Hatchback Reviews

BUYERS who think the i20 is too small and the slightly larger i30 is too big now have a compromise. Hyundai has shoehorned the new Accent in between the i20 and i30 in size, features and price. To see the three hatches on the road, it is difficult to pick them apart in size. But the Accent differentiates itself with a four-door sedan as well as a five-door hatch.Hyundai Australia boss Edward Lee says the Accent is the new premium model in the light-car segment. That comes as a bit of a surprise because the Accent - last available here from 2006-09 - was best know as cheap, reliable transport.Hyundai has taken the 1.6-litre engine out of the European-made i20 line-up and has priced the Korean-made 1.6-litre Accent range above the i20 and below the i30. Prices for the i20 range from $14,990 (drive away) to $16,490, while Accent prices start at $16,990 and end at $20,990, overlapping slightly with the i30 from $19,590. Roland Rivero senior manager product planning says the Accent comes in three trim levels - Active, Elite and Premium - which is consistent with all its new passenger vehicles.The Active comes standard with a trip computer, height-adjustable seat, iPod connectivity and 14-inch steel wheels with a full-size spare. The Elite ($18,490) adds a "premium" steering wheel and gear knob, piano black trim, front fog lamps and 16-inch alloys. Premium trim adds a reversing camera, leather trim, rear parking assist, auto climate control, push button start and keyless entry. The only factory option available is metallic paint.Hyundai says it is packed with technology and features, but a big let-down is there is no cruise control available yet. Rivero says are working on getting the must-have feature, but it will remain a big stumbling block for many buyers. There is also no diesel available yet, but Hyundai promises a 1.6-litre turbo diesel is coming. Rivero says we can expect to pay up to $2500 extra. There will also be a more powerful gasoline direct-injection (GDI) 1.6-litre model but also no word on when it will arrive.The only engine available now is the same 1.6-litre petrol engine from the i20 with 91kW of power and 150Nm of torque. Fuel economy is an acceptable 6L/100km in the five-speed manual which is better than the previous Accent at 7L/100km. There is also a four-speed torque-converter automatic with sequential shift available for an extra $2000.Rivero says the suspension has been tuned in Australia for our rough roads, a point Hyundai is keen to emphasise given criticism of the original suspension tuning on the i45 sedan and their commendable work to refine it.The hatch looks a little saggy in the bottom, but the sedan is quite attractive with a coupe-like swooping roof. This is Hyundai's fourth model in the "fluidic sculptured design" philosophy, featuring a hexagonal grille and curved headlamps that wrap around the front corners. The interior will look familiar to new Hyundai drivers with its curved dashboard, controls and blue illumination.Rivero says there are ample storage compartments for sunnies, CDs and phone, but there are no cupholders or door pockets in the rear. The boot has plenty of space in both the hatch and cavernous sedan, despite the fact that there is a full-size spare tyre under the floor. The 60-40 rear-fold seats add to the cargo versatility. The Accent is just 175mm longer and 10mm narrower than the i20 and 125mm shorter and 75mm narrower than the i30.Like all vehicles these days it has stability control, but this also comes with vehicle stability management which assists steering in low-grip situations. Basically it lightens the steering in the direction the driver should steer and it is the first vehicle in this segment with this feature. It also comes with six airbags as standard across the range including full-length curtain airbags to the rear seats. ANCAP this week announced the Accent had achieved a five-star safety rating.Despite the inspiring views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Sydney Harbour, the route for the launch was an uninspiring trip around the northern suburbs that left an uninspiring impression of the car. It may be a city car, but not being able to drive it above 80klm/h also leaves an incomplete impression of the vehicle. Not that the Hyundai put a wheel wrong.The handling and ride are fine for the potholed suburban streets and the engine is quiet with enough power for inner-city driving. The manual gearshift is light with a matching clutch and the four-speed auto is quick to respond with no indecisiveness. It is impossible to know if four gears are enough as we never hit the highway.Criticisms are the lack of steering feedback, no cruise control, no reach adjustability on the steering wheel and the low vision in the rear of the hatchback. Praise goes to the legroom in the rear.Hyundai has positioned it as a more premium package in the light-car segment, but it is still really just an affordable and honest, if uninspiring car. It will appeal for its style, reliability, refined and quiet petrol engine, and solid warranty.

