Articles by Stuart Martin

Postman Pat never had it so good. If the affable postie ventured into a Renault showroom in Europe, he'd be able to do deliveries emissions-free in a Kangoo electric van.Renault has the Kangoo ZE (Zero Emissions) on trial with Australia Post, which already uses its light commercials.More than 14,000 examples of the plug-in Kangoo have been sold in Europe in its four-year life. Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar says the trial is aimed at starting Australian sales."Renault is a global leader in electric vehicle technology, with four models currently on the market worldwide," he says. "Kangoo ZE has already been a strong sales success."The little electric van is a comfortable operating environment, no different in operation from its mainstream counterparts. There is a battery level gauge and, instead of a tachometer, charge dials.There's no diesel chug at idle and it's eerily quiet when under way — the lights in the display are the only clue it's working. That's not to say it will slow traffic or inconvenience other road users.Fed by a 22kWh lithium-ion battery, the electric motor (44kW/226Nm) propels the Kangoo to 50km/h in 5.5 secs.Claiming a real-world range of 80km-125km, depending on driving style, the van seems well-suited to metro delivery work.A focused driver with deft throttle control could make good use of the regenerative braking — which sends charge back to the battery while slowing the vehicle — and leave the brake pedal largely alone.Without a load in the four-cubic metre cargo bay it's not going to ride with aplomb but nipping around corners at pace is not beyond its skills. Given the electric motor's instant torque delivery, a judicious right foot is needed to avoid spinning the front wheels.2014 Renault TwizyRenault has imported examples of its two-seater electric Twizy to show authorities and potential buyers it's a worthy alternative to a scooter. With scissor-doors and weighing 474kg, the Twizy has to go through many legal hoops and be classed as a quadricycle to be driven here.Sampled on a closed road circuit, the Twizy quickly endears itself. Fasten seat belts, drop the lightweight doors into place, turn a familiar key, release the handbrake and roll off silently, but for a faint whine from the 13kW/57Nm electric motor, fed by a 6.1kWh battery.The weight of two occupants settles the ride. It can keep up with traffic — 0-45km/h takes a claimed 6.1 seconds. A broad 191cm passenger can fit behind a 175cm driver — that's a pleasant surprise. It doesn't mind corners, though turn-in is not sharp. Range is 50km-80km, top speed is 80km/h and it takes 3.5 hour to charge from flat, for less than $2.

A new flagship and a more powerful diesel variant are the ammunition Volkswagen Australia has loaded into its Tiguan compact SUV range for its return to battle.CHANGESAlso making the highlights reel is the inclusion of a reversing camera, displayed on the new dash-mounted touchscreen. The driver also comes to grips with a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and will be monitored by standard driver fatigue detection.The other debutant in the Volkswagen compact SUV line-up is the R-Line designation for the 155TSI model, with R-Line body kit, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptively damped suspension (the only Tiguan so optioned), leather sports seats and satnav.Also now standard range-wide on the upgraded Tiguan, accompanied by a small price rise, is the XDL electronic differential lock, which claims improved driveability, reduced understeer and slicker corner entry and exit.ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONSPetrol choices start from the twin-charged 1.4-litre (118kW/ 240Nm) entry-level front-drive model, the only Tiguan with manual gearbox. DSG transmission adds $2500.Both have start-stop fuel-saving . Fuel use is 6.9L/100km and 7.3L respectively. The 2.0-litre turbo (132kW/ 280Nm, 8.8L) and the turbo diesel (130kW/380Nm, (6.2L/100km) are both DSG-only and can be optioned up to include panoramic sunroof, leather trim and satellite navigation.DRIVINGOn mainly motorway cruising with some winding hill roads, the new 130TDI diesel impresses for its quiet cruising and the effective outputs. Ride quality remains reasonable, as does steering weight and ability, and it can corner without undue alarm at a brisk pace.

Hatchback on stilts and a familiar wagon with a new badge aim for a bigger chunk of the small SUV market.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the 2014 Porsche Macan S Diesel with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the 2014 Mazda 3 Neo hatch wagon, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

