Articles by Neil McDonald

That's the findings of a recent JD Power survey of more than 19,000 car buyers - including the picky Gen-Y customers - in the United States, which shows mixed responses to the useage of the latest in-car devices that connect drivers.About half of car owners surveyed us an auxiliary input jack for their portable digital music player in their vehicle, while about 20 per cent use a wireless FM transmitter.  Almost two-thirds of consumers say they want the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle's speakers, while 27 per cent say they want to a smart-phone music capabilities in conjunction with their vehicles audio system.Other findings show that 68 per cent of owners use their vehicle's in-car Bluetooth, compared with 47 per cent who have this feature but do not use it.  In-car satellite navigation systems also divide drivers. JD Power found that 67 per cent of drivers are interested in it but when they discover it is an extra cost option, interest falls to just 20 per cent.Luxury car buyers were a little different with 45 per cent more resilient and prepared to spend for navigation systems even after they know the price.  Among those consumers who want a navigation system, a third say they are interested in lower-cost alternative that enables the driver to provide an address to a live operator and receive text or audible directions without a full-screen map integrated into the vehicle. Entertainment and connectivity related devices still remain the most desired technologies for buyers.  Premium surround sound systems garner the highest interest rate with 72 per cent saying a high-quality sound system is important.

His views have the support of the peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.  About 30 importers in the FCAI importers group believe consumers have a right to be rewarded for going green. "It's got to be a reward basis but what those rewards are I don't know," Devers says. "It could be cheaper stamp duty or free parking in the city. If the Federal Government is keen about the environment and promoting green cars they need to show it." Devers acknowledges that he has a vested interest in the debate with the company's Alto light car being one of the lowest emitters of harmful C02 gases. "But we really need to open the discussion on this," he says. "We really need a benchmark, whether it's on fuel efficiency or emissions... perhaps anything under 130g/km in CO2 emissions." Devers also argues that Australian motorists are being denied some of the newer fuels available in Europe that lower emissions. "All this has to be put on the table and thrashed out," he says. The FCAI chief executive, Andrew McKellar, says the group is working through that process now. "We know other governments around the world use incentives and we need to look at that," he says.  The importers' push comes as the FCAI revealed this week that the average carbon dioxide emissions of Australia vehicles is now the lowest on record. The FCAI says improved engine technology has helped cut the average CO2 emissions.  The 2009 National Average Carbon Emission figure is 218.5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, down 1.8 per cent compared to the 2008 figure of 222.4 grams of CO2/km. All new cars, off-roaders, light commercials and buses up to 3.5 tonne are used to calculate the NACE figure.  The FCAI's original target was to reduce emissions from new vehicles from an average 252.4g/km in 2002 to 222g/km by the end of this year.  McKellar says the FCAI is now focused on achieving further reductions by 2015 and 2020.

And Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the frugal fast four will be priced under the five-door $40,490 GTi when it arrives.  By adding a turbo-diesel with ‘GTi’ credentials, VW Australia is hoping to pick up where the previous-generation GT Sport left off.Because the five-door petrol GTi is the most popular model here, VW Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling, says only the five-door hatch GTD will be available.  "The three-door actually makes up a small proportion of total petrol GTi sales," he says.The GTD is no slug.  It will hit 100km/h in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 220km/h with a combined with average fuel consumption of just 5.3 litres/100km, giving the car a range of more than 1000km.  VW has applied the lessons learned through the creation of the sixth-generation GTI to the GTD.The GTD is powered by a 2.0-litre common-rail TDI engine that develops 125kW at 4200 revs and 350Nm from 1750 revs and CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km.  Like its petrol brother, the car gets a sharper chassis, firmer suspension, 15mm lower ride height and the added benefit of riding the torque wave from just 1750 revs.The car is expected to be available with either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox.  Visually the GTD takes its cues from the GTi.  It gets the GTI's honeycomb grille, badge-style and front-end design, though with the addition of chrome rather than red highlights.The Golf's standard wheels are replaced with 17-inch Seattle Black alloys.  Inside, the main contact points are unique to the Golf GTD: a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a GTD gearshift and a standard tartan interior.  The tartan finish is subtly different from the GTI, being grey, white and black, rather than red, white and black.