The CT200h is unchartered territory for the Toyota's luxury car arm. It's both a hatch and smaller than anything that Lexus has produced so far. The drive train is also skewed towards economy rather than performance, in contrast ot its other hybrid offerings. But the larger 2.4-litre based hybrid system from Camry may find its way into the car, if the recent appearance of a concept with this power train at the famous Nurburgring is any indication.The Lexus CT is turning heads and could easily become the biggest selling car in its segment, as well as the biggest selling Lexus based on price alone. The main focus of the CT, it's raison d'etre is to lure younger buyers to the brand. Being a hybrid, it offers an important point of difference between it and its European rivals. Until now, the only Lexus that has been vaguely attractive to the Gen-Ys has been secondhand examples of the sporty IS sedan.Priced from $39,990, the five-seat hatch comes in four grades, Prestige, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury.  Our test vehicle, the flashy $49,990 1.8-litre F Sport model is not surprisingly proving to be most popular. Climate and leather with heated front seats are standard. Driver's seat is power adjustable and the F-Sport adds 17-inch wheels and sports suspension. Also gets satnav, Bluetooth and killer 10-speaker audio.It's all about the tech. Lots of LEDs used to reduce power consumption. Gets 5 stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide, same as a Prius with a C02 output figure of just 95g/km. One of the most interesting aspects of the car is the drive mode system that alters throttle response, electric-drive voltage and steering feedback, as well as the stability control parameters when switched to sport mode. Just so you won't have any doubts about which mode you're in, the ambient lighting changes from blue to red when the driver selects sport mode and the eco meter magically changes to a rev counter, unless cruised is activated.CT stands for compact technology. The car sits on an all-new platform but employs the same hybrid powertrain as Prius, with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine along with an electric motor to give it some extra oomph when needed. Unlike other Lexus models, drive is through the front wheels with a continuously variable style CVT transmission.The combined output of the two motors is a conservative 100kW but it performs better than the figures might suggest. The car's biggest selling point is, of course, its fuel economy, officially rated at 4.1 litres/100km (less than a Prius). We got 554km from our first tank at a rate of 5.8 litres/100km.Electronically controlled anti-lock brakes, with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. Also gets stability, traction and hill-start assist control. Comes with a total of eight airbags, including knee bags for both the driver and front passenger. Also the first Lexus with a rear seatbelt monitor system. This model comes with a reversing camera for added safety.Hasn't received a rating from Australian NCAP yet, but has achieved 5 stars for safety in European crash tests.Here's a chassis that's crying out for something more. Tackles corners with confidence and composure, but you have to put the boot in to get the best out of it. Has a small 45-litre fuel tank and prefers premium unleaded which gives it a range of over 1000km.The switch to performance mode makes a significant to throttle response, releasing more power to the electric motor. In sport mode, the stability system allows some slide to fully exploit the vehicle's dynamic abilities.Not bad. Quiet and comfortable. More likeable than we anticipated. Certainly stands out in electric blue with black alloys. Rides and handles well but a little more power would be lovely — you can't argue with the economy though.

New-age diesels in every size and price class promise more kilometres from every litre and more kilometres between refills, thanks to massive advances in efficiency and refinement.The days when diesels were black-smoke rattlers, and only favoured by farmers with a diesel tank to top-up their Benz or Peugeot, are long gone. The diesel-engined Ford Territory easily outsold the petrol-powered model during its first month in showrooms, reflecting the backlog of buyers who now put diesel first.But is diesel the right choice for everyone?Petrol power is also more efficient than ever in 2011, LPG is making a solid surge, especially with a new gas-powered Falcon on the road and a Commodore coming soon, and it still costs more to choose a diesel.At the most basic level, new-car buyers need to work out how quickly the extra cost of a diesel car will be recovered. If it takes three years and you plan to keep the car for five, that's all good. But if it takes seven years to make up the difference and you only plan to keep the vehicle for five, then ... So it's a horses-for-courses situation. The more you drive the more a diesel makes sense.Diesels generally have the advantage of lower fuel consumption, and many modern diesels can also get 1000 kilometres from a single tank, as well as a tougher engine to cope with the higher compression and better values at resale.Diesel is already the first-choice pick with some luxury brands, as BMW's diesel-powered fleet has outsold the petrol models through the first half of 2011 and Mercedes is also reporting record diesel sales on its C and E-Class cars.Most European-built cars have always had diesel variants and the 4WD and SUV classes have also been long-term diesel strongholds, but the move to maximise fuel efficiency means they're also appearing in baby and small cars in Australia.It's in these price-sensitive segments where choosing a hi-tech oil-burner can represent up to 15 per cent of the cost of the car. Buying a diesel Holden Cruze adds