Articles by Paul Gover

The British pretender to the Italian crown of the Ferrari 458 Italia is going after just three years to clear production space in Britain for McLaren’s newest model, the 650S.It is being dumped as McLaren also builds its insanely fast P1 hybrid flagship and moves quickly on a plan for a cheaper sports car that will go head-to-head with the Porsche 911.The death of the oddly-named 12C is a surprising move as it was only introduced in 2011, although poor sales in Australia - and most other countries - led to a price cut of nearly $100,000 last year.But there is a farewell bonus for owners, with a free upgrade package that includes new active aero software to improve stability and cut high-speed drag, a improved infotainment system and external window switches. McLaren also promises discounted upgrades on 650S equipment including a reversing camera and satellite radio.“Yes, the 12C is going. In future, 100 per cent of production is being focussed on the 650S,” the brand operations manager for McLaren in Australia, Jay McCormack, says.“The only cars coming now will be bespoke build through McLaren Special Operations, but this will be less and less.”The death of the 12C is announced from Britain by McLaren’s chief executive, Mike Flewitt.“We have decided to cease in light of the success of 650S. We will focus all our capacity at the McLaren Production Centre on 650S.”There is already a six-month waiting list for the car - priced from $441,500 as a coupe, and an extra $44,750 for the Spider - and McLaren says there are forward orders from Australia until the end of 2014.“The first customer 650 gets here next month. We hope to fulfil all our existing orders by the end of this year,” says McCormack.There are also a handful of 12Cs, as the final sales total for Australia tops 50 cars thanks to the price cut.“We are still selling 12Cs for 2014, and I have my hands on a few of those. They are predominantly Spiders, but I have one coupe,” says McCormack.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover

The words family and Ferrari do not belong in the same sentence. Yet there is a Ferrari, the FF, which is surprisingly fine as a family friendly four-seater.

An all-new Triton workhorse will turn the page for Mitsubishi as the Japanese brand moves quickly into a future based on SUVs and light commercials.It will still have some passenger cars, but the focus will be on the most-profitable vehicles in its lineup and a new generation of models previewed last year with a motor show tease of the new Triton, Pajero and upcoming RVR.All three concepts are coming as production models with the Triton first before the end of the year, company chief Osamu Masuko reveals to Carsguide during a visit from Japan to Adelaide.“Our flagship car is the Pajero, and SUV is the vehicle that attracts customers.The best growth that we can see globally, both in developing and developed countries, is in the SUV segment. In particular, at Mitsubishi Motors, SUVs and LCVs are dominating our volume as well as profit,” Masuko says.“Considering the size of our company we do not have the luxury of doing everything we want. We have to focus on several areas, which is SUV and the environment.”Mitsubishi has already landed the PHEV hybrid in Australia and Masuko says there will be more green models to come, but admits there has been a lot of pain to put Mitsubishi on the right path.“We have actually been striving to rejuvenate our company since 2005. And finally we have been able to provide dividends that were the first in 16 years.“In the past the company went to the wrong path to the management. So they made some errors in the decisions. We have been working on restoration. That is a fact.”Masuko says the change in direction, which means the end of cars like the Lancer Evo, is the only way for Mitsubishi to succeed.“It’s not really the way to win if we were to compete the same way other companies are doing. So this triton is a very important vehicle for us, but PHEV is a new direction that is very important as well.“We will start with Triton in Thailand in the end of this year and then we will start exporting. Now that we have identified we can achieve a PHEV for Pajero, we made the deicison to have a completley new Pajero.“The new Pajero will be 2015 onwards. It will come with petrol, diesel, as well as PHEV.” 

