Hatchback Reviews

Mercedes-Benz is about to take a club to Golf with the new, German made A-Class premium hatchback priced from around $36,000.It is one of five new buggies on the same new platform coming from Benz in the next two years. Some have front wheel drive, some drive all four wheels to get you out of the rough. A coupe and possibly two compact SUV variants are on the way.The baby Benz has a handicap advantage over Golf in standard equipment scoring a seven speed dual clutch ‘manumatic’ auto (DCT) across the range along with engine stop/start, self- park function  and nine air bags.Additionally, the crash preparation system Pre-safe is also included. A clever Apple- developed communications system that even chats to the driver is available as an option for about $2000.It makes A-Class into a virtual smart phone on wheels and includes 3D satnav with traffic information and allows seamless iPod or iPhone integration into the car. An Android version should be available when the A-Class arrives in Australia March 2013.THE RANGEWe’ll be getting turbo petrol models; the A180, A200 and A250 Sport and one turbo diesel; the A200CDi. Local cars will likely be available in two spec’ levels or alternatively, with locally developed feature-rich ‘packs.’ The 250 Sport will be highly specified as standard and is likely to come in at around $50,000 or about the same as an equivalently specified VW Golf GTi.THE ENGINESNew generation engines make their debut in the A-Class. The 180 and 200 petrol are 1.6-litres while the 250 is a 2.0-litre. Power outputs across the range go from 90-166kW while torque is rated between 200Nm-350Nm. A250 Sport has an overboost function to achieve and additional 11kW over the ‘normal’ output when in sport mode. The petrol engines are all direct injection with a new cam system called Camtronic that alters valve lift on the inlet side and also has cylinder cut-off for fuel savings.It’s the first time this system has been used in a production car. The A200 CDi is a 1.8 – again a new engine specifically developed for this new class of Benz and is good for 100kW/300Nm. All these engines pass the 2015 Euro 6 emissions regulations with extremely frugal fuel use (down into the mid 4.0 litre/100km range) and low carbon dioxide output.SAFETYDesigned from the outset to deliver a full five star level of crash protection, A-Class can be specified with a full suite of safety equipment from the Benz inventory including lane departure system, speed limit recognition and warning, Distronic radar cruise control and blind spot warning. All our local cars get the collision prevention system that takes control of braking in a potential crash situation if the driver doesn’t react and attention assist if you start to nod off behind the wheel.THE LOOKIn its metamorphosis from stunning concept to production car not that much changed with the A-Class. It has an aggressive frontal appearance, truncated rear and sculpted side panels that really command attention. Even the pointillist grille made it through to the Sport model while the others get a two bar diamond grille housing distinctive headlights and wild LED driving lights. It looks ‘the biz’ on the outside.INSIDEInterior styling marks a new trend for Benz with elements carried through from both the SLS and SL sports cars. It’s dominated by three metal ringed air vents atop the centre stack and a funky instrument console with metal face dials. The dash itself in Sport is something to behold with its carbon fibre finish.THE DRIVEWe got hold of the A200 petrol and diesel in Slovenia this week and also had a squirt in the A250 on a disused airfield marked out like a race track. You’d be happy with any of them especially their drive feel and the way they sit on the road. Benz has done a great job of engaging a driver’s senses in all dynamic aspects of the car especially the steering and ride. It feels almost predictive.A-Class will satisfy the enthusiast driver and then back up as a competent and easy to drive town hack. The DCT transmission is impressive with multiple modes available and quick changes up and down the range.  Noise levels are at a minimum partly because of the car’s Cd 0.27 aerodynamics. The Sport has strong power available at will and even sharper dynamics than the other cars as well as more purposeful looks and sound.But our pre-production test drive A250 Sports were a tad tardy off the line, something that will be addressed in the months before it goes on.Mercedes-Benz A-classPrice: from $36,000 (approx.)Safety: 5 starsEngine: 115kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol,155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 240kW turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre engine, 100kW 1.6-litre diesel engineTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 5.5l/100km, 6.4l/100km, 4.4l/100km 

