Articles by Neil McDonald

AS with everything, preparation is the difference between enjoying a great time at the snow or experiencing a holiday from hell.  The RACV rescues up to 300 motorists during the ski season just around the Mansfield region near Mount Buller, so it pays to check your car out before you hit the slopes.Poorly prepared vehicles, speeding and a failure to treat the icy conditions with respect are the main problems.Cold conditions put more strain on the car's electrical and cooling systems, while tyre grip and visibility are reduced. carsGuide has put together a check-list for the snow.BatteryMost modern cars have sealed-for-life batteries that tend to provide little sign that they are low on charge. Cold weather affects battery performance so it is important to check your battery before you head to the snow. If in doubt change over for a new one.Black IceDo not be deceived by those great looking alpine photos of a road snaking its way through the white stuff. Even when cleared snow roads present some unseen dangers like black ice. Black ice is deadly and drivers usually hit it before they even realise that something is wrong.If you do hit a slippery section of road do not panic. Let the car slow down, change down a gear and do not brake suddenly or yank the steering wheel.  Black ice can be found in shady areas when there sun doesn't shine. Like normal roads, maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front.ChainsChains are compulsory on all vehicles in Victoria, including four-wheel drives, but are only required on two-wheel drive vehicles in NSW even though the NSW RTA recommends all vehicles carry them. If it is snowing there will be advisory signs on the road to fit chains at appropriate spots. Check your owners' manual if you drive a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle.Depending on the vehicle chains might need to be fitted to all wheels or just the front or rear wheels. Importantly practice fitting your chains before you head to the snow and keep a spare pair of old canvas gardening gloves handy to fit them. After fitting them, drive a few hundred metres and then recheck the tension of the chains. Loose chains can damage wheels and mudguards.FuelDiesel vehicles are the No1 choice for serious off-roaders and are becoming more popular among buyers who opt for "lifestyle" four and all-wheel drive cars. If you plan to spend time in the snow fill up with what's called alpine diesel or "winter mix diesel". It is available closer to the resorts in Victoria and southern NSW. Service stations in and around resorts usually carry it.Alpine diesel has a lower freezing point and additives to stop the fuel system waxing up. It is best to blend it into your tank before you hit the slopes.ParkingPARK in the designated areas at your destination. Depending on the resort, it is best to reverse park with your vehicle pointing out on to the road. If there is a heavy snowfall digging your vehicle out will be easier. It is important to put the car in gear with the handbrake off. If you do accidently leave the handbrake on it can freeze in position, locking the brakes.RadiatorLike the battery, the radiator can be forgotten in the eagerness to get to the snow and have fun. It is important to make sure you have the right anti-freeze additive in the radiator. Many newer cars already have a measure of anti-freeze and it is worthwhile checking the owners' manual again to make sure what is recommended.Spare TyreIf you don't know how to change a tyre now is the right time to learn. Know how to get the tyre out, what tools to use to change it and above all, make sure the tyre is inflated to the correct pressure. It's easy to forget the spare when you spend most of your time in town.If your car has a spacesaver that is limited to 80km/h, observe this maximum advised speed. Carrying an old bag large enough for the spare will also prevent it dirtying the luggage area.WipersThese fall into the same category as the battery and radiator. If they do not work effectively replace them.  It is handy to have a plastic scraper to get ice off the windscreen.Starting the car and using the heater or climate control will get any remaining snow off the windows. Do not pour boiling water over the windscreen to clear it. The sudden change in temperature could crack the glass. A collapsible snow shovel is handy for clearing around the car if it has been parked for a long time.

