Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

They include the fourth series in the Aero 8 this year, three models in the Classic range which is expected to resume next year, development of a fuel cell prototype LIFECar and the resumption of four-seater production in 2011.The Aero 8 now comes with a 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine replacing the previous 4.4 litre unit. Power is up 25kW to 270kW and torque is up 40Nm to 490Nm.It costs $255,000 and for the first time on a Morgan, automatic transmission is an option for an extra $9000.Morgan Cars Australia managing director Chris van Wyk said the Aero 8 only recently became available here."It's taken me four years to get the Austalian compliance for them," van Wyk explained.Features of the Series 4 include new airconditioning with tunnel-mounted outlets, a repositioned handbrake, larger front air intake, new heat outlets on the front guards and a larger boot due to a relocated fuel tank.It weighs only 1445kg thanks to its aluminium chassis and boyd which helps it achieve a 0-100km/h sprint in less than 4.5 seconds, and 10.8 litres per 100km. CO2 emissions are 260g/km.Aero 8 comes standard with a carbon fibre boot lid, 6-pot AP Racing 348 mm ventilated disc brakes at the front, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control and a bespoke leather and wood trim interior.While there are 19 standard Morgan colours from which to choose, the Morgan factory will also paint a car in any automotive colour, including two-tone, for an extra $2200.There is also a choice of wool carpet colours, four versions of wood trim, an aluminium or graphite fascia and a selection of colours for the double-layer mohair soft top.Van Wyk said they were taking orders now for the Aero 8 and already had seven people put down a $1000 deposit."Morgan owners are the most homogenous group of people I've ever come across: heterosexual male baby boomers and they all buy the cars with cash," he said."It's all discretionary spending for them."The only problem is they are not in a hurry because they have several other cars. They buy when they are ready."The Classic models, due next year, are expected to include the Roadster, Plus 4 and 4/4 Sport.Van Wyk said pricing and specification was not yet known."Who knows where the currency will be and what Australian Government taxes may change?" he said."However, in principle, the 2007 price positioning will be retained as far as possible."When Australian supply ceased in 2007, the Ford-powered Classic range consisted of the Roadster three-litre V6 at $145 000, two-litre Plus 4 at $117,000 and 1.8-litre 4/4 at $99,000.Van Wyk said a waiting list had already been established for the Classics.He said there was also demand here for the four-seaters, available in Europe in Plus 4 and Roadster versions."Due to ADR requirements, Morgan four-seaters have not been able to be sold in Australia as new cars for about two decades," he said."Indications are that production may resume in 2011."Meanwhile, a fuel cell prototype LIFECar is being developed in an alliance with Cranfield University."The factory realised they were at risk because this heterosexual baby boomer market was getting older and would not be around much longer," van Wyk said."All Morgan's history has been about lightweight, fuel-efficient cars for their performance so they are environmentally sound."So why not build on that environmental heritage by bringing a zero emissions car to the market?"I don't know when, but hopefully in the next two or three years."I wanted it here for the Sydney Motor Show, but it was in development testing so they are serious about it."Morgan sold only three cars last year and two the year before in strong economic conditions."Unfortunately we had a supply problem with Morgan," he explained.However, van Wyk was upbeat about selling six this year, despite harsher financial times.Morgan Motor Company is organising a series of centenary celebrations in England in July and August and van Wyk expected a contingent of Australian owners to attend with their cars. 

Despite reigning champion Troy Bayliss retiring last year, there are four fellow Aussies in the 1000cc Superbike class and five in the 600cc Supersport catgeory. Among them are two-time Superbike champ Troy Corser of Wollongong who finished second last year and two-time Supersport champion Andrew Pitt of the Gold Coast who returns to defend his 2008 title. Corser will be championing BMW's debut to World Superbikes. He will be joined in the category by Gold Coaster and 2004 Supersport champion Karl Muggeridge on a Suzuki, Broc Parkes of Newcastle on a Kawasaki and Brendan Roberts of Adelaide on a Ducati. Pitt will ride a Honda along with former GP racer Anthony West of the Gold Coast, Russell Holland of Goulburn and Mark Aitchison of Newcastle. Former GP race winner Garry McCoy of the Sunshine Coast will ride for Triumph. The 15-round season features a healthy 32 Superbike entrants from 10 countries, with a record seven different manufacturers in Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. There are 30 entries in the Supersport category with Italy (6 riders) and Australia (5) making up more than a third of the grid.

