Articles by Peter Barnwell

Here is a three door super-mini hatch back with a 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine delivering a hefty 142kW/280Nm output through the electronically modulated front wheels.To say it has some get up and go out of the blocks is an understatement.Not as wild a ride as say a Subaru WRX or similar hot-rod , the Benz Turbo turns a 0-100km sprint in 7.5 seconds but it feels fast due to all that torque at low to medium engine speeds. The Turbo's relatively light weight also adds to the sporty feel.The test vehicle was equipped with a CVT automatic transmission called Autotronic which accentuated the roller skate analogy. There is no buttoning off when you push the throttle, just a seamless headlong rush of strong acceleration, no gear changes, no stumbles.See a gap in traffic and bang, you're there.Need to get out of the way of a 62 tonner on the freeway, not a problem.This is the ultimate A-Class available in Australia with plenty of luxury and safety and is pretty good buying at $44,400 for the six speed manual. The CVT is extra but worth it for driving ease, performance and economy.It offers a sequential shift mode with seven "steps" or gears.It drinks premium unleaded but not much averaging around 8.0-litres/100km in mixed driving.The three door body looks sporty in this guise with chunky 17in alloys and deeper bumpers with dual tail pipes poking out the rear.It's equipped to the Benz Avantgarde standard which brings a swag of goodies and a funky interior including metal pedals.The gorgeous deep maroon test vehicle featured a check upholstery and metal insert accents inside along with sophisticated aircon, steering wheel controls, cruise and a cool sounding audio system.Ancillaries are electrically operated.The three door body can accommodate five in relative comfort thanks to the clever design of the A-Class. You sit fairly high which aids access and gives good all round visibility.The rear seat folds to expand luggage space which hides a full size spare under the floor.Handling dynamics are impressive as the Turbo is screwed down firmly and has sharp steering. The brakes are excellent. A special rear suspension system was developed for the car and the dampers are adaptive - change according to driving conditions.Ride is firmer than other A-Classes but you expect that in a sporty number like this.Despite its size, the Turbo has a five star NCAP crash rating.It's a practical size offering more room than expected inside and easily fits in small parking spaces and the garage.Welcome to the future.

Tiida will take time to establish a beach head in this country as a replacement for the Pulsar which had a 28 year run.Tiida also faces stove hot competition for the likes of new Honda Civic, Mazda3, Holden Astra and Ford Focus. Styling is conservative and narrow looking hiding long interior with impressive rear legroom. Hatch looks better than the sedan. Renault influence throughout car especially the front and interior. Built on Renault small people mover platform with benefits inside. Engine is a 1.8-litre twin cam four with variable valve timing to deliver 93kW – about average for class. Has good response, frugal thirst, runs quietly. Auto is a four speeder – hunts a bit on hilly terrain, big drops between ratios. No sequential. Cries out for a five speeder or CVT. Six speed manual driven previously feels notchy between gears but drives better than the auto. ST-L is mid-level and probably the best value for money in Tiida range. Hatch manual is $24,240 and includes side curtain air bags ABS, power windows (yes) and alloy wheels among other stuff. Lacks centre rear three point seat belt. No vanity mirrors in sun visors. Has a large boot, full size spare. Rides sweetly, smooth over bumps, tidy dynamics. Test car had acrid plastic smell inside – like Korean cars used to. Looks small on the road, certainly smaller than competitors. Good vision, airy interior. Verdict:Like certain aspects but not the looks. Competitors are enticing for the same money. Nissan's reliability hard to pass up.

The TDV6 sells for $85,000 which buys pretty well everything you get in the others except for the paint peeling performance of the supercharged model.What you gain is almost half the fuel consumption and stump pulling torque al low revs.It also looks the business with superb paint, massive alloys and that iconic styling. Engine is impressive for roll-on response and smooth, quiet operation. Uses fuel at around 11.5 litres/100km average _ not bad for a two tonne beast. Eighty litre tank gives long range capability. Is the same engine powering 140kW/ 440Nm Discovery diesel and soon, Ford Territory. Also in various Peugeot models including the new 407 coupe and Jaguars. Six speed auto is just as impressive, smooth shifting, just the right gearing, never lets engine fall in a hole. It's the same unit Falcon got last year. Body looks like a full size Rangey but subtle differences include flat bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and one piece tailgate with opening glass. Test vehicle had adaptive xenon headlights that turn with the front wheels and cornering lights. Interior offers comfy seating for five though the rear pew is firm, too firm for some. Load space is large and there's a full size spare outside under the floor. Dash has a cockpit feel and look, makes driving a pleasure keeps driver fully informed, smothered in luxury too. Though developed for on road perform- ance, the TDV6 is extremely capable off road. Goes just about anywhere. No problems. Terrain Response system optimises all functions to cope with driving conditions off road. Vehicle uses an integrated body/frame construction for strength and safety. Underneath it's a derivative of Discovery chassis not Range Rover. Air suspension all round is among the best in the business. Multiple electronic controls for safety, improved performance and dynamics. Not too big but has command seating position giving regal air. Get the royal wave ready. Feels solid as a rock, and has quality build.  VERDICTWant one. Fits in the garage easily, has strong engine performance, luxury ride and equipment, looks the goods, not too heavy on fuel, goes anywhere. 

