Articles by Stephen Ottley

With rising living costs Kia is driving people into smaller cars, the Picanto was on display at this week's Melbourne Motor Show to gauge interest in the compact machine.

The Bathurst build-up begins today when the long-distance co-drivers have their first hitout of the year at Eastern Creek, the first time organisers have given drivers in the two endurance races special practice sessions at race meetings.Eastern Creek is one of four events where the extra drivers will have a chance to become familiar with their machinery before the Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000.Not all teams have finalised co-drivers, but the session will be a great way to get a headstart for those that have.The Holden Racing Team will run veterans Glenn Seton and Craig Baird in its two Commodores. Seton will drive Mark Skaife's usual machine and Baird will use Garth Tander's car.Ford Performance Racing will run Dean Canto in Mark Winterbottom's regular ride and Luke Youlden will drive Steven Richard's Castrol-sponsored Falcon.The HSV Dealer Team will give experienced Kiwi Paul Radisich time in Rick Kelly's car, while Marcus Zukanovic will steer Paul Dumbrell's machine.“It's an important part of getting them used to the team and the cars,” Dick Johnson Racing team manager Adrian Burgess says.His team will run new signings Warren Luff and Steve Owen.Finding the right co-drivers and getting them up to speed is becoming an increasingly important issue. This year's race at Phillip Island will feature two short qualifying races on the Saturday of the meeting to determine the starting order of the long race. Each driver will compete in one race, making it critical to give the inexperienced driver more seat time.Stone Brother's Racing will get extra use out of the session. James Courtney's huge shunt at Adelaide has forced the team to use the team's spare car, Russell Ingall's car from last year.It hasn't been used in months and the session will allow rookie Jonathon Webb to gain valuable miles ahead of the enduros and shakedown the car before Courtney races it. 

Australian World Rally Championship driver Chris Atkinson will win a rally this year — and it could be this weekend in Mexico.That's the view of Subaru rally team boss David Richards, who revealed his faith in Atkinson during his visit to the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide last weekend.Atkinson has been quick but erratic during his WRC career, but Richards believes he will have his breakthrough win this year.“I'd be so bold as to say the next round in Mexico could suit him well,” Richards says.“The current car is not so far off the pace that if things favour us and everything goes as hoped, it could fall into his hands.”Subaru's WRC team has struggled to match the pace of Citroen and Ford with its Impreza.The disappointing performances have led to Richards taking a hands-on role with the team again after several years concentrating of Formula One.“We've had a difficult couple of years and I've now taken back the reins of the team this year to get it on track again,” he says.“We have a lot of work to do with the new car coming on in the middle of the year. We hope it will be the break we need."“The car we're running today is effectively five years old in its design."“It's had evolutions, but it is still a long way behind our competitors.”The sedan-based Impreza WRC will be replaced with the company's new hatch this year.Richards says a decision on when to debut the car will be taken in April after more testing.He has promised it will be an all-new design from the team.“It's a completely ground-up design,” he says. “To give you an idea, the gearbox in the current car was designed 18 years ago."“We did evolutions to it but the basic gearbox casing, the fundamental design, is 18 years old."“Obviously, in that time the suspension geometry has changed, driveshaft angles . . . there is a whole raft of issues that are not ideal. It's a credit to the engineers that they've managed to make it competitive.”Testing of the car has gone well so far. Test driver Markko Martin has handled most of the work. Atkinson and team mate Petter Solberg have concentrated on the championship events.“So far everything is on stream,” Richards says. “We've had no major setbacks.“We've had some teething problems but we have no fundamental issue that we're concerned about.” 

