Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirstyWith its corrugated clamshell bonnet, lambchop-shaped headlights and various other quirks, the Chrysler Sebring is certainly not your average medium-sized car.In this segment of car clones, it stands out as something a little bit different.However, if that is what you want, its cousin the Dodge Avenger looks more macho, drives better and is less quirky.I drove the Sebring Touring model with its standard 17-inch wheels for a week and found that the wheels were about the best thing on the vehicle.Despite its divisive exterior styling, at least I found it looked like it belonged to its wheels, not hovering above them like most of its under-shod competitors.The bigger wheels with a generous 60 per cent profile also helped provide a smooth and speed-bump-absorbing ride; around the potholed streets of Brisvegas.But there wasn't much else I liked.I just found too many niggling problems with this vehicle. For a start, the Yank car has not survived the conversion from left- to right-hand drive very well.Of course, the indicators are on the left, which is not a huge problem, but the parking brake is also on the left of the centre console, the bonnet release is in the left foot well, the gear indicator is unsighted on the left of the lever and the key is on the left of the steering wheel, which I never got used to even after a week of driving.There were other niggling problems, one of which left me with a gash in my left index finger.It is fairly common in the Chrysler and Jeep range to have a locking petrol cap that requires a key.Not only are they an inconvenience, but they are difficult to use. The key goes in and turns left (or is it right?) and then can't be extracted until you lock it again. You therefore have to squeeze your hand into the fuel well with the key still in the cap and try to rotate the cap to the right (or is that left?).In this juggling act I somehow managed to rip a gash in my finger on the sharp metal in the fuel well. Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirsty.But quirky things such as this could possibly be ignored if the car had good driving dynamics. It doesn't.While it rides well, it steers and handles vaguely. The 2.4-litre engine is noisy and rather under-powered, especially when faced with a hill or weighed down with a couple of passengers.In fact, my wife commented that it sounded more like a crude diesel engine than a modern petrol engine.What makes it worse is it is married to a slow-changing four-speed automatic gearbox. A six-speed manual is also available and might be a better option.No matter what you think of the exterior styling, you may find the interior a little better.It is fairly standard Chrysler fare with a fair amount of hard plastic, but some nice styling touches such as the chronometer-style clock in the centre of the dashboard, the pale green illumination of controls and the three-pod instruments.The two-tone cabin is a reasonably pleasant place to be with good legroom fore and aft and an airy feeling.But there isn't a lot of room in the cargo area with its high floor and low ceiling, plus there is only a temporary space saver spare under the floor.The steering wheel is adjustable for height, but not reach, like most American cars. However, The driver's seats is electronically adjustable to almost any position; so I was able to find a reasonably comfortable driving position. Surely reach adjustment would be an easier and cheaper way to get a good, safe driving position.The standard leather seats are very hard with a convex shape to the back support, which felt like the adjustable lumbar was pushed way forward. It wasn't.What we did like was auto up and down front windows, cup holders that heat or cool and the high quality Harmon Kardon sound system with an input jack for MP3 players and a MyGig hard drive system that allows you to store 20Gb of music on board, without having to use your iPod.That's a fair amount of tasty bits of kit for mid-sized motoring on a budget.For your $33,990 you also get a lot of safety gear including ABS, stability control, traction control, brake assist, six airbags and tyre pressure monitor.If you can get past the niggles, the languorous driving behaviour and the styling, then you will be rewarded with a car that is safe, packed with features and offers competitive value.

