Smart #1 Reviews

It is really a matter of horses for courses. What may seem a terribly desirable thing to consumers in one market is going to leave those in another wondering what the fuss is about.The three bar heater that seems indispensable to the good citizens of Gnome, Alaska, will simply gather dust in a shop window in Bangkok.And that brings us to the Smart Fortwo. As clever as all get-out in the alleyways of Rome or the backstreets of Paris the little two-seater micro-car elicits less enthusiasm in a wide brown land.It is not that the ideas are any less clever nor the solutions any less elegant it is just that there is less opportunity to be struck by them.We have long been a closet fan of the Smart concept — much the same way as one would be a fan of Morris dancing ... there is a certain skill involved but you don't want to actually do it yourself, or let others know that you do.DrivetrainThe latest Smart close encounter has been with the so-called MHD (that's mild hybrid drive) which really isn't a hybrid at all — at least not as we know it.The Smart MHD has no electric motors to help it slip quietly away in the mornings, no battery packs soaking up regenerative power from the brakes or pouring additional urge to wheels as the workload increases.What it does have is a button marked Eco and a nice green light on the dash to make drivers feel good about their efforts to save the planet.That Eco button does have a function. It engages the stop-start capability of the MHD's dual-mode starter/generator and battery to shut down the three-cylinder, 1-litre naturally aspirated engine as the car is braked to a halt and restart it when the foot is lifted off the brake pedal.What the off-again, on-again engine means to the environment is a claimed saving of six percent in fuel use — down to 4.7L/100km on a combined cycle — with a similar saving in emissions (112gms of CO2 per kilometre).For a petrol car they are pretty impressive figures, until you remember that to move the same number of people as any other small sedan you need to use twice as many cars.Body, fit-out and equipment And that is probably what makes the Smart such a niche vehicle. It is a selfish car. There is nothing gregarious about it.Heading off for a game of golf? It's you and your golf bag on the passenger seat. Going shopping? Don't plan on taking a passenger because they are going to have to walk home as an average family shop fills the Smart to overflowing.The Smart is about satisfying very particular personal needs.There is no arguing that the car's tiny 2.7-metre length opens up never-before explored options for parking while the fuel-sipping economy is a wallet saver.It is also one of the better cars in the market for ease of entry and exit. The upright stance makes the seat height/hip relationship very suitable for joints that may not move as well as they once did.Interior space is also good. That may seem a strange statement given the criticism of the car for its selfish nature but head and shoulder room in the square passenger compartment is surprisingly generous.There is nothing flash about the car's interior with a small dash display for the speedo, a clock and tacho in two individual pods on top of the dash and materials that are tactile and pleasing.The seats are supportive and with enough range of movement to get a reasonable driving position from the fixed steering wheel.Driving The biggest surprise is just how adequate the performance of the Smart is. With just 52kW of power and a meagre 92Nm of torque it would be fair to assume that the little city car would struggle.It doesn't. While a 13.3 second 0-100km/h time is not the stuff of excitement the combination of the engine and five-speed automated manual transmission is good enough to handle most needs that arise in city traffic.The changes are not particularly smooth, especially if the manual selection is used and the engine run out to its peak performance range around 5000rpm.Ride quality on the 15-inch wheels is reasonably well controled through the McPherson strut front end and DeDion rear axle with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers.As good as it is it can't completely isolate the tall body and relatively short wheelbase and narrow track from the laws of physics.On the open road the claimed maximum top speed of 145km/h is not something any sane person would want to explore but the car will cruise quite comfortable at the speed limit.However, getting away for the weekend will pose its own problems.With two people on board the luggage space is — well, restricted. There is a narrow bin behind the seats into which one could squeeze a soft sports bag and suitbag or a couple of briefcases.The bottom line A clever concept but as awkward in Australia as a carnivore at a vegan party.Rating: 70/100

