Citroen E-Dispatch Reviews

New car styling is moving quickly towards high-waisted doors and huge side roof pillars specifically to provide more side impact protection.And there is also allowance being made for the differing heights of cars and four-wheel drives with the latter featuring less aggressive and lower frontal areas to minimise side impact "intrusion" in a collision with a smaller passenger car.But the real challenge is to make a car that minimises injury to pedestrians in the awful event of an impact.It seems an almost insurmountable problem considering the size, weight and speed of the "objects" involved.But car manufacturers and designers are rising to the challenge.Citroen's new C4 is an example of the way things are going.It's a small/medium car and the front has been designed as much for aesthetics as for pedestrian safety.The front bumper area is rounded off and extends quite low to spread any impact force with a pedestrian's leg over a larger area.The C4's leading edge is all of relatively soft plastic with yielding structures beneath.The bonnet is thin aluminium sheet and engine components, "hard parts" are well down in the engine bay and away from danger.The bonnet is raked from the front up to the windscreen which is raked at almost the same angle as the bonnet once again to minimise blunt impact with a pedestrian.The front mudguards are in soft plastic.The mirrors have rounded leading edges and fold when hit. The only glass at the front of the car is the windscreen. Headlights and all brightwork the badges and grille are plastic.There is no protruding radio aerial and even the door handles are recessed.Ford has taken matters a little further with a spring loaded bonnet on a specially developed Focus model.The bonnet springs up about 20cm acting as a "pillow" in the event of a pedestrian collision. The system has not been broadly adopted on production cars at this stage but other elements of pedestrian safety adorn many other cars.Sophisticated computers will soon be used to help either avoid a pedestrian collision or to adjust parts of the car instantaneously to minimise harm.Pedestrian airbags are a possibility in the future.In the meantime, it would pay dividends to invest in better education programs for pedestrians to stop some of the suicidal behaviour that takes place.Disobeying red lights, jaywalking, walking on to the road from between parked cars or from behind vans, trucks and buses, walking onto the road when intoxicated, simply not paying attention or having compact audio headphones on all, heighten the risk to pedestrians. 