The stylish wagon and sedan comes standard with stability control, a high specification, a choice of five engines including two frugal diesels, a hero sporty model, two all-wheel-drive wagon variants and prices that start at $29,990 for the 1.9-litre diesel sedan.'Sedan' is not exactly the right term here. It looks like a sedan with a normal boot, but the rear window also lifts with the tailgate. It is actually a 'liftback,' which is not as popular a body style as it used to be . . . or should be. Liftback is a very practical body shape and in this model the tailgate unveils an absolutely 'gi-normous' cargo area. Some 560 litres with the seats up and 1420 litres when fully folded down.Engine options are 1.9 and 2-litre turbo diesels, a 1.8 turbo petrol, a 2-litre normally aspirated petrol, plus the lusty 2-litre turbo petrol unit from the VW Golf GTI in the top-of-the range RS variant.Choice is the key to the Octavia with all those engines, two body styles, three transmissions and two drives. Some 16 models in all. Plus there are eight colours available, including two exclusive to the RS.Skoda Australia head Matthew Wiesner admits they have one too many engines, the two-litre petrol.“We had to have the 2.0 FSI now because we don't have an auto in the 1.8 TFSI yet,” he said.“Ideally, four engines on two body styles is more practical.”The Octavia is the first car in Australia to feature the new Volkswagen Group 1.8L TFSI engine, which at 118kW and 250Nm is 8kW more powerful and 50Nm more torquey than the normally aspirated 2-litre.“From a group point of view the 1.8 TFSI enhances our strength and shows how important we view the Australian market,” Wiesner said.The Octavia not only features engines from the VW-Audi range but also runs on suspension similar to the excellent-handling Golf with its electro-mechanical power steering.Consequently, the Octavia points and shoots with the German accuracy of the much-respected Golf.It also features a range of transmissions from VW, including the fabulously slick six-speed direct-shift automatic gearbox. The all-wheel-drive wagon also uses the VW 4Motion system with Haldex electronic clutch. But the panels and trim are unique to the Octavia.Outside, it looks very eastern or northern European with its V-shaped bonnet, high sills, raked front and rear windows and wheel at each corner.It doesn't look anything like a Golf or Jetta, but strongly resembles its Audi A4 cousin or the Volvo S40.Paint and panel quality is up to European standards while the chrome-surrounded grille spells class. It helps that the logo looks like a medieval royal seal.Inside, there is a Teutonic efficiency about the controls with very few stylish trims.It feels macho and almost austere, but the quality of the fitting and the trim materials are excellent. Audi and VW drivers will feel a sense of deja vu when they look at the dashboard, centre stack and instruments.The cabin abounds with storage compartments for sunglasses, toll money, iPod (including a headphone auxiliary input), wallets, water bottles (including a chilled glovebox) and more.There is even a small pocket on the front seats, but I'm not sure what it could be used for.There are two trim levels: Ambiente and Elegance.Standard features include climate control, central remote locking, single CD with MP3 compatibility, power windows, 15-inch alloys and steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls.On the safety side there are six airbags, stability control, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and front active head restraints.Ambiente comes in 1.9-litre diesel only with a choice of five-speed manual and six-speed auto.It costs $29,990 for the manual sedan and $31,990 for the wagon, adding $2300 for the auto and $1200 for all-wheel-drive on the wagon.The Elegance range features the 2-litre diesel and 1.8 and 2-litre petrol engines in six-speed manual and auto transmissions.It adds two-zone climate air, 16-inch alloys, six-CD changer, front fog lights, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers.Prices are $30,990 for the 1.8 TFSI manual sedan, $33,290 for the 2.0 FSI auto sedan and $33,490 for the 2.0 TDI sedan.Add $2000 for the wagon, $2300 for the auto on the diesel and $1200 for the all-wheel-drive wagon.The hero model RS is fired up by the Golf GTI's 2-litre turbo and comes with six-speed manual.It arrives in blue or yellow and adds tyre pressure monitoring, parking sensors, RS badging, twin chrome exhaust, sports seats (heated in the front), 18-inch alloys, 15mm lower suspension, red brake calipers, larger brakes, alloy sports pedals, RS steering wheel, front fog lights and silver roof rails on the wagon.It costs $37,490 for the sedan and $39,490 for the wagon.Out on the road, the Octavia drives just like its VW cousins with precise steering and handling without compromising ride.The major differences are a fair amount of road noise and a spongy brake pedal. Skoda Octavia$29,990-$39,490Engines: 1.9 turbo diesel (77kW/250Nm)2.0 turbo diesel (103kW/320Nm)1.8 turbo petrol (118kW/250Nm)2.0 petrol (110kW/200Nm)2.0 turbo petrol (147kW/280Nm)Bodies: 5-door, 5-seater, sedan (liftback) and wagonTransmissions: 5 and 6-speed manuals and 6-speed DSG autoDrive: front wheel and 4Motion all wheelSuspension: McPherson strut with stabiliser (front), multi-element axle with stabiliser (rear)Brakes: ventilated front and solid rear discs, ABS< ESPSteering: direct rack and pinion steering with electro mechanic power steeringDimensions (MM): 4572 (L), 1769 (W), 1462 (H), 2578 (wheelbase)Fuel tank: 55L (sedan), 60L (wagon) 

With its oversized rear windows, bread van rear end, high stance and mini wheels on a gawky body it certainly won't win any design awards.

