Citroen E-Dispatch Reviews

Alfa RomeoALFA was assured of plenty of attention in Paris for the production version of its 8C Competizione sportscar, based on a show concept from Frankfurt 2003 and named for a line of famous racers.The 8C is powered by a new 4.7-litre V8 under the bonnet which produces 333kW and 470Nm, driving through a six-speed robot-clutch gearbox at the rear axle.The sumptuously curved carbon-fibre body sits on a donated Maserati platform, with double wishbone suspension all-around and huge 20-inch alloy wheels.Alfa plans to build just 500 examples of this supercar, with sales beginning in 12 months and a price around 160,000 euros ($272,000).Australian sales have been ruled out: the sexy 8C will left-hand drive only. AudiAUDI iced the cake for its ongoing product party with the final version of its R8 mid-engined sportscar, three years after the concept was shown.The R8 pits Audi against the German and Italian supercar makers for the first time."With the launch of the R8... we now address the most demanding group of international customers," chairman Dr Martin Winterkorn said.Wide and squat, the all-aluminium R8 is powered by a 4.2-litre V8 which sits under a glass rear panel, Ferrari-style.It drives all four wheels via a six-speed gated manual gearbox or six-speed sequential based on the Lamborghini Gallardo system.With 309kW of power and 430Nm of torque, claimed 0-100km/h time is 4.6 seconds and top speed 301km/h.Australian deliveries begin late in 2007, and a V10 version is expected in two years. CitroenA FRENCH muscle car sounds an unlikely concept, but the dramatic C-Metisse suggests that Citroen designers don't spend all their time dreaming of people-movers.This futuristically styled "coupe" has four doors, an extra-long bonnet, low sloping cabin and visor-like glass — making it appear like a getaway car from a Gallic version of Blade Runner.Thanks to the long wheelbase, interior space is generous for four and all the doors hinge flamboyantly upwards to open.A 150kW V6 diesel drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission while each rear wheel contains an electric motor for extra performance or traction in slippery conditions. ChryslerPLAGUED by overcapacity in its home market, Chrysler hopes it can build on the overseas success of its 300C large sedan with the Sebring, a large-ish mid-size sedan, which launches in Europe early next year and should be confirmed for Australia in the next few weeks."Sleek and sophisticated, the Chrysler Sebring's overall surfacing and details reflect the Chrysler brand's four attributes: expressive, refined, athletic and passionate," said design chief Trevor Creed.With design elements from the Crossfire sportscar — such as bonnet ridges and headlights — but a rather jutting front bumper and less than harmonious proportions, the Sebring will test overseas markets' enthusiasm for American aesthetics.Engine options include a 2.0-litre diesel and 2.7-litre V6. DodgeCHRYSLER'S budget Dodge badge has got off to a strong start in Europe and Australia with the Caliber small car, and its Avenger mid-size sedan — coyly labelled as a "concept" in Paris — will add a mid-size contender to the line-up.Pitched against Japanese models such as the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord, the Avenger strikes a more aggressive note with echoes of the US-market Dodge Charger in its strong haunches and in-your-face grille.The Avenger shares its underpinnings and engines with the Chrysler Sebring, but will undercut it on price when it arrives in Australia late next year.FerrariFOR most people driving any Ferrari is the stuff of fantasy, but for one American collector the regular product from Maranello isn't enough.Jim Glickenhaus commissioned Italian styling house Pininfarina to build a one-off Ferrari inspired by the legendary Le Mans racing cars of the '60s.The P4/5 began with an Enzo and retains the same 485kW 6.0-litre V12 engine and mechanical layout. But the bodywork is all new, with soft curves replacing the Enzo's angular lines and a bubble canopy that swoops rearwards into a louvred section over the engine.The interior uses the Enzo dash but the rest is made-to-measure, with mesh-on-leather seats and a tablet PC added to the instruments.Unveiled at the Pebble Beach concours in California in August, the P4/5 added yet another Ferrari to our list of to-die-for cars. FordFORD stopped importing the Mondeo mid-size sedan into Australia six years ago, and according to spokeswoman Sinead McAlary that isn't about to change soon.But take a good look at the Mondeo wagon Ford of Europe presented in Paris, because its design cues point the way to the next generation Falcon, due in 2008.Ford has dubbed this approach "kinetic design" and debuted it in the Iosis concept at Frankfurt last year."The new Mondeo takes the next major step along our journey towards a more expressive and emotional Ford range," said design director Martin Smith.The new family look features an inverted trapezoidal lower grille, swept-back headlamps, full surfaces and a strong shoulder line. HondaHONDA unveiled an all-new version of its popular compact SUV, the CR-V.The third-generation evolves a concept that has chalked up nearly 2.5 million total sales and is built at eight factories around the globe."CR-V is now a true world car — just like Civic and Accord," said Honda president and chief executive Takeo Fukui.A new 2.0-litre petrol engine now develops 110kW/190Nm and delivers better acceleration and fuel economy, while Europe also carries over a 2.2-litre