The Aisin six speeder with sequential manual change mode launches in the 407 Touring and makes a good car better.The price is $51,990 for the Comfort model while the Executive goes for $54,690.The six speeder goes into all 2.0-litre ST HDi Pugs from now on apart from existing stocks of the four speeder.There is no price premium for the six speeder.As expected, it gives improved performance and fuel economy which can go as low as 5.5-litres/100km - an amazing result for what is essentially a medium large sedan or wagon.Noise levels also drop thanks in part to reduced engine revs for any given speed. The six speeder helps acceleration off the mark and cruising is more relaxed thanks to a wider spread of gear ratios.We took a test drive in the latest 407 wagon with a six speed auto and it served to reinforce our previous opinions about the car. It's a great touring vehicle and one for drivers who want a long range of up to around 900km on the 66 litre tank.It's been crying out for a six speed auto for a year or two to fully capitalise on the prodigious pulling power of the HDi 2.0-litre which generates 320Nm at 2000rpm.That correlates to around 2000rpm at the speed limit in top gear.The sequential change adds a sporty element to the 407 but is hardly necessary when it's just as easy to plant the right foot and use the engine's torque.This is a large vehicle and it has a presence on the road thanks to individual styling and a wide squat stance.The test vehicle was the luxury model and misses out on little.

All the other 5-Series are petrol powered but this one could be the best of a good bunch for all round, everyday driving.It also backs up as a competent luxury sports sedan offering superb dynamics and perform- ance if you choose to go there. Straight six, 3.0-litre alloy diesel engine offers V8 performance and four cylinder economy. Has massive amount of readily accessible torque (480Nm) facilitating surprising turn of speed from a standstill through the mid-range to the top end. Power is 160kW. Sounds like a petrol six (when you can hear it) Best economy with mixed driving is 7.5 litres/100km. Cutting edge engine technology features DOHC design with 24 valves, high pressure fuel injection with multi jet nozzles and refined turbo. Passes Euro 4 emissions regulations. Engineers went to great lengths to save engine weight. Steptronic six speed auto has all the answers. Never gets caught out and offers sequential change mode. Love the active steering that alters its gear ratio according to road speed - the best of both worlds. Brimful of luxury equipment but plenty of options available. Leather, climate control, premium audio, electric driver's seat adjustment and adaptive headlights included in package. Safety matches luxury with eight air bags, multiple electronic controls including ESP and all the other acronyms. Fabulous thing to drive, really rocks when you want it to go. Rips through corners with flat stance, dives deep under brakes. Accommodation for five inside and a large boot too. Becoming accustomed to whacky I-Drive controller for electronic functions. Styling grows on you. It's been around long enough for people to appreciate it for being avant garde. Costs $113,500 _ a lot of pesos but it's one of those cars you could buy and still be happily driving in 10 or 15 years.VERDICTEverything it's cracked up to be _ great performer, light sipper, stable, luxurious, safe. The wheels even look good.    