A $1 billion network of plug-in charge points will be built around the country under a plan developed by American environmental pioneer Shai Agassi and backed by AGL Energy and the Macquarie Capital finance group.More than 200,000 charging points will be installed at homes, offices and shopping centres in a local development of a program already underway in Israel and Norway. And there are also plans for quick-change sites where the next generation of electric cars can stop for a quick turnaround to a fully-charged battery pack.The move comes as Mitsubishi prepares for sales of Australia's first plug-in electric car, its baby I-Miev, from 2009 and Mercedes-Benz promises an electric Smart Fortwo in 2010 with a similar power pack in its A and B-Class cars just a year later.Israel has already signed an exclusive deal with the Renault-Nissan alliance, which is producing cars specifically for the country following Agassi's development through his Better Place organisation."Electric cars are going to be such a big part of the future of motoring," says David McCarthy, the spokesman for Daimler in Australia.Other carmakers are sure to follow, with BMW Group about to go public with its Mini E for the USA next month, although others are not convinced.Toyota is steering clear of pure electric vehicles in Australia because of its commitment to hybrids, including the upcoming petrol-electric Camry, and also because it is against the burning of coal to generate electricity.Honda, another fan of hybrids, says it does not have a plug-in electric car for Australia."So far as we know, there is nothing under development in Japan," says Lindsay Smalley, the top Australian at Honda Australia."Something could be happening, but for the moment we have no plan to bring electric cars to Australia."But the electric car grid is likely to accelerate the acceptance of battery-powered cars, particularly as the Mini E is promised with a 200-plus kilometre range which would satisfy almost all urban commuters.The early focus in Agassi's plan is Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with Adelaide and Perth to follow sometime after 2012."We call it a ubiquitous charging network across the cities. It's a massive infrastructure project ... and that means new jobs for Australians," Agassi says.Payment for the system would be similar to a mobile-phone contract, although some European cities are experimenting with a parking-meter style plan for their electric power points.The Better Place program will emphasise the use of renewable power, a link also being pushed by AGL.Full details of the plan are still being finalised, but it is backed by the Victorian government and the Federal government is assisting with a national agreement - similar to the Australia-wide rollout of fibre-optic cabling - on the system."The Victorian government supports any initiative that will have positive outcomes in reducing emissions in the transport sector and I welcome this innovative approach to help make broad adoption of electric vehicles in Australia possible,” says the Victorian Premier, John Brumby.

Smart ForTwo electric car, undergoing trials in UK it is a possibility for release early 2010.A plug-in Smart car will race a baby Mitsubishi to become the first all-electric showroom contender in Australia.The battery-powered Smart ForTwo is already undergoing trials in Britain and the worldwide head of Daimler, Dieter Zetsche, says there is a very good chance it willcome to Australia.The timing could be in the back end of 2009 or early in 2010, which means the ForTwo will be fighting for first with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief Rob McEniry is fast-tracking for Australia — and the worse-case scenario for its delivery is some time in 2012.Mercedes-Benz is making a strong electric push with the Smart, which will be followed by battery-powered A-Class and B-Class compacts.“This idea is not totally out of the possibilities. We have not made final decisions,” is the non-committal response from Zetsche on the electric Smart during a one-day visit to Australia.“We won't go to all countries. It is a reasonable possibility it could come to Australia.”But the plug-in Smart is more than just a possibility, as Mercedes-Benz pushes hard on electric cars. It is already leasing a trial fleet and is preparing for full-scale production.Zetsche says Benz will abandon the twin-floor chassis design it pioneered as a safety move on the original A-Class when the car is renewed in 2010, but left the way open for a similar approach for electric operation.He says there will be four different body styles, not just A and B hatches, but refuses to give any detail on the potential for a coupe, sedan or wagon.Zetsche is bullish about Smart, which has come back from a near-death expansion plan to a successful model built around the tiny ForTwo.“It is the CO2 champion. So I'm very glad with where we are today. In the US we don't know how to deal with the demand,” Zetsche says. “It's always a question of perspective. For now it is all and before it was nothing. We just built more andmore problems.“Today we are making money with Smart.”The electric trial will step up in the UK with theproduction of 1000 customer cars and these could open the door for a battery-powered ForTwo in Australia.“Towards the end of next year we will see another 1000. The earliest possibility would be one of that 1000,” Zetsche says.“If that is not the outcome, thelatest would be two or three years later whenwe see high production.” 

