Articles by Stephen Ottley

Holden is running production-style bodywork instead of the chopped VE Commodores it has been using.This is the first spy shot of the new-look Camaro after many sightings of the cut-up Commodore.Matthew Greenway spied the Camaro on Ferntree Gully Rd, Knoxfield, last week. The shot shows that the production car holds true to the concept unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show.The vehicle retains the same angular lines and aggressive stance that turned heads at the show and convinced General Motors to rush the car into showrooms.The Camaro is based on the same platform as the VE Commodore, hence the original test vehicles running with modified two-door Commodore bodywork.With the Camaro due for release in North America in 2009, testing is being accelerated and sightings of the test mules are increasing around Victorian roads.According to one reader, the company is testing extensively at night on country roads while finetuning the car's suspension.General Motors product czar Bob Lutz admits he drove the Camaro at Holden's Lang Lang proving grounds on his trip to Australia in September.As reported, Holden Racing Team star Mark Skaife was drafted in to aid the development recently at Lang Lang. Have you spotted the Camaro? What do you think of it?  

Dale Earnhardt Jr is the most popular driver in the US and reportedly earns more than $50 million per year.He is in Australia on holidays and arranged for the test drive at the Ipswich track in a Paul Morris Motorsport Holden Commodore two weeks ago when he was at Phillip Island for the V8 Supercar season finale.No details or times were released by the team.The 33-year-old has been voted the most popular driver in NASCAR for the past five years.While Earnhardt Jr was having fun, team owner Paul Morris and his new driver Russell Ingall were getting down to business for next season.Ingall had his first run in his new Commodore since returning to Holden from Ford and Morris has secured a three-year sponsorship from retail chain Supercheap Auto.The deal replaces Sirromet wines as the team's primary sponsor. Sirromet is owned by Morris's father Terry."For the past six to seven years we have been building our team to the point where we could sign a driver of Russell's calibre, and we've now reached that point," Morris said yesterday.New Zealand's Fabian Coulthard has been signed by Paul Cruickshank Racing for next year.He replaces the retired John Bowe in the team's Ford Falcon.

Mick Doohan worked hard to earn his fun. He spent 11 years putting his body on the line in the cut-throat 500cc World Championship motorcycle racing circus. He amassed an incredible five world titles in the sport's premier class despite receiving terrible injuries that left permanent scars.So it's hard to begrudge him his fun, even when it comes in the form of a $297,990 Mercedes-Benz AMG sports sedan and a helicopter worth $2.9 million. To celebrate that it is almost 10 years since he claimed his final 500cc world title at Phillip Island, he decided to cut loose at the classic grand prix venue in his two favourite toys.Doohan has been an international ambassador for AMG since 1996 and enjoys the perks of the job. Only 55 examples of the IWC Ingenieur were built and only seven came to Australia. Doohan's AMG role helped make sure he was one of the lucky few.After manhandling the world's fastest prototype motorbikes, the Mercedes and the Eurocopter are toys for Doohan. Magnificent and expensive toys, but still toys for a man who won 54 grands prix.The CLS 55 IWC Ingenieur is the result of a collaboration between AMG and Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.As you'd expect from a joint effort between a German car company and a Swiss watchmaker, attention to detail is immaculate.The car is finished in a dark titanium-grey metallic paint. Every exterior element is colour matched in a matt titanium finish, including the radiator grille, fog-light rings, side-window bezels and doorhandle inserts.The car sports 19-inch AMG wheels, also in a titanium finish. The treatment also carries over to the inside. The instrument cluster was redesigned to match the limited-edition IWC Ingenieur AMG watch the company produced as part of the deal.The dashboard gauges are black with silver needles and white lighting and the cluster is ringed with titanium.The seats are finished in dark nappa leather and have matt titanium AMG badging on the backs to continue the theme.Doohan liked the look of the CLS so much he had his Eurocopter specially finished in the same colour. With an imposing 350kW of power and a staggering 700Nm of torque, a racetrack is the only place Doohan can explore the car's limits.The Eurocopter is the AMG's airborne cousin. It is one of the fastest helicopters for sale to the public. With its high-load capacity and high rate of climb, it is an incredibly flexible helicopter and can be used in a wide range of conditions.It is fitted with the latest hi-tech digital engine control system and multi-function dashboard. The instrumentation means that the pilot can glance at the chopper's critical information on a dual LCD screen.“The CLS 55 AMG and the Eurocopter AS350 are a perfect match,” Doohan says. “They're at the high-performance end of their respective spectrums and, as you can see, they're a lot of fun."“They both change direction quickly and accelerate with a fair bit of force. Sure, they're the same colour, but there are more similarities than just their paint finishes.”Doohan is no stranger to aircraft. Since retiring from racing he has established a successful corporate aviation charter business called Global Jet International.But that's business and the Mercedes and Eurocopter are all about fun for one of Australia's most successful motorsport stars. SnapshotMercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG Price: $297,000Body: 5-seat sedanEngine: 5.5L/V8 350kW/700Nm  Eurocopter AS350 B3  Engine: Turbomeca Arriel 2B turbine 623kWTransmission: main gearbox and one in tailPerformance: range: 650km, rate-of-climb 12.1m/sec, top speed 259km/h (140 knots) 

