Subaru Vortex Reviews

The world's biggest motor show is weeks away, yet the car companies are already scrambling over each other to release clues about their exhibits.Among the highlights of the 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show are cars made out of bamboo, a boxer diesel engine and yet more “urban crossover SUVs.”Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its Concept-cX compact SUV at the show.Concept-cX uses interior trim materials made from bamboo and other plant-based resins.The concept is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8 litre diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter, and Mitsubishi's new twin clutch sport shift transmission.Dodge will also launch a crossover wagon, called Crew, which hits Australia late next year.The seven-seater is based on the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedan platform but with all-wheel drive and powered by 2.4-litre petrol and 2-litre turbo-diesel engines.The Crew looks like a shrunken Chrysler Voyager people mover, but with a longer nose and higher ground clearance.It will be built at Chrysler's Toluca plant in Mexico with production due to start in December.Subaru will use the show for its biggest new model blitz yet.Leading the line-up will be the new Impreza five-door hatchback in its 1.5 and 2 litre naturally aspirated formats, which arrives in Australia the same month.Other Subarus on show include an Impreza-based World Rally Car Concept, facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV with more efficient 3.6-litre boxer engine and five-speed auto, new Justy one-litre supermini and the world's first horizontally opposed boxer turbo-diesel engine, due to be progressively installed in models from early in 2008.Mazda will debut its Mazda6, the second Mazda new generation product to evolve to the next stage following the new Mazda2.Although Australia is yet to see the Kia cee'd five-door, the Korean company will debut its new sporty three-door Pro-cee'd, the third model in the family of cars designed for Europe and made in Slovakia.Only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five-door model.Volkswagen will revive the 'people's car' with a concept Beetle.It is called the City Expert because The Beetle name has been taken by the more expensive new-generation car.The City Expert goes back to Beetle roots with a rear-mounted, flat-four boxer engine and a cheap price tag.VW will also reveal six new models with BlueMotion diesel technology, including the new Golf BlueMotion claiming economy of 4.5 litres/100km down 0.6-litres from the previous model, and CO2 emissions down 16g/km to 119g/km.Range on a 55-litre tank is now more than 1200km.Peugeot's 308RCZ concept will give a big hint towards a future body style for the 308 family.The ultra-light 2+2 coupe uses aluminium, polycarbonate windows and carbon fibre body parts and is powered by a 160kW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo jointly developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW.Renault will show a wagon version of its Clio mini.The Clio Sport Tourer will go on sale in Europe early next year.Mini is also on the bandwagon with the return of the Clubman van.The five-door model has double rear doors and a suicide door on the driver's side.The suicide door, which opens the opposite way, is designed to allow passengers easier access to the back.It would make more sense on the other side, but clearly the former British car now owned by BMW is designed for left-hand-drive markets with the blinkers also on the left.Ford will show its Kuga crossover all-wheel-drive probably powered by a range of petrol and turbodiesel engines, including the 2-litre 100kW/320Nm TDCi that has just appeared in the Focus.The Kuga is based on the Iosis X concept unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show.In a surprise move, Suzuki will show it's expanding from small cars and SUVs into the family market.Their Kizashi family car looks mean with a massive black grille, sloping lamp clusters and low-level fog lamps.Also looking mean is Saab's 9-3 Turbo X which will rekindle the spirit of the 1980s Saab 900 Black Turbo.It will feature Cross-Wheel Drive allowing torque to be split to either side of the rear axle via an electronically limited slip differential, based on information from the stability and traction control systems.However, the show-stealer is likely to be seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher when he unveils the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a lighter and faster development of the existing 430 coupe and convertible.Power is up to 380kW, weight is down 100kg and the F1 transmission has new software that cuts shift times to 60 milliseconds. 

