Articles by Paul Gover

There had been big question marks over the Commodore after the death of the current VE-VF series car in 2016 but all the doubts and worries disappeared yesterday with the announcement of a $1 billion commitment to local car making that comes all the way from Detroit, USA. The announcement of a $275 million government co-investment package looks good, but the $1 billion bottom line is the really important thing.  Based on typical timings in the car industry, with at least an eight-year major product cycle for an all-new mechanical platform, the Commodore now looks cemented in place until at least 2024. The Cruze, which has been a sales success since it moved into Holden's Adelaide factory alongside the Commodore last year - and even out-sold its big brother in January - looks to have a similar future.But what will the future Commodore look like? No-one knows. The new-generation Holden hero is certain to be smaller than today's family favourite, with four-cylinder engines and a hybrid powertrain choice, but its body shape could easily veer away from a four-door sedan into some sort of crossover station wagon or coupe that taps Australia's growing preference for cars with flexible SUV bodies. Holden admitted more than five years ago that it needed to find a firm future for the Commodore, including the right body, and it is well down the road on the right choice. But the cash injection yesterday gives the clarity and commitment from General Motors needed to get the job done, and done right. With $1 billion to spend, it's likely that the talented designers and engineers at Fishermans Bend will be allowed to develop a totally unique 'top hat' and local mechanical package to fit over a global mechanical platform. An all-new car currently costs around $1 billion to develop from the wheels to the roof, so $500 million each should be enough to do a comprehensive localisation program on both the Commodore and Cruze. There is already talk that the next Commodore will be tied to the mid-sized Chevrolet Malibu, which will be sold in Australia next year, although sources in Detroit also point to a potential tie-up with the compact Cadillac ATS that is about to go on sale in the USA. If the Cadillac connection is right, it would mean the Commodore could continue with the rear-wheel drive that makes it so popular with Aussies. But, and it's a big but, there is still plenty of time for GM to find an all-new package to sit under an Aussie-badged and themed Commodore. It's a contrast to Toyota Australia, which is locked into a plan that calls for local production of a global Camry, with only minor tweaks for local customers.Toyota is spending $350 million on a new four-cylinder engine factory, but has been forced to cut jobs and trim its spending because of slow export sales for the Camry. Ford had it's own cash injection in January, getting $103 million to continue revamping and improving the struggling Falcon. But there is no indication yet of a solid plan - despite talk of a globalisation similar to Holden - beyond 2016. Further into the future, it is obvious that the Australian car industry will need ongoing support from Federal and State governments. There are plenty of people who want to end any form of support, but a recent survey showed that Australian taxpayers pay relatively little to ensure the future of the three carmakers.And all countries with a local manufacturing industry get some form of support, from special deals on land and taxes to outright protection and subsidies.

