb) are large car users and from corporate and semi-government," he said."They can stick to a large car and still get a diesel."

It's a Canadian-made armoured vehicle that looks like a Hummer on steroids. And with a right-hand-drive version available, it could be coming to Australia, according to company spokesman Seth Feller. "Right now we are speaking with several Aussies who have expressed interest in acquiring the Knight XV and anticipate having a few within the next 12 months Down Under," he said. "We are working on pricing the Knight XV with right-hand drive and estimate that the cost would around $400,000 (US)." At 6m long and 2.5m high, the Knight XV is substantially bigger than a Hummer H2. It is based on Ford's F35 pick-up truck, but bigger. Much bigger. Like 5.5 tonnes. Most of that weight is in the steel armour plating and 6cm-thick armoured glass. The doors alone are so heavy they have been fixed with reinforced hinges. Feller said their market was people who needed luxury as well as security. "Our target market consists of high net worth individuals, professional athletes, music artists, heads of state, automotive collectors who are looking for a bespoke vehicle which delivers both top-notch security and luxury," he said. "Also, due to the sheer size of the Knight XV, anyone who likes making a grand entrance would certainly enjoy the Knight XV experience." The Knight XV comes standard with night-vision cameras front and rear, a roof-mounted camera and tyres that will survive most gunfire, but still operate if shot out. Security options include more surveillance cameras, an external listening device, under-vehicle magnetic attachment detector to locate explosives, a GPS transmitter, bolt lock door system, roof-mounted searchlight, oxygen survival kit and a smoke security system. There is also a fire extinguisher and Black Box on board. The Knight XV is powered by a 6.8-litre V10 Ford engine with 298kW of power and a massive 677Nm of torque. If that's not enough power, a turbocharger is available as an option. For the greenies, it will also run on 85 per cent ethanol mixture and a diesel engine is available as an option. The company calls it their "first ultra-luxurious, fully armoured, environmentally-respectful handcrafted SUV". However, the fitting of a 151-litre fuel tank and the option of an auxiliary tank indicates it doesn't have great economy. No fuel consumption or CO2 emission figures are available. The Knight XV sits on 20-inch wheels with massive 40-inch desert tyres and has 4WD with a five-speed auto transmission. But just because it's big, ugly and armour-plated doesn't mean it doesn't have luxury appointments. Inside there are six leather seats with a conference table, wool carpets, DVD entertainment system, suede trim and laptop stations in the rear. If that's not luxurious enough, options include sleeper seating, a driver partition, heated seats, large flat-screen satellite TV, curtains in the rear, a refreshments bar, cooler box, cigar humidor and a safe. Each vehicle takes about 1500 hours to build by hand and only 100 of the machines will be made available as a limited first run with a starting price of $450,000.

"There are very few hard-core, dark-green environmentalists, but those who are strictly hybrid buyers," he said. "Dark greenies are very savvy about the product. Sometimes they even educate our salespeople. "They know that 90 per cent of our battery is recyclable and dispensed of properly. "Dark greens won't even look at diesel." However, he wouldn't rule out Lexus making a diesel hybrid in the future. "The good thing about our hybrid system is that it can be adapted to diesel," he said. Another attraction of hybrids was that the production process was becoming cheaper, making the vehicles more affordable. "The RX hybrid is the cheapest Lexus hybrid yet and represents excellent value for money," he said. "Diesel vehicle prices are going up, but hybrid prices are coming down." Roca said they needed an entry level hybrid to attract younger buyers but said the planned mid-sized HS250h hybrid sedan was not yet confirmed for Australia. "I don't know if it would be entry level either. It's more of an ES size. "But we do need an entry-level hybrid. "Our average hybrid owner is five years older than the equivalent petrol model buyer. "With the petrol RX the average age is 45, so the hybrid is about 50, but I think the average age will come down for the RX400h mainly because of the more affordable price." Roca said he hoped other manufacturers would turn to hybrid technology. "I can't wait for others to go hybrid because then we won't have to educate the market on our own," he said.

