Articles by Stuart Martin

If you could get to 60 years of marriage, it would be a diamond anniversary - and you'd deserve a medal.If life begins at 40 then maybe by 60 you're looking to slow down a bit, maybe stepping out of the 599 or 458 and into something a bit more practical. Stopping to indulge in the odd roadside petal instead of using wind vortexes to rip them off as you scream by.The brand is celebrating six decades of Australian residency and the product arriving with the black horse on the nose is far more user friendly - six decades of progress, that's what the California is.It's not the fastest, flashest or filthiest Ferrari of recent times, but it is the most user-friendly. This is not the typical Ferrari tome - far from it, as this is time behind the wheel in wind and rain, through traffic and stopped in it.Granted, it has a V8 (front mid-mounted behind the line of the  front wheels) and it sings when prompted. Yes, it has a paddleshift gearbox (the first Ferrari to have one) so the shifts are smooth and sharp.It's a droptop GT with - for the first time for Ferrari - a folding metal roof. Not that the weather let up enough for us to time it for a 14 second drop, but the company says it takes that long.But we're not headed for winding, sweeping ribbons of tarmac away from the prying eyes of NIMBYs with the Police Attendance line on thir speed-dial. Part of the problem is it is persisting down with rain - record-breaking rains make Sydney roads something of a battleground.Somewhat perversely, an interesting scenario has been produced - we know it goes, stops and handles, looks decent to most eyes and has done ample to fatten up Ferrari's sales columns, but how does it go where most of us dwell?Idling gently from the garage beneath the Ferrari showroom in inner-Sydney, the broken roads of the NSW capital are felt but only distantly as the 2+2 (although the rear seats are mainly for show) is punted through the inner-city rabbit warren.Recent amusements in 458 models suggest a similar route in the two-seater would be more disturbed and more concerning when it came to preserving the snout's splitter, but the folding hard-topped California has few of those issues.It has real indicators stalks too, which are a bonus when trying to change routes as the satnav (which has roles to play in Chrysler group product as well) but slotting it into traffic is not difficult if a gap arises, thanks to the V8.What would be cause for concern is the width, as Sydney traffic lanes feel skinnier in a normal car, let along something 1902mm wide.Scope for a sandwich between a bus and a Kenworth is considerable - had this been ye olde Ferrari I may well have been so busy trying to drive it sensibly that such a travesty might have been a lot closer.But precious little in the way of tantrums, tramlining or trivial issues maligned the metropolitan drive. The USB cable would charge my iPhone but failed to have the music player recognised on the car's infotainment system - but that could have been more about not allowing AC/DC on the sound system.Rear vision isn't great with the high rump and narrow window, neither is the twin-clutch automated manual at parking speeds on a slope. Get it a little way out of town and while it's not as nimble as the new Spider, the California is no slouch.Even in the wet it can hustle along, within reason, but it never feels like it's going to bite if you (or your ego) overdo it. But the idea of a Ferrari that you could drive every day and not require weekly shrink and physio appointments?Some will say the cache may diminish if you drive one every day, I just think the commute is more likely to end with a smile, regardless of which way you were headed.Assuming, of course, you have half a million to blow on a car.BREAKOUT(S)The last California was on the brand's pricelist in the mid 1960s, although a couple went for far more than most - the California nameplate recently hit the headlines again as a car once owned by James Coburn sold at auction for a then-record price.The original California models were part of the iconic Ferrari 250 range built between 1953 to 1964.The 1957 250 GT California Spider was designed for export to the US and less than 50 made the trip - one sold for US$4.9 million at a recent auction.The Coburn car was a 1961 250 GT Spider California SWB (one of 55 built) - and sold at auction for US$11 million - almost twice its expected price - to British broadcaster Chris Evans after a 20 minute bidding war.The model was also driven by Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz in Charlie's Angels, and a replica was wrecked in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.The modern-day California has been on the Ferrari sales books since 2009 and will be updated with the HS option pack the company unveiled at the recent Geneva motor show.The HS will be 30kg lighter, 22kW and sit on more aggressive suspension and be available for order by the middle of this year for an arrival in early 2013.FERRARI CALIFORNIAPrice: $459,650Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmService Interval: 20,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 13.1l/100km, tank 78 litres; 306g/km CO2Safety Equipment: four airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control.Crash rating: n/a starEngine:  338kw/485Nm 4.3-litre V8Transmission: seven-speed auto, rear-wheel driveBody: 2-door folding hard-topped convertible, 4 seatsDimensions: length 4563mm, width 1902mm, height 1308mm, wheelbase 2670mmWeight: 1735kgTyre size: 245/40 R19