A Subdued Subaru is about to start making some noise with more power and a range of new models to be introduced over the next year.In Australia, the 2008 Liberty and Outback models will arrive with beefier engines and extra safety features.They will be followed by the launch of the new Impreza later this month, then a facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV with a more efficient 3.6-litre boxer engine and five-speed auto, and a new Forester in March.Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said “It has been relatively quiet for us on the model front, but the avalanche is here.”Subaru will also launch a new model blitz at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.Leading the line-up is the new Impreza five-door hatchback, an Impreza-based World Rally Car Concept, new Justy one-litre supermini and a horizontally opposed boxer turbo-diesel engine, due to be progressively installed in models from early next year.Subaru Australia corporate affairs manager David Rowley said there were “no firm dates on diesel yet”.“We understand Europe will be the initial focus,” he said.The new Liberty and Outback, on sale now, look the same from the outside, but feature new engine technology, safety features and new prices.While the entry-level $31,990 Liberty 2.0R has gone and the new entry level is the Liberty 2.5i at $32,490, that price is down from $34,990.The automatic entry-level 2.5i is also down $2000 to $34,990.“The 2.0R was replaced in line with customer preference for the larger engine in an entry-level Liberty,” Rowley said.Senior also points out that these vehicles now have more power and features.Power in the Liberty and Outback 2.5 litre normally aspirated engine is up 5 per cent to 127Kw at 6000rpm.On the safety front, Outback 2.5i and 3.0R now get curtain airbags to complete this feature throughout the Liberty and Outback ranges, and Vehicle Dynamics Control is now standard on all Sportshift automatic 2.5-litre Liberty and Outback models.Also new to Liberty is a Heritage variant that adds rear privacy glass, black leather trim, eight-way adjustable power driver's seat and sunroof.Liberty 2.5i Premium adds a McIntosh audio system with six-stack in-dash CD and 14 speakers and self-levelling bi-Xenon headlights with pop-up washers at an extra $1300.Of the 22 Liberty variants, four are new, 10 are the same price as superseded models, three have decreased up to 7.1 per cent in price and five have increased, while adding features. 

Subaru's Liberty GT tuned by STi is nothing if not a handsome machine.The STi 18-inch alloy wheels cannot hide the 316mm front discs and the four-piston Brembo calipers, not to mention the orange calipers on the 290mm discs at the rear.The high gloss "obsidian" black paint job, aggressive body kit, tinted rear windows and that air scoop on the bonnet for the intercooler, along with the STi monogrammed quadruple exhaust pipes, set the Liberty off perfectly.And that's before any of the STi (Subaru Technica international) work to the powertrain is taken into account.The STi Liberty in the CARSguide garage was one of just 300 Liberty STis coming to Australia. It is basically a Liberty GT spec B, a potent machine in its own right, that STi have “tarted-up” though tarted-up hardly does the car justice.The 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged horizontally opposed engine now puts out 194kW @ 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque @ 2800rpm thanks to an upgraded engine management unit. That compares with the Spec B GT at 184/6000 and 339/3600, the Impreza WRX STi 206/5600, 392/4000 and the WRX Impreza at 169/5600, 320/3600.So apart from the STi Impreza, this Liberty is the most potent car Subaru produces. But thanks to their Intelligent Drive system, those behind the wheel might never know that, unless they selected “Sport Sharp”, the engine and gearbox mapping option that allows full power to be developed and the automatic gearbox to take full advantage of it.The other two modes are Power, which allows full power to be developed but keeps the gearbox restrained, and Intelligent, which not only has the gearbox short shifting, or changing up early, but which also cuts maximum power and torque by around 25 per cent.Quick changes up through the gearbox and a distinct reduction in power can, along with a light foot, return something like 20 per cent better fuel consumption.However, there seems to be little point in owning an STi tuned Liberty GT if fuel economy is what you're after.Inside, the car is typical Subaru — high quality finish and ergonomically close to perfect. In the test STi everything was in black set off with red (apart from the head lining). Black seats with red stitching, a black dashboard with red lighting, black dials with white numbers and red needles (which perform a little dance each time the ignition is turned on) and polished metal trim.The whole feel was definitely one of luxury rather than performance.The driver's seat has eight way electric adjustment with two memories, there is a 14-speaker McIntosh sound system with a