Articles by Neil McDonald

The Melbourne-based car maker has updated the FG Falcon's features list and improved its fuel economy in the process.  The Falcon range now complies with Euro IV emissions regulations thanks to the inclusion of the ZF six-speed auto across the petrol sedan range, as well as a number of other changes. Also on the list of improvements is a new catalytic converter, software changes - including "Enhanced Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off (DFSO)" for better metropolitan fuel economy.  The Tremec six-speed manual remains the standard gearbox on XR sedans and all utes (the ZF is an extra $1000 on the XR6 and a $2000 option on the XR6 Turbo), with the latter now getting only the six-speed auto as a $1000 option with the demise of the five-speed automatic. Ford says it has a new six-speed column shift mechanism for the entry-level workhorse ute, so customers can still have the extra passenger in the three-across seating set-up.  Other changes includes the inclusion of side airbags on the XR6 ute range and the Bluetooth phone link and full iPod integration - previously on the options list for all models bar the G6E Turbo - as standard across the Falcon line-up. The changes have dropped the Falcon petrol six-speed auto sedans to an ADR fuel use figure of 9.9 litres per 100km, an improvement of between 2 and 5 per cent, depending on the model.  The utes consumption has improved by 8.5 per cent to 10.7l/100km Fans of the V8 performance models will have to wait until Ford announces its plans for the XR8 range, which the company says will be "revealed at a later date." Ford Australia president Marin Burela says the factory has lifted its build rates and the company is confident about 2010.  "We have a strong order bank coming back in the second quarter. "Our product pipeline is on stream ... I think you're going to see a very different share performance as we start to deliver over future months," Mr Burela says.  "We are bullish what the 2010 industry will look like for the industry and for Ford.  "The daily build rate is up from 258 to more than 270 cars a day. "In 2010 Broadmeadows throughput will increase by between 15 and 20 per cent compared to 2009," he says.  The upgrades come with a price rise but Ford says the increases are more than offset by equipment upgrade. FG Falcon range represents even greater value for money for large car customers, with the additional standard safety and technology features more than offsetting the slight increases to the Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) on most models.  The G6 sedan, for example, increases by $500, but Ford says it is getting almost $2500 worth of extra gear - the six-speed auto, Bluetooth phone link and iPod integration as standard. Fuel consumption: FG Falcon sedanXT   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%G6   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%G6E   six-speed auto  10.1     six-speed auto  9.9   2.0%G6E Turbo   six-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  11.7   -XR6   five-speed auto  10.5     six-speed auto  9.9   5.7%XR6 Turbo   six-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  11.7   -FG Falcon UteBase   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%R6   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%XR6   five-speed auto  11.7     six-speed auto  10.7   8.5%XR6 Turbo   six-speed auto  12.5     six-speed auto  12.5   -Pricing: FG Falcon sedanXT   $40,290   +$600G6   $43,490   +$500G6E  $50,390  +$500G6E Turbo   $58,990 (not including LCT)    +$1100XR6   $42,990   +$100XR6 Turbo   $48,990   +$600FG Falcon UteBase (CC)   $31,095   +$600Base (SSB)   $31,395   +$500R6 (CC)   $33,095   +$600R6 (SSB)   $33,395   +$500XR6 (CC)   $37,890  +$600XR6 (SSB)   $38,190  +$500XR6 Turbo (SSB)   $42,190   +$500