Michael Schumacher retired with seven world championships, but 007 is up to 21 movies — with six different macho men in the role — and still going hard.During the past quarter-century and in 21 official films, Bond has been the target of more bad guys on wheels than anyone else in cinema history, yet he has always managed to escape without a scratch.And he has often pulled a nifty U-turn on the opposition with some sort of car trickery, from concealed machine guns on a 1960s Aston Martin to an '80s Lotus Esprit that morphed into a submarine — and even a remote-controlled BMW 7 Series in the '90s.Now he's back for the noughties, and doing it again in the remake of Casino Royale, which opened in cinemas just before Christmas. And he's back in an Aston Martin, just like the early days.The hype for the new 007 movie got me thinking not only about Bond's wheelwork in the latest British supercar, but also the dream car of my childhood: a scale model of the Aston Martin DB5 Bond drove in the 1960s.It came with all the Bond gear — revolving number plates, concealed machine guns, tyre-slashers, a bulletproof rear shield and even an ejector seat.In 1965, Corgi released its scale model of the gadget-laden DB5, and by 1968 nearly four million copies had been sold.It remains Corgi's best-known model, and I couldn't afford it.The release of the 21st-century Casino Royale has triggered a lot of talk about 007 and cars and movies.The model-making machine is already rolling again, with scaled-down copies of the DBS and even re-done — but de-gadgeted — replicas of the original DB5. And this time, there was a tiny Aston in my Christmas stocking.It's worth looking at what Bond cameos have done for car companies.BMW experienced plenty of benefit when it signed a multi-movie deal that began with its baby Z3 convertible. The world saw the car first when it was driven on the big screen by Bond. That deal continued with the Z8 convertible and the controversially styled 7, and even a BMW motorcycle.But then Britain bounced back for the last of Pierce Brosnan's appearances as Bond, when he slid back into an Aston and the baddies strapped into a rocket-equipped Jaguar.This time around, Agent 007 is driving a gorgeous new DBS, and there's even a special appearance by an original DB5.A poll has been conducted for the television series Top Gear on the most popular car chase in Bond movie history. And the winner is ... no, not the Aston. Not a Jaguar, nor the Lotus, nor even one of the BMWs.First choice was a crazy little Citroen 2CV that suffered all sorts of punishment — including being cut in half — when it was driven by Roger Moore in the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only. The four-wheeled co-stars:Dr No (1962): Sunbeam Alpine, Chevrolet Bel AirconvertibleFrom Russia With Love (1963): Bentley Mark IVGoldfinger (1964): Aston Martin DB5, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes 190SL, Lincoln Continental, Ford Mustang convertible, Rolls-Royce Phantom IIIThunderball (1965): Aston Martin DB5, Ford Mustang convertible, BSA Lightning motorcycle, gyrocopter1967 You Only Live Twice: Toyota 2000 GT, BMW CSOn Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): Aston Martin DBS, Mercury Cougar, Bentley S2 Continental, Rolls-Royce CornicheDiamonds Are Forever (1971): Ford Mustang Mach 1, Triumph Stag, moon buggyLive And Let Die (1973): double-decker London bus, Chevrolet Impala convertible, MiniMokeThe Man With The Golden Gun (1974): AMC Hornet and Matador, Rolls-Royce Silver ShadowThe Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Lotus Esprit, Wetbike concept, Ford Cortina Ghia, Mini MokeMoonraker (1979): Bentley Mark IV, Rolls-Royce SilverWraithFor Your Eyes Only (1981): Citroen 2CV, Lotus Esprit Turbo, Rolls-Royce Silver WraithOctopussy (1983): Mercedes-Benz 250 SE, BMW 5 Series, Alfa Romeo GTVA View To A Kill (1985): Renault taxi, Ford LTD, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, Chevrolet Corvette C4The Living Daylights (1987): Aston Martin DBS and V8 Vantage, Audi 200 QuattroLicence To Kill (1989): Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Kenworth petrol tankerGoldenEye (1995): BMW Z3, Aston Martin DB5, Russian tank, Ferrari 355Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Aston Martin DB5, BMW 750iL, BMW R1200C motorcycleThe World Is Not Enough (1999): BMW Z8, Rolls-Royce Silver ShadowDie Another Day (2002): Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar XKR, Ford Thunderbird convertibleCasino Royale (2006): Aston Martin DBS and DB5, Jaguar E-type roadster, Fiat Panda 4x4, Ford Transit, Ford Mondeo