Already 130 people have joined the queue for the sleek Italian and next year's allocation is sold out.It is easy to see why. The Maserati is big but Italian styling house Pininfarina has disguised its bulk with finely chiselled lines and short front and rear overhangs.The Maserati is almost 5m long and tips the scales at nearly two tonnes, with enough room for four adults.The car shares its 4.2-litre V8 with the Quattroporte, mated to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, but the engine has been tweaked to provide a more responsive driving experience through the throttle.The V8 pumps out 298kW at 7100 revs and maximum torque of 460Nm at 4750 revs, of which 75 per cent is available at 2500 revs.The car's profile is distinguished by subtle uses of chrome to convey light. The Maserati Trident logo is on the rear pillar.Maserati has worked to give the GranTurismo a balanced and crisp on-road feel, achieving an almost ideal weight distribution of 49 per cent front and 51 per cent rear.Its on-road dynamics are assisted by the Maserati Stability Program, especially developed for the car.The chassis uses anti-dive front and rear wishbone suspensions with forged light-weight aluminium hubs and suspension arms.Maserati is aiming the GranTurismo at the BMW 650i, Mercedes CL500, Jaguar XK/XKR and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.The interior is awash in soft Poltrona Frau leather, available in 10 shades. There is a choice of wood or body-colour trim. Even the Brembo brake rotors can be colour co-ordinated.And what does Santa's latest toy cost? A cool $292,800. On the roadThe trouble with the northern Italian countryside is that it is beautiful. It's distracting, particularly when pedalling a GranTurismo through quaint villages and lush, rolling countryside around Modena.You'd like to concentrate on the fine manners of Maserati's latest but the scenery beckons. What you forget is that the GranTurismo hurtles along the twisting roads and addresses hairpin turns with ease. A lesser car would have speared off the bitumen ages ago.And that's the trick. The GranTurismo is a slick, long-distance tourer but it is also exceptionally adept at pushing on when the roads are less than ideal, with off-camber attitudes and potholes that would do Australia proud.The agility of the chassis belies its length, and the 1880kg kerb weight and the 20-inch wheels do not affect the quality of the ride.The Ferrari-sourced 4.2-litre V8 does a good job of providing brisk acceleration and moving this beast off the line with alacrity.Maserati quotes a zero to 100km/h time of 5.2 seconds and top of 285km/h.The car's maximum power of 298kW arrives just before the redline at 7100 revs. Maximum torque of 460Nm also arrives relatively high in the rev range at 4750 revs.Flip to sports mode and the engine revs harder and holds gears when decelerating, giving the V8 a gruff, no-nonsense growl.If you are intoxicated by the scenery and engine, it is possible to overlook the lavish interior and, unlike its rivals, this super coupe has real leg room in the back.The bright red leather is hand-stitched, wonderfully crafted and soft to touch.The switchgear has the feel and solidity of the Germans but with Italian flair.Only the thick A-pillars hamper the driving experience, but not enough to miss the Italian countryside. 

Toyota is cashing-in the strength of the Australian dollar against the Japanese Yen to deliver price cuts and a value boost for its two best selling imports, the Corolla and Yaris.The basic Corolla is down by $250 and the Yaris by more than $500 in a price push that cuts some models by as much as $910 and - thanks to extra equipment including airbags - boosts buyer value by up to $2400.The move is expected to trigger a series of price cuts and value improvements as major brands jockey for sales.Nissan has already promised to deliver a new baby price fighter, the $12,990 Micra, next month and Holden has a new $12,490 Barina Spark.  The price fight was triggered yesterday at the opening of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.But Mazda said it is waiting to see if the exchange rate change is a long-term shift before it moves and Hyundai said it has no plan yet to cut prices on its Korean cars.Toyota Australia's sales chief Dave Buttner said his brand is making an aggressive stand to be competitive as car sales head for only the third one-million showroom result in Australian history. He downplayed the currency exchange rate shift, saying Toyota had been in the business for 30 years in Australia and had learned to ride the highs and lows.Ford and Mazda shared top billing on opening day with the global reveal of new working class twins,the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 utes,but the show draws include everything from the $750,000 Lexus LFA supercar to the new Micra.Price policies dominated talk at the show with most brands resisting pressure to adjust their showroom stickers despite the recent surge in the Australian dollar.  "We have no intention to over-charge," said the global boss of Mazda, Takashi Yamanouchi.Hyundai's Australian managing director, Edward Lee, said his brand is waiting to see what its rivals do.  "Basically, we already have very good value. The reason why competitors have reduced their price is because they don't have our value position," Lee said."If the current situation continues, probably we can take a look. But only if it continues. Pricing has to be very steady, we cannot go up and down all the time as the exchange rate changes."A number of companies have moved negotiated with their overseas parents to pay their bills in Australian dollars to avoid exchange rate difficulties, although the US Dollar is still the dominant currency in the car world.  But for the European majors, the booming Aussie dollar is a windfall, with more baby price fighters and even top-end heroes."We are now looking at bringing in the sub-Polo cars," says Volkswagen Group Australia managing director, Anke Koeckler.  "We would not be able to even consider bringing in the Up! small car with a weak Australian dollar - so it's good news for us."

