Articles by Staff Writers

The outspoken "Top Gear" presenter and The (London) Sunday Times columnist Jeremy Clarkson has been recruited by TomTom, Europe's biggest GPS system maker, to provide the voice for its latest gadget.

The outspoken "Top Gear" presenter and The (London) Sunday Times columnist Jeremy Clarkson has been recruited by TomTom, Europe's biggest GPS system maker, to provide the voice for its latest gadget.

... at the recent Australian International Motor Show, held in Melbourne.The concept, which debuts the latest iteration of Lexus' "L finesse" design philosophy, took out top honours from a list of 30-odd contenders, including rare supercars.Of the 28,000 public votes, 12.6 per cent were for the Lexus sports touring concept, ahead of the second-placed BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept with 9 per cent and the Lamborghini Aventador in third place with 8.8 per cent.Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb says the award recognises a turning point in Lexus design."With LF-Gh, the Lexus design team wanted to captivate people's imagination with a vehicle that was bold and innovative, yet functional in true sports touring style - and they've certainly achieved that," Cramb says."With its bold spindle grille, flowing lines and unique hybrid driveline, the LF-Gh is definitely a Lexus of the future that customers of today want."The Car of the Show award also reinforces Lexus' long-held belief that hybrids can be more than just efficient. They can be stylish, powerful and, most of all, desirable," Cramb says.The Lexus LF-Gh was a result of a 'clean sheet of paper' design exercise, which aimed to explore what the future of Lexus vehicle design could represent while still holding true to Lexus' unique "L finesse" design philosophy - first debuted on the current model GS sedan.The team aimed to blend functionality, style, performance, efficiency and environmental compatibility in a premium, luxury sports sedan while leveraging advanced new technologies.Careful attention to form and function was paid to every part of the vehicle's design, ensuring that design does not impede function - particularly in relation to aerodynamic efficiency.The result is the LF-Gh concept, a hybrid-powered, rear-wheel drive vehicle that has a bold, wide stance and aggressive styling, combined with a unique new face for Lexus.

the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne on Sunday, July 10.