up to $4000 to the price and if you pick a Ford Focus with diesel the extra cost is around $4300.The good news is that diesel cars will maintain their price advantage at resale time, says Glass's Guide managing director Santo Amoddio."The only area where the diesels aren't strong is the manual four (cylinders)," he says. "In Europe it's the sensible way to drive but Australians have yet to embrace the idea of manual-powered small diesels, so the used values reflect that."Amoddio says diesels are a quick way to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions."There's a lot of talk about electric cars and hybrids but I think diesel is the way to go for private buyers at the moment in terms of costs of running and resale," he says. "That's especially the case in the medium in large SUVs. For example, we expect the turbodiesel Ford Territory to outsell the petrol model. It's probably two years too late to market but it's a good engine and will suit that application."The diesel engine in the Territory is up to a $5000 option but in this class people often believe they need the extra towing capacity of the diesel, yet then don't order the heavy-duty towing pack, which pulls it back to the 1600kg the six-cylinder petrol engine can haul.At Ford's claimed fuel use rates of 8.2 litres for the diesel against 10.6 litres for the petrol it will take about six years travelling 15,000 kilometres a year (assuming the same pump price for both petrol and diesel) to recover that five grand.The relative difference between diesel and petrol models isn't usually as big on SUVs as it is with the smaller cars.Choose diesel on a Toyota Prado and it's a $1000 premium, while Subaru's Outback is $2000 more with a diesel donk - but only comes as a manual - and the Mitsubishi Pajero is around $3000 dearer with an oil burner.Step up to the larger off-roaders and Nissan's turbodiesel Patrol is $3000 cheaper than the comparably-equipped petrol model, Range Rover offers $500 off its diesel Evoques and diesel is the entry option for Audi and BMW's SUV ranges.Diesel is even the preferred option for the Toyota LandCruiser despite its $10,000 dearer purchase price.The traditional argument that servicing costs are higher is also starting to lose momentum. Ford has capped servicing costs for the new Territory and the diesel is only $20 dearer at $290 for each visit to the dealer.It's a similar story with the Polo - over the first five services and/or five years the diesel is about $100 cheaper to maintain at $1910."If you know what you plan to do with the car it isn't hard to work out whether you should buy diesel or petrol," Amoddio said. "About five years ago diesels accounted for 1 per cent of passenger vehicles in Australia - now it's nudging 10 (per cent). It's the improvements in refinement that have driven that and we see that trend continuing."VW Polo ComfortlinePetrol (diesel)Price: $19,850, ($22,350)Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol (1.6-litre turbodiesel)Outputs: 77kW/175Nm (66kW/230Nm)Transmission: Six-speed manual (five speed manual), front-wheel driveFuel use: 5.5 litres/100km, 128g/km CO2 (4.7 litres/100km, 124g/km CO2)Weight: 1048kg (1115kg)Price after three years: $10,900 ($12,500)Percentage of new cost: 55 per cent (56 per cent)Annual fuel cost* $1152.30 ($979.21)Diesel saving of $173.09 a year means it would take 14.4 years to recover the $2500 difference in purchase price.Holden Cruze CDPetrol (diesel)Price: $22,240 ($24,990)Engine: 1.4-litre turbo petrol (2.0-litre turbodiesel)Outputs: 103kW/200Nm (110kW/320Nm)Transmission: six-speed manual (both), front-wheel driveFuel use: 6.4 litres/100km, 146g/km CO2 (5.6 litres/100km, 147g/km CO2)Weight: 1329 (1489)Price after three years: $11,100 ($15,100)Percentage of new cost: 50 per cent (51 per cent)Annual fuel cost: $1340.86 ($1166.72)Diesel saving of $174.15 a year means it would take 15.8 years to recover the $2750 difference in purchase price.Mercedes-Benz C-Class 250 AvantgardePetrol (diesel)Price: $67,900 (both)Engine: 1.8-litre turbo four-cylinder (2.2-litre twin-turbodiesel)Outputs:150kW/310Nm (150kW/500Nm)Transmission: seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (both)Fuel use: 7.2 litres/100km, 167g/km CO2 (5.1 litres/100km, 134g/km CO2)Weight: 1480kg (1587kg)Price after three years: $36,700 (both)Percentage of new cost: 54 per cent (both)Annual fuel cost: $1508.42 ($1062.54)The same price for both cars means a diesel Merc owner will pocket more than $445 a year in lower fuel bills.Ford Territory 2WD TXPetrol (diesel)Price: $39,990 ($43,240)Engine:4.0-litre six-cylinder (2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel)Outputs:195kW/391Nm (140kW/440Nm)Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (both)Fuel use: 10.6 litres/100km, 240g/km CO2 (8.2 litres/100km, 217g/km CO2)Weight:Price after three years: $22,000 ($25,100)Percentage of new cost: 55 per cent (58 per cent)Annual fuel cost: $2220.81 ($1708.40)Diesel saving of $512.41 a year means it would take 6.3 years to recover the $3250 difference in purchase price.Toyota LandCruiser 200 VXPetrol (diesel)Price: $88,414 ($98,664)Engine: 4.7-litre V8 (4.5-litre V8 diesel)Outputs: 202kW/410Nm (195kW/650Nm)Transmission: Five-speed automatic (six-speed automatic), four-wheel driveFuel use: 14.5 litres/100km, 341g/km CO2 (10.3 litres/100km, 273g/km CO2)Weight: 2610kg (2675kg)Price after three years: $53,900 ($60,200)Percentage of new cost: 61 per cent (both)Annual fuel cost: $3037.89 ($2145.92)Diesel saving of $891.96 means it would take 11.5 years to recover the $10,250 difference in purchase price.*Fuel costs calculated based on national petrol average last Friday of $143.5 a litre for petrol and $142.7 a litre for diesel. Annual travel of 14,600 based on Australian Bureau of Statistics' average for the national vehicle fleet.