Despite reports that the Infiniti Essence concept car from last year’s Geneva motor show is a pointer to a future EV supercar from Nissan, the company has its focus on plug-in starter cars.“Can you do an electric sportscar? Of course you can,” says Nissan's vice-president of product development, Andy Palmer. “Tesla does it. Do we have a plan to produce a Tesla? No we don’t.  “The closest we have is the Infiniti Essence but we don’t have a plan to do it.” However, Palmer does admit a luxury Infiniti EV is part of Nissan’s plans to roll out four new electric cars, including the Leaf.  Palmer says he does not think Nissan will follow the path of the electric Mercedes-Benz SLS with a similar electric supercar. “I wouldn’t say we’re going ultra-high end. We’re not going to do a Tesla.”  Palmer says the first four Nissan electric cars “are relatively conventional because we want to get consumers acquainted with the idea of an electric car without being too radical”. “Obviously as you move forward there will be different opportunities for different architecture.  “The fact you haven’t got a petrol engine allows you do some interesting things with the architecture.” Palmer says the company would like to exploit the sporting nature of an electric car, which delivers maximum torque from standstill.  “The fact that electric cars give you remarkable low down torque, can gives you a quite interesting level of sporty feel,” he says. “Obviously you can do other things. Something like the Land Glider gives you some clue of the kind of flexibility you get through the technology.  “Obviously when you start to think out to the future it gives you an opportunity to push the boundaries.” Palmer says there is not one “silver bullet” to alternative powertrains into the future.  Apart from electric cars, Nissan plans to continue to roll out hybrids, both conventional and plug-in. It has also just showcased a DSG-style seven-speed gearbox in its newest Infiniti M hybrid in Japan and will continue to extract efficiencies out of its existing petrol and diesel engines. Nissan also plans to continue downsizing its conventional internal combustion engines without losing performance, as Volkswagen has done with its acclaimed Twincharger engines in its smaller hatches. The supercharged three-cylinder engine in the new Micra is the first example of downsizing for the brand.  Nissan sources suggest the Essence style will be seen in the new Infiniti G37 coupe which is set to arrive around 2012. With an overall length of 4700mm and wheelbase of 2200mm, it looks almost production ready, with a fully fitted cabin in leather and suede, including tailor-made luggage.  Although the show car was powered by a 450kW twin-turbo 3.7-litre V8 a production version could carry Nissan’s newest hybrid technology from the M range.

The Japanese carmaker has a new idea to make motoring healthier, introducing a vitamin C-infused filter in the airconditioning systems of its cars.  The device will be available within months in Japan and could roll out to other countries if there is a demand. Nissan’s climate systems engineering chief, Yuzuru Yoshinami, says the device is part of Nissan’s “well being” initiative across its vehicles.  As well as filtering air in a car's cabin, the, vitam vitamin C system also has a range of health benefits for its occupants. Some have the potential to slow signs of aging.  “People are spending more time in their cars and customers are also telling us that the conventional air conditioning systems are drying their skin out,” Yoshinami says. He says the vitamin C is infused into the car’s interior as it is driven, with a ceramic filter costing a couple of hundred dollars. It is small enough to be easily fitted inside a conventional aircon system. The system has already passed university tests in Japan on mice. “We detected an increase in vitamin C on the skin,” Yoshinami says.  He is confident the C system will be popular with people who spend a lot of time in their cars, particularly in grid-locked Japanese cities. “Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen and elastin, which are necessary for a healthy skin, he says.  The system is into final trials ahead of full-scale production.  "It is small enough in size to be infused into the air in the cabin. Like other filters, it would need to be replaced once a year."