diesel.The four-wheel drive system has been revised but retains its front-drive philosophy, calling upon the rear wheels only when required.The body is more rigid, centre of gravity lower and standard wheels are now 17-inch.Honda says it all adds up to improved dynamics for "the ultimate sedan-like driving feeling".This CR-V also introduces two features to the segment previously confined to premium models: active cruise control and collision mitigation braking.Australian sales begin in the first quarter next year. HyundaiHYUNDAI continues its tradition of phonetically challenging nameplates with a concept called Arnejs, pronounced Ar-nez, and intended as a tempter for the upcoming hatchback version of its Elantra small car.In sedan form, the car goes on sale this month, replacing the third generation model.Designed by Hyundai's studio in Germany, the Arnejs is described as another "milestone" in the development of brand identity for the Korean maker, which will launch the production version in Europe in mid-2007 and in Australia later next year. KiaKIA's small car offering has been christened cee'd and debuted at Paris in three forms: as a production-ready sedan, pre-production wagon and concept called pro—cee'd, which was designed as a teaser to the eventual hatchback.The sedan goes on sale in Europe in December with other variants arriving towards the end of next year.As well as being the first Kia designed in Europe it will be the first one built there, at a new factory in Slovakia."The new cee'd really is a great car ... it is certain to revolutionise Kia's fortunes in this sector throughout Europe," said the senior vice-president of Kia Motors Europe, Jean-Charles Lievens. Mercedes-BenzTHE German stalwart revealed its anxiety about retaining number one status in luxury cars with some impressive, but selective, sales figures: the new S-Class luxury sedan has gone to the top of its segment.Overall brand numbers, which see Mercedes suffering next to a rampant BMW, didn't rate a mention and the display centred on a special edition of Stuttgart's slow-selling supercar, the SLR, and the exclusive large coupe based on the S-Class, the CL.Undeniably desirable, but neither can do much to salvage Mercedes numbers.The CL comes with two V8s, including a 386kW naturally aspirated 6.3-litre AMG tuned unit and a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V12.The SLR McLaren 722 commemorates the winning number of a 300 SLR Stirling Moss drove to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia.Its supercharged 5.5-litre V8 develops 478kW and gets the supercar to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. MiniMEET the new Mini, same as the old Mini. BMW can barely conceal its delight at how well marketing has worked for its Brit classic revival, with styling that has successfully remoulded the original into a winning premium package.It has now expanded the Oxford factory in England to pump out 240,000 a year of the second generation, revealed in Paris last week.The new Mini takes an evolutionary approach to the design that shows "how unique Mini really is".Mini customers definitely do not want change, said BMW board member Michael Ganal.But that hasn't stopped the company making the new Mini "even more fun to drive", with "even more state-of-the-art high-tech features" and improvements across the board to "performance, driving pleasure, design and premium quality as well as safety".New engines, six airbags and even more possibilities for customisation will also be part of the recipe when it arrives here next year.No, we couldn't tell the difference either. Plus ca change ... NissanSMALL crossovers are the new must-have for every car-maker and Nissan can claim to be one of the first with its Qashqai, which appeared in concept form at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.Bigger than a small car but smaller than a small SUV, Nissan says this is the wagon for buyers who are not attracted to the "large, aggressive nature" of an off-roader.Nissan's design centre in London has come up with a vehicle that has a car-like top half and SUV-like bottom. The Qashqai will also be built in England, at Nissan's efficient Sunderland factory. Beginning next year in Europe, two diesel and two petrol four-cylinders will be offered along with both manual, CVT and automatic gearboxes. All-wheel drive will also be available with the larger 2.0-litre engines."We expect Qashqai will sell more than 100,000 units a year on average across Europe with 80 per cent of those customers buying a Nissan for the first time," said Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn."We're very interested," said spokeswoman for Nissan Australia Lenore Taylor."However, it hasn't been launched in Europe yet so it's still some way off." PeugeotFRANCE'S biggest car-maker set an ominous tone on the eve of its hometown event by declaring it would shed 10,000 jobs in Europe and cut capital spending by more than $800 million a year as it struggles to reverse falling profits."We are going through a difficult period for our sales in western Europe but we're responding in the only way that works — by bringing new models to market faster," said outgoing chief executive Jean-Martin Folz.The production centrepiece on the stand was the new 207 small car range, which will run in parallel with the outgoing 206.With a bigger, more gaping grille, the new car looks a little like it's wearing braces but it will hope to repeat the smash-hit success of the 206, Peugeot's best-seller.The 207 Epure convertible concept