Articles by Neil Dowling

Kia Cerato S and Nissan Pulsar ST go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Sharper styling, a new hybrid system and a futuristic cabin aim to put musical excitement back into Honda's clever Jazz. It comes to Australia in June with a more daunting task - to equal or better the best sales year in Jazz's history. Details of the 2014 Jazz - Fit for the Japanese and US market - have been revealed, showing a slightly bigger car with more aggressive styling though retaining smart features such as the “magic seats” cargo concept, sharply raked bonnet and the short front overhang. Honda hasn't announced any new engine changes except for the hybrid that will become more like the Toyota Prius unit, allowing the car to be driven on battery power alone. The third generation Jazz is expected in Australia by the second half of next year and, says Honda Australia director Stephen Collins, will include the new hybrid. “We're planning on the petrol models and the hybrid,” he says. “Engine details are still a bit sketchy but we're confident the new Jazz will retain all the virtues of the current model.” Collins predicts pricing will remain “very competitive” and that there will be no change to how and where the car is marketed. But Australia has thrown the next Jazz a major challenge - to equal or better the sales of 2007 when 12,000 of the light cars were sold. “We're looking to do those sales figures again and to do that we have to make the car as competitive as possible,” Collins says. Honda Australia will source the new Jazz from Thailand, ending a ping-pong shipping route to Australia between Japan and Thailand as natural disasters sequentially affected factories in both countries. External changes of the new hatchback include dramatic creases in the side panels, perimeter tail lights, a solid grille panel, shallower headlight design and a more slanted bonnet. The cabin is completely overhauled, adding better materials and cleaning up the dashboard with the addition of a central touch-screen monitor. The new Jazz will include a hybrid but it will be unlike the current model. It will also be the first with a new gearbox that will eventually be adopted by other Honda models. Honda has moved on from its long-standing Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) design that uses a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engine assisted by two small electric motors. IMA is currently used in the Civic, Jazz and CR-Z models. The new hybrid has a 1.5-litre engine - a modified version of that in the current model - and a single electric motor. It is designed for electric-only operation for a short range of about 5km, a feat unavailable on the current car. In a report in “Automotive News”, Honda claims 2.7 litres/100km from the new hybrid under the generous Japanese fuel test cycle. That equates to about a 30 per cent improvement on the current Jazz Hybrid. It is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, replacing the current car's CVT auto, which helps get such a low fuel consumption. News of the dual-clutch box in favour of the CVT auto used in previous hybrids points directly at work on such a transmission for the 2015 Civic Type R - a car Honda says is coming but won't announce a launch date - and possibly extend it for use in other models. No other details of the transmission are available and Collins can't confirm it. But he says though he has nothing concrete about a new Civic Type R, he wants it. “If and when it's available, we'll be at the front of the queue,” he says. He also says the flagship $76,000-plus Legend saloon is being run out with only a handful left in Australia. “Production (in Japan) has finished and the car won't be replaced,” he says. Honda Australia finally gets a diesel CR-V SUV, in automatic and manual, later this year. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is also sold in the UK and is a bigger version of the 1.6-litre diesel in the Civic. This reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling  