Be it an homage to Roman numerals, or an acronym from the adult film industry, the smallest of Subaru's new SUVs is leading the brand's showroom charge for 2012. Team with a new Impreza sibling, the XV (once a variant within the Impreza range but now a model in its own right) has been pumped up with ground clearance and a sterner look. We've spent time in the L six-speed manual middle child, followed by a week in the base-model, albeit fitted with the CVT with a six-step manual-change mode. VALUEThis is one of the XV's selling points, although it doesn't fight the pricepoint war with a 2WD model - it starts and finishes with all-wheel drive priced from $28,490, with the CVT adding $2500 to the ask. Standard fare includes the striking 17in alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, wheelarch flares and roof rails to differentiate it from the Impreza hatch. Inside, the cabin materials feel a little more upmarket, as does the features list - a super-informative trip computer, steering wheel (audio, cruise, phone and trip computer) controls, climate control, USB and Bluetooth (phone as well) connection for the decent six-speaker sound system, a reversing camera (displayed in the dash for the base model or on the satnav screen in the L), cruise control, power windows and mirrors. The CVT also gets paddles for the six-step manual change within the CVT - which actually holds in a "gear" as well, unlike some alleged manual shift options. The $31,990 L adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation (with Handsfree SMS read functionality), a sunroof,  sliding centre console (which is largely useless) and rear "privacy" tinted windows for shy back-seat passengers. TECHNOLOGYWhile the outputs and capacity are unchanged at 110kW, 196Nm and two litres, the engine is third-generation flat-four boxer engine with variable valve system, lighter-weight engine components and a longer stroke to improve fuel economy.The outputs aren't going to set segment benchmarks but the emphasis is more towards fuel economy. The aims for better fuel economy are also assisted by the addition of Stop-Start - which Subaru says on its own is worth about five per cent in the chase for better fuel economy.The trip computer showed 8.6 litres per 100km after our stint in the manual; the number on the trip computer at the end of our week in the CVT was 9.2. +For boffins looking for information overload, the trip computer information display gives all manner of other data - some of it even useful - including how much fuel has not been wasted idling at the traffic lights.Our fortnight's tally was 986mL, all without making much of an effort, but the system also shows what's going on with the drivetrain - if you need that as the driver then perhaps you need to pay more attention to what you are doing, but it might keep passengers amused, or concerned.DESIGNThe new-look Subaru small car's are dominated by a new snout and "hawkeye" headlights, as Subaru calls them, but it's got a more muscular look to it. The cabin is surprisingly roomy and comfortable for leg and head room front and rear, with a better feel to the cabin materials and no shortage of features. The quality feel of the cabin is only marred by a lightweight feeling to the doors, which don't close with the same sort of thud that some previous Subarus have managed. SAFETYSubaru has - until the new test regime possibly alters this - a range-wide five-star ANCAP safety rating and the XV has seven airbags (including a driver's knee bag), front seatbelt pretensioners and load-limiters and a reversing camera.It also has what Subaru calls the Vehicle Dynamics Control system - encompassing stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist (in the manual) and a brake-assist traction control system that works like a limited slip diff.DRIVINGThere's no turbos here and that's a shame for anyone looking to play rally driver in the back paddock, but the XV is more, it seems, about getting dirty in a more sedate fashion. First and foremost, the two litre engine is not going to bother the traction control much away from standstill, thanks to the all-wheel drive system and the sedate flat-four. Keep it in the top half of the tacho and a brisk pace can be maintained, but don't expect bucketloads of torque down low. The six-speed manual can be a bit vague and it's not hard to miss a gate or get the wrong gear - it becomes less of an issue with familiarity but the action could be cleaner.The CVT is better than some other transmissions of that type previously sampled - it takes more throttle and steeper inclines to make the engine revs "flare" and it has a more direct feel (for a CVT) as well.The ride quality decent and the handling is composed, on sealed or unsealed surfaces - with 220mm of ground clearance it's also able to clamber over a bit more stuff than your average soft-roader, although there's no low-range transfer case.The manual model uses the old-school mechanical centre diff  with a viscous limited slip set-up that has a 50/50 torque split, while the CVT has an active torque split system that is constantly variable - having owned several Subaru all-wheel drive vehicles I have a personal preference for the mechanical system that doesn't have to react, but the active torque split systems are getting better.Bootspace is listed as 310 litres, rising to 741 if the back seats are folded - it's not the biggest boot in the class and the boot floor set-up covering the (sadly) temporary spare is a little cumbersome and intrudes on useful space.The stop-start fuel saver system is largely unobtrusive, working well enough with both the manual or automatic - it's subtle enough to work with differing brake pedal pressure (not just having the foot on or off the pedal). In the manual it needs the foot off the clutch pedal and in neutral, which doesn't always amount to a quick getaway from the lights if you're daydreaming. In the CVT model it's quicker but not as smooth - when releasing brake pedal pressure, there's some inching forward as pedal pressure is reduced, but on the whole it's a useful system.VERDICTThe old Impreza range had been left behind in terms of transmissions a little, but the new models have caught up and time will tell if the CVT route is the best course. It's a sharper-looking and value-for-money package that won't pin your ears back but will impress for economy, space and features and breadth of ability.

