Articles by Peter Barnwell

Holden is about to replace the Colorado one tonne ute with a new generation model. We thought it would be interesting to revisit the current version just before model change. It's been around for years and is built in Thailand.This particular vehicle has a petrol 3.6-litre, 157kW/313Nm Alloytec V6 as well as LPG - a dual fueller. It's the base model LX dual cab 2WD auto selling for $39,840 with LPG.OLD SCHOOLThe interior looks its age but is serviceable and practical for tradie use. The vinyl floor mats are handy. There's no Bluetooth phone or audio but you get AUX connection for your music. The rake adjust only wheel doesn't have any supplementary controls at all and the wipers are just intermittent, not variable. We like the old style key ignition system and the centre console mounted hand brake.The four-speed auto will disappear with the next gen' Colorado. It's not that the tranny is no good but it doesn't help fuel economy, performance or emissions controls.The LPG tank on this vehicle takes over the spare wheel space under the load tray. It's relocated into the load tray - bit of an issue. Liquid Propane Injection LPi will be on the new model - it is much more efficient than this system.CHEAPBut there's no denying how cheap the Colorado is to run on LPG especially as gas is around 60 cents a litre with 91 ULP up over $1.40 a litre. It's not sharp off the mark on gas but goes better once up and running. We are such cheap skates we hardly used petrol and it only cost about $25 for the week in gas ... impressive.PETROL POWERIt goes better on petrol but if you are a tradie watching your dollars, what does it matter unless you are towing something really heavy. There's a 76 litre petrol tank from which the Colorado will guzzle at a rate of 13.7-litres/100km.PRACTICALITIESIt weighs in at around 1700kg and has a five passenger capacity - all with three point seat belts. The cabin is roomy and access is easy to all seats. Though it's only a 2WD, all Colorados have a high 4WD ride height which is a plus. The load tray is a decent size albeit compromised by the relocated spare. Payload is an impressive 1000kg plus. The limited slip differential is a bonus in slippery going as are the lug-type tyres. Holden uses a quick-fit vinyl tonneau cover on Colorado.COMFORTDespite having leaf rear suspension and torsion bars up front, the Colorado is quite comfy offering a supple ride and good noise damping. Competitor utes are much firmer sprung and not as good to drive on a day to day basis. It has a reasonable turning circle but the steering has a dead feel. The audio system is rudimentary and the seats could do with better adjustment options.VERDICTInteresting drive, definitely showing its age in many areas but could be good buying in run out mode especially with dual fuel option. Safety rating is three star.HOLDEN COLORADO LXPrice: from $39,840Engine: 3.6-litre, 157kW/313Nm Alloytec V6 as well as LPG - a dual fuellerTransmission: four-speed autoSafety: 3 starThirst: 13.7-litres/100kmWeight: 1700kg  

It's hard to believe but the current Mazda 2 has been around since 2007 with a minor upgrade in between.PRICEThe kick-off point is the Neo manual hatch at $15,790, plus $1650 for the four-speed auto. We got hold of the little auto for a spin and can understand why it's a leading light in the tiddler class. This is despite being off the pace with a four-speed auto, no Bluetooth phone or audio streaming, drum rear brakes, no wheel controls, no lumbar support adjustment, no steering wheel reach adjustment and a temporary spare. It's a fair old missing list especially when compared with its competition.DRIVINGBut the little Mazda more than makes up for it in the way it drives, feels and looks, plus the salient point that it's a Japanese manufactured vehicle having reverted to this from earlier Thailand production. In short, it's a great little car to drive, perky, nippy, economical, with plenty of zip even with the four speed auto, it's all you need. The handling is sporty, helped recently by the adoption of 15-inch wheels and minor suspension and brake tweaks.ENGINEThere's an economical 1.5-litre twin cam petrol engine driving the front wheels that's good for a hearty 76kW/136Nm output while consuming around 6.5-litres/100km of 91 RON petrol. It scores an EU4 emissions rating.SAFETYIn higher spec' models, Mazda2 gets a five star rating but Neo buyers will have to pay an extra $450 for front side and curtain airbags to get five star crash protection. Even so, it scores stability control