...each one personally signed by chief Horst von Sanden. Letters like this are often about a safety recall or mechanical drama. Not these.They are a personal apology because Benz cannot supply cars to the 500 Australians on the waiting list for its A45 and CLA45 AMG. It's not good news for the frustrated buyers, but it's a reflection of the way Benz has changed from an elitist brand for the right people with no crowding to a prestige company that's running and growing close to the mainstream.Benz still does ultra-luxury and ultra-costly cars like its S-Class limousine and the SLS gull-wing supercar, but more and more people are shopping the brand against a VW Golf or a Holden Calais or something from the middle-class mainstream. So you're more likely to see a three-pointed star on the road, a giant change.There was a time when that emblem on the nose was worth about $15,000 to the group, and a similar bonus for the owner at second-hand time. That's different now, with starting prices from $35,600 for an A180."Think Mastercard. Priceless," company spokesman David McCarthy says of the current value of the Benz badge. "Luxury is not just about price. It's about how the product makes you feel, how well it's made and how well it works." He argues the company is still a prestige brand, even though Mercedes-Benz is currently ranked 12th overall among the 60-plus makes selling in Australia."We are a premium brand in every way. That means premium equipment, premium safety and premium performance. Does that justify a premium? Yes," McCarthy says. "Luxury car buyers in Australia choose Mercedes-Benz more than any other brand, and there is a reason. It's because of the product we offer and where we are positioned. I don't accept that premium and some volume don't go together."How many seats on a plane are first class? Two or three per cent. That's about where we sit, too. We're premium, not premium economy." Lots of top-end stuff technology trickles down through the range after starting life in the S-Class flagship. That's already true of the impressive E-Class, which got a major update in 2013.But it's also true someone driving an S63 AMG that cost $385,000 - before dipping into the extras - is unlikely to be totally happy about the number of three-pointed stars hitting the road in Australia. "I don't agree it's devalued. Someone buying an S-Class might not be in market for an A-Class, but there could be someone else in the family who wants one," McCarthy says.And there is one other point, which also works for the company and its customers. Back in the 1990s, the average age of a Benz buyer was 57 and many had one foot in the grave. These days the average is in the 40s and there are plenty of 20 and 30-somethings in the A-Class family. "Our customers have the choice of luxury, and the luxury of choice," McCarthy says. Price: from $74,900Star rating: 4/5Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 265kW/450NmTransmission: 7-speed twin clutch auto; AWDThirst: 6.9L/100km  THE LOWDOWN Carsguide's Prestige Car of the year is fun at every level. Though powered by the usual AMG V8, but its turbo four is hugely impressive and the go-faster division has tweaked almost everything to ensure it sits comfortably in the range with cars like the C63 and SLS gull-wing. Price: from $59,990 (C200)Star rating: 4/5Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo, 135kW/270NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, RWDThirst: 6.8L/100km  THE LOWDOWN You can get a great deal on the current C-Class and it tops the 3 Series from BMW without much trouble despite hitting its run-out period. But it's the new one you really want. The new C is a condensed S-Class and that means it will easily lead its class as well as delivering more luxury than anything ever seen for its size and price. Price: from $82,900 (M250)Star rating: 3.5/5Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel; 150kW/500NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, AWDThirst: 6.4L/100km  THE LOWDOWN When Benz dropped the price of its M-Class starter into the $80,000 range it made a BMW X5 look pricey. The BlueTEC diesel engine loses nothing in performance and provides remarkable economy, while the rest of the package is exactly what you'd expect in a Benz.SECOND-HANDAUSTRALIANS love SUVs, but the best bet in a second-hand Benz is a wagon. The C-Class and E-Class haulers have been remarkably good cars for decades and the latest models bring everything from AMG go-faster ability to a seven-seater cabin in the E-Class.The choice is not as broad because fewer people buy them new, but the rise of SUVs also makes a second-hand wagon a good-value buy. Best of all, when you're driving one you would never know you were driving a wagon and not a sedan - until you reach the supermarket or go to load up the kids' bikes.

The Lancer Evo will not survive an upcoming liaison between the three companies that will produce an all-new Lancer for Mitsubishi and an unnamed small car to be shared by Nissan and Renault.The turbocharged and all-wheel drive package that makes the Evo so successful, with Australian sales of the Evo X continuing from $56,990, cannot be switched to the new-age compact that should be on the road by 2017.“The volume of the sales is not as high as the love and passion towards that car,” the president of Mitsubishi Motors, Osamu Masuko, reveals to Carsguide during a visit from Japan. “In Europe, actually, the Lancer Evolution in certain countries stopped this year. Other countries that don’t have that (emissions) issue will continue.”Masuko admits the Evo has done a good job of brand building for Mitsubishi, but says the company is working on a new hero as the PHEV hybrid becomes a motorsport star. “I think with the new PHEV SUV we might consider to challenge in motorsport. Last year in August we have participated in an Asian rally from Thailand to Laos.”So, what about the Dakar Rally where Mitsubishi scored many wins with its Pajero? “It’s not going to be that race, but a lot of other tough races we will consider.” Masuko is not ready to reveal details of the model sharing program with the Nissan-Renault Alliance, but says the companies are close to a sign-off.“It’s just the platform we are considering. We are studying in various scenarios,” he says. “It hasn’t been completed as a deal, but we are progressive well. It can be a different engine or body for each brand.”This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

The only way to map the outer edges of Planet Ferrari is to go exploring on a racetrack.