Choosing the best small car for your driveway just got a whole heap harder. Until this week, the Volkswagen Golf was king of the kids and the Mazda3 was the best way to balance class against cash. But now there is a Ford Focus that runs head-on into the Golf - a former Carsguide Car of the Year champion - and takes the top selling Three down a peg.It's priced from $21,990, drives more like a go-kart than a budget buy, and has the same combination of funky looks and technology that's already worked so well for the Fiesta. The Focus works so well because Ford has put all its small-car smarts into one package to create its first truly global car.That means Australian buyers get a payoff in all sorts of ways, although we're not sold on the American-style auto shifter or a fourth-quarter delay for satnav assistance in a car that's claimed to be a techno champion. Ford Australia hopes the Focus - which it once planned to build at Broadmeadows, before refocussing on the Falcon and its local inline six - will give it the buyer boost it has always needed in the small- car class, which now provides around a quarter of the country's monthly showroom action."We decided to take a more radical step," global Focus boss, Gunnar Herrmann, says this week at the Australian preview of the third- generation car. "The vehicle starts to feel like a grown-up vehicle. But when you start pushing it around corners . . . it's a complete different dimension of driving and having fun."The starting price of $21,990 says Ford is serious about the new Focus. It's the same sticker as the outgoing starter car, despite a huge number of improvements and a shipping label marked 'Saarlouis'.The Focus for Australia will come from Thailand from the middle of next year, but until then supplies will be limited because the German factory is running at full capacity. The basic lineup for the 2011 Focus is simple: hatchback and sedan bodies, three engines - 1.6-litre petrol, 2.0-litre turbodiesel and 2.0-litre petrol - with five-speed manual and six-speed DSG PowerShift auto, and four trim levels from Ambiente to the Titanium.Basic equipment is everything you expect in the small class, from (electric) power steering and aircon to electric windows, audio and minor controls on the steering wheel, and a space-saver spare. But Ford is going funky and youthful and that means Bluetooth connectivity with voice control, right off the bottom, with a bunch of stuff added as you roll up the range. It's rear park sensors, alloys and cruise control headlining the Trend package; Sony sound, dual-zone aircon, auto lights and wipers, and a rear hatch spoiler on the Sport model; then active park assist, keyless entry and start, partial leather trim and 18-inch alloys on the Titanium.Ford says satnav with a larger central screen is standard on Sport and Titanium, but not until fourth-quarter deliveries, and there is an optional convenience pack on the Trend with the auto lamp and wiper package for $300, with a $2300 Sports Executive pack on the Titanium that tips in bi-Xenon lamps, adaptive cruise control and a sunroof. The top line on the bottom line translates to $38,390 for the Titanium diesel auto with pack upgrade, either as a sedan or hatch.Herrman talks passionately and in depth about everything from the steel in the new Focus through to the voice control system that could - but does not - make all the buttons on the dash redundant. "This vehicle has the most technology worldwide in a vehicle of this type. That's a proud story," he says.The headline act for the Focus is automatic parking - seen first in Australia on the Toyota Prius - that also stars in the television advertising. You still have to control the brake and accelerator, but it does everything from measuring the gaps automatically to working the steering for a perfect reverse park. There are plenty of gags that could go here, but let's move on to the trip computer, keyless access and starting, even the shape and position of the steering wheel. As always, the really smart stuff - active cruise and bi-Xenon - costs more and the smartest of all, including road sign recognition, is only for Europe at the moment ...The Focus looks edgy and youthful on the outside, youthful and very busy on the inside. You could even say the design of the central infotainment area is very Korean, like a Hyundai i45. The shape stands out from the traffic, and especially alongside a Golf or Holden Cruze, and that's entirely deliberate. Ford wanted to make a statement with the Focus and it has succeeded, creating a look that reflects movement. The basic body was done in England, then finessed in Germany and spun into the five-door hatch and a four-door sedan that looks more like a hatch. Inside, the seats are a global move that works surprisingly well but somehow the American-style auto shifter survived the Euro design focus to pacify the Homers of the world.Five-star ANCAP says it all, from high-strength steel in the body to six airbags with a special shaping of the driver's cushion to minimise leg injuries. More importantly, as safety