The second generation Smart ForTwo is more spacious, has a better ride and comes with more safety features than its predecessor, but is this tiny little car — which thrives in some of Europe’s most populous and cramped cities — necessary on Australian roads?Exterior Obviously the Smart ForTwo looks different to other vehicles but it’s not until you see one sandwiched between two larger cars – like we did in the work car park - that you really appreciate how minute these things are. At just over two and a half meters long and one and a half meters wide, they make a Corolla look ungainly.Interior Inside, the ForTwo is quite basic as space is at a premium. The clock and rev counter are forced above the dash in two external dials but this gives the cockpit a cheeky, slightly sporty look. Electric windows and mirrors, comfortable seats and a quality stereo provide a well rounded package.Storage again is at a premium but the luggage area is a manageable 220 litres and the door pockets and lockable centre console box provide some extra room.Engine and TransmissionBoth the coupe and cabriolet versions of the new Smart are powered by a standard one litre, three cylinder 52kW/92Nm naturally aspirated or a 62kW/120Nm turbo engine.Both the naturally aspirated and turbo engines get you to a top speed of 145km/h with the turbo pushing you to the 100km mark in 10.9 seconds – almost three seconds faster than the 52kW.Fuel consumption is expectedly low at 4.7 litres/100kms for the 52kW engine and 4.9 litres/100kms for the one with larger outputs.An automated clutch-less manual five-speed transmission gets power to the wheels but there is no option to fully automate the process.Safety For such a small car, the ForTwo safety package is impressive. ESP, hill-start assist, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, acceleration skid control and electronic brake assist are all standard. Marry that with the crash rating and you begin to feel a little less wary about going for a spin.Pricing At $19, 990 for the cheapest coupe (up to $24, 990 for the turbo cabriolet), these are not the cheapest small cars out there. Couple this with the fact that they provide the least space and a question mark hangs over your decision to buy one. Living with itWigley saysIt’s a little disconcerting sitting right against the back wall of the car and even though it has received 4 out of 5 euro NCAP stars, it still feels a little dinky. More space in the cabin in this second generation version separates you and your passenger a little better but you may feel a little claustrophobic if you like to stretch out.Front and side vision is great but you only get a matchbox of window out the back because of the tall seats.On paper the power and torque figures seem miniscule but given that the car is a mere 750kgs, the performance is quite good, possibly even nippy at times.Constant paddle or gear stick shifting is a must, and gear changing is a bit clunky and it can get annoying if you’re in a hurry.They are cute and novel but the demand shouldn’t be as strong as it might be in Europe where tight laneways and massive populations necessitate a car this small and nimble.VERDICT: 6.8/10Halligan saysGetting out of the City was fun, the acceleration surprised and I just love a paddle shift. Slotting into traffic and accelerating for lane changes is where this thing excels … as long as you allow for the up-change lag which appears to be in the seconds rather than the milliseconds.But it's not very smooth at low speeds, lots of pitching and whirring, Not very pleasant or relaxed. I found the ergonomics lousy. I had the seat right back and I had to scrunch my arm up to be able to get to the window switch to wind it down. The interior mirror is right at a height where you constantly have the drivers lights behind you in your eyes.Turning fast displayed not much body roll, however doing a fast change from fourth to fifth resulted in pitching that would leave my wife feeling seasick. But the Smart sat and tracked nicely, even going past a couple of B-double trucks running in tandem.A couple of times overtaking Commodore and Bimmer drivers I found them accelerating once I was past to get back in front. Obviously they were annoyed at the indignation of being passed by the little Smart.But my wife just laughed at the car, and a drive didn’t endear it to her.I am a Mercedes fan, but would I buy one of these? No.Buy a Fiat 500 – at least you won’t be laughed at by your wife.VERDICT: 6.5/10 Pincott saysYou really have to keep your hand on the paddles to make the most of this little engine in anything other than the most relaxed city driving. And two tall girls found there was plenty of room for us, but after our briefcases were added, not much for anything else.Positioning of some of the controls is uncomfortable, and rear vision is hugely compromised.All of which should mean an unenjoyable experience. And yet…The Smart is as much a statement as a form of transport. It says you’re urban, concerned about the environment, and don’t rely on a large car to highlight your importance in the world. You’re smart, in fact.But its main problem is that it’s all a bit worthy, like cloth shopping bags and wholefoods. Which overlooks that the Smart can be a lot of fun as an urban traveller.There’s something just so appealingly ludicrous about its proportions that you can’t help but grin at the sight of it.Especially when that sight is a satisfied backward glance as you blithely walk away after inserting it into a parking slot that would challenge a large pram.Could I live with it forever? Only if there was a second vehicle in the garage for trips away, garage sales and even the weeks with a large grocery list.VERDICT: 6.7/10 