His 1929 Chevrolet International sedan features more legroom in the back than a modern German saloon, it rides plush despite old cart-spring suspension and there is even a long panic rail on the back of the front bench seat. "Some people call it the `oh shit' rail because when you go around a corner that's what you shout," says the 65-year-old retired builder of Tarragindi in Brisbane's south. Conwell bought the American beauty in 1996 for $18,000 and wouldn't part with it, despite a couple of offers. "I pestered the former owner for four years to sell it," says Cornwall who is the vehicle's fifth owner. The right-hand-drive Chevy arrived as just a motor and chassis from the US with the coachwork produced in Port Adelaide by Holden. It was the first of the six-cylinder models featuring a 194 cubic inch (3179cc) plant that pumped out 47 horsepower (35kW) at 2500rpm. Conwell says it will do 80km/h on the highway and return about 13-14 litres per 100km fuel economy. The car is in original condition except for reupholstering, repainting (it was originally white), indicators and a radio. "My wife doesn't like vintage cars and I'm usually by myself so I need a radio to keep me company," he says. "That is except when I take elderly people for a drive to get them away for a while. "I had a 93-year-old lady recently who had an oxygen mask with her and she was as sharp as a tack. She said the Chevy brought back some wonderful memories." Conwell also owns a 1961 3.4-litre, six-cylinder Jaguar Mark II which his wife, Margaret, inherited last year. It's worth about $15,000. "It's like a rocket after being in the Chevy," says Conwell. His first vintage car was a 1927 Model T Ford Roadster he bought in 1989 for $12,000 but is now in a museum near Crows Nest on the Darling Downs. Conwell's first car was a two-door 1955 Morris Minor he bought for 320 at the age of 17. "It was a top car and about all I could afford at the time," he says. After two years he upgraded to a 1962 Austin Lancer and two years later to a 1958 FC Holden which he sold to build his house. He then bought a 1958 Morris Major followed by an FC ute, then a 1968 Morris Mini Minor which he kept for 23 years. Conwell now owns a 2001 Ford Laser wagon and a 2001 Mazda Bravo ute. His dream car is a Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI because he once owned a 1977 Benz 300D which he found reliable and economical. "The new diesels are a lot better, though," he says. The Queensland Vintage Vehicle Association member has also been an RACQ member since 1974, evidenced by the historic RACQ badges on his Chevy which are worth up to $300 each. He has shown his car in the RACQ's annual Motorfest since 1995 which was the second year when it was still called Motoring of Yesteryear. Motorfest is on again tomorrow (JUNE 28) at Brisbane's Eagle Farm Racecourse and Conwell's Chevy will be there. It will be joined by Queensland's largest showcase of more than 800 vintage, veteran, classic and special interest cars, bikes and trucks, including the world's fastest electric car, the Tesla Roadster. There will also be fashion parades, wine tasting, carnival rides, a performance by Australian Idol finalist Chrislyn Hamilton and an appearance by V8 Supercar driver Fabian Coulthard. Proceeds from the event go to the RACQ Helicopter Rescue Network, with last year's event raising almost $18,000 for these vital community services. Visit: www.racq.com/motorfest or call 131905.

Thanks to combined fuel economy less than seven litres per 100km, the new RX is the first hybrid to qualify for partial exemption on the luxury car tax which means a saving to buyers of about $4000.Lexus Australia boss John Roca said the price reduction was not only due to luxury tax exemptions up to $75,000 of the price but also more efficient hybrid technology production.Buyers of the base model Prestige will pay a recommended retail price of $89,990, which is $8000 below the previous model RX400h, even though it comes with more features such as smart start, a 12-speaker sound system and remote touch computer system.“It (hybrids) will continue to become more affordable as hybrid technology progresses,” Roca said.RX hybrid was the cheapest Lexus hybrid yet and represented excellent value for money, he said.Lexus has three months of orders already even though buyers were not aware of the final price.“Dealers have been assuming that the price would go about $10,000 on the previous model,” Roca said.The RX450h comes in three trim levels, mirroring the RX350 launched in February: the Prestige, the Sports ($96,900) and the Sports Luxury ($107,900).Roca said they expected to sell 60 a month which was a 70 per cent increase on the RX400h and would represent 30 per cent of all RX sales.The new RX hybrid is 10 per cent more powerful than the RX400h with a combined peak power output of 220kW and 23 per cent more efficient with economy of 6.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 150g/km.It also has a bigger footprint on the road with a wider track and wheelbase.The RX450h will be available in the market from July 13.

