Articles by Neil McDonald

The company last week announced plans to suspend production of the car for two weeks in July and August to run out the current model and make way for a refreshed Commodore. Apart from engine tweaks and an E85 model, the Commodore is set to get a new interior. But the next Commodore’s crown as best could be overtaken by the rising star in the GM-Holden ranks. New GM-Holden chairman and managing director, Mike Devereux, says the chance of the Cruze small car knocking off the Commodore as the nation's best-seller will be decided by buyers. "It really comes down to consumer preferences," he says. "You have to follow what people want. People want great style, value and quality and fuel efficiency is obviously becoming important. Our SIDI engines in Commodore are critical to that, we've got ethanol Commodores coming... but Cruze versus Commodore, that's going to be up to the marketplace." In recent years the Commodore sedan has often been beaten by the Toyota Corolla in the monthly sales race. By contrast, the Korean-built version of the Cruze has been a strong seller since its introduction last June with the company regularly selling more than 2000 a month. Devereux, who has just taken over from Alan Batey, says Holden is on track to launch the locally-built four-cylinder Cruze early next year. After the Cruze was launched, Batey was bullish about the small car's potential. "I can see a time when Cruze will be eating Epica's lunch," Batey said. Since then it has consistently outsold the Epica. The Cruze is currently imported from Korea but GM-Holden is on track to start local production early next year. Apart from the sedan, it is well advanced with a hatch version to compete in the hotly contested small car segment, which is traditionally a strong hatch market. However, Devereux is not too worried about the Cruze ending the Commodore's 14-year reign as the country's best selling car. "If folks want to buy more Cruzes than Commodores then I guess that's okay but it will be up to the marketplace," he says. Last month, Holden sold 2125 Cruzes, about half the number of Commodores retailed. The Commodore still remains overwhelmingly the most popular Holden. So far this year 11,364 Commodores have been sold versus 6418 Cruzes.

The Munich-base carmaker has just unveiled its Gran Coupe concept in China, a swoopy four-door that clearly points to another niche filler for the luxury brand.  More importantly it also has the next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, new Audi A7 and even the Volkswagen Passat CC in its sights. Despite the buzz at the Beijing Auto China show that the Gran Coupe points to a new 8 Series model, it is still officially a showcar.  "At this stage we haven't received anything official from the factory on whether it's going into production," BMW Australia spokesman, Tim James, says. "But clearly there are elements that could appear in future models."  Visually, the Gran Coupe draws on the 2007 Concept CS for inspiration. However, it showcases the brand's future styling direction being pursued by BMW's design boss Adrian Van Hooydonk.  BMW says its newest showcar is faithful to the classic features found in all its coupes. It has a long wheelbase, short overhangs, vaulted bonnet with an aggressive, upright grille, a set-back cabin and coupe-style roofline.  At almost 5m long, the coupe sits between the 5 Series and 7 Series. However it is 100mm lower than a 5 Series. Van Hooydonk has presented a new take on some traditional BMW styling cues, from the kidney grille to the shark nose and a new chrome interpretation of the Hofmeister kink in the rear C-pillar.  Like its German production rivals, the frameless doors allow the window glass to merge seamlessly with the body. The wedge-shape LED headlights are matched by LED daytime running lights in the bumper and deep below-bumper air intakes.  At the rear L-shaped LED tail-lights merge into the bodywork while the quad exhaust outlets are integrated into a rear diffuser. A third LED brake light is positioned at the top of the rear window and illuminates the entire width of the window.  If the Gran Coupe goes into production it could share some of the new engine technology available in the 5 and 7 Series.  This could include BMW's latest direct-injection 3.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines, as well as a flagship petrol V8.