Australia's favourite car in 2011 was the Mazda3.  The Japanese compact also topped the small-car class despite a solid challenge from the Toyota Corolla and opposition from more than 20 other babies.But does that make it the best small car in Australia today? There is only one way to find out, which is why we have the Mazda3 lined up against its toughest showroom rivals for the first in a series of Carsguide title fights.Picking the top four for this punch-up is - relatively - easy. We might like the idea of an Alfa Romeo, or the patriotism of a Holden Cruze, or the space in a Mitsubishi Lancer, but we would not recommend one of those to our best friend.And, apart from personal preferences and bias, that's what car choice really comes down to. Which car would you choose to drive away if it was your life and your money?The Mazda3 is an automatic choice since it's the reigning champion, and the Toyota Corolla gets an automatic spot as the number one contender. We also have to take the Volkswagen Golf because it's the best car in the small-car class - if not the best value - and the final spot goes to the Ford Focus because it's the sweetest drive and was a finalist in last year's Carsguide Car of the Year award.VALUEYou can spend just over $20,000 to put a quality small car on the road, but it's easy to go much higher with high-performance models such as the $39,490 Mazda3 MPS and $52,490 Golf R. So we settled in the midrange, where most private buyers spend their own cash, with four fighters with prices covered by only $2000. The Corolla Levin ZR comes in at $29,990 and the Golf 118TSI Comfortline is $31,990.All come with a host of creature features that just five years ago were standard only in luxury cars. Apart from being the cheapest, the popular Corolla is also a valued asset because it is easier to sell at trade-in and is the only one here with the security of capped-price service costs. It also doesn't scrimp on features with a totally keyless entry and start system that detects when you approach the car and automatically unlocks, Bluetooth, an MP3 compatible CD player, front fog lights, cruise control, moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on HID headlights and climate control airconditioning.Our Mazda comes with much the same gear, but this luxury version adds $3000 to the $27,990 price for Bi-Xenon headlamps, a sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim and a 10-speaker Bose 242-watt sound system. The Focus Sport includes a spoiler, sports seats, auto wipers, Sony sound, leather steering wheel, dual-zone airconditioning and, since December, satnav as standard.The Golf is the only one here with daytime running lights. It also has an optional park assist system at $1400 and rearview camera at $500.TECHNOLOGYThe newest engine here is the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre with an auto stop-start system called i-stop. It's not the most powerful unit at 113 kiloWatts, well down on the 125kW Focus However, Mazda's engine is married to a new Skyactiv six-speed transmission which is not only silky smooth but, together with the i-stop function, helps the vehicle achieve the best fuel figures of 6.1-6.2L/100km.It is marginally lighter on fuel than the VW which has the smallest 1.4 engine, but boosted to 118kW with a turbo. It manages 6.2L/100km due also to the transmission, a seven-speed DSG auto. Toyota's ageing 1.8-litre engine is the weakest with only 100kW and is relatively thirsty at 7.3L/100km because it only has a four-speed auto.On the electronics side, the Mazda and Ford have voice recognition and satnav, although the high-mounted screen in the Mazda is almost impossible to see in direct sunlight or for anyone over 50. On the low-tech side, the Corolla is the only vehicle with a full-size spare.SAFETYCarsguide takes safety seriously and all four cars have a five-star ANCAP rating. The Toyota and VW lead the pack with seven airbags, adding knee protection for the driver, while the Mazda and Ford have six airbags each. All have parking sensors to avoid carpark bingles, but the Focus and Golf have an optional self-parking feature which is a real show-stopper.DRIVINGJumping back into the cars is a reminder that small-car buyers have never had better choices than they do today. All four of the so-called babies have plenty of space, good performance and the sort of equipment that used to make time in a Mercedes-Benz special. But there are significant differences.Looking first at the champion, the Mazda's cabin feels surprisingly cramped and dark, there is lots of noise from the tyres, and there is also bumping and thumping on poor surfaces. The Focus is a nicely sporty drive, but the cabin controls are complicated and confusing and it doesn't seem all that big.The Corolla has the roomiest feel and update work last year has made the cabin a nice place, while the suspension is great. It's just a pity about the four-speed gearbox. And the Golf? We expected to drive best and it goes, but the cabin is dark and not particularly inviting, and the DSG gearbox - once a first choice with Carsguide testers - now has us worried. We get lots of owner complaints and poor feedback, and that's not good.VERDICTNo drum roll, no fanfare, just the bottom line: it's the Toyota Corolla. The world's favourite small car is my choice - back at the top again, after a long run down the field - as the best small car in showrooms today.The Mazda3 is still the people's choice, and consistently Australia's favourite, while the Volkswagen Golf is the class of the field and the Ford Focus is the most fun. But picking a winner in a very tight contest means I have no friends and must consider everything.The Golf is quality but you pay the price, the cabin is like a cave, and I cannot help wondering and worrying - after a string of owner questions and complaints - about the DSG transmission. It's a lovely car, and one I love to drive, but I could not buy one. The Mazda3 is, plain and simple, showing its age. The cabin is cheap, there is too much road noise and suspension thump, the engine is nothing special, and - even though it's a little thing - the satnav screen is tiny. It's nice, but not as good as I remembered. And the Focus, a COTY contender last year? The thing it does best, corners, is the one thing most Australians don't care about. It's a good car, but not a great car. And the messy dashboard and confusing switches drive me batty.In a field of four, the Corolla is ordinary but extraordinary. It sneaks up on you with surprising strengths that reflect a deep and long-term understanding of the real needs of small-car buyers. It's only got a four-speed automatic, but that is easily offset by capped-price servicing through the warranty period. The Corolla is the car I would be happiest to drive away and own, and that makes it my winner.Paul Gover Rating1. Toyota Corolla2. Volkswagen Golf3. Mazda34. Ford FocusToyota Corolla Levin ZRPrice: $29,990Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: capped-price for 3 years or 60,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 1.8L 4-cylinder 100kW/175NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4245mm (L), 1760mm (W), 1515mm (H), 2600mm (WB)Weight: 1280kgTransmission: 4-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 7.3L/100kmVW Golf 118 TSI ComfortlinePrice: $31,990Warratny: 3 years, unlimited kmService: 15,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD, BA and hill startEngine: 1.4L, turbo 4-cylinder, 118kW/240NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4199mm (L), 1785mm (W), 1479mm (H), 2574mm (WB)Weight: 1330kgTransmission: 7-speed auto DSG, FWDEconomy: 6.2L/100km, 144g/kmMazda3 SP20 Skyactiv luxuryPrice: $30,990Warranty: 3 years / unlimited kmsService: 6mths/10,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2-litre 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmBody: 5-door hatchDimensions: 4460mm (L), 1755mm (W), 1470mm (H), 2640mm (WB)Weight: 1346kgTransmission: 6-speed Skyactiv auto, FWDEconomy: 6.1-6.2L/100km Ford Focus SportPrice: $30,190Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: 15,000km/annualSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, hill launch, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2.0L 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4538-4362mm (L), 2010mm (W), 1451-1484mm (H), 2648mm (WB)Weight: 1900kgTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 6.6L/100km, 154g/km