These hidden gems shine in their civic duties. Shopping trolleys? Kid-carters? It's easy to assume this trio has no other roles but each goes well beyond mundane motoring. They can swallow a bootload of groceries, do the school run and convey future sports stars - but they are also quality drivers.These three hidden gems are part of the light car segment, which racked up 9501 sales last month - an improvement of 8.9 per cent on August last year. The segment has dropped by 7.7 per cent, not the worst of the passenger car segment.Sales of the Polo, thanks to a refresh, are up 20 per cent.Ford's Fiesta has been on the market since August last year, but the 1.0-litre EcoBoost model has only made its presence felt this year. It has long been a favourite for chassis balance.The Jazz in this current guise arrived here only in July, bringing one of the most flexible and clever interiors around.VALUE Common standard features include cruise control, trip computers, air conditioning, alloy wheels automatics (the Honda is CVT-only; the Europeans have manual options), fog lights, keyless entry, 12-volt sockets, USB and auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth phone and audio links.Built in South Africa, the top-spec Polo 81TSI Comfortline has a seven-speed DSG and just gets over the $20K barrier at $20,790. The test car can also be had as a six-speed manual for $18,290.Among the VW's features are a front centre armrest with storage, cup and bottle holders, touchscreen infotainment, six speakers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, cloth trim, front and rear reading lights and power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors.Servicing is capped but it's at least $400 each time - servicing for the warranty period of three years will come to $1330.The third-generation of Honda's versatile five-door hatch is $22,490 in VTi-L flagship guise - metallic paint adds $495 on any model.The VTi-L has power exterior mirrors, LED lights, leather highlights, heated front seats and six-speaker infotainment with touchscreen and HDMI port.Honda's servicing is capped as well, but every six months or 10,000km at $200-plus each visit - servicing for warranty period runs to an expensive $1524.The oldest of the trio is Ford's Fiesta, which in six-speed automatic guise asks $22,525. It gets the clever and useful voice-controlled Sync setup. Manual aircon is standard but there's Sony eight-speaker audio and leather inserts in the sport seats.Servicing is required every 15,000km or 12 months - and maintenance for the warranty period totals $765.TECHNOLOGY Each shows big steps towards improving efficiency, trouncing predecessors and setting new class standards - but with compromises.The Honda has a carry-over (and unsophisticated) 1.5-litre engine, the CVT replacing last year's trickier five-speed auto, but it's slightly more frugal. The Jazz sits on a new, bigger platform yet keeps ancient rear drum brakes (as does the Fiesta) and the ride hasn't improved.Ford's Fiesta Sport doesn't at first impress on paper but a quick spin leaves little doubt about the punchy three-cylinder, the most powerful of this trio and the second-most frugal. Its six-speed dual-clutch automatic is similar in concept to that in the Polo and, despite sitting on tighter sports suspension, it rides compliantly.As the newest of this bunch, the Polo gets an engine upgrade to claim top spot for frugality in this company but it needs 95RON. It is the only one here with all-wheel disc brakes.DESIGN By far the most conservative, the Polo has been sharpened up but not anywhere near the cutting edge; inside is a similar story - it borrows much from the Golf but the quality of materials and finish doesn't reflect the price tag.Cargo space of 280L, rising to 952L with only two on board, just pips the Fiesta (276L/960L).The Jazz looks like an Odyssey people-mover left too long in the clothes dryer. Its footprint isn't sprawling but its cabin is spacious - it wins on interior room (350L/905L for cargo and 1500L stacked to the roof) and flexibility to put a gymnast to shame.SAFETY Absent from this trio are standard rain-sensing wipers, autodimming centre mirror and auto headlights as standard (options for Polo and Fiesta).The Fiesta tops the airbag list with seven (a driver's knee airbag plus the standard six of the VW and Jazz).The Honda has a reversing camera (rendered useless by direct sunlight on the screen) and rear parking sensors.The Polo claims a segment first with Multi-Collision Braking (which applies the anchors after a rear-end shunt) and optional Adaptive Cruise Control but it lacks standard rear sensors.DRIVING As mini-machines go they all stack up well yet their character clearly differ. In the Fiesta, it takes less than a minute behind the wheel to feel it is built for an owner who likes to drive. The dual-clutch auto teams well with the three-cylinder turbo, propelling the nimble but not uncomfortable chassis with vigour.Light and quick steering make quick work of traffic gaps or country corners, putting it firmly into top spot for the long way home.The Honda's powerplant works hard (and sounds it) but the CVT takes the Jazz off the boil a little nipping through traffic is not its forte - and the chassis deals better with larger bumps than it does smaller ripples.From an aesthetic perspective, the Polo doesn't excite but it's clearly the winner in terms of ride comfort (without ignoring handling, which is composed), refinement and a solid feel.The Polo's engine is flexible and useful and its DSG, while only sporadically indecisive, is sometimes too keen to change up for the sake of fuel economy.It works in that respect, claiming the lowest thirst from the largest tank, at least according to the official figures - the Jazz claims a 689km range, the Fiesta 792km and the VW tops the chart at 937km.During our journey all three cars stayed well in the single-digit realm for fuel economy, with the Polo living up to its most-frugal claim.VERDICT None lacks lustre. They possess different character, to suit different owners. The Polo goes for interior quality and ride comfort, the Fiesta begs for a sporty owner who loves to drive and the Jazz suits the pragmatic owner needing flexible space and reliability above driving performance. The Polo works best across the board.AT A GLANCE Ford Fiesta Sport EB Powershift: 3.5/5Price: From $22,525 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Resale: 50 per cent Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cyl, 92kW/170Nm Transmission: 6-speed auto; FWD Thirst: 5.3L/100km, 121g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1127kg Spare: Space-saver Volkswagen Polo 81TSI Comfortline DSG: 4/5 Price: From $20,790 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Resale: 47 per cent Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged 4-cyl, 81kW/175Nm Transmission: 7-speed DSG; FWD Thirst: 4.8L/100km, 95RON, 113g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.0m (L); 1.7m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1151kg Spare: Full-size steel Honda Jazz VTI-L CVT: 3.5/5 Price: From $22,490 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Resale: 57 per cent Service interval: 6 months/10,000km Safety: 5 stars (previous model ANCAP) Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl, 88kW/145Nm Transmission: CVT; FWD Thirst: 5.8L/100km, 135g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.0m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1130kgSpare: Space-saver