Based on the Taurus sedan, Ford's purpose-built 'black and white' Police Interceptor is designed as a pursuit car with a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine and high-performance brakes.Ford unveiled its high-tech, high performance answer to GM-Holden's Statesman-based police car at a fleet management conference in Detroit. The cabin is designed to withstand high-speed crashes and boasts the latest crime fighting technology.Both US car giants are vying for a slice of the lucrative law enforcement market in North America. The popular Ford Crown Victoria sedan favoured by most police will be phased out at the end of next year."Police nationwide asked for a new kind of weapon in the battle for public safety, and Ford is answering the call with a purpose-built vehicle - engineered and built in America," Ford president of the Americas, Mark Fields, says.Field's 'buy American' push could strike a cord with US law enforcement agencies. He says the company remains committed to leading the police vehicle market. At present about 70 per cent of North American enforcement agencies use the Crown Victoria. Ford sells about 45,000 a year to police fleets.US law enforcement agencies are set to put out tenders for a replacement later this year. Ford and General Motors are among several companies angling for the lucrative business. GM-Holden's new chairman and managing director, Mike Devereux, says Holden is still in the race to develop a Chevrolet-based police cruiser for North America."Whether we're looking at Chevrolet Caprice police program or whether its exports to Brazil or the Middle East, we will take advantage of any export opportunities we have," he says. GM-Holden joined forces with the National Safety Agency last year to show off a kitted out Caprice to the Los Angeles police department. The car was shown at a crime conference in Denver in October, sparking interest not only in the US but also Canada and the UK.Up to 40,000 Holden police cars could be exported to the US every year.Ford's Police Interceptor goes into production later this year. The twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 is more powerful than the current 4.6-litre V8 used in the Crown Victoria. The V6 develops 272kW/495Nm mated to a six-speed automatic and either front or all-wheel drive.

The company is keen to recapture some of the magic lost when the Pulsar name was unceremoniously dumped four years ago with the arrival of the Tiida. The Pulsar name had been in use locally for more than 25 years.Nissan Australia managing director, Dan Thompson, is now prepared to dust off the name and give it a new lease of life. "If, come Tiida replacement, we elect to launch with the Pulsar name, we will launch with the Pulsar name," Thompson, says.However, Thompson cautions that 'it's a couple of years between now and launch'. "When we get to the right stage we'll do all the research to ensure that the equity in the Pulsar name is aligned with the product that we plan to launch," he says.Although there is still equity in the name today, that may not be the case in the future. "There was equity a year ago when we had the discussion but whether it's there in two years time remains to be seen," he says. Thompson agrees there is plenty of goodwill among Pulsar owners because there is such a huge carpark of older cars. "But fast forward a few years down the road and those numbers are starting to dwindle," he says.Changing the name is something Thompson can do "if we so desire". But he warns that the question remains whether the next-generation small car matches the brand equity of the Pulsar name. When the Tiida was launched in 2006 Nissan Australia had no choice but to drop the Pulsar name and adopt a global naming strategy orchestrated by Nissan Japan. However in the United States, the car was called the Versa.The original Pulsar arrived here in 1981. It was credited with saving Nissan locally and subsequently launching a sub-$20,000 price fight that secured strong sales. Pulsar sales soared in the early days of the sub-$20,000 contest, but as newer, lower-cost entrants from South Korea arrived it was overwhelmed. The current Thai-built Tiida benefits from zero import duties but sales have never reached the Pulsar highs.