Although the reversing camera is fast-becoming standard fare on upper-echelon models on sale in Australia, it doesn't mean you have to part with your pride and joy to make it safer. As little as $250 can buy the peace of mind of having a reversing camera backed by rear parking sensors. Electronics retailer Jaycar

Range Rovers have been the reigning all-terrain wagons since they appeared in the 1970s - equally at home on a regal hotel forecourt as in the British bogs of their Solihull birthplace.Market trends have forced the iconic box to update -- and the Evoque is the result.And given Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham was a design consultant, you might guess offroad was less a priority than off-the-runway.VALUEIf you're accustomed to browsing in Range Rover showrooms, you'll know that value isn't the first thing sales staff tout.But the Evoque - in this case the Si4 Dynamic Coupe with a $75,395 pricetag - has looks and badge value that might make the pricetag look credible. There were plenty of features on the test car - terrain response, power-adjustable seats, automatic xenon headlights, fog lights, folding, heated exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, 19in wheels - but the test car was chock-full of bits from an extensive options list.The Dynamic had the Tech Pack (up-spec satnav, hard-drive, voice control, headlight washer, electric tailgate, front parking sensors and rear camera, upgraded climate control) that costs $5900, the excellent 17-speaker Meridian Surround Sound System (for $2385), the Adaptive Dynamics (which adds the electromagnetically-controlled dampers and Dynamic mode to the Terrain Response system) for $1950, digital TV with the clever dual-view screen ($1450 and $1270), $1300 worth of metallic paint and the $1035 panoramic fixed glass roof.But wait, there is indeed more - the Park Assist system (for those who can't park themselves - $1090), the useful "Surround Camera System" for $900, tyre pressure monitoring ($545) and automatic high beam assist for $335 - all of which ramps up the as-tested price to $98,150 - ouch.TECHNOLOGYTop of the pops here is the peppy little petrol powerplant - a 177kW/340Nm variable-valve lightweight alloy 2-litre turbo with direct-injection that gives more than a few clues to the Falcon EcoBoost. Land Rover claims 8.7l/100km on the combined cycle claim as well as a 0-100km/h claim of 7.6 seconds - the latter is likely and but we got low 13s on the trip computer.That might have more to do with the driver's enjoyment of the engine noise and handling, but there are diesel variants that are worthy if fuel economy is your thing. Ride and handling characteristics of the test car had the benefit of the optional Adaptive Dynamics, which employs the magnetically-controlled dampers to constantly adjust for the best of both worlds.It also adds a Dynamic mode to the Terrain Response for a back-road run sans body roll.DESIGNBold, aggressive and a real head-turner - the Evoque is a looker. Lower, shorter in overall length and wide, the Dynamic three-door has short overhangs and broad shoulders, so there's no missing it on the road.The engineers have used plastic and aluminium for some panels and components, as well as ultra-high-strength boron steel in the A- and B-pillar for extra strength, although the former are still a little wider than is ideal.The cabin is littered with luxurious bits, comfortable seating and no shortage of gizmos, but rear passengers don't get any vents (that adds $190) and can't wind down the windows - which is not pleasant in our climate with the glass roof.Rear vision suffers for the styling as well - straight back through the rear screen or three-quarter vision is hampered in sacrifice to the external lines.SAFETYThe brawny upstart of the Range Rover line-up is an NCAP 5-star car, with driver and passenger front and side airbags, a knee airbag for the driver and full-length side curtain airbags. The active traction and stability systems include anti roll-over and trailer stability systems, as well as hill start and descent control systems.DRIVINGWhen it comes to fashion I claim refugee status, but it's not hard to see why the Evoque is a head-turner, in three or five-door form. There's a sniff of styling heritage from the bigger Rangies but the new-age Evoque can't be accused of dwelling in the past. Technically the test car is a five-seater, although I don't think there's really room for more than four adults - whatever the age of the two rear occupants, they won't enjoy the lack of rear air vents or moving windows.The driver can have a bit of fun though, on sealed and unsealed roads - flick it into Dynamic mode (which changes the instrument lighting to mist-red), swivel the Jag-sourced transmission selector into Sport mode and the Evoque is extremely swift and agile, but the steering is lacking a bit of weight.The powerplant is a willing and flexible engine, making all the right noises (with some help from the engineers) and punching far harder than you'd expect from a two-litre hauling over 1800kg (with driver). With 215mm of ground clearance there's some scope for getting it properly dirty - it is a Land Rover after all - but anything more than an A-grade dirt track is unlikely to ever see one of these.If you want to go off-road, head toward a Discovery 4 in the same showroom - a three-litre SDV6 HSE can be had for a similar price to the as-tested figure here. Vision forward is reasonable (although the A-pillars are a little thick) and the mirrors give a good view aft - that combined with the sensors and cameras help offset the abysmal rear vision through the back window and around the thick C-pillar.Anyone buying one of these should add $635 worth of blind spot monitoring as it will save on apologetic waves and potential panel damage.The touchscreen works well enough when you can see it - the pushed-back angle of the dash means the screen is over-exposed to light from the windscreen making it difficult to see, getting it closer to vertical and deeper-set would fix the problem.The specs say the boot is 550 litres in capacity but width will be an issue for anyone looking to carry golf clubs or the like. The negatives also include a wayward left-hand exterior mirror that didn't want to lock in - eventually several pushes of the fold button rectified the problem.VERDICTAs a stylish, swift, capable and prestigious coupe, the Evoque more than cuts the mustard, even if it is wearing Louboutin stiletto shoes. But don't let the Range Rover badge lull you into thinking the breadth of capability is that of its forebears.This is fashion - to some extent - over function and for my money I'd rather buy a $50,000 off-roader and a Mazda MX-5 for fun.

Ford Focus Sport and Mazda3 SP20 Luxury go head-to-head in this comparative review.

...multi-million dollar extension its contract with the brand's two flagship teams - Holden Racing team and Team Vodafone - in the V8 Supercar Championship.  The two-brand championship has been opened up to other companies starting in 2013 and Nissan has already announced a deal with Kelly Racing, which may have prompted Holden to lock in the two teams.  The contracts - understood to be expiring at the end of the 2012 season - have been extended for an undisclosed amount and timeframe.  Holden sponsorship manager Simon McNamara said motorsport was part of the company's DNA and countered any suggestion of taxpayer-funded motorsport by saying motorsport was a separate entity. "We go motor racing for a number of important reasons - it provides knowledge and experience for our engineers and our trainees and accelerated research conditions for our new vehicle development, it's good for our employee enthusiasm, our dealer network, morale and our brand." "We are proud to announce an extension of our agreements with these two teams, in doing so securing the very best teams and drivers," he said.

The fast-growing Korean brand that popped into the top 10 for sales again in January has a large sedan and a new hatch headed for the international market, but don't expect to see them on Kia forecourts in Australia. The Korean brand has just unveiled its new cee'd hatch but Kia Australia's Kevin Hepworth says its no chance for Australia given the presence of Cerato. "We already have Cerato, there's a new Cerato coming next year and they are essentially the same sized car, we definitely won't be getting the car," he says. The next Cerato will be an all-new car - in the same vein as the reigning Carsguide Car of The Year, Kia's Rio - and will have (like the Rio and Sportage SUV) Australian-influenced chassis development done by Graeme Gambold. At the other end of the spectrum, Kia internationally has also released sketches of a large-car that will be launched in its home market mid-year, called KH. The company's first rear-drive sedan, which has close links to the Hyundai Genesis rear-drive model, bears the now-familiar front grille and takes the styling of the current Optima a step further. Kia's overseas marketing director Soon-Nam Lee says the new large sedan would be an eye-catching flagship. "It integrates all of our key capabilities such as design, performance, high-tech features and infotainment into one striking model." "Although launch timings for overseas markets are yet to be confirmed, this all-new rear-wheel drive large sedan will definitely become the leading model of our line-up around the world, showcasing the best of the best of Kia," he says. But the shrinking group of Australian large car buyers may have to wait until the second incarnation of KH for right-hand drive build plans before they can look at a Korean large car on sale here. Hepworth says the KH - also known rather dangerously as the K9 - is not a likely starter for Australia either.  "It's not on the cards for Australia, initially because it is only left-hand drive. We've just introduced Optima in the last 12 months, that's a genuine mid-size passenger vehicle," he says. Combine the presence of the Optima and shrinking large car volumes and the business case would be a tough sell, but the Australian arm of Kia doesn't need to pursue it - "it's saved us that because we can't get it," Hepworth says, What will be coming this year for the Korean brand - which finished 2011 up 5.4 per cent in a market down 2.6 per cent - is an revamped Sorento. The company's largest SUV won't change much in the looks department but gets new underpinnings (shared with the Hyundai Santa Fe) to reduce parent company Hyundai's production complexity. "We're not launching it as a new model, we'll do the localistion of the chassis on that, which will be here about August," he says.

The Range Rover Evoque, renowned for off-roaders and more recently stylish SUVs, will rip the silken sheets from a Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept at next month's Geneva motor show - testing the water for a premium convertible SUV.The Indian-owned British brand - which claims a world first but Nissan has done an open-topped Murano concept - says the concept is being shown to gauge reaction and to "assess the potential for what could be another white space product from the world's leading SUV brand," although officially there are no confirmed production plans.Land Rover Global Brand Director John Edwards said the Convertible Concept is a new twist to the Evoque story. "We are excited to see the response to this concept as we assess the potential for building on the Evoque's exceptional success so far," he says.The four-seater Evoque concept uses a traditional soft-top roof, with a Roll Over Protection System and a drop down tailgate. Claimed to be full of Land Rover DNA, the company says the open-topped machine retains the brand's all-terrain capability with minimal changes to weight and torsional rigidity.The Terrain Response off-road system, 21-inch alloys and a Meridian sound system are among the concept car's features. Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern says the Evoque lends itself to the idea of a convertible."This study is not a traditional convertible design execution - instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque's lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable," he says.

Greener, leaner and not a turbo air intake in sight - Subaru has launched its Impreza small car range in Australia. The fourth incarnation of the all-wheel drive small car is aimed at the higher end of the small car market but has held it's pricetag to the same level as the previous incarnation.The unchanged asking price has been retained despite upgraded drivetrain, improved features list and better fuel economy (which the brand says debunks the claim of all-wheel drive being thirsty), which will no doubt help Subaru resurrect its sales volumes after a challenging 2011. Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says the new Impreza will attract new customers but should retain existing Impreza owners."These new customers will come along with our loyal Impreza owners, we've sold more than 144,000 Imprezas and the customers are a loyal bunch who will openly embrace the multitude of changes," he says.VALUEDespite not dwelling in the bargain basement, the value equation is strong, with the all-wheel drive entry-level car priced from $23,990 for the 2.0i manual sedan and hatch, heading up to $26,490 for the CVT model. Standard fare includes the stop-start fuel saving system, 16in steel wheels, climate control (dual-zone on the mid-spec L and flagship S), Bluetooth phone and audio link to the USB-compatible six-speaker sound system and trip computer.The L middle child is priced from $26,990 for the six-speed manual or the CVT slides in at $29,490 - the extra cash buys a reversing camera, 16in alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and fog lights. The flagship S is a CVT-only