previewed what the next 207 CC will look like.Meanwhile, the 908 RC showed an altogether more daring face of Peugeot.This dramatic and unconventional concept has an unusual powerplant and the air of a limousine-racer.Its 5.5-litre V12 diesel develops 515kW and 1200Nm of torque, drives through a six-speed sequential manual gearbox and is transversely mid-mounted.The wraparound front windscreen stretches back over the cabin, where there is generous seating for four.The engine will be used in next year's Le Mans series cars, but the 908 RC itself looks unlikely for production. RenaultTHE second French car-maker is feeling the heat of having the energetic Carlos Ghosn in charge.In Paris, he restated a determination to launch 26 new or revised vehicles by 2009, reduce problems by 40 per cent and increase sales to 800,000 a year.The highlights of a large stand included the Nepta concept car, which "expresses our determination to have a high-end line" Ghosn said, and the Koleos SUV concept, which will enter production in the first half of 2008 for sale in Europe.Built on a new 4WD platform, the Koleos joins the growing ranks of compact crossovers and was developed with the help of partner brand Nissan.The concept is powered by a 130kW 2.0-litre petrol engine driving through a six-speed manual and has styling that echoes the new Clio small car.The Nepta features dramatic gull wing doors which open to reveal both the futuristic cabin and the 3.5-litre V6 engine. SuzukiSUZUKI is on a roll with the success of its Swift small car, Grand Vitara off-roader and a compact SUV, the SX4, on the way.Project Splash, its Paris exhibit, suggests a loss of focus though with a concept designed to "deliver satisfaction to all customers regardless of lifestyle, age and gender in driving situations ranging from relatively short shopping trips to cross-country excursions".Based on the Swift platform, Splash aims for a light and airy interior using a glass roof and relatively tall body within its short dimensions.The concept is powered by a new 1.2-litre four-cylinder driving the front wheels via a four-speed automatic.ToyotaTOYOTA described its show centrepiece as the "Auris Space Concept" but fooled no-one about its intentions for a design destined to be a variant of the next Corolla.Apparently the Auris name — pronounced "A-oris" according to Toyota Europe's executive vice-president Thierry Dombreval — will become the official moniker for the car, although confusingly he assured the large crowd the "Corolla" badge will live on.The tall-body Auris was designed from the inside out, Toyota says, with the goal of "maximising interior space while promising an engaging drive".Few other details were available about the car, although Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen yesterday revealed it would go on sale here in hatch and sedan forms in March or April next year and would definitely retain the Corolla badge.With Toyota poised to outstrip General Motors as the world's biggest car-maker, it claimed to be running ahead of target in Europe and on track to break the million-sales mark in a single year. VolkswagenVOLKSWAGEN'S Iroc sportscar concept is a modern interpretation of a successful nameplate from the 1970s.The Scirocco was a compact and affordable four-seat coupe that sold more than half-a-million during its first generation.The Iroc aims to revive the idea while charting some fresh design territory for the German giant.In striking viper green, the Iroc has a distinctive grille and crisp lines powered by an innovative powertrain, already employed in European models of the Golf, which combines a turbocharger and supercharger with a small-capacity four-cylinder engine.In the concept it develops 155kW and claims to eliminate the turbo "lag" of most forced-induction engines.The local VW unit, which is currently on the brink of making it into the top 10 sales chart by displacing Kia, is optimistic about bringing the Skoda brand back to Australia.In Paris, spokesman Matthew Weisner said a proposal was before the German board with a decision due within weeks.If it gets the thumbs up, Skoda will go on sale next year with two models likely at first: the Octavia small car and Roomster compact multi-purpose vehicle, both sold through VW dealers.Although Skoda models will be priced under the equivalent VW, sales are expected to be modest at first with little residual brand awareness, Weisner said. VolvoVOLVO was ready to reveal its smallest car, the C30 three-door hatchback, following a string of concepts which left observers in little doubt about what it was doing. The C30 may be small, but it has a huge responsibility — especially with parent Ford in all sorts of strife."We are aiming for the 600,000 per year mark by 2009," said the president and chief executive of Volvo, Fredrik Arp."To reach that target we will challenge the opposition in segments that are new for us — we will make new customer groups buy into the Volvo brand and we will expand sales rapidly in fast-growing markets like China and Russia."The car arrives in Australia next year and despite Volvo's territorial goals, Europe is expected to account for the vast majority — 75 per cent — of buyers.Engines will comprise four and five-cylinder petrols and diesels, and Volvo expects the car to appeal to everyone from young couples to families with children to old empty-nesters.Safety was still important of course, but designer Steve Mattin was keener to tell the audience that 24 body-bumper colour combinations were possible and the car has a cracking stereo.