There was barely a sliver of rice paper between the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf when they matched up on technology and price in 1976. Both companies - Europe's accelerating small-car maker and its nemesis from Japan - followed similar marketing routes using similar engineering grids.But while Volkswagen created a family to sweep global markets, Honda remained a spinster. Without a family to call on for help, price cutting overtook engineering cleverness and Honda trod water. The accountants held back funds destined for development, the shareholders put their hands out, the product became bland and sales slipped.Now, with the latest Civic, huge factories in England and a refreshed view of the world, Honda is coming back. It will never again match the giant 11-division company that is now Volkswagen but it can do what it once did best - family cars that are built well, fun to drive, cost-efficient to own and affordable. But a diesel?It's all true. The Civic is a great little car and one that small-car shoppers should not overlook. It is one of the neatest, most driveable hatchbacks on the market that isn't corroded by customer grumbles, major recalls and a global wave of repetitive mechanical problems.It also spawned a diesel version and commendable though it is, Australians probably need a diesel Civic with a manual gearbox as much as we need a Jazz Hybrid. But no denying it's a competent hatch and though it has fierce opposition, enters the market from England with a decent set of equipment, pretty shape, high safety specs and a sense of fun too often missing in diesel cars.A recent Roy Morgan report that found Honda owners were the happiest with dealer service even though there's no capped-price service program. Resale value is very strong.Unmistakably a Honda, from its short shovel nose to its tall, abrupt tail. It looks good and more expensive than the ticket price which is always a bonus when snubbing the neighbours. The attractive exterior extends inside. Double-storey instrument display looks odd but works well. Some switchgear could be better placed but the quality - including soft-touch plastic dash top - is apparent. Left-hand indicator will trick some Honda players, as will the space-saver spare set in a well suitable for a full-size wheel.Like the car, the 88kW/300Nm 1.6-litre engine comes from England and is shared with the CR-V. It's a derivative of the European-spec 2.2-litre diesel but with lightweight technology. To save fuel it gets stop-start with a dash read-out reporting on your driving style. Honda claims 4.0 L/100km and I got 4.6 L/100km. There's only a manual gearbox in Australia and the UK, though the English 2.2 is an automatic.Noise-cancelling technology banishes all the nasty sounds - predominantly from the engine - from the cabin using a system shared with the Legend. It's very clever because it works even when the audio is switched off. If it's too hard to figure out, just pretend it's magic. Speaking of magic, the Civic gets the same "magic seat" flexibility of the Jazz so opens up room for lots of cargo, from a generous 400 litres (seats up) to 1130 litres.As expected from Honda, it's a five-star car with all the electronic chassis and brake aids. There's also six airbags, emergency brake display, rear camera, hill holder, LED tail lights and daytime running lights, auto wipers and headlights, a tyre pressure sensor, fog-lights and heated mirrors. The spare is a space saver.Put on your diesel-driving hat and slip into the leisurely style adopted by Peugeot, Citroen and Volvo owners and the Civic diesel makes sense. The engine is quiet (thanks to noise cancelling) and frugal. It is relatively brisk off the mark though its strength is in the 2000-3000rpm band.The gearbox is a short-shifter with positive changes and its lightness - and that of the clutch - endear it even to the rigours of city traffic. But I was expecting more mid-range oomph. Handling is very good and Honda shows mastery of good electric-assist steering feel where some Koreans fail. Ride comfort is also very good despite low-profile 17-inch rubber.The best thing about this hatch is its simplicity and ease of driving. Yes, would sell in bucketloads if it was an automatic but I fear performance would be rather sluggish. So it's for a select few who enjoy a diesel, don't mind the feel of a good manual and cover a lot of kilometres each year.For high-kilometre motorists seeking a long time between fuel stops, who thrill at the feel of a delightful gear shift controlling a six-cog box and smile at the mid-range push of a turbo-diesel, this may be the answer.

The things we do for love - beneath the mirror-glass, fish-tail wings, outrageous body kit and an interior that would make Liberace blush, is a plain-Jane Renault 21 hatchback.Spotted trying unsuccessfully to integrate in a backstreet in Reims, France, the unattended car appears to be a mobile billboard for a person adept at modifying and tuning Renault 21s. Good luck with that business.It's a car difficult to miss. Features include a boot that has become a clever sound box for an upmarket (over-the-top) audio and creating the box with a perimeter of mosaic mirror glass, then cutting a small hole for rear vision.The driver's scenery includes chromed instruments, diamante-studded dashboard edging with a jacquard-print dash covering - but no fluffy dice! Amidst the intricacies of fabrics and chrome and glass is a writhing pool of electrical wires and telescopic arms to hold iPads and iPhones.There's so much mirror glass that Reims must have a police force blinded by the eccentricities of the owner or chosen to turn its eye away from the glare. About two-million examples of the 21 were made from 1986 to 1994 in seven countries from China to Chile but this one - a post 1989 model - is more likely the product of Renault's Marseille factory. It replaced the Renault 18 and was succeeded by the Laguna.Oddly, the 21 goes down in history as one of the few cars built with either a transverse or longitudinally-mounted engine - the latter a by-product of Renault's inability to source a suitable high-torque transmission and solved by using the bigger Renault 25 gearbox.There was a slight difference in wheelbase but outwardly, it was almost impossible to pick cars with the different drivetrains. This Renault 21 sedan represents one person's devotion to the automobile. If you think you can top this, send in your photo. 

The original Noddy Car - once owned by Enid Blyton's company - is estimated to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000 when it comes up for auction in England later this month. The unmistakable red and yellow Toytown roadster is regarded as an exact mirror of the hand-sketched one made famous in Enid Blyton's tales of Noddy and his adventures in Toytown.The drawings of the car in Noddy's books bear an uncanny resemblance to the real car - a 1969 Fiat Gamine Vignale that was a two-seat roadster built by Carozzeria Vignale from 1967 to 1971 and based on the Fiat 500 platform. The car is fitted with a larger capacity 594cc engine and syncro gearbox. It has had four owners and the 4553 miles on the odometer are believed to be accurate.It will be auctioned on Saturday July 27 by Silverstone Auctions' Classic Sale at Silverstone. “We expect a huge amount of interest in this Noddy Car from Enid Blyton fans and Fiat collectors, and who can blame them for wanting to get their hands on a car that takes us back to our childhood,” says the auctioneer's classic car specialist Will Smith. “The number plate NOD 513 is the finishing touch which makes this unique car extra special and we can't wait to see how it does at our auction. It has got to be one of the most easily recognisable cars anywhere on the planet.”More information is on www.silverstoneauctions.com and online bidder registration is on www.i-bidder.comFollow this reporter on Twitter @cg_dowling 

Mitsubishi Outlander LS and Peugeot 5008 HDi go head-to-head in this comparative review.