A truly global vehicle, the new Honda Civic is manufactured in Britain and was developed with extensive testing throughout Europe.Civic VTi-S is available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, while the VTi-L is auto only.Prices start at a very reasonable $22,650 for the VTi-S manual and peak at $29,950 for the VTi-L. On-road costs have to be factored in.To start the ball rolling on sales of the new model Honda is offering the VTi-S at drive-away prices of $24,990 and $27,290 respectively. They are on sale now.Honda is placing much store on its new Civic Hatch and predicts sales of both models will be split down the middle 50:50. The company says it is also looking forward to adding a further buyer inducement with the stable being joined by a 1.6-litre diesel version next year.The standard audio has USB connectivity, iPod integration, auxiliary jack and speed-sensitive volume control. Bluetooth, fitted on VTi-L only, can be had on VTi-S at extra cost. The VT-L carries a premium sound system with seven speakers including tweeters and sub-woofer. Hill start assist is standard across the range. Cruise control with variable speed limiter is available on VTi-L only.The new Hatch comes in two models – the VTi-S and VTi-L – both powered by an upgraded 1.8-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine producing 104 kW of power at 6500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm.Civic VTi-S is available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, while the VTi-L is auto only. Prices start at a very reasonable $22,650 for the VTi-S manual and peak at $29,950 for the VTi-L. On-road costs have to be factored in.Improved aerodynamics, together with Honda’s fuel efficient technology, have the new Civic Hatch coming up with consumption figures of 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual transmission and 6.5 L/100 km for the automatic on the Australian combined driving cycle. Carbon dioxide emissions are put at 146 g per kilometre (manual) and 155 g / km (automatic) on 95 RON petrol. Emissions standard is Euro IV.Fuel efficient technology featured on the Civic hatch is called ECO Assist using the car’s speedometer illumination – blue (bad) or green (good) – to tell drivers how their driving is affecting fuel economy.A green dash-mounted Econ switch activates the most economical and environmentally friendly settings for the car by selecting the best throttle position for accelerator pedal pressure to smoothly increase torque. Eco Assist also improves the efficiency of the air-conditioning system, again saving fuel.Honda research found drivers liked the styling of the previous model, with its futuristic looks and practicality but baulked at the car’s limited rear vision and felt that the rear design could look more sophisticated.The car’s spacious and user-friendly cockpit design was well liked, with the clever ‘magic seat’ system in the rear offering added cargo room receiving much positive comment. Users, however, were not too happy with the quality of materials used.As a result of this feedback, the new Civic Hatch has a sporty sleek exterior with a cabin cleverly packaged to offer versatile occupant and cargo space together with comfortable and stress-free driving conditions.The designers took their lead from the ‘blended body’ aircraft in which fuselage and wings fuse into a single unit for superior aerodynamic performance and quietness.The result is a lower and wider Civic Hatch front and profile, with smooth surfaces combining with the sculpted wheel arches and concealed rear door handles, tailgate treatment and flat underbody to produce improved aerodynamics (Cd 0.30).A new functional cockpit layout includes a full-colour Intelligent Multi-Information Display screen incorporating the Eco driving facility, audio display and other information.Soft-touch surface materials are used throughout for an improved quality feel, a new tilt and telescopic steering wheel has easy-to-operate controls, while the VTi-L wheel is finished in extra-smooth leather with more comfortable stitching.A low extra rear window gives a better view from the driver’s seat and there’s improved crosswind stability.The new Civic hatch has already gained a five-star ANCAP safety rating. LED day-time running lights (switched off when headlights are on) and LED brake/tail lights ensure the vehicle is highly visible to other road users at all times.On a run organised by Honda through Sydney’s southern suburbs and on a mix of country and highway driving the new Civic Hatch performed up to Honda expectations.The six-speed manual shifted gears with little effort, making for comfortable and relaxed going. Steering was direct and well weighted, offering good road feedback, while the ride was supple yet responsive to changing driving conditions.There was no getting away from differences in performance in Econ mode with the need to change down a gear or two more often to cope with inclines or overtaking. The automatic transmission was sufficiently sorted to take similar conditions in its stride.

