Articles by Neil Dowling

The four-door car, based on the 6-Series coupe and here early 2012, will rival not only the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7, but its own 5-Series GT, 7-Series range and even the X6 SUV.The news - which enforces BMW's expansion of its premium line-up - was almost a throw-away line as BMW board director Dr Friedrich Eichiner introduced the 2011 6-Series convertible in Cape Town."We focus on premium ... that makes us strong," he says. "It helped us overcome the global financial crisis. It is a robust business because premium is all about high-quality cars and high emotion. New markets are demanding more premium cars. For that reason we introduce this new 6-Series Convertible, within six months the new 6-Series Coupe and after that, a four-door Coupe."Dr Eichiner and his staff wouldn't elaborate on the new coupe other than point to the concept car - the Gran Coupe - shown last year at the Beijing motor show."That's basically the new car," one BMW staffer told Carsguide of the Gran Coupe.The car will wear 6-Series badges and shares much of the body shape and platform with the new 6. But it is considerably lower - the concept is 100mm less than the 7-Series sedan's height - to exploit its length and width.Initial rumours point to an M version but at Cape Town this week, that was dismissed. Instead, BMW will round out the new 6 Convertible - and upcoming Coupe - with an M version each.

The small, city-bred hatchback - which will get its official name later this month - may be leased out on a short-term basis, says a BMW spokesman. Speaking at the BMW 6-Series launch in Cape Town this week, he suggested the MegaCity could be leased under a car-share arrangement, where successive owners could pay a monthly fee to BMW. The reason is the expected high cost of the car - the same problem that faces all developers of new technology. Mitsubishi in Australia, for example, leases the i-MiEV because its estimated purchase cost would be about $70,000 - considered difficult to sell outright. Officially, BMW sales director Ian Robertson has previously said the car wasn't to be sold, rather 'rented' to users on a concept similar to Smart's "Car2Go" system. Mr Robertson is on record as saying: "More and more people in large cities are looking for an alternative to the ownership of a vehicle. Car-sharing concepts are considered one way to keep these people mobile and avoid the restrictions associated with car ownership." BMW will trial its lease concept with the 1-Series Active-E all-electric car in the US and Germany later this year. Meanwhile, the MegaCity - likely to adopt to "i" prefix and hinted at "i2" - is on track for a 2013 launch following a 2012 showing at the London Olympic Games. MegaCity is almost entirely made of carbon fibre which BMW says will save up to 350kg compared with a similar hatchback body. BMW has also claimed the car as being the world's first high-volume car using carbon-fibre material. It will be built as a body-on frame. The frame is an aluminium-framed platform that integrates the electric motor, drivetrain, suspension, steering and battery pack. BMW calls this LifeDrive - Life being the choice of body styles and Drive being the powertrain within the skateboard chassis - with some technology shared with the electric Mini. The separate, colour-impregnated body could be a four-seat hatchback, two-seat coupe or a commercial van or ute. BMW says the design will save weight reduction which will enhance the electric motor's performance and extend the battery' range.

