Articles by Neil Dowling

It's as simple as the same problem with humans - overpopulation.Last year, 54 million vehicles left global factories. That adds to the estimated 600 million vehicles on the roads. Even with attrition, the vehicle population is trending steeply upwards. Cars dominate cities. It is estimated that many large cities have about one-third of their area dedicated to carparks.How do those cars get to those carparks? By new roadways. And as roads become more effective at moving traffic, carmakers make more cars and citizens buy the cars because the roads are so good. Well, for a while.Car makers are acutely aware of the need to offer efficient cars. They stretch every conceiveable law of physics to make new cars that are more fuel efficient, less polluting and safer than their previous model.More power is sought from smaller engines, more high-tech fabrics and materials are employed to reduce weight and more cunning tricks are devised to avoid accidents and protect car occupants and even pedestrians.Even manufacturing techniques have been honed to deliver more cars in less time and factories have spread to outposts - in fact, of the 196 countries, 37 now have car plants.So think about this. How is the planet physically accommodating an exctra 54 milion vehicles that reach our roads each year? How long did it take you to get to work this morning compared with five years ago?The issue is that car makers won't reduce the number of cars they make. They have a business and they're more interested in maintaining profits that getting you to work 10 minutes quicker.Integration is the key to reducing congestion but there are social and economic stumbling blocks. The car has become a status symbol as third world countries expand in population and wealth. Trouble could brew if governments suddenly reject the notion that citizens - who have yearned and possibly scrimped for a car - are legally allowed to buy a car.Car plants are typically in densely populated areas, both to provide a ready sales market and supply a labour force. Reduce the output of cars and unemployment, with all its downsides attached, could change the economy of the country.   The answer is self policing. If it becomes to hard to drive to work, too difficult to find parking and too expensive to refuel the car, then options are sought. The over population of vehicles can be an easier problem to solve than the over population of humans.

Life throws some shockers at you when you least expect. I came home from overseas a while back and Australia had a woman prime minister. Holden gave me a Barina this week and it drove really well. I wasn't prepared for either of those.The Barina has previously been an awkward hatchback in the company of some red-hot rivals. Many people bought it purely because it is a Holden and - certainly with the old 2005-2011 TK Barina - probably live without knowing that it is spectacularly bad and originally came out of the factory with a you're-gunna-get-really-hurt two-star crash rating.But relax. The new Barina is completely different. It's still made in Korea but sits on a new platform, has the maximum five-star crash rating and is even good value for money. Do we still have a woman prime minister?It sits in the light-car category alongside the smaller Barina Spark. Do not confuse the two - the Spark is one of the worse cars on the market while the Barina, by comparison, sparkles. Pricing is very good so the hatch represents value. Go for the six-speed auto for $17,990 because it is a better drive than the manual. Good feature list, reasonable economy and a Holden dealer at every street corner makes a lot of sense for low-distance owners.Basically it's a chiselled box with a distinctive four-light nose. The design successfully makes it look more expensive than the $15,990 (manual) price tag so it's not something you'd be ashamed to park in your driveway.Cabin space is very good, though C-pillars are wide. Rear seats fold down but sit awkwardly above the floor. The motorcycle-inspired instrument panel is basic, simple and has a very temporary appearance.The six-speed lock-up auto comes from the Cruze and though gearshifts can sometimes jar, is a winner. The sequential manual mode is interesting but probably worthless given the car's market and the engine noise at high revs. The 1.6 engine has been around for ages, with modest upgrades this time around. It's strong, not bad on fuel and reliable but won't win at the traffic lights and is quietest when cruising under 3000rpm. Drum rear brakes look - and are - dated.This gets a five-star crash rating - up on the previous model's four stars after it originally scored two. There's stability control, brakeforce distribution and brake assist. It has six airbags - including full-length curtain bags - and a full size spare wheel.Forget some previous Barinas because this model is more like its original Opel version, with interest again by Holden in how the car drives and feels. It feels spacious, is comfortable - with long seat cushions - and has good visibility. Steering is sharp and it doesn't fidget on the road. It's no sportscar through the bends but is confident.Suspension copes well with rough roads and the ride is well dampened and noise free. But the engine is noisy and feels a bit rough at above 3000rpm. Here it falls behind most rivals. Treat it gently and it is fuss-free, especially at cruising speeds. The instrument panel is pretty ordinary but the rest of the driving experience is very good.

