Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Skoda returned to Australia last October with a range of well-equipped models. They are not essentially bad cars, borrowing bits from Volkswagen's huge buying power, but the execution has perhaps not been as perfect as it could have and the pricing in certain offerings leaves us a bit cold.We drove several models, both the basic Ambiente trim and Elegance.Basic trim levels are good with reasonable features, while Elegance adds a comprehensive list of extras including auto lights, auto wipers, reversing sensors, cruise control, faux carbon fibre trim and trip computer. Our test cars included the basic models up to the RS.You can also add various options such as those added to the Elegance sedan that blow the price out. It was tuned with sports suspension, had a wheel package added, satnav and a sunroof which took the normal $33,290 price up to more than $45,000.For all the froth and bubble, the bottom line is that on first appraisal the Octavia, in its many forms, feels like a $25,000 car.Allowing for all the kit, the Elegance sedan really is over-the-odds on price.This German-owned Czech brand remains hobbled by a fair degree of invisibility to most potential buyers.Now we may be wrong but in this mid-sized segment which the Japanese own through the Toyota Camry/Aurion and the Mazda6, Skoda would hardly register on the radar.Allowing for all that the Octavia does have redeeming features. The liftback model is very versatile. Fold the rear seats flat and there's enough room for furniture. The boot alone is 560 litres and pumps out to a whopping 1420 litres with the seat down.The warranty is a respectable three years/unlimited kilometres with roadside assist and service every 15,000km.All transmissions are smooth but the six-speed automatic direct shift gearbox (DSG), direct from VW and Audi is the pick of them.The two-litre petrol engine is a bit of a screamer, and both turbo-diesels have annoying initial lag, then a substantial boost from just off idle that tugs at the steering wheel. The 1.9-litre diesel runs out of breath a little early, while the 2-litre pulls further up the rev range.While the ride is quite compliant even with the optional firmer suspension, there are seemingly ever-present traces of engine, suspension and road noise filtering into the cabin.The front-wheel drivers have crisp handling, although there is a little more understeer on the diesels with their heavier steel engines up front. The interior is quite smart, and everywhere you look there are switches and buttons and dials from the Audi and VW spare parts bin. Nothing wrong with that either.Fuel economy on our tests was close to the claimed figures for each model, even though we gave some a few spirited charges.Apart from awareness, the biggest issue Skoda has with the Octavia, which incidentally is coming to the end of its model life with an all-new car coming next year, is price. It does not seem to be right.And while there is a little bit of an improvement at both ends of the range — the 1.9-litre diesel and Octavia RS wagon — there still seems to be something missing from the menu.Yes, it has a bit more grunt and is a little bit flashy here and there but it remains a little soft compared with a hot Audi or VW.While they were all a pleasurable drive, there was a distinct lack of wow factor.Even the RS seemed a little tame to be sporting such a badge. Nothing really hits you in the face in terms of flash badging in the cabin, either.In fairness the RS wagon is a tidy package for a tick under $40,000 and a whole lot cheaper than buying a turbo Audi A4 wagon.If you have your hearts set on one you can do a lot worse.But then there is the issue of resale down the track.What price you will get in two years is anyone's guess, although the diesel models are bound to attract better residuals.

TH!NK city car will go on sale in Europe this year after being revealed at the Geneva Motor Show by Norwegian electric vehicle pioneers Think.

Greg Kowplos started collecting petrol station signs, fuel pumps, air compressors and a plethora of petrol paraphernalia about 30 years ago."I have always loved cars and America," he said.His obsession grew into a garage called Billy's Service Station, a full-size replica of a 1930s Los Angeles garage by the same name."I used to travel to the Daytona 500 every year and always came back with something," he said."It was as a hobby, but eventually it got out of hand. I couldn't move in my garage and I needed somewhere to put it. Then I saw Billy's and I decided to create a similar service station here."Over the past nine years, the servo has become a backyard shrine to motoring in suburban Rochedale that has hosted private functions for car clubs, weddings and visits by the Starlight Foundation.Now Mr Kowplos finds his large house, sprawling suburban block and large garage shrine too much to handle so he is moving to the Gold Coast to be near his kids."I'm over mowing acres of lawn. I've worked non-stop since I was 14 and I think it's time to slow down a bit," said Mr Kowplos, a builder, developer and manager for Brisbane motocross sensation Daniel Reardon's assault on the US race scene."I've been so busy I haven't been able to get down to the garage for about six months."When he decided to sell his beloved collection, Mr Kowplos found it was too large to sell privately, so he enlisted the help of specialist motoring auctioneer Shannons.He said he expected the 150-lot auction on April 20 to fetch between $150,000 and $300,000 with a percentage to be donated to the Starlight Foundation to go towards buying a van to transport ill children and their families.National auction manager Chris Boribon said a couple of rare petrol bowsers could fetch as much $10,000 to $15,000 each."It's very difficult to know what value to put on some of these items," he said.Mr Kowplos' favourite piece is a Fry petrol pump known as "Mae West" because of the womanly shape. But the only item he hopes to keep is a sign with the name of the garage as a reminder of his 30-year obsession. 