More than $170 million worth Ferraris of are being primped, preened and primed today for the biggest Australian event in the history of the famed Italian brand.That's the combined worth of more than 400 cars that have targeted Sydney Motorsport Park for the inaugural running of the Ferrari Racing Days, an event that combines everything from a series of grand prix speed runs to a children's play zone.The first and only public appearance of LaFerrari, the sellout new $1.5 million Ferrari supercar, headlines the event but there are also nine F1 cars, a group of FXX customer racecars and two rounds of the 458 Challenge to spark the track action through Saturday and Sunday."It's the biggest event for Ferrari in Australia and probably the southern hemisphere," says Herbert Appleroth, chief executive of Ferrari Australasia. "To have 400 cars, when the total Ferrari carpark in Australia is only around 2000 cars, is just amazing. Lots of owners are driving their cars to Sydney and I know we have people coming from Perth for the event."The headline cars have been freighted from Italy and around the Pacific region in an airlift that's too costly for Appleroth to discuss. It's the same story for the shipment of more than 40 container loads of cars, parts and equipment, as well as the factory technicians to prepare the cars and run a full-scale F1 pitstop simulation."But you should see the bill for the insurance. It's just insane," he jokes. The Racing Days in Australia follows similar successful events in Japan and Malaysia and, as always, F1 track action is the pivotal play.Appleroth says nine grand prix Ferraris are installed in the garages at Sydney Motorsport Park, six for private owners and three that belong to Ferrari. One of those will be used by F1 test driver Marc Gene, one is a spare, and the third is just for display."You cannot take any chances. People want to see our cars in action," Appleroth says. The F1 cars will share the track with a rare 333 SP sports racer that will be handled by V8 Supercar driver Tony D'Alberto and there will also be sessions for FXX customer cars, two races in the 458 Challenge and track time for owners in their own cars."The owners are not going to puddle around. They'll have a go, and we'll have Marc Gene to coach them," Appleroth says. "It will be non-stop action. We're hoping for up to 10,000 spectators and they will see something unique in Australia." 

Ferrari F1 test driver Marc Gene will only have a 2010-specification Ferrari at his disposal for the Ferrari Racing Days, but is still likely to threaten the existing benchmark time set by Aussie hero Dan Ricciardo last month.Ricciardo re-wrote the record in in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix when he lapped a Red Bull RB7 in 1 minute 13.08 seconds, undercutting the previous benchmark time set by Mark Webber - also in an RB7 - in 2013 by six-tenths of a second.Gene is not promising an all-out attack but tells Carsguide there is always a temptation when he straps into a grand prix car. "We are racing drivers, we always push. Sometimes you do the lap record," Gene tells Carsguide."The car is run by the Formula One team and very much as it used to race. It's more-or-less three years old, so a 2010 car." Gene and the F1 missile are the star attraction at the Racing Days, a two-day event that's being run for the first time in Australia with everything from a debut appearance by the LaFerrari supercar to a children's activity area. But there will be as many as eight Formula One cars in action, most driven by wealthy owners who purchased the cars once their grand prix careers were finished."All Racing Days involve a Formula One demonstration. There are hot laps and also a pitstop," says Gene. "I'm really enjoying it. I know it might be one of the last shots I have."Gene is an official test driver for Ferrari but his work has been severely limited since F1 test days were cut back. He is now mostly involved with track days and demonstration runs, including the Racing Days program that has already visited Malaysia this year."Nowadays, I'm enjoying it a lot more than seven or eight years ago, because there are no tests these days. I'm doing 15 or 20 laps and really enjoying it."Gene promises all sorts of action, from the violence of a full-scale race start to the smoking craziness of donuts. "It's an exhibition. Of course, I try to put on a good show. So you do things that you don't normally do, like sliding and donuts."But he also knows he has the car and speed to go for the record, something he has already achieved at the Laguna Seca circuit in California, USA."I have the lap record at Laguna Seca. That shows that all of us, whichever teams do an exhibition, can achieve. "We'll see (in Sydney). It depends on the car. I'm too experienced to take any risks. I would regret it big time."Gene says there has been a huge response to earlier Racing Days, particularly in Japan. "There are many reasons. One of them is the cars. There is no other brand that is able to do such extreme cars. It is a car that people dream to drive," he says."There is no other brand in the world that is about to sell F1 cars and have a program for very special clients who own these cars."This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

