Mini Cooper News

It has been a long and painfully infuriating search, but I have finally, blessedly found it, it's the world’s most pointless button. It lurks on the roof of the new Mini Cooper S and if it wasn’t designed by a woman, or perhaps a committee of women, I’ll eat a beach towel. Amazingly, I very nearly missed out on finding this simpering switch altogether. I had merely made a mental note to moan endlessly about the fact that the interior lighting was far too bright, and an annoying shade of blue to boot. But then I went on a stupidly long drive to the snow from Sydney, entirely in the dark. By the time I got to Goulburn I was so annoyed at being bathed in the sort of light you normally only find in tanning salons that I decided there had to be adjustment available to me. After playing with all the available and beautifully funky feeling toggles and buttons I found the right one, flicked it and nearly crashed the car. Far from dimming this blithering blue light, the switch merely changed it to a pinky hue I can only describe as “dawn at the beach”. Intrigued, yet revolted, I kept flicking and found that the car’s mood lighting can be changed to vermillion, purple, a Midori green, a yellow-and-brown Austin Powers kind of motif and, thankfully, orange. I say thankfully because at least the orange choice blends in with the rest of the dash lighting, although the combined effect is so bright you feel like you’re driving around in a ’70s kitchen. Of course a little bit of kitsch is to be expected when an idea like the Mini is recooked, as this one was recently, gaining a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and exterior tweaks so subtle that they’re like the effect of ageing on Elle McPherson’s body. You know they must be there, but they’re not really noticeable, and the overall effect is still so darn pretty. The shame about this shameful mood-lighting switch (surely it would make more sense in a 7 Series, where you can stretch out a bit) is that it taints what is otherwise an excellent, and much-improved, interior. The last Cooper S had a grey plastic finish that looked like it had been set upon by a whole childcare centre full of greasy fingered little fiends. It was supposed to look like brushed aluminium, I think, but it just looked liked rushed ab-libbing by the designers. Our test vehicle was all red leather and funky fake-wood plastic, but it all felt pleasant and of BMW build quality. And the dash just might be the coolest in the whole car world. The centrally mounted speedo has an indicator arrow whizzing around the outside, like one of those old-style weighing scales you used to find outside chemists, leaving space in the middle for a groovy little screen. This screen displays functions that can be selected with a very simple but still slightly iDrive- like controller, or the satellite navigation map. On the steering binnacle in front of you is a rev counter which can, if you like, also display a digital readout of your speed. When the Mini was first launched here, they couldn’t get away with that arrangement, due to ADRs, and we were the only country in the world with the speedo stuck to the steering wheel, but this time they’ve got around it. Looking at your speed on the massive central dial is totally impractical and no one likes having that information displayed where your passenger can see it so clearly anyway, but you put up with it because, as I say, the dash just looks so cool (even in vermillion-bathed light). While the old Cooper S was supercharged, and had a wondrous whine to go with that, the new engine, shared with the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group, is an award-winning turbo unit and offers more lowdown punch and usable torque than before. You get 128kW of power at a joyous 5500rpm and 240Nm of torque from 1600rpm to 5000rpm, which blips up to 260Nm via an overboost function when you really boot it. The result is a lot more fun than 128 kilowatts should be, and a 0 to 100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. The turbo doesn’t sound as good as the engine it replaces, but the performance more than makes up for that. Not many people can engineer fun into a car as cleverly as BMW/Mini and, much like its parent company’s cars, the best thing about the new Cooper is the steering. It really is go-kart like in that it needs so little lock wound on and it responds so pointedly. The great thing about the Mini is that it can make even the boredom of the urban commute fun, the bends on and off the Anzac Bridge every day were a particular joy. The ride isn’t too bad, for a car with such a short wheelbase, until you hit an expansion joint and it feels like you’ve run over a sequoia trunk. Not only do your teeth rattle, your ribs do. In short, and sweet, form, there’s a lot to love about the new Mini Cooper S, even with its stupid interior lighting system. It is, of course, entirely impractical if you’re ever going to carry more than one friend. And it is, undeniably, very expensive for a small car, prices start at $39,900 in standard trim and rise to very nearly $50k. But it’s not meant to be a practical car, it’s meant to be a fun one and on that basis it’s worth every cent.  

