Articles by Peter Barnwell

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Skoda Yeti Outdoor 2.0 TDI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Lexus NX at its international launch.

Volvo has made substantial changes to its most potent road car, the S60 Polestar and cut the price at the same time. It now retails for $99,950 which seriously undercuts direct all-wheel drive competitors like Audi's S4 and S5 as well as the forthcoming BMW M3/4 which will likely be around the $160-170 grand mark and is now a turbo six cylinder just like the Polestar. The Bimmers don't get all wheel drive however.Volvo would be rubbing its hands together because in the handsome Polestar they have a car that takes it right to the top of the European sports sedan segment offering performance to keep the front runners honest with safety and driver assistance functions to beat them. And the price is super sharp.We drove the first version last year in Sweden and were quite impressed particularly with the Ohlins spec' suspension and the Polestar's ride and handling. It needed better brakes, paddle shift and sports seats all of which have been delivered this time around with a substantial $10 grand price cut.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONThe engine remains the same – a 3.0-litre straight six cylinder turbo petrol with 257kW/500Nm output. It's based on the S60 T6 unit, Polestar optimised with a bigger turbo, intercooler and engine computer remap along with a sporty exhaust. Polestar is the outfit responsible for Volvo's surprisingly effective V8 Supercar that's wreaking havoc among the established players this year.With the new fluid auto transmission comes launch control and super sharp shifts up and down the range. It helps the car click over a 0-100kmh sprint in 4.9 seconds as well as making the Polestar more engaging. DESIGNVolvo/Polestar tweaked the car's aerodynamic using a wind tunnel to refine the front splitter and rear diffuser along with underbody air flow. The chassis was beefed up with various bracings to contain the power and torque without affecting handling.FEATURESInside is typical Volvo luxury – classy and understated with goodies like a multi-function wheel, premium 10 speaker audio with multimedia connectivity and Bluetooth phone and audio. There's a 7 inch colour info screen and excellent bi-xenon headlights that have an active bending function to see around corners as well as auto high beam.There's a reverse camera. front and rear parking sonar, keyless entry and start, and sports leather front seats. Driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, collision warning, queue assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city safety autonomous braking and road sign recognition. They will probably make it into other makes in another decade or so…DRIVINGWe really enjoyed this car because it's sensible with a wicked twist. Nobody needs more performance than the Polestar delivers but the actual drive feel is what it's really all about. Not too firm, not too soft, not too sharp, and the car has superb acceleration across a wide engine speed range. A tad more would be even better. It's not a razor sharp sports sedan/track car though, more of your sporty road car from behind the wheel.Having all wheel drive via the latest Haldex system gives the Polestar traction advantages demonstrated when it's put through a set of tight corners at speed. It gives a well planted feel when pressed hard.Then, when the brakes are required, Polestar owners will not feel under endowed as the new Brembos, with six pistons on the front no less, make light work of stopping this weighty, luxury sports sedan. It rolls on 19-inch alloys of reasonable dimensions, could be a tad wider for our liking.The luxury interior is appreciated as are all the safety and assistance features. But it needs a more strident exhaust note to light an enthusiast's fire.

We turn the spotlight on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 500L and ask the crucial questions, including the biggest -- would you buy one?What is it?This is third down from the top of the Mercedes-Benz tree, the S500L – a long wheelbase version of the new S-Class which underwent a generational change late last year.How much?Cost a bomb at $310,000 plus on roads – and options.What are competitors?Three possibly four - the BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS 460/600, Maserati Quattroporte and the new Audi A8.What's under the bonnet?Copious power comes from the twin turbo, direct injection petrol V8 of 4.7-litres capacity. It's good for 335kW/700Nm output, the latter at 1800rpm. Drive goes to the rear wheels through a seven speed auto with paddle shift.How does it go?Whoosh – indecently quick for a 2.0-tonne plus limo. Puts away a 0-100kmh sprint in a mere 4.7 seconds. Has prodigious roll on acceleration, makes virtually no noise unless you are up it for the rent.Is it economical?Surprisingly economical with 9.2-litres/100km within reach, even better than that on the freeway. Is it green?Yes, has plenty of emissions technology and gets an EU6 pass. Slippery body rated at Cd0.24 helps matters. Pity it weighs so much.Is it safe?Five stars plus almost every imaginable driver assistance feature. Of particular note is Intelligent Drive which networks numerous safety systems such as Distronic radar cruise, Brake Assist, Cross Traffic Alert, Active Lane Keeping, Adaptive High Beam, Night Vision, Attention Assist.  This car couldn't be far off autonomous drive – no driverIs it comfortable?Supremely.  Has just about every luxury invented including heated and ventilated seats with heated arm rests, Magic Ride Control which uses a stereo camera to scan the road and set the suspension accordingly, large format info/control screen, Voice activated phone and audio, and even climate control with active perfume system.What's it like to drive?Sensational. smooth, silent, tactile, multi drive modes, more luxury than you can imagine. Engine performance is surprising. Bumps. what bumps? Is it value for money?Not really with this car up around the 350 grand mark – with options and on road costs. Possible appeal for billionaires.