There is talk of an electric GT-R coupe sometime in the future but Nissan says it has no plans for a hybrid performance powerhouse to tackle Porsche’s upcoming 918 Spyder.  Andy Palmer says GT-R buyers want and expect their cars to be petrol performance machines. “It’s not really something we’d consider. In the GT-R our customers are looking for performance.”  Palmer says a hybrid would add too much weight. “The GT-R is aimed at one particularly type of customer.”

Instead, Mini is concentrating on a pair of two-door sports models - the Coupe and Roadster - as it expands its product lineup for 2012 and beyond. The Moke was exhumed and completely revamped as the Beachcomber concept car at this year's Detroit Motor Show, but the minimalist approach - without side doors - has not cleared the safety barrier for production. "The idea of a modern day interpretation of the Mini Moke is sound, but maybe it can't work because of safety issues," says Cypselus von Frankenberg of Mini. "Beachcomber, for us, was a concept and we created Countryman from that." The five-door, high-rider Countryman is confirmed for Australia in January and is also expected to provide the basis for a new contender in the World Rally Championship. Prodrive, the British motorsport company that owns Ford Performance Racing in Australia, has been working on a Mini project for more than two years and its WRC program for 2011 is expected to be confirmed within a month. It will be the first time since the 1960s, when the original Mini dominated the Monte Carlo Rally, that the Mini name has been involved in top-level rallying. On the road-car front, von Frankenger is ruling out any potential for a short-wheelbase, all-wheel drive Mini codenamed Canyon. It was originally expected at the Paris Motor Show in October as a development of the Countryman. "We can never say it won't happen but it is only an idea," he says. "Even if it went beyond an idea now, it would take a long time to reach production." He says the emphasis at Mini is on the Roadster and Coupe. "We are very busy on Countryman and then the Coupe and Roadster. A short-wheelbase, all-wheel drive coupe is possible, but very unlikely." The release of the two-seater models will bring the current Mini range up to six models, with the Mini hatch, cabrio, Clubman and Countryman now all in showrooms. There is talk in Europe of a future Micro-mini, perhaps as a battery-powered city car, but von Frankenberg hints that the current six-pack is enough. "That's a pretty good result," he says. "We build the Countryman at the Magna plant in Graz, Austria because Oxford is at near full capacity. We would have a lot of trouble adding more than two models in the future."

Suzuki boss, Tony Devers, wants it ramped up to make it more attractive to motorists."If you look at some of the countries in Europe, they had incentives of up to 5000 Euros ($7200)," he says. "The amount should really be higher. I don't think $2000 is enough to get people into these cars. It's very limiting."Devers, who has been campaigning for a similar scheme for the past 12 months, says the $2000 would disadvantage the very people it is designed to help. Many people driving around in pre-1995 vehicles may not be in a position to afford a new car, he says.Under the Gillard scheme owners of vehicles older than 25 years will be offered a $2000 rebate to switch to new, more fuel efficient vehicles. But Devers says there is little detail from the Labor Party on what constitutes a 'low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicle'."We need to see a list of eligible vehicles," he says. "At present it is lacking in detail."Gillard's rebate scheme has received lukewarm support from the car industry. Although the peak body representing the Australian automotive industry, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, has thrown its weight behind it, chief executive, Andrew McKellar, admits it is light on detail. He says it needs to be evaluated 'on a stand-alone basis'."Obviously we would need to look at the detail," McKellar says.McKellar accepts that critics will call for more effective incentives and tax breaks, rather than a $2000 rebate, to get people into greener cars."If the object is to look at what the range of policy initiatives in relation to emissions can be, then there are obviously a wide range of options and opportunities," he says. He rejects the idea that it is purely an election stunt. "We are in an election campaign, so it would be expected that there will be policies and commitments and things that will come out of left field," he says. "And this is one of those."Suzuki's Devers has been vocal in his push for a scrappage scheme. Last year he was instrumental in pushing a 'first-buyers' car scheme similar to the first homeowners' grant. It is one option he would like to see on the Labor agenda. "I still think that is viable," he says.Devers believes the Government also needs to clearly outline its green car policy, rather than reward local manufacturers for building green cars. "Where is their green car policy?" he says. "If their fair dinkum give incentives across the board."Compared to other countries and even some emerging Asian Tigers, Australia has one of the oldest carparks in the Western world. According to ABS statistics, the average age of cars in Australia is 9.9 years, with 20 per cent of registered vehicles built before 1994.However, this is still higher than other countries such as the United States (9.4 years), Europe (8 years) and Japan (6.2 years). Currently there are two million pre-1995 vehicles on Australian roads.  McKellar says many do not meet today's environmental and safety standards."A key part of any strategy to reduce carbon emissions from road transport must address the impact older cars have on the environment," he says.The FCAI also supports a bid to develop a regulated carbon dioxide emission standard for new light vehicles."The industry is confident we will reach agreement with any incoming government on the detailed structure of a new standard, including ways to recognise the uptake of emerging low emission technologies and alternative fuels," McKellar says.