No arm twisting in the office is necessary when it comes to driving an Italian thoroughbred.And what a thoroughbred the GranSport is with a heritage going back to 1926 and a retuned V8 engine from Ferrari's F430.Maserati has been through ups and downs over the decades with some superb machines and some forgettable.The GranSport falls firmly in the former category.Barnwell says:As the name suggests it is more of a grand tourer than a road going race-car and as a result, is easier to live with - as far as a highly strung performance car can be.The sexy, low slung, two door coupe seats four and has a swag of luxury and comfort items.Occupants don't suffer privation to enjoy the delights of the GranSport.And there are plenty of delights, especially if you like them fast and furious.As expected, performance is witheringly quick thanks to the lightweight 4.2-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine.Good for 295kW/452Nm, the multi-cam engine is capable of propelling this 1680kg coupe from 0-100km/h in 4.85 seconds.The two mode automated six speed manual transmission called Cambiocorsa is arguably the best in the business being a virtual lift from Ferrari F1 cars (with modifications for civilian use).The system even blips the throttle on every down change and an auto mode is provided.The GranSport is right up there in the handling department.In "normal" mode, the suspension is too soft but in "sport" everything gels.The faster it goes, the better it feels. Steering precision is of a high order and the massive Brembo brakes make light work of stopping. It holds a line through corners beautifully.Driving the GranSport is a rare treat, everyone looks, everyone hears especially when sport mode is selected and the exhaust baffles open wider.It commands respect and deserves praise but then for nearly $250,000, it would want to be good.Riley says:I'm suprised I managed to liberate the keys to this bag of tricks from Barney, a feller known for his "lurve" of fast cars.I've driven plenty of screamers over the years but this one definitely stands out.It's the sound of the engine I will remember most.Say what you like about the Italians but they know how to build superb engines.Forget turbocharging, supercharging and the like, nothing beats a beautifully crafted and prepared naturally aspirated V8.Hit the start button and it, you and the immediate neighborood are enveloped by a loud, low frequency hum, a bit like the din from a 13B rotary - a noise transformed into an F1-like roar that can be heard blocks away as the car moves off.At 4.85 seconds, it's faster than anything from FPV or HSV, quicker than a WRX STI and a hair's breadth slower than a Porsche Carrera S.Breathtaking to drive.Having said that, the GranSport is a pig in traffic (tranny is way too slow for stop-start city driving), brake and accelerator pedal are too close together, the suspension has got no idea what to do with a good old Aussie bump, the back seat is built for a race of pygmies, the sound system is a big disappointment and did I mention that it leaks?Yes, there I was, being the real yob, driving this Italian super car in Dr Scholls sandals after a brief shower of rain and lo'... was that a drop of water I felt?Sad to say but every time I pointed the car at a hill the big toe of my left foot, minding its own business on the foot rest, copped a sprinkling of water.Well, you've got to take the good with the bad. 

Honda had better be careful though, the new Civic is larger than previous model rivalling the stylish Accord Euro in dimensions and even though it has a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre engine compared to the Euro's 2.4 why would a buyer spend $10,000 or more on the Euro when the Civic is nearly as good and costs less to run?It's a good problem for Honda to have and is great for consumers who can tap into Honda technology for as little as $20,990.The Civic VTi-L costs $24,490 with a five speed auto adding about $2000. Styling shares a lot with Accord Euro - modern, sporty, attractive and practical. Interior is roomy offering accommodation for five. Impressive rear seat legroom. Boot is large, easy to load/unload. Interior styling is modern and chic with a little too much hard plastic but different colours and textures lift the appearance. Love positioning of handbrake, speedo, switches, gearshift. Steering wheel is one of the best in the business – has squared off shape. Full size spare, big tick. Heavier than previous model – up around 200kg but returns 7.2/litres/100km average in auto. Performance from 1.8-litre, SOHC engine is good – 103kw/174Nm output and it's a low emission engine (LEV). Has 15in alloys, climate control air and cruise control as standard. Ride and handling are competent, safe, a little sporty from double wishbone suspension and strong chassis. Impressive safety credentials, scores ABS, four air bags, fire retardant interior, five three point seat belts. Interior has airy feel, functional, modern, good to travel in.Verdict:Is this the king of the small cars? A difficult decision between Civic, Mazda3 and Ford Focus. Toss a coin, go on the styling.

Yes, given the right circumstances, a diesel would be on a short list of purchase options.They go so well, so "grunty" and responsive but use minimal fuel and we hate coughing up for petrol every few days at the bowser.Some diesels are better than others but all modern, high pressure injection derivatives have strong points.BMW has added a diesel variant to its X3 compact SUV.It arrived at the same time as the BMW 530d sedan and both share the same, latest generation, straight six cylinder, turbo diesel engine.This engine is not from the successful X5 but is BMW's latest development of the in-line six cylinder format.As expected, it takes a good thing to higher levels of refinement, power and torque and to lower levels of fuel consumption and emissions.The engine is an all aluminium construction with a high-tech direct injection system operating at 1600bar or 23,200psi in the old measure. It also features twin camshafts and four valves a cylinder.Good for 160kW/480Nm output, this is as good or better power than a petrol engine of similar capacity while torque output eclipses many V8s.It does this sipping a mere 8.6 litres/100km and can sprint from 0-100kmh in 7.9 seconds. The engine is a showcase for BMW technology from the bottom of the sump to the cam cover.And it's significantly lighter than similar engines.Being an SUV means the X3 3.0d needs some sort of multi-terrain capability which it has in the form of xDrive electronic all wheel drive.This system varies drive between the axles with up to 100 per cent drive to the rear and variations in between depending on tyre grip.A full array of dynamic controls is fitted to the vehicle such as automatic stability control, hill descent control and cornering brake control.Safety equipment includes eight air bags.Specified to a luxury level, the $75,400 X3 diesel misses out on nothing in the equipment department: leather, climate control, 17in alloys, front and rear park distance control, multi-function steering wheel.An extensive list of options is also available.The vehicle looks handsome with colour coded bumpers and a distinctive BMW appearance - like a (slightly) downscaled X5.It's roomy and comfortable inside with extremely low levels of noise or vibration. Engine performance is excellent and is never found wanting at any speed including off idle.Ride is sporty but comfortable and the X3 sits on the road like a sporty car.Given the choice, and ignoring the premium price, this is the X3 we'd pick over the two petrol versions.