In 2007 a similar car fetched an incredible $683,000, but some say we will never see crazy prices like that again.The figure is in stark contrast to the original $5302 asking price a new Phase III would have cost you in 1971.With a 351cu inch (5.7-litre) V8, the famed GTHO (HO for handling option) was developed as a race car and is regarded as the ultimate Falcon GT.Based on the muscular XW GT introduced in 1969, only 300 of Phase IIIs were built for Bathurst, featuring a rear anti-sway bar, bigger Holley carburettor, re-profiled camshaft, better flowing intake manifold and altered valves and lifters.The resulting power output was a thumping 300bhp (224kW), although the real figure is said to have been closer to 380bhp (284kW) because it was understated for insurance purposes.The GTHO was the quickest Aussie muscle car to date and one of the quickest four-door production sedans in the world.It could sprint from 0-100km/h in about 6.5 seconds and dispatched the standing quarter mile in 14.4 seconds.Allan Moffat drove a Phase III to victory in the 1971 Bathurst 500 where the cars finished in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th places that year.The vehicle being offered for sale is one of only 37 examples that were finished in Yellow Ochre.Retaining much of its originality, this iconic Australian car has travelled less than 1000km since a restoration 10 years ago.The Falcon will be offered as part of Sothebys Australia annual exhibition of collectors motor cars for sale by public tender from June 22-25, and will be joined by five other collectable cars.1957 MERCEDES BENZ 300SL ROADSTERThe 300SL was the on road version of Mercedes Benz 300SLR driven by Stirling Moss and his observer Dennis Jenkinson to win the 1955 Mille Miglia. The 300SL is one of the most recognisable and desirable sports cars of all time.Acknowledged as a truly great car both for its technical excellence and its audacious, wondrous styling, the Mercedes Benz is a founding member of the motoring pantheon. This remarkable early 300SL Roadster of 1957 is one of 554 cars built in that year and of the 1858 total production run.1933 REO FLYING CLOUD COUPEReo built motor cars in Michigan between 1905 and 1936. In January 1904 Ransome Eli Olds left Oldsmobile “for certain reasons” and after further issues with his old company set up Reo (as he could no longer use his surname but could utilise his initials).In a bid to capture the luxury car market Reo launched the Flying Cloud, the first car to use Lockheed’s new internal-expanding hydraulic brakes. In 1931, despite the effects of the Depression, the luxurious 8 cylinder Royale and the 6 cylinder Flying Cloud were launched. This was followed in 1933 with the self-shifter, Reo’s automatic transmission mounted in unit with the engine.Reo was by 1934 in deep financial trouble and in 1936 the Company discontinued making cars and concentrated solely on commercial vehicles. Olds severed his ties with the Company inn 1937 resigning his position as chairman of the board. He died in 1950.1949 BUICK CONVERTIBLE SUPER MODEL 56CThe 1949 Buick models were built with two sizes of engine and chassis with the Dynaflow torque converter available on both. Chassis changes from the previous year included lower rated springs, bodies with modified front end , enlarged window areas (by some 22 percent)and a greater stiffness in construction which was especially advantageous in the convertible model.The larger Roadmaster (Model 70 Series) had four ventilating holes on the wing whilst the Super (Model 50 Series) had only three. Both Buick models were available as a standard four door fixed head car, a two door ‘Sedanet’ (coupe), four door station wagon and a convertible four-seater.The Buick sat in the upper echelons of American cars at the time, considerably more expensive than Chrysler or General Motors vehicles but at the same time with considerably better performance and equipment, including wheel trim discs, cigar lighter, ashtray and automatic choke as standard whilst the 56C had leather trim, power top, seat and windows as standard.BUGATTI TYPE 37Ettore Bugatti designed and built cars at a time when the philosophy was that better cars were built on the back of racing success. The Bugatti name is legendary due to his unparalleled racing successes primarily with the Type 35 at the Targa Florio and the Grands Prix of France, Belgium, Italy, Monaco and Spain.The genesis of the Type 37 four-cylinder 1.5-litre car began with the 2.0-litre Type 35 in 1924. With the change of the Grand Prix formula from 2 litres to 1 ½ litres in 1926 came the Type 39 which evolved into the Type 37.Although originally produced as a racing car, and despite the cost, as was common Bugatti practice the Type 37 was sold in considerable numbers (some 291 its is believed) to private clients as road cars. The instantly recognisable and typically Bugatti engine is relatively simple in design but the car was capable of competing with and beating most other cars of the period due to its outstanding roadholding.The beautiful body shape is based on the Type 35 but the Type 37 has wire wheels and normal drums instead of the patent Bugatti cast alloy wheels of the larger, earlier car. Both cars however were renowned for the precision and craftsmanship exhibited in their manufacture.995 PORSCHE 993 RS CLUB SPORTThe 993 RS CS is one of the most respected models of the iconic Porsche 911 series. The 993 was the last of the air cooled Porsche cars and deemed by many to be the last real Porsche 911. The RS (standing for Renn or Race sport) is the lightweight version of the 993 Carrera produced in 1995 and 1996. The weight saving measures included removing headlight washers and rear seats etc whilst lightweight seats and door panels were utilised. The RS CS is even further pared back and weighs just 1,235 kg compared to the 1,270 kg of the RS Touring and 1,370kg of the Carrera. It is felt by many experts to be the finest road/track car ever built by Porsche. The RS hits 0 – 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and has a top speed of 277 km/h from its 3.8 litre six cylinder air cooled engine coupled with a six speed close ratio manual transmission

That's the question owners are asking as state governments move towards making ethanol blends mandatory.NSW is leading the push. Already the law in that state requires oil companies to blend six per cent ethanol in the regular unleaded fuel they produce. That will rise to 10 per cent on July 1, 2011, when regular unleaded will be banned. Owners currently using regular unleaded have the choice to use E10 or the more expensive Premium unleaded.As a rule of thumb most cars built in the last 10 years or so can use E10 without any problem, although some carmakers whose cars run on PULP specify the use of high-octane fuel, which calls into question the use of E10 because of its maximum 94-octane rating.Older cars should not use E10, as it can have a devastating affect on gaskets, seals, hoses and other rubber components in the fuel system.To find out if your car run on E10 take a look at our guide on E10 Fuel Compatibility.