But as the all-new Smart Fortwo was launched in Sydney this week, it arrived with a question mark over its real relevance on Australian roads.The one-model company, under parent company Mercedes-Benz, sold just 550 Fortwo's in Australia last year. And that's a number that Smart Australia's boss Wolfgang Schrempp admits isn't profitable enough to continue on for the next three to four years. But they're confident the second-generation of the novelty-like car can help boost those numbers.Since the late 1990s, Smart has sold 770,000 Fortwos worldwide. It's an environmentally friendly urban car for someone who wants to stand out as being funky, individual and “smart”-thinking. And the new model arrives just a bit bigger and better than its predecessor.The Fortwo will be available in two engines and two body styles. Both are powered by a Mitsubishi-built, naturally aspirated 999cc three-cylinder engine, one giving off 52kW, the other getting some help from a turbo-charger and delivering 62kW of power. Customers also have the choice of a coupe or cabrio model, the soft top retracting at any speed and the coupe featuring a glass roof with a sliding lining. The new Fortwo has become less toy-like, although it still maintains its quirky and unique character.It sits on a longer wheelbase, has slightly larger dimensions and has undergone some styling changes. The boot is also a little bigger. From the rear, the Fortwo now looks like a proper car with its wider stance and four lights adorning the rear instead of the previous six.The aim of the car as an environmentally friendly model is achieved nicely — it's the most fuel-efficient petrol car on the market, getting 4.7-litres per 100km on the non-turbo engined version and 4.9-litres for the turbo.Carbon dioxide emissions are also low. The Fortwo starts at $19,990 for the 52kW coupe model and $22,990 for the cabrio. The turbo version adds $2000 to each price tag. And while it may look unusual, driving it feels just like any other light car. There's plenty of space for the two occupants, and the passenger especially gets generous leg room.But you can't help feeling it lacks that connection between driver and environment.You tend to sit very high on top of the seat, rather than in it, and the dash feels separate instead of moulding around you. But it is a cute and peculiar type of styling both inside and out.While 52kW isn't a impressive figure, it is only a small engine and it feels as though it has enough power for its role as an urban driver. The lightweight car gets around town with enough “oomph” through the five-speed automated manual transmission. This means there's no clutch, but you still control the gears through the gearstick or the paddles on the steering wheel.You can be lazy when it comes to changing down, as the gearbox does this on its own. Up hills it did take its time to drop back a gear and you sometimes had to interrupt in order to get it over the ascent. The semi-manual transmission has been improved. Changing up a gear doesn't leave you looking like a learner driver — rather its a smoother, more fluid shift.But if changing gears just isn't for you, there's also the softouch automatic option, adding $2000 to the price. Top speed is 145km/h and despite its size, you do feel safe knowing it has achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating and comes standard with four airbags.It's great around town and very easy to park, but the ride comfort isn't the best as the suspension doesn't seem to absorb much at all.The Fortwo gets a tick of approval for fitting stability control as a standard feature, something rare in this segment. Power steering didn't make the list but Smart says customer feedback suggested the steering was light enough. While that's true at faster speeds, you really notice its absence in car parks or tight turns.We also had the chance to give the 62kW turbo model a quick spin. This model would be the pick of the two, giving that extra performance and a more spirited drive. At just a $90 increase over the outgoing model, the Fortwo does offer a unique and special car under the $20,000 mark.But for less you could get the Mazda2 or Volkswagen's Polo, offering the added benefit of extra seats, bigger engine and marginally higher fuel consumption. So to make the Smart choice, you have to really be a fan.Is Smart relevant for Australia? 