This question resonated often during the week, usually followed by "looks good, how does she go?"My answer?"The new Polo GTi is fantastic maaaate, goes like the clappers."Volkswagen's toey new tiddler looks a lot like the Golf GTi and shares that car's sporty intent though it's not as powerful or quick nor anywhere near the price.But it's just as much fun to drive.At a mere $26,990, Polo GTi is a performance car bargain offering 110kW of turbo boosted power and strong torque to make driving easy.How does VW do it for the money?Bringing the Polo GTi out of Spain could save a few bob but the $Euro is used across Europe so we can't really figure it out.It doesn't matter because this little three door hatch offers enthusiastic drivers arguably more bang for their buck than anything else on the market.And far from being a bare bones blaster, the Polo GTi has just about everything you need. Standard equipment includes six air bags, ABS, ESP and even a low tyre presssure warning system.That's on top of air conditioning, CD audio, power assisted everything and 16in alloy wheels.The 1.8-litre, 20-valve DOHC engine has been around for yonks in various Golfs and Audis and is infact the same engine used in the previous Golf GTi. In that heavier car it was underwhelming.While 110kW might not sound like a lot of poke, it's the torque that rules the day.With 229Nm available at 1950rpm, the GTi pays attention to even the smallest movement of your right foot.And it's easy to loaf along in too high a gear and simply push the accelerator.This helps optimise fuel economy as well as improving driving feel. The gearbox is a five speeder offering a good spread of ratios but no auto is available.Interior styling is up to a typical high standard and the GTi offers room for four adults and their luggage.We reckon the only downside to this car will be availability. Demand will almost certainly outstrip supply for the VW rocket-powered roller skate.

The word is it's going V8 to match similar offerings from Audi and Mercedes- Benz. That's a real shame because M3 has become synonomous with a hyperperformance, naturally aspirated, six cylinder engine.But there is hope for all the six-pot power hounds out there in the form of the new BMW 130i Sport which offers nearly the same level of performance as the M3, a similar engine note and similar feel - at less than half the price.It is likely the 130i Sport will cannibalise sales of the M3.So it's a win for the sporty car purist and probably for BMW which stands to sell plenty of these mightly little rear drive hatch backs.The 130i Sport aready has impressive credentials as it recently lapped the Nurburgring North Loop, in the hands of a BMW test driver, quicker than the current M3. What does that mean?It speaks of the dynamic prowess of the 130i, of its rigid chassis, grip through corners, top speed potential, stability, engine torque, accu- rate gearing, braking and much more.The Nurburgring is tough on cars and drivers.On top of that, the 130i covers the 0-100km sprint in a respectable 6.0 seconds putting it in a bracket with the likes of FPV and HSV big guns and the Subaru WRX.Therein lies a question, do you spend $63,000 on something small and good or more on something big and less good?The 130i runs BMW's new magnesium alloy straight six 3.0-litre engine with 195kW/ 300Nm output.It's a lot of poke for a small car.The engine has variable valve timing, called Bi-VANOS in BMW speak, and another system that alters valve lift for gains in power output, fuel economy and emissions reduction.A six speed close ratio manual feeds power to the rear wheels. No other small hatch has rear wheel drive these days.No doubt this has something to do with the 130i's perfect 50/50 weight distribution front to rear which in turn contributes to the car's stability and handling.The 130i Sport has a muscular appearance set off by a set of 17in alloys with wide, low profile tyres, dual exhaust outlets and an athletic squat to the suspension. Minor detail changes also set it apart from the lower spec' 1-Series.A similar formula is used inside where the 130 has a sportier style complete with metallic fascia inserta. sports seats and wheel and metal pedals in adition to a swag of luxury goodies.The test vehicle was equipped with M options.It is an absolute hoot to drive offering superb acceleration and throttle response to the accompaniment of a stirring wail from the exhaust - just like the M3.Power delivery is flexible with solid response from idle right up to the 7000rpm plus redline.It's a hare out of the blocks and stays that way throughout the range unlike a turbo car.The gearchange feels taut and gaps between gear ratrios are small.Point the 130i at some curves and it's like bees to a honey pot. The car virtually beckons you to fully explore its cornering prowess.There are some compromises to deal with such as the tight pedal box and small boot. There's no spare as the 130i has run-flat tyres. Hopefully replacements will be readily avail- able throughout the country.The low roof height can be an issue for taller drivers unless the adjustable seat is fully down.Adequate room is provided for four inside and a swag of safety equipment includes high tech stuff like ESP and dynamic stability control.