... in favour of new-tech conventional automatics, says BMW. The direct-shift gearbox (DSG) - also known as dual-clutch and twin-clutch transmissions - lacks smoothness, is heavy, expensive and the fast shift speeds can be replicated by adaptions to the torque-convertor gearbox, says BMW drivetrain specialist Jan Kretschmer. "I dispute that the fuel economy is better and the speed of the gearchange is quicker in a dual-clutch transmission," he says. "We can do the same things - and we've done it - by adapting changes to our eight-speed automatic. Maybe soon we won't use the dual-clutch for other cars in our range - including the M models." Mr Kretschmer's belief is shared by Mazda that has dismissed dual-clutch transmissions in favour of a quick-change, lock-up six-speed torque convertor automatic. Mazda launched the transmission last October as Sky-Drive. It will first be available this year in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. BMW uses a ZF eight-speed torque-convertor automatic but has successfully enhanced the box. Mr Kretschmer - speaking at the BMW 6-Series launch in Cape Town - says BMW has about a dozen patents on the changes and is earning "a nice income" from licenses with companies including arch rival Audi. "Dual clutch technology in passenger cars is about seven or eight years old," he says. "It is suited to engines that have a high engine speed and that's why it is currently in our M3. A torque convertor has - at the moment - limits with its operation above 7000rpm engine speeds. For all other applications, we have three versions of our eight-speed automatic that are better than the dual clutch." Mr Kretschmer says the BMW automatic has a shift speed of 140 milliseconds. "The BMW M3 dual clutch has 160 millisecond changes, so they're virtually the same," he says. "The automatic is 12kg lighter than the M3 gearbox and - comparing the two gearboxes on the same petrol engine - gets an 8 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. On a diesel engine, the automatic gets a 9 per cent fuel saving." Mr Kretschmer says that "within seven years" there will be another big leap in transmission innovation - but he isn't giving anything away and says "it's not yet ready". BMW is very unlikely to expand its number of gears from eight. "We know that ZF has a nine-speed automatic and that Chrysler will be one of the first manufacturers to use that transmission," he says. "But we won't. It is possible to go to 12 gears, but we are happy with eight. The problem is that, and we have tested this thoroughly, a nine or 10-speed version of the eight-speed automatic offers no fuel economy improvement. It adds weight, is expensive and is less efficient because it has to operate on three open clutches (which draws engine power). Our eight speed operates on two open clutches, so it's economical and lightweight." Mr Kretschmer also dismissed CVT gearboxes as being "too inefficient" in cars except small-capacity city vehicles. However, he still sees a place for manual transmissions. "A manual gearbox is still cheaper to make than an automatic," he says. "The 6-Series, for example, has a manual option and it's popular (and exclusively available) in the US." BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott says about 90 per cent of Australian-delivered BMWs were automatics.

The big German says it will present a new A-Class and B-Class series using a common platform.  These two hatchback models will be supplemented by a coupe, an SUV and a convertible. In a twist, Mercedes has started a relationship with Renault-Nissan that could see that group also use the platform.  Called MFA - or Mercedes Front-wheel drive Architecture - it will start rolling out late this year (B-Class) and then in mid-2012, the A-Class. It plans a coupe and convertible in mid-2013 and an SUV in early 2014.  The coupe is rumoured to be based on the styling of the CLS four-door and the SUV will be pitched against the BMW X1 in size and price. Mercedes says that it's new alliance partner, Renault-Nissan, may use the MFA design for a new entry-level, US-bound Infiniti model.  The Infiniti would not compete with the new Mercedes A-Class and B-Class because they are not sold in the US.

BMW in the US yesterday unveiled its new turbocharged 2-litre petrol engine that is claimed to have the performance of a six with the economy of a ... well, four.Proposed initially for the X1 - and to be badged xDrive28i - in Europe later this year, the turbo is also bound for the entry-level Z4 and selected 1-Series and 3-Series vehicles.BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott says it's coming, but it is still being determined when it arrives and in what model."It may not be the X1 that's first in Australia with this engine," he says. "Production scheduling could see the four-cylinder Z4 getting here first."The twin-scroll turbo four pumps 180kW and 353Nm of torque - more torque than the company's 3-litre atmo six that has 190kW/310Nm.It is the first time that BMW has launched a production turbo-four since the 2002 of 1974.The engine delivers its power at 5000rpm, 1500rpm lower than the peak power of the six, and the 353Nm of torque hits at 1250rpm - again, 1500rpm earlier than the six.BMW says the four-cylinder engine has an aluminum crankcase so is lighter and smaller than the 3-litre six. Its compact size will allow it to be placed at the back of the engine bay to improve chassis balance.The result of increased performance also comes with lower fuel consumption and emissions, though BMW is yet to release details.

