Articles by Neil Dowling

Forget the insurance company's "new for old'' replacement policy because it's impossible to replace a dead Aston Martin One-77 with a new one. Yes, one of the One has hit the dust, burying itself in a Hong Kong curb and leaving only 76 of the original 77 One-77s remaining. All 77 are sold - including a sole example in Queensland - and Aston is unlikely to remake one of the $2.5 million carbon-fibre sports cars. The Hong Kong wreck apparently was travelling at high speed in the city and hit a curb. It was reported as a single-vehicle accident. This sole image, found on Weibo, shows the substantial damage to the car. Online site Motor Authority reports that the vehicle's owner is from Shenzhen, in China's mainland, who only recently took delivery of the car. The car is to be shipped back to its birthplace at Aston Martin's factory in England for examination and a decision about if it can be repaired. The One-77 has an extremely strong carbon-fibre monocoque body which is very expensive to make. If the cost to repair is too high, the car may be written off but chances of buying another are ziltch. Probably just as well.  

The factories sent workers home as a 5.8 magnitude earthquake devastated villages and cities in northern Italy's Emilia Romagna region. At least 17 people died when the earthquake - the second in the area in 10 days - yesterday centred on Maserati's home town, Modena. The car maker reported some unspecified damage to its buildings. The first quake was followed three hours later by a 5.6 magnitude aftershock. Factories of the four are in the Emilia Romagna district - Maserati is based in Modena; Ferrari is 18km south west at Maranello; Lamborghini is in the village of Sant'Agata Bolognese, 20km east of Modena; and Ducati is at Borgo Panigale, near Bologna. Both Ferrari and its star driver Fernando Alonso tweeted in the aftermath of the event that the headquarters in Maranello was closing so that staff members could go home. About 5000 workers at the factories were affected. Production is expected to return today or tomorrow. The quake was felt throughout northern Italy, including the financial capital Milan, where some buildings and schools were evacuated, and as far south as Tuscany and Umbria. The severest damage to buildings was reported near the epicentre surrounding towns including Cavezzo, Medolla and Mirandola. The earthquake was the second this month in the region. An earthquake of a similar magnitude centered near the town of Finale Emilia killed seven people on May 20.  

The shock news that its outspoken chief executive, flambouyant former Ferrari executive Dany Bahar, has been dumped came on the weekend from the new owners of Lotus, Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom. Automotive News reported that Bahar has been temporarily suspended after "an operational review''. The review was sparked by an investigation made by unnamed sources into Bahar's conduct, the Automotive News says. Bahar's suspension comes on the heels of growing rumours about the future of the niche carmaker that, until this year was owned by Malaysian car manufacturer Proton. Lotus' future was further in doubt after accounting firm KPMG was said to be the intermediary in a sale of Lotus to a Chinese buyer. But Automotive News reports that a DRB-Hicom spokesman said it was "business as usual'' at the Lotus headquarters in the east-England county of Norfolk. He says that in Bahar's absence, three representatives of DRB-Hicom have been authorised to manage the group,. Bahar, a former Ferrari sales executive, joined Lotus in 2009 with ambitious plans to launch new products and quadruple annual car sales to 8000. DRB-Hicom bought Proton, the Malaysian parent company of Group Lotus, in January. Proton, a maker of sedans and taxis, bought control of Lotus in 1996, but has never made a profit from the British unit. Before Proton, Lotus's owners included General Motors. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp - which has a joint venture with GM in China - has denied it is interested in buying Lotus.