The most famous and enduring name in the manufacture of sports and racing cars in Australia was founded in South Australia by racing driver Garrie Cooper and produced its first car in 1959, the front-engined Streamliner. Today, Elfin Sports Cars is owned by former British racing driver Tom Walkinshaw, whose Walkinshaw Performance company also owns Holden Special Vehicles. The company now builds three sports cars at Braeside, near Sandown race track in Melbourne. They are the two Chevrolet V8-powered MS8 Streamliner and MS8 Clubman and the recently introduced entry-level, turbocharged, two-litre, four-cylinder T5 Clubman. (Elfin is not listing prices because of new laws regarding advertised prices.) The original company produced 248 racing and sports racing cars in 27 different models which have been driven by Formula One champion James Hunt and French Formula One driver Didier Pironi, and such well-known Australian racers as Vern Schuppan, Larry Perkins, John Bowe, Frank Matich, Bob Jane, John Harvey, Allan Grice and Peter Manton. Elfin have won 29 championships and major titles including two Australian Drivers' Championships, four Australian Sports Car Championships, three Australian Tourist Trophies and four Formula Ford titles, the Singapore Grand Prix (1968) and twice won the Malaysian Grand Prix. And they are still going strong in various championships for modern and historic race cars. One of those still racing Elfins is 65-year-old race car builder Ian Peters of Tarome, southwest of Brisbane. His pride and joy is his 1971 Elfin 600 Formula Ford which cost $6500 when it was new. "I've had it virtually all its life," he said. Peters bought the car from Jack Bono in 1973 for $6500 after it had competed in the 1971 Australian Grand Prix as a Formula 2 with a twin-cam engine. He converted it back to a Formula Ford with a 1600cc Kent engine used in the Escort Ghia and Cortina GT. Peters also owns three Formula 2 Elfins. "They are Australian made and appeal to my patriotism, plus they are practical," Peters said. "When they started building them, they were styled on the European lines so you could buy an Australian model that was cheaper, but had the latest technology. "They were well built structurally so they were good and safe and they performed admirably. "I've never had any troubles with them and if you believe that you believe in the tooth fairy; after all it's a race car. "But for a race car it's very reliable." Reliability is one thing, but "racing incidents" are another. Peters recalls his biggest shunt was at Lakeside. "It was one of those typical first-lap incidents; the two drivers in front of me knocked wheels and I drove straight over the top and launched into the air," he said. "It was rebuildable, but the running gear was destroyed." Elfin owners are celebrating the marque's 50th anniversary this year with several race and displays events around the country including a display of cars at Speed on Tweed on September 5/6. Queensland will celebrate the anniversary with a lunch on July 18 at the refurbished Lakeside International Raceway in northern Brisbane. Several vehicles will be on display along with photos and memorabilia which guests are asked to bring. Members of the Elfin Owners and Drivers Club are inviting past and present owners and racers to attend the function. Cost is $35 and bookings are essential. Contact Vern Hamilton on 38932438 or vprojects@uq.net.au.  

