Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

After talking with leading British executives of the car company, it's still a 50-50 proposition.It is confirmed that Jaguar design chief Ian Callum has produced a highly secret design for a small Jag.However, Jaguar director of programs Mick Mohan believes there is no room in Jaguar for another model.“Jaguar is a three-model brand; that's about all it can stand,” he said.With the launch of the XF, Jaguar now has four models but Mohan believes the X-Type will be phased out about 2010. “There will be no small car. It's a very competitive segment,” he said.“We can't compete in every part of the luxury sector. We need to pick our spots of where we are to compete.”However, that is not necessarily the opinion of Jaguar chief financial officer David Smith, who flew into Melbourne this week for the funeral of UK Jaguar Land Rover chief Geoff Polites.He believes the sale of Jaguar Land Rover to Indian company Tata could open a lot of options and believes a BMW 1 Series-sized Jag has some merit.“The Jaguar design team has a lot of ideas,” he said. “I think that is one of a number of interesting options.”He also thinks there is room for an F-Type — a modern interpretation of the iconic E Type sports car.“But no decision has been made yet,” he said.Here there is some agreement with Mohan declaring that Jaguar needs to “get some sporty character back into our products."He suggested Jaguar could go the way of outgoing owner Ford by moving into smaller capacity turbo engines.“We will work very closely still with Ford, so we will keep a close eye on what they will do.”However, don't bet on the X-Type being phased out, either.Smith says there has been no decision made yet. 

Volkswagen has unveiled a concept remote-control system that parks the car after the driver and passengers have hopped out.The Park Assist Vision concept was launched at the Hanover Fair this week in a VW Passat.How to get the car out of the tight space has not yet been resolved.Toyota and Lexus have led the way in bringing self-parking cars to the market. However, these are designed to be used in street-side parallel parks and require the driver to remain in the car and apply the brake to control the speed of the procedure, but not steer.The VW system works in perpendicular car park situations, using cameras, ultrasound sensors and satellite navigation, with no driver input.The driver only has to press the button on a remote control. Once the vehicle has automatically parked, it shuts off the engine, winds up the windows and locks the doors.This new driver assistance system is still in the trial phase of development, and a date has not yet been set for introduction of the system to series production.The only models available in Australia with self-parking functions are the Lexus 460 and the hybrid LS600h, costing $134,900 and $186,200, respectively.These technologies are expected to gradually become cheaper and filter down to more affordable models. 

Fiat's cute little 500 is taking aim at the Mini Clubman wagon with its own “estate” version expected to be released in 2010.

The $2.5 billion sale of the two British icons to the Indian manufacturer was to be finalised at the start of the new financial year, but Jaguar Land Rover Australia managing director David Blackhall said it would now be June 1.“I was in the UK two weeks ago and everything is on track for the sale,” he said this week at the Melbourne launch of the new XF Jaguar.Blackhall said Tata would set broad parameters for business performance.He pointed out that although Jaguar sales in Australia last year dropped 18.9 per cent from 1011 in 2006 to 820, profit was up 15 per cent. Land Rover increased 9.3 per cent from 3392 to 3708.“I'd be bitterly disappointed if we worked our way to the top of (Tata's) 'to do' list. We have been going pretty well. We don't see the change of ownership as a big immediate issue for us,” Blackhall said.“Tata has a reputation for being non-interventionist.”His comments were backed by Jaguar Land Rover UK chief financial officer David Smith; who was in Melbourne for the funeral of Australian Geoff Polites, the company's British chief executive.“Tata has been quite explicit that they want us to run the business,” he said.However, he did not rule out some Indian ingredients in future Jaguars or Land Rovers.“One-fifth of our parts are made in other countries and we have sourced from India before and have had components from Tata."“We have agreements for components for the next three years.”He said customers were unlikely to be affected.“I don't think they are as concerned who owns the company as about the product itself.”Jaguar and Land Rover are part of the Premier Auto Group (PAG) in Sydney with Volvo, which remains owned by Ford.Could the new ownership effect Jaguars' status? 