The original 1975 Ford Falcon XBGT coupe owned and raced by John Goss from 1975 until 1978 is one of the headline acts in Sotheby's classic car auction.  The other crowd pleaser is former F1 world champion Alan Jones's 1979 Williams F1 car.Sotheby's national head of collector cars, James Nicholls, says both cars are expected to create keen interest from bidders because of their blue blood racing pedigrees.  International interest in classic F1 racers could also mean strong bidding from overseas."I think that of the two, Alan Jones's car could potentially go overseas," he says.  "The Goss car is more Australian-centric.  "It will appeal to a local collector."The Goss car is tipped to fetch more than $500,000 and the Williams F1 car more than $100,000.  In 1979 Jones finished third in the Williams FW07 in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship, before becoming World Champion in 1980.He started the 1980 campaign by winning the Argentine Grand Prix from pole position and setting the fastest lap in the same car.  The Goss XBGT coupe - chassis number JG66 RY 13182 - has undergone an extensive six-month ground up restoration to bring it back to its original 1975 specifications and race livery.The mechanical restoration was overseen by Goss' own mechanic from that era.  Goss was the first person to officially race the Falcon in 1973's then new Group C touring car series.He took delivery of the car a few weeks before its debut appearance in the 1975 Bathurst 1000.  Apart from Goss's campaign in the car, it has been driven by Jack Brabham, son Geoff, Allan Moffat, Jim Richards and Le Mans winner Henri Pescarlo.Nicholls says the Blaze Blue hardtop represents an excellent buy for someone who wishes to race in the Group C Historic Series or a collector.  It is the first Group C Falcon Hardtop to be put to auction for six years, he says."I can't remember what it fetched but these cars are becoming increasingly rarer and sort after," he says.  Apart from the Jones and Goss race cars a rare 1966 Bentley Continental S3 Flying Spur, by Mulliner Park Ward is also up for auction as well as motoring memorabilia.  The Bentley is believed to be only one of nine in Australia.

Active safety features like electronic stability control are bypassing the most-needed segment in the car market - budget cars, according to Singapore-based engineering executive, Robert Tan.With the global explosion of new budget cars from markets like India and China, these systems are critical to help save lives, particularly among younger buyers looking for a cheap car, he says.  "Governments need to be more pro-active to add these potentially life-saving devices into ultra-low and low-cost cars," he says."It's not happening fast enough on low-cost cars, those under $15,000."  Tan cost prohibited the full suite of safety features migrating from high-end luxury cars to mid to low-end vehicles.Such systems are accepted in high-end luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz but remain out of reach on cars like the Tata Nano, he says.  Tan is the engineering director of automotive electronics company Infineon Technologies, which builds safety systems for cars.Unlike passive safety systems like airbags, which only come into use during an accident, Tan says active safety systems are just as important.  "They help drivers avoid an accident in the first place," he says.He argues that seatbelt reminder lights and active brake lights are relatively cheap to install on low-cost cars, yet very few have them.  Tan also wants intelligent speed limiters, drowsiness detection devices and brake assist systems in budget cars."They are proven to work in high-end cars but are largely unavailable on low-cost cars," he says.  These systems could be piggy-backed on to existing technologies that are already in some cars, he says.All these things could create an "electronic safety cocoon" for occupants.  European figures already show that electronic stability control systems have helped reduce fatal accidents by more than 30 per cent.Australia will mandate ESC on all cars and off-roaders from November next year and all vehicles from November 2013.  Tan, who was in Melbourne this week to address a Society of Automotive Engineers Australia safety conference, concedes that cost remains a big hurdle to some of the newer safety systems."It is difficult to develop something like radar cruise control on a $5000 vehicle," he says.  However, he says there is no reason low-cost cars should not get seatbelt reminders, speed limiters and brake assist."The challenges are cost, then there is original equipment maker acceptance and consumer acceptance," he says.  "Lastly legislation - without legislation there would be no pro-active safety systems."

The hybrid S will cost $159,900, putting it in the middle of the five-model Cayenne lineup. The newcomer has about more standard equipment, worth about $12,000, sportier performance than before and fuel saving reductions of up to 23 per cent. It is powered by a supercharged 245kW 3.0-litre V6 and a 34kW electric motor with a combined torque output of 580Nm from 1000 revs. It uses just 8.2 litres/100km, has CO2 emissions of 193 g/km and can be driven for short distances at speeds up to 60km/h on electric power only. Porsche Cars Australia spokesman, Paul Ellis, expects strong interest in the green wagon. "But it's a completely new area for us," Ellis says. "We've never had a hybrid performance car before." However, he is confident that up to 15 per cent of all Cayennes sold here will be hybrid. "Our customers are waiting to see and drive this new technology," he says. The Cayenne traditionally makes up between 35 per cent and 45 per cent of total Porsche sales locally. "I'd expect this figure to carry over to the new car," Ellis says. "However, prices have risen only marginally and we're putting more equipment into the cars. This could mean exceptionally strong sales for the first year." Cayenne prices have gone up 1 per cent, ranging between $1500 and $2700 depending on the model. The lineup will open with the V8 Cayenne S, the V6 Cayenne S Hybrid and twin-turbocharged V8 Cayenne Turbo. A V6 petrol and V6 turbo-diesel arrive in August to complete the five-model line-up. The range gets a new eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, extra-light all-wheel drive system and a weight reduction of up to 180kg, depending on the model. PricesCayenne V6 petrol $103,500Cayenne V6 diesel $104,500Cayenne S $147,900Cayenne S Hybrid $159,900Cayenne Turbo $239,900