A simple fender bender could cost you more than $7000 to repair.That's part of the findings of new research carried out by motoring organisation the RACV.Nine small cars were tested in the study using a new crash apparatus that has never been used in the southern hemisphere before.It is the first in a year-long program to test various cars for sale within Australia.The testing simulated a 10km/h impact, one of the most common forms of accidents. The RACV then priced repairs for the collision.The findings highlighted the huge variety in repair costs across the small-car segment. The Toyota Corolla was the star with an estimated repair cost of just over $1000, or 4.4 per cent of the car's recommended retail cost.That was offset by the high costs to repair the Honda Civic and Suzuki Swift. The Honda's repair bill was more than $7000 and the Suzuki's $5547, a whopping 34.7 per cent of the car's price.“The results show a vast difference in repair costs across the range of vehicles tested because a poorly designed bumper can slide under other bumpers on impact, causing more damage to both vehicles,” RACV Insurance general manager Susan Allen says.Aside from the repair costs, poor-performing cars can lead to further insurance increases.“We are urging consumers to consider repair costs as an important factor when buying a new car because this can have a significant impact on their insurance premium,” Allen says.The testing is done in conjunction with six countries around the world and is designed to highlight deficiencies to help carmakers improve their vehicles.RACV's chief vehicle engineer, Michael Case, praised Toyota's efforts with the Corolla for collisions with other cars and pedestrians.“The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic scored similar leg-protection results in the EURO NCAP pedestrian-safety program, yet the repair costs of these vehicles differ dramatically,” Case says.“This proves manufacturers can design vehicles that can perform well in pedestrian safety and vehicle protection.”The RACV's results come in the wake of similar testing done by NRMA Insurance.Each year the New South Wales company conducts two low-speed accident tests of more than 46 of the country's biggest sellers. The first simulates a 15km/h impact with a solid barrier and the second a rear crash at 30km/h.That data is used to calculate the repair costs for such accidents and, according to NRMA Insurance chief Rick Jackson, some of the results are shocking.“Though design enhancements may largely go unnoticed by vehicle owners, they can have a sizeable impact on the cost of insurance,” Jackson says. “Design improvements by carmakers are helping to reduce collision costs in some makes and models, but there is still a need for improvement."“A startling fact that has come out of this year's low-speed crash test is Australia's three biggest-selling family sedans — the Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry and Ford Falcon — have all increased in repair cost. The Falcon by a staggering 26 per cent.“However, proving that new-car technology doesn't have to become more expensive, the cost of repairing the Mazda6 has dropped 36 per cent since last year.”Such data is used by the insurance company to help set rate premiums, meaning choosing the right car could save you money.“Motorists should consider the cost of repairing a vehicle before they make their purchase because a bargain in the showroom may not be such a good deal when taking the cost of insurance and repairs into account,” Jackson says. Crash test resultsEstimated Repair cost repair cost as a % of rrp1 Toyota Corolla $1018 4.4%2 Ford Focus $2357 10.7%3 Holden Astra $2626 10.9%4 Mazda3 $2886 12.6%5 Toyota Yaris $4016 22.1%6 Hyundai Getz $3363 22.4%7 Mitsubishi Lancer $5467 23.5%8 Honda Civic $7385 31.4%9 Suzuki Swift $5547 34.7% 

Australia should have a diesel future within six years.BMW Australia boss Guenther Seemann believes the local car industry will follow Europe and become 80 per cent diesel, but only if Holden and Ford produce oil-burning Commodores and Falcons.“If I were CEO of these companies I would develop a diesel V8,” Seemann says.His comments come after BMW's own sales of diesels hit 33.1 per cent in January as the brand expands its diesel line-up.Seemann believes diesel will continue to grow because “there is no way down for petrol prices." The other factor in diesel growth, he says, is the advances in performance.BMW has entered the high-performance, four-wheel-drive fray with its new X5 3.0sd, a twin-turbo version of its six-cylinder diesel.It is aimed at taking on the sports-orientated diesel four-wheel-drives, including the Audi Q7 V8 TDI, Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI and Range Rover V8 Turbo Diesel.Though BMW reps concede the new model will take some sales from its current X5 3.0d, they are adamant the new car is crucial to the growth of the X5 and BMW's diesel future.“X5 business is very important to us,” the product and market planning manager for BMW Australia, David Lederer, says.“There's potential to grow that business by having a diesel that can get additional incremental sales.”He says thanks to the fuel efficiency of the diesels now being matched by performance, customers no longer see them as a compromise.“That's what our figures are showing. Diesel offerings are so good in terms of torque that I don't think people are buying them just because of efficiency. I think people are responding to the torque and dynamism.”On the road, the new X5 3.0sd is as expected. The strong chassis still stands out and the new engine provides even more of a chance to exploit it.BMW's solid reputation for building superb powerplants remains intact. The X5 is smooth and has plenty of torque to get the two-tonne four-wheel-drive up to speed.With 565Nm on tap from 2000 revs, the X5 isn't sluggish to accelerate, but it does lack some of the punch of the Touareg with its 750Nm.BMW's claimed consumption figure of 8.8 litres for 100km in combined city/country driving was optimistic during our test drive. Over the course of four hours of spirited driving on country roads, we averaged 11.7 litres for 100km.Given that this is another addition to the X5 range, BMW has kept the model line-up simple with only two variants; a standard 3.0sd and the option of a sports package.Prices for the entry-level 3.0sd start at $102,800 and the sports package begins at $107,300. 

You can have them all for a fraction of the price.P1 is a multi-million dollar version of a car-rental company but you need to be quick if you want to be a part of the action.Less than a year after launching its Melbourne office, memberships in the exclusive and expensive rental company are running out.More than 135 Australians have signed up and the company will limit its membership to 200 to make sure there are enough cars to go around.“We'll never go above 200 members,” says James Ward, general manager of P1 in Victoria, “basically to maintain a ratio of five new members for each new car.”Though only 29 vehicles are spread across the company's three Australian locations — in Richmond, Sydney and the Gold Coast — the quality of the cars and motorbikes has seen the company lay out $29 million on equipment.Set up by former Formula One world champion Damon Hill in 2000 in Britain, the club came to Australia in December 2006. The Richmond branch opened last March.Members can join for $4550 and pay annual charges ranging from $27,000 to $36,500 to have access to a dream garage.P1's roster includes three examples of the Lamborghini Gallardo, a Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari 430, Ferrari 575M, Aston Martin DB9, Bentley GT Continental, Porsche 997 GT3, Porsche Cayman S, Audi RS4 Avant, Lotus Exige, Hummer H2, and a Ducati 1098 and BMW K1200 for bikers.Packages give customers a bank of points to use through the year.As is befitting the cost, the company offers a range of services. They drop off the cars anywhere they are required and can store and wash the customer's personal car.“It's as much about the car as it is about the service,” Ward says . “It's whatever suits our customers.” 