and other safety related kit to help avoid a crash or protect you in one.PRACTICALITIESAs a city car the Mazda2 shines because it's easy to park and has a tight turning circle along with easy to see peripherals. The small boot is a useable shape expandable with split folding rear seats. Though nothing flash, the audio system is acceptable and has an AUX input to hook up your music system. The single CD player is laughable in this day and age. And of course we took it on the freeway where, once again, the essentials are right up to speed (no cringe value at all) with adequate kick to the speed limit and plenty in reserve for overtaking as long as you don't mind letting the engine rev its head off.VERDICTCheeky looks, affordable, unquestioned Mazda reliability, economical and practical...Mazda2 Neo makes a convincing  argument.MAZDA2 NEOPrice: from $15,790Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder, 76kW/136NmTransmission: four-speed autoEconomy: 6.5-litres/100km

Volkswagen's aspirations for world domination include the funny little Skoda Fabia 77TSi which, in Australia at least, will be used to take on the Koreans and match them on price, performance, features and quality. Fabia, slightly bigger than VW Polo, has been around for yonks in Europe, lobbing in current guise back in 2007. It's been a long time coming here but the wait was worth it.This tiddler-size five-door Czech hatch offers something many competitors don't have - character. Some are plasticky white goods with a sterile feel and bland styling, none of which applies to the Fabia.Though not a pretty or handsome car, Fabia is distinctive and practical with an earnest look to its "`face" and plucky performance from its tiny engine that also delivers excellent fuel economy rated at 5.5-litres/100km.And the engineers have done their homework on its dynamics giving Fabia a good all-round ride and handling perfectly suited to everyday driving on our crappy roads.VALUEPitched at $18,990, Fabia is not the cheapest on the block but offers up plenty of goodies for the ask including Bluetooth phone, a/c, cruise, multi-function wheel, full-size spare, six air bags, stability control and trip computer.There's an optional Monte Carlo pack for an extra $3000 that brings a blacked out sporty look to body hardware, alloys, sporty interior treatment and contrast roof colour among other goodies. A six-speed DSG dual clutch manumatic will be available next year for an additional $2300.The pricing schedule is beaten by some competitors in this size car but equipment levels and performance sweeten up the deal. And it's "European."TECHNOLOGYPower comes from a 1.2-litre, direct injection, turbo four delivering 77kW/175Nm output. It passes EU5 emissions regulations on a diet of 95 octane fuel delivered from a 45 litre tank. Theoretical touring range is 800km.Fabia's underpinnings are pretty simple and come directly from the VW parts inventory - Macstrut front, beam axle rear, four wheel discs, five-speed manual gearbox. Fabia has the smallest capacity engine against its direct competitors but the most torque (by a longshot). It uses the least amount of fuel and has the largest luggage capacity.DESIGNStyled along family Skoda lines, the boxy little Fabia looks distinctive from the front, generic from the rear. The look is enhanced with a contrast colour roof and the Monte Carlo pack ratchets appearance up a few notches more.It's a fairly standard hatchback design with five seats, 60/40 folding rear seats and a large load space. The interior is quite spacious and well laid out offering a soft-feel dash and other soft touch areas. The multi-function wheel is great as is media connection box.SAFETYIt got a four star Euro rating back in 2007, not tested since. Has six air bags, stability control and rigid chassis design.THE DRIVEPretty good really. The engine is sweet once you get into the torque band over 1500rpm and sings sweetly up to redline but it's no fire cracker and it doesn't need to be - that's the province of the 132kW RS model coming next year. We were impressed by the Fabia's controlled and comfortable ride, the smooth manual shift and quality feel of the car - especially compared to some of its competitors.You can whizz along the freeway at the speed limit and the Fabia simply lopes along using minimal fuel. It's fairly simple mechanicals should mean low running costs and the condensed Skoda styling gives Fabia a point of difference in the segment.SKODA FABIA 77TSIPrice: from $18,990Warranty: 3 year/unlimitedResale: N/AService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 4 star Euro NCAPEngine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo pertrol; 77kW/177Nm.Body: 5-door, 5 starsWeight: 1120kgTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 5.5L/100km; 128g/km Co2