The all-new Smart Fortwo will arrive in Australia this month with a starting price tag of $19,990, offering two body styles and two more powerful engines. Both 52kW and 62kW versions of the coupe and cabrio will be available from later this month, powered by a 1.0-litre in-line three cylinder engine.The 62kW version features a turbocharger, increasing the torque to 120Nm, compared with the non-turbo's 92Nm.The new price for the two-seater is just a $90 increase over the existing model, but also offers additional equipment. Included as standard are four airbags instead of two, a rev counter and clock on the dash, steering wheel gearshift paddles and an automatic door lock function.While the 52kW coupe comes in at $19,990, the cabrio model sits at $22,990. The turbo 62kW version adds $2000 to both prices.The Smart Fortwo coupe consumes a claimed 4.7-litres per 100km, while the cabrio records 4.9-litres per 100km. Other standard equipment includes stability control, ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

The choice of such models will steadily increase over the next 18 months as the effects of stringent new emissions laws and environmental initiatives spur a spate of new arrivals from Europe and Asia. Nissan's Micra will be joined in the next few months by the newest Smart Fortwo and Fiat's already iconic 500.They are likely to be meet competition later in 2008 or in early 2009 in the form of Suzuki's sub-Swift-sized Splash and possibly the Peugeot 107, which is identical under the skin to Toyota's Aygo.As for Kia's Picanto, which in Europe has been compared favourably to mainstays such as Fiat's Panda, the Korean manufacturer will consider importing if a business case can be made.The good news, for both carbuyers and for environmentalists, is that these new models combine in varying degrees practicality and economy. And even a degree of luxury.All weigh less than a tonne, are not much more than 3.5m in length and can stay well below 10 litres per 100km in urban conditions for which they were received.In Sydney, Smart cars, when they're seen at all, are usually towing advertising hoardings. Visit any major western European city — in particular Italy — and you'll see not only the Smart, but a range of tiny commuter mobiles that are cheap, affordable and emission light.In the traffic maelstrom of Rome, where a Golf-size parking space is rarer than a slow Italian driver, light cars are almost the only vehicles that make sense. Indeed, production at the factory making the new Fiat 500 has been doubled to meet demand for the acclaimed compact.And as our traffic conditions deteriorate, the local allocation of 500s might not meet demand. Light cars have evolved rapidly recently, says Edward Rowe of Ateco Autmotive, which imports the Fiat and the slightly bigger Citroen C2.“You now have a car that people want to own, one with badge appeal, in addition to needing to own,” he says.“That's the very clever blend of the 500. It's got the visual appeal and cuteness but real substance with that. A five-star NCAP crash rating is better than any Australian-made full-size car.”While buyers are already less interested in big family cars, pressures beyond the marketplace are paving the road for light cars.Having wasted no time in signing the Kyoto Protocol, the Federal Government has promised to set up a $500 million fund to attract investment for Australia to produce environmentally-friendly cars. To be introduced from 2011, the Green Car Innovation Fund aims to generate $2billion worth of investment to manufacture low-emission vehicles in Australia, the automotive industry being asked to match a $500 million government contribution on a one-to-three basis.And last week, President George Bush signed a bill raising fuel efficiency standards for the first time since 1975 in a bid to cut US reliance on oil. The bill requires the automotive industry to reduce fuel consumption in most cars and light trucks by 40per cent, raising the fuel efficiency standard to 15km per litre by 2020.Rowe says to expect a “flock of 1.4-litre” engines, petrol and diesel, such as the twin-charged unit in Volkswagen's Golf GT Sport.“Engine size has become irrelevant,” Rowe says, “look at the power.”Their hands were forced by the Euro 5-emission standard and prestige marques are also embracing the “less is more” aspect with cars that, if not as diminutive as the Fiat, are considerably smaller than any yet seen from Alfa Romeo and Audi.The three-door Alfa Junior sporty supermini will reach us in 2009. Designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the design is inspired by the 8C Competizione. The Junior will feature a 110kW turbocharged petrol engine.“People are under the impression that this is a new Alfasud,” Rowe says. “It's a size under that, closer to the VW Polo.”Audi's A1, seen in concept form at the Toyko Motor Show, is “definitely” on Audi Australia's wish list, spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says.One motorist already enjoying the value of a light car is Peggy Polias. She bought a Smart Fortwo a year ago.“I just thought they were really cute and fun and I don't want to spend too much on petrol,” she says. “I like how tiny it is and it's just really fun, it's nippy and really handy for urban driving.”Averaging about 500km on a tank, the 26-year-old only has to visit a petrol station once every three weeks and spends about $40 to refuel.Polias acknowledges she could have bought a car with a lot more space and seats for the $22,700 price tag she paid.And while she looked at other cars, such as the Honda Jazz and Toyota Corolla, she decided the extra space wasn't something she really needed.“I don't drive with other people much and the savings I get with petrol seem to outweigh it, especially if I stick to the car for a while.”