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Infiniti Q50 2.0t petrol at its Australian launch.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

It's the season for convertible cruising and the wind-in-the-hair feeling need not come at great expense.Top-down driving with the wind in your hair isn't solely the province of the rich and famous. For as little as $21,000 drive-away, the sticker price of the little Fiat 500C convertible, you can savour spring motoring.Convertibles don't have to be fast, just cool. And they don't have to be practical because you - and sometimes your partner - are probably the only people enjoying the ride. But they have to be safe.There are about 40 convertible models around. Most exceed $60,000 but prices peak with the $1,075,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.Convertibles are counted among sub-$100,000 sports cars, a segment that is powering. Sales are up 24 per cent to the end of August. Expect even stronger spring and summer sales as buyers eye the skies.SPRING SPIDERS This trio will put a smile on your face and won't bite too deep into your wallet. The Abarth 595, Mazda MX-5 and Audi A3 escape machines also suit city and suburban duties.VALUE Compact dimensions, four-cylinder engines and frugal fuel thirst indicate low ownership costs. But they're not in the same budget price band as hatchbacks.Audi's A3 Cabriolet, from $47,300, needs options to cement its prestige aura. Satnav, rear camera etc are packaged for $2000 and you'll have to add $450 for the acoustic roof, which should be standard. That's $49,750 plus on-road costs. There's no capped-price servicing - Audi estimates annual costs of about $500.Abarth's 595 Competizione convertible is the eighth model from the Fiat-owned performance arm. Theoretically, it's not a Fiat so there's are big bragging rights for the car's $39,000 price. Equipment levels are good, from 17-inch spidery alloy wheels to Sabelt race seats, digital instrument panel, full-length electric sunroof and Bluetooth connectivity. Again, no service program though Fiat/Abarth has a service menu. The marque's exclusivity benefits three-year resale, estimated at 61 per cent by Glass's Guide.The Mazda MX-5 is the world's most popular sports car and the only one voted a classic while still in production. There's a new one early next year. Meanwhile the two-seater exemplifies simplicity and a dogged mandate to achieve fine handling using off-the-shelf components.But it's expensive at $47,280 and has been around the block too many times to miss out on features we now expect as standard - park sensors, reverse camera, Bluetooth and so on. Mazda's capped price servicing contains service charges, keeping to as little as $929 for three years. Resale is 53 per cent.DESIGN This is a car segment that is all about "look at me''. Which one will get you the most looks or make you the centre of attention? Here the jury is divided - the Abarth looks as if it's on steroids and on test drew the most attention. The Mazda is clearly a sports car but despite its austere beauty, is too common to turn many heads. The Audi is perfectly proportioned, undeniably elegant and its visual appeal is reinforced by its German badge.The Abarth is all Italian flamboyance with chrome trim, lots of colour and artistic detail. The digital instrument panel is clever and incorporates data including lateral G-forces and the thin, body-hugging seats are trimmed in red cloth. Unnecessarily damaging to image is the Fiat "500C" badge on the passenger-side dash.The electric roof is more an extended fabric sunroof that retreats in stages, culminating in collecting up the rear glass and folding like a bustle above the boot lid masking all rear vision. Luggage space is 182L, expanding to 520L with the rear seats folded.The Mazda has a metal folding roof (also electric and also folding out of sight; there's no longer a cloth-roof model). Cabin detail is sparse but perfectly suited to its sports car theme and all-black materials ensure glare-free driving. Luggage space is only 150L.Inside, the Audi wins. Its cabin is clinical but oozes quality. It can fit four adults, only matched here by the Abarth. The boot is surprisingly spacious at 320L. The cloth roof folds back perfectly in line with the body so it looks classy topless or fully clothed.TECHNOLOGY The Abarth crowds a small but punchy turbo into the tiny nose for frugal use of 91RON petrol. A "sport" mode boosts outputs while race-oriented chassis components include intuitive Koni dampers up front, vented discs all around and dual-weighted steering.The simplest is the Mazda, sharing parts with the family's previous generation passenger cars yet riding on a unique platform. The engine outputs are relatively