Articles by Stuart Scott

As proof, we have the car which Subaru created to fill the previously invisible niche between its very hot and ultra-hot models. They gave it an odd name — by the time you say Subaru Impreza WRX Tuned By STI, it's gone from sight — but otherwise this is a superb package deal, loaded with clever engineering, fine-tuned by experts. Subaru got into this sideline with a Tuned by STI (Subaru Tecnica International) version of the larger Liberty a year ago. So, according to Subaru, the extras — tweaked engine, suspension, bodywork and interior — are worth $12,000 separately, but the Tuned By STI car costs only $7000 more than a normal WRX. The car I drove was No. 1 in the series, and was proof that someone got this $46,990 package spot-on from the start. Its 179kW engine output (regular WRX 169kW, regular WRX STI 206kW) is only part of the story, because it also responds earlier, and more smoothly. The ride is quite comfortable, taut without being harsh, while grip (bigger wheels and tyres) feels never-ending. Think of it as Subaru's reply to recently arrived challengers such as the Mazda 3 MPS (190kW, $39,990), Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (166kW, $35,990) and Holden Special Vehicles VXR (176kW, $42,990). It also is a handy way to keep the faithful interested in the Impreza range until a new-look series is introduced later this year. The Subaru is dearer, sure, but has the benefit of all-wheel-drive. It also, unfortunately, has the usual WRX anti-theft system, so the car's PIN must be entered in a keypad on the dashboard before it will start. Get it wrong, or encounter any other hassle, and an ear-piercing alarm erupts.

Try to show off, and things are sure to go wrong. For instance, you can be left sitting in a new convertible like a dill as its roof at first refuses to budge, then partly raises itself only to halt, whirring and buzzing furiously, halfway aloft like a sail. Memo to self: in future, read the handbook before trying to demonstrate fancy technology. Holden's Astra TwinTop is yet another of the new breed of convertibles with a multi-piece folding hardtop. It turns out to be simple to operate when you know how. Once everything was correctly in place and everyone was well away from what the driver's handbook calls the “action zone of the roof”, the TwinTop did its thing with robotic precision. It proves to be a nifty machine, albeit one that costs almost $50,000. In my defence, the handbook devotes five pages to explaining how the roof should be operated, using the phrase “risk of injury” twice in the first five lines. Looks like the lawyers gave the engineers a hand there. For those who want the open-air experience of a convertible along with the security of a solid-roofed coupe, the fast-growing flock of versatile cars like this answer their prayers. And, unlike many rivals, the Astra's roof can be made to go up or down while the car is on the move — up to 30km/h. In another handy feature, it can be operated while you're standing outside, using the remote-locking gizmo. How cool would that be: parking your open convertible in some hip street, then casually pressing the remote button to shut the roof as you walk away. Of course, with my luck, it wouldn't work. But, honestly, the roof is simplicity itself. Just press a button on the top of the windscreen and the boot lifts, the roof splits into three sections, various flaps extend, motors and hydraulics do their thing, the side windows go up and down — it's like a robotic ballet. Luggage space is 440 litres when the roof is in place, and 205 litres when it's folded down. So you need to pack light for the wind-in-the-hair option. The open-air TwinTop joins quite a family of European-made Astra models: hatchback, wagon and coupe, with engines in 1.8, 1.9, 2.0 and 2.2-litre sizes, fuelled by petrol or diesel. It's the dearest of the bunch, more than twice the price of the entry-level Astra CD hatchback. That's understandable, as the engineering and packaging involved must have been quite a challenge. It's a big step ahead of Holden's previous Astra convertible, which appeared in 2001. That was the traditional sort, using a fabric roof. Like the TwinTop, it had a 2.2-litre engine, but the new car has a more advanced fuel-injection system (shared with the sporty SRi hatchback and coupe), improving power and torque. This powerplant — developing 110kW, compared with just 90kW in base-model Astras — has the TwinTop scooting along happily, easily overcoming the extra weight of the roof system and the reinforcing added to make the open car feel reassuringly solid. The car I drove had the optional four-speed transmission, which didn't seem to impede its progress, though life would be sweeter if Holden offered the six-speed it reserves for the diesel Astra. No matter, because the TwinTop is zippy enough, and with the roof up it looks and feels like a coupe: solid and secure. Retractable hardtops like this are becoming so widespread — VW's Eos has just arrived, and a Ford Focus is on the way — they're practically the conventional type these days. Maybe pretty soon we'll even be able to operate them without having to read the handbook.

