Articles by Paul Pottinger

In fact, it's better than just plain good. The Czech wagon is cavernous inside, is incredibly flexible, good to drive, well up on safety and ideal for family work.It also has the sort of thoughtful touches - an umbrella tucked into the back door and a clip-out torch in the boot - that will bring people back and have them bragging to their friends.A starting price of $40,990 makes the Czech car a wonderful deal, and even the fully-loaded Elegance turbodiesel lists for less than $50,000.The only negatives for the Superb are the unproven Skoda brand - which is still struggling for traction in Australia, even though it's part of the quality Volkswagen Group - and a driving experience which is a touch down on the class standard.Skoda Superb wagon: review

The Melbourne headquarters issued an announcement today of its fifth new chief executive since 2004. Having been in the job for a little over two years, Geelong-born Marin Burela -- the first Australian to hold the job since 2005 -- announced he would be replaced by American executive Robert Graziano as of Monday. Graziano, an employee of Ford since 1982, was chairman and CEO of Ford China. Burela becomes president of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co Ltd. He says this is a "very significant role" and central to Ford's grow in what is rapidly becoming the world's biggest auto market. "It certainly wasn't my plan to be here two years only, nor was that the company's plan," Burela says. "Only three weeks ago we relocated our daughter from the UK back to Australia so she could complete her education. The plan was always to stay here." Burela denies that his sudden move to a flourishing market -- where some 35 million vehicles will sold in the next decade -- indicated that Australia was considered a low priority by Ford. "I could not have picked a better successor," he says. "One thing that distinguishes us from the auto pack is that our strength is very strong. We are interchangeable. "Bob is very excited to be coming to Australia." Graziano is charged with overseeing the expansion of Ford's line-up here and in New Zealand, which starts with the launch of the Ranger pickup truck. Graziano worked in the Americas and Asia before heading Ford China's expansion plans, overseeing investments of $1.3 billion in the past 12 months. But he warms Ford's local chair at a time when the Blue Oval is struggling to retain its traditional place in the Australian market. Last month, its mainstay Falcon slumped to sixth place in top sales, despite mass discounting to fleets -- and the brand as a whole was outsold by Toyota, Holden and Mazda. Nevertheless Burela says he is proud to have "delivered profitable growth" to a company that had been $300 million in the red when he took the reins. He says Ford will launch a massive new model offensive in 2011-12. "We're in a good place. I have no regrets." The wave of models he cites is one of the biggest product pushes in Ford's Australian history is shifting into top gear. The pocket rocket Focus RS is almost a sell-out, the first deliveries of the supercharged Falcons from Ford Performance Vehicles have begun, and there are a string of new arrivals planned to take the brand through to the end of 2011. The most important is the four-cylinder Falcon — to be called the Falcon EcoBoost — in the second half of next year. Ford Australia also intends to have a Falcon with liquid petroleum injection and the Territory will finally get a V6 turbodiesel engine. The latest Thai-built WT Fiesta is the next model on the launching page, followed by an update and upgrade of the Mondeo. Both cars are in showrooms from November, although the flagship Mondeo Titanium does not arrive until December. November also brings a limited-edition Territory with more equipment and a slight visual tweak, as part of the run-out for the big change — including the turbodiesel — in the first half of next year. The big action happens in the second half of 2011 with the Falcon — likely to get a new name beyond FG — as the headliner, but an all-new Focus and the Ranger pickup on the plan. Ford is not giving any solid detail yet on the Focus, which will be built like the Fiesta in Thailand, but says the Ranger line-up will be much more extensive than the single display vehicle at the Australian International Motor Show.