VW has put the call out for its boxy Kombi children to return to the vans' birthplace for rejuvenation. Volkswagen has opened a huge restoration centre at Hannover - the home of the Kombi since the van's origin in 1950 - to cater for the cult-car's burgeoning demand for restoration work. The company says it's serious about its heritage, changing tack from working on its own heritage cars to taking on private work. The classic centre, called Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers, is now headed by a former chief executive and currently classic director of Audi, Bentley and Bugatti,  Franz-Josef Paefgen. The Oldtimers department of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has 100 buses on show - all bought and restored by the centre - and this year moved into a new 7000sqm facility in Hannover, Germany. It has 13 staff - from mechanics to a technology historian and an event planner - to restore and preserve the vehicles and its own paint shop. Volkswagen says that no matter whether a full or partial restoration is required, or a bus is simply to be made roadworthy, the "Bulli'' workshop team will undertake any assignment. "Paint renovation or an inspection is also possible. The staff talk through all personal restoration wishes with the customer before preparing an individually tailored offer,'' the company says in a statement. "The unique feature is that only here does the customer receive certificated ex-works restoration. In addition, for each customer the team of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers provides comprehensive documentation of the restoration of the vehicle, in which every step is photographically documented and described in detail. "Thus the work performed by the specialists from Hannover is recorded for posterity, and customers can leaf through their folder whenever they wish.'' Volkswagen Classic Parts, which continues to make components for it older models, supports the Oldtimers centre as a partner. "Some of the replacement parts needed when working on oldtimers are even taken from Volkswagen's original stock,'' Volkswagen says. Volkswagens from all around Australia converge on South Australia this weekend for the annual National Bug-In. The event, first started in 1970, this year focuses on McLaren Vale, Aldinga Beach and Port Willunga.

I hated school. All I learned was that the meek shall inherit the earth, great things come in small packages and Volvo's are boxy and boring. Oh, and pie-ar-squared is 3.14. That stuff is either wrong or useless. Especially the bit about the Volvo, though in the case of the S60 T4, perhaps the small-engined version is something great in a small package. The T4 will shatter generations of ideals based on the formula that engine capacity equals performance.Volvo isn't alone on this thought - see what Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen Group are doing - but there's no argument that this 1.6-litre petrol-fuelled mid-size S60 sedan is almost the perfect car, blending economy with excellent cabin space, top-notch build quality and safety, lots of features within a pretty body design, and is even sporty. Stick that in your classroom.VALUEA Swedish car for $48,990 is pretty attractive. Even though the car's made in Belgium and Volvo is owned by Geely of China, the S60 is heavily ingrained with Swedish fanatical attention to detail, ergonomic simplicity, harmonious styling and durable engineering. But no sense of humour, of course.The hardest bit here is trying to find rivals that have the same mix of style, features, performance, quality and safety. Goodies include City Safety (see safety section below), leather, quality audio, Bluetooth, alloy wheels and so on. It's even a great drive.DESIGNThe S60 looks compact yet is actually relatively roomy and manages to look distinctive on the road. In fact, its styling adds a few thousand dollars to the actual price. Cabin treatment is as subtle yet elegant as Ikea loungeroom furniture - but you don't have to assemble it yourself - with an uncomplicated switchgear design that doesn't confuse the driver.The S60 seats five adults - with only tall people objecting to the headroom of the rear seat - with a large boot. Unfortunately it does n't have a spare wheel which takes off a lot of bonus points.TECHNOLOGYThe big one is the drivetrain, with the tiny 1.6-litre shared with Ford Focus (in Europe) under the EcoBoost name and delivering a hefty 132kW/240Nm. It is the sister of the 2-litre EcoBoost also used in Volvos and Fords and, in its smallest guise, is just as impressive.The little four drives a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (also used by Ford) which delivers quick, seamless upshifts that ensures little momentum is lost between the cogs. Works beautifully.SAFETYVolvo's acclaimed City Safety - which is now being copied or being bought by other carmakers - is a boon for motorists and insurance companies. Just don't hold your breath for a big premium reduction. It works by cameras and radar to detect an object in front of the car.At speeds of up to about 30km/h, it will automatically brake the car before it hits any object, such as in a traffic queue. This goes with a five-star crash rating, lots