Articles by Peter Barnwell

The small car segment had better look out because there's a new Mazda3 just around the corner that will likely show them all up.

Kia has now filled its lineup with excellent offerings following the recent introduction of the new Rondo compact seven seat people mover.

Most Commodore SS punters tweak their car with a loud exhaust, bigger wheels, lower ride height and stuff like a cold air intake and recalibrated engine computer (ECU).

Funny name for a car -- Malibu -- because it's a surfboard and/or a beach north of Los Angeles.

What better place in the world to test drive VW's new Golf GTi than on the twisting, tortured back roads that make up Targa Tasmania.

Australian Subaru boss Nick Senior says he would support a production-based race series in Australia that would pit his company's WRX against the likes of VW's Golf GTi, the Renault Megane RS265, Benz A250 Sport and the Ford Focus ST.Senior says he would like the race series to encompass sprint events of six or more laps and also endurance events up to 12 hours duration. He says the mix was already there for a solid production series involving a range of sporty hatches and sedans.He said the Subaru WRX's all-wheel drive was not an issue on the racetrack with the sophisticated two wheel drive technology available these days. "We have a slight weight penalty with all-wheel drive and the two wheel drives don’t have as much outright grip which evens things out."Senior went on to say that many car manufacturers were disenfranchised with motor sport due to the dominance of the V8 Supercar series. "Not everyone has a V8," he said.He added that he would like determine what interest there was in his proposed race series with other manufacturers, many of whom are seeking new ways to spark (declining) interest in cars from younger consumers fixated with phones and multi-media technology.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the big questions, including the one that most needs answering -- would you buy one?

This car generally wouldn't be on anyone's radar except for a few 'Alfisti'-- Alfa Romeo lovers.

Subaru has toughened up the look of its Outback SUV with rugged and aggressive styling cues that underline its all-wheel drive ability.The Outback offers genuine dirt road credentials and competent handling, combined with refined passenger car comfort, with the added insurance of a five-star occupant safety rating.Responding to demand for improved ruggedness, the MY14 Outback features unpainted plastic front and rear under body guard protectors, side sills and cladding, wheel arch guards and front mudflaps.“We’ve had a lot of customer feedback suggesting owners would like a slightly tougher-looking Outback with greater body protection, which is especially useful on rural roads,” Subaru Australia Managing Director Nick Senior says.The Outback’s new look is completed by roof rails with integrated cross bars, a dark grey front grille and alloys, and headlights with tinted surrounds. Subaru values the upgrades at $2500, but prices increase by just $500 for each variant.The styling upgrades are standard on all Outback models, however customers not wanting the full kit have the option to specify just roof rails, side sills, grille and alloys, or the headlights.A $1500 option pack remains available for the entry Outback 2.5i, which adds satnav, leather trim, rear aircon vents, powered driver’s seat, electroluminescent gauges and colour information display – all features that come standard on Premium models. The MY14 Outback update follows a number of technical refinements applied to Outback models earlier in 2013. PRICINGSubaru Outback 2.5i CVT auto - $38,990Subaru Outback 2.5i CVT auto option pack - $40,490Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium CVT auto - $43,490Subaru Outback 2.0D manual - $40,490   Subaru Outback 2.0D CVT auto - $42,990Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium manual - $43,490Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium CVT auto - $45,990   Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium auto - $57,990 

Kia's handsome Cerato has both bases covered with 1.8 and 2.0-litre engine availability.