Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

The sleek and modern urban-designed but off-road-capable Koleos, will arrive in Australia in September in three trim levels in four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive with diesel and petrol engine choices.Prices will start at $30,000 and range up to the low $40,000s, according to Renault Australia senior communications manager Craig Smith.“We plan to sell 100 to 150 a month, making it our biggest-selling model in the range,” he said. The current top-selling Renault in Australia is the Megane sedan, which sells some 70 to 80 a month.“We now have 25 per cent of the market segments covered, but Koleos will lift that to about 40 per cent.”Koleos is built on the Nissan X-Trail platform with the same running gear.In a multi-national focus, the Koleos is the first product of the alliance between the Japanese and French car companies and will be built in Korea by Renault Samsung Motors.At launch, the Koleos, which means butterfly, will be available in 4x4 and 4x2 petrol models and 4x4 in diesel, with a 4x2 diesel to come later.Smith said there would be no issues with supply, but if customers ordered a model not in stock it would take about 10 to 12 weeks to arrive from Korea.He said the vehicles would be well-equipped, including standard curtain airbags and stability control.“We expect younger buyers to be attracted by the urban-centric vehicle with weekday practicalities, weekend leisure capabilities and a quiet cabin,” Smith said.The Koleos comes with 112kW and 131kW versions of the two-litre diesel engine or a 2.5-litre 127kW petrol engine, both with six-speed auto or manual transmissions.While specific features have yet to be confirmed for Australia, Smith said Bluetooth and satellite navigation would not be available.It also comes with a horizontally split rear tailgate, automatically folding rear seats, a host of stowage areas and will be the first Renault in Australia with a three-year 150,000km warranty.The Koleos is part of a Renault product assault this year which continues next month with the Laguna diesel hatch in six-speed manual and auto, the Clio RenaultSport in July, the Laguna estate in September, followed by a two-litre turbo hatch and the Sport Megane DCI in October. 

Malaysian car manufacturer Proton has pitched its new Persona at the budget end of the small-car market. At $16,990 for the four-door, five-speed manual Persona sedan, it is the cheapest in the segment, based on the superseded Gen.2 platform but slightly larger.A Persona hatch will arrive later this year, but the five-seater sedan arrives in one specification level for now.A second model is coming mid-2009, thought to be bringing with it stability control and additional airbags above the sedan's two front airbags.A four-speed auto adds $2000 and an after-market cruise control is coming and will cost $700 plus fitting.Proton has packed the car with a healthy list of creature features, including power windows and mirrors, 15in alloys, trip computer, Blaupunkt audio with controls on the steering wheel, reverse sensors and fog lamps. Under the bonnet is Proton's 1.6-litre four-cylinder CamPro petrol engine with claimed fuel economy of 6.6 litres/100km for the manual and 6.7 litres/100km for the auto, with emission figures of 157g/km (manual) and 160g/km (auto). But the engine is no dynamo, with 82kW of power and just 148Nm of torque available only at high revs.Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari says the company is targeting young families, first-car buyers and retirees: “People who are looking more to running costs than power,” he says. “We believe we have the right compromise between power and fuel economy.”Mr Startari says Australia has been allocated only 600 Personas this year because of unexpected demand in Malaysia and limited production. Cynics rightly suggested that the Proton Persona launch drive from the top of Mt Hotham down to Melbourne might mask the engine's lack of power.Peak power is 82kW, which is respectable in this class and by no means the weakest, but it's at 6000rpm with the rev limit only a few cycles above. More importantly, peak torque of 148Nm only comes on at 4000rpm.In the real world where you will have to work the gearbox for even meagre results, the economy will blow out. On the launch drive, my Persona used fuel at a rate of 9.3 litres/100km.While the engine requires revs, it doesn't feel coarse when the tacho needle heads for the red line. The chassis, suspension and steering are capable of handling much more grunt.There is little body roll or pitch and the ride is compliant.There is a substantial amount of wind noise in the cabin, especially around the wing mirrors.The cabin is generally stylish and modern, and the interior fit and quality are good.