Queenslanders and Northern Territorians are still the fastest and most aggressive fuel guzzlers, while Tasmanians are the worst car-poolers. These statistics are revealed in the second annual AAMI Green Home and Motor Index about attitudes to the environment. The Sweeney Research behavioural study found little change from the previous year's result except for a 5 per cent increase in use of ethanol fuel and varying changes in driving behaviour among the states. The highest users of ethanol are the ACT (41 per cent) and Queensland, (40 per cent) which has the largest production of the organic fuel, while only one in 10 West Australians fill up with E10. Most drivers say suitability is the most common reason for not using biofuels (41 per cent in 2008 and 37 per cent in 2009). However more motorists now think biofuels will have a negative impact on their car (from 26 per cent in 2008 to 36 per cent in 2009). Biofuels are becoming more accessible across the country with a marked decrease in the number of drivers blaming availability this year (from 26 per cent in 2008 to 19 per cent in 2009). Cost is another reason for drivers not purchasing biofuels (19 per cent). More than half of all Australian motorists consider environmental factors such as emissions and fuel consumption when buying a car. Two in five said they adjusted their driving behaviour to reduce their environmental impact. Victorian drivers were the least concerned about economy and environment when buying a car (47 per cent), while drivers in the ACT were the most concerned (59 per cent), compared with the national average of 52 per cent. Queenslanders and Northern Territorians were well below the national averages for adjusting their driving behaviour to reduce their car's impact on the environment such as planning ahead and driving smoothly without aggressive acceleration or braking. Tasmanians were way above the national average as the smoothest drivers. Two out of every five motorists have trimmed back their use of their car and choose to walk or cycle, but less than a third car pool. Among the various methods of reducing emissions and fuel consumption, the highest adoption was correct tyre inflation (72 per cent). Reducing weight in the car and turning off the airconditioning was adopted by about two out of five, but only a quarter of Northern Territorians are likely to turn off their cooling and sweat it out. Across the nation the number turning off the airconditioning has dropped from 49 per cent in 2008 to 46 per cent in 2009. Paying to offset your vehicle's carbon emissions is adopted by only 15 per cent of drivers, up from 13 per cent last year. Only one in four say they would be willing to pay up to $50 to offset their emissions.

"Corvette Summer, Burt Reynolds, Smokey and the Bandit and those muscle car movies of the '70s inspired me when I was a teenager," says Robert Maxworthy, now 44, of Murrumba Downs. But it was another quarter of a century before he realised his teen dream.This Corvette Coupe is one of a limited edition of 6500 made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sporty Chevrolet. "Every year Indy 500 invites a different car manufacturer to contribute the pace car for the event," explains Maxworthy. "It was the 25th anniversary of Corvette in 1978, so they invited them. "This is the only colour you can get and it had the L-82 longer-stroke 350 Chevy V8 engine in it."Maxworthy has updated the suspension and fixed some of the very-70s silver upholstery but has yet to restore the original paintwork and signwriting. "With the Australian 30-year rule you can keep it left-hand drive so my search started with 30-year-old models," says Maxworthy who bought it from a New York owner over the web."I like a bit of a story and I fell in love with it because it is a little bit different."But I wouldn't recommend it (buying a car over the web) to anyone. "You hear horror stories and you do get some surprises. "I was pretty fortunate. He was a good guy who sent us pix of his family and helped with transport."Maxworthy paid $US18,000 this time last year when the Aussie dollar was worth 92 cents. It took a week to get to LA on the back of a truck and six weeks on a boat to Australia. "Then there was the task filling out all the import approval papers and red tape," he says. "I got Geezers — these Gold Coast car importers — to help me with the paperwork and transport."After paying them, the final figure to get it here was about $22,000." The fibreglass-bodied Corvette sits on 15-inch wheels with wide 255mm rubber and a high 60 per cent profile which fills out the flared guards.Maxworthy fires up the big Corvette in his garage where it kicks into life with a boom followed by a truck-like V8 exhaust note. He reckons it gets about 12 litres per 100km but he's not sure as he hasn't driven it enough. "I just use it for club events and weekends. "It's reliable and fast but I can't tell you how fast as the speedo isn't working."It's not only hot to look at, but also to drive. "They get really hot in the cabin. They tend to suck the heat in through the firewall," he explains. The limited edition pace car is not the first Corvette Maxworthy has owned.In 2006, he paid $30,000 for a right-hand-driver 1984 C4 which he still has. "I got into the Corvettes Down Under Car Club which was a great resource about the brand and I met people I could ask detailed questions," he says.At the age of 17, Maxwell had a ride in his girlfriend's father's Corvette and fell in love — with the car. However, his first car was a little less sporty. "It was 1969 XR Falcon family station wagon hand-me-down from dad with the big bus steering wheel. "In went the curtains and out came the back seat straight away."He then bought a HQ Kingswood four-door that was "tricked up to look like a Monaro". "After that I went off cars and my wife Tammy and I had 4WDs for years and got into fishing and 4WDing.""When I took over the family business in 2004 we got the opportunity to do a few things that we wanted to do and then the toys started to come." 