Male aggressiveness is a legacy from caveman days, according to professor Geoffrey Beattie of Manchester University in England.“Stone-Age man did not drive, but the legacy of his hunting, aggressive and risk-taking past are still evident in the way in which a man typically drives his car,” he said.In a report for the British Commons transport committee, Beattie said caveman skills were not suited to driving, as the males surveyed showed significantly higher levels of rule-breaking.However, he said women had a greater frequency of accidents at bends because they were more prone to errors of judgment and perception.The good news is that the older male drivers get, the more they mellow, according to research released by NRMA Insurance.A survey of 1000 Australian households by Woolcott Research found 18 per cent of males said they never felt stressed or frustrated at the wheel, compared with 15 per cent of females.The least stressed drivers were aged above 55 and the most stressed were in their mid-30s to mid-50s.NRMA Insurance spokesman Frank Adler said those on the road should heed the example of older, wiser drivers. “The over-55s could be less stressed because of their experience, maturity or simply because they have reached a more relaxing stage of life.“By this age, they have usually been driving for a number of years, meaning the driving processes have become automatic and are less likely to lead to frustration,” he said.“Our Queensland data shows that younger drivers compared with over-55s are less likely to have lodged car collision claims." 

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries motorcycle manager Ray Newland said scooter sales were down 3.4 per cent in the first quarter compared with last year's record numbers while Queensland was down 1.3 per cent. He said the FCAI's new method of reporting sales could explain the drop and that there may have been little or no real decline. Industry sources said sales also may have been affected by an increase in second-hand scooters on the market. Major Brisbane scooter retailer Joe D'Ercole said scooter sales had soared for several years as petrol prices, environmental issues, traffic congestion and parking costs escalated. They would continue to sell strongly as those conditions remained and were joined by the mortgage crisis and a general tightening of the money belt, he said. Mr D'Ercole said his sales were up about 10 per cent over the 2007 first quarter. “I had a guy in here recently who got rid of his second car because his parking rates in the city went from $400 to $700,” he said. “It is now costing him $40 for parking. He said that was $600 towards his mortgage.” Mr D'Ercole said high-rise apartments were replacing general carparks in the city. “It's going to make it harder to get a park in the city, which will mean scooter sales will continue to increase.” Importers remain positive with a host of new models about to hit the market. Honda has just released a 150cc SH150i with 35 litres of luggage for $200 less than their 125cc model. Vespa has released a 1970s styled 125cc scooter with a 50cc variant to follow next month and its largest model yet with a 300cc engine. A host of 50cc four-stroke scooters, costing as little as $1690, are also about to arrive Piaggio has 15.1 per cent market share, Vespa 13 per cent), Yamaha 12 per cent and Honda 7.7 per cent.  