A new GM car with its roots in the Holden Torana and a mechanical package developed from the VE Commodore, could be on the road by 2011. It will be rear-wheel-drive like the Commodore, but smaller and linked to the Torana TT36 concept seen at the 2004 Australian International Motor Show.The idea for a born-again Torana; probably to be called the Pontiac G6; was first floated by the former head of GM Holden, Peter Hanenberger, who believed it was the right car to give GM a prestige rival to the BMW 3 Series.Development of the car is now under way and General Motors vice-president of product development, Bob Lutz, confirms details first leaked through the powerful United Automobile Workers union in the US.Lutz, speaking during a visit to Melbourne to check on technical work at Fishermans Bend, says the compact will be in production within five years.The UAW has already revealed it will be built at a factory at Lordstown, Ohio and will be developed from the Global Alpha mechanical platform.Lutz says the Torana TT36 is a good pointer to the newcomer. “From a size and proportions standpoint that's what we're looking at,” he says.“That's about the size were looking at, but that wasn't completely worked out. That was a sort of truncated Commodore, the components in that.”Lutz says the new compact would work well with the Pontiac brand, which is already committed to a re-badged and re-styled Commodore which will be sold as the G8.“Pontiac wants to be a sporting rear-wheel-drive brand,” Lutz says.“So we have several brands that would be potential beneficiaries of a small rear-wheel-drive architecture and ... Holden is, obviously, one of the logical ones.”He says the car could give GM a crucial point of difference in a crowded marketplace. “Because everybody has highly competent front-wheel-drive sedans and they all look more or less the same,” Lutz says.“And the way to get a slightly different proportion and to do something different, because I'm a firm believer nowadays that if you want to grab market share you have to do something different. "“If you do the same thing that everybody else is doing and you just do it a little bit better you'll kind of hold your own. But I'm a firm believer that, hey, when everybody else is doing small front-wheel-driver cars, which are excellent cars; but let's do something different for Pontiac.”Even if the car is targeted at the 3 Series it will be cheaper.“Well, you'd definitely never price at that level,” Lutz says. “That's the whole premise ... a 3 Series-type car but priced at a more affordable level."“You'd basically have 3 Series ride, handling, steering, all of the dynamic qualities of a smallish rear-wheel-drive sedan; the lighter weight, the ability to use four-cylinder engines; and not have to carry around a big V6 or V8 lump of an engine up there."“And you'd have a very nimble, very agile, dynamically pleasing car reminiscent or great driving German rear-wheel-drive sedans but at a much lower price point.” 

Oil-rich sheiks, mega-millionaire British businessmen and even the brother of Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, are fighting to get their hands on the Holden Efijy.They have bid millions for the one-off Holden hero car, which has just starred in the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit.None of the potential buyers has come close to claiming the car, but their interest could spark a plan to build $1 million-plus copies.GM Holden has officially dismissed the chance of building any extra Efijys beyond the one-off motor show dream machine, but the worldwide interest in the car could lead to a potentially lucrative opportunity to commission a limited production run.Even so, if Holden gets enough serious offers for the car it could make a viable business case to build the 21st century hot rod in limited numbers with a $1 million price tag.The exact interest in the car is unclear, but GM Holden executives confirm there have been semi-serious approaches from several people with the cash to splash on an Efijy.The Tom Walkinshaw organisation has the ability to build copies of the Efijy, through a range of its businesses including Holden Motorsport and Elfin sports cars, and it could be an ideal partner on an Efijy project.The only Efijy is in the United States where it has been extremely well received and has won numerous awards including the 2007 North American Concept Car of the Year.According to designer Richard Ferlazzo the Efijy cost Holden more than $1.2 million to build by hand and any potential production versions would carry a similarly large price tag.Its wicked retro coupe body is built over a stretched Chevrolet Corvette C5 chassis and is powered by a super-charged version of the 6.0-litre V8 engine. 