If you have not checked out a Hyundai showroom in recent years it is time you did. There is a minor revolution occurring with the brand and it starts with the letter “i”. We've seen the arrival of the competent i30 hatch and wagon, the iLoad and iMax load luggers and announcement of the Sonata mid-size sedan replacement, the i45, which is receiving rave reviews overseas.The latest Hyundai to get the "i" treatment is its newest compact off-roader, the ix35. The off-roader is the South Korean's replacement for the Tucson. Put them side-by-side and even a person with only a passing interest in cars will spot the differences.The ix35 has nothing in common with the Tucson. It would be like comparing a supermodel like Miranda Kerr with a gymnast from the former East Germany. Gone is Tucson's bland, boxy styling, replaced by what Hyundai refers to as "fluidic sculpture" styling that owes more than a passing nod to BMW's "flame surfacing" styling of a few years ago. It looks fresh and modern.The contemporary theme continues inside the cabin, particularly the dash with its classy blue backlighting.The ix35 is available in three trim levels, Active, Elite and top-of-the-range Highlander. The 2.0-litre four cylinder Active is front-wheel drive only and its $26,990 entry point for the five-speed manual is chasing the small car segment. A six-speed automatic - standard on the Elite and Highlander - costs an extra $2000.Even as a budget buy, the Active comes well equipped with strong safety credentials and the expected audio enhancements like full iPod integration. There are six airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-skid brakes, hill descent control and hill start assist.Move further up the range and the Highlander gains a reversing camera, leather and panorama glass roof.Elite buyers get the choice of a 2.4-litre petrol or 2.0-litre R-series turbo diesel while the range-topper Highlander is diesel fare only. Both are all-wheel drive. It is a full-time electronic all-wheel drive that automatically controls power distribution to the wheels.In normal driving the system powers the front wheels to help lower fuel consumption. For off-roading or slippery conditions the system can be locked into all-wheel drive, with a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels.Like the rest of the "i" cars, the ix35 should continue to lift the company's profile - and more importantly sales.Like the i30, we seized the opportunity to drive the ix35 compact off-roader. It represents another step forward for a brand that gets better with each new model. Our range-topping Highlander arrived in the Carsguide carpark after a thorough workout by one of the specialist magazines. However, the body was snug, the doors shut with confidence and the whole car felt rock solid.The design is contemporary, the equipment list long and includes things like panoramic sunroof on the $37,990 Highlander, as well as leather, heated seats, reversing camera, hill start assist and hill descent control. At that price, few compact off-roaders match it for standard equipment.We also love the look but wonder how some of the curves will age.Like the outside, the cabin is a mix of flowing surfaces. The leather feels good but some of the hard plastics on the doors and dashboard show that Hyundai is still behind with soft-moulded plastics. The leather seats are inviting and have plenty of back support but could do with more shape in the cushion and once settled behind the wheel the lack of reach adjustment is annoying.Shorter rear passengers and small children might also find the rear seats a bit claustrophobic because of the car's high tapering window line. A thick D-pillar and small rearward-most side window calls for some caution when parallel parking. Fortunately the rearview camera - located in the rearview mirror - helps judge tight parking spots.There is plenty of luggage space and cabin storage but the ix misses out on the added versatility of flip-fold rear seat cushions that provide a flat load area with the rear seatbacks down. A full-size spare is a welcome addition when some of its more highly fancied rivals, like the VW Tiguan and now the Subaru Outback, make do with a spacesaver.The ix35's design, safety and equipment is a match for the Japan, but there is a big "but" when it comes the car's suspension and ride. Despite being tuned for Australian conditions, the suspension crashes over bumps, transmits too much noise to the cabin and generally feels underdone.The steering is light but could do with more feedback. In this respect, the ix lags behind rivals like the Mazda CX-7, VW Tiguan and Nissan X-Trail and even the latest Honda CR-V. However, what it loses in composure it makes up for in the engine department. The high-tech R-series turbo-diesel is smooth, quiet, powerful and out-torques its direct rivals.Even though the Highlander is a porky 1706kg, the 2.0-litre diesel is a gem and can overcome any weight disadvantage with solid response right through the rev range courtesy of the silky six-speed auto. Low-down urge is impressive and at highway speeds there is plenty of torque in reserve for overtaking.Economy is respectable but the car's touring range, with a 55 litre tank, is a little on the small side. The drivetrain is accomplished in so many areas but more work is needed on the ride and handling. At the price though, you cannot go past the value-for-money equation.Impressive equipment levels let down by average ride and handling. 

But Nissan boss, Dan Thompson, warns that without some level of government support Australian buyers could be forced to pay more than Japan or US buyers."We've just announced pricing in Japan and the US and they’re both around the mid-$30,000s and then with government incentives it’s about US$25,000," Thompson says."Certainly the whole strategy behind EV is to deliver an affordable proposition to the consumer. It's too early to talk about local pricing for Leaf but what you've seen in Japan and the US is very much aligned with global positioning and strategy for the car."Nissan Australia has signed memorandums of understandings with the ACT, NSW and Victoria governments to explore how best to adopt EV cars. Thompson is keen to get federal support too.

IN the past few months you can count on one hand the number of manual-gearbox cars that have passed through the Carsguide garage.  Except for budget priced econo-boxes, it is becoming rarer to drive a car with a manual gearbox.Dual clutch gearboxes and newer six, seven and even eight-speed autos are becoming much more common.  However, Volkswagen says the split between manual and DSG gearboxes is pretty evenly split for its hot GTi models. We can understand why.  After punting a Volkswagen Golf GTi six-speed manual around for a week, we've rediscovered the joys of self-shifting.Gearbox and engineDon't be baulked by the six-speed manual in the GTi, it's light yet precise and the gate is like the proverbial warm knife through butter.  It is an engaging gearbox and you won't tire of it even in stop-start peak-hour traffic.The gearbox, like Golf build quality, is robust and the GTi's turbo engine and standard equipment levels make a convincing argument to pay a little extra for more fun.Fit-out and equipmentThe $3300 leather seat trim was a nice touch but $2500 for the satellite navigation system seems a bit steep in a $40,490 car.  After a play we even left the adaptive chassis control - a $1500 option - in comfort and just enjoyed the sound of the sweet revving 155kW TSI turbo four and crisp bark of the dual exhausts. So flexible is the torque that you can doddle around in sixth without complaint.The GTi may miss out on the all-wheel drive credentials of the Subaru WRX and Lancer Ralliart, but that does not matter.  It remains one of the most engaging hatches around - even as a manual.