six stacker in dash CD/MP3/WMA player, and a factory fitted sunroof.The test car was fitted with a five speed auto gearbox which could be left in auto to fend for itself, which it did with aplomb and alacrity, or changed manually by paddles on the steering column or sequentially using the gear shift lever.The only time the gearbox was anything but well mannered was when the Liberty was in full auto and copping a flogging in Sport. It sometimes held on to gears long after social responsibility had dictated enough right foot was enough.But then again it might well have been programmed to take into account the driver may have been on a race track or at a hill climb and wanting to hang on to the gear while slowing slightly for a corner before hammering it again.While there is no traction control as such, Subaru's all wheel drive system does a more than fair imitation of such a system. It is hard to get the STi out of shape and the drive is being sent just where it is needed.The Liberty handles beautifully, turning precisely and predictably with the Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres simply refusing to relinquish grip even when pushed on wet roads.The other side of that coin is that while the interior of the car may feel “luxury”, the ride is definitely “sporty”.The Bilstein dampers and short travel stiff springs on the STi keep the car in the right direction but tend to “juggle” the passengers a bit over anything that is not newly surfaced freeway.That is exaccerbated by the run-flat low profile tyres which have little or no give in the sidewalls.The front air dam of the body kit touches far too easily in this country which delights in putting humps and bumps everywhere and where kerbs and driveways seem to be designed 10mm higher than the lowest bit of the kit.The 215/45 low-profile tyres also put the graceful STi rims very close to the ground where any debris is in a perfect position to damage them.Verdict For: Fast and sporty.Against: Stiff ride, thirsty if pushed.* * * 1/2A bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. 

Enthusiasts more used to the previous model's sedan body type are concerned at Subaru's decision to make the new WRX available only as a hatchback.

Subaru is about to turn its Impreza world upside down with the arrival of the all-new model, but what are they giving up in the march of progress? We took a current model WRX hatch into the garage to refresh our memory. Debate is raging over the merits of Impreza's new softer, more middle-of-the-road style that flies in the face of the original WRX's appeal.We are yet to drive the new model, or even have the opportunity to look closely at it away from a motor show, but it is going to have to be at the top of its game to win over those who love a WRX because of its mongrel factor.The WRX hatch is not a big car but it is ample for a family of four, with reasonable luggage space in the wagon-style rear.The true joy of the car, however, is its ability to turn a drive to the shops into something more. The 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder punches well above its weight with 320Nm of torque well suited to finding gaps in city traffic.A little thirsty, certainly, but driving for economy is not something the boxer engine nor the WRX's character is well-known for.At $40,440 plus on-road costs, the WRX is not overly expensive. There is enough comfort and convenience, climate-control airconditioning, great sport seats, cruise control, airbags, good sound system, strong security to qualify it as a family car before the fun factor is even measured. Today we also farewell the first big cat in our long-term fleet. The front-wheel-drive X-Type Jaguar that has pounded the tarmac around Sydney for the past few months has grown on us.After an initial first drive found it light in the steering and seemingly skittish on the worst and busiest of Sydney's roads, we grew to like it.A sometimes uncomfortable driver's seat that wraps around your hips, an annoying noise when it reverses and the chunky key are minor concerns in a luxury car priced under $60,000. Our Sport model is priced at $56,990.The 2.1-litre V6, particularly in the sport driving mode, has surprising power. It peaks at 117kW and 200Nm. We found it simpler to let the auto transmission shift itself through its five gears rather than play around with the manual mode. Overall, at the price, we'd give it a thumbs up.The third member of our garage, the Suzuki SX4, has made itself at home for a couple of months, exploring more than 3000km around Sydney. It has proved an enjoyable small car that is easy to live with.It even likes to think big, with “mini-me” SUV looks and four-wheel-drive functioning at your fingertips. The SX4 has a slightly higher driving position and better visibility than some small cars.There's plenty of storage and boot room, it's great for shopping and you can put a couple of adults in the back seats without complaints.The wide mirrors took some getting used to and it can be noisy on Sydney's potholes. Overall, the SX4 is a good little car for around town. 