Subaru and Volvo - the only two car makers offering a radar-based collision avoidance system - claim some insurance companies will chop about $150 off the annual premiums of owners of their cars. The cars include premium versions of Subaru Liberty and Outback models, and six Volvo models.The systems - called Eyesight by Subaru and City Safety by Volvo - fitted to both cars prevents forward contact with another object by autonomously applying the brakes and bring the car to a complete. It works at speeds below 30km/h though future Volvo models will increase this to 50km/h.The savings to insurance companies are huge. Big insurer NRMA says that low-speed rear-end accidents are the most common vehicle accident repair jobs and that 75 per cent of these occur at speeds less than 25km/h.NRMA's research director Robert McDonald says there are 50,000 rear-end accidents in NSW each year with an estimated damage bill and insurance cost of $200 million.That equates to about 200,000 accidents a year around Australia, costing about $800 million. "We are very confident that the technology will reduce the likelihood of the XC60 being involved in a collision,'' Mr McDonald says. "This is set to be reflected in our pricing, and we would estimate that the cost of an insurance premium for this vehicle will up to 20 per cent cheaper than it would be if it didn't have the technology.''HOW THEY WORKSubaru's Eyesight system uses a pair of cameras mounted at the top of the windscreen. It judges the distance to an object ahead and will stop the car if contact is imminent. It does this without any driver intervention.Eyesight's forward vision also warns when the car is straying from the lanes or to the road shoulder and monitors driver fatigue. Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says the Eyesight technology will soon flow down to less-expensive Subaru models.Volvo's City Safety has been available since 2009. While the Subaru uses cameras, the Volvo uses laser scanners. It will be upgraded to a 50km/h minimum in the near future. City Safety is standard in Volvo S60, V60, V70 , S80, XC60 and XC70 models and in the new V40 hatchback here early in 2013.The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class model is fitted with a system that judges an imminent collision by preparing the brakes but, unlike the Subaru and Volvo system, will not bring the car to a standstill unless optioned with the Distronic function. 

Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Fun has a distinct aural signature in Audi's hot TT RS. There's an exhaustive sigh, almost a quick gasp for air as an athlete would take in mid-step, as the TT RS's dual-clutch box senses a corner and picks up a lower cog. It arrives as a brief "blat'' and disappears as the other gear enters the drivetrain and the coupe squats for the apex. Other cars do this.Even, mysteriously, the Toyota Aurion Sportivo which has the sporty prowess of a gerbil. But in the TT RS it is part of the chemistry of a car that since 1998 has refocused a shy Audi and singularly responsible for putting the marque on the shopping list.VALUEThe TT RS costs $139,900 - a whopping $74,450 more than the entry-level TT 1.8 TSFI that shares the body. In fact, even the hot TTS is $98,900 - a $41,000 reduction - and you can have almost as much fun as the RS. Where's the value?Possibly the leather-trimmed cabin - including embossed leather sports seats that cosset the body - and the prominent fixed rear wing, the 19-inch alloys, the sat-nav and the bi-xenon headlights's washers. More likely the extra 50kW/100Nm over the TTS, the different gearbox and the Porsche-crunching acceleration. Definitely that rousing exhaust roar.DESIGNThe jelly-mould shape is less pregnant than the first generation (1998 to 2006) but just as distinctive. There is a third-gen coming in 2014 which keeps the same exterior dimensions but more tightly wraps the skin, so the current car serves duty in between. It's undoubtedly attractive in a purposeful way - though the fixed rear wing interrupts the TTS's roofline flow - and though it looks compact, seats two adults low and within an airy cabin.It sits on beautiful five-spoke alloys that showcase the 450mm dinner- plate front discs (425mm at the back) and enclosed by thin ribbons of rubber. Leather-scalloped rear seats are only for children but best served folded flat to expand the luggage area. Cabin work is excellent even though you may be searching for "hidden'' switches.TECHNOLOGYThe all-wheel drivetrain is unique to this part-aluminium space-frame car, with a 250kW/450Nm 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol with intercooler that pumps maximum torque from 1600rpm. The gearbox is a dry-clutch singl e-disc unit with seven gears, unlike the two wet clutches and six cogs in the TTS.The brakes are bigger, the wheels up to 19-inch, the steering and suspension get a "sports'' button that also sharpens the throttle response and pulls the box down by one ratio. The car weighs 50kg more than the 2-litre TTS but the engine is so strong it wipes almost a second off the 0-100km/h time at 4.3 seconds.SAFETYOnly two airbags but the coupe gets a five-star crash rating, showing airbag numbers aren't the only factor capable of saving lives. The TT RS copies the TTS safety gear, from the full suite of chassis and brake electronics to auto levelling for the headlights and suspension. There's also front and rear park sensors but no spare wheel.DRIVINGThe RAC Driving Centre track is as tight in places as a go-kart track yet opens to a 160km/h-plus straight. Its deceptive size and close-arc corners trick newcomers to WA's annual Targa West event where the track hosts the prologue. It befriends  smaller cars and smiles kindly on all-wheel drives, so the TT RS feels at home. Press the sport button, pull back the gearshifter to the "S'' position and go. The coupe picks up the scent, launches forward and seamlessly drops into a higher gear when the tacho hits 7000rpm.The electric-assist steering firms in the sport mode, ignoring any inherent vagueness with these systems. The engine pumps from just off idle and it's its seamless flow - without lag or slump - that makes it such an easy car to push hard.Handling is ever-so confident with the car able to be gently moved from oversteer to understeer by throttle control. The same strengths of confidence translate to the street. If it stumbles, it may be in driver visibility. While park sensors help parking, the low seat position, big C-pillars and small rear glass can hide some traffic.VERDICTSensational car that is as benign as a Polo yet able to turn into a feral Porsche Cayman eater.AUDI TT RSPrice: $139,900Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 55 per centService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: Five starSpare: noneEngine: 2.5-litre 5-cyl turbo-petrol 250kW/450NmTransmission: 7-speed DSG dry-clutch auto; AWDBody: 4.2m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.3m (h) Weight: 1475kgThirst: 8.5 1/100km; 95 RON; 285g/km Co2 