If it hits someone, the "elastic front" made of soft plastic means a likelihood of fewer injuries. And it has impeccable green credentials. Components are made from recycled plastic bottles, and almost all the bodywork and interior can be recycled when the car's life is over. The odd-looking and oddly named QarmaQ (pronounced "karma-q") is a joint project of the European arm of Korea's Hyundai and the American-based GE Plastics. A pointer to the shape of a new-generation SUV from Hyundai, it was seen at the Geneva Motor Show. The company says the innovative QarmaQ is not just a show car but a genuine "advanced technology development vehicle" showcasing 30 new technologies which will be used in cars to be introduced from 2008-2014. High-performance composites and thermoplastics are used instead of traditional metal and glass, and the body has moulded-in colour instead of paint. The windscreen and window glass have been replaced by polycarbonate resin, allowing the QarmaQ to have helicopter-style wraparound glazing. The energy-absorbing "elastic front" uses different types of plastic to match where a pedestrian's body is likely to be hit. The boldly styled car is claimed to be lighter, stronger and more economical than a conventional design. The new materials also can be made into previously impossible shapes. Horizontal body panels are made of plastic composites claimed to be as strong as steel, but as much as half the weight. The light QarmaQ uses less fuel and is estimated to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200kg a year. Hyundai describes the four-seat QarmaQ as a "crossover utility vehicle" (CUV) — a cross between a two-door coupe and an off-roader. More tangibly, it combines a 2-litre turbo diesel engine with high ground clearance and all-wheel-drive.

The show, which opens on Friday, will feature the Australian debut of several models at the affordable end of the car world. Leading the way, Holden is expected to take the "top secret" covers off the Epica, its next lower-priced, mid-size sedan. The Korean-made Epica — tipped by dealers to start at $24,990, with the choice of two six-cylinder engines — replaces the European-made Vectra. The Epica will fit into the Holden line-up alongside the Barina and Viva, budget-priced Korean replacements for models previously designed and built in Europe. Malaysian brand Proton will launch its second-generation Satria Neo three-door hatchback in the city that has been its strongest Australian market. The Satria Neo, with a 1.6 litre engine, looks chunkier than its predecessor and will be $18,990 drive away. Honda will unveil a fresh-design CR-V all-wheel-drive wagon, with prices expected to start near $30,000. Nissan's compact Tiida model, given a $2000 price cut to start at $17,990, is expected to attract budget-minded shoppers. Like the Honda CR-V, production of the Tiida has been moved from Japan to Thailand. Continuing the price-down trend, Suzuki's new face will be the SX4, a 2.0 litre all-wheel-drive wagon that officially goes on sale on Thursday, priced from $24,990. It had been expected to be $26,990. French brand Peugeot will use the show for the Queensland unveiling of its new small car, the near-$20,000 207, about to go on sale with 1.4 litre, 1.6 litre and 1.6 litre turbo petrol engines, and a 1.6 litre diesel. The show, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank, runs from Friday to February 11. It is open noon-10pm on weekdays, 10am-10pm on Saturdays and 10am- 6pm on Sundays. Admission is $16 for adults, $10 for children, and $42 for a family (two adults, three children).

Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar and Audi will display new models, many for their first showing in Australia. BMW is holding the international unveiling of its 3-Series convertible in Detroit today, then will rush a car to the Brisbane show. It will go on sale in March, to be priced about $100,000. BMW also will have its just-released M6 convertible, with a Formula One-inspired V10 engine, $295,000 and six-month waiting list. Rival Audi will bring an early example of its new high-performance R8 coupe. Deliveries of the $300,000 car will not begin until September. Brisbane has scored a coup by attracting displays from upmarket marques Jaguar and Lamborghini, which bypassed the Sydney Motor Show late last year. At the top of the exotic list — and likely to be the most expensive car in the show — will be Lamborghini's $659,000 Murcielago LP640 coupe, making its Australian debut. The Italian-made V12-powered LP640, a new-generation replacement for the original Murcielago, has a larger engine and more aggressive styling. It is claimed to be capable of 340 km/h, and can reach 100km/h in 3.4 seconds. The show also will have the Australian unveiling of the production version of a smaller Lamborghini convertible, the Gallardo Spyder. Top speed 314km/h. Price $439,000. Other high-speed Italians will include the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano ($574,000, V12 engine, 0-100km/h 3.7sec, top speed 330km/h), Maserati's two-door $248,500 GranSport and four-door $258,000 Quattroporte. The 10-day show, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, will open on February 2. Adult tickets will be $16.

But only in theory. Drive the bigger, badder, more-powerful-than-ever about $50,000 worth of V8-fuelled aggression and you find it's neither a dinosaur nor an anti-social beast. Instead, there is plenty to enjoy and admire. Despite all the macho, old-school characteristics, an SS — the big-engined, sporty model in Holden's new VE-Series Commodore lineup — turns out to be an amiable companion, well behaved and practical. Give a tough-guy bouncer a Dancing With The Stars-type makeover and you'd end up with something like this car. Still plenty of punch, but they've taught it how to walk demurely, act mild-mannered, and play quietly with others. Not so long ago a high-powered Commodore could be something of a handful but now, though there is more oomph under your right foot — this year's update added another 10kW of power and 20Nm of torque — driving is a breeze. The SS has so much grip and such balance it feels controllable and forgiving. It rides as comfortably as the dearer luxury Calais sedan. In years gone by they were worlds apart: the SS was the rock-hard sportster while the Calais was plush and soft. Now they've come together with identically-tuned suspension. This sort of comfort, with precise steering and roadholding, must have taken a lot of fine-tuning, but the engineers seem to have achieved an excellent combination. Something else that has been fiddled with is the equipment list, Holden replacing the previous SS ($51,790) with two models in the new Commodore range, SS (from $44,990) and the better-equipped SS V (from $51,990). Ford obviously took note because in the just-released Falcon BF Mk II series its XR8 equivalent has come down from $51,330 to $44,990. The price is in the right direction. What about thirst? The official rating for the Commodore SS is 14.4 litres/100km manual (marginally better than its predecessor), 14.3 automatic (marginally thirstier than before). Maybe I wasn't driving hard enough, or maybe the laboratory testing doesn't reflect the real world, because two SS sedans I sampled fared much, much better — 10.9 litres/100km for the manual, 11.5 for the automatic. These cars revealed something else. Though Holden is adamant few people will mind the new Commodore having a skinny "spacesaver" spare tyre, both the Holden-owned cars they handed me had an optional full-size alloy wheel in the boot. And the airconditioning briefly failed in both cars, then righted itself. Holden admits there was a software glitch in early-build cars, and says it has been fixed. Just like it has fixed the potential fault in the fuel hose that prompted a recall. Seems that spending a billion dollars creating a new car, as Holden did with the VE series, also creates more opportunities for things to go wrong. It also makes a lot of things to like. While the SS is the extreme-looking end of the new VE series, the whole Commodore family has taken a major step ahead. There is a European feel to the way these cars ride and steer, giving the impression they are smaller than they actually are, instantly making the driver feel confident. One big advance is the stability control system, though you really need to make a mess of things, or strike a wet road or loose surface, to discover how adept it is at reining in a slide. Having experienced all three of those situations, let me say it is the most wonderful technology. FAST FACTS DETAILS: Large, five-seat sedan with 6.0 litre V8 engine. Power 270kW. Torque 530Nm. Six-speed automatic or manual gearbox. FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability system, cruise control, power windows, power-adjustable driver's seat, remote central locking. COST: SS $44,990 manual, SS V $51,990 manual. Automatic $2000. RIVAL: Ford Falcon XR8 from $44,990. FOR: Comfortable and poised. AGAINST: Big cars are out of fashion. SUMMING UP: Looks fierce, but is user-friendly.