The Volkswagen Golf wagon is a big seller in Germany and although it has conservative local sales expectations a lack of direct rivals could help spread the word about the family oriented Golf.  It's also a small car with medium car aspirations.So much so, that VW hopes buyers looking at the Ford Mondeo wagon, Skoda Octavia wagon and Mazda6 wagon may cast an eye over the Golf wagon.Pricing and variantsThe wagon commands a $2000 premium over the equivalent hatch models and shares the hatches Trendline and Comfortline specifications and equipment.  Prices start at $26,990 for the entry 90TSI, rising to $36,490 for the 103TDI model.Buyers have the choice of four models, a 90TSI manual and seven-speed DSG, 77TDI manual or DSG, the 118 TSI DSG and the 103TDI DSG.VW Australia is unlikely to launch an all-wheel drive version of the Golf wagon.Although available in other markets, a Golf 4Motion wagon, would add too much complexity to the local model lineup, according to VW Australia executives.  Price and positioning could also be a problem, with Tiguan being the company's star all-wheel drive off-roader locally, according to VW Australia managing director, Anke Koeckler.DrivingThe ride is just as composed as the Golf hatch and despite the extra glass area and more open rear, cabin noise is restrained, due in part to an acoustic windscreen, which helps block out wind noise.  The steering is precise and the ride has that deliberate well-sorted European feel about it.  Unladen, harsh bumps are heard rather than felt and the cabin feels secure.The cargo area is well constructed and designed with durability in mind with a hard wearing carpeted floor and plenty of tiedowns. Like may Euro wagons, the sturdy cargo net can be positioned in two locations, depending on the load.  There is a nifty hide-away compartment below the luggage floor and the full-size spare is also a welcome addition.We spent most of the time in what is expected to be the volume seller - the 118 TSI mated to a standard seven-speed DSG gearbox.  The big surprise from this modest powerplant is that it delivers the power and response normally associated with a larger 2.0-litre engine, all from a 1.4-litre four cylinder that is both turbocharged and supercharged.Volkswagen calls it Twincharger and if you haven't driven it take one for a spin.  Families will be won over by the wagon's Germanic practicality, quality and most of all, price of the entry 90TSI.  The Golf wagon is so good, we suspect it might steal a few sales from the Passat wagon. 

But it's not what you think, and definitely not the much-loved FJ Holden from the 1950s.  The new FJ is actually a Toyota, not a Holden, and so different from the all-Aussie 'humpy' that it should be given a different name for Australia. The new-age FJ is a Cruiser that is coming in October as part of a youth push at Toyota Australia that also includes the funky, boxy, Scion xB.  Both are already sold in the USA but the Australian models are being tweaked with right-side steering and other changes for their time Down Under. The Scion will also have a Toyota badge in Australia. The FJ is part of the LandCruiser family and is built up from the mechanical package of the previous-generation Prado. It is likely to be sold with both two and four-wheel drive, as well as a V6 engine, although Toyota Australia is making no comment despite a preview last week at a major dealer convention in Melbourne.  We do not comment on future model plans," says Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen. Pricing for the FJ Cruiser is likely to start around $40,000 and it will definitely have the same bright body colours and Hummer-style looks as the American model.  Toyota based the FJ Cruiser's design on the famous FJ40 LandCruiser, a working-class four-wheel drive made famous in Australia for its work on the Snowy Mountains scheme in the 1950s. Design cues taken from the FJ40 include the grille, upright windscreen and chunky bumpers, square wheelarches and the rear-mounted and exposed full-size spare tyre. Toyota has upgraded the design with rear 'suicide' rear doors to allow easy access to the rear seat and there is swing-up glass hatch incorporated into the side-hinged rear door. The glass hatch opens independently of the rear door and can accommodate longer items. The Cruiser is designed for serious off-roading and the seats are even covered with a special water-repellent fabric while the floor and rear luggage area is covered in an easy-to-clean rubber-type material.  The ladder-frame body uses a double-wishbone independent front suspension and four-link coil-spring rear suspension. Opinion - Paul Gover The FJ Cruiser looks a lot more fun than it is to drive.  It turns heads, particularly in lollypop colours, but I gave one back to Toyota after less than two hours of a planned two-day drive in California. For a start, the FJ is a reverse-Tardis - just like the Hummer H3 - with far less space inside than its big body promises.  Visibility is poor, the cabin is overly-plastic, the performance is adequate at best, and people turn to look - but often look as if they are about to laugh. The FJ shows the sort of direction Toyota needs to take to put some excitement and fun into its boring local showrooms, but it will need a lot of local tweaking to satisfy the needs and dreams of savvy local buyers.

"The Holden Colorado that is sold in Australia was not tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US," says Holden Australia spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale.  The model tested was the Chevrolet Colorado built and sold in the United States.Ms Lonsdale said that although both Colorados were initially derived from the same Isuzu platform, they are two different vehicles.  The Chevrolet version, model GMT355, is built with different steel and to a different specification to the Holden Colorado model C190.The frame and all panels are manufactured in different plants.  The Chevrolet Colorado is built at Shreveport, Louisana and the Holden Colorado in Rayong, Thailand.Ms Lonsdale said the performance of the two vehicles would differ in this roof crush test and said it was ‘pure speculation’ to suggest otherwise.  In Australia, the Holden Colorado has been tested by the Australian New Car Assessment Program and received a 3-star safety rating.