The new Mini Challenge will hit Australian racetracks in style with a spectacular opening race next year, probably at the Australian Grand Prix.Though Mini Australia spokesman Alexander Corne can't reveal details of the new series calendar, he says it will have a big beginning.“I can't confirm anything specific but we want to start things off with a bang,” Corne says. “We want to put the Mini Challenge in front of the widest possible audience.”Mini already has a history at the Australian Grand Prix, it provided the cars for the Celebrity Challenge in 2002.Negotiations about next year's calendar are taking place with several key stakeholders. It is likely to support the V8 Supercar Championship and run alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup. According to Corne several parties have already shown interest in the category.Mini will unveil the new-for-2008 Challenge racer at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October. The new cars will be built at the company's English factory and be race-prepared in Germany before coming here. The plan is to try to have a race car here later in the year to help promote the new series to competitors and fans.Next year, cars will use a turbocharged version of the engine, replacing the previous supercharged model. They will produce the same amount of power, 154kW but the turbo engine delivers better torque and mid-range performance.Another addition is a limited-slip differential to improve traction in tight corners.The company has also improved the cars' aerodynamics to improve performance and keep the racing close.The Challenge racers will do 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds and have a top of 240km/h. 

Speaking at its launch last week in Melbourne, Holden chairman Chris Gubbey confirmed two examples of the ute that are being tested in North America.It is a clear indication of GM intentions to sell the ute in the US as a Chevrolet El Camino.GM powerbroker Bob Lutz makes no secret of the fact he'd like to see the car in the US market, but Gubbey isn't so forthcoming.“It's definitely not a done deal. We have prototypes over there. They are reviewing the vehicle. Holden is now the centre for rear-wheel-drive for General Motors. We're looking at any opportunity we can to export any product we come out with,” he says.Gubbey says the car has received a positive reception from GM officials, but says a deal hasn't been worked out.“The guys who have seen it in the US are really excited about the design. They just have to balance whether that fits the demographics and segmentation of their own markets,” Gubbey says.Holden design director Tony Stolfo says it is now a requirement, given the local car market and global climate, that the company share resources.Stolfo also says he has drafted a concept for an El Camino version of the ute, but Gubbey insists the US arm has not had a hand in the ute's styling.“You can't design and build a car specifically for Australia. You have to find a dance partner,” Stolfo says.But though the export deal seems only a matter of time, getting a diesel engine in Holden's Ute is far less likely.Gubbey confirms the company is investigating a diesel engine, but says a diesel ute won't fit the market demand.“We're looking at all the alternative types of propulsion. But again, you have to look at the car's size and type, and the type of customer who's looking for the car.“You're more liable to see some of the alternatives coming in the smaller variants. This is a weekday workhorse and a weekend warrior, a practical car during the week and a sportscar at the weekend.“The aspirational buyer who wants to buy a ute has a pretty fixed idea what he wants to see under the bonnet.”Holden engineering executive director Tony Hyde is more blunt in his diesel views: “We'd love to have one. We're waiting to see what happens with the VM Motori deal. I don't mind venting my frustration. We are definitely interested.” 

It's still practical and a hard worker, but the jobs have changed.

Check out the our feature story on the VE Ute launch, including great images and video.