uninspiring but it's relatively frugal on 95RON fuel. It has perfect weight distribution. Honed suspension components and some aluminium parts (the bonnet, for example) keep weight down to help performance. The six-speed gearbox is shared with the Toyota 86.Riding on VW Group's lauded Golf platform, the Audi has a very taut, composed ride. Its turbo four turns a seven-speed dual-clutch auto for easily the best fuel efficiency, despite being the topweight here.SAFETY The four-star Mazda shows its age while the others, with contemporary safety gear, score five. There is a distinct sense of vulnerability that generally goes with the convertible territory.Audi has seven airbags, front and rear park sensors, active rollover protection and auto wipers and headlights plus optional safety kit. The Abarth has rear park sensors (but desperately needs a camera), tyre pressure alerts, bi-xenon headlights and five airbags. Only the Mazda has no spare; the others have space-savers.DRIVING Noise - and lots of it - is the Abarth's calling card. With engine and exhaust in "sport" mode, it sounds as if it's competing in a World Rally Championship stage.Generally, it's fun to drive, the open-air experience is wonderful. Power pours on, rushing through the beautifully weighted five-speed manual. The steering is pin-sharp and the seats wrap around the body, though the driving position is best for smaller people.When the road gets bumpy, however, the suspension is too hard to be comfortable. The Abarth's ride degenerates into a brutal shake that throws the short-wheelbase car offline through corners and even blurs the driver's vision.Far more domesticated is the venerable Mazda, which is the best at making driver and car fit like hand in glove. You can almost think it through corners, almost move your hips to adjust the rear end and merely apply light steering wheel pressure to arc the tightest corner.Ride comfort and handling are perfectly balanced and even if the engine wants for urge, it's such fun and remarkably competent in the city. Drop the top and you feel as if you're on an oversize skateboard.The Audi, however, takes the honours. The body rigidity and (optional) acoustic cloth roof lining make it feel more like a sedan. The silky smooth engine is incredibly frugal.Top down - it can be dropped at up to 50km/h - the wind buffeting is more than acceptable and the (optional) neck warmers combat crisp morning or evening air. The auto gearbox has a little low-speed lag but, overall, it's a beautifully accomplished car.VERDICT The Abarth is an enraged boiled egg; the Mazda is dictionary definition roadster; the Audi is the recipe for everything topless. Raw-edged owners will pick the Italian, singles will buy the MX-5 and more mature drivers will go for the Audi.WHAT'S A SPIDER?The term "spider" (or marketing variations such as spyder) is apparently drawn from a horse-drawn, light and open two-seater carriage popular in Britain in the era before motor vehicles. The carriage was known as a "speeder" but as the carriage became popular in Italy the phonetic spelling - "spider" - was adopted. As horses made way for internal combustion, small two-seat convertible sportsters became known as "spiders". There is also ostensibly a reference to the original folding-roof frames resembling spindly spider's legs.AT A GLANCE Mazda MX-5: 4/5Price: From $47,280 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: From $929 for 3 years Service interval: 6 months/10,000km Resale: 53 per cent Safety: 4 stars ANCAP Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 118kW/188Nm Transmission: 6-speed man; RWD Thirst: 8.1L/100km, 95RON, 192g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.0m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.3m (H) Weight: 1167kg Spare: None Audi A3 Cabriolet Attraction: 4.5/5Price: From $47,300 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: No Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Resale: 50 per cent Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 103kW/250Nm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto; FWD Thirst: 4.9L/100km, 95RON, 114g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.4m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H) Weight: 1380kg Spare: Space-saver Abarth 595 Competizione: 3.5/5 Price: From $39,000 Warranty: 3 years/150,000km Capped servicing: No Resale: 61 per cent Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 118kW/230Nm Transmission: 5-speed man; FWD Thirst: 6.5L/100km, 155g/km CO2 Dimensions: 3.7m (L), 1.6m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1035kgSpare: Space-saver

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Skoda Octavia RS 135TDI wagon, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.