Audi recently announced it would have iPhone capability when the Apple mobile phone is released here early next year.BMW and Mini have joined the ranks of those offering full compatibility for products available here.BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski says details of which BMW and Mini models will have full compatibility will be announced closer to the Australian launch of the iPhone.The rush to be first to integrate the iPhone is in direct contradiction to the slow adoption of iPod technology.While few manufacturers offer full integration of iPods, some have input sockets for the headphone jacks which limits control options and most don't offer any hook-up for an iPod.However, Chrysler Sebring offers an alternative solution with a hard drive in the car for downloading music files, without the need of an iPod.When the iPhone was launched in the US in June, BMW Group claimed to be the first car manufacturer in the world to offer full integration in most models. It will be available first in the 6, 5, 3 and 1 Series and the X5.All Mini models will be equipped for the Apple iPhone in time for its European premiere later this year.In the BMW hook-up, music files and signals for operating the iPod are transferred to the vehicle's audio system by a cable adaptor available for the USB audio interface in BMW and Mini models. The iPhone can also be charged using the same connection.The requirement for comprehensive integration of the telephone functions is the mobile phone preparation feature with Bluetooth interface from the relevant BMW or Mini models.Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf says the iPod feature will also be fully integrated via its Bluetooth telephone preparation.Costs for Bluetooth preparation vary by model. It is a standard feature in some, she says, while in the A6 it is $1390 as an option.Alongside standard hands-free functions (accept/reject call/hands-free), the Audi mobile phone preparation supports the display of the signal strength and the provider's name, in addition to the transfer of the telephone directory, including the icons Work, Home, Mobile and call lists.In addition to telephone calls, the Audi Music Interface (currently an optional extra for the A5, A6, A8 and Q7) allows the iPhone's music playback function to be used via the car sound system.Until now, telephone and iPod functions have been separated in vehicles because they were operated via different end-consumer products. For the smart phone innovation, the BMW Group has developed a joint platform for both functions.With the adapted software, a music program the driver is listening to through the vehicle speakers is automatically stopped for the duration of the call, starting again at the same place as soon as the call is over.While the music is paused, the speakers and microphone of the hands-free facility are activated.In conjunction with the operating system BMW iDrive, the telephone function's address book and hands-free can be operated using the controller in the centre console, as well as music selection and play.In the Mini, activated smart phone functions are shown either in the display of the navigation system or, if the latter is not available, in the radio unit. If a Mini navigation system is installed, the Mini Joystick operating system can be used to control the telephone and audio functions of the Apple iPhone.A snap-in iPhone adaptor for BMW and Mini models will follow next year and will incorporate a wireless connection to the external vehicle antenna to lift reception. BMW plans to integrate other “smart” phones in the same way as the iPhone.Mercedes-Benz fully integrated the iPod and spokesman David McCarthy says the company should have something when the phone is released.Toyota, Holden and Ford have no plans yet to introduce iPhone compatibility but several of their models have Bluetooth compatibility. 

General Dwight D. Eisenhower declared World War II could not have been won without the Jeep. Now the Jeep is re-enlisting. Chrysler has unveiled the Jeep J8 multipurpose vehicle at the 2007 Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) military trade show in London. The new Jeep J8 marks the brand's return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use. Based on the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the marque's engineers increased its capability and versatility. The original vehicles made their military debut in 1941 with the Willys MA, which was eventually dubbed the Jeep. The frame of the new Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for payloads up to 1339kg. Axles, brakes and suspension components are engineered specifically for more demanding military and civilian government use, including using a leaf-spring suspension system in the rear. The J8s Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in both on- and off-road conditions. The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces 118kW and 400Nm of torque, providing towing capability of up to 3500kg. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel that enables the J8 to wade in water up to 762mm deep and tackle sandstorm conditions for up to five hours. Available as a two-door with an extended pick-up bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle, it can be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand or left-hand-drive. While not designed for combat, the Jeep J8 is fully armour capable and available for duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier or ambulance. Heavy-duty bumpers with tow eyes allow the J8 to be transported by air. The Jeep J8 will be produced in a Chrysler joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available mid-2008.  