A Chinese link may help Chrysler hatch a plan to bring the Dodge Hornet to Australia. DaimlerChrysler is believed to be close to announcing a joint-venture deal with Chinese carmaker Chery Motors, that will see its hot Hornet hatch concept turn into a production reality.However, Chrysler Australia Group managing director, Gerry Jenkins, says the Chery talks are ongoing and nothing firm has been decided.But he would definitely like to have the Hornet in local showrooms. "We'd love to have it because there is a huge appetite for these B-segment cars," Jenkins says.However, despite having his fingers crossed that the Chery deal will go ahead, he is wary of speculation."Unfortunately there's nothing definitive at this point," he says.Jenkins says Chery's decision to build the car for China could enhance the car's prospects for Australia."But I can't really give you a time-frame," he says. "There isn't anything official at this point. I can only really speculate that it's in the foreseeable future."He says a car the size of the Hornet would be ideal for the Dodge brand, which is still in its infancy here."That sub-$20,000 market is an interesting market and I'd love to be able to play in it," Jenkins says. He also believes the Hornet would present a good value proposition for a first-time Chrysler-Dodge buyer.The Hornet was first shown as a concept at last year's Geneva motor show. Its compact, modern design was specifically tailored to the ultra-competitive European light car segment. The showcar is powered by a rear drive supercharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine developing 128kW mated to a six-speed manual. Its size, engine and looks clearly aims the Hornet at the Mini Cooper.Chrysler also has the Demon sports car;  a hit at the Geneva show. Jenkins says the company is now in the process of putting a business case together for production of the car.“I have my fingers crossed on that one as well,” he says.And if the Demon gets the nod, it will be aimed right at the Mazda MX5. 

In the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) results this week, the Toyota Aurion, Toyota Camry and Holden Commodore all received a four-star safety rating, adding to the previously tested four-star performers, the Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi 380.NRMA Motoring and Services Vehicle Safety Expert, Jack Haley says most of these cars failed to reach a top rating because of the lack of side curtain airbags.The Toyota Aurion is the only car equipped with side head protection as standard, but Haley says Toyota chose not to proceed with an optional pole test. This meant they were unable to score five stars in the overall testing. The testing involved the top-selling version of each model and Haley says the other large cars offered curtain airbags as an option, but not as a standard feature in the models tested.“Obviously our aim is to get all cars up to a five-star safety rating,” Haley says. “We'd like to see curtain airbags in all vehicles and we would also like to see stability control as standard.”The Toyota Aurion and Holden Commodore have stability control as standard, but it is only an option in various other family cars. But Haley says stability control didn't contribute to the ANCAP testing, as the results show how a car performs in a crash, whereas stability control is an active accident-prevention device.Each car underwent three main areas of testing under ANCAP.They included frontal, side impact and pedestrian tests.Many Japanese and European cars have already received a five-star rating in the European version of testing, known as the EuroNCAP.They include the Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 207, Ford Focus XR5, Land Rover Freelander 2, Citroen Picasso, Mitsubishi Outlander, Volvo C30, VW Passat and Mini Cooper.Most of these models were tested as top-of-the-range, whereas in Australia the extra airbags are optional on some models. ANCAP advises motorists to buy vehicles with a full six-airbag package, including side head protection and electronic stability control.The Toyota Tarago and Mitsubishi Triton also scored a four-star rating in the recent testing, an improvement for the Triton, which is up from a previously low two-star rating.The Hyundai Accent scored three stars and the Mitsubishi Express van scored poorly with just one star. STAR RATINGS  Source: ANCAP 2007 

