Articles by Stuart Innes

Only 200 examples of the RX-8 Anniversary model, priced at $55,840, are being brought to Australia. Mazda launched its rotary engine in 1967, the engine gaining recognition mainly in the R100, RX-3 and succession of RX-7 models until 1998. The rotary engine, and the RX sports-car prefix, reappeared in 2003 when the RX-8 was launched. The RX-8 has had good success, winning a string of car awards globally, including the Wheels magazine Car of the Year. It is notable due to its pair of smaller rear doors allowing access for rear passengers, yet maintaining a two-door sports coupe style. The Anniversary edition comes with the 170kW version of the high-revving Renesis rotary engine, which also generates 211Nm of torque and feeds its power to a six-speed manual transmission. It has a unique leather and Alcantara-trimmed interior with leather cladding on steering wheel, handbrake lever and gearshift. It gets Bilstein shockers and a special suspension cross member to aid handling. The Anniversary RX-8 wears high-gloss 18in alloy wheels, a special rear spoiler, sunroof and blue reflector fog lights. The standard RX-8 (from $48,990) has a premium Bose sound system, traction control, stability control, six airbags and climate-control airconditioning. Mazda also has confirmed it has developed a 2009 RX-8 with “a refreshed exterior and interior” design and offering an R3 sport package for enthusiasts. Mazda claims the RX-8 now is the only mass-produced passenger car powered by a rotary engine.

Geoff Redin can appreciate the beautiful shape of his sports car knowing he built most of it himself.Mr Redin has a replica of an AC Cobra. “I bought the kit in 1990,” he says of the Adelaide-based Classic Glass Cars fibreglass body. “It took six years to build.“It was copied off a real 427 Cobra in a museum in Perth so it is very original in shape.”Cobra was created in 1962 when U.S. muscle-car racer Carrol Shelby shoehorned an American V8 Ford engine into the little AC Ace British sports car.Replica Cobras have followed as owners have fallen for the glorious shape of the car and the awesome power-to-weight ratio.Their handling can be pretty good, too, helped by independent rear ends, often sourced from Jaguars. Mr Redin built his on a rectangular tubular-steel platform.“It doesn't weigh much but it is very strong,” he says of the chassis.He runs a five-litre Ford V8 engine using a Weiard manifold, Holley carburettor and a three-quarter race camshaft.“I've got no idea how much power it produces. But it's enough. It just doesn't stop,” he says.“It revs right out to 6000rpm but you just don't need that much.”Mr Redin has set the motor back 100mm and connected it to a five-speed floorshift 'oval case' gearbox from a turbocharged Toyota Supra.“I've tried to be as faithful as possible to the original car in replicating it,” he says.Mr Redin, 62, an architect, saw an original AC Ace in Canberra years ago and drove it a few times. Building a replica was the practical way of owning such a car.The Cobra has big-bore exhausts below the doors, classic chrome-rimmed instruments, a black interior and a roll hoop each for driver and passenger.Mr Redin was into cars and racing as a younger man, those interests put aside as he concentrated on family and career.But now his four sons are adults their interests in cars has reignited his interest. The family, including sons Christopher, Nick, Matt and Tim, has a car collection including this Cobra, a blue Cobra replica, a couple of lightweight open-wheel hill-climb specials, two Porsche 356 coupes and about seven Austin 7s.“It's only the last 10 years I've been able to afford the time and the money to get back into it,” Mr Redin says.  Do you think the replica version is as good as the real thing? 