With the local car industry now at the halfway point in the 2007 sales race, it is easy to see who's winning and who's losing.Toyota is basking in the glory of not only being No.1, but also cementing its sales lead so convincingly that — barring a catastrophe — it will take out the sales crown this year.The Altona-based Japanese company is 40,404 vehicles clear of its nearest rival, Holden. It is also relishing the positive spin of the Corolla knocking off the Holden Commodore last month.But apart from Toyota, other players are also revelling in the good times.Of the importers, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Peugeot managed strong June sales.Mazda sold 6932 cars, with the Mazda3 being the strongest seller on 3037.The company experienced the biggest market share gain of any importer.Its record half-yearly result is 20.3 per cent up on the same time last year, lifting market share from 6.7 per cent in 2006 to 7.5 per cent, a gain of 0.7 percentage points.Subaru's tally was 4085 for the month, with the Forester, Impreza and Liberty all breaking through 1000 sales.Suzuki, like many importers, was buoyed by keen end-of-financial year deals.It sold 2368 cars for the month, bringing its year-to-date tally to 10,910 vehicles, a 43 per cent lift over last year.Of the French, an ever-expanding Peugeot line-up continues to bolster sales, but Renault flops around due to a lack of new product.Peugeot sold 1016 vehicles last month, bringing its year-to-date run-rate to 4549, a 13 per cent lift over last year. The 307 continues to be Peugeot's best seller.By contrast, Renault has a year-to-date total of 1431 vehicles, 32 cars fewer than last year.Even Saab experienced some solid growth, albeit off a low base, as the 9-3 turbodiesel helped lift the marque's appeal.Saab sold 336 cars last month, its best month for 10 years, taking its year-to-date tally to 1148, a 170 per cent lift over last year.The X-Trail, Tiida and Navara continue to drive Nissan sales. The Japanese importer sold 5845 vehicles last month with 31,176 year-to-date, a 20 per cent lift over last year.The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries monthly Vfacts figures show that most of the extra volume last month was generated by the light, small and medium car segments.A breakdown of large car sales shows that Holden sold 5588 Commodores last month, Ford 3206 Falcons, Toyota 2626 Aurions and Mitsubishi just 877 380 V6s.All three were eclipsed by the new four-cylinder Corolla, which secured 5890 sales.But a finer look at the figures shows that much of the Corolla's success was down to fleet purchases and pent-up demand for the new car, which spiked figures.But a sale is a sale. Holden's own figures point out that 29 per cent of VE Commodores are bought by private buyers, as opposed to 18.6 per cent for the VT Commodore.Apart from the Corolla, other small car stars were the Mitsubishi Lancer with 2143 sales, Holden Astra 1763 and Ford Focus 1550.Of the tiddlers, Toyota again ruled last month. The Yaris managed 2926 sales against 2486 for the Hyundai Getz, 1361 for the Kia Rio, 1351 for the Suzuki Swift and 1392 for the Honda Jazz.Despite the dominance of the light, small and medium segments, large cars were up 3.7 per cent in June and, in year-to-date terms, are running 5.1 per cent ahead of last year.However, Ford's overall market share has slipped 2 per cent and Holden's by almost 1 per cent, despite its Korean strategy, which was hoping to deliver an increased share.Mitsubishi is a bit stronger, experiencing a 0.6 per cent overall drop in share and, despite Toyota's increasing sales, its share has increased by only about 0.6 per cent.One of the more interesting results was for the Ford Fairlane.Ford sold 149 Fairlanes, bolstered by the news that the long-wheelbase sedan will be axed at the end of the year.Dealers are also reporting a slight pick-up in interest for the car from fleets.Overall, the year-to-date sales figure of 524,376 means that a record 1 million market is likely by December.   Top 10 makes  1 Toyota 24,5392 Holden 14,2563 Ford 10,3044 Mitsubishi 81945 Mazda 69326 Nissan 58457 Honda 57508 Hyundai 50239 Subaru 408510 Volkswagen 2848 Top 10 models1 Toyota Corolla 58902 Holden Commodore 55883 Toyota HiLux 42494 Ford Falcon 32065 Mazda3 30376 Toyota Yaris 29267 Toyota Camry 26458 Toyota Aurion 26269 Hyundai Getz 248610 Mitsubishi Lancer 2143 