The car, which will be formally unveiled in BMW's hometown of Munich later today, looks very true to the concept car that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show. Outside there are few surprises, the A7 looks as lean and attractive as the show car. Inside though, Audi has stepped up the feel-good factor with a nicely styled cabin, some bold uses of wood and that expected Audi quality. As the bigger sister to the impressive A6, the A7 will be larger and even more luxurious. According to European reports the A7 will be a four-seater only, which means it will be directly pitched at the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW 5 Series GT and even Porsche's Panamera. Like the rest of the Audi family, buyers can expect a range of petrol TFSI and TDI turbo diesel engines, as well as high-performance R models. The car will officially be launched at the Paris Motor Show in October and could be on sale locally next year. Become a fan of Carsguide on Facebook

It will be auctioned by RM Auctions at Monterey in California on August 13.  Because of its lineage and condition, the Queen's personal car is expected to fetch between $68,000 and $90,000. The royal household bought the long-wheelbase 5.3-litre V12 Daimler new in 1984 as the Queen's personal transport.  It has travelled just 65,000km. In keeping with its royal breeding it has several modifications specifically made for Her Majesty's use, including a special rear seat cushion so the Royal corgis could travel more securely and comfortably. Daimler also fitted a blue convoy light in front of the rearview mirror to enable security teams to identify the car more easily at night and to be more visible in the event of a security threat to the Queen. This light is also recognised by the gate security at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.  A rear antenna mount is still fitted to the car, to which the radio communications package was fitted, allowing for a direct link to the Home Office and Downing Street. The foglights in front are wired to flash at regular intervals when the car was in official use.  The build of chassis No. 393721 was completed at the Jaguar factory in Coventry, England in 1984. The car then underwent extensive road testing by head engineers of the factory for about 4500km to iron out any bugs before it was shipped to Buckingham Palace.  Over the next three years, the Queen drove the Daimler as her own personal car. She would often be seen taking a spin around Windsor Estate and into and out of London to visit friends and family and travelled to church each Sunday in Windsor Great Park. The Queen is a keen driver, having served in the transport corps of the British Army during the World War II, driving ambulances, learning mechanical skills and even changing wheels on the vehicles herself. She also chauffeured other members of the Royal family, including the late Princess of Wales Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Prince William, The Queen Mother, Prince Philip, as well as friends and important dignitaries such as the then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1990, the Daimler was replaced by the factory for another Daimler model.  However it was then used by several members of the family as well as Royal Security before being returned and kept at the factory in 1991.  It presents in superb condition and is said to drive like new.  At present it is registered to the Jaguar Heritage Museum Browns Lane at the factory. The registration number has been changed by Jaguar on its return to the factory for security purposes, although a set of registration number plates with the original Royal number, as used by the Queen, are included with the car, as are several photographs of Her Majesty driving it. All handbooks and documentation are complete, as are all tools and keys.  In fact, it has complete documentation from its entire 26-year life, including an official stamped Heritage certificate from the Jaguar factory. Jaguar says no further Royal cars will be released again by the factory, which makes the Queen's car highly important and collectable.