Never mind the sunburn — from $35,000 to nearly $300,000,open cars are being lined up for eager buyers. The flood of new models is heating up the rivalry between traditional fabric-roofed convertibles and a new breed with foldaway hardtops. Holden, Volvo and VW will make the switch from their soft-tops to solid roofs as replacement models arrive. Mitsubishi is joining the trend, with an open-air version of its Colt hatchback due next month. The Italian-made cabriolet, expected to cost $35,000, will have a retractable hard roof. And Mazda is having an each-way bet. Its traditional canvas-topped MX-5 — billed as the world's best-selling roadster — has been joined by a folding hardtop version, called the roadster coupe. The $47,660 "coupe", costing $2930 more than the basic model, has a composite plastic roof that folds away in 12 seconds, claimed by Mazda to be the fastest in its class. MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima said he expected traditional enthusiasts to prefer the soft-top original. "Even so, there are many potential customers who . . . have hesitated because of concerns about security and comfort." Mazda expects 60 per cent of MX-5 buyers in Australia to take the hardtop. The latest fabric-roofed models to arrive are the Audi A4 (from $83,000) and the Chrysler PT Cruiser cabriolet (from $36,000). On the way late this year is the Alfa Romeo Spider, based on the Italian marque's new Brera coupe, expected to be $70,000-plus. The soft-top ranks will be further boosted in December when Mini introduces a new cabriolet version, called the Chilli, from $41,100. And Sweden's Saab is marking 20 years of convertible production by releasing a $68,400 anniversary model. Holden dealers say the present Astra soft-top — now $39,990, a $6000 price cut — is to be replaced by a radically different TwinTop, so named because of its two-piece solid folding roof. It is expected to be unveiled late next month, and be on sale for summer. Mercedes-Benz already has both fabric-roofed (CLK) and hard-top (SLK, SL) convertibles. In the extra-pricey league, Audi says it will introduce a high-performance version of the A4, the $187,500 RS4, in January. Only 25 V8-powered cars will be imported from Germany, and the company says it has 15 orders already. Its rival, BMW, is to introduce an M6 convertible with a 10-cylinder engine, expected to cost about $290,000 and arrive before Christmas. Safety-minded Volvo has a second-generation C70 convertible on the way, introducing a three-piece steel roof in place of the previous model's fabric top. The five-cylinder model will be priced from $69,950. Early next year, VW is to release the Eos, a larger hardtop model replacing the fabric-roofed Golf convertible. The VW is likely to be the first convertible to have a diesel engine as an option. FAST FACTS Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet -Turbocharged 1.5-litre MIVEC engine. -110kW (150hp) @ 6000rpm and 210Nm of torque @ 3500rpm. -18-inch alloy wheels. Audi A4 Cabriolet -1.8T with 120 kW and 225 Nm. -new 3.2 FSI petrol direct injection V6 is also now available with 188 kW and 330 Nm. -$83,400 and $107,800 for the 4-cylinder and V6 models respectively. PT Cruiser Cabrio -power-folding soft retractable roof, which can be raised or lowered in just 10 seconds. -normally-aspirated 2.4-litre petrol engine. -105 KW at 5, 200 rpm and 214 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm. -16" alloy wheels. -$35,890 Alfa Romeo Spider -3.2 JTS V6 and 2.2 JTS. -twin phaser continuous variator for control of the intake and exhaust valves. -191kW and 136kW. -Q4 permanent AWD. -0-100 km/hr in 7 seconds. -18” sport or multispoke. -$70,000-plus Mini Chilli -1.6 litre, 4 cylinder/16 V. -85 kW (115 hp) at 6000 rpm. -150 Nm at 4500 rpm. -0-100 km/hr: 9.1 s. -top speed: 200 km/h. -$41,100 Saab limited edition 20th Anniversary -turbocharged 2.0 L. -110 kW and a powerful 240 Nm of torque. -five-speed automatic transmission. -17-inch alloy wheels. -$68,400 Astra Twintop -petrol and diesel. -77 to 147kW (105 to 200hp), with the top-of-the-line 2.0-litre turbo motor reaching a top speed of over 230 km/h. -two-piece electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof. -likely to be named 'Astra Convertible' in Australia. Mercedes CLK -5.5-litre