WA-based Chinese Automotive Distributors, part of the John Hughes Group and the national distributor for both Geely and ZX Auto, says it demanded a minimum four-star crash rating for the Cruze-size Geely EC7 sedan before considering selling it in Australia.Geely's recent testing to ANCAP standards didn't meet its importer's demands, halting plans to introduce the car to Australia. A director of the group, Rod Gailey, says CAD wanted a minimum of a four-star ANCAP crash test rating for the Cruze-size sedan before considering it for sale in Australia.“The EC7, which had previously scored a Euro four-star rating, recorded a sub-four star rating despite additional safety equipment such as electronic stability control and six airbags,” he says.He says the decision to halt the import plans was one made both by CAD and Geely. “The minimum four-star crash rating was agreed by both Geely and ourselves before Geely conducted the tests,” he says.“We insisted, and Geely agreed, that we wouldn't import the car until it reached a four-star or above crash test rating and unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations.“So Geely and ourselves have put everything on hold.” Mr Gailey says it was possible that the body structure of the car is at fault. He says Geely indicates it isn't economically viable to re-engineer the car to meet higher safety standards for Australia's small volume market.He says it could take 18-24 months for Geely before a new range of models - now in the post-design stage - that satisfy Australian demands for safety and features would be available for Australia. “But Geely has told us that the new cars won't be cheap,” he says.“This will be a new generation of models that will be more competitive in terms of design, engineering and performance so I can't see them being available at the lower-end of the price market.” Mr Gailey says the EC7 was a “quantum leap” ahead of the first Australian-sold Geely, the MK1.5. “But even the EC7 is not engineered for the mature markets,” he says.“We continue to remain involved with Geely, working in partnership on their future model platforms whilst maintaining sales and service support for the Geely MK in Western Australia.” Geely has a range of sedans and SUVs that have potential in the Australian market. The company, which owns Volvo, now sells to 30 countries and exported 100,000 cars in 2012. 

Power and passion returns to Peugeot as it prepares a coupe claimed to be its most powerful road car. Finally receiving the performance potential to suit its slippery shape, the RCZ R this week breaks cover in England at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.Built by Peugeot Sport and poised for its official public debut at September's Frankfurt motor show, the RCZ R is boosted to 200kW/330Nm for a maximum speed of 250km/h (electronically limited), a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds, the 400m standing start in 14.2 seconds and 1000m in 25.4 seconds.The R is based on the facelifted RCZ coupe launched in Australia in May that has a similar 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine -- shared with the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Mini Cooper S among other cars --  with a 147kW/275Nm output.But to squeeze out the higher outputs for the RCZ R, many engine parts are evolutions or complete redevelopments from the original. The new engine is reinforced by heat treatment prior to machining to improve durability.The twin-scroll turbo has been developed specifically to benefit from an ideal design for this application and this level of performance. The steel exhaust manifold has a unique architecture inspired by racing systems to cope with higher temperatures.New pistons, providing a compression ratio of 9.2:1, were developed with Mahle Motorsport, taking a forged structure and a grade of aluminium used in Formula 1. They are cooled by two oil jets.The conrods are specified to withstand continued use at high engine  speeds and have bearings covered with a polymer coating that can withstand the higher cylinder pressures. This coating, patented in 2011 and developed by Mahle, are a world first in the RCZ R.Getting the Peugeot up to speed has  seen the R gain a Torsen differential for more grip, a fixed rear spoiler (the current model has a retractable wing), a 17kg weight cut, 10mm lower ride height and a leather and alcantara cabin.DESIGNThe R version is identified by matte black roof arches, rear spoiler, its lower stance than the standard RCZ and the 19-inch two-tone allo y wheels. It has a wider track than the standard car and suspension with retuned dampers, increased spring stiffness and a stiffer anti-roll bar while the wheels are designed to accommodate and cool the bigger 380mm brakes.The car also has a new rear diffuser that supports two chromed exhaust pipes. A Peugeot monogrammed R in red lettering is on the grille and boot lid as a signature RCZ R. Upgrades over the standard RCZ extend to the cabin, with Peugeot Sport embossed sills, red stitching on t he dashboard and leather upholstery and trim. The steering wheel has a smaller diameter, the manual gear shifter is shorter and the leather and alcantara seats have an ``R'' monogram.LAUNCHThe coupe this week made its international debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed though won't be officially unveiled until the Frankfurt show. It goes on sale early 2014.  Peugeot has yet to confirm the car for the Australian line up, or talk about prices. But with a $6000 discount to nearest Euro-rival the Audi TT, the R may represent a stronger alternative.Peugeot project manager for the RCZ R, Budar Pierre, says the development of the car evolved through a race-bred program.  ``This included the design and specification of the drivetrain, gearbox, brakes and tyres beyond the usual criteria, in order to allow the most enthusiastic drivers to perform,'' he says.This reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling 