Outrageous styling, Euro flair and retro features have taken a grip on this year's Paris motor show, which starts next week. Many of the world's leading carmakers will unveil futuristic concept cars as well as their next generation of production cars at Europe's biggest show of 2006.Paris and Frankfurt alternate as the host every year - and with 2006 being the turn of the French capital, the local manufacturers seem set to steal the show.Renault will unveil its stunning four-seater cabriolet, the Nepta. Underneath the retro gull-wing doors is a 3.5-litre V6 twin turbo engine that puts out 313kW of power and 560Nm of torque at 3000rpm. An aluminium strip covers the hinges on the bonnet, which gives off a shooting-star effect. Renault spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says the gull-wing doors are certainly unusual and the first time a Renault has featured them."The object of designing concept vehicles is to experiment with new technology and design with a view to assessing their suitability for application to future production vehicles," she says.The Nepta is quick off the mark, accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 4.9seconds through its seven-speed automatic gearbox, which features flick shift steering-wheel-mounted controls. With fluid lines and a thoroughbred profile, the Nepta has a long body shape, accentuated by the wave-shaped side panels, the lower part of the body's aluminium colour treatment, the front and rear spoilers and the mud flaps. The rear has a longer overhang than the front and the car sits on massive 23-inch tyres.Citroen, meanwhile, will show off its masterwork, the low-riding four-door coupe, the C-Matisse. It is showcasing diesel-electric hybrid technology, a system Citroen wants to introduce on its production cars by 2008.The concept is powered by a V6 diesel engine with 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque delivered through the front wheels.There are also two electric motors that drive the rear wheels. These motors, which are powered by a bank of batteries, sit in the rear wheel hubs. Not to be outdone, Citroen's sister company, Peugeot, will display its monster 908RC concept car which, unlike the other concepts, is a pointer to the firm's racetrack future. Peugeot is going back to the Le Mans 24-hour race with a diesel.The 908RC, however, is a giant luxury limousine with futuristic looks and a swag of new technology. Its 5.5-litre V12 diesel engine will also be at the heart of Peugeot's racer.Peugeot says the concept car will reach 0-100km/h in less than five seconds, thanks to a six-speed manual gearbox and a rear-mounted powerplant that has been arranged in a similar layout to the race car. Closer to production from Peugeot is the 207 Epure, an all-white pointer to the next generation 207CC cabriolet to go on sale next year.Not to be outdone, Mercedes is unveiling the latest interpretation of its SLR supercar genre, the SLR McLaren 722 Edition. Developed with its Formula One partner McLaren, the brutish 722 is named after a famous victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, the classic Italian road race from that golden era.Stirling Moss and Dennis Jenkinson drove a Mercedes Benz 300 SLR, numbered 722 because it started the race at 7.22am.The new car has a supercharged 5.5-litre V8 that has 478kW of power on tap. It will rocket from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, and will hit 300km/h just 25 seconds later.Maybach, Mercedes' ultra-luxury arm, will show off its first ever white model - a 5.7m-long 57 S model in mother-of-pearl finish. It will go into production this year.Red, however, is the colour of choice for Alfa Romeo owners and the first photos of the production version of its 8C Competizione supercar illustrate just how stunning the Italian machine will be. However, Alfa buyers shouldn't get too excited. The 336kW, 4.7-litre, V8-engined two-seat GT hotty will be produced in limited numbers.And as with the Mercedes SLR, it owes its naming history to the Mille Miglia race - this time the winning 1950 6C Competizione.From the other side of the Atlantic, Dodge's new Avenger may officially still be a concept, but it is on a fast track to production status. The D-Segment, or mid-sized, concept will be unveiled to what should be strong acceptance. With Dodge already announcing that an all-new D-Segment model will hit showrooms late next year, the Avenger is the US manufacturer's red-hot favourite to fill that bill. Reaction to the car has already been positive, according to DaimlerChrysler Australia's Simon Johnston."The official company line is that all concept cars will be judged on the public reaction to them ... reaction has already been positive from the limited exposure the car has had and the next sedan model for Australia will be (a new) mid-sized car late next year," he says.The styling of the Avenger is sharp and chunky, with strong sporty appeal for Dodge's declared youth demographic.The Avenger concept is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel - an unusual choice of powerplant for an American-centric vehicle. GM, meanwhile, will debut a new Chevrolet concept car, which was designed by an Australian, Ewan Kingsbury.This concept, called the WTTC Ultra, features a 142kW diesel engine and is loosely based on Chev's World Touring Car Championship racing car.Korea's Hyundai is unveiling its Arnejs concept, which it hopes will eventually lead to European sales of a down-the-track production car. Arnejs - pronounced Ar-nez - is a C-segment small car competitor.Volkswagen will show off its new Iroc concept, seen as a pointer to a future generation of the old Scirocco sports coupe. The Viper, a green-coloured four-seater, marginally bigger than a Golf, has a "twin-charger" powerplant featuring a supercharger/turbocharger combination.Fuel economy unusually unites BMW and Suzuki at the show.The luxury maker is showing its new Hydrogen 7, a hydrogen-engined 7series prestige machine. Suzuki, currently enjoying a resurgence thanks to the Swift, unveils its new 1.2-litre Splash concept - aimed only at Europe - claiming petrol fuel economy of 3.6L/100km.FAST FACTSNew model production cars to be unveiled at the Paris motor show include:* Audi Q7 V12 diesel and R8* BMW Hydrogen 7 saloon* Citroen C4 Picasso* Honda Civic Type R* Honda CRV* Mini Cooper* Mitsubishi Outlander* Mitsubishi Pajero* Nissan Qashqai small 4WD 