But that won't happen until at least next year as Kia rolls out its new Cerato hatch and sedan and, finally, the two-door Koup. "We're pushing hard for a turbo car but we have to be patient," Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth says. The next model Koup is expected to get a direct petrol-injected 1.6-litre engine with a turbocharger. Kia's global powertrain engineer, Joachim Hahn, indicated at this year's Geneva motor show in March that the first turbo would be in a C-Class car - which is the Cerato - and that it would be announced within 12 months. "We already make a turbocharged direct-injection engine - the TGDI - and we will bring out a Kia within the next 12 months which is a European GDI turbocharged engine," Hahn says. Kia - an associate company of Hyundai - makes a turbocharged version of  the Optima for the US market and a C'eed turbo for Europe. The US also gets a turbo-petrol Sportage. The 150kW/264Nm 1.6-litre turbo-GDI engine - which features a twin-scroll turbocharger - is also in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo which is due for Australian launch in December. Hyundai claims its Veloster Turbo is able to deliver 8.7 L/100km city and 6.2 L/100km highway for manual transmission models. It is also available with a six-speed torque-converter automatic.  

If Inspector Gadget was real and drove a car, it would be a Yeti. This is a versatile, Swiss Army knife kind of vehicle that wins on its Tardis dimensions, fun yet frugal manners and no-brainer simplicity.It's no surprise given this Czech-built car is a product of a nation that is so pragmatic it named its capital city after the word. Only 316 Yetis sold in the first four months of this year. Jeep sold 1052 Compass in the same period. I can't work that out.VALUEEuropean cars aren't horrifically expensive to buy or service and Skoda's Yeti proves that with prices matching the Japanese and Koreans. This front-wheel drive version with the baby 1.2-litre engine and dual-clutch auto gearbox is $28,590 - on par with rivals.But it's big on clever features - masses of storage areas, cool boxes for your drinks, hooks for your shopping bag, cruise control, trip computer and comprehensive safety gear. But extras cost - rear park sensors are dear at $640 (but every SUV should have them as standard) and the signature colour-contrast roof is $390.DESIGNImagine a tissue box with a nose. And wheels. Yeti takes the simplicity of a box and builds the car inside out, punching out the corners from within to maximise passenger and cargo room. The 1665-litre boot capacity (rear seats down) is amazing.It also takes cues from the quirky Roomster model - which returns in June - to achieve some distinction. The black, soft-feel dashboard is all Volkswagen but the triple bucket rear seats are Skoda-born and allow the Yeti to perform its amazing cargo swallowing act.The boxed tail makes parking backwards easy but the slanted bonnet and protruding grille mean its guesswork at the front.TECHNOLOGYThe tiny 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre petrol engine gets help from a turbocharger to claim beaut economy and, under most conditions, lively performance. Skoda uses some pieces from other Volkswagen Group cars - more so the Polo - to make the Yeti and that's good for owners from a parts and repair angle.However, aside from the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the little beating heart under the bonnet, it's a simple device. The bits used are, however, from the top shelf. Brakes, for example, are four-wheel discs while some rivals fit rear drums.SAFETYNo surprises here as Yeti gets a five-star crash rating, has seven airbags, comes with a full suite of electronic brake and chassis aids - including a hill holder - but only has an ``adult-size'' temporary spare wheel. The side mirrors are heated (perfect timing for winter) and there's even tie-downs in the boot floor to restrain loads. As said, it would be better with park sensors.DRIVINGI've buttered you up, haven't I? Well now I'm going to drop you on the floor - where you will stick butter-side down - because all the great things about the Yeti come a little bit unstuck when the right foot is extended. The engine is small and so performance will naturally suffer.The DSG box is generally ultra responsive but occasionally gets brain-fade between cogs, usually when you're coasting and want to quickly accelerate. Though the engine's 77kW is fine when there's just you aboard, or perhaps one passenger, it struggles when asked to haul more.Given that this is a family car that's liable to be loaded, it may need patience and/or hard work for the driver to keep it on the boil. That undoubtedly will affect its miserly average of 7.0 L/100km fuel - albeit 95RON - economy.Regardless, the baby Yeti is a lot of fun. It's only front-wheel drive but holds the road like a limpet, steers accurately and even when pushed hard, the engine is pleasantly muted.The tyres can rumble on coarse bitumen and ride comfort tends to firm - though the seats are soft - but it's still better than many small passenger cars.VERDICTAppearances can deceive - this is one sensible, practical and enjoyable car for a lot of seasons.