However, for a while there, Jag devotees, like most luxury car buyers, would have shuddered when the Federal Government announced in its Budget that it would increase the luxury car tax from 25 per cent to 33 per cent.Then the Greens came to the rescue winning an exemption for fuel-efficient cars that consume no more than seven litres of fuel per 100km. These "green" cars will not attract any luxury tax until a new higher threshold of $75,000.Among the 25 luxury models that win the tax break is the Jaguar X-Type diesel luxury model which was above the previous luxury tax threshold of $57,123. (The X-Type 2.2D LE costs $55,490 and never qualified for the tax.) Jaguar just sneaks in under the fuel economy qualification with a claimed combined consumption figure of 6.9 litres per 100km.Hard to believe for a one-and-a-half-tonne car but they proved accurate during a recent two-week test of the X-Type diesel which included a couple of leisurely trips to the coast.And to make the Greens even happier with their forced amendment to the luxury tax, the Jag's engine is fitted with a particulate filter to lower emissions to 184g/km which is only slightly worse than a Toyota Corolla.But as much as the Jaguar X-Type is a modern green vehicle, it is also a styling anachronism, reminding us of 1950s British cops and robbers shows.Some might like that, but it looks tired against the rest of the modern Jaguar fleet, including the brilliant XF which came second in the 2008 Carsguide Car of the Year voting.It is also rumoured to face the axe from the line-up now that Jaguar has been taken over by Indian car company Tata.The X-Type is based on the previous-generation Ford Mondeo, not the current well-sorted vehicle and now that it is no longer part of Ford, it is unlikely to get the benefit of the new Mondeo mechanicals, if it survives at all.The smallest and cheapest model in the iconic British range feels and drives like a bigger car, but when you get five adults inside, it certainly feels squeezy.It also handles like a heavy car with a ponderous turn-in and copious understeer. The springy centre to the steering doesn't help.Twisty mountain ranges are not its forte, but at highway speed, it is stable and quiet.The cockpit feels a bit claustrophobic thanks to the traditionally high Jag dashboard, while the rear passengers will also feel a bit cramped for room, especially with a long-legged driver and front passenger.There are also no airconditioning vents in the back.The problem is that the traditional Jag styling with its long bonnet and boot minimises cabin space. However, the pay-off is an enormous cargo area.The Sport model is well-appointed with a quality touch-screen sat nav, new trim combinations, more supportive seats, new door trims, metallic trim highlights, Bluetooth compatibility, electronic everything and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, but no trip computer.Instrumentation is a strange mixture of old and new, while all the controls have a quality feel and are intuitive. Unfortunately some of the leather trim was not up to Jag's usual high standard.Outside, the X-Type now comes with new rear view mirrors with in-built indicators, mesh grille with deeper air intakes, new front and rear bumpers, smaller parking sensors and 17-inch Barbados alloys or 18-inch Abaco alloys on the Sport.The diesel engine develops 107kW at 3500rpm and 366Nm from a low 1800rpm, giving the car a 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.9 seconds.Like most turbo diesels, it feels a little ponderous off the line, then suddenly hits its maximum torque and squirts.In drive mode, the six-speed sequential automatic transmission shifts smoothly and swiftly into higher gears to improve fuel economy.However, I found that on rolling terrain it often got caught out when the car started to run up a hill. Here the transmission groaned and thought long and hard before shifting down.In sport or sequential mode, there were no such problems.If the styling suits, Jag fans will find this quite an attractive luxury package without the luxury price tag. SnapshotJaguar X-Type 2.2D SportPRICE: $59,935ENGINE: 4-cylinder 2.2 litre diesel with particulate filterPOWER: 107kW @ 3500rpmTORQUE: 366Nm @ 1800rpmTRANSMISSION: 6-speed sequential automaticACCELERATION: 0-100km/h in 9.9 secsECONOMY (l/100km): 9.5 (urban), 5.4 (highway), 6.9 (combined)CO2 EMISSIONS: 184g/km