There was no lack of conviction on the part of Toyota; it was serious about winning F1. Part of the massive effort was focused on a design and engineering facility in Cologne, Germany called TMG - Toyota Motorsport GmbH. Here, they built a complex with not one but two wind tunnels expressly to refine their F1 car's aerodynamics. They built engine and chassis dynamometers, rooms full of computer milling machines to fabricate special parts, a pair of carbon fibre ovens to bake F1 parts, rooms full of design computers and much more. Up to 800 people were employed at TMG in its heyday. Now, there are about 200 people there doing special projects for Toyota including the production of some Lexus LFA parts and also developing an exclusive sports brand similar to Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M brands. Lexus already has the F sports brand (IS-F) but TMG vehicles could take things a step further. TMG has gone a fair way towards its goal with the first car to benefit being the Lexus LS 460 - normally a limousine but in TMG guise, a fire breathing sports saloon with no less than 478kW and 710Nm output from its supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine. The engine is lifted from ISF and the LS600h and redlines at 9000rpm. The matte gold TMG Lexus "prototype'' has a six-speed dual-clutch manumatic transmission and huge carbon ceramic brakes from the LFA with six piston Brembo calipers. Despite weighing in over two tonnes, it has been tested at 320kmh and puts away a 0-100kmh sprint in the 4.0 second bracket. The underpinnings are all upgraded to near sports sedan racing spec' and a flat under tray is used in conjunction with a front air splitter and rear diffuser for better aerodynamics. All the aero parts on the test car we saw were in carbon fibre. It rolls on 20-inch wheels with 335 tyres. A big bore exhaust system is fitted that gives a full bodied V8 rumble - most un-Lexus-like. Though the car is only a prototype Toyota and Lexus are seriously evaluating the possibilities of a specialised TMG brand to capture a new market and to enhance its sporty kudos. TMG is also developing an entry level rally car based on the new Toyota Yaris that is designed as a lead-in to mainstream rallying for novice rally drivers.

Will Aussie buyers accept a small capacity turbodiesel in a car the size of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV? If they're smart they will because the 2.1-litre, turbodiesel, four cylinder in the new, third generation ML250CDi kicks out a handy 150kW of power coupled with an astounding 500Nm of torque or pulling power.The downsizing trend is a sensible approach to future motoring because smaller high output engines offer the same or better performance with vastly improved fuel economy and lower emissions.Other benefits include less weight and materials with a smaller engine and easier packaging freeing up precious space for additional equipment and passengers or luggage.There is a growing trend to reduce size in every aspect of the motor car driven by many factors including affordability, needs, practicality, running costs and environmental concerns.TECHNOLOGY The 2.1-litre turbodiesel is already in Benz C and E-class passenger cars. The step up to a 2.1 tonne large SUV seems a big ask but the engine makes light work of the task propelling the M-Class with amazing fuel economy rated as low as 6.0-litres/100km.This is in the realms of a small hatchback and gives a theoretical touring range of 1500km on a tank. The engine uses BlueTec (urea injection) technology and high pressure to optimise efficiency and it drives all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission with engine stop/start for further fuel economy gains around town.Electric power steering makes an appearance together with engine internals optimised for efficiency and auto stop/start. Weight has been controlled by component size and weight reduction.Mercedes-Benz ML cuts a smooth 0.32Cd aerodynamic rating. There's selective damping on the base model's suspension and sport mode to firm up a number of functions. Noise and vibration is minimised by various means and safety technology abounds contributing to a five star crash rating.EQUIPMENT"Options" is the name of the game with M-Class because plenty will be available. But