The Rodeo is dead. Long live the Colorado.That's the new name for the trusty Rodeo badge which is being retired later this year.The Rodeo name belongs to Isuzu with which Holden no longer has any ties.In a strange twist, Isuzu is taking the name back and releasing a Rodeo in Australia under its global name of D-Max.However, it will be distributed by Mitsubishi, not Isuzu. And Mitsubishi Motors knows nothing about the vehicle.Mitsubishi Motors senior manager corporate communications, Lenore Fletcher, said they had nothing to do with it.“Mitsubishi is a large corporation and the link-up could be with another Mitsubishi company, not the motor company,” she said.Meanwhile, GM Holden product information manager Kate Lonsdale said the Colorado would be released later this year.“There is no official timing yet, but it will be called Colorado,” she said.Holden had an opportunity to badge the popular Thai-made ute with an Australian name, but has decided to go with the same name used in the Asia-Pacific region.Lonsdale said the Colorado would be “slightly different.”“It will be a similar offering, but with slightly different features,” she said.In a GM Holden media release, the company said the new Colorado range would continue to offer a choice of petrol or diesel engines, 4x4 or 4x2 models, and numerous body styles such as single cab, space cab and crew cab.GM Holden light commercial vehicles marketing manager Teresa Basile said; more details such as price would follow in the coming months.“The light commercial segment is a significant market for Holden and with this exciting new addition we will remain a major player with a highly competitive new entry,” she said.She said current Rodeo owners would continue to be covered by GM Holden's three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance for 12 months.“Rodeo owners can rest assured that Holden remains committed to providing superior customer service and parts availability to the current range,” she said.The Rodeo has been a popular ute, at one stage the biggest selling.However, it has been usurped in the past few years by the Toyota Hi-Lux, which has dominated the sector and is the biggest-selling vehicle of any type in Queensland.While the Hi-Lux has led the field with its more modern and brutish looks, Nissan's Navara and Mitsubishi's Triton have followed suit, leaving the Rodeo looking a little anaemic and old-fashioned, outside and in.I prefer the less bloated look of the Rodeo's exterior and the functional, user-friendly interior.It has many other attributes which commend it to tradies and weekend warriors alike.For a start, it has one of the quietest cabins of the lot. There's almost no engine noise (except in the diesel at idle and full noise), no wind buffeting and surprisingly very little tyre noise.The interior may be a bit austere and old-fashioned, but the door and seat trim are very smart, even in the base model.Back seat passengers don't quite sit bolt upright and there is plenty of legroom.And no one could doubt the abilities of the airconditioning to make a beer truly frosty.If we are asking for anything in the new Rodeo/Colorado, audio controls on the steering wheel would be nice, less pitch and roll in the suspension would be handy and stability control is a must, especially in the rain.Just make sure it's switchable for the obligatory circle work in the car park at the next B&S. 

Last year, new vehicles recorded an Australian average of 226.1g of CO2 emissions for every kilometre they travelled.That's down on the 2006 figure of 230.3g, and during the past five years the industry has achieved a reduction of more than 10 per cent in average emissions.By comparison, a Toyota Corolla produces 175g/km and a Holden Commodore 260g/km.In Europe, where strict emissions controls have been in place for longer than Australia, emissions levels have remained almost unchanged.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar said the motoring industry was on track to meet its self-imposed target of 222g/km by 2010.Meanwhile, fuel economy has improved from an average of 10 litres per 100km in 2002 to about 8.8 litre/100km last year, heading toward the FCAI's voluntary 2010 target of 6.7 litre/100km.“These figures demonstrate that the industry is continuing to implement new technology to lower the impact passenger cars have on the environment,” Mr McKellar said.However, Mr McKellar said further improvements would rely on improved fuel quality with lower sulphur content, which was not yet available.The FCAI pointed out that passenger cars accounted for less than 8 per cent of Australia's total carbon emissions, which is about half of the emissions from agriculture.RACQ manager technical services Steve Spalding said that for motorists to reduce their emissions, they should reduce their fuel consumption.“We would suggest motorists buy the smallest car that will still do the job you need and then look for the most fuel efficient car within that category,” he said.He said the FCAI fuel and CO2 figures were reached under test conditions and not real-world driving. He added that if motorists wanted to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, they should also drive and maintain their vehicle correctly. 