The latest addition to the growing memorabilia surrounding the legendary racer is a working replica of his 1971 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 known as "The Beast".It has been lovingly brought to life as a tribute car by motoring enthusiasts Dale Booth and John Oost and commissioned by Peter Champion for his Champions Brock Experience museum near Yeppoon.Booth is confident the car is a 90 per cent faithful replica right down to the same wiper blades, steering wheel, seat, headrest and a V8 engine mounted in the middle of the car right next to the driver."It gets pretty hot and noisy in there," Booth said. "I drive it with a rag tied around my leg to protect it from the heat."The original Formula 5000 engine had so much torque it twisted the chassis making the doors difficult to open and close."It's the worst driving position ever; I don't know how Brock managed to drive around Bathurst with that thing next to him."Fans of the late Brock can get a close look at the Beast at 12.30pm on Saturday at Queensland Raceway when it is presented for a close inspection by Harry Firth who gave Brock his break in racing.Booth said he believed the original XU-1 no longer existed, so he sourced most of the artwork and technical details from photos, Ebay and talking with people involved in Brock's racing career."I even did all the signage with a brush not stickers like they do today," he said."We're still looking for a Speco wooden gearshift knob and a few other bits."I suppose Harry will tell us how close we are."Booth would not reveal how much the car cost to build, but said replica wheels specially made from the original moulds cost $2600.He said he had always been a Brock fan with a house and garage devoted to Brock memorabilia.Booth's next replica project is the restoration of a 1979 A9X Torana like the one in which Brock won Bathurst and set a circuit record on the final lap, despite leading by six laps.Visit: championsbrockexperience.com.au 

That's what I thought when I hopped in the beige Hyundai Sonata diesel.Nothing flamboyant, inspiring or exciting, just a conventional-shaped, four-door, mid-sized family vehicle that doesn't stand out from the crowd.You could easily mistake it for a Camry or many other mid-sized cars, even though the updated Sonata has a new face, revised lamp clusters, new alloys and more chrome.On close inspection, the build quality is perfect with close panel gaps and neat shut lines. The interior is also faultlessly constructed.Sit in the driver's seat and all the controls feel exactly where they should be. You could be sitting in any of a hundred other vehicles.It takes a nanosecond to work out how to operate the airconditioning, sound system, wipers, etc.Goldilocks would love the controls. They don't feel too stiff, nor too light. They feel just right.But turn the key in the ignition and the two-litre turbo-diesel engine clatters loudly. It's out of character for such an unassuming beige-coloured vehicle.While the diesel engine is on the noisy side at idle, it is soft-spoken once you get going. In fact, it is one of the quietest mid-sized sedans on the market.Out on the highway, the road, wind and engine noise are as low as in cars 10 times more expensive.I drove the four-seed automatic and six-speed manual SLX versions over a week.The manual was brilliant. A lovely slick-shifting box that felt light, but not flimsy, with a clutch feel to match.The auto was found wanting. It hunted around and flared, and there was a significant pause when you planted your foot. Yet you pay an extra $2000 for the auto privilege.Shame it doesn't come with the five-speed auto in the petrol model, but it is apparently unsuitable for the extra torque stresses of the diesel engine.I didn't have enough time nor distance to perform rigorous fuel economy comparisons, however the figures quoted by the factory (6L/100km for the manual and 7L/100km for the auto) seem a bit on the conservative side, especially for the manual.Certainly, if you are doing a lot of highway driving fuel consumption will be well below the quoted figures with the engine ticking over at 1800rpm in sixth at 100km/h.But you would have to do a lot of kilometres before the better economy of the more-expensive diesel fuel negated the extra $2500 list price for the car.The diesel engine has strong torque through the driving range for swift and confident overtaking, but lacks top-end zest.The brakes are strong, but the pedal is too squishy for my liking.Steering feels too light for Goldilocks' and our taste, while handling is fairly neutral unless pushed really hard into understeer.Interior comfort is ample for five big adults with plenty of legroom in the back, seats a little on the soft side and enough headroom for an airy cabin feel.The boot is flat-floored and spacious with a full-size spare under the carpeted floor.Like half the Hyundai fleet, it comes with full iPod and MP3 capability with a handy USB and auxiliary plug in the centre console.Even some luxury cars don't have this level of iPod compatibility.It's not only a luxury, but also a safety device as all controls can be operated off the steering wheel. No need to dangerously play around with your iPod.Yes, Goldilocks and the beige-suited man would be very happy in a Sonata diesel.Hyundai Sonata SLX dieselEngine: 2.0-litre i4 turbo-dieselPower: 110kW @ 3800rpmTorque: 305Nm @ 1800-2500rpmTransmission: 6-speed man, 4-speed auto (+ $2000)Economy: 6L/100km (manual), 7L/100km (auto) 

These were essential items for any motoring venture in his first car, a 1957 Morris Major Elite with the only modification being a Capilano honey cap replacing the fuel cap which had a habit of falling off.Since then there have been many more cars, even more motorcycles, far too many crashes and a couple of classic races in Mark's 30-odd year motoring and journalist careers.