A two-minute ad for Chrysler starring Eminem and a Volkswagen ad featuring a mini-Darth Vader that went viral before it even aired were two of the most talked-about spots during advertising's big night, Super Bowl XLV, in which Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25.Chrysler was one of nine automakers that took advantage of advertising's biggest and most expensive showcase, at $US3 million ($A2.97 million) for 30 seconds, to try to show they're back after two tough years for the industry.The cinematic third-quarter Chrysler ad starred Eminem driving through Detroit and introduced a new car, the Chrysler 200 sedan, amid gritty scenes of the city. A voiceover talks about how the city has survived going through "hell and back''."This is the Motor City and this is what we do,'' Eminem says.Another hit was a Volkswagen ad that showed a boy in a Darth Vader costume trying to use "The Force'' on objects, including the Passat.  Volkswagen released the ad early on Youtube.com and it had more than 13 million views before the game even started.We've gathered some of the best car commercials on the list for this year for you below. 

Toyota has announced the voluntary recall of 1.7m vehicles worldwide, including some of its luxury Lexus models, over a fuel leak.  This brings to approximately 12m the total number of recalls since 2009 when acceleration problems were blamed for fatal crashes overseas.The latest recall affects only 4844 Australian owners of Lexus IS250 vehicles built between August 2007 and February 2009.  Australian Toyota/Lexus spokesperson Laura Hill said there have been no reports of accidents or injuries here or overseas due to the fuel leak.She said only one of the 117 worldwide reports of owners smelling leaking petrol was in Australia.  Lexus will notify owners by mail to make an appointment with their dealer for the free repair."It takes between two and three hours," Hill said.  "It's a small repair; tightening the fuel pressure sensor to the fuel delivery pipe, or replacing a gasket if there is a leak."Vehicles affected overseas are powered by an Avensis engine which is not included in Toyota or Lexus vehicles available in Australia, she said.

EVER bought a new pair of shiny shoes you saw in the store window — then came close to throwing them away? You liked the look but once you started wearing them you found they were just too uncomfortable.  Then, after a week, you have sufficiently broken them in to the point you can live with them. BMW's new X1 is a bit like that.Parked in the showroom window the styling is oddly appealing — this is a premium priced softroader but it looks more like an oversized hatch so it doesn't look too bulky.  But like new shoes I couldn't get comfortable with the baby Bimmer at all for the first three or four days. I came close to hating it.By the end of the week that all changed. Gradually the heavy gearshift didn't feel so truck-like, the steering not as heavy, the ride not so uncompliant and the seating position not so rock hard and awkward.The X1, launched last month, is the tiny tot in BMW's X family, joining the oversized (and some would say irrelevant) X6, the excellent X5 and the somewhat lacklustre X3.  The new One is based on the 3 Series platform which is a big plus because it provides plenty of cabin space thanks to the longer wheelbase than the 1 Series hatch.Engines and gearboxesSo what's on offer here? OK this is where it gets a little confusing.  At present you have a choice between two all-wheel drive 2.0-litre turbo diesels — an auto-only 23d with 150kW to play with or the lesser 20d (as tested here) with 130kW; it offers a six-speed manual as standard but you can option a six-speed auto.BMW will broaden the X1 family next month (June) with a rear-wheel drive which will be badged the sDrive (that's BMW-speak for two-wheel drive) to distinguish it from the xDrive all-wheel drive. It will share the 2-0-litre turbo diesel motor but being only two-wheel drive will naturally be cheaper to buy.  