The striking little yellow Dongfeng D120 was a star at this week's Beijing motor show, the largest auto show in the massive Chinese market.The D120 was one of 15 cars at the show from Dongfeng, a major Chinese manufacturer. It has joint ventures with Citroen, Nissan and Honda.The show opened last Sunday amid rocketing sales with few signs that growing traffic congestion, pollution and rising oil prices were clouding the future of the industry.While international producers unveiled their latest products, the Chinese were displaying more than 180 domestic-made vehicles. Many of them are hoping that their inexpensive cars may one day find their way into global markets.Australian importer Ateco is looking at bringing Chinese-made cars Down Under within the next two years.Cars like the Geely, Great Wall, Chery and Red Flag are enjoying an almost 25 per cent market share in China, according to Xinhua news agency reports this week.After years of growth, China is the world's second largest car market after the US.In the first 10 months of 2006, 5.89 million cars were produced and 5.77 million cars sold in China, figures up 27 per cent and 26 per cent respectively from January-October 2005, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.If this trend does continue, China will have 100 million cars on its roads by 2020, up from43 million in 2005, a phenomenon that will cause severe pollution unless stricter emission controls are implemented, Xinhua says.More than 500,000 potential car buyers are expected to attend the 10-day show, many of them first-time buyers.International prestige brands are at the show keen to sell to the country's wealthy who are proud, and keen to flaunt their riches.It is this fast-growing generation of mainly under 35-year-old, self-made tycoons that the world's top luxury carmakers have now firmly set their sights on."We have more than 300,000 millionaires in China, so I think it's a good number for us to go into the market," Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Lamborghini, says.Rolls Royce sales are up 50 per cent from last year and China has become its third largest market after the US and Britain, says Ian Robertson, chairman and chief executive."It is growing dramatically. There is a fast growing number of very rich people in this country," Robertson says.And sales in China, including Hong Kong, at 65 vehicles out of its global total of about 800, represented "nearly 10 per cent of our business," Robertson says.Porsche, which entered China in 2001, sold 857 cars in China last year and says it expects that figure to double this year.However, the show also comes as a new report shows there are problems with local production. Defects have been found in 77 per cent of domestically made cars, largely due to a price war forcing manufacturers to cut corners, according to an industry survey which was released this week.The range of defects, found within six months of the car being bought, involved tyres, airconditioning, brakes, locks and steering wheels, the China Daily newspaper reported, citing as its source the 2006 China Automobile Customer Satisfaction Index."The defects are a result of car makers constantly reducing prices and sacrificing quality," the paper quoted Fan Tianshun, director of the China Quality Association, which conducted the poll, as saying.For every 100 new cars, there were an average of 338 defects, much higher than last year's figure of 246.On average, China's car prices have dropped about 10,000 yuan ($A1250) per car each year over "the past few years" as manufacturers try to compete in the the booming market, the paper writes.Defects were more prevalent in cheaper cars in the 30,000 yuan ($A5000) to the 50,000 yuan ($A8240) range, such as China's Geely, Chery QQ and the Changan Alto.But fewer defects in more expensive cars helped result in customer satisfaction for China's domestically-built automobiles growing by 0.1 per cent so far this year over the figures reported in 2005. The index was based on a poll of 4648 participants in 36 cities this year, the paper reported.AFP 

Last week government ministers said they were in talks with Volkswagon and French rival Peugeot-Citroen about possible acquisition of the Malaysian government’s 42.7 per cent stake.Peugeot-Citroen last night bowed out of talks and said the company had no plans to buy any part of Proton.Volkswagon is also no longer believed to be interested after the Malaysian government refused to allow the German car maker to have management control.Proton has sold 1628 cars in Australia this year, comprising the light cars Satira and Savvy, plus small cars Persona and Waja.Investment companies including DRB Hicom and the unlisted Naza Group are believed to have expressed interest in the Malaysian Government’s share."We submitted a letter of interest to the Ministry of Finance about two months ago and are awaiting word from them," Naza Group chief executive Nasimuddin Amin was quoted as saying in the Star newspaper.Naza assembles cars in a venture with South Korea's Kia Motors Corp., while DRB Hicom has alliances with Isuzu Motors Ltd., General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co. and is controlled by politically well-connected businessman Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.But Malaysian ministers are understood to be seeking foreign investment for Proton.Proton, established in the 1980s, is an icon of Malaysia's rapid industrialisation.Its fortunes in Southeast Asia's biggest car market have plummeted from about 60 percent three years ago to just 40 percent this year due to improving sales from second national manufacturer Perodua and cheaper foreign models.ASEAN's impending decision to liberalise decades-old protectionist policies in its auto sector also could hurt Proton's bottom line, analysts say.European automakers are attracted to Proton because it gives them a chance to break into the Southeast Asian auto market, historically dominated by their Japanese rivals.Proton has two plants in Malaysia, with a total capacity of 380,000 cars per year that can be raised to 1.2 million units per year if there is sufficient demand. The plants are currently using only half their capacity.-With wires