Looking for a safe used car? Think German. The 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings suggest that German-designed cars are among the best choices.Volkswagen's Golf and Bora, Holden's German-sourced Astra TS and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class all rated well for occupant protection and safety for other road-users.With improvements to occupant safety, coupled with reduced risk to other road-users, smaller cars have replaced large family cars as the pick of the litter.In previous years the BMW 3 Series and the family-friendly Holden Commodores and Ford Falcon have been the star performers.This year the researchers highlighted the Golf, Bora, Astra TS, C-Class, Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord.The ratings show that if you make the wrong choice of used car, you could be up to 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously hurt in an accident.The research, by Monash University with the RACV, TAC and VicRoads, shows a staggering difference between used cars.As new-car safety has improved, it has widened the gap between the safest cars on the road and the most dangerous.The latest data shows that a Daihatsu Hi-Jet made from 1982-1990 is 26 times more likely to leave occupants dead or seriously injured than a Volkswagen Passat built from 1998-2005.Two criteria were used: crashworthiness, which is the car's ability to keep its occupants safe; and aggressiveness, which is the likelihood of injury or death to unprotected road-users.TAC senior manager of road safety David Healy says the ratings will play a crucial role in reducing the road toll.“It's going to make a huge difference” Healy says. “We know that by producing safer vehicles we can reduce the road toll by up to a third."“It is another piece of the jigsaw puzzle fitting into place. We now have reliable information on 279 second-hand models on the Australian market."“That means we have real-world data to tell the consumer the car to buy that's safer in a crash as well as safer for other road-users involved in the crash.”Of the 279 models covered by the study, 48 were rated “significantly worse than average” for crashworthiness. Another 29 were rated “worse than average”.On the flip side, 38 models performed “significantly better than average”. Another 48 recorded “better than average”.It means plenty of safe models are available. You just have to pick the right one.Australian New Car Assessment Program chairman Ross McArthur: says: “That, for me, is an important bit of information.“People need to know that picking a car that meets the minimum standard is not enough. You have to be more careful.”Buying a used car often means there are budget considerations, but that shouldn't rule out safety.McArthur says the study highlights affordable models and consumer should arm themselves with that knowledge.“You can get safe cars that are cheaper, and more expensive cars that don't perform as well,” McArthur says. “The key is to be selective. Look around. Don't make the decision on the first vehicle you see.”And don't always trust used-car salesmen.“You need to be properly informed. If you are informed, you are in a much better position to make a decision.”Small cars such as the well-performing 1994-2001 model Peugeot 306 start at $7000.Family cars such as the Holden Commodore VT-VX and Ford Falcon AU also score well and start at reasonable prices.The study clearly shows advances in car safety, with newer models being progressively better.For example, the Holden Commodore VN-VP series received a “worse than average” crashworthiness rating; the later VT-VZ range scored “significantly better than average”.With stricter safety standards and improved crash-test ratings, McArthur is looking forward to a time when all cars are as safe as they can be.Until then the Used Car Safety Ratings is a crucial tool to protect drivers.“I hope we get to the point where every car is a five-star rated car,” McArthur says.“But as a general rule, the newer the car, the better it performs."“But that's not always the case, so you need to look at the Used Car Safety Ratings.” The hit listHow the cars performed in both criteria - crashworthiness (occupant protection) and aggressiveness (risk to pedestrians). Best performersVolkswagen Golf (1999-2004, below)Volkswagen Passat (1999-05)Holden Astra TS (1998-05)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Honda Accord (1991-93)Mercedes C-Class (1995-00)Peugeot 405 (1989-97) Worst performersMitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-88)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica (1983-93/1987-93)Toyota Tarago (1983-89)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-95) Crash course in car safetySmall carsBest performersVolkswagen Golf (1994-2004)Volkswagen Bora (1999-04)Peugeot 306 (1994-01)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Holden Astra TS (1998-05, below) Worst performersVolkswagen Golf (1982-94)Toyota MR2 (1987-90)Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Nissan Gazelle/Silvia (1984-86)Nissan Exa (1983-86) Medium carsBest performersBMW 3 Series E46 (1999-04)BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-03)Ford Mondeo (1995-01)Holden Vectra (1997-03)Peugeot 406 (1996-04) Worst performers Nissan Bluebird (1982-86)Mitsubishi Starion (1982-87)Holden Camira (1982-89)Daewoo Espero (1995-97)Toyota Corona (1982-88) Large carsBest performersFord Falcon AU (1998-02)Ford Falcon BA/BF (2002-05)Holden Commodore VT/VX (1997-02)Holden Commodore VY/VZ (2002-05)Toyota Camry (2002-05) Worst performersMazda 929/Luce (1982-90)Holden Commodore VN/VP (1989-93)Toyota Lexcen (1989-93)Holden Commodore VB-VL (1982-88)Mitsubishi Magna TM/TN/TP/ Sigma/V3000 (1985-90, below) People moversBest performersKia Carnival (1999-05)Mazda MPV (1994-99) Worst performersToyota Tarago (1983-89)Mitsubishi Starwagon/L300 (1983-86) Light carsBest performers Daewoo Cielo (1995-97)Daihatsu Sirion (1998-04)Holden Barina XC (2001-05) Worst performers Daewoo Kalos (2003-04)Hyundai Getz (2002-05)Suzuki Alto (1985-00) Compact 4-wheel drives Best performers Honda CR-V (1997-01)Subaru Forester (2002-05) Worst performers Holden Drover/Suzuki Sierra (1982-99)Daihatsu Rocky/Rugger (1985-98) Large 4-wheel drives Best performers Ford Explorer (2001-05)Nissan Patrol/Safari (1998/04) Worst performers Nissan Patrol (1982-87)Toyota Landcruiser (1982-89)