Looking for the “real you” usually involves selling the family wagon and buying a red convertible.However, after your toupee has been torn from your head, you have been stared and pointed at by giggling schoolgirls, and you have been drenched in the rain when the roof has refused to return to its raised position, you will be ready to sell your convertible and try something else.At this stage you realise you have wasted a lot of money and tested the patience of your family and friends.Yet some of us take time to learn and this process can go on for a while as you flit from one midlife crisis purchase to another. There's still a coupe, V8, ute and SUV to try.I went through the process with a succession of vehicles that I am too ashamed to admit to in public.My wife would argue that my midlife crisis is still going with my six-monthly turnover of motorcycles, but that's another story. Besides, they're a bit cheaper than cars.If only I knew then what I know now, I would have saved some money. The lesson is; if you must have a midlife crisis, buy a Saab 9-3 Convertible and get it out of your system.The Saab is one of the few four-seater convertibles around, which means you can actually justify it as a sort of family car (we won't mention the lack of luggage space).Saab 9-3 convertibles also have good private resale value, which is absolutely vital, unless you enjoy throwing money down the drain.And remember, you will pay almost $20,000 more for the convertible over the sedan.Now Saab has a diesel version, which means it is not only cheap to run but should have an even better residual value when you go to sell it — and you will sell it a seemingly short time after you've had it.There are stacks of reasons for this.First, it's a rag top, so you can never be sure about its security. It takes only one brazen thief with a box cutter to get in.As a rag top, it is also loud, even with the top up, although Saab has a triple-lined rag top, so it's quieter than most.There is also the problem of handling. Convertibles don't have a roof to take the stresses of the chassis twisting in a corner, so they tend to handle like a leaky boat in a 50-knot wind on Moreton Bay.The fact it's a four-seater means there's an even bigger non-stressed area of chassis to bend and wave in the breeze.Saab has greatly improved the handling, but it still is no track-day special.The main reason for selling the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel model will be that engine.Yes, it is their most advanced diesel engine yet, with a two-stage turbo, common-rail direct and multiple fuel injection, greater maximum boost pressure, lower compression ratio and alloy cylinder head.And true, you get about 6.3 litres per 100km fuel economy (which is actually worse than the sedan's 5.8L/100km because the convertible is heavier).However, that two-stage turbo just doesn't work. In theory it should have no turbo lag. But the lag here is best measured by a calendar.Don't be tempted to cut into a stream of traffic or you will be left stranded before the boost cuts in just over 2000rpm.At that point you get peak torque of 320Nm available instantly, which yanks the steering wheel out of your hand and spears the front-wheel driver first one way then another.If that's not bad enough, the typical clattery noise of the diesel engine is even more evident, either with the top down or up.Outside, the new model looks much smarter with a few aluminium bits of trim which add to, rather than detract from, the ageing style. Inside is a different story.Saab's adherence to their traditional aircraft cockpit look is well past its use-by date and the switch gear all feels very light and flimsy.Admittedly the list of standard features is quite impressive; leather upholstery, heated seats, automatic climate and cruise control and MP3 compatibility.Our test car included a fully integrated, but retrofitted, Kenwood sat nav and entertainment command centre that Saab is testing for the Australian market.GM Premium Brands (Saab, Hummer, Cadillac) communications manager Emily Perry said it was a pre-production evaluation unit. “It's not currently available, but we are close to bringing it to market for the 9-3,” she said.“We hope to have this Kenwood unit available to customers as an accessory by the end of the year. At this stage it's only being tested in the 9-3, not 9-5, but there is a possibility that it may also become available in 9-5. I can't give pricing details or launch timing yet,” she said, although she estimated it would be under $4000.I have advised Perry that they shouldn't bother, for several reasons.The navigation function was so difficult to operate, I gave up and used a UBD instead. As for changing radio stations, forget about it.The screen was almost unreadable in any daytime conditions because of glare. And, although I find touch screens preferable for ease of use, my fingerprints, together with the glare, made it even more difficult to see.It also reflected the glare off the rear window, which allows little vision because the light blue paintwork on the test model's rear deck directed sunlight straight into it.There also didn't seem to be any clock in the sat nav unit that I could find, which left the driver with no means of telling the time in the cabin. What is this, a Harley?I'd stick with the factory-fitted sound system and get a portable sat nav unit.  SnapshotSaab 9-3 1.9TiD Convertible Price: $68,000 (Linear), $72,100 (Vector)Engine: On paper this should be a good unit, but the turbo lag negates the fuel savings. It is also too loud for a soft top.Handling: The laws of physics are against it from the start.Economy: The diesel is frugal, but hindered by the heavy convertible body.Value: Expensive, but you should get good resale value if you look after it.Body: 2-door, 4-seater convertibleEngine: DOHC, 1910cc, 4-cylinder, common-rail turbo-dieselPower: 110kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 320Nm @ 2000-2750rpmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed sequential Sentronic auto ($2500), front-wheel driveFuel: 6.3L/10km (claimed), 58-litre tankCO2 emissions: 166g/km (187 auto)Kerb wieght: 1687-1718kg depending on specificationTyres: 16 x 6.5 alloys — 215/55 R16 93V; 17 X 7.0 alloys — 225/45 R17 94W; 17 X 7.5 alloys — 235/45 R17 94W; 18 X 7.5 alloys — 225/45 R18 95W, space-saver spareFor: It's a midlife crisis must-have.Against: Too many to list.Verdict: The diesel experiment in a convertible just doesn't work. 

The Audi R8 supercar could have a muscular 372kW six-litre V12 twin-turbo diesel under its glass bonnet.

General Motors says the large SUVs will be offered with a flex-fuel engine that can run on 85 per cent ethanol made from vegetables. By 2010, Hummer general manager Martin Walsh says every Hummer will get an E85-ready powertrain. "A Hummer's off-road capability and care for the environment are in no way mutually exclusive. This is simply one more step in our effort to promote responsible adventure," he said. "While scientists, environmentalists and consumers debate the cleaner, greener status of corn-based ethanol, GM counters that it's working on developing sources of ethanol derived from non-food plants and from waste." GM has promised to put more than three million flex-fuel vehicles on the road and have half of its vehicles with E85-capable engines by 2012. In Queensland, there are a few service stations in north Queensland pumping E85 and only one in Brisbane. A new ethanol plant is close to completion at Dalby, west of Toowoomba. Saab is the only car company that sells a new car capable of running E85 fuel in this country. GM Holden, under the GM Premium Brands banner, imports the small Hummer H3 in right-hand drive while Gympie-based Performax International converts the H2 to right-hand drive. Meanwhile, one British university engineer has turned a H3 into the ultimate big boy's toy. Dr James Brighton has converted his H3 into a life-sized, remote-controlled toy. "Converting the Hummer H3 into the super-sized remote control car took a month to complete but we've had lots of fun in the process," said Dr Brighton. The real H3 and the remote-controlled vehicle are capable of climbing a 407mm vertical wall, traversing a 40 per cent side slope and operating in up to 610mm of water. GM Premium Brands has sold 245 H3s since its release late last year in Australia.  