CAR stuff is full of acronyms, numbers, decimal points and funny words.  For once, I'm taking most of the numbers out of the story because they probably won't thrill you as much as the one I leave in - 1017.That is the theoretical annual saving, in dollars, of a Honda Insight Hybrid's fuel bill compared with the national average annual fuel cost.  That's $1017 or, to be precise, $1017.75 and that's the difference between Australia's 11.1 litres/100km vehicle average and the Insight's on-test 5.2 l/100km (not Honda's claimed figure), taking into account a 15,000km yearly average and unleaded petrol at $1.15 a litre.Sorry, more figures.  Own a Honda Insight and you'd be driving a car that could just make you feeling greener than Kermit. But is there a cost?VALUEHmmm. It's relatively cheap at $29,990 plus on-road costs and I got 5.2 litres/100km  in the suburbs without really trying.  Honda claims 4.6 l/100km which is possible in ideal conditions that, unfortunately, we don't live in.The hatchback is comfortable, versatile and roomy and through in striving to beat the bowser it strikes a couple of speed bumps, it's basically worth a long look.  The base model VTi tested here is $3500 cheaper than the upmarket VTi-L but is a better buy.DESIGNIt's based on the Jazz hatchback - and City sedan - platform but takes most of its shape from the US-only Honda Clarity fuel-cell delight.  The teardrop shape is all for cheating the air and the slippery profile neatly cuts the air to benefit not only fuel use but improve quietness.But Honda does a great job of finding the sensible compromise between the need to slice through the air and have room for a family within its cabin.TECHNOLOGYA hybrid has two or three power units. In this case, one is electric and one is petrol and they work together - unlike the Toyota Prius where they can work independently.  There is no extension cord and no powerpoint to plug it in. It has a large storage battery and the petrol engine both drives the car and charges the battery.It starts like any other car; drives like any other car. The fact that it's automatic also makes it easy to punt around town.  But there is an option. A green button on the dashboard will change the engine program, dulling performance and turning the engine off (and back on again later) when the car is stationary.There are a lot of clever things in the car but - alarmingly - it gets shot down by the archaic drum rear brakes visible through the alloy wheel spokes.SAFETYThe Insight gets the maximum five-star crash rating, has six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution so that leaves the driver as the only thing to go wrong.DRIVINGI mentioned that optional button on the dash. Press it and you kill the fun.  Hills turn the Insight sluggish, a green traffic light turns the car behind you into an ogre and because the engine stops when the car stops, so does the airconditioner.If you're not in a hurry, driving through hilly countryside or picked a temperate day for a drive, the "econ" button will chop back fuel use.  Otherwise, leave it off and the combination of the powerful little electric motor and small petrol engine can provide pleasant motoring. Even fun. Almost.There are drawbacks.  Squeezing more kilometres from the petrol tank means the Insight must be light. It is. But that makes it feel unsettled on the road, susceptible to sidewinds and skitterish when hurried through bends.The light steering doesn't help so it ends up feeling ot connected either to the road or the driver.  It is comfortable, spacious enough for a small family and flexible. The space-saver rear tyre doesn't surprise but the large boot does.VERDICTUse your calculator and this is a winner. Use your heart and it's a bit soft. 8/10HONDA INSIGHT VTiOrigin: JapanPrice: $29,990Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cyl; electric motorPower (combined): 72kW @ 5800rpmTorque (combined): 167Nm @ 1000-1700rpmFuel: Standard unleadedFuel tank: 40 litresEconomy (official): 4.6 litres/100kmEconomy (tested): 5.2 litres/100kmGreenhouse: 109g/km (Corolla: 174g/km)Transmission: CVT, paddle shifters; front-driveBrakes: Disc/drum, ESC, ABS, EBD, brake assistTurning circle: 10.3mSuspension: Front _ MacPherson struts; Rear _ torsion beamWheels: 15-inch alloy, 175/65R15 tyres; space-saver spareLength: 4405mmWidth: 1695mmHeight: 1435mmWheelbase: 2550mmWeight: 1205kgBoot (seat up/down): 408/584 litres (Corolla: 450/1121)Warranty: 3yr/100,000km (battery - 8yr/unlimited km)Service: 10,000km