that's expected to go into action alongside the existing 5 Series and upcoming 6 Series GT.The arrival of the GT comes at the expense of a 3 Series crossover, according to European sources.When's it here? 2013 How much? Around $75,000

This test car also has a fixed rear wing, deeper front spoiler with big air vents and centrally-mounted exhaust pipes.The car is expected to have around 335 kiloWatts.

...although the four-door Italian sports sedan is coming in by the middle of 2013.Among new developments are a hybrid drive system, extensive use of aluminium and a possible all-wheel drive system.

The new S Class is longer and more luxurious than the existing model with styling influenced by the F700 concept car of 2007.

The mechanical package beneath the latest A and B-Class cars from Mercedes-Benz is also being rolled under an upcoming Infiniti that takes its looks from the Japanese brand's good looking Etherea concept car. The Etherea is a baby hatchback that was displayed at the Geneva motor show just over a year ago. It will lose its dramatic clamshell doors for production but the basic shape is expected to survive almost unchanged. The Etherea deal is confirmed to Carsguide by the global head of Infiniti marketing, Simon Sproule, during the Infiniti splash with Red Bull Racing at the Australian Grand Prix. "Our biggest project now is the entry-level Infiniti. We showed the Etherea at Geneva last year and that is the direction for a future small Infiniti," he reveals. "It's going to be our volume vehicle in Europe, because that's where the market is expanding the most. It's Audi A3 territory and the car is about two years away." Sproule is not confirming the car for Australia but the chances are good, as he knows new products will be the key to a massive growth plan through to 2016. "We sold between 140,000 and 150,000 vehicles last year and the plan is to take infiniti globally to around 500,000 by 2016. Which would bring us, based on current assumptions, to around 10 per cent of the world luxury market," Sproule says. "Our growth is going to come through new product and market expansion. We will look to conquest, but the market is going to grow anyway. We're going to catch the wave of global growth in the premium market." Sproule confirms Infiniti's aggressive expansion plans with details of new countries - including Australia - being added rapidly to its sales network. "Frankly, the growth is taking place outside traditional markets. In Europe, the premium brands are going down. In China and Russia and the Middle East - even Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and Mexico - that's where the growth is coming. We're adding markets. We're at about 45 markets globally and that will be rising to around 70 by 2016." Sproule says the share deal that will put the Etherea on the road, using Dailmer's MFA mechanical platform, is typical of a new link between the German powerhouse and the Nissan-Renault alliance. "We kicked off . . .  in 2010. The initial scope was commercial vehicles ... and powertrain," he says. "In January we announced that a Nissan plant in Tennessee (USA) will be making Mercedes engines which will be used by us and Mercedes. It's for an, as yet unannounced, vehicle. We also announced that we will be using four and six-cylinder gas and diesel engines from Mercedes in a variety of future Infiniti products." Sproule will not get specific on other upcoming additions to the Infiniti range but confirms there will be a lot of new stuff in coming years. "We have not defined the number of new models, but we will be adding to the range," he says. "We added another model, the JX, to the range is the USA last month. That's a three-row crossover SUV. We have replacement cycles for our current vehicles, the G, the M and more. And there is more that we have in the works." Sproule says the launch program for Australia - starting with three dealerships int the major capitals and a compact lineup based on the G series cars - is locked and loaded. "The model we've worked on is to focus on quality, not quantity, to get started. We've got a long-term time horizon, as opposed to rushing in with a huge network and big volume objectives …. we have really worked very selectively. "For a lot of markets, Infinity is complete unknown. It's been around since 1989 in the USA, and one of the reasons we went into Formula One last year was to raise the basic awareness of the brand."