The man who moulded VW and Audi in his image, including cars such as the latest Golf, Audi TT and R8, is the chief design officer of Kia Motors Corporation.Peter Schreyer's influence is evident in his Kee Concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. He says the grille style will become the face of Kia.The Kee 2+2 coupe, designed at Kia's Frankfurt design centre, looks like a hot-rodded chopped and channelled R8 with its low roof line and sleek body.Kee stands for “key” and acknowledges the Chinese and Korean word Ki, the cultural concept for life force.Schreyer says the Kee represents a new ethos for Kia and is not a flight of design fancy. “This car stands as an indication of Kia's design philosophy,” he says. “It is how Kia wishes to be viewed: exciting, appealing, creative, aspirational, with products that are beautiful and functional, purposeful and realistic. It will influence every Kia to come and (shows) that Kia embraces the future.”Kee has an aluminium B-pillar visible through panoramic grey-tinted glass, 20-inch wheels, hand-cut 240mm low-profile tyres, an electronic micro-switch door release in the side-window and a clamshell rear-hatch opening supported by electronic dampers. It is powered by a 2.7-litre V6 engine with 150kW of power.Kee sports semi-suede microfiber seats, a square-bottomed steering wheel and a computer mouse-like lever that flips up to reveal the electronic starter button. The instrument cluster is illuminated in red-orange.The steering wheel has paddles to shift the six-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. The gear stick has been replaced by a lever, which is nudged forward or backward to select drive mode. Question: what do you think of this bold new design for Kia? Leave your comments below.

Mitsubishi's Australian arm revealed last week that it had a net current asset deficiency of $168 million.However, the company is showing 22 per cent growth over last year and this week launched the new Lancer, its top seller, with other Lancer derivatives to come over the next 18 months.Meanwhile uncertainty still remains about the future of Japanese parent Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, despite posting its first profit in many years last financial year.Yet Mitsubishi is showing they are in for the long haul with not one, but three future concept cars at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show from October 27.Mitsubishi Motors Australia corporate affairs senior manager Lenore Fletcher said their revival strategies focused on financial recovery and a generation of new product.“The concepts shown at Tokyo are testament to the latter,” she said.The Tokyo concepts give an insight into what their future product may look like.There is the i MiEV Sport 2+2 light car which is a zero-emissions electric vehicle, the diesel-powered Concept ZT, which could show the eventual design course for the 380 family car and the Concept-cX which shows the future for Mitsubishi's compact SUVs.The fastback i MiEV Sport features a lightweight aluminium space frame, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and a cabin lit by blue power-saving LEDs.Drive is provided by three magnetic synchronous electric motors, one in each front wheel producing 20kW of power each and the third driving the rear wheels with 47kW.Maximum speed is rated at 180km/h and range is up to 200km.Electronic four-wheel-drive optimises the output of all motors, while a new electric active yaw control system directly regulates torque at the left and right rear wheels via an electric motor.Super All-Wheel Control integrates ABS and Active Stability Control for improved stability.Green credentials abound with an auxiliary photovoltaic generator on the roof, a power-generating fan inside the front grill, regenerative braking to recover energy when the car is slowing down and heat-absorbing window glass to boost the efficiency of the aircon.Concept-ZT is powered by a new fuel-efficient, 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque, mated to a new Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission.The sleek family car puts an emphasis on safety with a lane-drift warning system that steers the car back into the lane, all-around multi-monitors, automatic parking function and a pop-up hood to reduce pedestrian injury.It also has a pre-crash safety system that uses millimetre-length radar waves to detect cars ahead and obstacles in the adjacent lane.If objects are too close and there is danger of a collision, it warns the driver to take action. If it determines a collision is imminent, it pre-tensions seat belts, activates crash-restraint seat cushions to increase passenger restraint and initiates emergency braking.The wedge-shaped Concept-cX compact SUV is powered by a new 1.8-litre diesel engine producing 100kW of power and 280Nm of torque, mated to the Twin Clutch SST.It is driven by a 4WD-based integrated vehicle dynamics control system used in the Outlander. 