Year after year the Japanese manufacturers release litre sportsbikes with incremental improvements: millimetres here, grams shaved there, power up a miniscule amount.And we are expected to rush out and buy the new model based on those minor improvements and subtle graphics changes.In the 16th year of the Fireblade, Honda has made vast improvements.Honda Australia motorcycles national service manager Greg Granger said: “Everything has been changed. There is very little from the previous model used.”The changes are not incremental. For example, you wouldn't call an 11kg drop in weight to 167kg incremental.Despite the new Blade being a quantum leap forward, the price has been increased only $700 to $17,990, which is $500 under Suzuki and undercuts Yamaha and Kawasaki by $1000.On the road and on the famous Phillip Island racetrack where the '08 Blade was launched last week, the upgrade translates to an even more user-friendly sportsbike than before. And that's saying something for the Japanese sportsbike that is universally recognised as the most rider-friendly.First up are the radical styling modifications which look better in real life than the photos.The nose is now blunt with headlights resembling a BMW car's eyes.The frame has been shortened 50mm with an 11mm longer swingarm, pushing the rider further forward, resulting in better high-speed stability and a reduced tendency to wheelie off the line.The steering damper is now hidden under the tank.Mirrors now include neat integrated blinkers like on a car with small, white LED daytime running lights in the top corner; an important safety device.Now that it comes with a shorty side exhaust, gone is the fat boat-like tail.Tank and front fairing are also much narrower with a more sculpted seat that makes it easier to put your feet and knee down, even thought seat height is 10mm higher.The plastic tank now features a metal Honda emblem like Yamaha, not a cheap looking sticker. The yellow model also has a raised CBR badge on the fairing while the red retains the sticker.The engine has been slimmed down, lightened by 2.5kg and given more low and middle torque, plus an extra 6kW at the top end.On the road, the Blade retains its usual manners with the high-speed damping taking the sting out of sharp bumps.The riding position also lends itself to longer spurts than a couple of laps of a race track.Speaking of which, this is where the Blade excels; here at “The Island” where it was first launched to the world in 1992.The new slipper clutch is infallible. The only wiggle into a corner I experienced was when I accidentally dabbed the rear brake going into the downhill MG right hander.Just bang it down several gears, stay off the rear brake, and it behaves itself beautifully.At high speed the smaller screen gives less protection. But with high-speed stability markedly improved, even in sweepers such as turns 11 and 12, I was able to get on the gas earlier, getting a nice head start to the main straight and realizing higher top speeds than I have ever reached before.And after all, isn't that the ultimate value for judging a sportsbike?  SnapshotHonda Fireblade Price: $17,990Engine: 999.8cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinderPower: 130kW @ 12,000rpmTorque: 113Nm @ 8500rpmFuel: 17.7 litres (3.5L reserve)Transmission: 6-speed 