Back in 1997 a moose that didn't exist gave Mercedes-Benz one heck of a publicity headache. The German carmaker's innovative new A-class compact model featured a 'sandwich floor' design that let engineers reduce overall length by tucking the engine under the front of the cabin.Problem was it also increased the A-class's height to the extent that the car could roll over when swerving in an emergency situation. A Swedish car magazine discovered this during its 'moose avoidance test'.Benz eventually rectified this dynamic flaw, but the damage was done. The A-class's undeniably innovative design was poleaxed by a moose that didn't exist. Fifteen years later, in a textbook example of 'if you can't beat 'em join 'em' Mercedes-Benz has completely redesigned the baby A-class along more conventional hatchback lines that it believes will have greater appeal with premium hatchback buyers in Australia and around the world.PRICES AND MODELSThe new A-class hatchback priced from $36,000 (approx.) is due in Australia in March 2013. Four/five-door front-drive models will be available initially.Top of the petrol range initially will be an A250 Sport, with a rorty 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and unique sports-tuned front suspension.Benz claims an impressive 6.6 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint, and an equally impressive fuel economy rating of 6.4l/100km. At just under $50k the A250 Sport won't be cheap though, especially when compared with the $42k VW Golf GTi.A high performance A45 AMG model will complete the five-door hatchback range in September 2013. Word is the first AMG version of an A-class will pack a 240kW, turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and employ an all-wheel drive system to get the power down. Expect to pay over $60,000 for this scorching sub-five-second hatchback. Just one diesel A-class will be offered, also badged an A200, and with an automatic transmission. Its 100kW 1.6-litre engine uses just 4.4-litres per 100km.SAFETYThe A-class's safety portfolio includes nine airbags and ESC in a safety-structure expected to deliver a five-star crash safety rating. All models will come with Benz's Pre-Safe collision avoidance system, Distronic radar cruise control, self-parking and Bluetooth connectivity. Benz would not confirm if a reversing camera would be standard across the range.DESIGNA-class development boss Rudiger Rutz says the move to a more conventional hatchback body was inevitable. "From the perspective of an engineer was interesting," he told CarsGuide, "but when you asked our customers what they liked of the old A-class, they don't mention the sandwich floor, or the underfloor engine placement.Yes, they mentioned the higher seating position, but the high body had some impact on driving dynamics."For those who want the high seating position we have the new B-class. For those who want a more conventional, sportier premium hatchback, this is the A-class for them." The new A-class is 16cm lower, yet there's no shortage of headroom front or rear for full-size adults. The new car is 39cm longer but most of this is because the engine is no longer tucked under the cabin floor. Even so, rear seat legroom is not a problem, and boot space of 341 litres is decent for this class of car.DRIVINGThe driving experience is chalk and cheese compared to the old model. CarsGuide sampled the A250 Sport, and A200 petrol and diesel models at the world launch in Slovenia earlier this week. All models pack a sporting dynamism the stodgy old A could never hope to match.The new A-class goes, steers and stops with a willingness and tactility that makes it lots of fun to drive both enthusiastically and sedately. The 155kW 2.0-litre petrol engine packs a vigorous punch, and has a rorty tone that's very un-Benz-like.Even the A200's 1.6-litre petrol engine, which most Australians are expected to buy, accelerates willingly from low speeds and shows plenty of pluck at pace. The 7-speed automatic can be a little slow to react to manual changes, but there's no criticising the smoothness of its gear changes.VERDICTQuestion marks remains over how the firm -- and it is very firm -- suspension tune of the European models we drove shod with 18inch tyres will translate to Australian surfaces. Despite that, this new A-class is a convincing premium sports hatch, and it should have little to fear from mooses, imaginary or otherwise.Mercedes-Benz A-classPrice: from $36,000 (approx.)Safety: 5 starsEngine: 115kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol,155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 240kW turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre engine, 100kW 1.6-litre diesel engineTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 5.5l/100km, 6.4l/100km, 4.4l/100km 