His first car was a 1961 EK Holden he bought in 1980 for $2000. He sold it a couple of years later and ever since he's owned VWs. "I've had VWs all my life," the 46-year-old said. "I just swear by them. They are so reliable."He has since owned three Beetle variations and four Kombi models, including his current rare twin-cab ute. "I bought it from a lady who'd parked it in the street to go to the markets," he said. "I loved it, so I left a note on the windscreen and she said she had had a hundred people asking her to sell it for years, but eventually she did."Davis paid $6000 for it and spent untold amounts boring out the two-litre engine to 2.2L, lowering the suspension, replacing the metal tray with aluminium checker-board plate, adding 15-inch wheels and wide rubber, and chroming the front bumper, grille and headlight surrounds.Inside, it is in original condition except for the re-upholstered seats and the extra bit welded to the 500m gear shift to bring it closer to the bus-style original steering wheel. "I wanted to put a smaller steering wheel in but it gets hard to steer and also you can't then lean on the wheel," he said.The 1960s hippie icon has recently made a comeback with the Bigpond TV ad and Little Miss Sunshine movie. "Kombis are becoming quite popular because of that ad and also because they are becoming rare," he said."I know of a VW Safari Kombi that fetched about $70,000. "I've been offered $30,000 for mine so far which is not bad; it's getting more valuable as it gets older," he said.But Davis wouldn't part with it. "I'll probably have this the rest of my life," he said. "I use it every day and I've even been to Melbourne in it. My eight-year-old son Ethan wants this so I hope it is still going by then."Even if money were no object, he would remain true to his Kombi. "I'd probably just do this up with a Porsche engine," he said. However, even that might not happen because Davis is keen to keep his VW as original as possible. This policy has already led to a custom car show award for best original restoration.He believes the nostalgia it stirs makes the VW so valuable. "Most of my clients are fairly wealthy and have a Lexus or a Porsche in their driveway yet when I turn up in this they get all excited and say `I used to have one of these when I was young'," he said. "People are always taking photos of it at the traffic lights and waving and smiling."But Kombi ownership hasn't been all smiles, despite Davis's declaration that "there's not much that can go wrong with them". He confesses: "I have had a couple of breakdowns.""The worst thing that happened was when the accelerator cable broke and the engine is in the back," he said. "I had a guy who leaned out the back window with a coat hanger attached to the carby, operating the accelerator for me." 

The world's fastest electric car, the Tesla Roadster, was put through its paces this week at Queensland Raceway where the V8 Supercars usually roar.While there was no roar from the quiet electric car, there was still plenty of V8-style acceleration with the tiny vehicle whipping up to 100km/h in an impressive 4.2 seconds on a wet track with two people on board. Down the back straight of the circuit, the car wound out to an indicated 110mph (177km/h), just short of its electronically limited top speed of 200km/h.While there have been plug-in electric cars before and new models are about to hit the Australian market, these are plodding and quirky looking, are slow to recharge and have limited range.This is where the Tesla is different. It looks and goes like a Ferrari, recharges in 3.5 hours and has a range of about 390km, depending on how hard it is driven.When we hopped into the car at the track the computer screen display on the left side of the steering wheel said the effective range was 285km. After less than a dozen laps and some hard 0-100km/h tests, the screen displayed the message: ‘Motor getting hot. Power reduced.’ Range was then reduced to about 100km. By this stage the four-wheel ventilated disc brakes were also getting fairly hot and ineffective while the road tyres were losing traction on the wet track with standing water in some corners.We still managed to set a time on the truncated ‘sportsman’ circuit of 1:13.57. That's not bad considering race cars do the same lap in about 1:06. It's also a track record for an electric car that will probably stand for some years. Our times were gradually getting worse due to the fading brakes, reduced motor power and my passenger; a nervous Eric ‘the human handbrake’ Erickson. He represents Internode, the internet service provider which imported the vehicle for display purposes. Erickson said the car was not designed as a track car, but an ‘everyday sports car’."It is designed to give