of anti-slip and stability control systems, and six airbags. It's what you expect from Volvo.DRIVINGLove that engine. Despite its size, it's not a revver and has plenty of strong low-end torque. The six gears also help. The dual-clutch does have its moments when it gets lost between ratios so, to maximise performance end ensure the engine stays on heat, it's best to manually use the gearshifter.So it's surprisingly quick and delivers almost sporty performance that's matched by a subtle exhaust growl. The front-drive layout doesn't detract from handling, either, with precise cornering feel and a nice, flat cornering stance. Matched to that is the comfort of the wide, leather-trimmed seats and the ergonomic driving position. Rear parking sensors are standard and vital given the shape of the boot.VERDICTSmall works so well in this car that unless you regularly cart lots of people or tow a boat, it's a better bet than the 2-litre T5 version of the same car. Nice $3000 saving, too.VOLVO S60 T4Price: $48,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 56%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 7.4 l/100km; 173g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 132kW/240Nm 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrolTransmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 4-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1495kgTyre size: 235/45R17Spare tyre: none

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase makes Australian debut in Sydney to coincide with the opening of a new and extended showroom in Sydney's O'Riordan Street.  The long wheelbase Ghost, which at $695,000 is $50,000 more expensive than the existing Ghost, is the sixth new Rolls-Royce model to be available in Australia.  Standard is a panoramic sunroof, lambs wool carpets, multi-media theatre system and electronically-controlled air suspension. But more than luxury on wheels, the 420kW/780Nm 6.6-litre V12 engine allows the lengthened Rolls to sprint to 100km/h in only five seconds - about the same time as a Subaru WRX. Rolls-Royce regional director for Asia-Pacific, Paul Harris, says "The Ghost Extended Wheelbase is a car for all occasions''.  "Owners who enjoy Ghost for its effortless power-delivery and driver dynamic will be delighted with the enhanced rear-cabin space in Ghost Extended Wheelbase,'' he says.  "This truly is the perfect, no compromise motor car - a fact that's been reflected in the phenomenal media and customer response the car has enjoyed across Asia-Pacific.'' Rolls-Royce in Australia sold 20 cars in 2011, down from 25 in 2010, and has sold three cars to the end of February.  But Mr Harris says the Ghost - at $645,000 a "less formal'' Rolls-Royce that is $423,000 shy of the bigger Phantom - has seen "exceptional demand'' since its 2009 launch in Australia.  "It has introduced a new generation of customers to the marque, wowed by its combination of drivability and hallmark Rolls-Royce exuberant luxury,'' he says.  The new Rolls-Royce showroom, operated by Trivett, is described as a custom-built, state-of-the art facility with room for four cars and a "bespoke'' space for customers to comm ission their hand-built cars. In addition to the bespoke area, the showroom has a mezzanine entertainment lounge designed by renowned interior designers POCO.  Customers will be able to view the latest paint, leather and wood samples from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, and commission a car "as unique as their own fingerprints'', says Harris.

Origin says it will provide eastern states customers access to electricity from sustainable sources, home and office charging equipment, electricity management and advice in its key eastern states markets. The partnership is designed to make public and fleet purchase of electric vehicles easy and cost effective, says Origin spokesman Phil Craig. "We will give options for electric vehicle owners on the type of charging station and where the electricity is sourced,'' he says. "Users can specify 100 per cent of the electricity from sustainable sources, or 50 per cent or 25 per cent. Opting for 25 per cent sustainable electricity only adds about $1 a week to the bill.'' Mr Craig says the agreement will help establish electric vehicles as a viable, convenient and more sustainable alternative to fossil-fuelled vehicles. Origin has four all-electric cars - two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs and two Leafs - and will increase its electric fleet vehicles when the Leaf goes on sale in Australia in June. Mr Craig says the agreement with Nissan was not exclusive and Origin would be open to provide green services with future electric-car makers in Australia. Renault will later this year introduce its all-electric Fluence ZE sedan.  Nissan's outgoing CEO, Dan Thompson, said the Leaf has the potential to change the shape of urban and suburban motoring in Australia. "This agreement with Origin gives us a major strategic competitive advantage,'' he says. "It is this shared awareness of and advocacy for cleaner forms of energy that makes the Nissan and Origin agreement such a fitting and promising one.''  More than 25,000 Nissan Leafs are already on the roads around the world.