Mazda's head of global marketing, sales and customer service, Masazumi Wakayama, says because it is a relatively small car company "it will be very difficult to have an MX5, RX8 and then an RX7".From a cost and engineering viewpoint, sportscars are totally different type of specialist car to develop, he says."However, from a brand perspective we think sportscars are very important for the brand," he says. "We are not going to withdraw from that market. Resources need to be put into sustainable areas that will continue to help the brand grow", he says.Wakayama also confirmed that work will continue on refining the company's rotary engine as well as develop it as a hydrogen-powered engine. Mazda is working on new technologies that will improve the fuel economy and emissions of the rotary, he says."Rotary is a symbolic engine for Mazda's technology," he says. "We are going to continue its development and improvement."

Both the Camry and the Great Wall Motors X240 are tipped to get four out of a possible five-stars in the latest Australian New Car Assessment Program's crash test results due out this morning.Toyota was quick to take a swipe at Great Wall Motors, releasing a statement early this morning critical of the result. Spokesman, Mike Breen, said ANCAP needed to look at the way it did its testing."Toyota Australia rejects as a distortion any suggestion that Camry models provided a level of safety that was the same as cars without vital life-saving technology or have fewer than Camry's six standard airbags," he said. Breen said the Camry delivered a 'comprehensive package of both active and passive safety'.The Camry hybrid, which is built at Altona, has six airbags and stability control while the X240 gets by with just two airbags and anti-skid brakes. At $23,990, it is $13,000 cheaper than the Camry hybrid.ANCAP chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said Toyota was being 'a bit fragile' about the result. "Toyota has a history of deliberately leaving features off their cars when other manufacturers have put them on," he said.McIntosh was critical of the length of time it took for the Corolla to get stability control and the Prius to get side curtain airbags."Are they saying that no other manufacturer has the right to do what they did? The real question is why are the manufacturers still down-specifying their vehicles."Toyota acknowledged that ANCAP results are one measure that can help consumers identify cars that are safe. However, they said it was critical that the testing does not specifically look at the life-saving benefits of stability control, traction control and anti-skid brakes, all of which are standard on the Camry.Two other locally made rivals, the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore, have five-star ratings.

But Eduard Gray's small car concept, called the 92010 Sixten, has failed to wow Saab's new owner, Dutch sportscar maker Spyker. The Trollhattan-based industrial designer's work has captured the imagination of Saab enthusiasts globally but Spyker has not even acknowledged the car."The response to the design has been largely positive, although there has been much discussion as to whether this is a 'retro' concept or the next logical step for the brand," he says. "I can say that it was designed as the latter, looking forward, with mere echoes of past glory."Gray admits there is some self-interest in doing the 92010, the second Saab he has designed. "I'm a half English and half Dutch industrial designer working in Trollhattan, so I was pleased to see Spyker buying out our dying Saab brand and securing my own future," he says.Gray says he would welcome any opportunity to work with Saab. "I rang Saab's brand design boss Simon Padian, without luck, asking about design opportunities," he says. "I then started a campaign to design my way into Saab and set to work on the hastily rendered Saab Spyker 9+Tribute, which was also well received by fans. Having sent the renderings to Simon and having received no comment I embarked on the next project, the jewel in the crown of Spyker, the compact 92."Gray says he was inspired to do a small car after comments by enthusiasts and the media that Saab needed a new small car."A lot of enthusiasts called for a return to some of the original Saab lines from the Ursaab, the 92 and 96," Gray says. "So I used the proportions of those for the main body shape and distinctive side line profile and brought the car up to date with design cues from the Aero X concept and the new 95 production car. I tried keeping the round headlights, but was forced to compromise these, adding large lenses into more conventional, yet softened headlight housings to keep in line with the current design language."A recent poll in Sweden supported the idea of Spyker employing Gray. "Many have commented that Saab, and indeed Victor (Muller) himself, should get in touch and employ me," he says. Gray is still waiting. In the meantime he's designing luxury one-off yachts for a boat company.