Articles by Paul Gover

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

It's taken a decade, but at last the child safety seat system recognised as the world's best is heading here, and the Australian version will have greater side impact protection than Europe's.Australian families finally have access to the world's best child seat system, ISOFIX.More than 10 years after the ISOFIX system was first developed, using rigid mounts that lock a child seat into place instead of relying on an adult seat belt, it has now been approved for local sales and use by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.But there is a difference, as Australian ISOFIX includes a clip-on top tether and more side-impact protection than seats sold in Europe.The new safety approval comes after research showed that more than 80 per cent of existing child seats are not correctly installed.The Maxi Cosi brand is available next week with Britax also ready to go and Holden championing the change with a re-badged Britax seat."We've been working on this for more than two and-a-half years. We have three seats to cover children from zero to four years," says Britax spokesperson, Narenna Bloomfield."This is a significant step forward for child safety. And we're introducing the ISOFIX models without any additional costs."Holden is partnering with Britax and trumpets the fact that all of its current range is equipped with ISOFIX mounts, including three across the back seat of the VF Commodore."We've been actively pushing this technology for some years now. And when we launched VF commodore we made a big deal about putting ISOFIX into it, with three ISOFIX mounts in the back seat," says Steve Curtis, senior safety manager at GM Holden."We're very pleased to have it as a regulation in this country. It's been a long time in coming." Curtis says correct installation is the major benefit for ISOFIX, but the Australia version also improves crash protection."The key advantage over the old belted system is that a large proportion of those seats are installed incorrectly. It is very hard to incorrectly instal an ISOFIX seat."The secondary benefit, and we've done some testing, is that in a side impact the seat offers significantly better performance. The Australian seat has large wings on the side. We have more stringent requirements." But he stops short of criticising the existing system and seats. "What we are suggesting is that an ISOFIX system is a little bit safer. I think this will make a difference."

The Disco Sport adds to the Land Rover family tree, taking over from the Freelander.A leisurely new Land Rover is about to take over from the compact Freelander, which has been swept aside by the off-road company's wave of new models.The Discovery Sport comes as a result of upsizing and a plan to stream the various models in the British off-road family into a new range of names.The Disco Sport is another style winner from the team that created the latest Range Rover and Evoque. The designers also are finalising work on the overdue replacement for the Defender, though there's more to the project than that.Land Rover believes the Discovery Sport will move it well beyond the Freelander's rivals in the class of the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai ix35 - it's also a challenger to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5,."It's a very different vehicle," says Land Rover Australia brand manager Tim Krieger."It sits in the same segment that the Freelander played in (but) it's a very different proposition."That's in terms of the design of the vehicle, the styling, the size and the configuration with five-plus-two seating."The Discovery Sport takes on the European competitors more directly." Nothing is being revealed about the pricing but Krieger hints it could be surprisingly close to the Freelander, which is $44,990 drive-away."It will be very competitive against X3 and Q5 (in features and options). Pricing will come close to the launch, which is May 1 next year in Australia."Land Rover says the car is the first member of a new Discovery family. Given its size and layout, the future is certain to bring a smaller model as well as a replacement for today's full-sized Discovery."There is room in the Land Rover brand," Krieger says.The Discovery Sport has a more upscale interior and is 90mm longer than the Freelander, with a longer wheelbase and a new platform fitted with a multi-link rear axle.Land Rover's selectable Terrain Response technology is part of the four-wheel drive package and a new dynamic setting gives firmer ride, tighter body control with reduced roll, and a more responsive steering and performance.The Disco Sport can wade to 600mm, approach, departure and breakover angles are 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively and it has a couple of millimetres extra ride height over the Freelander.On the safety front, Land Rover has fitted a pedestrian airbag and automatic emergency braking. Engine choices are 2.2-litre turbodiesels and a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol with six or nine-speed automatic transmissions.And the name of the new Discovery "family"?"We have three pillars to the Land Rover brand," Krieger says. "Luxury is all about Range Rover, Leisure is the Discovery models, then Utility will be the Defender models. All of those have Land Rover DNA ... but represent different things."