Indian specialist customiser, DC Design, is working on a Suzuki Hayabusa-powered Nano that will cost $240,000 and hit 225km/h.  DC Design has taken a stock-standard four-door Nano and converting it into a souped-up two-door racer. Looking like a Smart ForTwo on steriods, the car gets Mercedes SLS AMG-style gullwing doors, along with a light-weight carbon fibre body.  The minute 25kW 624cc engine has been ripped out, along with the rear seats, to fit the 147kW 1.3-litre Hayabusa four. To match the high-powered motorcycle engine, the nifty Nano also gets a seven-speed sequential gearbox, cross-drilled ventilated F1-style brakes, wider tyres and re-engineered sports suspension.  To cope with the hot-rod performance, the standard suspension has been completely re-engineered. Inside the bare-basic interior has been ditched in favour of a leather-lined cabin.  The car gets sports seats, a large screen to operate internet and satellite navigation systems and embedded lighting in the roof lining. There are also high-powered xenon headlights and an articulated one-piece windscreen wiper.  Electro-chromatic lighting will allow owners to change the intensity and colour of interior lighting. The head of DC Design, Dilip Chhabaria, says the company will build up to five hot Nanos a year for wealthy Indian clients. There are no plans for exports.  The chassis and car's floorpan will be largely the same.  "But apart from than that everything will be different," he says. DC Design is one if India's largest auto accessory makers.  It also specialises in customising cars for India's well-heeled car enthusiasts.

The Wolfsburg headquarters of the brand are readying a new-look performance division to be officially announced at next month's Geneva Motor Show.  Although no official details have been released, the new group is expected to be called R GmbH or R line.The bold R venture is a clear sign that VW AG wants a bigger slice of the high-performance sports market dominated by BMW M, Audi S and the Mercedes-Benz AMG divisions.  Apart from engine modifications to lift power and torque, cars will get specific alloys, suspension and other handling options as well as distinctive styling cues.The new project is expected to work alongside the niche low-volume VW Individual group.  VW Individual most recently released the Eos White Night model for Australia.The current R line-up consists of just four models, the Scirocco, Golf, Touareg and Passat.However, VW Individual showed off a Passat CCR show car at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show and has its eye on several other models in the VW family, including the Amarok ute.  The next-generation Jetta and Eos are other likely R candidates.Volkswagen Individual product management chief of the Golf R, Marcel Dalgado, would not be drawn on whether Individual would morph into a new performance division.  "Would I like to see something like that? Of course, yes," he says."But we have other challenges."  Currently Individual employs about 350 people, mostly engineers.  "It is a small company and the team is small yet very reactive to new challenges," Dalgado says.When it does go public with the R division, VW is also tipped to announce more jobs.  Individual is currently working on an updated go-fast Golf GTi 30 Edition, which could be sold under the R group.Apart from special edition models like the GTi 30 Edition, the new business will also have aftermarket engine performance and R-line styling kits.  Although early days, VW executives say they want to deliver a performance R car in every model.  However, there is some internal debate whether a Polo R would have the necessary branding to benefit from an R badge.