Well, it's about time. Five years since the launch of the second generation Lexus IS, it finally gets the engine it needed, and the local Lexus lads wanted, all along.For all its visual appeal, rear-wheel-drive dynamics and having a 2.5 litre V6 for German four-cylinder money, the lardy IS250 is hard put to trouble the Merc, Audi and - the one Lexus most wants touch up - BMW.Now Lexus has the IS350, the variant with a litre greater capacity than its underdone sibling, massively superior output and the capacity to reach 100km/h from standing more than three seconds quicker.Moreover, they've bought it in at a price which has not only embarrassed pundits such as yours truly, whose prediction was out by a good $25K, it's been placed so sharply as to amount to a declaration of hostilities.If ever you've felt that the 3 Series, C-Class and A4 were obscenely over-priced (and let's face it, they are) here's the proof.VALUEFairly staggering, actually. All models lines are packed with standard kit that's optional in its rivals almost to the extent of costing five figures if all boxes were ticked. For $64,800, the Prestige packs sat-nav, heated seats, reversing camera, HID lamps with daytime running lights, 17-inch alloys and metallic paint.At $71,300, the "F Sport" kicks off this new badge - an obvious riposte to M Sport and Audi's S model. It has dedicated suspension, lower profile tyres, great front seats and go fast bits.The more supple Sports Luxury is  $81,300 and gets - well, everything - 18-inch alloys, active cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio, ventilated/heated seats, moonroof and self-dimming and heated side mirrors.TECHNOLOGYThe dual VVTi 3.5-litre engine, familiar from other Lexus lines, uses direct and port injection driven via a six-speed sequential auto that has a gratifying degree of manual override via shifting paddlers with the self-shifting smoothness of a torque converter - as opposed to a dual clutch. Hardly innovative of itself, but a quick, seamless model marriage with this engine.DESIGNFor all the embellishments, revised interior, value added bling and swaggeringly aggressive pricing, this is still where the whole IS package falls down. It's just a bit cramped in there, especially in back, where it's no more a true five seater than it is a people mover.Up front is more cockpit than cabin and I for one would happily pay extra not to have the headroom-eating sunroof. Haven't done the old golf bag test on the boot, but it's a minor cavity at best. And there's no avoiding the fact that this first generation "L Finesse" shape is showing its age.SAFETYAll the active and passive acronyms you've heard of, plus some you likely haven't.The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Package houses stability and traction controls and hill start assist. Brakes are formidable, 334X30mm front discs, four channel ABS with brakeforce distribution and brake assist. The top variant gets active cruise control and a pre-collision safety system that automatically tightens the seatbelts under heavy braking. We can tell you this works.The spare's a space saver, but at least it has a spare.DRIVINGFinally imbued with the ticker it's required, the IS is now more than a slightly left field alternative to the obvious choices. I'm trying, but failing, to think of circumstances in which your 3 Series - disregarding the third world country's GDP price difference between them - seriously outplays the IS350 in remotely legal circumstances.You would have to say that the Lexus is a little too polite for gratification. Even in the sports variant, the engine is refined to an eerie extent - unless the throttle is mashed or the shifter forced back into an unfeasibly low gear (it'll refuse only redline exceeding requests), a modicum of wind and tyre noise are the only aural inputs. And while there's not an abundance of torque down low - the engine does its best work from 4000rpm on up, firing up a lightshow around the speedo - acceleration is fairly linear.So too is the electric rack and pinion steering - a little numb around the centre, plentifully informative and progressive when called upon. It is, especially in the sport version, a confidence enhancing balance ride/handling compromise, which is not unsettled even by significant bumps in the road's surface.While the Sport Luxury (we'll get into the Prestige in coming weeks) leans even further to the traditional Lexus verities of composure and refinement - to say nothing of loads of standard fruit - it's in no danger of being left behind.  It's a question of degrees of difference.It helps that no variants have grown significantly in weight over the 250 - 1580-1645kg. All - it's claimed - get to 100km/h from standing in 5.6 seconds.VERDICTHow do you say "Show us where the money is, Fritz" in German?"LEXUS IS350Price: from $64,800-$81,300Engine: 3.5L V6 petrol; 233kW;378NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic; RWDThirst: 9.4L/100km