The C-Matisse is a low-riding, four-door coupe that showcases the stand-out style motoring fans expect from French coupes.It could make it on to the stand with its stunning exterior design alone, but there is more to this show special than its lovely curves. The C-Matisse showcases diesel-electric hybrid technology, a system that Citroen is committed to introduce on its production cars by 2008.The concept is powered by a V6 diesel engine with 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque delivered through the front wheels.There are also two electric motors that drive the rear wheels. These motors, which are powered by a bank of batteries, sit in the rear wheel hubs.Citroen says this has an added advantage of helping with positive weight distribution between the front and rear of the car, which benefits the car's handling characteristics.The batteries that power the motors are hooked up to the braking system and are recharged using energy created when the car brakes, just like the system used in the Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid. The C-Matisse can operate at lower speeds just using the silent electric motors.At higher speeds, or when the driver wants to accelerate harder, the diesel engine kicks in, turning the C-Matisse into a powerful all-wheel-drive. That means the sleek machine is able to dash from 0-100km/h in just 6.2 seconds and run all the way to 250km/h.Citroen says the concept car is able to return an excellent fuel consumption figure of just 6.3 litres for 100km of mixed city and highway driving.The C-Matisse is also a green machine, even when the diesel is running, as the V6 is fitted with a particulate filter to prevent the emission of small soot particles.Citroen, along with its sister company Peugeot, is committed to diesel-electric hybrids that promise even better fuel economy and less emissions than existing petrol-electric systems.The only downside is the cost, as a diesel engine is more expensive to produce than a petrol equivalent and the electric components are also pricey. The C-Matisse uses special materials to keep its weight pegged just below 1400kg, very light for a car of its size, using carbon-fibre body panels.It has four pop-up doors that allow for ease of access and, of course, look cool.There is comfortable seating for four in the luxurious interior that Citroen has modelled on an aircraft cockpit.The C-Matisse is just 1240mm tall, 2000mm wide and 4740mm long with a long bonnet and virtually no rear overhang.It uses a bank of powerful LED lights at the front that light up progressively. For example, the lights at the edge of the headlights come on when the car is cornering to provide extra light on that side of the vehicle.Citroen will also use the Paris Motor Show to reveal the C4 Picasso people mover, which will be shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next month and go on sale early next year.

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990

Volvo, Peugeot and Citroën have all announced that their hottest new models will make their local debuts at the show on 26 October.Volvo's long-awaited C30 hatchback will take the brand into the growing premium small car segment for the first time.C30 features a 162kW five-cylinder turbo engine and a distinctive glass tailgate that recalls Volvo's iconic P1800 sports car – as driven in television series The Saint in the early 1970s.Volvo describes the C30 – which is tentatively slated for Australian sale in the first half of next year – as "a cool car that will appeal to a younger demographic with an intense urban lifestyle".Peugeot has high hopes for its new 207 hatchback, which will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of next year. The 207 will be an all-new addition to the Peugeot small car range, selling alongside the long-running and highly successful 206."Sales of the Peugeot 206 are up 20 per cent this year – which is remarkable for a car that was launched here in 1999," said Peugeot Automobiles Australia's Public Relations Manager, Mathew McAuley."It's a testament to the enduring appeal and essential rightness of Peugeot's small car design philosophy – something the 207 continues."Slightly bigger all round and more refined, the 207 features a range of engines up to a 2.0-litre four.Citroën will use the Sydney show to whip the covers off the all-new C4 Picasso – the successor to a model that was never sold here due to huge demand in Europe.The new Picasso features class-leading interior packaging that combines the best attributes of a medium-sized hatchback and a small people mover, combined with the fuel-efficient combination of a four-cylinder engine and a six-speed electronic gearbox."The original Citroën Picasso is one of the medium people movers that transformed the European car market, and it did so on the back of rising fuel prices," explained Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia."The new C4 Picasso arrives in Australia right when we are facing fuel prices at record highs and 4WD owners are starting to look for vehicles that will maintain the space flexibility of a 4WD, but without the fuel penalty."The C4 Picasso could not, therefore, arrive at a better time for both Citroën and the Australian car market!"According to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), sales in the Light passenger car segment have grown dramatically – up 32.3 per cent in July and 21.4 per cent for the year to date.Sales in the slightly larger Small car segment grew by 9.0 per cent in July and 3.7 percent for the year to date."In total, more than 15,000 additional small and light cars have been sold in Australia so far this year and that's clearly a trend that has been accelerated by rising petrol prices," said FCAI Chief Executive Peter Sturrock."We expect a lot of consumers to use the Sydney show to view the latest offerings in more economical cars and to research their next purchase." 