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March. 

A rear-impact airbag has just been developed by Toyota and will hit the road when the company's newest baby car, the iQ, goes into full-scale production.

The outside temperature hits 35C and you're squashed inside a tiny capsule 10 degrees or more hotter than that.With your knees almost around your ears, you concentrate on the unchanging road in front of you, alone and with nothing for company but a steering wheel, some pedals, a tube supplying much-needed water and radio contact with teammates following behind in the support van.As I hit the Darwin heat last weekend, there was no imagining necessary, as I was there to see and take part in the World Solar Challenge.And while I'd like to lay claim to having experienced this hard work first hand, I was in fact watching from the comfort of an airconditioned Smart Fortwo equipped with cruise control.While 38 teams from 19 countries around the world sweated it out in the biennial event, driving from Darwin to Adelaide in a solar car in seven days, my role was in the Greenfleet Class of the challenge.This part of the event involves cars showing off “practical technologies for tomorrow”. There were entrants from car manufacturers such as Smart, Saab, Audi, Peugeot and Hyundai, as well as different companies from around the world. Bio-ethanol, hybrid and small engines like the Fortwo were among the competitors for the 3000km event.Having driven the new Fortwo, not yet on sale in Australia, in the chaotic Spanish traffic for the international launch earlier this year, it was time to put the old one to the test in some different circumstances.And as I flew the flag for team Smart last Sunday in what's often considered an unusual-looking car, the Fortwo's unique nature was overshadowed by the solar creations from schools, universities and corporations from around the world.However, the squashed-looking car still drew some giggles from the locals as we headed off for the first leg, the 300km drive to Katherine. One of our competitors even commented that we'd managed to “leave half our car behind”. And it was a celebrity send-off as we pulled out our Queen-style wave as children and adults alike lined the roads, some with good luck signs, others even setting up their picnic chairs out of town to ensure a glimpse of some of the wacky creations.Caught up in the excitement of it all, the toy car-like horn of the Smart was given a good work out, bringing a smile to many faces. The peculiar solar vehicles slowed us down a bit as we headed for the Stuart Highway, the reliance on the sun's rays not quite as fast as the power available from the 700CC turbocharged engine underneath the Smart bonnet.While speed limits now reach 130km/h in the Northern Territory, I managed to maintain a constant speed of just over 100km/h, keeping the challenge of fuel efficiency in the forefront of my mind. This meant employing other techniques such as minimising hard braking and not letting the revs rise too much.You couldn't help but feel a little guilty as you passed the futuristic cars, watching the drivers do their shifts of up to five hours at a time in what is ultimately a sauna on wheels.But NSW's sole entry, a team of 12 students from the University of NSW, assured me it really wasn't that bad.Team leader Yael Augarten, who is doing her PhD in solar-cell research, says she'd prefer to drive a solar car than a sports car any day.“I love it. It's actually quite relaxing. We haven't been going that fast, sitting about 60-70km/h,” she says.“It's like driving a sports car with the airconditioning off, but there is a vent that lets in a nice breeze.”However, with temperatures inside the shell reaching as high as 50C during the week, I think it will take a little more convincing before any sportscar owners opt for a trade-in.And from where I was sitting, the Fortwo seemed to be the more comfortable and better option.Smart competed in this event two years ago, and while this section isn't supposed to be competitive, it did walk away with the best fuel consumption — about 3.2 litres per 100km.Smart spokesman Zac Loo says the event shows the Fortwo isn't just a city car, and can be driven across the country as easily as any other vehicle.And during our trek, the Fortwo showed it could hold its own on the long highways. What seemed like a daunting task of passing those high-speed road trains, was actually a lot easier than expected.Images of the Smart being lifted off the road by the sheer force of four-trailer road-trains using the outback highways was quickly dispelled.Despite being less than an eighth the size of the beasts, the Fortwo stayed comfortably on the road. However, when they passed, the strong rush of wind in their wake did leave the car wobbling slightly.We arrived at Katherine with half a tank of fuel left, averaging around 4.5 litres per 100km, not bad considering we had the airconditioning working overtime. The combined claimed consumption for the Fortwo sits at 4.8litres per 100km.