When asked what medium hatchback to buy, wise man invariably say: "A Golf if you've got $30K, a Mazda3 if you don't." Thirty grand gets you an 118TSI - the best VeeWee this side of a GTI . A Maxx Sport 3 gets change from that sum.The VW's the best hatch money can buy, the Mazda's a close second. After an interval of daylight, there follows an ever more crowded field. None of them, however, including number one and two, can offer, the newly five door Kia Cerato's bang for buck. It's a convincing enough package to make a wise man question the order of things.Unbeatable. The base SI is $20,240 for the manual; $22,240 for the auto. Its fruit includes cruise control, manual aircon, Bluetooth set-up, telescopic steering, and steering-wheel mounted controls. The SLI - $24,040 manual; $26,240 auto ­- adds 17-inch alloys, reverse sensor, suede/cloth upholstery, alloy pedals, automatic headlights, paddle shifters for the auto and various bling bits.Kia's cousin Hyundai matches the otherwise peerless five year unlimited kilometre warranty, but while the Carsguide Car of the Year-winning i30 shares elements of the Cerato's platform and the Theta II petrol engine, the Kia's uniformly six speed transmissions best its relative's manual by one cog and its auto by two. In the case of the latter, this makes a big difference.Hardly the last word in this department with that Theta engine a bit too like yesterday's papers compared to the direct injection turbo petrol or diesel donks to be had for a few thousand dollars more.That's true too of the torsion beam rear suspension as opposed to the independent set-up of the Cerato's more sophisticated peers. The live rear axle allows for class leading 385-litre load space, rear seats up.But, as is the case with the Sportage SUV, it's the Australian connection that distinguishes the Cerato. Led by Graeme Gambold, the local team's take on the Cerato equips it with bespoke spring settings and steering wheel weighting - improvements that will find their way into the Cerato sedan and Koup.It's a looker, alright, another feather in the cap of head designer Peter Schreyer. Smart and elegant, it makes the i30 look plain, the Golf anal the Mazda3 like an over-folded piece of origami.Inside, the base model SI looks just like a sub-$21 grand base car should, a sea of (rather smelly as new) plastic. But the SLI lifts the game markedly, inside and out, without over embellishing the go fast bits. Which would be silly, because sporty ain't what the Cerato is meant to be.You have to applaud six airbags as standard on the both models. Ditto stability program, ABS and a full-size spare. But the Cerato will likely score four stars, not five, from the ANCAP program.The easy shifting manual's sixth gear is a bit of gimmick, actually. At 110km/h in top cog you're still doing 3000rpm - a few hundred less than in fifth. But you're doing it with a remarkable degree of refinement. Aside for a bit of wind noise about the mirrors, this Cerato cruises in almost silently. It's a bit boomier in the back, but quite a feat nonetheless.The auto's the go. The paddle shifters allow a degree of manual override, useful for engine braking or applying spurs to the recalcitrant Theta as a hill begins to prove too much for it. Left to self-shift, it's a fairly seamless unit that goes some way toward masking the ordinariness of the engine.Moreover, at 7.7 litres per 100km and 187g of Co2 per km, the auto is merely 0.2L and 1g less environmentally nice than the manual.While not so sharp as the Mazda3, the Cerato is nonetheless some way past dynamically adequate, especially for its likely buyers. Indeed, the local lads have done it proud, with a ride/handling compromise that certain other imports would envy.Get over the badge and yourself; this represents more than value for money.