BMW has been stung by a 1.3 million vehicle global recall. BMW is recalling all models of the previous generation 5-Series and 6-Series, built from 2003 to 2010, because of a faulty battery cable cover.In a worst-case scenario, the car could catch fire. Spokesman for BMW Australia, Piers Scott, says exactly 10,000 cars are affected in this country. "We are contacting all owners, via dealerships, immediately,'' he says."We haven't any reports of problems and I guess this could be seen as being overly-cautious but this is the best approach.'' Scott says issues like this reinforce cars should be serviced through authorised BMW dealerships "however, we will be alerting all service channels to capture all owners''."The problem centres on wiring that is not easily visible,'' he says. It is the second million-car recall in two years, following Toyota's massive 9-million car recall in 2009-2010 for alleged sticking accelerator pedals.BMW says no accidents or injuries have occurred because of the issue, but there is the potential that affected models may fail to start, or worse, catch fire. Owners will be sent a letter and will be asked to visit a BMW dealer for a free, 30-minute repair session.The company says in some instances, the battery cable cover - which is inside the boot - may be incorrectly mounted. It says this can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.BMW last year was penalised $3 million for failing to quickly report safety defects to the US vehicle safety authority, the NHTSA. Recalls of more than 1-million vehicles are rare. The latest big recall was Toyota that in 2009-2010 recalled about 9-million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide for defects associated with unintended acceleration.This year recalls have been announced by companies including General Motors which in the US is to repair problems with the steering system that could result in a loss of steering. There are no known complaints about this issue. Porsche is also recalling about 1200 911 Carrera S coupes from the 2012 model year in the US because the fuel line may become disconnected, leading to fuel loss and possible fire.TOP 10 RECALLS 

Volvo product planner Lex Kerssemakers says the new wagon is well overdue. "We were preoccupied,'' he says of the delay. "I sympathise with Australian buyers who have been a strong supporter of the car, but we had a lot on our plate.Australia is in the Top 5 of XC90 buyers worldwide. "But I can confirm a new XC90 is coming and it will retain all the elements that made the current car so popular.''Kerssemakers, who headed up Volvo's overseas operations - including Australia - five years ago, says the design of the XC90 replacement is "still in the early stages'' but he says it will still be a seven seater and retain the easy entry and egress to the third seat row."These are some of the things that made it popular.'' he says. "It will grow a bit in size - that's mainly because of safety requirements. But it will definitely be under 5m in length. "There are critical issues with a new model, including safety and the need to balance space and vehicle weight. It's very complex.''The next XC90 is likely to come only with a four-cylinder engine in different power and fuel choices. "We see hurdles in performance (with a four) but we're very comfortable with a four cylinder with turbocharging,'' he says. " That technology gives very good driving performance - because it's all about torque - and fuel economy and low emissions."We're even looking at twin charging (supercharger and turbocharger together) and that may come within two years. Of course there is also plug-in hybrids which are suitable for all-wheel drive vehicles.''Volvo last year sold 45,000 XC90s. "That's pretty strong for a car of its age,'' Kerssemakers says. "We have just done an update - which doesn't involve any mechanical changes - which will last until the new model.''He says he is keen to see a smaller SUV in the Volvo lineup but repeats that the company is very busy on other projects. "I won't speculate on a small SUV other to say it would be a nice fit.But we have other things to do first. The XC90 replacement has to come out first and then the replacement for the S80 - about the same time,'' he says."The S80 won't be a bigger car. We have a long wheelbase S80 which we make in China for the local market, but that's purely for China."We're driven by Europe and China. A large sedan is important in Europe but we're not looking at a Mercedes S-Class rival. "That market is too small. We're happy with the S80's size and position in the market.''