This year it celebrates being beaten around the harshest corners of the world for 60 years. More than five million vehicles have worn its name in 188 countries.Toyota started down the 4WD path in response to a contract from the US Army for a Jeep vehicle for duty in the Korean War. It developed its BJ prototype in early 1951 with the intention of expanding the army contract into civil sales. Within six months of first turning its wheels, the truck-derived all-wheel drive Jeep became the first vehicle to be driven to the sixth hill station, 2500m up Mount Fuji. The feat won it a contract with the Japanese police fleet and success began with the first production model, the Type 25 BJ. In 1954, it was given the generic LandCruiser name.Though popular in Japan, Toyota found difficulty in exporting to major markets that were already served by US and European 4WD vehicles. So it looked at - and found success in - Australia and the Middle East, South America and South-East Asia.Toyota's LandCruiser concept was refined in the mid-1960s to follow the US trend for more refined vehicles.In 1966 it launched the first LandCruiser Station Wagon series - forerunner of the 200-Series - for family and commercial markets, and ran this model alongside the more rugged FJ-Series. The LandCruiser split in 1996 becoming (in Australia) the Prado that was a smaller 4WD than the 90-Series. It continued alongside the 70-Series FJ models.In its 60 years LandCruiser ancestors have travelled the world, seen the highlights and lowlights of man and nature and endured as the globe's most popular 4WD.In Australia, one of the first LandCruiser customers was construction magnate Sir Leslie Theiss, who bought several for use on the rugged construction trails of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. Its ability to cope with Australian conditions led to Australia being LandCruiser's largest single market, accounting for more than one in 10 of all LandCruisers ever built.TIMELINE1951 - Toyota "Jeep" BJ prototype was developed from demand for  military-type utility vehicles. It had a 63kW/215Nm 3.4-l six-cyl OHV petrol engine and part-time 4WD without a low-range transfer case. It became the first vehicle to reach Mount Fuji's sixth station.1953 - Regular production starts.1954 - The name LandCruiser was created by the technical director Hanji Umehara.1955 - The second generation, 20-Series is introduced. It had a 93kW 3.9-l six-cyl engine, longer leaf springs but retains the part-time 4WD system and three-speed gearbox.1957 - The first station wagon FJ35 is introduced with a 2650mm wheelbase. LandCruisers are imported into Aus. and used on the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme by Theiss Constructions.1958 - The FJ25 starts production in Brazil, the first factory outside Japan.1960 - The 20-Series was upgraded to the FJ40.1965 - Global production passes 50,000 vehicles. The LandCruiser is the best selling Toyota in the US.1967 - Production of the FJ55 station wagon begins, replacing the FJ45, with a 2710mm wheelbase.1968 - The 100,000th LandCruiser is sold.1972 - The 200,000th LandCruiser is sold.1973 - The 300,000th LandCruiser is sold.1974 - A four-cyl 3-l diesel is offered.1975 - The 3.9-l petrol engine is replaced by a 4.2-l unit. The FJ55 gets front disc brakes. The F engine is replaced by the 2F engine.1978 - The first BJ / FJ40 and FJ55 models were sold in West Germany.1979 - Power steering and airconditioning become options in the FJ40. The diesel engine grows to 3.2 litres (initially Japan) and optional 3.6 litres.1980 - The 60-Series is introduced.1981 - LandCruiser sales pass 1 million.1984 - Final year for the FJ40. The LandCruiser 70-Series is introduced with a 4-l 3F engine. A light-duty model - Bundera - has Hilux components including a 2.4-l petrol engine.1985 - The direct-injection 12H-T and 13B-T turbo-diesel engines are introduced.1988 - The petrol engine is upgraded to a 4-l 3F-E EFI engine. The FJ62G VX-Series is introduced.1990 - The 80-Series station wagon is introduced, replacing the 60. It has three engines (3F-E six-cyl petrol; a six-cyl 1HZ diesel; and 1HD-T direct-injection turbo-diesel). All 80s sold in North America and Europe have full-time 4WD while Aus. has a part-time system. Sales reach two-million.1993 - An advanced 24-valve, 4.5-l six-cyl petrol engine is introduced.1994 - The 500-only limited edition LandCruiser Blue Marlin series is introduced.1995 - Driver and passenger airbags, adjustable shoulder-belt anchors and ABS are introduced. The "TOYOTA" badge is replaced with the new logo, sometimes described as a "bean with a hat".1996 - The 90-Series Prado three and five-door is added to the LandCruiser range.1997 - The LandCruiser Collector's Edition is sold. The US sells the "40th Anniversary Limited Edition".1998 - The 100-Series LandCruiser is introduced to replace the 8-year-old 80-Series. It gets independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering and optional V8 petrol engine. The 100-Series formed the basis for the Lexus LX470.2000 - The 50th anniversary of the LandCruiser. Global production is 3.72 million vehicles.2002 - The HDJ79 is introduced to Aus. with the 1HD-FTE 4.2-l six-cyl 24-valve turbo-diesel EFI engine.2007 - The 100-Series is replaced by the 200-Series. It gets advanced "CRAWL" (a 4WD speed control system); Downhill Assist Control; multi-terrain ABS brakes; Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System; six-speed automatic sequential transmission; and optional 4.5-l V8 bi-turbo turbo-diesel engine. Toyota's first turbo-diesel V8 engine is released in the 70-Series.