the standard car is well equipped offering comfort and convenience features expected from a new gen' model.Media connectivity for example is comprehensive and there's ample luxury for the predicted entry level purchase price of around $80,000. Options include the On and Offroad package similar to Land Rover's terrain response that optimises the vehicle for any driving environment. Plenty of other tricky stuff is available.MODELSWe will eventually get five MLs starting with the ML250CDi and ML350CDi (3.0-litre V6) turbodiesel and the ML350 (3.5-litre V6) an ML500 (4.7-litre V8) petrol models with direct injection. An AMG version is scheduled further down the track.DRIVINGThe base 250CDi impresses with its performance, refinement and feel. It's good in all environments. The engine has plenty for any situation and though still audible at some speeds, is almost imperceptible inside the cabin. We were pleasantly surprised by ML's sporty feel, sharp cornering and strong brakes. Much better than the previous model and ride quality is luxury car standard.VERDICTNot sold on the new look and infact prefer the old model's more assertive stance but the new ML will offend nobody and probably appeal to most. It's an impressive drive, uses bugger all fuel and (almost) goes like the clappers - quite impressive for such a large, practical wagon.MERCEDES-BENZ ML250CDiPrice: from $80,000 (est.)Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmSafety: 5 stars (est)Engine: 2.1-litre, 150kW, 500NmdBody: 5-door wagonWeight: 2150kgTransmission: 7sp auto, all-wheel driveThirst: 6.3L/100km, diesel, CO2 175g/km

As controversial as it might sound, we reckon chopping off the Mercedes SLS AMG "Gullwing’’ roof actually improves its looks. Compare the new soft top roadster alongside the Gullwing and you’ll see what we mean. The roadster looks lithe, muscular - a real handsome customer while the Gullwing looks, well, portly.And we are not the only ones who think so given the amount of attention the new SLS roadster garnered at its international launch last week in the South of France. It caused a minor sensation in a region where there are more Ferraris, Lambos and Porsches per square kilometre than anywhere else  "in the world’’ to paraphrase one J Clarkson.Snobby punters from the Riviera actually ran out in front of our red drive car with their phone cameras flashing. "Poor Aussie car punters stop traffic outside the Grand Casino in Monaco.’’ How good it that? Thank you SLS roadster.Having put in some quality time behind the wheel of the new SLS roadster, we had a different perspective from those outside, we could actually feel the thing and explore its vast sporty prowess and that monstrous sound – like a "door slammer’’ drag car on the limit. This was all accentuated on the drive by numerous, long, road tunnels that caused the blatting exhaust to reverberate to the point of pain – good pain.We liked it so much we sought-out said tunnels simply for aural appreciation sessions. Is it the best exhaust note around? Well, the new Lexus LFA is pretty bloody good but in a different way. It’s more your electric high speed machine gun while the SLS roadster is your big cannon. Boom, boom, boom and look out for falling rocks.TECHNOLOGYIt’s exactly the same mechanically as the Gullwing which means a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre petrol V8 kicking out a handy 420kW and 650Nm. Given it weighs 1660kg, the power to weight ratio is rather impressive especially when there’s all that lovely torque providing the thrust.The engine is mounted up front but behind the front axle for better balance. It’s a dry sumper to reduce overall size and allow a low bonnet line. The transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch system mounted transaxle style at the rear of the car with power transmission via a lightweight carbon fibre drive shaft.Performance from this set up is fairly brutal with a 0-100kmh sprint passing in around 3.8 seconds with top whack running to 317kmh. Redline is up around the 7500rpm mark. Benz says the SLS roadster is capable of returning 13.2-litres/100km – perhaps if you drove it with an egg under your foot.You can dial up the dual clutch tranny into one of four modes ranging from C for cruise to Sport plus and there’s a race start function as well if you want to straighten your hair. It blips the throttle on down changes to make you look good.DYNAMICSBuilt around an aluminium space frame, the SLS Roadster is a mere 40kg heavier than the Gullwing and is rock solid roof up or