It follows on the heels of the previous STI-tuned version of the car, which was unveiled towards the end of 2005.That car was the last hurrah for the 2.0-litre engine which was discontinued after it no longer met emission regulations.The model follows much the same formula, with power from a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, cranked up from 184kW to 194kW and torque from 339Nm to 350Nm.This compares with the 2.0-litre STI-tuned car that delivered a substantial 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque in manual form.The increases in power and torque are small but do serve to set the car apart in the all important bragging stakes.More apparent are the accompanying cosmetic changes to the car, including the highly desirable pink and white STI badges. There's also a deeper front air dam and a mean-looking set of four tailpipes.Like the previous model, the Liberty GT, tuned by STI, is also available in sedan and wagon form with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.But this time around, one will cost you considerably more with prices starting from $65,990 $6500 more than the previous model. In comparison, a standard GT Spec.B manual will set you back $55,990.You can take comfort, however, in the fact the cars command a higher resale value when it comes time to trade.Our test vehicle was the manual sedan. It certainly looks the part with a wicked set of 12-spoke, 18-inch alloys, complete with eye-catching gold coloured brake calipers and expensive Pirelli P-Zero Rosso rubber.The car rides a little lower, sitting on Bilstein dampers and STI-lowered springs, and has a firmer, sportier ride as a result.Brembo stoppers are fitted to reduce brake fade and shorten stopping distances.Inside, you get leather and an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with two memory settings.Being a GT it comes with the 14-speaker McIntosh sound system. A factory-fitted sunroof is standard.We like the look of the car but question whether it's worth the extra money?Although it wears an STI badge, the car should not be confused in any way with the WRX STI, which offers much higher levels of performance.The performance gains over the standard GT Spec. B are marginal and the ride can be harsh at the best of times, which means most of the time.However, there is no doubting the poise and balance of the car when pushed to the limit. Roll-on, straight-line acceleration is impressive and makes short work for overtaking.The lower front air dam should come with a warning because it is prone to catching and scraping on driveways and in car parks.Subaru persists with its intelligent drive concept. It means you can dial in sport, normal or economy modes through a centre console-mounted control knob. You can feel the difference, but the changes are really about Subaru looking for a point of difference to move its cars up market. 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria has just completed its annual cost of ownership survey of a range of current models.The survey looks at total running cost and is based on vehicles travelling 15,000km a year, which is the Australian average.It factors in the cost of a typical car loan, depreciation, registration, club membership, comprehensive insurance plus servicing, fuel and tyre costs.Fuel costs were calculated on an unleaded petrol pump price of $1.26 a litre, $1.31 for diesel and 47c for LPG.Fuel prices have risen significantly since the survey was finished so true running costs will be even higher.The survey results show the cheapest car costs about $6000 a year to run, compared to $18,500 for the most expensive.The most affordable car was Hyundai's Getz at $116.54 a week, followed by Holden's Barina ($120.85) and the Toyota Yaris ($125.88).Go up a size and Toyota's Corolla was the winner at $154.49, followed by the Ford Focus ($156.49) and Holden Astra ($158.12).The medium class sector was won by Toyota's Camry at $193.05, followed by the Mazda6 at $197.85, and Honda Accord Euro ($218.07).Large cars are, as expected, more expensive to run but, surprisingly not that much more.The best was Mitsubishi's 380 at $200.44, so it is cheaper than the Honda Accord. Toyota's Aurion was next best ($217.60), followed by Ford's Falcon ($229.13).For large families, the Kia Carnival people mover at $216.68 beat the Honda Odyssey ($228) and Toyota Tarago ($267.61).Diesel and hybrid cars were cheaper to run but don't forget diesel cars initially cost more and replacement batteries for hybrids are hellishly expensive and have a short lifespan.The cheapest was the Honda Civic hybrid at $175.29, beating the Toyota Prius at $200.63. A VW Golf diesel was better than the Prius on the wallet at $187.93.A Ford Falcon running on LPG cost $211.43 a week, while the dual-fuel Commodore came in at $225.10.The popular compact SUV market was headed by Honda's CRV at $203.86, followed by Nissan's Xtrail ($207.36) and Subaru's Forester ($208.52).Medium SUVs had the Holden Captiva out in front at $225.16, followed by the Ford Territory ($234.47) and Toyota Prado ($286.16).At the expensive end of the running cost spreadsheet were the big four-wheel-drives.The cheapest was Nissan's Patrol at $269.53, while the Toyota LandCruiser cost $357.51 a week.