Step into a 3 Series BMW and it's easy to see why many people around the world aspire to do so daily. The door quietly goes “thunk” and then there's the lovely aroma of the leather trim. And the thought of the motoring pleasures to come. Yes, you can feel a bit smug in a 3 Series.It's a range of German cars that deliver motoring behind a badge of distinction without being in the extravagant band.BMW starts its 3 Series in Australia at $51,000, for the 320i sedan with its four-cylinder engine capable of 110kW power. Modest going but comfortable.Then comes the 323i, a 2.5-litre, six-cylinder with 140kW of power, from $65,000.The subject of our drive is the 325i. It generates 160kW of power from its 2.5-litre six and carries a starting price of $73,800.Top performer is the 335i, which has everyone raving about its superb engine - a three-litre turbocharged six-cylinder unit with a V8-like 225kW of power, from $104,500.In the mix, too, is a highly fuel-efficient 115kW turbodiesel 320d, costing from $56,700.There are sedan, coupe, convertible and touring (station wagon) versions. The choice is further expanded by varieties with names such as Luminance, Executive and there's even an Executive Luminance.Not counting the M3 super-performer, the 3 Series goes to $124,300 for the 335i convertible. Plus options. Yes, BMW and its options. Requiring a few extras on a chosen model comes at a cost - metallic paint is popular at $1600. Power sunroof? That's $2750. Top-level sound system $2400. And you can spend from $300 to $5400 upgrading the wheel and tyre package.The BMW 325i sedan we drove is the second from top in the pecking order, so it comes with standard equipment that might be listed as options on lesser models. It has, for example, 17in alloy wheels, six-stack CD and BMW's Business Navigation system with 6.4in screen.It costs $73,800 for a six-speed manual and $76,500 for a six-speed auto with steptronic shift. As with other 3 Series models, it has ABS and cornering brake control, stability control, front as well as front side and head airbags front and rear, cruise control, rear park sensors, climate control and trip computer. Rear-seat leg room is good for outboard positions but the transmission hump - it is rear-wheel drive - robs foot room for the middle passenger. Rear headroom is not great either but this is a compact (4520mm) sedan.It has no spare wheel, giving the space under the 460-litre boot's floor for storage compartments and the battery.The smallish, in-line six-cylinder is fairly tame in the 1430kg car under 2500rpm but above 3500rpm it sings wonderfully. It delivers 160kW of power at 6500rpm and 250Nm of torque at 2750rpm. This six-speed manual has a lovely gearshift and there's plenty of adjustment in the driver's seat position and steering wheel.The Bridgestone Potenza 225/45 tyres tramlined a little and the challenge remains to provide the perfect run-flat tyre.We used petrol at a rate of 8.5 litres/100km.And, back to BMW's options list, a way to get better bang for the buck is in options packages. This car had the Innovations Pack. For $3300, it includes bi-xenon headlights with washers (normally $1820), adaptive headlights (normally $860), high-beam assist, a USB audio interface (normally $600) and upgrading to the 8.8in screen Professional Navigation system (usually a $3300 extra). Class competitionAudi A4 2.0 Quattro: $67,850Mercedes-Benz C280: $85,000Saab 9-3 Vector 2.0T: $53,400 

 The C4 small car hatchback will be offered with a two-litre turbodiesel having significantly stronger performance than the current diesel option - a 1.6-litre unit capable of delivering 80kW of power. The new two-litre diesel - the car will be called the Citroen C4 HDi 2.0 - will generate 100kW of power and 320Nm of torque, increasing for short periods to 340Nm with an over-boost function available under full acceleration. Citroen says that the diesel version is the biggest seller of its C4 Picasso range and so is now to offer that two-litre diesel engine in the C4 hatchback. It boasts an acceleration time of 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds yet has an officially-rated fuel economy of 5.1 litres/100km. The C4 HDi 2.0 will have the same equipment specification as the two-litre petrol version. This means ABS brakes, climate control airconditioning, 17in diameter alloy wheels, cruise control and stability control. Pricing of the new C4 diesel will be announced when the car is shown at February's Brisbane Motor Show. “The arrival of this new variant of the Citroen C4 range is a clear illustration of how the diesel car market in Australia is maturing,” says Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams. The C4 diesel will have a six-speed automatic transmission. Citroen also has confirmed that the latest version of the little C3 hatchback will offer a diesel variant. It uses diesel at a rate of 4.4 litres/100km producing 118g/km of emissions. It takes ju8st 10.8 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standing start.