Mercedes-Benz could offer diesel alternatives in its C-Class Estate, or 'station wagon.' The new C-Class Estate will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, and will be launched here in the second quarter of next year.Models, specifications and pricing will be announced closer to its Australian release, but diesel engines could be offered.DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific corporate communications senior manager David McCarthy says it is “a bit early as we don't have production slots yet, but we are looking at it (diesel).”The C-Class wagon presently comes only with petrol engines, the C 200 Kompressor with the 1796cc, 120kW four-cylinder and C 230 with the 2496cc, 150kW V6. The new four-cylinder Kompressor petrol engines have a more dynamic supercharger and improved pistons to boost power by up to 11 per cent.However, the new line-up also could include the powerful C 350 V6 petrol and a four-cylinder diesel engine for the first time.The new C-Class sedans have arrived here with the 200kW C 350 as well as the option of a C 220 CDI diesel engine with 125kW of power and 400Nm of torque and 6.1L/100km fuel economy.There is also the possibility of a new C 320 CDI diesel with an output of 165kW.With the exception of the C 350, all engine variants are coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. The C 350 gets the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.It is expected to again be offered in three model lines including Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.Avantgarde features a large Mercedes star in the centre of the radiator grille, which has been used for Benz's sporty models in the past.Elegance gets a three-dimensional, louvered radiator grille with a high-gloss paint finish, and Classic is more traditional. An AMG sports package with sports suspension, 15mm lower and 17-inch light-alloy wheels is available.Cargo capacity is up 146 litres to 1500 litres and it comes with features for easy loading and safe transportation, including a tailgate that opens and closes at the push of a button.Maximum interior load length is 2.82m from tailgate to the front passenger footwell, which is 17cm more than the previous model estate. 

Around town and over rough potholed roads the well-damped car provides a comfortable and sure-footed ride on the CDXi's 17-inch wheels.Holden looks set to continue its Korean car invasion. Despite concerns that the Daewoo-sourced Barina, Viva and now Epica would not live up to quality standards, the cars are all selling well in their classes.And it seems customers are not so concerned about the country of origin.New GM Holden boss Chris Gubbey also doesn't seem concerned.He said that for future vehicles; they would look more at the product "appropriate for the market” rather than worrying about where the vehicle is from.So the Korean-made Epica, which replaced the European Vectra, is likely to be around for some time.It is currently selling fifth in the medium car segment sandwiched between Jetta and Passat and behind Camry, Mazda6, Accord Euro and Liberty.That's not bad for a car that was launched in May.Clearly, the pleasant looks, keen pricing, high equipment levels and, let's face it, Holden badging help.It also doesn't hurt that Holden is offering a money-back guarantee if you are not happy with the car. Yet it pays to read the fine-print on the offer that runs to the end of the year.Customers have 30 days to make their decision or rattle up 1500km, and must provide proof of purchase of another new (not used) car of equal or greater value than the Epica. Difficult to see many people qualifying.CARSguide had the Epica CDXi with optional leather upholstery ($2000) over a week and found it a pleasant family car.There were a few points of concern, but nothing that would warrant taking up Holden's money-back guarantee offer.For $30,990, the top-spec car has a few creature comforts, with climate control, six-disc changer, and cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel.The interior looks quite classy at first until you start playing with the switchgear which feels a bit cheap. There is also lots of hard plastic trim, but it is well built with no rattles or squeaks.It will seat five adults with a 60/40 split fold rear seat opening up to a 480-litre boot, which is 55 litres less than the Camry.The seats feel a little strange like someone is pushing you in the back, but they are comfortable for reasonable hauls and the cabin is very quiet with hardly any road or wind noise.But don't expect great vehicle driving dynamics. It doesn't pretend to be a driver's car and it isn't. The steering feels vague and numb with little road feedback to the driver.It also feels a bit heavy at low speed and too strongly weighted to the centre wanting to spring back in your hands after cornering manoeuvres.Turning into a corner the nose gets heavy with a preponderance to understeer. This is not a bad thing as most vehicles have understeer dialled in, but the lack of steering feedback will cause aggressive drivers some concern.Around town and over rough potholed roads the well-damped car provides a comfortable and sure-footed ride on the CDXi's 17-inch wheels.The Epica comes in two straight-six configurations of 1993cc and 2492cc.Even the 2.5-litre engine lacks oomph, so the 2-litre must be weak.In the CDXi, the engine seems to rev without a lot of go.It is married to a five-speed Japanese Aisin automatic, which shifts smoothly, but which can be a little slow to respond to increased throttle.While it is a bit jumpy off idle, there is no spring in the acceleration and roll-on passing manoeuvres will require some forethought.However, customers will forgive its lack of verve since it pays dividends in economy.Holden claims the manual drinks 8.2 litres of fuel every 100km, while the automatic variants use 9.3litres/100km. My time with the auto gave no reason to dispute this. These figures compare favourably with Camry's four-cylinder figures of 8.9litres/100km for the manual and 9.9litres/100km for the auto.Stopping power is good, but the spongy brake pedal lacked feedback or progression and required a fair amount of effort.Families will respond well to the safety aspects of the CDXi which has six airbags, ABS and at least gets traction control, if not stability control.Accessories include Bluetooth kit, rear parking sensors and 18-inch wheels.

