Articles by Peter Barnwell

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 SsangYong Rexton.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Mini Cooper, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

If you don't have the bucks for a Renault Clio RS then you might like to opt for the GT - a slightly cheaper look-a-like but with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol four cylinder engine instead of the much more powerful 1.6 in the RS. The range topping GT Premium driven goes for $28,790, about $500 under the kick off point for the Clio RS. But not everyone wants that level of performance and handling so the GT has plenty of alternative appeal.It looks like the RS in passing especially around the nose and the rear end with body aero add-ons and a twin pipe exhaust.VALUEThis is in addition to 17-inch alloys, body coloured exterior mouldings and hardware, and a striking new blue colour choice. Inside is just as sporty looking as the outside with sporty seats and wheel, paddle shift (all GTs get a six speed dual clutch EDC transmission), Arkamys audio with Bluetooth phone and streaming.Driver assist stuff includes, hill start, auto headlights and wipers, rear park sensors, rear view camera, cruise control, smart key with button start and other goodies. The funky instrument pod features a large digital readout and in the Premium drive car, Renault's handy R-Link system with big tablet style info screen and two drive modes - Normal and Sport that alter gearbox and throttle.DESIGNThe Clio is a five door hatch with concealed rear door handles. It has a decent load space and plenty of interior room despite being categorised in the light car segment. It's possibly the biggest car in the light segment - and one of the best.Power comes from a 1.2-litre, direct injection, four cylinder that achieves 88kW/190Nm output and gets 5.2 litres/100km combined on 95 octane. This newly developed engine scores an EU5 emissions rating. Ride is by a MacPherson strut front and simple torsion beam rear and,get this, the rear brakes are drums. What tha...DRIVINGOn the road the GT is a sweet thing offering a sporty feel and plenty of comfort from the chassis/suspension. It has impressive cornering capability and direct steering. The brakes are good but that may not be the case if you push hard on a winding road with those rear drums.The engine is OK, not the most potent thing in the class and remember, you can get into Ford's Fiesta RS hot rod for a lot less than this though, to be fair, it is a three door. Some baulkiness came from the dual clutch manumatic but it's great on the move, snick, snick snick through the gears.Put it this way, the chassis of the GT could cope with a lot more than the achieved power and torque from the turbo 1.2. But it is a willing little donk spinning out freely and when you work the right foot  - the available performance is liveable. Doesn't match the looks though. Which is what this car is all about - the look.It's the Clayton's Clio RS, great little city run around, five doors, striking looks - not much under the right foot.

Mini has announced pricing and details of the new Mini One entry-level hatch.The most affordable Mini, the One replaces the previous entry-level variant, the Mini Ray. The One delivers more power, greater economy, more sophistication and a higher level of specification at a lower price.Priced from $24,500, the Mini One comes standard with Bluetooth and USB interface, automatic start/stop with keyless go, servotronic power steering, Dynamic Stability Control including Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock as well as colour line in carbon black.It has the same technical and quality advancements in the rest of the new generation Mini hatch range, and when compared to the previous entry level model, offers buyers greater performance, improved comfort and more value for money.Mini One is powered by a 1.2 litre version of the three-cylinder engine currently found in the new Cooper hatch and delivers 75kW and 180Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is 4.9 L/100km (automatic is 5.0).

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Nissan GT-R, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Kia Cerato S Premium, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Mercedes-Benz GLA250, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Skoda Rapid 90 TSI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Hyundai Genesis, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.