We have always held the top dog VW Golf in high regard, way back into the R32 days. We were a tad worried when they dropped the six pot engine for a turbo four but that was unwarranted because the four is a better device.Now, the latest Golf R takes matters to a new high offering wholesale improvements over the previous (impressive) model. It goes harder, handles better, is safer, has more kit, uses less fuel and looks better.Not merely an all-wheel drive Golf GTI, the R gains a bigger turbo and fuel injectors, remapped ECU suspension and gearbox changes and a totally different drive system. Numerous other differences make the R a more purposeful sporty hatch than the already accomplished GTI.Built in Germany, the R shares its underpinnings with Audi’s superb S3 Sportback which costs quite a lot more.LINEUPIt’s available in six speed manual and six speed DSG manumatic starting at $51,990 for the three pedal model. DSG adds $2500 and a number of option packs are also available including the driver assist package we think should be standard.ENGINEProdigious power comes from the high-tech 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that achieves some 206Kw/380Nm output. Peak torque is available from a low 1800rpm.For efficiency and driveability gains, the engine boasts dual fuel injection directly into the combustion chambers and also into the inlet ports. It also has variable valve timing and lift and an integrated turbo that bolts straight onto the exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head.Bluemotion technology to cut emissions and fuel consumption dictates on-demand operation of the oil pump and external ancillaries such as the aircon’ compressor and other power sapping appliances.That’s how the R achieves 7.1-litres/100km fuel economy while offering HSV ClubSport-beating acceleration rated at 5.0-seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint.Better still is the R’s 4motion all-wheel drive system that features a torque splitting Haldex differential at the rear. Drive can be funnelled to any of the four wheels -- grip dependent.The R exhausts through quad tailpipes that emit an unusual note similar to a sporty V6 complete with a pop on full throttle up changes and a blip on down changes.FEATURESVW equips the R to a luxury level with the latest in digital connectivity and some driver assistance features adding to the car’s appeal.The exterior look is classy but understated punctuated by a set of 19-inch alloys, mild body aero add-ons and a lower ride height compared with the GTI. It gets dynamic bi-xenon headlights and LEDs front and rear.Other handy stuff includes launch control, two stage ESP control – Sport and Off, progressive steering, adaptive chassis control with Normal and Race settings, five mode driving profile selection and sports suspension. Safety rates five stars and the kit includes a driver fatigue detection system.DRIVINGIt mightn’t look a slick as the Audi but the Golf R delivers the goods when you get behind the (square bottom) wheel.Not many cars at this price come near the Golf R in performance and handling terms. It is a truly engaging and rewarding drive with superb ride, incredible grip and stirring acceleration across a wide rev range.  The double piston brakes don’t fade even after continued abuse and the gearbox allows you to flick through the ratios in a blink with no drop off in forward motion.It’s delivers both comfort and control smoothing rough roads while giving race level cornering characteristics. And it’s all selectable through the various drive systems.The sound is awesome, not too loud and unlike the normal wail you get from a performance four. Add to this the low fuel consumption, generous amount of luxury features and the practical five door body and you have a recipe for an extremely desirable and useful car.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Now there's even more reason to downsize with Audi because it has just introduced a sharp-as-a-tack sedan version of its delightful S3.

Wow, what an impressive car. Kia's new Proceed GT took us by surprise especially as our expectations for it were of a slightly different take on the Kia Koup - which we like but not nearly as much as we like the European made Proceed GT. They all spin off the Cerato small car platform but you wouldn't know it from the drive feel. PRICE / FEATURESThe Proceed GT is a sports hatch in the truest sense offering nearly as much as some of the premium European coupes and hatches at seriously less money. The Proceed GT we drove goes for $29,990 with the Tech version adding $3500 despite being exactly the same under the skin. We wouldn't bother upgrading to the Tech, as the GT offers more than enough.Standard on the GT is cruise control, black dash fascia, seven inch info screen with multi trip computer, user select car set-up options, multiple digital infotainment connectivity, dual zone climate control, steering wheel control buttons and a clean air module. There's also a reverse camera, park assistance, heated exterior mirrors, puddle lamps, side skirts and spoiler, cornering lamps and dual outlet chrome exhaust.Both the GT and Tech models have leather upholstery while the Proceed has a clever dual mode instrument pod that reads out analogue style or in digital display. Love the red stitching on the seats.DESIGN / STYLING We love the way it looks too – something completely different and classy in a wedge shape capable of carrying five people and their luggage. While the Kia Koup is a two door with a boot, the Proceed is a three door hatchback and there are plenty of other differences inside and out particularly the detail exterior trim on Proceed which features splashes of chrome and those really neat ice cube LED daytime driving lights. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONPower comes from a 1.6-litre, direct injection, turbo four cylinder with variable cam timing both sides and a twin scroll turbo integrated into the exhaust manifold.It's a high tech unit and achieves 150kW/275Nm output – rather conservative in the greater scheme of things but sufficient. Fuel economy on regular octane is rated at 7.4-litres/100km. No auto is offered so you'll have to be happy with the slick shifting six-speed manual.DRIVINGThe Proceed GT is one of the better front drive performance cars going around at present thanks in part to its Australian fettling. They take the car out onto real Aussie roads with a bunch of different suspension and steering bits, a computer and change things around until it's right.We reckon the Proceed looks better and the Australianised dynamics (also on Koup) give a satisfying, engaged drive feel. That could be down to the multi-mode steering with sharp, firm responses. It could be down to the taut ride control with multi-link rear suspension and the strong brakes coupled with Michelin Pilot 18-inch rubber. It could also be the responsive engine but is probably the whole package. Whatever, owners will love the way this car drives and feels from behind the wheel. It's a bit on the quiet side in exhaust terms though.It has plenty of get-go and revs strongly to about 6500rpm where the action stops. Through corners it's stable and flat with nicely weighted steering and great grip from the tyres. The brakes are impressive. No bump steer or torque steer to be concerned about either.