German tuning house GeigerCars has slapped some huge rubber tracks on a Hummer H2 and is marketing it as the ultimate emergency services off-roader.  To prove the point the Bomber, as it is called, did a few laps of Germany's famous Nordschleife of the Nurburgring in the middle of winter when the circuit was covered in snow and impassable.The car was driven by Wolfgang Blaube, the editor of German car magazine Autobild, who described the experience as a ‘new dimension of fun’.  In standard trim the Hummer H2 is already a proven off-road workhorse.On its massive rubber tracks it turns into the type of terrain crusher Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson would drool over.  Instead of the regular 20-inch wheels, the specialists from Munich have equipped their project SUV with Mattracks 88M1-A1 rubber tracks on each wheel.The tracks are 40cm wide and 150cm long and designed to guarantee unrivalled traction on virtually any type of terrain.  Geiger also swapped the original's 5.3-litre V8 for a more powerful tweaked 296kW 6.2-litre V8.The Bomber's interior is finished in a matte silver with extra headlights on the roof and army-style graphics.  The utilitarian workhorse also adds a little bit of luxury with a sunroof, navigation system with a Kenwood DVD drive and rear-view camera including a monitor in the rear-view mirror.The Geigercars team can also convert the car to LPG with a 155 litre fuel tank.  Apart from Hummers, Geiger's other business is extracting more power out of Cadillacs, Corvettes, Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros.Hummer was set for a sale to China but the deal collapsed last month.  GM says Hummer is moving into a wind-down, joining its other brand casualties Saturn and Oldsmobile.Meanwhile, New York artist Jeremy Dean has turned a H2 into performance art.  He cut a brand-new Hummer in half, dumping the fuel-guzzling engine and turning it into a horse-drawn stagecoach - all in the name of creativity.Dean, know for pushing art establishment boundaries, unveiled the Hummer stagecoach in New York's Central Park.  The conversion was done as part of his Back to the Futurama series.

The State is also neglecting an opportunity to get hoons off the streets and into a safer, regulated location to show off their cars, according to Australian National Drag Racing Association project director, Gary Miocevich.Miocevich wants the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, to intervene in the three-year battle to get a new facility, particularly with a State election due this year.  "He should show some leadership on this," Miocevich says.More than 1700 people have registered their views on the Victorian Premier's website.  Miocevich is the project director of the Andra initiative, Motorvate Melbourne, which is campaigning for a new Victorian drag racing facility.He says the government's own studies have shown a drag venue would bring in $190 million a year to the state.  "The Government is supportive but they don't seem to understand what a drag racing venue really is," he says."Quite frankly it has not being listening to their constituents and in reality drag racing is part of the Labor heartland."  The proposed Melbourne venue would combine drag racing with a kart facility, driver training and have room for grassroots motorsports enthusiasts for drifting and motorkhanas."It makes sense to combine a whole lot of motorsport activities in one area," Miocevich says.  He says it is curious that government costing of the facility has blown out from $38 million to $60 million when a state-of-the-art drag venue in Perth cost $20 million.Andra wants a new facility beside the Melbourne-Geelong freeway between Melbourne and Avalon.  The Calder raceway has been ruled out because it is too close to new housing developments.  "Nor does the venue meet the FIA or ANDRA standards for drag racing," Miocevich says.Miocevich says that if a track was approved tomorrow the "longest part of the process is getting the government to come on board".  "The shortest part of the whole job is actually constructing a venue," he says."The Perth venue was built in 10 months."  Miocevich says a specific facility would provide significant social and community benefits.  "You can see the frustration with youth on the streets," he says."The illegal hooning and street racing that occurs is not motorsport.  "If you can provide a safe and organised venue where these people can go, you won't eliminate the problem but you have a safe and legal place for it."Miocevich is disheartened over the lack of action.  "I guess it's easier for governments to do nothing than address the issue," he says.  "If you look at drag racing there has been no ANDRA championship venue for 10 years and that's just unacceptable."Miocevich says the Government is happy to invest in facilities for AFL, tennis, golf and harness racing fans but when it comes to motorsport "unless you come from the big end, the Grand Prix end of town you don't get a look in".  "I think its unfair and its wrong," he says.

The Walkinshaw Performance 6.0-litre V8 gains a WP190 supercharger that lifts power from 270kW to 450kW with torque from 530Nm to 770Nm. The power pack supercharger uses Eton internals and the rest of the V8 is massaged with water-to-air intercooling, WP cold air intake, high-flow injectors and a bi-modal exhaust. Walkinshaw's sales and marketing manager, Tony Harris says the Superwagon is a first for them."We've never done a wagon before," he says. "We really wanted to showcase the family element. It's a really user friendly every day car."Harris says the car is aimed at some of the hot German performance wagons. To complete the upgrade there are special colour-coded bonnet scoops, lowered suspension, special 20-inch wheels and tyres and WP engine covers, mats and headrests. Walkinshaw Performance also adds on a high-end Rockford Fosgate stereo system, available on VE product for the first time. The audio upgrade does not compromise any of the car's existing electronic functions, like Bluetooth connectivity.The Walkinshaw tweaks are not limited to the Sportwagon. They are available on the VE Commodore SS, SS-V, Calais, the Statesmen and Caprice, sedans and utes. Packages start from $3590 but enthusiasts can spend as much as $50,000 upgrading their cars.Harris says the company "has never been busier" because of the peace of mind available with the no-cost warranty on performance upgrades."The warranty offer has been a catalyst for more business," he says. Harris says the company expects to modify about 1000 Holdens this year. The warranty deal applies equally to customers with a new Holden or Holden Special Vehicle car."More than 50 per cent of our inquiry is from Holden customers and the fact we are now offering a warranty on supercharged engines gives owners peace of mind," he says.The warranty extends for the balance of the manufacturers' new car warranty. If a customer brings in a three-month old car in for a performance upgrade, Walkinshaw will cover the driveline for the remaining 33 months. Walkinshaw has not yet released performance figures for the wagon but it's tipped to hit 100km/h in under 5 seconds.The full upgrade on the Sportwagon does not come cheap. The SS-V Sportwagon costs $57,290 but the full-blown WP treatment adds another $43,990."We had one customer who owned a 2008 HSV GTS who ended up spending $25,000 upgrading the car's performance," Harris says.

It has unleashed a track-ready version called the AMG GT3.The sleek racecar will compete in next year's European GT3 series. Using the same 6.3-litre V8 as the SLS, the light-weight racer will be significantly quicker. With an engine tuned for more than 450kW, the AMG GT3 is tipped to have a top speed of more than 330km/h.The head of Mercedes-AMG, Volker Mornhinweg, says the SLS AMG provided an outstanding starting point for the racecar. "It is our response to strong customer demand for a car designed for the GT3 motorsports series," he says.Inside, the donor car's luxurious cabin has been stripped bare to save weight and exterior changes focus on improved aerodynamics. There is a new front apron with a splitter, a bonnet with a central cooling air vent and the wider front and rear wings. The modifications continue with side wheel arch air vents, sideskirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, a smooth underbody with a rear diffuser and adjustable rear aerofoil.The C-pillars accommodate the standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system. The powerful V8 is linked to a six-speed racing gearbox with steering wheel mounted paddles and a locking differential. Like the standard SLS AMG, the transmission is located at the rear axle. Both the engine and transmission are connected by a torque tube within which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed, just like the road car.However, for the track the springs, shock absorbers, suspension height, stabilisers, track width and camber are fully adjustable. The rack-and-pinion steering gets a more direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance design for crisp handling. Inside the cabin is dominated by a steel rollover cage that adds additional reinforcement to the aluminium spaceframe.There is a racing seat with a six-point seatbelt and HANS neck protecting system. An open-top racing steering wheel with gearshift paddles makes perfect vehicle control possible. Additional controls on the centre console start the car, adjust the traction control or activate the integrated fire extinguisher system in an accident.Like the power output, Mercedes-Benz has not revealed pricing. However, racing GT3 series BMWs and Porsches cost between $450,000 and $500,000.