V8 engine powering the CLK 500 (peak torque of 530 Nm). -0-100 km/h takes just 5.2 seconds. -top speed is 220 km/h (electronically limited). -CLK 63 AMG uses AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine and produces 354 kW of power and a peak torque 630 Nm. -CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: $99,400 -CLK 280: $109,100 -CLK 350: $134,100 -CLK 500: $163,100 -CLK 63 AMG: $213,100 SLK SL class -285 kW and 530Nm. -V8 engine in the SL 500. -0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. -six-cylinder engine in the SL 350 is another new unit, with 200-kW V6, and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. -SL 600 has a V12 biturbo engine, with output of 380 kW and torque of 830Nm. Accelerates 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. SL 350: $214,900 SL 500: $299,900 SL 600: $374,900 SL 55 AMG: $374,900 SL 65 AMG: $457,900 Audi RS4 -4.2 FSI V8 engine -V8 engine with an output of 309 kW and peak torque of 430 Nm at 5,500 rpm. -electro-hydraulic hood can be opened entirely automatically in 21 seconds and can be operated up to speeds of 30 km/h. -$187,500 BMW M6 -5.0-litre V10. -373 kW, 507 bhp, 520Nm. -0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the standing-start kilometre completed in 22.9 seconds. -top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h. Volvo C70 LE -2.4 (125kW), 170hp, 230Nm. -5-cylinder petrol. -0-100km: 10s (auto). -Max speed: 215km/hr (auto). -$69,950.00 -T5 -5-cylinder turbo charged petrol. -162kW, 220 hp, 320Nm. -0-100km/hr: 8s (auto). -Max speed: 235 km/hr (auto). -$79,950.00 -VW Eos -two engines are available: a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder motor putting out 200 horsepower and a 3.2L VR6 motor that makes 250 horsepower. -200hp 2.0T FSI or a 250hp 3.2l VR6 FSI (according to current data for the US market). -five-section roof structure with glass/sliding/tilting roof integrated as standard

The Melbourne show will open on Thursday, in Brisbane's traditional period. In turn, the Brisbane show, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre at South Bank, has been put back to March 3-12. Both shows will revert to their usual dates next year. Brisbane's organisers say the delayed start will allow car companies to arrange more new models and concept cars than usual. Many one-off show cars, as well as production models which will go on sale this year, have been shipped to Australia for the Melbourne show, and are expected to feature in Brisbane as well. These range from exotics such as the Redback Spyder sports coupe and Jaguar XK convertible to bread-and-butter models like the Toyota Yaris sedan. Brisbane Motor Show spokesman Chris Nixon said the date change is a "a real opportunity". "We expect that whatever appears in Melbourne by and large will come on to Brisbane. "With our usual date in February, things are always a rush for the car companies." He said the later show also allowed Brisbane to host the launch of the V8 Supercar racing season on Saturday, March 4, at the show. "It's an absolute one-off opportunity for us," Mr Nixon said. Melbourne Motor Show director Russ Tyrie said their show had been in the March timeslot since the 1940s. But the venue, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, is required for weightlifting, badminton and boxing at the Games, which begin March 15. He said talks with the Brisbane organisers to arrange the date swap began several years ago. "It's probably the best outcome for both of us," he said. Mr Tyrie said moving a huge event like a motor show forward a month had been a lot of work. "It definitely takes you out of your comfort zone. "But we're delighted by the response of exhibitors in arranging new products and show cars." The Melbourne show, to run until February 19, expects 235,000-plus visitors. Brisbane's organisers are confident they can beat last year's record of 128,000. The Brisbane show is expected to be the national debut of the Jaguar S-Type diesel sedan, the Ssangyong Keyron 4WD, Proton Satria hatchback and VW Passat. From the Melbourne show will come new convertibles like the Jaguar XK, Volvo C70, Lamborghini Gallardo roadster and Maserati Gransport Spyder, along with Italian supercars such as the Ferrari F430 and 612 coupes and Maserati Quattroporte GT.