down. Aluminium double wishbone suspension structures are used at all four corners together with a choice of wheels sized 19 inch front and 20-inch rear. Ride is selectable between Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. All have cause for existence in the SLS because you don’t necessarily want to be in race mode when cruising along the boulevarde.The test car had optional carbon ceramic brakes with six piston front calipers that should be standard on the car but cost an extra 30 grand. They deliver impeccable stopping power without fade – and we tried hard on the sinuous Col de Brouis road up into the Italian Alps.It has super handling characteristics driven in a sporty manner offering extremely high grip levels, fine steering control and those brakes. All this is aided and abetted by the width of the thing – it’s really wide and has suitable wide rubber to match. Heck we even drove the SLS roadster in cruise mode and that was fun too – comfy, smooth, composed.FEATURESSLS roadster is jammed with all manner of goodies from the Benz inventory – Command this, Active that, Integrated the other – what you’d expect in a car that will hover around the half million dollar mark when it arrives soon.Buyers have a wide selection of choices with which to "customise" their SLS roadster right down to the type and colour of upholstery. They are essentially hand made cars – bespoke to use a current (hated) buzzword.There’s a virtual read out meter displaying important information like lap times, power output, lateral forces, linear acceleration and other engine data – just like HSV. And yes, you can download the data onto a USB to take to dinner parties for some chest pounding. You can go on the internet if you have to – in the car, and crank up the audio system to head bending levels.The multi-layer soft top is totally wind and water proof and deploys in 11 seconds up to a speed of 50km/h. The cockpit style dash has everything at your fingertips and large gear change paddles on the wheel.DRIVINGObviously, not too shabby – awesome is more like it. The SLS has a number of brilliant attributes including the engine sound and performance – beyond a legendary "muscle car,"  the way it handles and how it looks. Then you look at the luxury kit and it’s just so opulent there’s too much to mention. You could spend hours in the garage playing with all the features. Many settings are saveable to a default mode so you don’t have to re-set it everything whenever you drive.Few cars will stay with the SLS in performance and handling terms and even fewer have the brutal charm of the beast. It’s bad to the bone – in the nicest possible way. Sprinting through a mountain pass is breathtaking, so is burbling through the city streets like a wild animal ready to pounce – while you luxuriate in the cars prodigious luxury.But the cabin is smallish restricting seat back angle and its low making access a flop rather than anything more graceful. There’s plenty of headroom with the roof on. We could get used to the SLS roadster because it is such an over the top sports car – bigger and better than just about anything else.VERDICTHuge money, huge tax component, huge fun, huge performance. Sexy looks, likes a drink. Yep, we’d have one in a heartbeat.

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee gets above the previous model's 6.1-litre Hemi V8 to a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the new gen' version due out soon.It's a blunt fronted head turner almost guaranteed to be a hit due to its indecent performance, brutal acceleration and ``in yer face'' looks to match.That new donk kicks out a whopping 350kW and 630Nm of torque, significantly up on the previous model which was a renowned traffic light derby specialist.Jeep says the new SRT8 stops the clocks from 0-100kmh in a scant 4.8 seconds - not bad for a two tonne truck. Not only that, if you need to avoid running over someone, this big brute will stop from 100kmh in 35 metres thanks to its huge brakes and bitumen buckling tyres.The new SRT8 is also the best sporty handling Jeep vehicle ever and features advanced new active damping suspension managed by new Selec-Track system.A new active valve exhaust system allows standard Fuel Saver Technology to ensure a 13-percent improvement in highway fuel efficiency and 720km range.The lowered profile, race-inspired interior and exclusive SRT steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters give a performance-oriented styling to the Jeep flagship. Get your money ready for a mid 2012 delivery date.