Also being added to the X1 lineup will be two petrol variants, an entry level, two-wheel drive four-cylinder 18i (110kW) and a straight six-cylinder all-wheel drive 25i (160kW) and this one will be an auto only.Pricing and optionsNow there's no escaping these pint-sized softroaders (sorry, BMW likes to call them SAVs – that's Sports Activity Vehicle) come with a premium price tag. BMW says the X1 is the world's first luxury compact wagon and has priced it accordingly.  Hence the price range: from $43,500 for the base 18i to $56,800 for the 25i. But a word of caution is timely here.BMW likes to have a long list of options, so if you start ticking the boxes for extras the price rises rapidly.  For example, we drove the manual 20d this week. It has a list price of $52,700, plus onroad costs.That buys you a reasonable standard kit including a full raft of safety gear, hill decent control, a decent audio system, automatic air conditioning, trip computer, central locking, push button start and automatic wipers and headlamps. Missing from action? Power-adjustable front seats are not standard nor is a multi stack CD player which seems a bit penny pinching at this price level.But the test wagon was also fitted with nine options — worth $15,400.  BMW charges $1700 for metallic paint (and you don't have much of a choice here because the majority of its paint colours are metallic).Add on $2500 for larger 18-inch alloy wheels, $3000 for a gorgeous panorama glass roof, $2900 for a satellite navigation system, $900 for a rear-view camera, $1200 for alloy roof rails and side sills, $715 for front and rear park distance warning system and $2340 for a smart interior design package with leather-clad sports seats.Now the price is more than $68,100 - before onroad costs.  Of course its all a matter of personal choice. If I were buying the wagon I'd go for the glass roof, the excellent and easy to use nav system, much-needed rear camera and park distance control and save myself nearly $7900 on stuff I don't really need.DrivingThere's a lot to like about the X1 once you settle in.  For example, there's a neat stop-start party trick to save fuel wasted when running at idle.  Once normal operating temperatures and desired cabin temperature have been reached, the X1 will automatically switch off the engine when stopped if neutral gear is selected. Pushing the clutch fires it up again.There's also an indicator on the dash which suggests what gear you should be in to give the best fuel return. And fuel consumption is excellent. We hovered between 6 and 7 litres per 100km without trying too hard for a mix of city and country running. BMW's own consumption figure is 5.8l/100km combined.We also loved the X1's strong diesel engine and its road manners. This is a wagon which loves to be driven and has the ability to do so in spades. Cornering grip is impressive. The ride, on those horrible runflat tyres, is hard and sometimes unforgiving and the suspension is firm.The downsides: gear shifting is tiresome because it is heavy, so the auto is a better choice.  The steering is also far too heavy in city traffic but, conversely, good on the highway so there's a compromise here.  Oddly, even the door mirrors are too chunky and hinder your side view at a time when most manufacturers make them too small.And while BMW has made a big effort to improve cabin storage, the X1 is still lacking. There are generous door pockets (with neat elastic drink holders), but centre console space is limited and the roadbook all but swallows the glovebox. The lack of a spare wheel helps, of course, with good space under the rear floor.The X1 won't appeal to all, but if you are into fashion, it has much going for it.BMW X1 20dPrice: from $52,700 plus on-roads.Engine: 2.0-litre turbo dieselPower: 130kW @ 4000rpmTransmission: 6-speed manualTorque: 350Nm @1750-300rpm.RivalsSubaru Outback 2.0D Premium (from $43,990)VW Tiguan 103 TDi (from $36,990) 