Looking tougher and with more firepower, Ford’s Focus ST might just be the new king of hot hatches...Set to go on-sale in around 40 countries, the Focus ST is billed as Ford’s first global performance car. It’s also, and apologies for getting all gushy so soon, flipping marvelous.My seat of the pants impression after a spirited drive along the Route Napoleon in the mountains around Nice is that it’s more flexible, more thrilling, and better sounding than its key rivals (Volkswagen Golf GTI, Renault Megane RS, and Mazda3 MPS).While there’s no word on pricing just yet (we can expect that to be announced in the next couple of weeks), or how many Ford Australia expect to sell, you’d be reasonably safe betting on it costing around the $40k mark (about the same amount as a VW Golf GTI). And at that price, it would represent excellent value for money.Fitted with a weapons-grade 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost (184kW and 340Nm), this engine, is, more or less, the same engine nestled beneath the bonnet of the Falcon EcoBoost.As mentioned there’s been no word on pricing, but the Focus ST is Ford’s attempt to steal the crown from Volkswagen’s Golf GTI (priced from $40,490+ORC) and so a price point of around $40k should be expected.Final specification, also, hasn’t been finalised for Australian-delivered cars, but there’s a fair chance our cars will have figure-hugging, partial leather, Recaro seats and dual-zone climate control, an alarm, sat-nav (that will hopefully be recalibrated for Australia, as, at the international launch it proved notoriously slow), auto headlights, auto-dimming rear vision mirror and rain-sensing wipers.Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine which makes 184kW and 340Nm (overboost to 360Nm) from 1750rpm, is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed manual, and returns 7.2L/100km.But what really impresses about this engine is, and it’s the same as the 1.0-litre EcoBoost, its off-idle, diesel-esque drivability - a signature trait of the EcoBoost family. And it doesn’t fall away either; the gearbox, which is well matched to the clutch, offers rifle-bolt precise shifts and a near seamless pouring-on of power.Plant your foot and while it doesn’t exactly snap your head off it does, as it reels in the horizon, leave you thinking it could happily keep on accelerating into next week... The Focus ST will get to the legal limit in 6.5 seconds, but it feels faster than that, and its in-gear punch is truly impressive. Indeed, it happily hauled itself out of tight corners in fourth-gear from 1500rpm.Looking more muscular but not tacked-on aggressive than a standard Focus, the ST gets a one-piece version of the trapezoidal grille featured on the rest of the Focus range. More than that it gets a bodykit and 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/40 Goodyear Eagle rubber.There’s a subtle reworking of the interior, too, with darker headlining and trim on the pillars, the figure-hugging Recaro seats, which offer the perfect blend of grip and comfort, a specially-designed steering wheel, gearshift and pedals.Up on top of the dash is a set of three guages displaying water temperature, turbo boost, and oil pressure - they seem a little tacked on, and if they weren’t there we wouldn’t be disappointed. Other than that, the interior is typical Focus, with quality materials and impressive fit and finish.Thanks to reach and rake on the steering, and plenty of adjustment on the seat, it’s a cinch to get comfortable behind the wheel. There’s plenty of room in the front seats, and decent room in the back. In terms of luggage space, and Australian-spec cars will most likely be fitted with a space saver spare wheel, you’ll get around 316 litres, drop the 60/40 split-fold rear seats and this grows to 1062 litres.Like every other Focus, the ST is eligible for a five-star ANCAP crash safety rating, and it gets a raft of active and passive safety systems. There are front and thorax-protecting airbags for driver and front-seat passenger, as well as side curtain airbags for front and backseat passengers.It also features stability and traction controls with three-stage settings (Normal, Sport and Off), ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, and Enhanced Dynamic Cornering Control, and much more.Our drive route (as well as some excellent mountain roads) took in a considerable amount of suburban roads and, ordinarily, these highly-strung hot hatches can leave you shaken and stirred, but not the Focus ST. The suspension is sporting, sure, but it’s got just enough compliance to knock the hard edges off any and all bumps and ruts, and there were plenty of those on our drive - it’ll have no problem on our roads.The electronic power assisted steering (with variable ratio steering rack) is direct (you can go from lock to lock without taking your hands off the wheel), well-weighted and consistent, and while you do get a slight tug at the wheel (courtesy of torque steer under hard acceleration) it’s minimised thanks to Ford’s Torque Steer Compensation... And so grippy is the front end, and so flexible is the car that you’d have to have fists of ham and fingers of butter to get the nose to run wide out of a corner.Thanks to its off-idle grunt it feels just as rapid as the Ford Focus RS, but is much more refined and drivable in all situations. It leaves both the Mazda3 MPS and Renault Megane RS250 in the dust and, in my opinion is better balanced and with a lot more low-down oomph than a Golf GTI. Indeed, it’s just plain better than that car.

Graham Smith reviews the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Suzuki Swift as a used buy.