The plan is to further each other’s aspirations – mainly going fast on two and four wheels. AMG (and Mercedes) get access to Ducati’s expertise at making lightweight components while Ducati gains access to the vast store of high performance engine knowledge from AMG and its brand value. Benz has already been able to reduce weight in its new generation of cars by up to 100kg through component optimisation through close examination of Ducati parts. More weight reductions are in the pipeline from Benz. The Diavel AMG Special Edition made its debut at Frankfurt motor show. It is a tribute to the AMG luxury-sport brand and is intended for passionate connoisseurs of technology, engineering detail and exclusive style. Ducati’s cooperation with Mercedes AMG was first announced in 2010. The association soon developed into a strategy of co-marketing activities and the Diavel AMG Special Edition now represents the first “co-inspired” model, elegantly combining distinctive styling features from both famous marques. Based upon the Diavel Carbon, the Diavel AMG Special Edition features AMG’s signature 5-spoke wheel styling, carbon fibre lateral radiator grilles with aluminium trim, AMG-style sport exhaust system with engraved end-caps and AMG-style horizontally ribbed seat upholstered in Alcantara. The model’s incredible attention to performance detail ensures that every engine has its desmodromic cam-timing set by hand and authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left-side engine casing. Further underlining the model’s exclusivity, each motorcycle will have a numbered plaque on the fuel tank. The Diavel has had strong first-year success for the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, its bold design merging power and style with absolute precision to set a new industry standard for the segment. Ducati’s Testastretta engine combined with sophisticated chassis technology and a specially engineered 240 section rear tyre delivers super performance balanced with user-friendly comfort and safety-enhancing electronics. The Diavel AMG Special Edition is dressed in matte black carbon fibre bodywork with AMG’s own “Diamond White Bright” stripe and frame colour contrasted with black wheels. The special edition wheels, seat and exhaust end-caps are all AMG branded. The Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition and exclusively designed leather jacket and helmet apparel will be available in early 2012.

…Like access to all of Jeep’s off road technology and expertise. It hasn’t taken long for this to bear fruit. Witness the new Maserati Kubang luxury SUV, the first such vehicle from Maserati and a more practical and affordable alternative to the stylistically challenged Ferrari FF. Is it an upmarket Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Maser’ engine? Possibly. There’d be some Jeep in there somewhere and the really ironic thing is that the Grand Cherokee started out as a Mercedes-Benz M-Class shared design back when the Germans owned Chrysler Jeep – whacky huh. Whatever its roots, the Kubang is a piece of work commanding a strong presence on the road thanks to robust styling with links to gorgeous Masers like the GT and Quattroporte. It will take on the likes of Porsche Cayenne, Benz M-Class, BMW X5 and Audi Q7. And based on the looks of the Kubang (love that name) it will rattle a few cages especially with a 300kW plus V8 engine up front and an eight speed auto transmission. Kubang is a five seater crammed with luxury accoutrements and a clever all wheel drive system, carbon ceramic brakes and quality interior inclusions from the Maserati equipment list. It is a much better looker than the awful and ridiculously expensive Ferrari FF hunchback probably at half the money. KOO ... BANG, there I just had to say it again

... because the old, one-box mini people mover design has been consigned to automotive history. The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a sexy three door premium hatch with looks to stop you in your tracks and performance to match. It was tucked away in a back corner of the Benz Frankfort Motor Show display but deserved to be centre stage. The show car "concept’’ wasn’t far away from being a production model which should happen soon (next year or 2013). It’s built on a new platform shared with the new, bigger Benz B-Class which takes over the family hack, people mover role of the previous A and B-Class models. This platform will also yield up a sedan, a sporty car and a compact SUV. Benz has a new philosophy to leverage all its designs for maximum effect  - and profitability. The new front drive A-Class not only looks stunning, it also features a powerful, direct injection,  2.0-litre, turbo petrol engine generating 155kw, a seven speed dual clutch manumatic transmission and a radar based collision warning system with brake assist. In line with Benz’s green aspirations, the new A-Class features a raft of BlueEfficiency technology to cut emissions and fuel consumption. The interior of the concept car is equally as stunning as the assertive exterior with all its complex and curvaceous panels. All the usual Benz electronic features were fitted to the concept – stuff like Command multi-media system with fully integrated smartphone that brings with it internet radio, email, social network connectivity and a large control screen. Bring it on...