While the two-time world and American supercross champion is in Brisbane next week for the seventh round of the Australian SuperX series he will take the opportunity to test a Toyota rally car.

The boom has been tipped after recent amendments to the luxury car tax and the introduction of new diesel fuels.The luxury car tax now has a fuel efficient car limit for cars that consume no more than seven litres of fuel per 100km. These green cars would not attract any luxury tax until a new higher threshold of $75,000.For example, the BMW X3 2.0d has dropped from $63,225 to $61,830, as it no longer attracts the luxury car tax.It is expected that the new tax threshold will encourage premium manufacturers, including Mercedes Benz and Audi, to rollout more newdiesel models, especially SUVs.Diesel vehicle sales in Australia have increased by 34 per cent since 2003.Private diesel passenger sales this year have risen 28.4 per cent to 16,376, while non-private passenger diesels are up 86.8 per cent to 12,250.SUV private diesel sales are up 24 per cent to 19,670 and non-private up 40 per cent to 24,780.Sales might have been even higher except that many of the modern frugal diesel engines are not suitable in Australia because our diesel fuel's sulphur content, until recently, could be up to an unacceptable 500 parts per million.By next year it has to be no more than 10parts per million, which is the standard to which BP Ultimate is produced.Oil companies are now starting to supply diesel fuel with the lower sulphur content and claimed improvements in performance and economy. Shell is already selling diesel restricted to less than 10 parts per million of sulphur and other suppliers will have to conform to that standard next year.BP Australia is also releasing BP Ultimate diesel after a successful trial of the fuel in Perth.The new diesel contains anti-foaming agents to stop frothing and smells when filling up. It also has less sulphur, allowing us to use the latest generation of European diesel engines.The BP Ultimate fuel was independently tested, with results showing better economy and fewer pollutants when compared with ordinary BP diesel. It was shown that with ongoing use, Ultimate diesel increased the power output of a passenger car by up to 8.3 per cent (average 2.8 per cent) compared with ordinary diesel.BMW Group Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says tax changes and the lower sulphur content will mean continued high sales of diesels and more diesel models being offered.He says they are now seriously considering bringing in the six-cylinder BMW 330d, with 180kW of power and 520Nm of torque, yet consuming only 6.8L/100km.So far this year 4055 BMW customers opted for a diesel, representing a 65 per cent increase over the same period last year. The proportion of diesel buyers has also grown from 19.6 per cent to 30.6 per cent of all BMW sales.BMW offers nine diesel models in Australia: 1 Series Hatch; 3 Series Sedan; 5 Series Sedan; X3 Sports Activity Vehicle; X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe.Mercedes-Benz Australia president and CEO, Wolfgang Schrempp, says he expects the upward trend for diesel car sales to grow.Currently about 23 per cent of all Mercedes-Benz cars sold here are diesel and the figure is even greater for the Mercedes-Benz M-class off-roader. “The interest in diesel is not diminishing,” he says.“It's a question of the torque available in these cars. It's changing perceptions.”And Audi Australia have already said they will try to turn a provision in the increased luxury car tax to their advantage when they revamp their A6sedan and wagon range next year. Audi Australia managing director Joerg Hoffmann says they can use the “green” provision in the luxury car tax by having smaller diesel engines than offered in theA6 range: the 2.0 TDI and 2.7 TDI V6.Efficient cars, such as the A4 and A5, with the 3.0 TDI V6, are liable for the LCT only on the cost of the vehicle above $75,000.Volvo has announced that diesel fuel will continue to power its cars into the next decade despite it also having plans for more efficient petrol engines and even hybrids. 