Audi’s baby A1 is spreading its wings – or more accurately its doors, having added a couple to arrive in Sportback versions.Bigger than a hatch, but sexier than a wagon, the Sportback hopes to extend the A1’s appeal to young families who like the upmarket style of the original coupe, but need those extra doors to load the kiddies through.It’s also something of a bait to draw new buyers to the brand, so while it’s at the entry end of the Audi model floor, it hasn’t missed out on premium finishes and features.DESIGNApart from the extra doors, it’s not so easy to spot the differences. Audi has managed to pretty well maintain the shape with a just slightly bigger body that gives more room for heads and legs, plus easier access.The rear row is now a triple-seater, although snug to a near-intimate degree, but all spots have headrests and three-point seatbelts.Drop the rear seats and the 270-litre boot space balloons out to 920 litres, happily without having to first go through wrestling the headrests out of their slots.The nsoe gets the new sharpened single-frame grille and curved LED daytime running lights.  Following in the path of the Mini – and possibly luring some of its fans – there’s almost endless scope for customisation, starting with a contrasting colour roof and going from there to … whatever you want.The Audi options catalogue is a virtual vehicle Lego kit. Build in your personal preferences and you’re unlikely to ever meet an identical car on the road. The dash is a perfect marriage of funky and classy, avoiding the gimmickry of Mini’s layout (which largely suffers from having a tacho the size of a bistro table).RANGE AND PRICESTurbo technology and fuel injection for efficiency, coupled to downsizing for lighter weight and better economy are the main cards for both petrol and diesel choices, and the opening hand from $26,500 is the new 63kW/160Nm 1.2-litre TFSI petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission that was the main focus of our test drive. For $29,990 you have the choice of the mid-range petrol 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre TFSI or the 66kW/230Nm 1.6-litre TDI diesel – both with manual transmissions or an S-tronic automatic transmission for an extra $2350. The higher-powered 136kW/250Nm 1.4 TFSI S-tronic Sport 136kW will set you back $42,500.Standard Attraction spec includes alloy wheels, all the creature comforts you’d expect, plus a six-speaker single CD Concert audio system linked to a 6.5-in display that retracts into the top of the dash. Moving up to Ambition gets you sports seats and suspension to keep them stable, fog lights and extra touches of leather and metal trim.SAFETYFront, side and curtain airbags, anti-skid brakes with all the electronic helpers you could want, stability control and hill-hold assist are soldiers in the campaign for a five-star safety rating.DRIVINGWith the light little 1.2-litre engine, the base model A1 Sportback is a nimble drive. You’re not going to get balls-out performance from it – for that, look to the top-notch Sport version – but despite an official 0-100km/h time of 11.9 seconds, it doesn’t feel sluggish.On the road it feels balanced and composed, with the steering direct and responsive. But it’s not meant to be a track day hero. Its trump card is touted the fuel economy (posted as a frugal 5.1L/100km, but bubbling up well beyond that if you try to push it for even short periods. But premium car buyers are probably not swayed by fuel costs. Yet.And truly, its key appeal is in offering an affordable step into the Audi range that is also practical. The looks and fit-out say young, hip, urban. The rear doors say you can be all that and a family too.VERDICTLike any other brand, Audi is looking to get the almost legendary ‘younger buyer’ into their showrooms and cars. As an overall package, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSI is one of the best bids around.Audi A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSIPrice: From $26,500Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmService intervals: 12 months/15,000kmEngine: 1.2-litre TFSI turbo petrol, 63kW/130NmTransmission: Five-speed manual (1.2 TFSI) FWDThirst:  5.1L/100km, 118g/km CO2 

Naming your cars after winds can be as tricky as sailing into them. Volkswagen claims the German word for the trade winds that charted early sail boats as the name for its family model, Passat.But with 188kW and the attitude of a psychotic guard dog, a soft breeze wouldn't wash over the two-door version of the hot Golf R.That's why the Scirocco - a hurricane-size wind that blows north from the Sahara into the Mediterranean - so suits Volkswagen's coupe and explains that even Maserati was enamoured with the same wind by twice using using its Arabic name, Ghibli, for high-performance cars. Even Errol Flynn's first yacht filled its sails in the Pacific wearing the name spelt as Sirocco.VALUEI expected it to cost more. At $47,490 - and an extra $2500 for the six-speed DSG dual-clutch auto - it has the h ot looks, bristling performance and thundering exhaust note to trounce coupes with double its price tag.The kit is expansive, starting with the eight-speaker audio with Bluetooth and iPod/USB connection, bi-xenon headlights and 19-inch alloys, heated seats and park sensors, and electronic adjustable suspension damping.mThere's 345 nation-wide sales to June 1 this year, indicating it's also pleasingly uncommon.DESIGNEven since I saw one - white with silver alloys and red brake calipers - rumbling through a narrow, cobblestone Berlin street five years ago, it has become one of my key yardstick cars.Its design is purposeful yet beautiful, feminine in parts with its sculptured hips and chamfered nose, while relaying undeniable strength. Inside, my love diminishes somewhat - not because it's done badly but because I've seen all of it before in other Volkswagen products. It seats four adults - ensure they're not to tall for the rear, however - and the boot is surprisingly deep (mainly b ecause there's no spare wheel).TECHNOLOGYThe Scirocco arrives in Australia in one version only - the 188kW/330Nm wearing the R label. This is the white-hot version of our 155kW Golf GTI and uses the same direct-injection turbo-petrol engine as