The suggestion that, in some months at least, Corollas would outsell Commodores would have got you locked up. Back then, of course, oil was but $30 a barrel.Although the VE Commodore is set to remain Australia's single, top-selling model range (see pages eight and nine) at least for the time being, the ground on which the passenger-car market is played has shifted seismically.The immediate consequence is the ever-increasing popularity of relatively economical, four-cylinder, petrol-engined vehicles. Beyond that, cars powered by alternative fuels are with us in a way that's only going to get bigger.Although diesel power comprises but a fraction of private-vehicle sales, that fraction has expanded this year to the point where "alternative" is too flighty a term.Diesel has long been the dominant fuel in Europe, where tax incentives make it affordable. But even its comparatively heavy price at the pumps, and the premium Australians are obliged to pay for diesel cars, haven't curtailed the segment's growth.At mid-year 12,182 diesel cars and SUVs had been bought by private owners. That's about one-twentieth of the number who bought petrol vehicles.But twice as many diesel cars had been bought by June 30 as had been by mid-2005.Volkswagen, now the best-selling German marque in Australia, sells more of its direct-injection, turbo-diesel models than its petrol variants.The oilers available in cars of other marques — notably Audi, Peugeot and Citroen — make their near-equivalent-capacity petrol cars redundant.VW's Polo Match diesel ($22,990) and the Citroen C4 1.6 HDi ($29,990) are just two diesels easily capable of more than 1000km on a tank.The counter-claim that this superior-to-petrol economy barely compensates for a higher purchase price is diminished by two factors.The first is that petrol equivalents of these cars demand costly premium unleaded. The second is that, increasingly, purchase prices are coming into line with those of petrol-driven cars.Although hardly the most affordable example at $86,500, the recently launched Audi A4 3.0 V6 TDI Quattro literally drives home the point that diesel doesn't mean forsaking fun.This A4 is a legitimate sports sedan that provides greater torque and superior dynamics to the $130K Audi S4 with its V8 petrol engine.The A4 TDI benefits from essentially the same technology that powered twin Audi R10 diesels to victory and third place at Le Mans in June.So, too, does parent group VW, whose range of 1.9 and 2.0 TDI Golfs starts from a less exotic $30K.If diesel provides the most readily available and popular petrol alternative (VW has an oiler model in every range, including the forthcoming Eos drop-top), petrol/electric hybrids are coming hither.If the most notable, Toyota's Prius, is a platform to showcase technology rather than a decent car, then the cheaper Honda Civic Hybrid shows that petrol-electric combinations need not mean complete compromise.And the superb GS450H by Toyota's luxury subsidiary, Lexus, points to a future where V8-equivalent performance can be had for four-cylinder fuel economy, although an affordable way of accessing something so seamless (the GS450H costs $122K) is some way off.Hydrogen vehicles are up and running, but not thus far as practical, mass-produced units.BMW has been involved in hydrogen-cell research and development for 15 years, as product chief Burkhard Goschel told CARSguide last week."It will grow up, but how fast I don't know," Goschel said."The issue is storing hydrogen. You need about 10kg for a good range. It should be in liquid form, but some issues over storage in cars has to be solved."Expect BMW to reveal a major development on this front later this year.Once omnipotent in Aussie family-car dominance, Holden and Ford Australia are belatedly getting hip to a world where unleaded petrol costs $1.50 a litre.Both manufacturers' parents have access to first-rate diesel engines. The prospect of a Falcon packing the superb 2.7-litre V6 bi-turbo diesel that also powers Citroens and Jags, is intriguing.More immediately, Ford Australia has been galvanised to harness a readily available technology.In an elaborate 23-day, 13,000km trial, an LPG-equipped Falcon is travelling around Australia for about $1000 in fuel. Lexus GS450hPrice: $121,900Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol & 147kW electric hybridPower (total): 253kW/368Nm plusO-100km/h: 6.0 secs (est)Fuel consumption (urban/open road combined): 7.9 litres per 100kmThe first practical rear-wheel-drive luxury hybrid sedan makes Lexus's petrol V8s obsolete.The hybrid Lexus betters the performance of the latter for fourcylinder economy. Only the lack of boot space - compromised by the RWD and battery gubbins - detracts from the package. Toyota Prius IIPrice: From $37,000-$46,500Engine: 1.5-litre hybridPower/Torque: 57kW/115Nm0-100km/h: 10.9 secsConsumes: 4.4L/100kmOutstanding economy doesn't mitigate a prohibitive price tag, laughable looks and appalling driving experience.You can have a petrol/electric hybrid without too much compromise, but not in this, the model that is unfortunately - synonymous with the technology.Honda's Civic Hybrid is not only cheaper, it also looks like a car. Peugeot 407 HDiPrice: From $61,990Engine: 2.7-litre V6 bi-turbo dieselPower/Torque: 150kW/440Nm0-100km/h: 8.5 secsConsumes: 8.4L/100kmThe Ford/PSA joint venture twin-turbo diesel engine has won friends and influenced people since making its local debut in Jaguar's S-Type.Available now in Pug's medium sedan and wagon, the thing can be accessed for $40K less. Ignoring the usual French-car caveats, these models render the V6 petrol irrelevant. Ford Territory TurboPrice: From $53,990 >Engine: 4.0-litre six-cyl turbo petrolPower/torque: 245kW/480Nm0-100km/h: 7.0 sec (est)Consumes: 14.2L/100kmAustralia's favourite SUV just got more go. Only problem is that it won't go as far - between refills, that is.The all-wheel-drive Territory Turbo is an immensely accomplished SUV that really does have car-like handling, and a superb ZF six-speed auto gearbox.Not only is the Tezza Turbo's claimed consumption figure considerable, however, it's also optimistic. Holden Commodore OmegaPrice: From $34,490Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrolPower/torque: 180kW/0-100km/h: TBAConsumes:10.9L/100kmAustralia's favourite fleet and government hack is finally here and it's pretty good (see page 24).But is it too little, too late? Or, rather, too much, too late? Holden have made much of the fact that the incoming VE range drinks no more than the VZ series it replaces. Still that translates to almost $100 to fill from empty. Mazda 3 Maxx SportPrice: $28,500 (auto)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cyl petrolPower/torque: 108kW/182Nm0-100km/h: 9.0 secsConsumes: 8.9L/100kmIt's Australia's favourite fully-imported car and with reason - combining bullet-proof Japanese quality, strong performance, driver-orientated dynamics and good economy.Recently upgraded, the 3 comes as either a five-speed auto or six-speed manual gearboxes (another economy fillip), improved refinement and Euroequalling safety packages.The 3 range starts from $21K, but punters typically go for the upperechelon models.  