the other manufacturers a bit of a fright that while they are still thinking about their electric cars, this one is already available and turning some heads," he said.It certainly is a head turner, looking as futuristic as the De Lorean in Back to the Future. Although it doesn't have a flux capacitor for time travel, it is named after a unit of magnetic flux density which is named after Serbian physicist and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla who also invented the radio, AC motor, and Tesla coil.The Tesla Roadster costs about $160,000 and is only available in left-hand drive so it is not registerable on Australia's roads, however a right-hand version will be built in England from February. It is currently only sold in the US, England, Germany and France.Tesla is also working on a four-door sedan Model S which is expected to hit the market in 2012. It will cost half as much as the Roadster with almost 500km range, a 45-minute recharge time and a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds.The Roadster is a product of Tesla Motors in California's Silicon Valley, but was designed by English sports car company Lotus and is assembled in Hethel, England, using many of the Lotus Elise parts and a lightweight carbon fibre body.Its remarkable acceleration comes from a mixture of immediate maximum torque, light weight and a good power-to-weight ratio. The Roadster weighs just 1.2 tonne, which is about half a tonne less than a 3.5-litre V6 Commodore Omega, but has 185kW of power which is 10kW more and 380Nm of torque which is an extra 55Nm over the Commodore.Launching off the starting line is like stepping on to an escalator. With maximum torque from 0-5500rpm there is instant cheek-ripping acceleration. However, despite being made by Lotus, this is not a hard-edged sports car and by no means a track car.The suspension is fairly plush with a bit of nose dive under hard braking. It understeers a little into corners which is surprising given its mid-mounted motor and batteries and light front end.Punching the throttle to shift the weight and steering emphasis to the tail is hampered by the soft intervention of the stability control system and the human handbrake's refusal to allow me to switch it off.It uses a single-speed transmission with reversed polarity for reverse which has a limited speed.Turn the ignition on and you can hear the whirring sound of the large fans under the bonnet which are part of the airconditioning for the cabin and to keep the batteries cool. Then there is a chiming sound to say that the motor is switched on and ready to go. Move away and the whirring increases, but not much louder than normal tyre noise.The brakes feature a regenerative system to recover power and return it to the battery. It also acts as an ‘engine braking’ system when you take your foot off the accelerator. This braking effect is much more noticeable at slow speeds than high speeds where the vehicle coasts along and slows gradually.Steering is very heavy, the turning circle is not good and rear visible is poor, so parking is tricky. However, the steering feels precise at high speeds around the "paper-clip" Queensland Raceway circuit, although there is a fair bit of kickback over the notorious bumps. The small steering wheel is set low and is non-adjustable.While the outside is well made and the sports seats are leather, the spartan interior trim is dominated by hard plastic and cheap-looking instruments. Getting in and out is as difficult as in a Lotus Elise, but once in the cockpit, it feels comfortable with generous legroom and headroom.The rag top has to be removed by hand and stored in the surprisingly big boot. Even with the top removed, there is little wind noise, so the lack of aural feedback is quite a surprise at high speed.An interesting feature is a valet mode that restricts speed, acceleration and range while a valet is parking your car _ so no Ferris Bueller's Day Off, either.Is this the green future of motoring? Not until the mains electricity is also green, but at least it should reduce CO2 emissions in cities and quieten traffic noise.SnapshotTesla Roadster PRICE: about $200,000 on the roadMOTOR: 3-phase electricPOWER: 185kW and 14,000rpm limitTORQUE: 380Nm from 0-5500rpmTRANSMISSION: single speed, rear-wheel driveBRAKES: ventilated discs with ABS, stability control and regenerative power DIMENSIONS (mm): 3946 (l), 1873 (w), 1127 (h), 2352 (wheelbase) TRACK (mm): 1464/1499 KERB WEIGHT: 1220kgPERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds (claimed), 4.2 seconds (tested) TOP SPEED: 200km/h (limited)RANGE: 390kmRECHARGE: 3.5 hoursBATTERY REPLACEMENT: about $16,000CO2 EMISSIONS: 0g/kmFUEL ECONOMY: 0L/100kmMake One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.