The Golf VII is expected to boost Australian sales as Volkswagen debuts its low-cost MQB platform that will translate to reduced car prices. MQB is basically one vehicle platform and a set series of components that can serve numerous car models. Volkswagen claims MQB - first seen on the Audi A3 - can cut up to 8 per cent off the build cost which will contribute to lower prices for the cars. It expects MQB to be used on up to 60 models from Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda. Volkswagen's Golf VII will be first displayed at the Paris motor show in September, will start production in October and be in Australia by March 2013. But don't expect a massive visual change. The Golf VII will be slightly longer but noticeably lower and wider than the current model. Though styling details are scant, Volkswagen has been more generous in talking about future drivetrain configurations. The MQB platform allows for front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, hybrid and electric drivetrains. Golf will get the new EA211 turbo-petrol engine family that includes the Up's 1-litre three-cylinder, and 11kW/175Nm 1.2-litre, 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre and 2-litre displacements. There will also be a 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol with cylinder deactivation - it disconnects two cylinders - which is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent. This engine is designed to run on two cylinders and engage the other cylinders on demand sensed by the accelerator pedal. Expect all-new diesel engines for the Golf VII as Volkswagen brings them up to Euro-6 emission specification. The EA288 diesel engine will go into the Golf VII in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre capacities with outputs from 66kW/250Nm to 140kW/380Nm. Volkswagen claims CO2 emissions are down by 45 per cent in the Euro-6 versions while performance is up by an average of 20 per cent. There will also be an all-new four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, coded E888, for the GTI and R models that has up to about 220kW and in maximum tune will power an all-wheel drive car. It is possible that Volkswagen will stretch out its hot hatch line-up, starting with a front-drive GT, an AWD GTI and a more potent AWD R. A new limited-slip differential system that combines the best features of mechanical and electronic systems will be fitted to high-output Golf VII models. The Golf  VII will also be adaptable to alternative powertrains. A plug-in hybrid Golf, dubbed "Twin-Drive'', is one model on the list. It has a 40km range on the electric motor alone, and uses a petrol engine to boost range to about 500km. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn says his company can sell 300,000 electric vehicles a year by 2018.  

Only 28 per cent of respondents in a national survey thought pollsters were above board - a far better score than car salespeople who remain at the bottom of the trustworthy list for the 30th consecutive year.Only 1 per cent - down from 2 per cent in 2011 - of those surveyed thought car salespeople were worthy of being classed ethical and honest, says the Roy Morgan 2012 Image of Professions Survey. Advertising people scored 8 per cent - up 3 percentage points on 2011 - while newspaper journalists inched up 1 percentage point to 12 per cent.Those who have been bitten by speed cameras took it out on Police with a 69 per cent rating. But Morgan says state by state, Police were very highly rated in South Australia (84%), but rated lowly in Victoria (64%), Western Australia (58%) and Tasmania (53%). By contrast, nurses remained at the top of the list with a 90 per cent tick for ethics and honesty, followed by pharmacists (88), doctors (83), school teachers (76), dentists (75) and engineers (70).Big falls were recorded by Federal MPs (10%, down 4%) and State MPs (10%, down 2%) which hit their lowest ratings for ethics and honesty since 1998. Morgan blamed it on scandals engulfing several politicians at the time of polling, including Speaker Peter Slipper and former Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson. Morgan says that "unsurprisingly'' Ministers of Religion (43%, down 8%) recorded their lowest ever rating for ethics and honesty since being included on the survey in 1996. These are the main findings of a Roy Morgan telephone survey conducted on the nights of May 9/10, 2012, with 651 Australian men and women aged 14 and over.