The 2008 Honda Goldwing comes, for the first time, in two trim levels with the red luxury model not only including the first motorcycle airbag in our market but also creature features such as integrated satellite navigation, 80-watt sound system with iPod auxiliary plug in, fog lights and pannier liners. The one-spec 2007 Goldwing cost $39,990, while the new luxury costs $40,990 and the standard model comes in at $34,990; the cheapest Goldwing yet in real terms. At the first Australian media launch of a new Goldwing in the model's 33 years, Honda Australia motorcycles marketing services manager Rhys Griffiths said the keen pricing was the result of favourable exchange rates. But the silver-coloured standard model is no stripper with features such as heated grips and seat, self-cancelling indicators, engine and panniers guards, and a 30-watt sound system with iPod connector. The luxury models airbag module is mounted between the rider and tank and is tethered to the frame. National service manager Greg Snart said there were four sensors in the front forks to detect a frontal or offset frontal collision. They are located behind the forks so that they don't trigger if accidentally hit by a bird, stone or other obstacle and there are four in case one or more fails to operate. The delay between sensing a collision and inflating the airbag with nitrogen is 0.06 seconds and the bag deflates again in 0.7 seconds. Snart said Honda had built a special facility in Japan to rigorously test the airbag before market release and he had not heard of any airbags accidentally inflating. If they did accidentally detonate, he said the bag would obscure the riders view for less than a second. Cost of a replacement airbag is $800, but it is not available as an aftermarket fitment on the standard model. Griffiths said he expected 70 per cent of Goldwing sales to be the luxury model. “Goldwing buyers are cashed-up baby boomers,” he said. “They aren't worried about the price. They just come in and pay cash or write a cheque. They rarely buy on finance,” he said. However, he expects the standard model will bring in new and younger buyers. On the road The launch ride last week took us through the scenic sweepers along the southern coast of Victoria and up through the Gippsland region. Nothing too challenging for the behemoth of motorcycling, but a few tight corners did have footpegs and bellypans making ugly scratching noises along the tar. Before setting off, the rider can adjust the suspension for pillions and cargo at the touch of a button which controls electric motors that vary the springs and shock. There are 25 levels of adjustment and two memory settings. Surprisingly, for its weight and size, the Wing feels light to flick around. Needless to say, the riding position is comfortable and the bar and seat warmers with four levels of heat adjustment are a welcome comfort when riding in southern Victoria at this time of year. The pillion seat also includes a heating element in the back. For summer, there are air vents in the fairing and windscreen and at less than 25km/h fans blow hot air from the engine away from the rider. That big flat six delivers enough grunt down low to lift the front wheel and it is almost flying before it starts to run out of puff. However, fifth is an overdrive and you will need to drop back to fourth for highway overtaking. Around town, it will happily amble along in fourth gear and accelerate willingly from low revs. The linked brakes with anti-dive forks and ABS are strong and reassuring. There are many handy creature features on the Wing such as a remote key for the luggage system, so it seems strange that the adjustable windscreen is manual, not electric as it is in the US. Snart says it would make the bike heavier and more expensive. “We asked customers (about the windscreen) and most people say they leave it in the one position anyway,” he said. And although Wings are often seen towing trailers, Honda doesn't recommend the practice.   Snapshot Honda Goldwing Price: $34,990 (base), $40,990 (luxury) Engine: direct-injection, liquid-cooled, 12-valve 1832cc flat six Power: 87kW @ 5500rpm Torque: 167Nm @ 4000rpm Economy: 7.1L/100km Transmission: 5-speed including overdrive and electric reverse, shaft drive  

Cyclists would be safer if they rode 50cc mopeds, according to an organiser of a petition against Queensland Government changes to rider licensing laws.

The American badge’s latest offering — the ZR1 — has power to burn.

Owners of the new Saab Turbo X will get a personalised greeting when they switch on the ignition.A “Ready For Take-off” message flashes in the main instrument display with the owner's name and car edition number.The mean-looking Turbo X will be launched next month in all-wheel-drive, rekindling the spirit of the 1980s Saab 900 Black Turbo.Only 30 Turbo X vehicles will be released in Australia and New Zealand, with 25 Sport Sedans at $88,800 (manual) and $91,300 (auto) and five SportCombi models at $91,300 (manual) and $92,800 (auto) arriving before September.GM Premium Brands communications manager Emily Perry said they had three confirmed orders for the Turbo X.Perry said the Turbo X AWD technology would become available in an all-wheel-drive version of the Aero late in the year.“That is, by Christmas you'll be able to choose the current 188kW FWD Aero or the 206kW XWD Aero,” she said.However, Turbo X will include unique features that won't be available on the standard XWD Aero such as the electronic limited slip differential but it will be an option.The Turbo X is powered by the 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine and features Saab's Cross-Wheel-Drive technology, which allows torque to be split to either side of the rear axle by way of an electronically limited-slip differential, based on information from the stability-control and traction-control systems.To optimise traction at take-off, Saab XWD incorporates a pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels, eliminating the need to detect front-wheel slip before rear drive is activated.It also features an active rear limited-slip differential; which can transfer up to 50 per cent of maximum rear torque between the rear wheels to which ever has more grip.Turbo X also has retuned suspension, an electronic chassis, special throttle and powertrain settings and special styling.All cars will be black, with the front grille and all exterior detailing accented in a matte-grey titanium-like finish.Up front is a deeper lip spoiler and integrated air intake and, at the rear, the reprofiled bumper and insert panel lowers the point of air-flow separation to reduce drag and assist the vehicle's high-speed stability.The Sport Sedan features a rear spoiler that extends the line of the trunk deck, reducing high-speed lift forces at the rear axle, and the SportCombi has a similar spoiler that extends the rear roofline.They sit on 18-inch, three-spoke titanium-like alloys (19-inch available as a factory option at $2250) and feature twin, rhomboid-shaped tailpipes.The black theme is continued in the cabin with black leather upholstery (premium upholstery costs an extra $4000), and carbon-fibre fascia, door inserts, glove box and gear shift console.The Turbo X boost gauge is a replica of the original 900 Turbo display.  SnapshotAudi A5 3.2 FSIPrice: $91,900Engine: aluminium, 3197cc, 24-valve, direct injection, DOHC V6Power: 195kW @ 6500rpmTorque: 330Nm @ 3000-5000rpmTransmission: 8-speed continuously variable multitronic transmission with DRP sport program, front-wheel drive with electronic stabilisationSuspension: 5-link (front), independent-wheel, trapezoidal-link (rear)Brakes: dual-circuit brake system, ABS, EBD, ESP, brake assist, tandem brake boosterWheels: 7.5J x 17 cast alloysAcceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.6 secsFuel: 95 RON, 65L tankEconomy: 8.7L/100kmCarbon emissions: 207g/kmOptions: metallic paint $1600, 18-inch wheels $1350, sports seats $800, memory seats $1300 and B&O sound system $1550 