They went down that path with a cosmetically enhanced Nissan Pulsar-based Holden Astra in the 1980s that bombed miserably. But today, fuel prices are skyrocketing — and increasingly becoming a critical part of the car-purchase equation.HSV is returning to economy without deserting its traditional V8 heartland. Today you can fire up a HSV-tuned 177kW turbocharged Astra VXR and now the company is looking at bringing in the hot turbocharged 1.6-litre Corsa VXR.Already a hit in the UK, where it went on sale in March, the three-door pocket rocket will mark a continuing evolution in the direction of HSV.Former HSV chairman John Crennan, who retired last year but still wears the brand on his sleeve and remains a part of the company, explains HSV does not necessarily have to replicate a Holden product in its line-up, meaning an Epica HSV is highly unlikely. “The Corsa is one Euro brand we're looking at,” he says.Crennan says there is no specific time frame for the arrival of the Corsa, but if the numbers stack up, it could be here within 18 months.The car would be pitched into Mini Cooper S and Peugeot 207 GT territory with a price tag around $35,000. The Corsa VXR has 143kW on tap at 5850 revs and 230Nm from 1980 revs from a lightweight 1.6-litre four, giving the car sprint time of zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and top speed of more than 220km/h. The VXR's four-pot is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual. With its performance credentials and bold styling, the mini hatch fits perfectly into HSV's DNA.The mirrors, foglight-surrounds and centre exhaust all have a triangular theme, while the chunky front and rear bumpers, side skirts and 18-inch alloys hint at the performance underneath.Inside there are sculpted Recaro seats, racecar-style, flat-bottomed steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals and piano-black dash trim. Like the Mini Cooper S, it has an overboost facility that increases torque on demand to more than 260Nm under hard acceleration. The power is kept in check with a specially tuned ESP system, up-rated disc brakes, suspension and variably assisted power steering, which alters weight and feel of the wheel depending on the way the car is driven.In Australia, Holden's previous-generation XC Barina was a highly respected Opel-sourced Corsa model. But when the new TK Barina went on sale late in 2005, the company chose to source it from GM-Daewoo in South Korea. While competitively priced, the newest Barina scored poorly in the Australian and European New-Car Assessment Programs. It only managed a two-star crash rating.Meanwhile, the Brits are raving about our HSV Clubsport sedan. In a land beset by high petrol prices and appalling congestion, they can't get enough of the 6.0-litre — badged as a Vauxhall VXR8.HSV's managing director, Scott Grant, is also eyeing other markets. “We're committed to 300 Clubsport R8s a year to the UK for the next three years,” he says, adding that the new long-wheelbase Grange is the next export candidate — possibly to the Middle East and China.

Their 3-litre twin-turbo petrol engine from the BMW 335i has won the International Engine of the Year Award from the same company's M5 and M6 V10 which took out the previous two titles.The twin turbo, which has two variable turbochargers, direct injection and an all-aluminium crankcase, also won best new engine while the V10 again claimed the best performance engine.BMW, which also dominated last year's awards, took out seven trophies, including the Mini Cooper S 1.6-litre petrol turbo which was developed in co-operation with French car maker Peugeot and features in their 207.However, the biggest round of applause at the ninth annual awards at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, this week was reserved for Porsche which finally won a gong.Its 3.6-litre petrol turbo engine in the 911 Turbo was voted the best 3 to 4 litre engine in production today.The awards are judged by 62 motoring journalists from 30 countries, including Australia.Volkswagen's 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged TSI unit triumphed for a second year in the 1-1.4-litre class, with its larger sibling, the 2-litre turbo developed by Audi and housed in the Golf GTi and Audi A3, topping the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category.While performance engines dominated, the Toyota Prius 1.5-litre hybrid engine continued to be the top eco-friendly option.Toyota also won awards for its 1-litre 3-cylinder Aygo engine while the Yaris engine took the honours in the below 1-litre category.Engine AwardsINTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR: BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (335i)BEST NEW ENGINE: BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (335i)BEST FUEL ECONOMY: Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)BEST PERFORMANCE ENGINE: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)SUB 1-LITRE: Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citron C1)1 TO 1.4-LITRE: Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Jetta)1.4 TO 1.8-LITRE: BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI, Peugeot 207)1.8 TO 2-LITRE: Volkswagen 2-litre Turbo (Golf, Audi A3, A6, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia)2 TO 2.5-LITRE: BMW 2.5-litre (325, 525, X3, Z4)2.5 TO 3-LITRE: BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (335i)3 TO 4-LITRE: Porsche 3.6-litre Turbo (911)ABOVE 4-LITRE: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)

The world's most modified Mini Cooper made its debut Down Under at the Auto Salon show last weekend at Homebush Bay in Sydney.The Alpine Mini has been completely transformed and features a central steering console, a single seat, digital visual gauges, speakers, electronics and a customised wrap-around rimless windscreen.The customised Mini comes directly from the US and took 4000 man-hours and more than seven months to complete.And there's no need to worry about slamming your fingers in any doors of this car.Passage in and out of the car is from the rear where the boot used to be. It has been removed and the seat slides backwards on a mechanised track.