Pimped, blinged, modified or simply done up. They all add up to the same thing: the process of altering a car. It's easy for outsiders to dismiss some of the more extravagant ventures as kitsch or simply a waste of money, but the influence of such films as Pimp My Ride and The Fast And The Furious is growing.For devotees, spending $30,000 on pimping a car is a way of self-expression, of forging a distinct identity and, most important, having fun.Albert Lahood has this sense of pride and enjoyment in abundance.After buying a new Subaru WRX two years ago, the 21-year-old business marketing student transformed it from a run-of-the-mill Soob to a unique show car.“I've added TV screens and had it retrimmed in suede and leather from Italy,” he says. “The wheels are custom-made, and I painted them the same colour as the car.“I've done the interior, the audio, done the wheels, exhaust, engine modifications — the list goes on.“A DVD player, an MP3 player. The engine's got an intercooler, and a special air-flow system, blow-out valve and and engine computer.”That adds up to an estimated $30,000 to $35,000, including the cost of adding no fewer than 12 television screens, some of which can be seen from outside of the car — one is in the boot lid.“It's more of a disease now. Once I had four TVs, but I just added and added,” Lahood says.His parents, and many others, may scratch their heads, but he doesn't need to search for an explanation.“It's unique; I do it to be different. You see many, many WRXs on the street, but I don't want to see many like my car.“That's what makes it. It's out there, wild. I express my thoughts in my car. It makes a statement.”That's something Tony Doran, the boss of Doran Pro Audio, has identified, particularly in the past three years.Doran, who carried out the audio and interior additions to Lahood's ride, says owners are sick of the norm.“They don't want to drive down the street and see an identical vehicle. They want to show their character.“They've evolved into being individual characters as such — and generated a name for themselves.”Mick Taleb, of Tempe Tyres, says this trend encompasses both genders from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. He's also ideally placed to notice that wheels keep getting bigger.Clive Wasserman, the owner of SunGard Window Tinting at Rockdale, says a lot of younger car owners get tinting on their windows, especially as it's a more affordable element of pimping.“They can spend anywhere between $295 and $495, depending on the size and quality,” Wasserman says.“Older people are more concerned about the protection and glare; youngsters are more interested in the appearance of their car.”Cars most likely to get the big makeover treatment include Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, Nissan 200SXs and Skylines and, of course, Subaru WRXs.Taleb says customers spend anywhere from $1000 to $30,000 on pimping at his company alone, and that doesn't include such items as wheels and tinting.Says Doran: “Before he did up his car, Albert was still Albert, but not noticed. Now he's known — he's a somebody.“It's a world of its own. These fellows can go a few different ways.“Some get into drugs, make a lot of money, but meet their demise abruptly, or they get into work, make a future.“Other fellows blow it all on their cars. A large majority blow it all on their cars to get recognised.”For Lahood, pimping his car has become a hobby — one he can share with 30-odd friends who have the same passion and attend car shows together.“It's more of a reality instead of an impossible thing. As if you'd think you could have 15 TV screens in a car like that. Whoever would have thought 10 years ago they'd have TVs in a boot?”Lahood has funded his automotive hobby by working part-time for his parents' fruit and vegetable wholesale business.Having spent close to $80,000 all up on his car, he'd be lucky to get the $45,000 he paid for the WRX in its original condition if he were to sell.“I didn't build it to make money. I built it as a hobby, and you can't make money off a hobby,” Lahood says.“It's become a part of me. Selling it would be like selling one of the family.”Lahood is equally straight up about the car's downsides. He says police pull him over at least once a week.“They just have a look, see what's going on, see who's driving the car. They're generally OK.“The car's been re-engineered, and I've got a certificate to prove it. I have to carry that.”Security is another factor. Lahood drives his WRX only on weekends and can't take it any place where he won't be able to keep an eye on it all the time.Then there's the big question of insurance premiums.Tony Doran believes the modified-car craze is just getting under way.“It seems as if it's growing at a very steady rate. Every day, we get more and more calls regarding this,” he says.“I'd say this scene is here to stay.”And if Albert Lahood's car is anything to go by, Doran may be right.“There's plenty more to do,” Lahood laughs. “Maybe a colour change, more motor modifications, more TV screens — as many as the battery can handle.”