The final production model will be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, two years after the concept car was first presented and will go on sale in 2010.

Audi and Mercedes-Benz have scored major “product placement” deals to get their cars into the spotlight of Iron Man which opened on Thursday and Sex and the City which begins screening next month.While most product placement is paid, Mercedes claims it did not pay to have its cars featured in Sex and the City, nor has Mercedes ever paid for film placement.In fact, the German manufacturer is known for trying to have its cars kept out of some films where they are featured crashing, being used in nefarious acts or associated with gangster gangs.While their S Class saloon is an apt placement in the fashion-conscious New York movie, their new GLK, a brutish-looking SUV, is out of place and took some convincing for the director to include it.The SUV had not been released when filming began and a heavy security cordon was thrown around the vehicle during shooting to thwart spy shots appearing in motoring magazines.The car star of Iron Man is Audi's new R8 supercar, driven by lead actor Robert Downey Jr.The American actor this week arrived at the Australian premiere in a silver R8.Supporting roles in the film are played by the S5 sports sedan driven by American secret service agents and a Q7 SUV, which is literally held up by Iron Man, who saves the family inside from the enemy.Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf could not confirm whether any payment was made for the placement. 

The Colorado light commercial range will be launched with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, 4x4 or 4x2 models, and numerous body styles such as single cab, space cab and crew cab.The Rodeo name has been dropped because it belongs to Isuzu with which Holden no longer has any ties.Isuzu is taking the name back and releasing a Rodeo in Australia under its global name of D-Max.Meanwhile, Holden has released 60th Anniversary Special Editions of the run-out Rodeo LT and LX 4x4s with $3000 worth of extras and price reductions up to $8000.LX 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up, LX V6, petrol and TD (auto and manual) get a chrome sports bar, side steps, towbar package, Bluetooth connectivity for compatible mobile phones and special 60th anniversary badge.The LT 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up, LT V6 petrol and TD (auto and manual) get chrome sports bar, side steps, rear park sensors, Bluetooth connectivity for compatible mobile phones and badging.The 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up LX V6 petrol manual now costs $32,990 compared with its previous price of $39,690, while the diesel is $33,990 down from $41,990.The 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up LT V6 petrol manual is $39,490 down from $43,990 and the diesel is down from $46,990 to $41,490.Add $2000 for auto and $1000 for ABS.Holden has also unveiled its VE Ute 60th Anniversary Special Edition at the recent National 4x4 Show in Brisbane.It arrives this month with more than $2000 worth of extras above the standard SV6 ute, including leather-faced seats, alloy foot pedals, Onyx leather seat trim, Bluetooth, sports steering wheel, six-disc MP3/CD player, anniversary floor mats and badge.Prices are $36,990 for the manual and $37,990 for the auto, which is $1000 above the SV6 ute.