The mid-size Lexus NX SUV will start at $55K and carry the hopes for sales growth.The key to Lexus' growth in Australia turns from $55,000. That's the starting price for the coming NX, a mid-sized SUV that's set to become the Japanese brand's bestseller Down Under.Similar in size to the RAV4, and sharing some parts under the skin, the NX is planned to continue growth which hit 8 per cent through the first half of 2014 and is predicted to continue at 5-10 per cent for at least the next five years.The first of the aggressively styled NX models for Australia is the 300h, with the front-drive model opening the batting. An all-wheel-drive version is $59,500 and the flagship Sports Luxury version is $75,000. The NX petrol turbo, with a 2.0-litre engine also set for the IS sedan, follows but Lexus is not revealing prices until closer to its arrival next year. It is, however, talking big on the impact of the NX."To grow the business we have to attract new customers. Our indication right now is that around 75 per cent will be new customers. In our world, that is significant," Lexus Australia boss Sean Hanley says. "I think there will be, naturally, some existing customers that will come down from RX because it sits in a sweet spot. But it won't be huge numbers." Standard equipment on the 300h runs from predictable 18-inch alloys, reversing camera and satnav to the more surprising powered second-row seats and "inductive" phone charging, a first for the Toyota group although it is an option at Jeep. The charging works through a touchpad in the centre console, although it is not suitable for all brands."There are a lot of good things. Already we have over 100 orders in the system, just for the hybrid," Hanley says. He says Lexus has concentrated on getting the price right for the hybrid, because it is becoming the dominant force in Lexus models."We're seeing more acceptance as the premium on hybrid reduces. If you look at the IS 300h, the only thing preventing that outselling the IS 250 is production capacity." Hanley says Lexus is doing well this year, even though it's nowhere near threatening Mercedes-Benz for luxury-class leadership in Australia."My expectation is we'll grow 5-10 per cent year-on-year. IS is doing very well and the NX will give us extra growth opportunities, and RC coupe is another opportunity for us," he says. 'I would hope to (sell about) 7000 cars this year."

It's rare for car prices to go up these days but Holden has broken ranks. Price rises are more than rare are in Australia today. Or should that be less? In any case, we have all become much more familiar with price cuts than price rises as 67 brands battle to shift cars and make money down under.The sales slowdown over recent months means there has been far more dollar dealing, from special prices to run-outs on cars that still have many months to live, with no sign of widespread pressure to lift the bottom line.There is an occasional upward change but it's generally just a slight shift to coincide with a new-model introduction.So, when Holden makes an across-the-board move to raise prices - although the slow selling Volt escaped - it makes news.To provide some perspective, the last Hyundai increase in showroom stickers was $2000 on April 1 for the i30 Tourer, a move that came because the baby wagon is made in the Czech Republic. And it only applied to a single model."The increase was, unfortunately, a necessary one," says Hyundai spokesman, Bill Thomas."Generally, price planning is very much a long-term game, so we don't usually react to exchange rate fluctuations."If we did, we'd be altering prices every day."So, how does Holden justify its increases? "Pricing is made up of a range of factors," Holden spokesman George Svigos says."It's not on everything but it's not specific to imports or locally-made models. Commodore has gone up." Svigos says he is limited in what he can say because Holden cannot be seen to be trying to influence or manipulate the car market.That's unlikely with an upward push, which is in total contrast to its recent boost to warranty and servicing costs. "Holden is not trying to push the industry. It's more an accurate reflection of its recommended retail pricing," Svigos says."There is always competition and always someone doing a deal." So, does that mean Holden is just doing some paperwork, perhaps as part of a global change at General Motors, without expecting any genuine change to its transaction prices in Australia?"We continue to offer great value across our whole range. It's not like we're an expensive product. We're not Hyundai, but we're not Mazda or one of the premium brands," says Svigos."On pricing, there are a range of things to look at, from RRP to drive-away prices, special offers, factory bonuses, cashbacks..."CHOICES HOLDEN CAPRICE: 4/5 PRICE: From $54,990ENGINE: 3.6-litre V6 LPG, 180kW/320Nm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed auto, RWD THIRST: 12.1L/100km THE LOWDOWN: Standard LPG engine, 6.0-litre V8 as an option: says everything about the people who are buying the Caprice. It's mostly chauffeur drivers, or people who worry about the price of petrol, but who want all the luxury you can get in an Australian-built car. The Caprice is great and will be sadly missed.HOLDEN BARINA SPARK: 3.5/5 PRICE: From $12,890ENGINE: 1.2-litre 4-cyl, 59kW/107Nm TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive THIRST: 5.2L/100km THE LOWDOWN: The cheapest Holden is cheap to buy, service and run. Cabin quality is not the best, the engine is not the best and the four-speed auto is not the best - but it's still a car worth considering if you're on a tight budget.HOLDEN CRUZE: 3.5 PRICE: From $19,890ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4-cyl, 104kW/175NmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed man/6-speed auto, FWD THIRST: 7.0L/100km THE LOWDOWN: The Cruze got off to a slow start in Australia but later changes at the factory in Adelaide and in the car itself have made it a better drive and better to own. It's still not a serious threat to the Mazda3 or Volkswagen Golf, but it's solid and sensible.SECOND-HAND HOLDEN COMMODORE: The first Commodore in 1978 was a winner, the latest one is the best Australian car of all time.Somewhere in the mix there is sure to be a pre-owned Commodore that ticks the boxes for most people.The big Aussie six might be thirsty, unless you go for LPG, but the rest of the package combines lots of space with affordable prices. A sporty Commodore, from the SV6 right through to an HSV hero, is also a top drive and incredible value against anything from Europe with similar grip and go.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews a Holden Commodore SV6 that's been put through the real-world rigours of life as a rental.