Traditionally known as the smash-up derby of the V8 Supercar series, the Surfers Paradise round will also be one of the closest fought in years. Three drivers are locked in a points battle at the top of the championship with only three rounds still to go. More news from the Gold Coast Indy 2008 Gold Coast Indy event timetable 2008 Driver profiles for IndyCar and V8 Supercars A win at Bathurst two weeks ago leapfrogged likable Jamie Whincup from third to the top of the table, only 33 points ahead of fellow Falcon driver Mark Winterbottom and 82 points in front of lanky West Australian Garth Tander, the titleholder. So with 300 points on offer this weekend and a championship lead at stake, the battle is bound to be fierce. Tander, who holds the qualifying and race lap records and has won twice at the circuit including last year, must be considered the favourite again. “Indy's been good to us in the past, but I don't think anyone has any advantage there,” he said. Tander qualified on pole at Bathurst, then stalled on the starting line in the race. He said the clutch failure had been fixed and put the incident behind him. “Now it's gloves off for the rest of the year,” he said. “There's only three of us in it for the championship and with four rounds to go it will be a battle all the way to the end.” Last year Jamie Whincup was on fire, running second to Tander in the first two races and leading the last race until he locked up at the end of the main straight. He went back to 21st and fought back to sixth in 13 laps, sometimes overtaking two cars in one corner. His luck ran out when he was turned around going into the corner on to the back straight. Winterbottom, who finished fourth at Bathurst, retains second spot on the ladder. He said Indy would be different because it was a different kind of circuit. “Bathurst is fast flowing and you need good aero and stability, whereas Indy is brake hard and get on the gas hard like Winton,” he said. “We're pretty confident because of our Winton results and how we went at Indy last year.” The driver they call Frosty scored pole position, but became tangled up in the field. “Qualify on the front is the key and keeping it off the walls as well,” he said. “Pole will guarantee a good result, but getting pole can be difficult. “You have to sacrifice a bit of your car and you come back in with scratch marks down the side where you have scraped the walls trying to get as much out of the track as possible.” Indy is one of those tracks where drivers tend to finish where they qualify. Over the past few years the Holdens have been good at qualifying due to a generally stiffer set-up than the Fords. The tight 4.47km street circuit is also bound to resemble a battleground with no room for error as the cars careen around the circuit at up to 260km/h. A Falcon has not won at Surfers Paradise since Craig Lowndes in 2005, although Whincup went close last year before losing control in the final laps. In February, the V8 Supercar Championship Series was signed on to return to the Gold Coast Indy 300 for the next six years. V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane said the Gold Coast had become the home of V8 Supercars with the head office and many teams located nearby.   AN Indy “hot lap” with Jamie Whincup FIRST CHICANE: We're doing 260km/h in 6th gear when we get hard on the brakes and drop back to 90km/h in 2nd gear. Then accelerate hard and clip the tyres left and right. We go quickly into third and touch the rev limit at 150km/h. SECOND CHICANE: Back to 2nd at 90km/h and again we clip the tyres on the inside. In qualifying you completely hit the tyres on the left to get as quick a run as possible. TURN 3 (ANA Hotel): We hit 230km/h in 5th and then brake hard and down to 2nd and 70km/h. This part has been resurfaced and is much much smoother. There is a huge crowning in the centre of the road, so you don't turn in too early. You turn in from about the middle of the track. On the way through you take as much kerb as you can. TURN 4 (main gate, beach): Hold 2nd, hit the rev limiter and brake again down to 1st gear and 65km/h. Use as much kerb as you can and it's all about getting power down for the long run to the 2nd longest straight. An extra km/h will be carried all the way down. We hit 6th gear at 245km/h on this straight. TURN 5 (Esses): There is a long heavy brake for the esses and the brakes get really hot now. Another crown on the road, so you have to watch not to turn in too late. You have to be really close to the wall but not touch the wall on the left. A lot of cars have ripped front wheels off here. You then flick it right and use all the kerb on the inside and go closer to the wall on the exit. TURN 6: Just a slight kink. TURN 7 (chicane on beach straight): The flip flop is tricky but there are only three steering movements. At 