For a start, this is not the new Barina as such. That comes late next year to play against the Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 and - at some point - a sub-Polo sized Volkswagen.This, on the other hand, is a newer notion for Holden, an even smaller (though handily roomy) car to which the familiar Barina name has been appended as a blatant localised marketing ploy - the rest of the General Motors world calls it the Spark. The latest South Korean (and soon to be South African) made "Barina" is meant to play against the driveaway and eventually chuckaway likes of Suzuki's Alto and Nissan's Micra.Marketed solely and more than somewhat patronisingly to what can only be incorrectly, but accurately, described as chicks, the whole venture hinges on one seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Are femmes prepared to forsake an automatic transmission option for the safety, sharp shape and eco-friendliness that the Spark brings to the table?The manual only gambit keeps the starting price of the entry CD variant down to $12,490, for which it gets fruit including 14-inch alloys, body kit, front fog lamps, rear spoiler, power adjustable exterior mirrors, vanity mirrors, CD player, iPod/iPhone AUX input and a USB input for MP3 players, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, remote keyless entry operates doors and rear tailgate.Yep, the econo-car motif has moved on a bit since the original Hyundai. The CDX adds 15s, more exterior bling, and nicer paint options.You're not burdened with tech at this end of the market, save for the standard audio and safety fixtures. The steering is hydraulic, MacPherson struts up front, torsion beam at the back and, really, you can't complain. The diminutive 1.2-litre four cylinder engine puts out a seemingly feeble 59kW/107Nm, but also only 128 grams of C02 per kilometer while using a claimed 5.6L of unleaded per 100km.This is where Holden hope, rather than reckon, objections to having to move the left foot and hand to change gear will be overcome. The Alfa Romeo-like hidden rear door handles suggest a coupe's lines. There are so many sharp angles you want to watch cutting yourself.  With only 3.5m in length to work with, design cues have been fairly crammed in.The exterior either works for you or it doesn't. Less equivocal is the interior, and the most impressive aspect of it is the space.In the unlikely event two men ever occupy this car at the same time, a tall burly one can sit behind another with room to move. More funky - and don't Holden abuse that word - is the motorcycle-like instrument cluster mounted on the steering column which includes an green illuminated analogue speedometer with digital tachometer (so you greenline rather than redline) and trip computer.The Spark won only four star in European crash safety testing due to the stability control being optional in that market. Here ESC goes with anti-lock brakes and six airbags as standard, which should aid its quest to win five sparklers from forthcoming round of ANCAP tests.Well, you have to change gear yourself, babe. A lot if you want to maintain progress. Though not quite so much as you might have expected.The 1.2's output, while hardly neck-snapping, isn't exactly snore-inducing. Though our exposure was limited to 85km with two adults on board, the Spark didn't exactly fizzle when called upon to haul up hills or even cut through a few mildly interesting twisty bits of bitumen. It is borderline fun, in fact, though carrying four adults - or too great a haul from the seasonal sales - will tax it.Road noise is minimal, suggesting that boasts about insulation aren't empty. The CDX probably shades the CD when hustled along a bit, but who are we kidding here with talk of dynamics?The Spark will get you to the next Mimco clearance and back, girlfriend, no problem. Just as long as Mum and Dad made you get a manual license.

The so-called Barina Spark starts from $12,490 for the CD and $13,990 for the CDX. The base model goes in under the forthcoming $12,990 Micra and packs more standard kit than the Indian-made Alto. But the newest Korean-built Holden comes only with a five-speed manual to drive its meagre, if game 59kW/107Nm 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine.Although its marketeers are adamant that the take-up of manuals remains strong in the micro-budget end of the light car segment, Holden is also entirely targeting women buyers (skinny and preferably blonde ones, judging by its product presentation) who are traditionally far more given to automatics.Suzuki spokesman Andrew Ellis said that in 12 months on the market, half the Alto's buyers wanted the four speed auto version. Nissan has not bothered with a manual Micra.At least the manual helps the Spark achieve competitive fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km, with Co2 emissions of 128g per kilometre, earning it the Federal Government's top green star rating.But the Barina Spark is not, strictly speaking, "the" new Barina. Known elsewhere in the General Motors world simply as the Spark, Holden happily admit tacking on a Barina badge to capitalise on its strong local recognition.The replacement for the current Barina - a car Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux told Carsguide would be "bigger, sportier and aimed more at men" - arrives next year.Until then the aging current model remains on sale next to the Spark."This could be almost made for the daughters of those who are buying the VE Series II Commodore," Devereux says of the Spark, which is part of new model offensive that sees 10 new models in the next 20 months.Built for now in Korea (production will switch to South Africa), the Spark is strong in safety fixtures but yet to secure a five star crash safety rating. The lack of standard stability control in Europe sees it carry four sparklers.Here, ESC it is standard on both variants, along with ABS and six airbags, which will help its ANCAP cause.The CD has 14-inch alloys and front fog lamps. The CDX's wheels grow by an inch, IT has power windows for all four doors picks. Design quirks include hidden rear door handles and a motor cycle-like instrument cluster.Joining Barina Spark in the light-car segment late next year will be its "true" Barina sibling, based on the global Aveo small car. It is styled by Holden's Ondrej Koromhaz.In the next segment up, the global Cruze will be built here from early next year, the sedan joined by the Holden-designed Cruze hatchback late in the year.The upcoming new Captiva also shared its global debut with the Cruze hatchback concept and Barina/Aveo production car at the Paris Motor Show.Devereux told Carsguide he wanted a bigger SUV in the Holden range along the lines of Mazda's CX-9."You'll see us filling out our model range, but you won't see us vomiting cars onto the market."As to the possibility of Opel - which supplied the old and much-loved Barina and Astra - Devereux said the brand was currently going into Chile and "looking at a number of markets where a German-engineered car is desirable".