the $49,990 all-wheel drive Golf R.Scirocco deletes the AWD and saves 120kg over the Golf, but with a 0-100km/h of 6.2sec, still isn't as quick as the grippy Golf's 5.9sec sprint. Scirocco shares the Golf R's extended electronic diff lock (XDL) that successfully improves traction and minimises understeer. It also has three-mode damper adjustment - normal, sport and comfort - and electric steering.SAFETYNo crash rating for this car. It's regarded as a limited production car - like all Porsches, for example - so doesn't get to kiss the concrete wall. But given it's based on the Golf, it should be seen as a "safe'' car.Standard gear includes six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, tyre pressure monitors, heated mirrors, park  sensors, bi-xenon headlights and a hill holder. There's no spare wheel, just aerosol goo and a compressor.DRIVINGDon't expect that because it's based on the Golf R that it feels like one. In fact, the Scirocco's lower seating position amplifies its performance aggression and, combined with the tuned exhaust note - that burbles and grumbles, roars and screams in proportion to right-foot pressure - makes all the car's dynamics come alive.It's quick, though you find that halfway through the rev range. Under about 3000rpm it's docile enough to go shopping. Hit the pedal hard and the acceleration is so instant it almost pulls its own clothes off. Handling is very, very good - more grip that you'd expect from a front-drive car thanks to electronics fiddling with the diff and the ABS system. Purists would prefer a mechanical system but our streets are not race tracks.The car's suspension is best left in "comfort'' mode for the city and suburbs, clicked to "sport'' for country roads. Ride in sport is firm - you get kicked in the butt on rough roads - but keeps the car flat through the curves. Clearly, it's a lot of fun.VERDICTWonderful piece of art that works on so many levels. But two doors limit cabin accessibility making the five-door Golf R a worthy alternative.

Britannia is still ruling the wave of Honda Civic hatches. While the Honda Civic sedan we get here comes from Thailand, the hatches arriving in showrooms this week are being shipped from Britain.Honda says Australia is a unique market in getting product from both factory streams. And the flagging carmaker is determined to make the ninth-gen Civic hatch a success in the increasingly competitive C segment – and get back closer to their former glory days of strong sales. So the hatch has been given an exterior makeover, revised engine and fuel efficiency tricks from the CR-Z hybrid, along with a sharper starting price.The revised 1.8-litre 4 cylinder engine produces 104kW/174Nm and boasts fuel consumption of 6.1 litres per 100km six-speed manual and 6.5 litres per 100km in the five-speed auto – an improvement of about 10 per cent, but it does require a diet of 95 octane fuel. However eco modes are there to try and encourage you to drive more efficiently. The manual comes with a shift indicator light while the automatic gets paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.Research into noise has resulted in a much quieter cabin -- for a car in this price range we were surprised at 110km/h to be able to hear approaching cars.Priced from $22,650 for the VTi-S (manual), the entry point is significantly less than the Civic Si hatch model it replaces. It’s just over $7,000 cheaper than the starting price of the old model and compared with the 2009 price of the Civic Si a whopping saving of over $17,000. There's now a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed auto transmissions ($24,950) in the VTi-S trim, and the top of the range VTi-L only comes as an auto ($29,990).The features list includes 16-in alloys, hill-hold assist, LED daytime running lights, climate control, intelligent multi information display and a four speaker audio system with AUX and USB input. Bluetooth is a dealer fitted option of the VTi-S and disappointingly there’s no cruise control offered on this model. Most competitors have this option covered as standard.The automatic only VTi-L gains extras like 17-in alloys, auto headlights and wipers, fog lights, electric side folding mirrors, dual zone climate control, reversing camera, leather trim, seven speaker audio system as well as Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control. Satellite navigation and sunroof are notably missing even from the extra options list. Leather heated seats in the VTi-L are inviting and obviously more comfortable than the standard fabric seats in the VTi-S.Exterior changes are minimal at first glance. The LED daytime running lights give the car a sportier look, and aerodynamics have been improved, but the problem is that the car looks very similar to its predecessor. The new hatch won’t be seen as revolutionary as when the Si Civic was first unveiled.The redesigned dash layout is uncluttered and easy to read, is arguably now the benchmark in this segment. It’s a smart looking interior all around with good quality plastics used throughout.There’s a lot of room in both the front and rear, and Honda also retained their ‘magic seat’ configuration that can flatten the back seats to create a huge cargo area, or fold them to make more room for tall items.It gets a five star ANCAP safety rating, and has six airbags, stability control, anti-skid brakes and a good helping of other active and passive features.The focus is clearly on saving fuel and for most situations in urban driving this is more useful than brisk performance. So the engine performance is capable rather than startling.The manual gearbox was smooth but the auto box with steering wheel mounted paddle shift was not as responsive as we’d like when left in auto mode. For extra overtaking oomph the ability to quickly drop down a couple of gear ratios without your hands leaving the steering wheel worked well.The Civic’s smooth suspension system is quiet, and handled bumps quite well during our drive. It was surprisingly well composed during our run through the Royal National Park near Sydney. Steering felt light, responsive and direct thanks to the electric powered rack and pinion system. The car’s agility and stability through corners was better than expected.