COMPARING FUELS  PetrolBy degrees of magnitude the most common fuel used in passenger vehicles.PROS: Ready availability, almost infinite choice of capacity, relative affordability.CONS: Petrol prices are going in only one direction - north. DieselDiesels comprise a rapidly growing segment of the passenger car market.PROS: Economy (more than 1000km per tank in some models). Performance.CONS: Most diesel pumps are filthy. Diesel contains higher levels of sulphur. Biodiesel is rare and expensive. HybridRefers mainly to vehicles which use a rechargeable electric energy storage system and a fuelled propulsion power source.PROS: Low-polluting and low-consuming. Increasingly affordable. Near silent.CONS: Far too expensive (Prius). Dangerously silent. LPGEmission reducing and half the price of petrol, liquid petroleum gas is most commonly used in dual fuel large sedans, especially taxis.PROS: Much cheaper and much cleaner than petrol.CONS: LPG provision can eat boot space. Do you really want to drive a cab? HydrogenIn combustion variants, hydrogen is burned in much the same method as a petrol engine. In fuel-cell conversion, the hydrogen is converted to electricity through cells that then power electric motors.PROS: A BMW internal combustion hydrogen car has attained 300 km/h. Mazda has developed rotary engines to burn hydrogen. General Motors is investing in fuel cells.CONS: Making hydrogen a practical fuel is proving very difficult with no infrastructure at fuel stations to support it. EthanolWhile the grain-derived stuff is "greener" than pure petrol, by no means is it so certain that all cars will run happily on the 10 per cent recommended ethanol mix.PROS: Nice for Manildra. The Liberal Party loves it.CONS: By no means nice for your car. The Liberal Party loves it.

But the good news for the French company is that the gong goes to one of its own - the new and larger C6 set to arrive later this year.C5 has recently undergone a facelift, with new engines, transmissions and other changes.Although it looks like a sedan, the car's bootlid and rear window actually lift as one piece, just like a hatchback.Of course it wouldn't be a Citroen unless it had fancy suspension and the C5 does not disappoint.The hydro-pneumatic system does away with springs and shock absorbers, replacing them with a gas and hydraulic suspension system instead.The Hydractive 3 suspension changes the car's ride height, both automatically or manually - at the push of a button.Above 110km/h the nose drops 15mm and the tail drops 11mm, returning to the normal if speed drops below 90km/h.But on poor road surfaces the nose and tail come up 15mm, staying there unless speed rises above 70km/h.Then there's some manual settings. The car can be raised 40mm to clear obstacles, with a low setting for loading and a maximum setting for changing a flat.Our test vehicle was the top of the range Citroen C5 fitted with the latest version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine.Four cylinder and turbo diesel models are also available.The V6 develops 155kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 290Nm at 3750rpm.The engine is hooked up to a new AISIN sequential, six-speed automatic transmission.First gear has been shortened to provide quicker take-offs and a taller sixth gear has been fitted to reduce fuel consumption.It is a relatively high revving engine that does not start to perform until it really starts to get going.The V6 model can sprint from 0 to 100km/ h in 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 230km/ h.C5 is well equipped, with leather and climate airconditioning standard as well as some features normally found in much more expens- ive vehicles.The lights don't just operated automatically, they come on earlier when it is raining, while the V6's high powererd Xenon headlights follow the direction of the wheel.The cruise control system includes a speed limiter and the power operated windows close when a sensor detects rain.The same sensor also turns on the windscreen wipers automatically.We don't mind the look of the new "boomerang" shaped head lights but we're not too keen on the tail lights.Inside, the speedometer segmentations are cluttered and hinder rather than help the driver to see how fast they are going.Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and a total of seven airbags.C5 offers plenty of room inside in what is best be described as loungeroom comfort.For a car with such a big rep however the drive experience is somewhat disappointing.Even with the suspension set to sport the handling is rather soft and the gear changes are not always smooth.Fuel economy for the V6 is a claimed 10.0L/100km from the 66-litre tank. During testing we got 11.2L/100km.The Citroen C5 V6 is priced from $55,990. 

The dancing C4, which has transformed from car to 'bot on a rooftop rap dance in the past, is now a skate star.Citroen says its hero has become a speed skater to highlight the handling, braking and agility of the C4.As always, there is a kick. This time, the 'bot slides to a halt and showers a group of Citroen engineers with a cloud of ice dust.Creation of the skating robot was done by digitising the actions of British Olympic speed skater Nicky Gooch, as the commercial was produced in the UK."We were keen to provide an alternative style, to reveal a different side to the robot’s personality and highlight the dynamism of the car," says Mike Ibbett, Citroen UK’s Marketing Director."The C4 is now the second best selling Citroen in the UK and the revamp of our award winning advertising is designed to maintain the C4 in the national consciousness."