The all-new California T has already rocketed to the top of the sales charts, trumping the emotive 458 Italia and family-focussed FF V12, before a single appearance down under. The California T has even missed the boat for the Ferrari Racing Days this weekend, the biggest event in the history of the Italian brand in Australia, without affecting the order bank.“It will become our largest selling model. And we expect that 70 per cent of owners will be new to the Ferrari brand,” the head of Ferrari in Australia and the Pacific, Herbert Appleroth, tells Carsguide. “The waiting list for the new California is already over 12 months. And when the car is launched, in June, we expect it will be more like 24 months.”Appleroth says the absence of the California from the Racing Days at Sydney Motorsport Park is not a concern, since there are so many other new models at the event including the 458 Speciale and a display-only LaFerrari. “The focus is on those cars. The California is more lifestyle based and we will launch it in due course,” he says.The California T is the first turbocharged Ferrari since the F40 supercar from the 1980s, and comes with the promise of 412 kiloWatts and 755 Newton-metres - good for a 0-100km/ sprint in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 316km/h - for a pricetag very close to the $460,000 of the outgoing model.“People who own a California are already coming back for another one. Normally you expect them to go up to a 458, but there is a lot of pre-purchase,” Appleroth says. He is happy that the California has brought new buyers to the brand, although some will have to wait for a car.“It isn’t just women, there are people who couldn’t afford a Ferrari in the past. It’s now an everyday drive, but a special everyday drive.“Demand has gone crazy. Supply will be restricted for the first two years.“The first car will be launched in June in Australia but the first deliveries won’t be until the end of the year. We’ve already got 12 months of orders, easily. And we won’t announce the price for a couple of months.” 

Ford says its future is focussed on high-tech engineering and design work, including development of a range of offshore models as part of the One Ford global production plan. It already employs more than 1000 people at Broadmeadows who are not tied to carmaking, has just re-activated its university hiring program, and this week announces an upgrade to the virtual reality laboratory in Melbourne."Our overall plan is to grow. That's what people don't understand," the spokesman for Ford Australia, Wes Sherwood, tells Carsguide. "We'll have the largest automotive employment after 2017. There will be 1500 jobs, with 1100 of those in design and engineering."Even though it was the first to pull the pin on its local manufacturing operation, or perhaps because of it, Ford is already well advanced with a survival strategy. The company's development team has already created the Ranger ute and Everest SUV for production in Thailand, developed a baby Figo for Ford of India, and is working on a born-again Escort for China.And those are just the projects we know about. "They are working on some of the most advanced products and technologies in the world," Sherwood says of the development team.In the past, Ford Australia has been a closed shop when it comes to comment about its offshore efforts. But Sherwood and company president Bob Graziano know they have to spread the message about the future before the Falcon and Territory become part of the past.And it's not just the people who are already embedded outside the corporate headquarters in Broadmeadows. Ford Australia has just re-started its university hiring progam for an intake in 2015 and is also looking to sponsor promising students. "We will bring in some fresh blood and new ideas. And we've re-started our university research projects. We're already looking at connectivity and lightweighting," says Sherwood.But Ford Australia is not just worrying about its own future. It has just sponsored a 'supplier fair' to help smaller companies build connections to overseas Ford projects and bigger suppliers to the blue oval brand. A total of 40 Australian companies were involved with 17 regional suppliers."Nine of them have earned regional or global business," Sherwood says. "It was a really impressive event. We made all the connections." And he says that there are plenty of opportunities, as suppliers in high-cost countries such as Germany and Japan have proven. "There are advanced mature markets around the globe with similar issues to Australia who have been able to supply and innovate."This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover