Articles by Stuart Martin

Can you wear a cardigan and drive a V8? Volvo thinks you can, as it has slotted a bent-eight beneath the snout of the flagship S80 sedan.The Swedish car maker has also given the sedan an all-wheel-drive system to put the outputs to ground - thankfully, given much of the range has to steer and drive through the front wheels.The transverse 4.4-litre V8 offers 232kW and 440Nm, increases of 32kW and 60Nm over the old S80 T6 model - numbers not likely to be threaded through the front hoops without plenty of torque steer, despite any potential electronic knobbling.Volvo says the Yamaha-developed bent-eight also offers 370Nm from 2000rpm and that flexibility is felt during open-road cruising. The new flagship has grown 28mm in length and width, 54mm in height, 6mm in front track and 25mm in rear track, as well as an extra 45mm in the wheelbase. The company is also claiming a better power-to-weight ratio than the old model, which has helped the 0-100km/h sprint drop by 0.8 of second to 6.5 seconds.There's ample traction from the Haldex computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system, which helps the six-speed auto get the big Swede under way in a hurry.The grip levels are never in question but the sedan can feel a little nose-heavy in tighter corners, something which could perhaps benefit from a rear-drive bias in the all-wheel-drive system, something Audi has done to some of its range.There's not much to worry about in terms of the engine (apart from a typical V8 thirst that's a little heavier than the outgoing model) but the adaptive-suspension - which has coil-over struts at the front and a multi-link axle rear - is cause for concern.Three suspension settings allow the driver to alter the car's driving behaviour - Volvo says the Comfort setting offers sedate, comfortable driving, with ride quality a priority.While the Sport and Advanced settings work reasonably well, the Comfort setting leaves a lot to be desired.The S80 in Comfort mode doesn't deal well with low-grade bumps - even misaligned manhole covers are cause for concern - and bigger undulations are dealt with in a distinctly U.S. sort of way, which equals a lumbering, roly-poly manner with just average damper control.There's better news with the intermediate Sport setting and Advanced mode for serious cornering. Sport gives better damping control and is preferred for general driving, despite increased stiffness.Body roll is well controlled in either mode and the S80 tracks well, with only major mid-corner bumps unsettling the car from its intended line.The new car is leaner in pricing, wearing a $95,950 price tag, down from $98,950, and the equipment list hasn't suffered.There are rain-sensing wipers, an A-Grade DynAudio sound system with surround sound, dual-zone climate control and a trip computer.The headlights are adaptive xenon units but there's no automatic function for them, something I would have expected on a $90,000-plus machine. The integrated GSM phone is also disappointing, given the expansion in Bluetooth availability.Safety features are plentiful - as you'd expect from this brand - with front, side and curtain airbags and stability control among the features combining to deliver a strong safety package.The cabin has been trimmed with quality materials and has a solid, quiet and soothing atmosphere, with the built-in child seat in the centre a clever feature.If you're not a fan of German prestige sedans and are looking for something different, then the big Swede might well be for you - a delicious V8 and a comfortable interior tops the list, but a firm ride will also need to be on your wish list. SnapshotVolvo S80 AWD V8Price: $95,950Engine: 4.4-litre 32-valve DOHC V8.Transmission: Six-speed auto, all-wheel drive.Power: 232kW at 5950rpm.Torque: 440Nm at 3950rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 6.5 seconds, top speed 250km/h.Fuel consumption: Claimed 11.9 litres/100km, on test 15.4 litres/100km. Tank 70 litres.Emissions: 284g/km.Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs (front). Independent, multiple links, sub-frame mounted, coil springs (rear).Brakes: Four-wheel discs, front ventilated, with anti-lock, electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assistance.Dimensions: Length 4851mm, width 1876mm, height 1490mm, wheelbase 2835mm, track fr/rr 1578/1575mm, cargo volume 422 litres, weight 1742kg.Wheels: 18in alloys. In its classAudi A6 3.2 FSI: $99,800BMW 525i: $94,700Mercedes-Benz E280: $101,300Saab 9-5 Aero: $82,900 

The Italian small car boasts a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 8.9 seconds, making it the fastest little Fiat here, until the Abarth arrives midyear. But if you can't wait that long, the T-Jet offers performance and economy, says Fiat. The more aggressive Abarth will also feature a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine that offers 116kW of power and 206Nm of torque (230Nm on over boost) which, with a six-speed manual gearbox, will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds. Fiat Australia general manager David Stone says the 1.4-litre T-Jet is the engine of the future. “The highly efficient 1.4 gains a turbocharger to produce power and torque levels the equivalent of a two-litre engine,” he says. Fiat is claiming the Punto Turbo Sport is one of the quickest and one of the most economical sub-$30,000 hot hatches. The low-pressure turbo 1.4-litre engine ups the power from 57kW to 90kW and torque from 115Nm to 206Nm. Fiat says 200Nm is on tap from 1700rpm. But the engine needs just 6.6 litres of petrol to cover 100km while emissions are 155g/km. The turbocharged five-speed manual car has not gained much weight, according to the manufacturer, helping performance, economy and keeping the little Fiat's good road manners intact. The Punto T-Jet will slot into the Fiat range beneath the range-topping Sport 1.9 JTD turbodiesel, with similar equipment levels. Among the features are ABS brakes, stability control, a hill holder, 17in alloy wheels, colour-coded body kit, sports seats, a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and gear shifter. The T-Jet also gets sports-tuned suspension, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, airconditioning and remote central locking. Mr Stone believes the addition of the T-Jet gives the Punto range a car to suit a wide variety of buyers. “Each power unit offers its own blend of performance, economy and purchase price to offer buyers of small cars the ability to tailor a Punto to their own particular budget and motoring needs,” he says. “Whichever Punto they buy, they will own a car with benchmark safety, superb good looks and a small car that has something only a Fiat can offer - Italian soul.” The Fiat Punto Sport T-Jet will carry a $25,990 price tag and deliveries start today  

The newest addition to the Mazda range is a sharp-looking little hatch that doesn't deserve to be called a shopping trolley. But it can complete such mundane tasks without an issue.

A full-bodied, well-rounded white  vintage, I mean Vantage. Martin, Aston Martin.The littlest example of the newly-freed Aston Martin (no longer part of the Ford empire) might not cover quite as much road space as its DB9 sibling, but that doesn't make a difference to onlookers.The little Aston has almost no bad side to look at and despite being low-slung and compact, other drivers know you're near them in traffic and they make it their business to have a long look.Designed as an alternative to the long-standing class leader, Porsche's 911, the V8 Vantage Coupe is the new 'entry-level' product for the British marque; priced at a cool $245,000.It's a two-seater, with moderate luggage space and not a lot of cabin room for gargantuan folk, but the cabin has plenty to like and few things to loathe.Leather covers much of the cabin; from little sports seats and the dashboard; with suede-finish on the roof lining.A grippy helm and snappy paddle shifters for the six-speed automated manual give the driver a sense of anticipation prior to firing the engine using the start button. Some of the switchgear is straight from Volvo and Jaguar; no doubt helping with production costs but perhaps not what someone might want after settling on the British thoroughbred.One of the quirks within the instrumentation is the sweep of the tacho, which runs anti-clockwise, in the opposite direction to the speedo. Both needles move quickly when requested, but the 4000rpm is marked by the active exhaust braying with intent.The alloy engine sits behind the front wheels and low in the engine bay, which gives the Vantage crisp steering and handling.It sits firmly on its optional 19in alloy package (wrapped in low-profile Bridgestone rubber). That was expected, but at 1630kg it's heavier than I thought it would be. The double-wishbone suspension hangs on magnificently, picking up every road imperfection but firing through bumpy corners without hesitation.Stopping power is delivered with brute force by ventilated (and grooved at the front) discs - 355mm at the front and 330mm at the rear, with a four-piston Brembo calliper on the front. SnapshotAston Martin V8 Vantage coupePrice: $245,000Engine: 4.3-litre 32-valve quad cam V8.Transmission: six-speed manual (optional Sportshift clutchless manual), rear-wheel-drive with LSD and ESPPower: 283kW at 7000rpmTorque: 417Nm at 5000rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h five seconds/ top speed 280km/hSuspension: aluminium double-wishbone suspensionFuel usage / emissions claim: 15.1 l/100km, on test 15 l/100km, tank 80 litres, 360g/kmDimensions: length 4380mm, width 1865mm (excluding mirrors), height 1255mm, wheelbase 2600mmtrack fr/rr 1570/1560mm, boot capacity 300 litresWeight :1630kgWheels: 19in alloys. In its class:Audi R8: $259,900Jaguar XKR coupe: $228,300Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: $243,000Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG: $164,474 

The big bull nose could well belong to a bigger car, but it fits the front of the newest example of Mitsubishi's clear sales leader. The Lancer range has suffered from 'Blandsville styling' in the past, but this latest example, the VR, blows that memory away.While the super-sports Evolution model won't be in Australia for a while, the real-world examples of the new sedan are quickly showing up on our roads.There's good reason for that; it's a good little car, although little doesn't quite do it justice.At 4570mm long, it has grown by 100mm, the width is up to 1760mm, an increase of 65mm and height has increased by 60mm to 1490mm. The wheelbase has grown by 35mm, to 2635mm.It also has added between 30kg and 60kg, depending on the model specification.Nestled in the VR's black and silver interior, some of the plastics at first look a little on the cheap side, but at $25,290 this is not a bank-breaker by most standards.The materials feel better than they look and despite the black/silver it's not dark and sombre.Once under way, the Lancer continues to surprise.The superseded model wasn't a bad car either, but the new edition feels a lot stronger in the body and it's quieter as well, with the loss of nearly half a litre in engine cubic capacity passing largely unnoticed.The five-speed manual gearbox is teamed with a clutch pedal that requires a solid push, but has good feel.The gearbox has a nice clean action and a good feel, without being too heavy or clunky. Preconceptions suggested another week in a shopping trolley but the Lancer is something of a surprise; it feels tight and is quite lively, not soft and 'doughy' like some of its opposition. The engine has dropped from a 115kW/220Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder to two litres and offers 113kW and 198Nm, the latter at 4250rpm.The output drop has failed to dampen the drive experience, as the engine is surprisingly flexible and willing to work. There's a decent amount of in-cabin room front and rear, although the driving position could benefit from reach adjustable steering.With safety finally becoming more important in the purchase rationale, Lancer has plenty to offer; dual front, side, curtain and even a driver's knee airbag in the VR, along with the range-wide standard fitment of stability control. The features list also includes decent-strength climate control, handy automatic windscreen wipers and headlights, and an in-dash six-disc CD sound system with MP3 compatibility and six speakers.The VR is a good compromise, able to complete the mundane daily tasks without feeling as though its incapable of other driving duties.

In what may well be a world first, a Korean car company has unveiled an attractive, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. Hyundai ripped the covers from its Concept Genesis Coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show earlier this month and, like the name suggests, it's a new beginning for the company. Looking a lot like the next Tiburon, the Genesis Coupe claims to be a two-plus-two coupe and the company is using phrases like 'high performance' and 'hard-core driving.' There's no doubting the intent of the styling. The concept car is still in the evaluation stage before a production version going on sale in the U.S. in 2009. Hyundai says the aggressively styled Coupe signals the company's intention to appeal to 'hard-core driving enthusiasts,' with strong performance, rear-wheel-drive handling attributes and look-at-me stunning styling. Measuring 4666mm in length, 2820mm in wheelbase, 1902mm wide and 1386mm tall, the Coupe is longer, wider and slightly taller than the current Tiburon, and it has a longer wheelbase. And it's destined for a production line; hopefully with the styling and engine outputs intact and a chassis to match; with Hyundai suggesting it will be the most affordable performance car in the market. Hyundai chief designer Joel Piaskowski says the most dynamic model yet from Hyundai was created as a pure performance car. “We wanted a design that would capture the imagination of hard-core automotive enthusiasts,” he says. The concept sits on 20 inch wheels and gets a black carbon fibre bonnet, roof and spoilers. Hyundai expects the alloy 3.8-litre V6 powerplant, capable of 224kW of power, to deliver a sub-six-second zero to 100km/h time, although other engines also are under consideration. Hyundai Australia spokesman Tiffany Junee says Hyundai's Australian arm is looking seriously at the Coupe.   What are your thoughts on the Hyundai Concept Genesis? Could this be a step forward for Hyundai in the sports car category?  

It speaks volumes for the HSV brand image and appeal that it can sell $125 million worth of merchandise — clothes and caps, not cars — in its 20 years of existence.The company also manages to retail around 4700 cars annually in recent years and is now riding a wave of 12 consecutive record sales months.HSV managing director Scott Grant said business was booming on the back of the VE/WM-based E-Series.“We've now had 12 very strong months with the sedan range and we think the Maloo will add yet another strong pillar to our sales potential,” he says.The Maloo R8's appeal is strong if the reaction from primary school kids at the fence is any indication — and that was just idling by.The VE-based range has the Clayton factory punching out 30 cars a day — it was around six a day when the company started 20 years ago — and the Maloo R8, pictured right, won't make life any less busy for the HSV staff.The ute product is the company's second-biggest seller behind the Clubsport sedan and the new model has the visual appeal to keep its numbers healthy.The new Maloo R8 gets a sleeker profile using a broader “HSV Performance sail plane” on the B-pillar which, when combined with the HSV hard tonneau, gives the ute a coupe-like look. The tonneau even now operates like a very big boot for a two-door sportscar — the new SMC tailgate now holds the locking mechanism that can be remotely operated from the key fob.The Maloo R8 gets a different tailgate to the VE Ute, with HSV claiming a 10-15 per cent weight saving from the new version — made from a sheet-moulded polyester resin compound.It also gets an extended tail-light motif that looks more like decals and a little underdone.The side-skirts get an extra vent that HSV says takes its inspiration from the Walkinshaw Commodore but also looks a little Lamborghini-esque as well.Apart from the odd tail-light set-up, the rear end gets quad exhausts within a diffuser.Under the skin the Maloo R8 now has stiffer spring rates over the R8 and GTS sedan models — the figures are 40 per cent at the front and 50 per cent at the rear — but it retains the same brake package.There's plenty of gear in this ute that rams home the message this is anything but a tradie's ute — a chunky leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, trip computer, Bluetooth phone connection, alloy faced pedals and a leather-wrapped gear shift.The rear vision is restricted by the hard tonneau, which has made the rear parking sensors a must-have for parallel parking and general safety.The Maloo R8 also gets automatic headlights, HSV sports instrument cluster, an upgraded Blaupunkt 6CD MP3-compatible five-speaker sound system, suede/cloth trimmed sports seats (with leather option), dual zone climate control and only dual front airbags, no side airbags.The engine is the now-familiar six-litre alloy V8, offering 307kW and 550Nm of torque with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (a $2000 option).The automatic has been given a make-over by the electronic boffins to get rid of the awkward Sport button. The lever flicks to the left for Sport mode.The manual change function is also now accessed on the left but the new Sport mode complete, with downshift throttle blip, does a more-than adequate job.The rear wheels put those considerable outputs to ground via a limited-slip differential and stability control (which can be switched off).HSV says the ute offers 0-100km/h in 5sec and a top speed limited to 250km/h, but that's only half the story.The Holden VE Ute provides plenty of rear-end grip and HSV have built upon that excellent base.The HSV suspension tweaks don't include the sedan's Magnetic Ride Control. Chief engineer John Clark would have liked to put it on but says that the extra cost was a large chunk of money.“Some of the hardware would have carried over, the front would have but the rear dampers would have been different, then the calibration to do it all adds up to a significant cost,” he says.The tauter springs do detract from the ride quality a little, but body control and grip (thanks in part to a bigger rear tyre) in the corners puts many passenger cars to shame.One disappointment in the Maloo was the change from the VE Ute's easy-to-use seat-flip lever to a system that is more difficult to reach and harder to use.At a tickle under $60,000, the Maloo R8 is a couple of grand cheaper than its predecessor and offers serious performance.But only time will tell if the HSV badge, the extra gear and some extra grunt is worth the $13,000 jump from an SSV. 

The Mercedes-Benz ML 500 has undergone surgery to insert the 285kW V8 petrol engine under its more shapely hood. Benz claims the new powerplant is more refined and produces more power using less fuel. The 5.5-litre V8 engine has an extra 60kW of power and 60Nm of torque over the outgoing 5.0-litre engine. The seven-speed automatic transmission remains unchanged but the 0-100km/h time has dropped to 5.8 seconds and the governed top speed is 210km/h. Benz says the new drivetrain combination also returns better fuel-economy figures of 12.9 litres per 100km, down from 13.4 litres per 100km. The rest of the M-Class features remain unchanged, with a double-wishbone suspension using the Airmatic air system. The ML500 has the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system as standard; with traction and stability control or, for the more serious off-road driver, the car can be optioned up with the Off-Road Pro engineering package. This package adds two manually selectable differential locks; a low-range transfer case and a reinforced rear-axle differential. The M-Class range has anti-lock brakes, eight airbags, active head restraints and the brand's award-winning Pre-Safe occupant protection system. Mercedes-Benz says the M-Class is the first car in its class to offer this life-saving technology, which uses its ABS and stability control sensors to detect an imminent impact before it occurs. The car then prepares all of its passive safety features, primes the airbags and seat belts, and closes windows and the sunroof to maximise the level of occupant protection. More than 18,000 M-Class SUVs have been sold in Australia since 1998. So far this year, more than 1800 have been sold, making it one of the top-selling luxury SUVs behind the Lexus RX and the BMW X5. The only ML model above and beyond the $120,874 ML500 is the stove-hot $160,874 ML 63 AMG, which is anything but an off-roader. Packing AMG's first effort at a stand-alone engine, the ML 63 offers 375kW of power and 630Nm of torque, which equates to a five-second sprint to 100km/h and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The ML 63 gets the AMG high-performance brakes as well to haul it back to a standstill quicker than your average 2.3-tonne 4WD. It sits on 19-inch wheels with 45-profile tyres. There's no OffRoad Pro package option box to tick; you can't get the proper 4WD goodies on this hot rod. With a claimed average of 16.5 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled and a 95-litre tank, the range off the beaten track is not going to be great either. Does the new ML500 sound appealing? Does it need a bigger fuel tank to be practical?

A new three year, multimillion-dollar export program will deliver a left-hand-drive Chevrolet-badged version of the 307kW/550Nm, six-litre HSV ClubSport R8; to be known as the Chevrolet Special Vehicles CR8.The company has shipped 150 cars to the region and expects at least that many to be delivered in each of the following two years.They will sell for about $49,000; about $12,000 cheaper than in Australia.The Middle East has been Holden's biggest export market, having sold more than 200,000 vehicles in the region since 1998.The VE Commodore and WM Statesman/Caprice ranges are sold in the region as Chevrolet Lumina and as Caprice.GM Holden executive director sales and marketing Alan Batey said the expanding product range in the region illustrated the growing maturity of the Middle East market.“Holden has been able to partner its expertise in tailoring vehicles for the Middle East with the high-performance expertise of HSV to deliver a vehicle that will make a great driving experience,” he said.Holden's export sales for last year totalled 46,074, with more than 31,000 going to the Middle East; a record export year to the region for the company.New HSV managing director Scott Grant said the announcement added another HSV export market to the Vauxhall program in Britain.“HSV is already a well-known brand among car enthusiasts in the Middle East, many of whom are fans of the Aussie high-performance cars and our racing activities,” he said.“The initial response from dealers has been exceptional,” he said.The launch of the new export program is timed to coincide with the Desert 400 V8 Supercar round in Bahrain. 

Whack the 3.0-litre twin-turbo powerplant under the serious-looking snout and the exec-express sedan is an A-grade Q-car. With 225kW and 400Nm on offer there's fun to be had, but while it can outpace the rest of the field here there's a piper to be paid. The engine is lagless and muscular, with a feral howl and torque to satisfy most demands.BMW has a habit of optioning up the test cars and this sedan is no exception - a $2750 electric sunroof, metallic paint for $1600 and the $4500 M-Pack which brings sports wheels, sports suspension and a host of M-stamped bits and pieces.It was the M suspension which brought the 335i back to the field everywhere but the racetrack. There is a reason why BMW's lauded M Division does not pair run-flat tyres with its M suspension. On the 335i the combination manifested with skittish behaviour over mid-corner bumps that failed to fluster most others and a ride quality away from the track that was difficult to excuse.Check out the video below and let us know if you think this is a worthy Car of the Year nominee.Click here for all the latest on the carsguide Car Of The Year