The next pieces of Skoda’s longterm plan for Australia have just been put into place with the introduction of a couple of low cost variants as will as a hot little RS number.VALUEA new station wagon body has been introduced. Costing just $2000 more than the five-door hatch it is 250 millimetres longer to provide up to 1460 litres of luggage space with the seats folded down, and a just as impressive 480 litres with all five seats in use.Incidentally, the Monte Carlo also gets the DSG option. Priced at $24,290 this special Fabia will please the commuter who wants to make a styling statement will stationary in traffic.With a price tag starting at just $27,990 for the RS132 manual hatch it’s certainly worth consideration from those looking for fun in an affordable machine.TECHNOLOGYThe range has been expanded to include a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 77 kilowatts of power, and 175 Newton metres of torque all the way from 1500 to 4100 revs.Our initial test drive of this little beauty in the Gold Coast area showed it to be willing to rev and happy to slug along in just about any gear – modern turbo engines with the latest in electronic control are brilliant in this manner. Volkswagen’s are right up there with the best of them.The four-cylinder engine can either be mounted beside a five-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed double-clutch DSG. We sampled both and though the auto is the more sensible bet we liked the feel of the manual and the added control it gives the keen driver.The smallest Skoda is the Fabia, using similar underpinnings to the Volkswagen Polo and even the Audi A1 to give it an extremely strong platform on which to build. So late in 2009 we saw the initial imports of the stylish Monte Carlo versions of the Fabia as well as an affordable hatch in the 77TSI, both were five-door hatches powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder VW engine.The range topping Skoda Fabia RS132 with, you guessed it, 132 kW, has excellent acceleration complemented by a good exhaust note that will please those who think driving is about a lot more than simply going from A to B.The 132 kW is achieved by tuning the same 1.4 engine as in the 77 kW models. The 132 demands to be fed 98 octane petrol and has a torque good torque spread, with its maximum of 250 Nm being available all the way from 2000 rpm to 4500.DESIGNAs in other Skoda models the new Fabia wagon has the superb Varioflex seating system that lets each of the three rear seats be removed individually. The seats unclip in seconds and weigh only 11 kilograms so it doesn’t need a hulking make to convert this small wagon into what’s almost a little van.The cleverest of all the Varioflex features is the ability to remove the centre-rear seat and then slide the two outer seats closer together, or further apart, to accommodate the wishes of the occupants. Cosy and close, or separated and sedate, the choice is yours.DRIVINGWe loved the feel of the RS132 that’s been created by lowering the body by 10 mm and increasing the stiffness of the shocks, springs and bushes. We weren’t so impressed by the noise created on rough road surfaces by the tyres and the way this harshness finds its way into the cabin.VERDICTIt has taken some time for Australian buyers to take Skoda seriously, but these new models give you a solid, sensible car with a good degree of style and we can see them taking off in the sales race any time now.