proposition, priced from $31,490, but comes with upgraded instruments and extra chrome trim bits, alloy pedals, side skirts and 17in alloy wheels. Option packs for the L and S comprise satnav and a sunroof for $3000, or the S alone can be upped to include satnav, sunroof, leather trim and power-adjustable driver's seat for $4000.TECHNOLOGYThe new Suby small car has the upgraded flat-four boxer engine with a longer stroke, which when combined with the variable valve system and the stop-start fuel saver system (which is on manual and CVT models and can re-start the engine between 0.2 and -35 of a second) has kept outputs unchanged at 110kW and 196Nm, but with 25 per cent better fuel economy.The CVT is hooked up to all four wheels via an electronically-controlled system that can run up to 95 per cent front-wheel drive, or the six-speed manual models use the long-serving all-wheel drive system with a mechanical centre Limited Slip Differential (LSD), split 50/50. The CVT claims 6.8 litres per 100km (a 22 per cent improvement) and the manual drinks a claimed 7.1 l/100km, 20 per cent better than the superseded model.DESIGNThe new Impreza is 4580mm long (4415mm for the hatch), 1740mm wide, sitting on a 2645mm wheelbase (up 25mm) and 1465mm tall, a 10mm drop. The nose is dominated by the new "hawkeye" headlights and has a less surprised look on its face than the Outback and Liberty models. The A-pillar's base has been brought forward 200mm and the C-pillar has also been slanted on more of an angle.Subaru says there is more interior space without much increase on overall vehicle size, with a 340 litre boot in the rump of the hatch (up from 301 litres); the sedan's 460 litre boot has also grown, up from 420 litres. The aerodynamic package has also contributed to the reduced fuel use, including underbody aero panels to reduce drag.The cabin redesign has also taken the childseat anchor points from the roof - where they intruded on loadspace and restricted rear vision - and put them down behind the rear seats.SAFETYSubaru says the five-star safety rating from NCAP remains thanks to seven airbags - dual front, side, curtain and one for the driver's knee - as well as body strength derived from construction topped by high-strength steel in the sills and B-pillar. There's also the inherent active safety and grip from all-wheel drive, as well as stability and traction control, anti-lock brakles, and the added safety of a reversing camera on the L and S models.DRIVINGMany will say about time, and plenty of those will earn their money within Subaru dealers. The new car is not an unattractive machine, certainly less polarising than its larger siblings.The first few minutes behind the wheel immediately suggests three things - it's quiet, the CVT (which the brand believes will be 80 per cent of the sales) suffers a little less "flaring" and the engine is tuned for economy. It's flexible but leisurely, and needs revs if you need to do something in a hurry - but the payoff is sub-9 fuel economy during the launch drive, which was through suburban traffic and into the Adelaide Hills, not terrain renowned for producing the best fuel economy figures. The hills roads also showed the work on the chassis has payed off for Subaru - the ride quality barely touches firm but the body control is good and handling is composed, it all bodes well for the next WRX.The CVT feels a little more direct than some 'boxes of the same type, while the six-speed manual is notchy but not a bad gearbox with which to swap cogs. The seats were comfortable and not completely without support, but the rear seating area was pleasantly surprising for its head and legroom. Bootspace is better than average, as is the features list.VERDICTIt's been a long hard slog for Subaru recently and the Impreza is a car for which the dealers have been crying out. The supply-constrained 700 per month sales target should not be hard for the company to achieve - it's a capable machine that is sharply-priced.

And it's an aspect Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says is part of the brand. "The thing with the Grand Vitara is it is part of the Suzuki DNA, they won't let go of dual range or things like that," he says.   Given the SUV market is split evenly between two and four-wheel drive, there's also an expectation of a cheaper 2WD Grand Vitara, but don't expect any confirmation of that from Suzuki Australia yet.  What Mr Devers will says is that they are looking at something smaller - as well as a seven-seater - for its SUV catalogue.   "Grand Vitara fills one niche, there are smaller ones coming in now. "The car that was at the Delhi Motor Show, the XA Alpha Concept might be the next go - we're trying to get that concept car for the Sydney show.  "Japan are working on a seven-seater as well, so I think we'll go smaller and larger than the Grand Vitara over the next two years," he says.  The Australian arm of Suzuki is targeting 26,000 sales this year - up from a 2011 tally of 23,778 that was eroded by natural disasters and industrial action in India, from where the Alto light car hails.  "We went three months without any Altos and we do 350 a month of those."  "There will be an additional 1500 Swift Sport, plus in the second half of the year we'll get revised Grand Vitara and SX-4, that's where the incremental volume will come from," he says.  A top 10 finish in 2013 is also being targeted by Suzuki - who expect to fight it out with Kia, VW and Subaru for final spots in the top 10.  The Suzuki four-wheeled product portfolio was expected to grow to include a Kizashi V6, turbocharged and wagon model, but the GFC has delayed those cars for at least 18 months - but Mr Devers says the Kizashi will get a push into the lease and fleet markets this year, albeit with a watchful eye on resale values. "The big thing is awareness with Kizashi, once people drive it they love it. "This year, we'll build it's profile and hit fleets and novated leases," he says.