The second edition to the C2 range is a somewhat comical car. With bigger windows in the back, it looks like two different cars have been stuck together. The C2 VTS is priced at $23,990, $2000 dearer than the VTR model. And that's as far as the C2 range stretches.While its heart is the same size as the VTR with a 1.6-litre, four cylinder engine, it gives even more, delivering an extra 10kW, producing 90kW at 6500rpm and 143Nm at 3750rpm.But there's a big hurdle to conquer before you can enjoy the ride. While the first thing you notice is the character, jump behind the wheel, start the engine and you'll soon find it is very entertaining or frustrating, depending on your mood. The culprit is the clutch, as it takes some getting used to.The first couple of times you take off, it feels like you're back on your L plates, and in this case, perhaps it stands more for loser than learner. Drive it like a normal manual and you'll find yourself reaching 5000rpm, 6000rpm with little movement, but lots of revs, which is somewhat daunting.Once you get over it, there are other features of the car to enjoy. Such as the plain, simple, but chic interior. The dash has a sense of style and the seats, which wrap around your body, are quite comfortable and supportive.Leg room in the back of this four-seater is limited, but it feels as if there is plenty of space around the top half of your body, perhaps a result of the large windows.In keeping with its comical nature, the C2 has a blinker that brings back memories of playing space invaders on the Sega Megadrive or Pub Pong (for those who are older) with its electronic ponging noise. The headlights on and door open electronic warning alerts have a similar arcade-game sound.The five-speed manual transmission is quite smooth once you figure out the quick release of the clutch and how to engage it, when you can feel the benefit of good pick-up in the lower gear range.Tall drivers will suffer as they find their knees reaching their ears. A slight exaggeration perhaps, but the seat feels lower than usual. The C2 is also easy to park and while the steering is a little light, it's quite a nifty little car for getting around town.Unloading the boot is made easy with a split tailgate, although you would have to keep shopping to a minimum. It handles and corners well and for such a little car, it gives out a huge roar, with a rather noisy engine.As well as extra power, the VTS has a slightly stiffer suspension than the VTR, making it more sporty and the gear ratio is significantly lower, which gives a quicker 0 to 100km speed, 8.3 seconds compared with the VTR's 10.9 seconds.The C2 lacks storage inside the car, with cup holders that don't hold drink bottles, slightly impractical and little space for accessories. The glovebox is also very tiny. The speedometer is digital, so you can't see the top speed, only how fast you're going, and the tachometer is also different and hard to see, as it's a curved line sitting above the speedo.The claimed fuel consumption of 6.9-litres wasn't achieved, instead sitting more around the 8-litres per 100km mark, but this was mainly on city driving.The C2 comes with a leather steering wheel, CD-player, air conditioning, rain sensing wipers and a four star NCAP safety rating.According to VFacts, the C2 sits in the light segment putting it up against the Hyundai Getz, Holden Barina and Toyota Yaris, all of which have models well below the starting price of the base VTR. Perhaps it's closer to its other competitors such as the Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Polo, but it doesn't seem to offer as much for the price tag.Fast factsPrice: $23,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 90kW@6500rpm, 143Nm@3750rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.9L/100km (claimed), around 8L/100km (tested)Body: 3-door hatchVerdict: A lot of character to this sporty VTS, but it takes time to adjust to a different driving style.ALTERNATIVESVolkswagen Polo MatchPrice: $19,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 77kW@5600rpm, 153Nm@3800rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 45-litre tank, 7.1L/100km (claimed)Body: 5-door hatchVerdict: Volkswagen's small car offers less power than the VTS with a much cheaper price tag. But, the Polo also has sporty character.Suzuki Swift SportPrice: $23,990Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinders, 92kW@6800rpm, 148Nm@4800rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 43-litre tank, 7.5L/100km (claimed)Body: 5-door hatchVerdict: The Swift was CARSguide's Car Of The Year for 2005 and the new Sport model offers better performance figures than the C2, for the same price.

Alfa Romeo stepped up straight after the Peugeot unveiling of a woman, I mean a car. A 207 apparently.