switches to prevention of crashes, the Focus gets ABS, ESP with smart programming, hill-start assist and a torque-vectoring control for the differential that helps keen drivers but also provides a safety net for anyone in slippery conditions or bad weather.Focus or Golf? Golf or Focus? That is the obvious question as Carsguide heads for the new Ford and a surprisingly frank evaluation course that includes the nastiness of Punt Road, Melbourne in peak hour and slimy rally roads high in the Dandenongs.It's immediately obvious that the Golf is still ahead on cosseting comfort and cabin simplicity, but the Focus hits with the youthful bodywork, look-at-me dashboard, great seats, and an eager response to all the controls. The 1.6-litre engine is dozy until you get beyond 4000 revs, but the diesel is solid and the 2.0-litre petrol is handy. The manual is short a gear by 2010 standards but the shift is good and the ratios are fine, while the Powershift is a bit too 'auto' for our liking. And a silly little switch at the base on the T-bar for manual changes in the Sport setting is a joke in a car that's aimed at keen drivers.Ford quotes all its engine numbers using 95 RON fuel but says 91 is fine for petrol power. Still, the chassis is as taut as a Zumba-toned body, the steering almost talks, and the grip in corners is strong, consistent and impressive. There is some tyre roar at times but it's down from the previous Focus, and wind noise around the door tops can be excused in a Victoria wind rush.Every time the road turns twisty the Focus is keen to play, and we cannot wait to see how the car will go as an RS - one of the Carsguide favourite funsters of recent years - once Ford gets beyond the basic stuff. The Focus is definitely a winner, definitely a four-star car, and definitely at the front of the small-car pack. It's on target and a car for drivers, not just passengers in the commuter belt.

The small car segment is the hardest-fought at the moment. And getting harder. Which gives the new Ford Focus an even bigger job to do, in trying to gain some ground on the classy VW Golf, sales-leading Mazda3 and a battalion of other strong contenders.The base model Ambiente’s price has been kept at $21,990, with all the equipment you’d expect – and some added goodies thrown in. There’s Bluetooth with voice command even in the entry model.Of the other trim levels, the Focus Sport has a greater emphasis on driving enjoyment.Key features include sports suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual zone climate control and a Sony audio system with 4.2-inch colour screen and multi-function display. Sport also scores the Convenience Pack as standard equipment.It is more comprehensively equipped than the outgoing Zetec model. Titanium has even more goodies and sells from a starting price of $32,590. But one omission – or more truly, latecomer – is the satnav, which won’t join the range until later this year.The dynamic new look has real cut-through on the street and a classy new interior featuring Ford's acclaimed kinetic design language.Two distinctive bodystyles are available, sedan and hatch, each with its own appeal. Drivers will no doubt appreciate the cockpit-style driving environment, but while the cabin has lost none of the comfort and practicality, the centre stack and surrounds are starting to look overdesigned..Five stars in crash testing, with six airbags and a raft of technology to try and prevent the crash in the first place. There’s also a stronger body with extensive use of high-strength steels. New Focus also features a patented front chassis subframe, which de-couples during severe frontal impacts, avoiding deformation in the passenger cell footwell area. Pedestrian protection has been boosted by the addition of a "soft" cowl design in the front body structure and Ford has also relocated the windscreen wiper system to help further reduce injury risks.The basic line-up for the 2011 Focus is simple: hatchback and sedan bodies, three engines - 1.6-litre petrol, 2.0-litre turbodiesel and 2.0-litre petrol - with five-speed manual and six-speed DSG PowerShift auto.The double clutch Powershift manumatic would be difficult to overlook for everyday and sporty driving as it offers the best of both worlds and an extra gear over the manual which is five speed only. What happened to the six-speed manual?The hero car for the Focus will be the next RS. But what’s arrived this week already bodes well for a future hot hatch.In a brief stint over rough dirt roads and snaking blacktop, the new Focus showed good grip and agility.The smaller 1.6-litre petrol engine needs to be egged up the rev range to get any sparkle, but the 2.0-litre is more enthusiastic – no surprises there. But it is the 2.0-litre turbodiesel that we spent more time with that looks to be the best all-rounder, developing 120kW/340Nm – 20kw and 20Nm more than the last Focus TDCi we drove. The six-speed automatic transmission is a good worker, but the button on the side is fiddly and awkward to use.For full drive impressions, see Carsguide this weekend.

The Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion is certainly a fuel miser of the highest order, better than a Prius and almost the most fuel efficient car in Australia. That honour goes to Ford's smaller Fiesta Econetic hatch, but not by much which is rated at 3.7 litres/100km, the BlueMotion's is 3.8. With just over 750km on the clock, our test vehicle still had a third of a tank of diesel left and the trip computer claimed it was good for another 310km. That's impressive.We were also impressed by the car's sporty appearance and comfortable seating, but still baulk at the prospect of having to buy a manual (there's no auto). If you are a commuter and you do a lot of kilometres, most of them on the motorway, then this is the car for you. But, if you live in the city, and often get caught in traffic, pushing the clutch in and out and having to change gears all the time is likely to become tiresome.TECHNOLOGYWhat's even more irksome, is the fact that Volkswagen actually removed the 1.6-litre 77TDI diesel with a 7-speed DSG transmission from its inventory to make way for this car. The BlueMotion features the same 1.6-litre turbo diesel but with several refinements to improve fuel economy.The 1.6 delivers 77kW of power at 4400 revs and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 2000 revs. It's paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, with gear ratios that we're told do a better job of keeping revs in the torque band where it is most efficient.The engine management system has been revised to reduce idle speed and a visual prompt tells the driver when to change gears for maximum economy. A stop/start system is also part of the setup that shuts down the engine at traffic lights, provided the car is put into neutral and the energy normally lost during braking is diverted to the car's battery.Although the Golf Blue Motion is rated at 3.8 litres/100km, motorists are unlikely to achieve this figure in daily driving. We were getting 5.1 litres/100km, an excellent result and one of the best. But it's not that far ahead of the of the 77TDI model that we had for several weeks, rated at 5.1 but returned a steady 5.5 litres/100km.DRIVINGThe gearing in the Blue Motion model is very tall, with higher than normal stall speeds in each gear — so you need to be vigilant. Not sure why they don't fit a 6-speed which would provide a tall final gear, but zippier performance in between. With a 55-litre fuel tank and economy of 3.8 litres/100km, the car has a theoretical range of 1447km.Like other Golfs it has seven airbags, plenty of driver assistance systems and a maximum five-star safety rating. But the spare wheel has been replaced by a reinflation kit to reduce weight, which is down to 1234kg. The car is well equipped and comes in four colours including environmental blue, but misses out on Bluetooth which remains optional.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF BLUEMOTIONPrice: from $28,990Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo dieselPower: 77kW at 4400revsTorque: 250Nm from 1500revs to 2500revsTransmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive.

You can now have your hatch with radical iPod-white wheels, mirrors and trim. At the same time, BMW has been conservative by reducing the endless clutter of options and introducing trim levels like most other manufacturers.When the German-made hatch arrives in October it will come in base trim (to which can be added an M Sport trim and aero package), Urban Line or Sport Line.Fittingly the hatch was launched in Berlin this week (July 28) as the city approaches the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Wall (August 13) because, as dramatically as the wall tumbled in 1990, BMW has suddenly changed its attitude to endless variants.The 1 Series hatch is the first to benefit from streamlined trim levels with the 3 Series launched in November possibly next cab off the rank.VALUEThe streamlined trim levels should have economic advantages for BMW that should be passed down as savings to the customer.BMW Group Australia corporate communications chief Piers Scott says pricing will be “very sharp”.At launch there will be a 118i petrol and 118d diesel model, quickly followed by a “price-leading” 116i.We won’t get the 116d or 120d but there could be a six-cylinder model “a long way down the track”. However it’s unlikely to be an M model, says Scott.We also won’t be getting the three-door hatch which would conflict with the coupe. Scott says the 116i will compete on price with the Audi A3 and VW Golf.DESIGNThe 1 Series hatch was launched in 2004 and the coupe/convertible in 2007 and the two body shapes will remain out of kilter for some time.This second-generation hatch has little to do with the first-generation coupe, its underpinnings more closely aligned to the forthcoming 3 Series.It is 85mm longer and 17mm wider with 21mm more rear legroom and 30-litres expanded cargo capacity.With its wider track the hatch’s stance is more hunkered down and purposeful, its lines dramatically altered with a bulbous bonnet leading to a pointed shark nose like the recent 6 Series coupe.At the rear the wider taillights and lateral design lines give it a broader look and the hatch door is lower and wider for better access. This will be appreciated by women who will buy more of this model than any other BMW says Scott.The Urban is distinguished by its white and silver kidney grille and accents, while the Sport retains conventional alloy wheels and dark grille.TECHNOLOGYIronically it will arrive with more powerful twin-scroll turbo-charged petrol engines than the naturally aspirated and supposedly sporty coupe and convertible 1 Series. The 116i has the same amount of power as the current 118i hatch, but 40Nm more torque, much better fuel economy (5.5L/100km compared with 7.5L) and much lower emissions (129g/km