Move over Mercedes-Benz, backpeddle BMW, and just get out of the way Jaguar. The new Masser is about to hit town and it wants its day in the sun.  The tops are off and let the boulevard battle begin.This is the new and very stunning — Maserati GranCabrio, the open-top version of the potent GranTurismo coupe, which goes on sale in Australia in April for $338,000. That's $19,500 premium over the hardtop but that hasn't deterred 20 buyers who have already put their hand up for one. And numbers will be limited. Australia's allocation for the year is just 43 cars.Maserati has had cabriolets before, but the Spyders have all been two seaters. This is the brand's first four-seater and it's aimed directly at the American market Maserati gambling its prestigious brand combined with the extra seating capacity will prove a marketing winner.In Australia, true four-seaters, as against two plus two, are thin on the ground but Maserati is up against models from Benz, BMW and Jaguar for the up-market ‘fun in the sun’ dollar.  Maserati is counting on pulling power of the cabrio — the third model in its lineup behind the coupe and Quattroporte sedan — to drive it out of the global financial crisis to add even more sex appeal to the famous Italian brand.It does so in spades. This is adult-rated car porn; a cabrio to lust for. A car that should equally appeal to both sexes but for different reasons.It has performance, and it has style.  But the cabrio nearly didn't make it to market so early in 2010. Maserati's marketing director Massimo Farao hinted to Carsguide that the company, which has been regaining ground after years of financial losses, had considered stalling the launch because of the worldwide economic crisis."Sure we looked at it (delaying the launch) but decided to go ahead and introduce this new model. The global situation had a very serious impact on our markets but, with careful planning, we finished the year in the black. It was the right decision; the GranCabrio adds a third model alongside the Quattroporte and the GT to round out our lineup," he says.While it may seem an easy task to create the GranCabrio by simply chopping the roof off the Turismo, Farao says the task was not that simple. "We had to do a lot of work to strengthen the car because the cabin is so long," he says. "We did a lot of strengthening around the sills and under the car and we kept the weight difference (over the coupe) down to less than 100kg, which if you look at our rivals is a remarkable achievement."Defying modern trends, Maserati opted for a three-layered fabric roof instead of a folding metal lid, although the mechanism itself is very similar to that used by Ferrari in its California. The decision Farao says was made on tradition, style and practicalities. The soft roof allows for proper four seats and luggage space, albeit it's limited. Opening and closing the top can be done on the move up to 30km/h, taking 20 seconds plus another eight seconds to open or close the windows.The GranCabrio shares all of the underpinnings of the coupe, including the 4.7-litre V8 (323kW/490Nm) from the GT-S version and the six-speed ZF transmission from base model GT. It misses out on Maserati's lightening quick electro-actuated semi-automatic gearbox which can make gear changes in just 100 milliseconds. It's a safe bet however the high performance gearbox will feature in an S version of the cabrio which is believed to be under development and due in a year's time.And like the Turismo there is a downside: the V8 engine is thirsty at 23.9l/100km in the city and averaging 15.4l/100km (combined cycle) for a mix of urban and highway running. Nor is it clean and green, producing 358g of CO2 per kilometre. It's an area Maserati says is working on to improve for the next generation of cars, expected after 2012.While the lighter coupe is quicker over the standing 100km/h dash at 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 295km/h, the cabrio shouldn't belittled. It's only marginally slower, at 5.3 seconds to 100km/h, and tops out at 283km/h with the roof closed and 274km/h with it open.At 2942mm, the new Maserati has one of the longest wheelbases on the market and uses the space to provide a luxurious Italian leather-bound. But it's not all good news. While Maserati says you can get two sets of golf clubs in the boot, the luggage space is compromised by the folding rag top. The same top severely reduces visibility to the rear quarter and rear headroom is going to be tight for anyone over 6ft.The cabrio's sensuous styling with its sleek profile is all thanks to Pininfarina, while Maserati also worked with Bose to design the audio system, tailored for open air driving.This cabrio also comes packed with safety features including multiple airbags, traction and stability control, the latest generation of anti-lock brakes with brake assist and a patented rollover protection system the hoops are electronically fired in less than 190 milliseconds. There's also an elaborate alarm system designed to deter thieves from pinching items from the cabin if the roof is down.Who would be mad enough to launch a cabriolet in winter. The Italians, who want their new model ready for summer, that's who.  To set the picture: The first snowstorm in 25 years blankets Rome as it spreads across Europe. Blocked roads, cancelled flights, stranded passengers sleeping at airports, chaos on the cobblestoned streets, Romans building miniature snowmen on the backs of their scooters. It's beak and freezing and we can't drive the car.The Maserati team take it on the chin. "Hey, we have built a beautiful car for summer," one quipped. And they have.  The following day it takes me exactly 11 seconds to make my mind up about that. That's the time it takes to circle the boulevard cruiser. That's twice as long as it takes for the cabrio to hit 100km/h from a standing start.Hey, this is supposed to be a cruiser not a bruiser, but a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds for a car which weighs in just under two tonnes says Maserati means business. This is no show pony and the ride and handling show Maserati's development work in producing a car which soaks up the bumps but also allows flat cornering has worked a treat.Despite its stunning looks, there is no hiding the fact the GranCabrio is a big lump of a car. This is a high flying four seater first class lounge on wheels. But any cabrio is always going to be a compromise. Removing the roof creates enormous engineering problems to maintain rigidity, while storage of the folding room is going to rob luggage space. But Maserati has done a good job here.The rear pews are tight but comfortable and there is some boot space which is a bonus and there's little in the way of buffeting indeed the cabrio is so well protected the optional wind blocker is not needed..  The GranCabrio is two cars in one. Left in its normal settings it is a very capable cruiser. Push the sport button next to the steering wheel and it's a whole new ball game.Sport means the suspension becomes stiffer, the gear changes are quicker and, beyond 3000rpm, the V8 get a much deeper and louder note thanks to a small gate being opened in the exhaust which allows a free flow of gases, partly bypassing the muffler.  The engine note is nothing short of breathtaking.Deep, sonorous, sexy and mind-blowing with the roof down.  Like it. No. I'm in love with it.