And, for the first time in Australia, a leading design company will join manufacturers at the exhibition as the local branch of the German design and engineering company EDAG

Brisbane has been confirmed as the new host of Rally Australia following the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona yesterday.It is the first time a World Rally Championship calendar has been finalised so far in advance.Garry Connelly, who will stand down as Australian Rally Commission chairman at the end of the year, said more details on the new home of the Australian leg of the WRC would become known during Rally Australia in Perth on October 27-29."We will make an announcement during Rally Australia and all the fine details will be released," Connelly said.Australia will be missing from the World Rally Championship calendar next year with the final WRC round to be staged in Corsica after being based out of Perth since the late 1980s.WRC commercial rights holder David Richards says it is good news that Australia will return to the championship in 2008 and he has endorsed Queensland as an ideal venue.There remains a degree of mystery about IQG Rally Events Australia which has been appointed as the promoter of the Queensland event.The only thing known is that the WRC round will be held within a 50km radius of Brisbane, using forestry roads much closer to the state capital than the long-running Australian Rally Championship round based around Imbil near Gympie.Richards, who runs the Prodrive racing operation out of Banbury in England which fields the Subaru World Rally Team, is delighted that Gold Coast ace Chris Atkinson has been signed for a third season with the team in 2007."He's done a really good job and we think we've found the main handling problems with the car that have dogged our progress in the WRC," Richards said.It is known that Suzuki has chased hard to sign Atkinson who has done a tidy job against the world's best along with his co-driver Glenn Macneall.WORLD RALLY STANDINGSAfter 13 of 16 rounds1 Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) 1122 Marcus Gronholm (Ford) 873 Mikko Hirvonen (Ford) 474 Daniel Sordo (Citroen) 435 Manfred Stohl (Peugeot) 34Last Rd: Winner Marcus Gronholm, Turkey, Oct 15.Next Rd: Perth, Oct 27-29.TV: Ch 10: Oct 29, 2pm.

Gronholm, celebrating his fifth win of the season and the 23rd of his career, had led from the start with his victory effectively sewn up on Saturday when closest rival Petter Solberg hit a rock and crashed his Subaru into a ditch.Team mate and fellow Finn Mikko Hirvonen sealed a Ford one-two, a result that moved him up to third overall in the championship, by finishing two minutes 23.4 seconds behind Gronholm.Gronholm now has 87 points to Loeb's 112, with Hirvonen trailing behind on 47.Ford took the overall lead from Loeb's Kronos Citroen team in the manufacturers' standings."It will be difficult, but it's possible," said the Finn of his championship chances.He needs to keep winning and hope Loeb does not come back quickly after breaking his arm last month.Henning Solberg, Petter's older brother, repaired a broken brake pipe before the start to take third place in a privately-entered Peugeot for the first podium of his world championship career.Briton Colin McRae, the 1995 champion drafted in to replace Loeb at Kronos Citroen after the Frenchman's cruise to the title was abruptly halted when he fell off his mountain bike in training, failed to finish.The Scot retired on the final 19th stage, the longest of the rally in the mountains near the southern Mediterranean resort of Antalya.Spaniard Xavier Pons was fourth, the leading Citroen driver, with Finland's Kosti Katajamaki fifth in a privately-entered Stobart Ford for the best result of his career.Australian Chris Atkinson finished sixth in a Subaru, but only 30.5 seconds off the podium, with Spaniard Dani Sordo seventh for Kronos and Austrian Manfred Stohl eighth in a Peugeot.Between them, Gronholm and Loeb have won every rally this season with the Frenchman, who could also miss the next rally in Australia on Oct 27-29, taking eight so far.Atkinson, sitting tenth in the championship, was looking forward to his home event."We've been competitive all weekend in a really tough event, which is good for our confidence," Atkinson said."Going home should make things a little easier again and were definitely targeting a top five result there."REUTERS/AAP

New Cars at Australian Motor Show