Paul Stokell finished ninth overall on Sunday in the gruelling rally in a Mini with “Tasmanian Tiger” livery.It was the second consecutive year Mini was first front-wheel-drive car home. Second was the Mazda3 MPS driven by Rick Bates.“We had an entertaining dice all rally long with the Mazda," Stokell's co-driver Peter Burrey said.“It spurred us on, but Paul is such a great driver we did not have one (worrying) moment on the whole rally.”Team Mini partners Grant Denyer finished 20th with Dale Moscatt in the Mini “Cheetah” while Mike Sinclair and Bill Hayes in the Mini “Python” were 40th.The rally results comes as the new Mini has scored the highest-possible five-star Euro NCAP result.The new Mini Cooper achieved 13 out of 16 points for deformation behaviour in a head-on collision, and 16 from 18 points in the side-on and pillar collision. Mini Cooper is now 60mm longer than its predecessor to meet pedestrian impact regulations. The car also comes standard with six airbags, three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all four seats and ISOFIX child seat fastening systems in the rear.Active safety includes brake assist, cornering brake control and brake force distribution.

It will be a Mini wagon — in name and style — with a wheelbase extended from the new Mini that has just arrived in Australia but with the same "barn-door" style back end that was such a hit in the 1970s."The name is public. That is about all. It will be on sale in Europe before the end of the year," Mini in Australia spokesman Alexander Corne says."We have no details yet on models or engines for Australia."Mini could have answers within a fortnight, as well as an on-sale date early next year, but the news is still coming from Europe with little light on the local plan.Still, the company admits the car is a production version of the Mini wagon that has been on the motor show trail for more than 18 months and has been a hit with four entirely different themes for each major display.It was shown as a snow bunny in Geneva, a picnic partner in Frankfurt, a mobile nightclub in Tokyo and a sports wagon in Detroit."It's a fun car for young people with active lifestyles," Corne says.The Clubman is likely to share the mechanical package just revealed, including a turbocharged Cooper S engine.The original Clubman was sold in Australia with a squared-off front, not the rounded look of the original Mini, as well as a number of mechanical and interior updates."The Mini Clubman was sold as a sedan and a wagon in Britain. The estate in Britain had two fake wooden strips down the side and barn-style doors on the back," Corne says."The Australian one survived until the end of production in 1978. In Britain it lived on until 1980."About 1971 the Clubman in Britain became the Clubman GT, which replaced the Cooper S. The Cooper model was dropped until coming back much later in the life of the car.Though details of the Clubman are still coming, Mini has confirmed a John Cooper Works version of the latest Mini.Its turbocharged engine is upgraded from 128 to 141kW, using a new exhaust and air intake, and the other obvious change is 18-inch alloy wheels.The new Cooper Works is not as powerful as the outgoing model — still available on the Mini Cabrio that continues unchanged for now — but Corne says its 141kW provides the same sort of performance as the 154kW of the earlier car with better response and economy.The Cooper Works has worked well for Mini in Australia, providing about 10 per cent of sales for the Cooper S — which is, in turn, close to half of all Mini sales.But, once again, Mini is not saying anything about dollars or deliveries."We are not sure yet of the timing or the price," Corne says.