Rear legroom also continues to be generous for this size sedan and there are three child restraint anchor points in the backSuzuki has halved its drivetrain and added a boot to give its SX4 small car a sales lift.The SX4 all-wheel-drive hatch was launched here in January as a small car with youthful and aggressive attitude.Now Suzuki is looking to broaden its appeal with the addition of a sedan and a substantial drop in price to a sub-$20,000 starting price.The AWD SX4, which attracted only 5 per cent import duty because of its clearance and all-wheel drive, costs $24,390 for the manual and $2000 more for the auto.Now, despite attracting import duty of 10 per cent, Suzuki has saved enough on the less complicated drivetrain to offer the five-speed manual SX4 hatch and sedan for the same price of $19,990 in GLX base trim.The better-equipped S trim level adds $3000 and the four-speed auto is an extra $2000. There is no price premium for the sedan right across the range.Suzuki Auto Co general manager Keith Carroll said the SX4 had been a success, representing about 10 per cent of sales, but the addition of two-wheel drive and a sedan option would further increase its share.“We would expect that SX4 will be about 12-14 per cent of our total sales this year,” he said.“It will add to the younger end of the market because of the price, but with the boot we have a car that will appeal to either end of the age range.”With lower clearance than the AWD SX4, the tidy small car looks neater and less gawky. While the AWD SX4 sits 200mm off the ground, the hatch is 175mm and the sedan lower still at 165mm.However, older drivers attracted to the higher hip entry point of the AWD SX4 will still find the hatch and sedan easy to access because of their generous roof height.The sedan variant has a massive boot for this class of car with little intrusion from the torsion beam rear suspension, a flat and serviceable cargo floor, wide and low access, but a temporary spare under the floor.Rear legroom also continues to be generous for this size sedan and there are three child restraint anchor points in the back.Carroll predicts they will sell about 840 SX4s in Queensland this year with 640 of those being hatches.Standard features are airconditioning, electronic power steering, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, eight speaker sound system with MP3 capability, electric windows, power door locks, and remote key entry and locking.On the safety side they get dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake pedal assistance and a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating that includes pedestrian safety.The S adds leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, smart key entry, fog lights and side curtain airbags that go back to the rear seat.While the Suzuki's top-selling Swift Sport now gets electronic stability program (ESP) thrown in for no extra cost, the SX4 goes without this vital safety feature.Carroll said if ESP became available on the vehicle, it would be offered.“I would be hopeful that if we get it, it would be at a similar price,” he said.The chassis and suspension were re-tuned for the front-wheel-drive version, but the engine remains the same with peak power of 107kW at 5800rpm and maximum torque of 184Nm at 3500rpm.Suzuki service manager Mike Turner described the powerplant as 'bulletproof.'“Amazing but true. In Australia, we have never had a mechanical failure of this engine assembly,” he said.“This engine, with very few changes and the addition of a turbo charger, will power Suzuki's SX4 World Rally Car, due to make its debut later on this year.”Queensland's Suzuki importer, Suzuki Auto Co, this year expects to sell four times the number of vehicles it did three years ago.Their sales to the end of July were 5026, compared with 3970 for the same period last year.“That means we now are tracking more than 1000 vehicles ahead of last year,” Carroll said.Internationally, Suzuki would increase its 'fire power' by building new plants, he said.“There are new plants underway in Hamamatsu and even Russia where a plant is being built in St Petersburg.“The Russian plant is scheduled to come on stream in late 2009... They will boost our ammunition significantly and allow us to sell more than 3 million cars a year in 2010 . . . which will give us five per cent of the world market.”