And exactly when he likes. The retired racer has Michael Schumacher on the speed dial, a private jet at the airport, an eight-figure bank balance, a nightclub in Las Vegas and - after winning won fiv consecutive 500cc world motorcycle championships from 1994 to 1998 - five important trophies at home on the Gold Coast.  Then again, he limps heavily every day as a result of the massive leg injuries that ended his grand prix motorcycle career and pain is his constant companion.  But pain is being replaced by pleasure today as Doohan rolls into Albert Park for a series of hot laps in a silver star pocket rocket that is already a $7.8 million sellout in Australia.  The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Black Series is a cool tool that's been snapped up by 32 fast car fans with at least $245,000 in their back pocket and is the centrepiece for an AMG technology demonstration at the home of the Australian Grand Prix.  That's a nice way of saying Doohan and another retired racer, grand pix winner David Coulthard, will be showing what the Black Series belter can do on the same track where Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber are tipped for another Red Bull romp on Sunday evening.  They are uncorking a V8-powered monster capable of topping 300km/h thanks to 380 kiloWatts and 620 Newton-metres in the engine room, as well as giant disc brakes and huge 18-inch tyres to balance the safety equation and also translate power into control on the AGP track.  Doohan has the Black on track and really honking, sliding the rear and tripping the ABS every time he goes for the brakes. But that's not what he finds really impressive.  "What's great about these AMG cars is they are still Benzes. So you can go for a quiet drive to the shops, you can drop the kids off at school or you can have a family outing on the weekend," Doohan says to Carsguide.  "It's a performance car when you want a performance car but a regular road car when you don't want to go crazy. Then again, when you want to have a go..." He's been an AMG man for more than 15 years and, even though he gets a very special price from Germany, it's the car he chooses to drive. And he could easily go for a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. "You can't fault them on the road. I like that it's not obvious, not wild, but it will still get up and go." Doohan has a special job at the grand prix this weekend, competing in a series of one-lap handicap sprints against a V8 Supercar and a genuine F1 racer. He's done it twice before and enjoys the challenge, and the speed. "It's not really like race, but I've won a few times," Doohan laughs. "The Black Series is not designed for the racetrack, but it's still an amazing handling car and performance car on the track."  Riding with Doohan is not pretty, but it's plenty fast. He bends the Black to his commands, stomping the brakes, hauling the wheel and getting early on the power during an exclusive Carsguide hot lap. Then it's my turn. And the Black Series raises the AMG bar to a new level. The car has 40 kiloWatts more than a regular AMG C63 but the impressive things are the stopping power of the composite brakes and the cornering grip. It always feels like the car has more in reserve, even if the traction control is working overtime during my quick laps.  It's just a taster but it's full of flavour and it's impossible not to be envious of Doohan and the lucky - and wealthy - few who will get a Black Series C63 sometime this year. Not just that but, just like a Hyundai or Kia shopper, they're getting a bargain. The previous Black Series model came in at $299,000 but the new C63 is a snip at just $245,000.

The mid-cycle facelift is only going to be minor, but the nose will get a sharper look with LED daytime running lamps and Ford is planning a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine - although this is not confirmed for Australia.

The range-extender hybrid – in Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera form -- won with a convincing victory over the Volkswagen Up and Ford Focus. It was named as champion at the Geneva motor show, following its victories last year in the World Green Car of the Year contest and the North American Car of the Year award and despite recent safety questions, poor sales and a production shutdown in the USA. The Europe COTY is decided by 59 judges from 23 countries and the Volt, which wears a Chevrolet badge also carries Opel Ampera badges in some countries, finished on top of a field of 35 contenders. Its winning margin was a 330-281 whitewash of the Up, with the Focus gaining 256 points. Each of the judges has 25 points to allocate among seven finalists and the other cars that made it to the final round of the competition were the Range Rover Evoque (186 points), Fiat Panda (156 points), Citroen DS5 (144 points) and the Toyota Yaris (122 points). "Our car demonstrates that electric driving can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owners' lifestyle," says Susan Docherty, presient of Chevrolet Europe. The Geneva show is a major event for car awards, with the three finalists in each of the 2012 World Car of the Year categories also revealed. The finalists for the overall World COTY crown are the Up, the Porsche 911 and the latest BMW 3 Series, while the 911, Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren MP4-12C will compete for World Performance COTY. The World COTY contenders were culled from an initial field of 34 new vehicles from around the world and the winners in all categories - including awards for design and green motoring - will be declared at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, April 5.