The newest high-performance Golf is the latest VW to slash cylinders in the pursuit of greener pastures.  The Golf R has gone from a muscular 3.2-litre V6 to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.Despite what VW calls ‘intelligent downsizing’, the direct-injection turbocharged engine is not only lighter and more powerful, but cleaner and more economical.VW Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling, does not believe two missing cylinders will impact on sales, despite the popularity of the newest 2.0-litre GTi.  "I don't think enthusiasts will miss the V6," he says.  "It's not the only thing about the car.  When people drive it and experience it they will be reassured that it is still an R."PricingBuyers may also be swayed by the price. When the all-wheel drive three and five-door hot hatch arrives in July, VW Australia expects it to be cheaper than the R32.  Prices ‘will be somewhere between the GTi and current R series’, Gehling says. That means it should undercut the R32's $57,000 entry price for the five-door.Under the bonnetThe R shares much with the new-generation Golf.  Like the Carsguide car of the year, the R benefits from significant all-round improvements over the R32.For the new engine, VW Individual, which builds the R, dug deep into its parts bin to serve up a highly tuned 2.0-litre turbocharged four shared with the Audi S3.  VW has tweaked the engine with special pistons, a reinforced block, high-pressure fuel injectors a new turbo and more efficient intercooler.Enthusiasts will appreciate the 2.0-litre's power and torque gains over the V6.  Despite being smaller the engine pumps out 199kW/350Nm, 15kW and 30Nm more than the 3.2-litre V6.  This gives the six-speed manual version a zero to 100km/h sprint of 5.7 seconds, compared to the R32's 6.5 seconds.VW executive and head of product management for the R, Marcel Delgado, says apart from better fuel economy, downsizing the engine has delivered critical reductions in harmful C02 emissions, which have been reduced from 255g/100km to 199g/km.  "It would not have been possible to continue with the V6 in Europe longer term because of the demands of taxes on C02 emissions," he says.Delgado says development work on the new 2.0 R focused on improving the whole package not just economy and emissions.  "Everything has been refined and improved, from the all-wheel drive, to the gearbox and suspension," he says. VW spend a lot of time at the famous Nurburgring in Germany tuning the car's ride and suspension.  "We tested the R32 side-by-side with the new R at the Nurburgring," he says.  "The R was the quickest."Appearance and equipmentVisually the hatch is distinguished as a leaner, meaner Golf by a 25mm lower ride height, Xenon headlights with LED daylight running lights, 18-inch alloys, large front air intakes, black brake calipers and rear spoiler, LED tail-lights and bumper diffuser.  In profile there is a modest body kit, black exterior mirrors and discrete R badging.The R gets upgraded brakes, 345mm up front and 310mm at the back, along with 18-inch alloys and slick high-performance tyres.  There are also new springs and dampers, updated anti-roll bars and specifically tuned power steering.Sales and market More than 2100 Rs have been sold in Australia since it first went on sale in 2004.  Last year VW Australia sold 386, down from a 2008 high of 675, largely because of the arrival of the newest GTi.Engine performanceThe previous R32 sang off a wonderful song-sheet thanks to its 3.2-litre V6.  In moving to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder, shared with Audi's S3, only the capacity has changed.  All the other aspects that mark an R as a pure driver's car remain.The newest R has a sharper chassis, improved DSG gearbox and more performance than the R32.  However, the signature dual exhausts, all-wheel drive and pumped up looks remain.  For many though, the exhaust not may not be as raucous as the V6 but it is still plays a nice tune.There are important gains to be had at the fuel pump.  Even with more power and torque, economy has improved from 10.7 litres/100km for the R32 to 8.5 litres /100km for the R.On paper, there is little to miss about the V6, except perhaps those dulcet tones of the exhaust.  Like the Golf, the 2.0 R is a quantifiable improvement over the old model.Ride and handlingThe dynamics are spot-on, with precise steering and excellent handling.  Like similar systems, the car's three-mode chassis control, which is expected to be optional for Australia, changes the power steering tuning depending on the Sport, Normal or Comfort settings.  After fiddling with the system we left it in Sports mode.Even with the firmer setting the ride remained fluid and composed through the corners.  We suspect that having a lighter engine up front helps with the car's more assured behaviour.It is a confidence-inspiring drive thanks to the proven fourth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system, particularly over slippery snow-covered roads in the Austria Alps.  The Haldex system can send as much as 100 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels if the front tyres are slipping.Gearbox With the latest DSG gearbox, that slight hesitancy that marred the previous gearbox has gone.  The changes are crisp and fast even when making full use of the paddle shifters through twisty mountain roads.  If it has one small problem, when the gearbox is in D it up shifts a tad too quickly, obviously chasing the best economy.VerdictIt is a very quick car and a step up over the GTi.  The biggest trouble VW will have is convincing potential R buyers that it is worth the extra money.  It backs up its credentials with more muscular performance and all-wheel drive.  The GTi is a hard act to follow but the R is another game-changer from VW.

All 1500 cars were eagerly snapped up buy eager buyers.  Now it is hoping to repeat that success with a Series II Limited Edition G6.  The 2010 G6 LE is identical in specification to last year's model but gets prestige paint at no extra cost. The LE is $36,990 drive-away, $500 more than the previous LE.  Buyers get almost $4000 of additional equipment at no extra cost.  Ford Australia vice president marketing, sales and service, Beth Donovan, says the overwhelming success of last year's LE prompted its return. "The 2010 G6 LE offers customers almost $13,000 of net retail value compared to the regular G6, so we expect demand will continue to be strong," she says.  Rather than increase the build numbers, Ford is sticking with another 1500 LEs. Based on the popular G6, the LE version gets a host of additional features, including special exterior finishes and luxury interior.  There are 18-inch G Series alloys, special colour accents on the grille, fog light bezels and rear bumper insert, as well as "Limited Edition" badging. Inside standard equipment includes side curtain airbags, leather-detailed seat trim, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with satin alloy audio and cruise control buttons, iPod integration and Bluetooth integration.  The LE is also available with a dedicated E-Gas LPG engine and four-speed automatic. E-Gas models get 17-inch alloys to differentiate it from the petrol model.  The dedicated LPG E-Gas version is an extra $2000, while a $2000 government grant from the LPG Vehicle Scheme is available to eligible customers.  The return of the LE marks a continuing attempt by Ford to lift its appeal. The performance XR sedans still overshadows the G Series cars.  Of all Falcons sold, more than 43 per cent are XR cars. Dealers are currently selling 2009 XR6 stock for $36,490 driveaway.