However, there are no pre-paid orders yet from Australia for the X-Bow (pronounced crossbow), due to be launched internationally in June/July.The Lotus-sized sports car was to be a limited-edition model for track and road use, but KTM spokesman Peter Schonlaub said international interest prompted them to launch with a full production run."Australian customers are able to order the car, but at the moment only as a track car, because the Australian regulations for street homologation are currently under examination by KTM," Schonlaub said.The X-Bow will cost about $78,000, plus taxes and delivery charges."We are lucky to have more than 2000 reservations; 300 of them have already paid a deposit," he said.Twenty per cent of these pre-paid orders come from Austria, 80 per cent are international (mainly European) customers."We have also been contacted by Australian customers, but up to date there is no pre-paid order from your country," he said.Interested Australian buyers can't test drive one at a dealership, but will have to register an expression of interest directly to KTM online.Before its international launch, KTM Sportcar GmbH, the company's racing arm, will enter two X-Bow track cars in this year's GT4 European Cup, competing in the newly-created Sport Lights class.The first race will be held in Silverstone on April 20."At the moment, there are no plans to enter a race competition outside of Europe," Schonlaub said.The rear-wheel-drive X-Bow is powered by Audi's award-winning turbocharged direct injection 1984cc four-cylinder petrol engine which develops 162kW/300Nm. When married to a six-speed gearbox it propels the X-bow from 0-100km/h in 3.9sec.It comes with a Formula One-style racing steering wheel that can be removed via a quick-release mechanism to simplify getting in and out of the car.The tiny 3.6m X-Bow sits only 1.1m tall with a double-wishbone suspension system and sophisticated pushrod damping system on the front axle.It has no roof, doors, boot or windscreen and features a lightweight carbonfibre monocoque. All up, it weighs only 700kg.Minimalist motorcycle styling also includes simple headlamps and embedded indicators flush with the cars contours.And, like motorcycles, it has different rubber front to back. It is shod with 205/40 R17 tyres up front and 235/40 R18 on the rear.Inside, the instruments are located on the hub of the steering wheel, the seat shells are integrated into the monocoque and the pedals are manually adjustable.The KTM X-Bow doesn't have a luggage compartment, but it does feature a mobile storage box beside the passengers foot well for a first-aid kit, tyre-fit system and cover.Two helmets can be fixed in the passenger's legroom.To go racing, KTM replaced the aluminium rollover bars with steel, added extra layers of zylon fibre to the flanks of the monocoque to prevent penetration of sharp objects, added a racing silencer, extended the wheel covers, added protection between the front and rear wheels, and race-tuned the chassis.KTM had been developing a special line of weather and crash protection clothing and helmets for the X-Bow in partnership with Italian motorcycle apparel company Dainese.However, Schonlaub said the plans had changed."The official X-Bow gear will now feature two helmets, a full-face racing helmet supplied by Arai and a half-face street helmet supplied by Schuberth – both with special X-Bow design and special X-Bow features," he said."The garment will be part of the KTM Power Wear (known for its motorcycle stuff), but our experts are still developing the right products."He said it was too early for final prices.KTM is better known for its four- and two-stroke off-road bikes which have won worldwide enduro, motocross, supermoto and supercross championships.In more recent years KTM has branched into road bikes and entered the 125cc and 250cc motorcycle grand prix championships.Last year, KTM was the fourth highest off-road motorcycle company in Australia with 5521 sales. Snapshot KTM X-BowPrice: $80,000-$90,000Engine: inline, 4-valve, 1984cc 4-cylinder, with direct fuel injection system, turbocharger and intercoolerPower: 162kW @ 5900rpmTorque: 300Nm @ 2200-4000rpmBore X stroke: 82.5 x 92.8mmEmissions: Euro 4Transmission: rear-wheel-drive with mechanical slip differential, 6-speed-manualKerb weight: 700kgDimensions (MM): 3670 (l), 1870 (w), 1160 (h), 2430 (wheelbase)Track (MM): 1644 (front), 1624 (rear)Turning circle: 10.8mFuel: 35-litre tankBrakes: 305mm discs with 4-piston-calipers (front); 262mm disc with 2-piston-caliper (rear)Tyres: 205/40 R17 (front), 235/40 R18 (rear)0-100KM/H: 3.91secTop speed: 217km/h