SUVs may create false illusions of ruggedness but still have a city role for families. The illusion that you spent weekends hunting bears - but really were a downtrodden wimp who yearned a physical sense of highway authority - spawned the SUV in the US.That was decades ago and most of the delusional buyers have since either been eaten by a bear (at the zoo) or perished in a highway rollover. Now there's a new generation of buyer. Egged along by car companies who simultaneously axed their station wagons, buyers now appreciate that an SUV - ghastly term but we're stuck with it - offers versatile, flexible and a reasonably comfortable alternative for the family.Nissan's X-Trail has been here a decade and is still pulling crowds. Last year, after getting an all-new model for 2008 that looked exactly like the old model, it was Australia's third best-selling compact SUV.There's good reason for the X-Trail's success. It's affordable, has a cheaper front-drive option, is well equipped and very family friendly. The latest 2011 model goes up a bit in price but get extras - 17-inch alloys, pretty chrome bits and leather trim for the steering wheel and handbrake lever.The base 4WD model tested here, the ST, sells for $32,490 as a manual and an extra $2500 for the competent CVT auto. That is smack-bang in the middle of a voracious field of rivals. The X-Trail meets them on features and performance but is dulled by its dated, boxy and - to be frank - ugly looks.The latest model looks like the original model of 2001 but doesn't share one component or one dimension. It looks the same because Nissan though the old one was selling so well it feared change would kill the golden goose. But it's physically bigger and roomier inside.The dashboard is less quirky - the original had a central instrument panel - but retains lots of storage areas. The cooler tubes in the dash for softdrink cans have been replaced by a cooling or heating function within the glovebox.The rear seats split 40/20/40, fold flat and the boot has a false floor hiding drawers and lockers. Neat!Not anything to write home to Mum about but the 2.5-litre engine is an economical, simple yet durable mill. The all-wheel drive system works really well but isn't a cure-all for anything off the bitumen. Don't expect sunset dune runs because the shadow of the shovel will mar your picture.Drivers can keep it in 2WD (front drive) or switch to 4WD and then, as the sun sets, to 4WD Lock. The latter locks the centre diff allowing power to transfer to all wheels with traction. It's only a low-speed option. Steering is electric-assist, making it a quite vague, while the suspension is conventional coils and struts.The entry-level X-Trail ST 4WD gets a four-star crash rating and comes with six airbags, electronic stability control, brake assist and ABS, with off-road aids like hill descent control. The manual transmission model tested also has hill hold, which locks the brakes when stationary on an incline to give you a couple of seconds to get your left foot off the brake and onto the clutch. It all helps.This didn't thrill me but I appreciated its effort. The gearbox and engine relationship is cordial and the light clutch action confirmed that this is an easy wagon to drive.There's sufficient low-end kick in the engine to make it sparkle off the lights but it doesn't encourage higher revs. That's fine by me - it keeps fuel consumption and engine noise to a minimum. The steering is too light - and vague - to return a positive feel which diminishes the driving experience. However, for general punting around the suburbs, it's fine.Good visibility, a high seating position and simple controls will endear this car to the family taxi driver. Comfort is surprisingly good. The seats are soft though there's sufficient side bolster in the front seats to support the body.Ride and handling is pretty good - but I've driven better - but on the other side of the ledger, it absorbed the bumps better than some on the market.It's all a neater version of something we're already comfortable with, though isn't as snappy as its sister, the Nissan Dualis SUV.