The first international auto exhibition in Sydney since 2008 is the most expensive the city has seen, based on the value of the cars assembled and the millions it has cost certain of the 30 exhibitors to ship and assemble their showcases, some of which are themselves worth in the region on $1 million.Organisers expect in excess of 200,000 patrons to see the show which runs until next Sunday. Organisers said the 44 new models revealed at AIMS is an "absolute record" for any Australian auto show.Ford's stand is part of a globally travelling display based in Paris bought to Sydney for the launch of the Ranger ute. Mercedes-Benz commissioned a one-off car specifically for the show.Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries which runs AIMS, said $50 million was a "conservative estimate"."I think it'll be the best show we've had for a good number years and one of the best in the world this year," he said.  "It's important that we bring this sort of event to Sydney. People have missed it, but it's a good agreement to have it here every other year."While some are calling it the "Sydney ute muster" due to the dominance of work and lifestyle vehicles, it's the "car porn" the supercars and performance rockets that will get the punters through the doors.At $700,000 the first Lexus supercar, the LFA, is among the most expensive on show. Eight have been allocated to Australia, all have been pre-sold. So too have all seven of Porsche's brutal 911 GT2 RS, which is the most powerful ever of its kind and, at $560,000, the most expensive new Porsche sold here.You'll likely never see a Hulme CamAm again in the metal. Only 20 of the manic road going race track car, hand built by a New Zealand company for performance connoisseurs, will be made. Those in search of an exotic bargain should veer over to the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 at a mere $399,000 it's the cheapest way to get into a brand favoured by the conspicuously wealthy including Ibrahim.

LIKES: S60's smart entry price DISLIKES: Still about as "sexy" or "naughty" as John Howard ... in a driver pleasing fashion, the new S60 sedan could be the first Volvo four door in recent history to accomplish both. That at least is the promise an Volvo Australia's Alan Desselss, who acknowledged that the use "sexy" of and "naughty" in the ad campaign was just a bit daring. He thoughtfully obliged the brand's traditional buyers with a presentation that was the most boring and lame of AIMS opening. Of interest to all, however, is the pricing set for the S60's local release in March. The entry-level T5 with a new 177kW 2.0-litre  four cylinder (not five) petrol turbo is $51,950 - putting it notably under BMW's 3 Series against which Volvo claims its new sedan is capable of competing. The D5 five cylinder turbo diesel is $57,950 and the range toppings T6 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol is $64,950. Unlike the front drive T5, the D5 and T6 are all-wheel-drive. Volvo full and formidable array of active and passive safety measures are standard with the much-vaunted pedestrian avoidance system optional.

The trident marque has sold 110 of its ultra luxury grand tourers in Australia this year and used AIMS to emphasise it recent feats on European tracks.While the name wants for something of the car's streamlined elegance, the Quattroporte Sport GT S MC Sportline recognises the 40 race victories of the MC12. Sinisterly turnedout  with the same t in gleaming black metallic paint and black 20-inch alloys, and caron fibre trim within, the limited edition of 30 costs "only" $298,800 - that's $30K under the standard GTS with the same tuneful 4.7-litre 323kW V8.Making an altogether different, and literally more open statement, is the GranCabrio, which has it first showing to the local general public. Arguably the beauty queen of AIMS 2010, Maserati's first fully four seat convertible is current range topper at $338,000.Maserati Australia boss Glen Sealey affirmed that an entirely new model is being developed.

On sale in March the 4.0 V6 bush basher is the polar opposite of the eco friendly hybrids that are on the periphery of Toyota's near football-field long stand.Market leader for the 66th consecutive month, Toyota doesn't have to try terribly hard, but nevertheless announced price reductions for its leading lines.Toyota senior director sales David Buttner says the Corolla now had seven airbags to match Volkswagen's class-leading Golf and extra value to the tune of $2400 for no price increase.He said Yaris pricing was coming down to the same level as 2005 and the HiLux's tag to 2007 levels. The top selling utility vehicle gets safety kit including stability control.Those longing for a re-run of fun to drive Toyota's will have to content themselves with driving the FT-86G on the new Gran Turismo 5 which runs a facsimile of the legendary Nurburgring.