This year marks both the 100th birthday of the Mini’s inventor, the late Sir Alec Issigonis, and the launch of what BMW like to depict as the latest incarnation of the small, but perfectly formed, Mini that first appeared in 1959.In 2001, BMW did its Dr Frankenstein thing with the moribund marque that had little more to offer its fanatical devotees than heritage and memories of The Italian Job.By contrast, the wholly New Mini – as it was called – offered faddists a package of German engineering; though it also "inspired" the blandest movie remake of the early millennium.With the arrival of generation two (that’d be the "new New Mini", then), the nameplate has not only survived the novelty of the retro auto movement it embodied, but has thrived to the extent of contributing 15 per cent of the BMW group’s global sales.BMW call its only front-wheel-drive the "only premium small car". You might wonder how certain other top end Euro hatch makers would respond, but it’s true that nothing else is quite the same.The hatches to which Mini is predictably compared are go-fast versions developed from humble shopping trolleys, whereas a Mini has no utilitarian relative. Yes, there are variants of more or less power, but in the main, a Mini is a Mini.It exists for no other reason than to provide buyers with a style statement that’s tolerably entertaining to drive and it has worked to the extent that 80 per cent of owners are new to the BMW group.Half of them are expected to buy another Mini and half of these in turn will go for the upper spec and quite quick Cooper S that’s been shown to the world’s media in Barcelona over the past fortnight.It goes on sale in Australia early in the second quarter of 2007, alongside the atmo "S-less" Cooper with diesel and convertible versions to come later.For now the current model rag top will continue to be produced with the new line of hatches."We wanted to launch with a bang," said a Mini man by way of explanation for their being no base models available when we visited Catalonia with the first wave of media to meet the new Cooper S. It wouldn’t want to be a squib then ...The immediate impression of the mass of gaily coloured Coopers arrayed by Barcelona’s Olympic Canal awaiting rapid deployment through the winding roads of the region is of change so subtle it is almost invisible. By third or fourth glance, though, these enhancements are telling and effective.Sixty millimetres longer than the previous model, its wheels are set far forward and back for longest possible footprint and scarcely an overhang.This works within to the extent that my average height co-driver could sit behind my above-average height driving position. Well, sort of - deep inserts in the back of the front seats removed the need to hug his knees while I could just about steer.Of more relevance than irksome practicalities, are the cosmetic options. I mean, this is Mini, right? With 319 exterior variations and 372 inside, Mini claim a theoretical total of (ahem) 15,000,000,000,000,000 trim combinations.While it’s all I can do to type that, they seemed quite straight-faced about it. Whatever, it’s unlikely you’ll see two Minis of identical trim and spec.Circularity is the dominant design motif; from the headlights that are now built into the body rather than the pedestrian-yielding bonnet, up to and including the huge kitchen clock-like speedo and disc-shaped ignition device that slides into the dash beneath the start/stop button.The Mini would do nicely for the fashion distracted DINK couple who find their nest filling and so need to replace their MX-5, that relatively affordable, two-seater style statement par excellence with a not too expensive two plus two. Certainly no-one could accuse them of surrendering to suburban SUV anonymity.Nor, with the Cooper S’s new blown engine, would they have to wear hairdresser slurs. The need to accommodate BMW’s latest small capacity Valvetronic fours was the primary impetus for developing the second generation range.While power of the Cooper S’s turbocharged 1.6 is up a mere 3kW to 128 over the old supercharged unit, torque rises a useful 20Nm to 240 with a decidedly juicy 260Nm briefly available under hard acceleration via the overboost function. Progress comes sooo much more readily now, with a lovely fat torque curve that arrives at 1600rpm and lingers until five grand.If there’s not much on offer after that point, already the Cooper S has gone further and quicker than you would have reasonably expected of a compact but bulky 1130kg package.The twin scroll turbocharger works seamlessly; turbo lag no more an issue than in the blown 3.0 litre of BMW’s recently released 335i.A claimed acceleration time of 7.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h will likely be reduced with the introduction of the sports mode that was missing from the launch cars.As it stands, the Cooper S travels with the assuredness of much larger car.At almost double Australian legal speeds in fifth on the freeway, it didn’t trouble the rev limiter.Through the seemingly ceaseless succession of second gear corners of the region’s B-roads, it could keep the company of all but sharpest hot hatches (dynamics will be enhanced by the optional limited slip diff).Rapid progress feels a bit too remote through the over assisted steering. It’s accurate enough but lacking the tactility to appreciate the Mini’s much vaunted "go kart" feeling.Torque steer occurs in extremis, but the press on driving impression is one of tractability, controllability and good, clean fun.Tail action can be provoked with the electronic nannies switched off, though it’s more twitch than a waggle.Our cars came with the same close ratio six speed manual gearbox that would be great instead of merely very good if the third-to-second down change sprung home more readily.Don’t take that as definitive; it’s an impression marred by the hamfistedness that comes with only infrequently rowing a left hand drive car.What would be handy in any configuration, however, is a more amorous driver’s seat; it’s slightly too flat and unsupportive for the more manic moments.Ride impression also need await local release. The runflats tyres (16-inchers on the conventionally suspended model, 17s with the sport tune) were good enough for first world roads.While the stiffened suspension offers marginally more grip and power out of corners, we’ll hazard that the softer option will be the choice on Australia’s crap tarmac.On the basis of our Mini homage to Catalonia, you’d have to say that there remain similar cars that offer either a more focused driving experience (Renaultsport 182) or greater all round ability (Golf GTI). But the great thing is these are just not Minis, and that’s kind of the point of owning one.Even so, the revitalised Cooper S offers ample substance to supplement its singular style.Paul Pottinger is a senior roadtester on the CARSguide team, and also editor of the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews and analysis will appear in the Sunday Telegraph.

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.