230km/h in 5th you brake really hard back to 3rd. It's vital that you position the car well to straight line the first part. You use all the kerb near the tyres on both sides and get back on the gas early. TURN 8 (end of back straight): The brakes are now red hot and haven't recovered and you often get brake fade here. You shave the wall on the left and run it right out to the other wall. A lot hit the wall and break Watts linkages. There is a groove on the inside and you turn in early and hook the car into it in 2nd gear at 80km/h. On the exit it gets really light. TURN 9 (90 degree left-hander): You're on the rev limit in 2nd and brake hard over the bumps. They have resurfaced this part this year so it could be better. You sacrifice a bit of track on the exit because you need to get positioned for the right-hander. TURN 10 (90 degree right-hander): Use all the kerb on the inside plus a little bit of grass in 2nd gear. It's quite slippery here because it is in the shade and its cooler. Then it's quickly into 3rd gear. TURN 11 and 12 (Hairpin): There is awkward braking for this slow corner. You have to turn it to the right before the left-hand hairpin where you go under 60km/h in 2nd gear. MAIN STRAIGHT: Time to relax a bit and check the brake bias, roll bars, lap time and talk to the pits.   Gold Coast V8 stats Winners *1994: John Bowe *1996: John Bowe *1997: Greg Murphy *1998: Mark Larkham *1999: Paul Radisich *2000: Paul Radisich *2001: Garth Tander 2002: Jason Bargwanna 2003: Russell Ingall 2004: Greg Murphy 2005: Craig Lowndes 2006: Todd Kelly 2007: Garth Tander * non-championship round Fastest times Qualifying lap: Garth Tander - 1min48.6322s (2007) Race lap: Garth Tander - 1min49.8352s (2007)  

And BMW promises just that with its G 450 X, its first foray into the competitive enduro and trail bike market. Surprisingly, the bike matches the hype. Not only is this a traction action machine, but it is also reasonably priced ($12,450), has good service intervals, competitive weight (111kg dry) and power (38kW), fuel injection, easy maintenance, long sprocket life and advanced technology. BMW Motorrad Australia sales manager Miles Davis believes it could become their top seller. But convincing the average trail rider to switch brand allegiances — from reliable Japanese performers to something European and untested they fear might leave them stranded in the bush or spending hours in maintenance — will be a hard sell for BMW. The cheapest equivalent Japanese enduro is Kawasaki's KLX450R at $11,990, followed by the Honda CRF450X at $12,290 then the top-selling Yamaha WR450F at $12,499. “For $12,450 you also get fuel injection, Ohlins shock, a thermo fan and a two-year warranty,” Davis says of the BMW. It was launched recently in wet conditions in the hilly Toolangi National Park in Victoria and Davis promises before the ride that the damp conditions “will highlight this bike's traction”. Very soon he is proved correct as the bikes launch up greasy clay hills time and time again without fail, even for “gumby” riders like me. Traction is so good it takes a bit of time to get used to the fact that the tail won't slide out in corners as readily as you might expect. It is a simple bike to ride well. Ergonomics are good with a narrow seat that allows you to pull all the way forward as the fuel cap is at the back, feeding into the underseat tank. That eight-litre tank helps drop the centre of gravity so that the 121kg wet eight feels more like a 250. And after a full day of romping through bogs and marshes on any other 450, we would have been totally exhausted. We weren't. But the big news is that the much-talked-about coaxial swingarm pivot actually works. By bringing the front sprocket and swingarm pivot to the same point, it avoids chain slap, which provides better traction by reducing the torque effect and also gives better chain life. And as the chain isn't flapping around on the rear sprocket, it also reduces sprocket wear. BMW also claims that even though the front sprocket is more difficult to replace, it has twice the life. Another major selling point is the fuel injection, although the Japanese will join in after they have proven the technology on the motocross track. Fuel injection means better economy (79.6km at 5.7 litres), low emissions, first-time electric starts (and no need for a kick start), choke, and no hot-start button. No carby flat spots here, just lashings of power from low down right through to red line. The only problem I found was that it didn't like being started in gear, but neutral was very easy to find in the positive five-speed gearbox. It comes standard with 30kW of power, but a very simple “power-up” plug adds 8kW.   Snapshot BMW G 450 X Sport Enduro Price: $12,450 Engine: single-cylinder 449cc, 4-stroke 30kW/43Nm Economy: 4.5L/100km (on launch)