versus 174g/km).The 118i is 25kW more powerful, with 70Nm more torque, better economy (5.9L/100km) and lower emissions (137g/km).This is despite the petrol models being slightly heavier because of the bigger body dimensions and stiffer and safer chassis.Power and efficiency gains are much lower with the new diesel 118d (same power, 20Nm more torque, 0.1L/100km better economy and 4g/km lower emissions). The manual transmission retains six speeds, but the six-speed auto has been replaced by the new eight-cog job.The cabin gets standard height-adjustable front seats, a BMW Business CD radio with six speakers and aux connection, and a “driving experience” switch on the central console that adjusts the car’s set-up to the driver’s preferences by modifying the engine programming, stability settings and shift characteristics of the auto.Even though the trim levels have been trimmed down, there is still a range of options available including two-zone airconditioning, electrically adjustable and heated seats, a multifunction steering wheel, rear-view and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function, fog lights, an electric glass sunroof.BMW ConnectedDrive options include adaptive headlights, rain sensor, auto driving lights, high-beam assistance, parking sensors, rear-view camera, parking assistance, cruise control with braking, and lane departure and collision warning. There are also iPhone connectivity and internet capability options.SAFETYThe new chassis has high-strength load-bearing elements and large crumple zones. The hatch comes standard with six airbags, a tyre defect indicator and dynamic brake lights that flash to warn following drivers if you hit the brakes hard or the ABS system intervenes.DRIVINGThe old East Berlin and East Germany served as the backdrop to the road test for the new 118i and 120d hatch. There was no 116i or 118d available for test. The old Soviet territory provided a mix of high-speed modern autobahn driving, heavily trafficked city roads and bumpy old rural lanes.The engineers have tweaked the suspension to suit the new stiffer chassis and defied physics to produce a plush ride from the runflat tyres.On a particularly nasty stretch of road, the car rode better in “sport plus” setting on the models with optional adaptive M suspension than in “comfort” setting with the dampers screwing it down and preventing bounce.More importantly they have tuned out the sharp hits of the first generation 1 Series. Steering has also sharpened up and can be further tuned to a razor-like finish with adaptive drive that also attenuates the throttle and quickens the transmission response.On a few laps of the Linthe proving ground, the adaptive M suspension was put through its paces with stunning results.It changes direction with a minimum of fuss and keeps the rear-wheel power down while providing plenty of feedback through the seat of the driver’s trousers or skirt. It’s a car you can drive with gusto and reap the rewards with safety.The cabin feels airy and fresh with a less domineering dashboard and a large, high-mounted, freestanding info/satnav screen.VERDICTBMW have been adventurous with the 1 Series hatch design and those dazzling but hard-to-keep-clean white wheels, while being conservative with the rational trim levels.The former will attract younger drivers and the latter will simplify the buying process, get cars to owners quicker and alleviate dealer overstocking. It’s a win for all concerned.BMW 1 Series hatchOn sale: OctoberPrices: about $40,000-$45,000Engines: 100kW/220Nm (116i), 125kW/250Nm (118i) 1.6-litre twin-turbo 4-cylinder petrol; 105kW/320Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo dieselTransmissions: 6-speed manual and autoEconomy: 5.5/5.6L/100km (118i man/auto), 5.9/5.8L/100km (118i), 4.4L/100km (118d) CO2: 129g/km (116i), 137g/km (118i), 115g/km (118d)Dimensions: 4324mm (L), 1765 (W), 1421mm (H), 2690 (WB)Weight: 1290/1365kg (116i manual/auto), 129/1370kg (118i), 1320/1395kg (118d)

The small car segment is the hardest-fought at the moment. And getting harder. Which gives the new Ford Focus an even bigger job to do, in trying to gain some ground on the classy VW Golf, sales-leading Mazda3 and a battalion of other strong contenders. Value The base model Ambiente's price has been kept at $21,990,

IT was originally the “people’s car’’ and now Volkswagen wants to get closer to the mandate laid down in the late 1930s.In bringing back the Beetle - incidentally, for the third time - Volkswagen says it’s learnt from errors with the outgoing New Beetle (1998-2010) and is promising cheaper prices, more room, more performance and yet retaining the car’s historic fun aspect.“The previous model’s problem was that it couldn’t attract the mainstream consumer,’’ saysVolkswagen Group spokesman Christian Buhlmann in a rare admission that the New Beetle was a bit hit and miss.In the US it was a big hit and was the main reason for global sales tipping over one million. In Australia, a bit more than 8700 - including the convertible - found buyers from 2000. There’s still a few left at dealerships though production stopped last October.But Buhlmann is excited about the Beetle (the “New’’ has been dropped) and - like Volkswagen Australia - expects a much greater audience.“It’s more for the driver but it’s also a lot more practical (than the outgoing model,’’ he says.