Bound for Russia, Chevrolet's Niva comes from GM's key concept builder: Holden. The original Lada Niva was a donkey. Great for farm chores but not much else. This new one, conceived with help from Australia, is a very different animal. It's the start of a joint program between Chevrolet and AutoVAZ to create a 21st-century SUV suitable for rough-and-tough driving in Russia.The Niva concept is almost certain to go into production, looking just as it did when it emerged from the Holden design studio at Fishermans Bend for its debut at the Moscow motor show.The Niva is the latest in a string of concept cars either influenced or built by the Australian design team, most recently the baby Chevrolet Adra SUV concept for the Dehli show in India earlier this year.“It's a Chevrolet Niva. It's a joint venture between Chevrolet and the owners of the Niva brand," says GM Australia design boss Richard Ferlazzo. Just as importantly, he says the Niva shows the design team at Holden still has a key role to play when local manufacturing ends.“A strong part of our business going forward continues to be building these sort of properties. Sometimes they are internal cars for the US or somewhere else, and sometimes they are public cars for shows and things. There are always one or two going at any time," Ferlazzo says.Holden is not claiming credit for the Niva concept but, he says, local designers were part of the team that did the design work and construction.“Ondrej Koromhaz, one of our Australians on assignment in China, was the lead designer, together with another group in Italy. He had a heavy involvement," Ferlazzo says.“As part of the GM aspect, he got the gig to help out. They wanted a vehicle for the show."“Our job was to fabricate it. (Holden) being the only ones outside of Detroit who can do it, Chevy came to us to build it. It's a nice model. It's part of our business." Ferlazzo says the Fishermans Bend studio has an ongoing role in GM's global design, steered by Mike Simcoe, formerly Holden's chief designer and now GM global design director. 'Under Mike, we mentor the Indian studio and Korea." But it's not just the shapes of the future that are coming from Holden, as the fully equipped studio can handle any work from opening sketches through to final assembly.“There are 15 full-time fabricators. Approximately 20 people worked on the Niva," Ferlazzo says.“It took a number of months. So the team can vary, because it's not a constant thing." He says its rewarding to be working on the future of motoring, even if some of the results never go public.'Sometimes the concepts are precursors and sometimes they are just for internal research."