The Maranello-based company has confirmed details of the 599 GTO ahead of its official launch at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. The road-ready street car is based on the experimental 599XX track car. It has already proven its race-track credentials too. The 599 GTO set a record lap time at the company's Fiorano test track in Maranello with a time of 1:24. Developing 500kW at 8250 revs and 620Nm at 6500 revs, the six-speed GTO hits 100kmh in just 3.35 seconds with a top speed of more than 335km/h. Despite the increase in power over the 599 GTB Fiorano, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions improve slightly to 17.5 litres/100km and 411 g/km respectively. Widespread use of composite materials and components from Formula 1 have kept the car's overall weight down to 1605kg - 80kg less than a Holden Commodore Omega.To match the performance, it gets the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes which are lighter and offer better performance. There are also new aerodynamic innovations, such as the wheel doughnuts which increase aerodynamic efficiency and improved brake cooling. A different tyre set-up with wider front tyres helps improve roadholding. Ferrari has thrown in what it calls the "virtual race engineer'' device, which provides the driver with instantaneous information on performance. Apart from new springs and a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, the car also features Ferrari's second-generation magnetic suspension system. Local prices and specifications will be announced when the car arrives next year. In Europe the GTO costs $461,238 but its local price is tipped to be significantly more. However, the size of your bank account will not guarantee pole position behind the wheel of Ferrari's newest sportscar. "Cars will only be sold to Ferrari's most valued customers worldwide," according to Edward Rowe, a spokesman for Ferrari importer Ateco Automotive Ltd. Rowe says many of these customers will already have a stable of Ferraris in their garages. Even though 10 Australian and New Zealand customers have expressed interest in the new 12-cylinder 599 GTO, not everyone will be able to walk into a showroom and order Maranello's latest weapon. With just 599 being made, many already have customer names to them. Australia has not been allocated a specific number of cars but only a handful are expected to arrive early next year. "We have no definitive number of the car we'll get," Rowe says. The GTO gets its first public airing at this month's Beijing Motor Show - recognition that China is emerging as one of the brand's strongest global markets.

The Volkswagen Polo beat stiff competition, sweeping away luxury and green contenders to become this year's World Car of the Year.  The Polo won out against the luxury Mercedes-Benz E-Class and hybrid Toyota Prius. Almost unanimously, the jurors described the Polo is one of VW's star performers, holding its own in the most competitive market segment.  "Boasting best-in-segment packaging and handling, this supermini's blend of classy looks, reliability and quality has meant it’s consistently been one the markets best-sellers," they said. "Draped in head-turning stylish curves, the Polo is certainly one of the classiest small VWs ever built.  "It's also safe with a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating." Dr Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, says he is honored that the small hatch won.  "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo," he says. Volkswagen had a double world car win.  The 2010 World Green Car of the Year award was taken out by three models instead of one - the Volkswagen Polo, Golf and Passat, all featuring BlueMotion fuel-saving technologies. It was noted by the awards group that jurors felt that it is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency.  Although the Polo is still three months away from local showrooms, it has been a sell-out success in Europe. It was chosen from an initial entry list of 30 cars nominated by 59 World Car jurors - including Carsguide editor Paul Gover - from 25 countries.  Each juror was appointed by the a steering committee on the basis of their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. In January the jurors narrowed their choices to a top 10 shortlist.  At a second round of voting in February jurors were asked to score the top 10 candidates based on merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal. Now in their seventh year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind.  This year's World Performance Car of the Year title went to the Audi R8 V10.WCOTY finalists Audi Q5BMW X1Chevrolet (Holden) CruzeKia SoulMazda3Mercedes-Benz E-ClassOpel/Vauxhall InsigniaPorsche PanameraToyota PriusVolkswagen PoloPrevious winners 2009 Volkswagen Golf2008 Mazda22007 Lexus LS4602006 BMW 3 series2005 Audi A6