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Lotus have for decades infatuated race crowds, become the envy of enthusiasts and even won a Bond girl. Nothing has changed. Back from the lip of the black hole of extinction, Lotus now says it will return to its five-car plan and marks time by delivering a road-going racer that represents the core values of the company founded by Colin Chapman's innovative mind.The Exige S is a hybrid in the sense that it morphs the chassis of the four-cylinder Elise with the drivetrain of the V6-engined Evora. Effectively, it creates a very light, very powerful small car that is fast, fascinating and perhaps a little bit fragile.VALUEIt costs $119,900 plus on-road charges and that puts it in the searchlights of cars as similarly purpose-built as the Caterham and Morgan, as balanced as the Porsche Cayman S and as more street-savvy as the BMW M3 and 335i.The Exige S is closer to the Caterham in its rawness but adds more power, a hint more civility and a roof. Standard equipment is minimalistic - as you'd expect - and really only admits it's now 2013 with the airconditioner, iPod/USB friendly audio, electric windows and the three-mode engine management mode.DESIGNLotus currently doesn't have a lot of money. That's why there's some hint of the Evora from the front. Basically it's a hardtop - though it's unboltable - Exige and only the test car's beautiful $3250 premium pearl white paint makes it stand out more than its sisters.The seats are now made for humans rather than the tipped-up fibreglass bathtubs of the Elise. The fact it sits on an Elise chassis - true, with 70mm added to the wheelbase - means no change to the intimacy of the cabin. Nor to the body-folding techniques owners and their loved ones will practice to become part of the cabin.There is a pair of simple gauges, a scattering of warning lights and LED fuel gauge - all impossible to read in sunlight - and a couple of switches. Bare aluminium floors, wrap-round alcantara seats, and a tint Momo steering wheel complete the look.TECHNOLOGYThe engine comes from Toyota and continues the relationship with the company sealed when Lotus moved to replace the Elise's Rover 1.8 with a 1.6 from Japan. Now it's an Aurion/Lexus 350 V6 that has been tweaked and modified by Lotus to pump through an Australian Harrop supercharger for 257kW/400Nm and a 7000-plus redline. There's a six-speed manual - an optional auto is coming - and Lotus-bred suspension, big disc brakes and 18-inch rear wheels. The engine has three selectable modes - Touring, Sport and Race - to alter engine characteristics and launch control is a standard fitment.SAFETYJust the basics here with electronic chassis and brake aids and no crash rating. There's no spare wheel - just an aerosol can - and even rear park sensors are a $950 option.DRIVINGIt's not as mind-numbingly noisy and bone-trembling shuddering as the Elise, so that was a pleasant surprise. Find a smooth road and a compliant gear and it will cruise quietly and comfortably at 100km/h with only about 2400rpm on the tacho dial.The seats help ride comfort a bit, now padded and unlike the glass tubs of the Elise. Other than a sense of dread at passing SUVs and the feat they will never see me and my 1.1m-high white plastic shell, it coped well with traffic.But not as well as the open road. Long country roads with frequent repair patches of bitumen will bounce the car around and with it, the occupants. Not pleasant. But the long sweeps of Wanneroo Raceway treat it as royalty.The Exige S will flow perfectly through the corners, the direct and unassisted steering picking up every stone and peeled tyre rubber fragment and relaying it accurately to the driver's fingers. Learn how it moves through the arcs and you can apply some more power.And this is where the car erupts. It's more about the push of the torque that urges from just above idle through to a big hit at 3500rpm then on a plateau through to 7000rpm. It's such a strong, effortless flow and the noise from the exhaust - oddly, the supercharger whine is modest - so addictive that you can quickly drain the small 43-litre fuel tank.Sport mode is good for the track but “race” is the best, sharpening the engine further, turning off the ESC and making it feel like a deranged go-kart. You arrive back at the pits tired and smiling and wanting more, the essential emotions of a true sports car.VERDICTSadly, this is at least the second car in the driveway. For any Sunday or any track day or any excuse to leave the house and clear the mind.Lotus Exige SPrice: from $119,900Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmCapped servicing: NoService interval: 12mths/15,000kmResale: 67%Safety: 2 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TCCrash rating: noneEngine: 3.5-litre V6 supercharged-petrol, 257kW/400NmTransmission: 6-spd manual; rear driveThirst: 10.1L/100km; 95RON; 236g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.1m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.1m (H)Weight: 1176kgSpare: none