FPV will not enter a power war with arch-rival HSV with its new FG series Falcon.

Australia should have a diesel future within six years.BMW Australia boss Guenther Seemann believes the local car industry will follow Europe and become 80 per cent diesel, but only if Holden and Ford produce oil-burning Commodores and Falcons.“If I were CEO of these companies I would develop a diesel V8,” Seemann says.His comments come after BMW's own sales of diesels hit 33.1 per cent in January as the brand expands its diesel line-up.Seemann believes diesel will continue to grow because “there is no way down for petrol prices”. The other factor in diesel growth, he says, is the advances in performance.BMW has entered the high-performance, four-wheel-drive fray with its new X5 3.0sd, a twin-turbo version of its six-cylinder diesel.It is aimed at taking on the sports-orientated diesel four-wheel-drives, including the Audi Q7 V8 TDI, Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI and Range Rover V8 Turbo Diesel.Though BMW reps concede the new model will take some sales from its current X5 3.0d, they are adamant the new car is crucial to the growth of the X5 and BMW's diesel future.“X5 business is very important to us,” the product and market planning manager for BMW Australia, David Lederer, says.“There's potential to grow that business by having a diesel that can get additional incremental sales.”He says thanks to the fuel efficiency of the diesels now being matched by performance, customers no longer see them as a compromise.“That's what our figures are showing. Diesel offerings are so good in terms of torque that I don't think people are buying them just because of efficiency. I think people are responding to the torque and dynamism.”On the road, the new X5 3.0sd is as expected. The strong chassis still stands out and the new engine provides even more of a chance to exploit it.BMW's solid reputation for building superb powerplants remains intact. The X5 is smooth and has plenty of torque to get the two-tonne four-wheel-drive up to speed.With 565Nm on tap from 2000 revs, the X5 isn't sluggish to accelerate, but it does lack some of the punch of the Touareg with its 750Nm.BMW's claimed consumption figure of 8.8 litres for 100km in combined city/country driving was optimistic during our test drive. Over the course of four hours of spirited driving on country roads, we averaged 11.7 litres for 100km.Given that this is another addition to the X5 range, BMW has kept the model line-up simple with only two variants; a standard 3.0sd and the option of a sports package.Prices for the entry-level 3.0sd start at $102,800 and the sports package begins at $107,300. 

Despite the obvious appeal of a utility version of the popular US off-roader, General Motors engineers haven't engineered the car for our roads.The H3T was revealed at the Chicago Motor Show as a dual-cab version of the H3 SUV that's available in Australia.The wheelbase has been extended 55cm to accommodate the load area in the rear.The H3 available in Australia is built at the company's South African plant, which produces left and right-hand-drive variants.GM plans to build the H3T only at its North American plants, and has not considered a right-hand-drive model.“Absolutely we're interested in it, but at this stage it isn't engineered for right-hand drive,” GM premium brands spokeswoman Emily Perry says.However, she warns not to rule it out if interest in the car in right-hand-drive markets proves strong enough to convince GM to engineer an Australia-friendly version.Hummer Australia chiefs have made no secret of their desire to expand the local line-up, and the H3T would be an ideal candidate.The larger H2 has been discounted as too big for Australian roads, and the Hummer brand doesn't have anything else to offer at present.But expansion is not on the agenda, with the current H3 on back order.The company is still trying to clear the rush of orders from the car's launch, resulting in a waiting period of up to three months. 

Speaking at the launch of the new-look Holden Racing Team in Melbourne yesterday, the five-time series champion admitted he would evaluate his position at the end of the season.His form has been under question since he won his last title in 2002. He finished a disappointing eighth in the championship last year but said his motivation was as high as ever.“If I'm determined, fit and want to compete I don't see any reason why I couldn't do three or four more years,” he says. “But it will be very much my own feeling as to how I'm going and how I have to view that based on my ownership position with the team. I won't want to do what's best for the team either. That's a balance I'll continue to look at.”Asked if this could be his last year Skaife was non-committal.“I wouldn't think so,” he said. “My feel of it is no, but let's just see how time goes along.”This year will be one of the biggest challenges of his career as he faces off against his heir apparent as Holden V8 king, Garth Tander.Reigning champion Tander has joined the team as part of Holden's bid to get its flagship team winning again.Tander moves from the HSV Dealer Team that has won the last two championships while the factory-blessed HRT has struggled. The team has not won the championship since Skaife's '02 crown.While both drivers were respectful at yesterday's launch, many experts are expecting fireworks between the pair.Tander admitted they would be competitive but said the pair would remain civil.“Oh look, there's no two ways about it. In every team the first driver you want to beat is your teammate and if you were talking to Mark right now he'd be saying the exact same thing,” Tander said.“That's part of the challenge of being a race car driver in a two-car team.” Skaife said he was now free from the ownership troubles that dogged him throughout the last two years.“I've just got to get myself into a space where I can truly concentrate on just being a driver again,” he said.