Pine plantations, as the apparent preferred location for man's inhumanities, silently have witnessed some mind-numbing events. But rarely have their nuts been shaken by something as spine-chilling as the coarse vibrations of an almost open-ended Aston Martin exhaust. The sound of the latest Aston, the Vantage S, on test distorts and echoes down the perfect vertical line of trees - more the angry noise of an animal in pain than a V8 engine that has been grudgingly enticed to release even more power. Aston Martin developed the V8 Vantage S as an evolutionary model. More power, more torque, more noise and more driver exhilaration has pushed it one step closer to the race track. With a hard-edged seven-speed automated manual and a $275,000 price tag, clearly it's not for everyone.VALUELet me repeat that figure - $275,000. Value for some, possibly, but this is a purchase where value isn't the first port of call. If you want your car right on the edge of performance and yet want a dose of luxury clothed in the world's sexiest car body, then this may represent value.The Vantage S, obviously based heavily on the $250,272 V8 Vantage, doesn't miss out on much in the way of features but there's a sense that this may be an upgrade on a car first made six years ago.Some of the kit includes a Bang & Olufsen audio, iPod/USB connectivity, leather and alcantara, sat-nav and cruise control.DESIGNThis is the most beautiful car in the world. You may disagree, but you'd be wrong. I recognise that it's six years old but it would be a brave man - or woman - who takes on drawing the next shape. Because it is essentially a grand tourer coupe, it's made to be low and fast and carry the bare minimum of people. Instantly, it's going to be big on engine space and light on cabin room. But for those who travel light between European countries at Mach 1, cabin room is sufficient and if the road's smooth, is comfortable.TECHNOLOGYLots to talk about here. It gets the same basic 4.7-litre V8 engine as the cheaper Vantage, but adds an adjustable intake plenum and a lot more spark from the ignition. More air, more spark, more bang. Power goes up 7kW to 321kW at a dizzy 7200rpm and torque rises 20Nm to 490Nm. The gearbox is a Graziano seven-speed automated manual - that Aston calls Sportshift II - integrated with the diff. It's made specifically for this car. It is controlled by the same panel of round buttons - including the must-have Sports switch - atop the centre console but individually selected by the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Aston says shift times are quicker than a manual and the box is 50kg lighter than a dual-clutch system and 24kg down on the standard Vantage's Sportshift I transmission. No manual box is available on the "S". Compared with the standard Vantage, the suspension is firmer, steering quicker with less turns needed, the brakes are grooved as well as vented and the tyres are meatier. Oh, and it goes faster.SAFETYFour airbags, all the electronic aids known to man and a non-existent crash rating. Many expensive, low-volume cars don't carry a crash rating in Europe, the US or Australia. DRIVINGI apologise now for waking up the neighbours when I plunged the glass key into its slot. The noise of the engine cranking is like the precursory gurgling of an aroused volcano and the eight cylinders firing is the explosion of jettonised lava. Honestly, if I could push start it to the bottom of the street I would have. Noise is the essence of a performance car and the Vantage S doesn't disappoint. True, I could have stopped myself from pressing the "Sport" button, but where's the fun in that?Off the mark, at slow speeds, the automated gearbox is sluggish. It needs a lot of revs and feels like it's not connected to the wheels. Upchanges have a frustrating pause between the cogs when left in the auto mode. But use the Sport button and the paddle shifters, keep the engine on the boil above 3500rpm and this is one of the sweetest road rockets around. It doesn't particularly like traffic and occasionally bumped and hopped as the transmission tried to figure out which gear it needed. Away from the grind, up in the hills and out to where the roads cut through pine plantations, it found home. The steering is perfect, the engine response brilliant - to the point of scary - and the glorious noise of the open exhaust brings a broad smile.But the road needs to be relatively smooth for imperfections jiggle the suspension and relay them through the thinly-padded carbon-fibre seats. Tiny switches also make the dashboard initially difficult to operate. But I'm being pedantic. VERDICTThis is where emotion and engineering meet. The Vantage S is built for people who have unrestricted access to sweeping roads, premium fuel and time. I don't.But I understand this car. It's imperfections - loud, firm and awkward at low speeds - are just part of its character and all wash away when you pull on the right-hand paddle and bring up the numeral four on the dash, then five, then six and when the road flattens and stretches, seven.ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE SPrice: $275,000Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assistResale: n/aService Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 12.9 l/100km; 299g/km CO2Safety Equipment: four airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC. Crash rating n/aEngine: 321kW/490Nm 4.7-litre V8 petrolTransmission: Seven-speed automated manualBody: 2-door, 2 seatsDimensions: 4385 (L); 1865mm (W); 1260mm (H); 2600mm (WB)Weight: 1610kgTyre: Size (ft) 245/40R19 (rr) 285/35R19. Spare tyre none

Buyers are voting with their right foot for automatic cars but there's a slow reaction from some makers of diesel-engined vehicles. Skoda last year fitted its Scout all-wheel drive wagon with an dual-clutch automated manual - called DSG by Skoda and its parent, Volkswagen. By comparison Subaru, who retain a lion's share of the SUV wagon market, only offer its diesel-engined Forester and Outback with a manual gearbox.It gives Skoda - and the other makes who combine diesel with auto - a big advantage in a very competitive market segment.VALUESkoda in Australia sells at a slight premium compared with similar models in Europe. But we get more features. Even against its rivals, the entry-level Scout is very well equipped - for example, heated front seats, sat-nav and rear park sensors - that prick buyer interest.The Premium edition adds leather, sunroof and electric driver's seat for an extra $4000. Skodas - built in the Czech Republic - have a good name for quality and durability and the expanding national dealer network adds peace of mind.TECHNOLOGYThe 103TDI turbo-diesel has been in every Volkswagen Group model save for Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti - and even then, don't count it out. It's strong, reliable, fuel and emission efficient and despite its reputation as a solid unit, can produce some sparkling moments in its performance. It has recently been tweaked to cut emissions and fuel consumption.The dual clutch automated manual (DSG) transfers power through its six cogs to the front wheels and has an "on demand" Haldex coupling that will engage rear wheels when the front wheels lose traction. Up to 98 per cent of engine power can be distributed to the rear wheels and the system can also be locked in 4WD for low-speed use.DESIGNI've seen prettier cars but it's rare to see one this size have so much cabin room. The boot is simply huge, especially adding in the underfloor storage area which already has a full-size spare wheel. The cabin is austere but functional, despite being a little bit narrower than some rivals.The centre monitor for the satellite-navigation system is easy to use and read. Seats look narrow but are very comfortable and supportive, even on a long country drive. There's lots of personal storage spaces such as the innovative holders built into the cushion surrounds of the front seats. Perfect for a mobile phone or coffee cup.SAFETYCrash testing gives the Scout a four-star rating and that's something that a new model will address. Standard features are six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-slip regulator and brake assist. The spare wheel is full size.DRIVINGThe Scout is an Octavia wagon with an off-road pack that includes underbody protection and heavy-duty suspension. It sits slightly higher than the  Octavia wagon yet handling is sure-footed. The steering is relaxed, suiting its touring and light-duty off-road capability, and though it sits confidently on the road, it doesn't inspire sporty driving.It has an "on demand" AWD system so there's a slight lag before the rear wheels become powered. Ride comfort is very good, especially as the body feels taut and rides over rutted roads with purpose. Engine and road noise are low - though the diesel grumbles at idle - which enhances its touring ability. It's also a lovely engine with a meaty mid-range that suits the rapid-shifting DSG box.VERDICTCzech people are pragmatic - apparently more so than Germans - and that defines this car. It's functional, solid and does its job without fuss. Sure, it's not the prettiest around but it is almost assured of being around pretty much longer than the rest. SKODA OCTAVIA SCOUT DSGPrice: $42,290Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 55%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 6.1 l/100km; 160g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 4 starEngine: 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-dieselTransmission: Six-speed DSG autoBody: 5-door wagon, 5 seatsDimensions: 4584 (L); 1784mm (W); 1533mm (H); 2577mm (WB)Weight: 1570kgTyre size: 225/50R17. Spare tyre Full size