The three-wheeler Can-Am Spyder roadster has elements of each, yet it's a whole new class of vehicle. It has just gone on sale in Australia at $26,990 and already there are 150 orders for the Canadian vehicle. You will need an open motorcycle licence to ride one, but Rohan Slater, product manager for importers Bombardier Recreational Products Australia, hopes they can persuade state governments to comply with European and American standards, which allow riders to operate it on a car licence. Unlike a motorcycle, the rider doesn't counter-steer the handlebars and the Spyder doesn't lean in corners. Unlike a trike, it doesn't have a single motorcycle front wheel and tyre. Instead, the Spyder has two wheels up front and all three wheels are fitted with a special tyre like those on most cars. Other car-like features include a foot brake that operates all wheels, a parking brake, reverse gear, progressive power steering, traction control, stability control with yaw and rollover sensors, anti-skid brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution. There is even a six-speed sequential transmission coming in October. BRP Australia marketing manager Duncan Knight says their market is over-45s looking for a recreational vehicle — or “bike riders who might have had an accident ... on a bike and want something safer.” BRP Australia, which also imports jet skis, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and Johnson outboard motors, has 60 nationwide dealers, but only eight of these have been appointed to sell the Can-Am Spyder, one in each state and territory. “The next lot of dealers we appoint will be more mainstream motorcycle dealers within the next 12 months,” Knight says. “We want to restrict dealer numbers to about Harley-Davidson levels to keep it fairly premium.” The Spyder is powered by a liquid-cooled 79kW 998cc Austrian-built Rotax V-twin engine, which is used in the Aprilia 1000R sportsbike where it produces 110kW. Rotax also makes engines for BMW bikes and even the new Buell 1152R made by Harley-Davidson. Knight says the next generation of Spyder could be more sporty, with more horsepower. “But that hasn't been confirmed yet. This isn't a sporty bike; it's a sports tourer,” he says. Fuel economy from the fuel-injected, dual-cam engine is about 7.5 litres per 100km, which Knight says will give about a 350km touring range from the 27-litre tank. The Spyder was shown last year at motorcycle expos around the country and passed Australian Design Rules in November, classified in a special new category for tricycles with two front wheels. “It didn't fit any existing category,” Knight says. Slater says the company is still working on having the vehicle re-classified as a car-trike, rather than a motorcycle trike. ADR compliance requires a reduction of 3dB on the exhaust, the adjustment of the headlight angle for driving on the left side of the road and a reversing light. Reverse gear operates off a button on the handlebar that reverses first gear and limits speed to 10km/h. There is a large 'boot' in the 44-litre nose section of the Spyder which will hold two full-face helmets and jackets. Accessories include a top box, travel bags, cargo liner, passenger backrest, rear-seat cowl, sports exhaust and low and high windshields. After-market panniers have also been planned. There is also a range of rider gear coming including protective clothing, such as leather jackets and special helmets with a pump-up liner that guarantees a comfortable and firm fit. The Spyder sits on specially made Chinese Kenda tyres with low recommended pressures of 13-17psi for better ride. Knight says tyre wear is 20,000km-30,000km. There are sensors in the rear seat to detect a pillion and change the spring settings. The non-switchable Bosch vehicle stability system uses a range of sensors including yaw and rollover to keep all wheels on the ground and prevent sliding. The instrument panel includes two large analogue dials for tacho and speedo with a digital screen in the middle with an array of readouts and diagnostics. The Spyder was launched in the US in January by talk show host and motoring fan Jay Leno who has bought one. They were 1500 orders at launch.   Snapshot Can-Am Spyder Price: $26,990 Engine: BRP-Rotax 998cc V-twin, 79kW/104Nm Transmission: 5-speed (plus reverse) Economy: 7.5L/100km    