It has slashed the vehicle emissions of the News Limited national fleet by almost 30 per cent and put it in the enviable position of a carbon neutral company.  Critical selection of new fleet vehicles has, since News Limited embarked on its One Degree energy efficiency mission in 2007, resulted in 24 per cent of new cars purchased emitting less than 150 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In total, the company's fleet is emitting almost 30 per cent less CO2 compared with three years ago.  One Degree accurately demonstrates how energy efficiency - and in this case, careful fleet vehicle purchases - can make substantial changes to the environment. But it doesn't stop there. The chairman and chief executive of News Limited, John Hartigan, says the company is on track to achieve its goal of reducing its emissions by 20 per cent. Low-emission - and therefore low fuel consumption - vehicles added to the fleet since 2007 include the Australian-made Toyota Camry Hybrid. It also has Toyota Prius Hybrids, Honda Civic Hybrids and diesel passenger cars including Hyundai i30 and Mazda6. The trend to smaller, more efficient cars is reflected in new additions including the Ford Fiesta and Golf - in diesel and petrol - models.  New Ltd Manager, Environment & Climate Change, Dr Tony Wilkins, says it's not just diesel and hybrids that are reducing corporate emissions. "The Volkswagen Golf TSI petrol surprised us with its 149g/km CO2," he says.  "That has helped bring down the fleet's carbon footprint since 2007 by 24 per cent." In total, News Limited has reduced its emissions by 18.4 per cent in 2009-2010 and is expected to meet its 20 per cent goal in the 2010 calendar year, when figures are released. Efficiency measures introduced over the past three years had reduced carbon emissions by 8.4 per cent (from 146,166 tonnes of carbon dioxide to 134,880 tonnes) with an additional 10 per cent reduction coming from renewable energy certificates. "In June 2007 we launched One Degree, setting aggressive targets to cut carbon emissions across every part of our operations," Mr Hartigan says.  "We started with one idea and a singular commitment, auditing over 85 per cent of operations and identifying 179 carbon reduction projects to change how we approach every aspect of our business. "As a result we have cut almost 30 per cent of vehicle fleet emissions, business travel is down by 22 per cent through the use of video conferencing and we have invested in more energy-efficient equipment to reduce emissions from lighting, cooling and printing." Mr Hartigan says One Degree is proof that small changes can add up to a big difference.  "One Degree has become part of the way we do business, and that will continue.  We are saving money by using less energy; it's an issue our employees are interested in; and it's an issue our readers continue to want debated."

The Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) - a successor to the single-seat L1 concept of 2009 - has two seats and diesel-hybrid power.  Volkswagen says the Polo-sized concept is not for production. But its technology will filter down to production cars.Shown at the Qatar Motor Show, the XL1 is a composite two-door car with steel used in only 23 per cent of its construction.  The 800cc 35kW two-cylinder diesel gets up to 0.9 litres/100km and emits just 24g/km of CO2. By comparison, a Corolla emits 174g/km.The electric motor produces just 20kW but the car is brisk - 0-100km/h in a respectable 11.9 seconds and a top of 158km/h - thanks to the vehicle's low 795kg weight.  The diesel-hybrid power unit is linked to a seven-speed DSG gearbox.The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating.  Volkswagen says that in pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35km before the diesel engine cuts in.In both its styling and packaging the XL1 draws on lessons learned from the 1-Litre car (2002) and the L1 concept (2009).  It has evolved to feature staggered seating with the driver and passenger placed next to each other in a body structure made from advanced new materials providing strength yet weighing just 230 kg.Volkswagen says that to make such weight savings possible "and yet viable for series production" it has developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.In total the XL1 weighs 795 kg. In addition to the body structure, the weight is accounted for by the drivetrain (227 kg), the running gear (153 kg), the interior including a pair of bucket seats (80 kg) and the electrical system (105 kg).  In total just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron.Further savings are made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).  The styling of the XL1 is borne out of functional requirements.It has scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been shaped by wind tunnel to produce a coefficient of drag figure of 0.186."Although the XL1 is still very much a concept, its unveiling marks the next step towards the birth of a new class of Super Efficient Vehicles, while the advent of a process such as RTM is a significant milestone," Volkswagen says.