Land Rover Discovery 3 diesel for the serious four-wheel-driver, BMW X5 diesel for the luxury 4WD buyer and Nissan X-Trail for the recreational 4WD motorist.They are the winners of the three 4WD categories in Australia's Best Cars awards, decided by state motoring organisations, including the RAA.The judges consider safety, price, running costs, comfort, performance, security and retained value. Design, function and on-road ability - and in the case of 4WDs, offroad ability - also are scored.The awards have 12 categories, with three finalists short-listed for each category. Three of the categories are for 4WD vehicles.The Recreational 4WD category was won by the newly-updated Nissan X-Trail 2.5-litre four-cylinder. The ST version with CVT automatic transmission, priced at $33,990, came in ahead of Honda CR-V and Toyota Kluger.“Off-road, the new X-Trail shows why it is rated at the front of the recreational 4WD pack,” says the judging panel. “Nissan's intelligent All Mode 4x4 system is controlled by the twist of a centre console knob, which allows the driver to choose between front-wheel drive and fully automatic four-wheel drive.“A centre differential lock is also provided for improved off-road performance. Two new worthwhile standard features are a hill-descent control and a hill-start assist.”The Luxury 4WD award was won by BMW X5 three-litre diesel with a six-speed automatic. Priced at $86,800, it beat the Lexus RX350 (which won in 2006) and the Lexus RX400h hybrid version.Judges noted the Lexus beat the BMW in standard features, and that BMW charges heavily for options. Yet the BMW scored consistently high in all areas, coming tops in braking, handling, security and trebling the Lexus score in 4WD ability. “It's a moot point as to how much off-road work the X5 will do. But when called upon, it can deliver in spades,” say the judges. “Like many diesel engines, the three-litre oil-burner is powerful (160kW), flexible and frugal (potentially under 9 litres/100km) and puts out a tree-stump-pulling 500Nm of torque at 1750rpm.”The All-terrain is the category for more serious 4WDs, this time won by the Land Rover Discovery 3SE with the 2.7-litre V6 diesel and six-speed automatic. Priced at $74,990 it beat Mitsubishi Pajero VRX diesel and Toyota Prado GXL diesel, which each cost less.Judges say “prospective buyers can rest assured that once comfortable with the dollars, they will have one of the best-engineered 4WD vehicles on the market. At full suspension height, the approach and departure angles, as well as the overall ground clearance, will handle the worst bush tracks, while the degree of selectable suspension control means it does not dance around at higher speeds on corrugated roads.”Australia's Best Cars judges say buyers do not have to compromise between off-road capability and on-road comfort and performance.  

Maserati has taken the formidable drivetrain from the Quattroporte model and created a new “performance sports car that is enjoyable to drive.”The Gran Turismo is a two-door hard-top coupe with Italian custom-crafted interior. New-car buyers will love the choices and mixtures of leather.And it's a four-seater. A great deal of trouble has been taken to make the rear two passengers not only comfortable but have convenient access.First examples of the new Grand Turismo are due to arrive in Australia about now but Maserati Australia reports the 130 allocated to Australia and New Zealand already have been spoken for, meaning a midyear delivery for new orders.The Gran Turismo uses Maserati's 4.2-litre V8 engine. Having twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four valves per cylinder, it's rated at 298kW power.That's enough to take the 1880kg car from zero to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.A new, six-speed automatic transmission feeds power to the rear wheels. The transmission is programmed to allow gear changes up to 7200rpm.The driver can choose to become involved by using the paddle shifts.Inside, the range of leather covers 10 shades.A buyer can select his or her preferred colour combination for the seats, dashboard, rear shelf and steering wheel, plus gearshift handle. Even the trim's stitching, mats and roof lining can be custom ordered.Both front seats are electrically adjustable and have three heat settings. The driver's seat has a memory function.The steering column, too, is electrically adjusted and the steering wheel is a sporty 375mm diameter. The front seats move forward electrically to allow access to the rear.Two seats in the rear are separated by the centre console. Passengers there have an arm rest and climate control vents.The audio system has a Bose surround sound system as standard and uses six speakers.There's an electric park brake, tyre pressure monitoring and a hill-holder to aid uphill starts. 

Drive this car and it feels like an old Holden, albeit in a good state of tune and fairly solid. So why do pedestrians and fellow motorists stare as you cruise by?Perhaps it has something to do with the three large model penguins, complete with bow ties, atop the higher-than-usual roof.Or perhaps it's the signage and sponsor's decals on the bright black, white and yellow paint job.Most people have heard of the Variety Bash, an annual drive for crazy old cars (and their occupants) through the Outback as part of fundraising for children's charities.This is entrant Car 222, used in the annual Variety Bash by a team of three hard-working Adelaide ladies, Sue Pearce, Roz Chow and Ann Ewer and they are not shy about publicity - for they need more support to fundraise for the 2008 Variety Bash.“We borrowed a car to go in the Variety Bash in our first year,” says Ms Pearce. That year, they raised more than $100,000 for the children's causes.“Someone was so impressed he said he'd buy us our own car. And this is it,” Ms Pearce says.The Variety organisation calls its Bash “an eight-day drive in the country with your mates.”It's not a race or a rally (though navigation and tricky off-road bits are part of the challenge) and vehicles must be pre-1970.Car 222 has a few HG Holden bits from 1971 but is allowed because it is a 'run-on' model from the pre-1970 HT Holden. It's a Premier station wagon and has the plush-look interior of the luxury-version Holden of the day.It runs a carburettor-fed V8 engine, automatic transmission with column shift, front and rear bench seats covered in black lambswool and has been given a wood-rim sports steering wheel and Sunraysia-type wheels.The motor fires with a sense of power, the V8 accelerating the wagon with surety. The steering could do with an alignment though - driving straight ahead needs an eighth of turn to the right. Apart from some mystery groans from the rear (no, there was no back passenger), the old Holden wagon feels solid, tight and reliable.It carries on its high roof sirens and flashing yellow lights for driving in dust.The Bash is deemed as reward, the finale, for a year's fundraising by the cars' crews and is known for putting “fun” into fundraising.The 2007 Bash raised $1.7 million for Variety children's charities in South Australia.And Car 222's three ladies, complete with their Penguin suits, in 2007 raised a record for one car - $176,962. They are aiming for $200,000 this year.They acknowledge help from a list of supporters, including the House of Chow, Adelaide Expo Hire, Fairmont Homes, Robarra barramundi farm and Adelaide Airport.They need pledges of support for their 2008 effort, if not hard cash sponsorship then vouchers and products they can raffle or use as prizes.And they wouldn't mind an airconditioner in the old Holden. It can be hot work out there scrambling over sand-hills and dispensing penguin cheer.To learn more about these old-Holden driving funsters or telephone 8350 2300.  