“The boot is almost three times the size, there are greater convenience features, it is better to drive because the driving position is now more “normal’’ and it has excellent handling and performance characteristics.’’Volkswagen this week debuted the Beetle in Berlin saying it will be about 10 per cent cheaper than the Golf. It will go on sale in Europe in September but Australia is a long way off - one estimate is late 2012 and another is “about mid year”. When it gets here, expect prices from about $25,000 and up to about $42,000 for the 147kW turbo-petrol model. That could, however, change and that also applies to the final specifications.VW says 66 per cent of previous Beetle buyers were female and now expects a 50:50 split as it appeals to more men.VALUEClearly Volkswagen has Mini in its sights, but the Beetle also fires at Citroen’s DS3 and intrudes into premium Euro coupes such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Based on the European pricing and that of rivals, the Beetle is likely to be priced from $25,000 (1.2-litre) to $42,000 (2-litre GTI). The DS3 is about $35,000; the BMW 120i Coupe at $53,000; and the Mini Cooper S at about $50,000. But - and it’s a big but - the Beetle is very well equipped (again, I’ve based this on Euro-spec models) and quality of the Mexican-built bubble is almost up to German standards. Let downs include the dashboard of hard plastic.DESIGNIconic. It’s a total change from the New Beetle. It grows in length and wheelbase and width and track, but is lower and has a flatter roofline. Things reminiscent of the 20th Century Beetle are subtle but visible - the protruding lower sills that look like running boards; big, round headlights (now the only VW with these); no discernible grille; and on the inside, a glovebox styled on the 1960s model (there are actually two gloveboxes) and a sling grip on the B-pillars. There is more room - four adults can fit and the boot is almost three times the size of the older model - and better access, including the now frameless glass on the doors and a wider hatch. The vase for the flower has gone but may return as an option.TECHNOLOGYIt’s all Golf under the body, with a 50mm slice taken out of the platform. Components are shared across the VW brand and the VW Group. The front-wheel drive gets engines from 1.2-litre to the detuned GTI 2-litre turbo engine with 147kW. I drove only the 147kW with the six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Australia may get two petrols and one diesel and maybe miss out completely on a manual transmission. The rear suspension is tuned to the Beetle and is an upgraded version of the Golf unit. Steering is electric-hydraulic. Crazy but despite all this, my most memorable feature is the subtle sound of the exhaust that has been artificially tuned - by way of a sound amplifier up against the firewall - to resemble the offbeat pulse of the old air-cooled engine.SAFETYVolkswagen claims a EuroNCAP five-star crash rating, six airbags and stability and traction control, following the lead of the Golf.DRIVINGThe engine note is very quiet - better at cruising speed - and when off the throttle, that discreet chuff-chuff becomes a muted backdrop. In 147kW guise it's a quick car.The most impressive change is the handling. The wide track - up 63mm at the front and 49mm at the rea r - just grips the road so tightly that it feels glued to the bends. Ride comfort tends to firm. I drove the optional sports suspension and it felt equally as competent through the corners as the standard set-up but choppier over mid-corner bumps.VERDICTThis is a really good car. It’s a hard car to fault because it sits in a market segment where buyers traditionally forgive function in the name of fashion. But pragmatic buyers may discard style and look at the Golf and see more flexiblity and five-door convenience.

WE turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering - would you buy one?What is it?The GLX is Suzuki's top of the range Swift which has just been updated although it looks very much like the previous model.How much?GLX is $18,990, $3000 more than the entry GA and $2000 more than the mid-range GL model. The optional four-speed auto adds $1700 to the price.What are the competitors?Plenty of competitors in this segment, but the Swift knocks them all for six in terms of style. It's actually 90mm longer and 10mm higher than the old one, with another 50mm between the axles which means more room inside.What's under the bonnet?Same 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine as the other models. Delivers 70kW of power and 130Nm of torque, compared to the old 1.5's 74kW/133Nm.How does it go?Surprisingly well. Even the auto is zippy. The engine has a sporty note under hard acceleration and it remains sure-footed in corners, with stability control to sort things out if necessary.Is it economical?Better than before. Suzuki is claiming a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, down from 6.3 to 5.5 litres/100km for the manual, and from 6.6 to 6.2 litres/100km for the auto.Is it 'Green?'Gets four stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius gets five). The auto produces 147g/km of CO2, a little more than the manual.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars thank you very much. Seven airbags standard, along with traction and stability control plus anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.Is it comfortable?Gets our vote. One of the first things we noticed about this car was its big car feel belying its size. Interior has a much classier feel, with better finishes. Sits on 16 inch alloys, with 185/55 rubber.What's it like to drive?Feels very smooth and sure footed, with good sound insulation. A longer engine stroke and electronic throttle control contribute to better throttle response.Is it value for money?As well as more gear the GLX adds some mechanical upgrades like foggies, rear disc brakes, and the addition of reach adjustment for the steering wheel. There's also Bluetooth, climate air and a keyless entry/start system.Would we buy one?You bet. Love the looks, like the way it rides and handles but the higher price for the GLX puts it within cooee of plenty of excellent competitors. Rear legroom is still tight and the spare is a spacesaver.SUZUKI SWIFT GLX AUTORATINGVERDICTSwift ... bigger and more economical than before.