Most people will recognise the Citroen C4 hatch as the one from the TV ad with the dancing robot.The C4 comes in hatchback and sports coupe versions and although our test car was the hatch it is a little different because it features a 1.6-litre diesel engine.It seems just about everything we've driven lately has been a diesel which is not necessarily a bad thing considering the rising cost of petrol.The C4 HDi is good for a miserly 4.7 litres per 100km and that translate into a long way between fill ups with the aid of a large 60-litre fuel tank.The heart of the matter is Citroen's newest diesel engine that uses common rail direct injection and piezo electric injectors, aided by a variable displacement turbocharger with overboost to provide extra torque under acceleration.The 1.6-litre power plant generates 80kW of power at 4000rpm and 240-260Nm of torque from a low 1750rpm.It is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, with an auto expected to be available in future.The HDi is no sports car out of the gates, but delivers strong mid to high-range performance where the majority of people want it.For a diesel, it is extremely quiet and particularly smooth, one of the smoothest we have driven in fact and in its element cruising in top gear on the motorway.You get a car that is well equipped, with six airbags and a five-star safety rating.Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, electronic stability control and cruise control with a speed limiter that stops the car from exceeding a set limit, say 60km/h in a built up area. It also comes with fogs, alloys and a full-size spare.Enthusiasts won't find the car disappointing. It might be a diesel but it gets mobile with stability control to keep things from getting too out of hand. Hills are no problem with plenty of torque even in fifth gear. We averaged 6.1L/100km during in variety of conditions easily giving the C4 a range of 1000km. The interior is quiet and the sound system is a half decent one too.We wouldn't mind putting the HDi to a longer test with Citroen's co-operation. The Citroen C4 HDi is priced from $29,990.

That is of course, providing a car that embodies so much of French automotive quirkiness is your cup of tea.Citroen, Peugeot and Renault continue to turn out cars that are well, different, to the work of most other carmakers.It's their belief in alternate fuel technologies, the technical marvels in the Citroen C4, the distinctive large rear of the Renault Megane and their out-and-out quirkiness that continues to set them apart.And now the arrival of the C4 as a diesel takes it one step further.The C4 HDi comes in one configuration, a five-door hatch with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission. However, while the 1.6-litre engine has the same power output as its petrol sibling, it boasts a significant leap in torque, up from 147Nm to 240Nm.The driver particularly notices that low down while changing up through the second and third gears.The C4 also has an engine overboost function that enables the motor to increase torque to 260Nm under acceleration for a maximum 90 seconds. It is self-regulated to ensure the all-important fuel economy is not harmed by a lead-footed driver.The car currently comes only as a manual, however Citroen announced last week that an automatic is on the way, possibly by the end of the year.The company also has the opportunity to put the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine, currently found in the C5 sedan, into the smaller car. And there is even the prospect of future C4 cars being powered by hybrid-diesel engines — technology currently that is being examined by the French.Citroen spokesman Edward Rowe says diesel sales currently account for only 20per cent of C4 sales as the Australian market slowly begins to accept the alternate fuel.However, the company is looking to the experience shown with the C5 that now has 80per cent diesel sales in Australia — admittedly from a small overall figure.Diesel produces two key results, fuel economy and the love it or hate it chatter of the engine. The C4 diesel's overall claimed fuel economy figure for combined city and highway driving is just 4.7litres per 100km — which puts it in the same territory as the hybrid Toyota Prius or the tiny Smart car.As for the noise, well, at worst it can be said to resemble the sound of an old Volkswagen Beetle, and at best you even feel that it sounds like a Subaru WRX.Either way, while road noise is at a minimum while driving the C4, you will certainly hear the diesel powerplant at work.The car does not have the bodykit and exterior sports trim of the top of the range petrol C4 VTS but is still a pretty little thing.Its wheels are fairly plain but the grille is distinctive. But it is inside where you will notice you are in a distinct car.It starts with the fixed-hub steering wheel. It feels strange at first to turn the wheel while the hub stays still but once you get used to it the value of having all the steering-mounted controls remaining in a fixed position for ease of use is an obvious bonus.But the jewel in the crown is the dashboard-top mounted display screen that provides a range of readings from the speedo to the fuel gauge and the number of kilometres left before you go searching for the diesel fuel pump at your local servo.It is extremely clear to read and the screen back-lighting adjusts for outside conditions.The driver's seat adjustment is manually operated and like a few other cars in this class can be fiddly to co-ordinate.Leg room for front and rear passengers is good and, while not cramped, the driver's footwell area could be bigger. The boot, reached by opening the hatch, boasts enough space for most small-family needs.Tested around town, including some of Sydney's hillier stretches, the C4 delivered sprightly acceleration, smooth handling and a comfortable ride.This car won't be a huge seller but it is a strong foot in the door for the future of diesel power in Australia.