But the Australasian New Car Assessment Program results show that more can be done to improve occupant protection in the popular commercial vehicles.The VE Commodore Ute, which is exported to New Zealand and South Africa, has a range of standard safety features, including anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution and electronic stability control.GM Holden spokesman John Lindsay said it was introducing stability control as standard on all Australian-built cars.“The recent addition of six airbags as standard on our Commodore sedan range is a further illustration of our commitment to passenger safety in our vehicles,” he said.The VE Ute also beat the Japanese Mazda BT50 4x4 and Nissan Navara D40 4x4, which rated three stars, while the Indian Mahindra Pik-up rated only two stars under ANCAP's sister program, EuroNCAP.The Commodore Ute, which was voted most popular car in the 2007 Carsguide Car of the Year awards, was yesterday announced as a finalist in the Australian International Design Awards automotive section along with the Audi TT and R8, VW Eos and Honda Civic Type R. The winner will be announced on May 30.ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said the trend toward improved safety showed that utility vehicles could earn five-star ratings in the near future.“Manufacturers are building key safety technologies as standard features in many of their models — and while some utes are definitely safer than they were five years ago, more needs to be done,” he said.In a recent EuroNCAP test, the Navara was declared an “unacceptably high” risk for fatal head or neck injuries in a front-on collision.Other complaints were “the Navara's passenger compartment became unstable” and “the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners were triggered late in the impact”.After an airbag software upgrade, the vehicle scored three stars.Nissan Australia is contacting customers to take Navaras back for an upgrade to the airbag software.The Ford Ranger, which shares the Mazda BT50 platform, is also expected to gain three stars.Other EuroNCAP ratings for vehicles sold in Australia are the new Fiat 500 fitted with ESC, the Volvo V70 and Peugeot 308 with ESC and knee airbag, which scored five stars, and four stars for the Fiat 500 without ESC, the Peugeot 308 without ESC or knee airbag and the BMW X3. 

Forty Mahindra vehicles recently completed the 41st Mahindra Great Escape, an annual non-competitive rally in India started in 1996. This year the Great Escape crossed the Great Thar Desert. Now TMI Pacific, Australian distributor of the Mahindra Pik-Up utility, is planning its own version of the Indian trek. The local event will also be called the Mahindra Great Escape, and will involve dealers, customers, media and other stakeholders TMI Pacific chief operations officer Claire Tynan took part in the Indian adventure, driving a 4WD Scorpio. "It was an absolutely exhilarating experience," she said. "The drive was a testament to the capability of the Mahindra vehicles when put to the test, while the well-thought-out track only added to the challenge." The Scorpio, built on the same platform as the Pik-Up, was among six Mahindra models that took part in the adventure. The route this year covered sand dunes, rocky patches, steep inclines and drops. As well as the national Great Escape held in Rajasthan every year, Mahindra also conducts a series of regional Great Escapes in various parts of India. Tynan said details of the Australian adventure had not yet been confirmed. In Queensland, Mahindra is sold at Fraser Agricultural in Proserpine and at Sunshine Coast Mahindra.  

The Super Squalo, which means shark in Italian, uses a Ducati 999S Testastretta engine with a Sprintex supercharger that lifts power from 112kW to 152kW with 168Nm of torque.Only 99 of the $75,000 bikes will be built by supercharger manufacturer Automotive Technology Group in Perth.The company has launched its initial public offering to list on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) to raise up to $10 million.ATG also manufactures and supplies Vee Two specialist and performance parts for all Ducati and certain models of Harley-Davidson and Honda motorcycles.Executive director Steve Apedaile said they had launched to list on the ASX because they wanted to be a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative automotive technologies.“Our aim is to be one of the world's leading suppliers of superchargers to international automobile and motorcycle manufacturers,” Apedaile said.“Vehicle manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions and fuel consumption from their engines. The Sprintex Supercharger can help them achieve these goals while maintaining the higher performance levels demanded by the consumer.”ATG is offering 24 million shares at $0.25 each to raise $6 million, with the right to accept over-subscriptions of up to $4 million. The offer closes on April 28.Apedaile said the funds would be used to expand to sales of its Sprintex Supercharger products and increase Vee Two product sales worldwide by expanding manufacturing operations, worldwide distribution network and product inventory.“We will also be expanding sales of Vee Two products as well as developing additional products by combining Vee Two and Sprintex, such as the Vee Two Super Squalo motorcycle.”The Super Squalo has been styled by renowned British designer John Keogh to resemble the great white shark. It features Brembo radial brakes, Ohlins suspension, and Pirelli tyres.ATG executive director Tony Hamilton said the Sprintex supercharger allowed manufacturers to not only increase performance engines, but also improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. “Supercharging delivers performance without guilt, and the Super Squalo is leading the way,” he said. 

The one-off 1:64-scale Hot Wheels model is made of 18-karat white gold and is encrusted with 2700 diamonds and rubies.Valued at more than $150,000, the bling model will be auctioned for charity in the US later this year.It was designed by celebrity jeweler Jason Arasheben, of Beverly Hills, to celebrate Hot Wheels' 40th anniversary.The model's exterior is detailed with micro brilliant-blue diamonds, the engine is encrusted in white and black diamonds, the Hot Wheels flame logo is lined with white and black diamonds, the tail lights are set with red rubies and the tires are made of black diamonds.Even the custom-made case that houses the jewel-encrusted vehicle has 40 white diamonds to mark Hot Wheels' anniversary.The Mattel toy company brand sells six models every second around the world and has sold more than four billion models since 1968.