The V40 shows Volvo finally has a handle on how to fight in the prestige hatch market. And it needs to, given the Swedish car will take on the likes of Audi's A3 and the BMW 1 Series in Australia.The company has recently tried to shrug off its cardigan-clad conservatism by building better looking cars; the V40 marks the move to building better driving ones.VALUEVolvo Cars Australia head Matt Braid says the entry level D2 diesel variant will "be under $40,000." Just how much under will be determined by how much advanced safety gear he can afford to pack in to the 1.6-litre turbodiesel.The key new technology - the improved City Safety software and a pedestrian impact airbag system - will be standard on all models.The look and feel of the interior plastics on the V40 is a marked step up and the equipment level is predicted to better its rivals. For the record, the A3 starts at $41,300 and the BMW runs from $39,593.TECHNOLOGYAs a car pitched at the the prestige market, there's a lot of tech in the V40 and most of it is useful. An instrument panel with three separate themes brings, according to Volvo, the "interaction between car driver and driver into a new dimension". Rubbish, but it's a good marketing gimmick that might impress potential buyers.The information, layout and colours change depending on the theme - Elegance, Eco and Performance. Bluetooth with audio streaming will be a more appreciated feature but owners will be rewarded if they take the time to dig through the menus and learn what this car can do.STYLINGWide and low is the look Volvo set for the V40 as to emphasise size in the compact hatch. It works - the car squats on the road and the wedgy design is instantly identified as a Volvo front or rear. The interior is a step up from the C30 and shows Volvo is serious about beign seen as a prestige player.The grey plastics on previous cars has been replaced by a classier charcoal look that is soft to the touch on all the key surfaces. A five-inch infotainment screen jumps to seven inches if the satnav option is ticked but the resolution is good even on the base unit. The only criticism applies to the back seats where adults will be longing for legroom on anything but a quick trip around town.SAFETYSaving lives - both the occupants and those around them - is the hook Volvo has long hung its hat on. The V40 takes that to the next level for a compact hatch and Volvo expects five stars. Eight airbags are standard, including the world first pedestrian impact airbag.The system uses seven accelerometers to determine if the front bumper has hit a human leg, rather than a pole or shopping centre bollard. If it is human, it gives more than the metal objects. At that point the system fires a pair of explosive charges to pop up the rear of the bonnet, giving more cushioning distance before the pedestrian hits the engine - and making room for an airbag to deploy and cover the bonnet/windscreen area and the bottom of the A-pillars.The City Safety software pre-brakes the car if it anticipates a hit with the back of another vehicle and the threshold has been raised from 30km/h to 50km/h in the V40. Blind spot assistance, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear parking cameras and automated parallel parking are also on the menu.DRIVINGA taut chassis - this platform is shared with the Ford Focus from the days when Volvo and Ford were sharing beds - sharp steering and sporty suspension make the V40 a genuinely fun drive. Dare to let the base D2 turbodiesel engine come off the boil and it has the pulling power of a teen afflicted with an acne outbreak.It is the same 1.6-litre engine found in Peugeots, Citroens and Minis and will be fine for city duties. Push it and the manual really needs to be ratcheted up and down the ratios to overcome tall gearing and a thin powerband. The tight uphill turns of the test route didn't flatter it, with the manual often revving too hard in a given gear but upshifts then cause it to slip under the 1750rpm threshold where the turbo kicks in.The quest for fuel economy sees it ride 10mm lower than the rest of the range but that - and the 18-inch rims fitted to our test car - means bumps are more noticeable. The 2.0-litre D4 oilburner is a much more rewarding drive.The six-speed auto (Volvo's dual-clutch automated manual transmission won't be available until late next year) works well with the 130kW/400Nm and the ride is more forgiving without hurting the car's cornering ability. The 2.5-litre petrol T4 destined for Down Under duties wasn't at the launch and the range-topping T5 isn't expected to be seen until later this year.VERDICTThe V40 shows that Volvo has a handle on what it takes to fight in the prestige compact market. The safety side can't be questioned so it's a case of pricing. If Volvo gets it right this car should be cross-shopped from the VW Golf up to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.Volvo V40Price: from $40,000 (estimate)Resale: N/AEngines (at launch): 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 84kW/270Nm (D2); 2.0-litre turbodiesel five-cylinder, 130kW/400Nm (D4); 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder, 132KW/300Nm (T4);Transmissions: Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, front-wheel driveBody: 4.37m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.42m (H)Weight: from 1357kgThirst: 3.6L/100km diesel, 94g/km CO2 (D2 manual); 4.3L/100km diesel, 114g/km CO2 (D4 manual); 5.2L/100km, 136g/km CO2 (D4 auto); T4 auto figures not released