It is being given a makeover for 2008, gaining revised looks, improved interior and more powerful engines. But the German carmaker is doing one of its now-expected tricks by achieving the power increase, along with a small gain in torque, with improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.The SLK, a two-seater sports car, was introduced a decade ago as the smaller brother to the famed SL line of 'Benz sports cars whose price has slipped out of reach of most motorists.The SLK selling now is the second generation, with prices spanning $86,000-$164,000, while the 2008 model is a heavily revised version of that. Mercedes-Benz says it has 650 new parts over the existing model, so it's not just an engine do-up. The 2008 SLK has just been announced in Europe and will go on sale in right-hand-drive in the UK in April.Mercedes-Benz Australia tells Carsguide the new SLK is expected here soon after that, meaning it's only a few months away.The latest technology gets a look-in, too. A new audio and telematics system, NTG 2.5, will be in the SLK and is said to be easier to operate and offers a wider range of functions. The sound system will include a hands-free Bluetooth connection and a new media interface in the glovebox where mobile music devices, such as an iPod, can be connected and operated by the car's audio control system. A new three-spoke steering wheel will carry multifunction buttons. It is part of an interior revision that is aimed at being more driver oriented.It has a new instrument cluster, too.The 2008 SLK can be picked over the existing model by a new front bumper with modified air dam and a more pronounced arrow shape, picking up the feel of the more expensive, bigger SL series. The rear end has a diffuser-style lower section, suggesting more serious performance. And it has darkened tail-light lenses inspired by the Mercedes-Benz performance arm AMG. Larger exterior mirrors include LED turning indicators with a more pronounced arrow shape.The range will start with the SLK 200 Kompressor, a four-cylinder supercharged 1.8-litre where power goes up 15kW to 135kW and torque increases 10Nm to 250Nm — but gives 7.7 litres per 100km.SLK280 is the three-litre V6 good for 170kW but fuel consumption has been cut to 9.3 litres per 100km.Much work has gone into the 3.5-litre V6 engine of the SLK 350. It gains 24kW to 224kW of power at 6500rpm and 10Nm more torque for 360Nm at 4900rpm. The improvements come from changes including a new intake manifold, higher compression ratio and modified valve train.The SLK 350 has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard but the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission that is programmed to blip the throttle on downshifts is appealing.The six-speed manual is standard on SLK models, leaving a five-seed automatic optional on the 200 Kompressor and the seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic on the 280 and 350 models. The hot-rod SLK 55 AMG retains its 5.5-litre V8 engine of 265kW and 510Nm and 7G-Tronic with paddle shift. SLK has what 'Benz calls a vario roof — a hardtop coupe that converts to open roadster in 22 seconds.Optional in the UK and Europe and to be confirmed for Australia is a direct steering package, which is standard on the 55 AMG.Once the steering angle is past five degrees, the steering ratio increases rapidly for more direct response.It reduces steering-wheel rotations, aimed at making city driving less cumbersome and enabling sweeping, faster roads to be negotiated with only small steering inputs.

Evans navigates for husband Simon Evans who drives the Toyota Racing Development team Corolla in the national dirt rally series, the couple having won the 2006 and 2007 ARC titles

Citroen has a newly-designed C5 medium-size car on the way, happy for now to show what it looks like but keeping closer to its chest technical details.