Chris Atkinson is crazy. Then again, it could be me.Atkinson is crazy fast as he flings his Hyundai i20 WRC into the scenery and I’m even more crazy for strapping in alongside him as he completes his final preparation for Rally Australia this weekend.We’re hitting 140km/h on a gnarly forest track just outside Coffs Harbour and the hotrod Hyundai is bucking and kicking as Aussie Atko bends it to his will. It feels as if we could crash at any moment as the tail slides wildly, we fly over humps, and his feet dance a crazy beat between the accelerator and brake.This is normal for Atkinson, who sees the world in rally driving slo-mo with a skill level that puts him in the top 20 in the world. For me, it’s almost supernatural and the world is accelerating towards me at a frightening pace.Right now, Atkinson is locked and loaded for the most important race of his life, shooting for a podium place in the local leg of the World Rally Championship and a fulltime Hyundai seat in 2015.From where I’m sitting, in the co-driving space usually filled by Stephane Prevot, he is doing everything right. He’s going ridiculously fast on a road where a regular motorist would be jamming the brakes and holding the speed down to 40km/h to prevent a disaster.“Top speed? We probably cracked about 200,” Atko tells me as we wait for my heart rate to drop below that number.“It was five kilometres, so the average speed was around 110. And don’t forget that’s with a couple of hairpins and the start of the stage.”I won’t forget. Not in any sort of hurry. How can I forget a Hyundai tiddler that’s been transmorphified into a forest fighter that would easily jump a Ferrari 458 or Skyline GT-R in a drag race?When Atkinson practices his rally start, with the engine popping and banging and then an explosion of speed, I’m slammed into the seat and can barely keep up with the shifts that come every time he tugs on the gear lever.“What about that? I don’t think people realise what these cars can do on slippery gravel,” he says.I can only nod my head in agreement.Everything in the car, from the smallest nut to Atkinson at the wheel, is intended to make it faster.That means the $14,990 you see in Hyundai showrooms now costs more than $1 million.Running costs? You can bank on $1000 for every kilometre the car covers.“We have seven cars at the base in Germany. The cost of each is around 500,000 Euros, just for the parts. Then you have to put it together,” the Hyundai WRC team boss, Michel Nandan, tells me.He is overseeing a three-car entry for Rally Australia that’s spearheaded by last-start winner Thierry Neuville, with Kiwi youngster Hayden Paddon also driving a car.Victory in Germany lifted a huge weight from Nandan’s shoulders, but he’s still looking for a solid result in Australia. And what about Atkinson?“He is a good driver. He should be able to get to the finish in a good position,” Nandan says.That means Atkinson is the ‘banker’ in the team, leaving Neuville free to shoot for the top.But he does not feel like any banker I know and he’s still looking for speed after clocking the 11th-quickest time in the official pre-rally shakedown.“It’s a bit too tail-happy still. I need to settle it down,” he says.“I haven’t been in the car for six months and that makes it difficult too. But we’ll settle in, see how we’re going, and have a crack from there.”At the end of the shakedown, Irishman Chris Meeke sets the pace in his Citroen DS3, ahead of his team mate Mads Ostberg and Thierry Neuville, the best of the Hyundai runners in third.Rally Australia runs from Friday morning (tomorrow) until this Sunday afternoon.Rally Australia 2014 - official shakedown times:1. Chris Meek, Citroen DS3, 2 minutes 52.9 seconds2. Mads Ostberg, Citroen DS3, 2:53.33. Thierry Neuville, Hyundai i20, 2:53.74. Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo, 2:54.35. Sebastian Ogier, Volkswagen Polo, 2:54.46. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford Fiesta, 2:54.47. Hayden Paddon, Hyundai i20, 2:54.78. Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo, 2:54.79. Robert Kubica, Ford Fiesta, 2:54.910. Elfynt Evans, Ford Fiesta, 2:57.311. Chris Atkinson, Hyundai i20 WRC, 2:58.3

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Kia Proceed GT, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the new Lexus RC F at its international launch.