European

Volkswagen Group staged the event to showcase a range of its show heroes but the two most important previews of all - the Golf GTi and Audi Q2 - were held back.

Peugeot’s 508 sedan and wagon replaced the 407 last year with the aim of becoming a strong contender in the Aussie large car market. Since the 508 landed here mid-2011 it has slowly established ground, accounting for 828 of the 3,483 Peugeot sales so far this year. However, its rivals the Volkswagen Passat with 3,432 sales and Ford Mondeo with 3,554 sales are clear front runners. The 508 GT version tested here was a late arrival to the line-up, rolling into Peugeot showrooms in April this year, so has had a shorter time to prove itself. VALUEPriced from $55,990, standard features include an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, 12V auxiliary sockets, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, leather seats, glass sunroof, driving lamps and fog lamps. And the warranty is a standard 3 years with 100,000km roadside assist.There are several optional extras that can raise the price by nearly $8,000 including 19-inch alloy wheels for $500, power tailgate for $1000, Nappa leather seats with memory settings for $2500 and premium pearl white paint for $1300.You can also add GPS satellite navigation for $1500 or GPS satellite navigation plus JBL HiFi for $2300. But the navigation system is the old school ‘scroll to each letter and number’ rather than a more user-friendly touch screen. However, once your destination is locked in the directions are clear and it works efficiently, and it shows you the closest petrol stations and other handy landmarks nearby.TECHNOLOGYThe 508 gets a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder engine with 150kW of power and 450Nm of torque. And the GT version comes with double wishbone suspension and a 0-100km/h time of 8.4 seconds, more than a second quicker than the Touring Allure.It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (no manual variant is available) and the only fuel type available is diesel, with an official combined fuel economy of 5.9L/100km. However we tested the wagon on a mix of city streets, major highways and quiet country roads and returned an average of 7.4L/100km - nearly 20 per cent higher.DESIGNThe 508 GT Touring has a classic wagon silhouette, with a large bonnet and extended rear. The wide grille is flanked by two slanting headlights and there is chrome detailing on the windows and door handles – overall the 508 is attractive. A nice touch is the electronic side mirrors that open and close when you unlock or lock the 508. On the inside there’s a leather steering wheel, with embellished stitching and Peugeot’s signature black piano lacquered detailing. What you’ll really notice is the abundance of features. The dashboard and shift knob are surrounded by buttons that deliver surprises to the driver. Our favourite has to be the “massaging” driver’s seat feature that adds to the luxury feel.There are sports styled speedometers, and several information displays including fuel consumption, km to empty and suburb location. There’s also an impressive panoramic sunroof that reaches all the way to the rear of the wagon, with the rear and back windows tinted to cut UV and provide privacy. The power tailgate makes loading the boot easy, just press the button and toss all your gear in there.As with all things there are a few negatives. The inside lacks places for your bits and pieces, as there’s only a very small central compartment and two cup holders. So you’ll struggle to find a place for a large water bottle or any other personal items that you want within arm’s reach.SAFETYThe 508 has a 5 star ANCAP crash rating with safety features that include six airbags, ABS and electronic brake force distribution, central locking, fog lamps at the front and rear, Bi-Xenon headlamps, park assist and tyre pressure sensors.DRIVINGWhile the GT designation might raise your hopes of it being a hot version, it’s not a sports performance wagon. In the 508’s case the GT stands for Grand Tourer and spells out an effortless and comfortable driving experience.The noise of the diesel engine only slightly enters the cabin, and the sound itself is pleasing - Peugeot knows its stuff when it comes to diesel engines. The 508 Touring takes off quickly and stops just as well, with refined and progressive brake feel.The six-speed automatic transmission is well mated to the 2.2-litre engine, with plenty of power on climbs and the suspension handles rough surfaces well. While the overall drive experience is more than adequate, the steering control lets it down with the electronic system giving a numb feeling around sharper corners.The large side mirrors assist when reversing and there are also front sensors - although you might wish there weren’t after a little while with their sensitive reactions beeping loudly near anything they see as an obstruction - we quickly found the noise distracting. And as with many other wagons the turning circle for the 4813mm body is a bit wide at 12.2 metres.VERDICTWhile it’s not the cheapest wagon out there, those looking for that extra something special will not be disappointed: classic wagon body, prestige features and a comfortable drive.

In a world dominated by hulking SUV family haulers, Mercedes-Benz is bucking the trend with its CLS Shooting Brake.

Given the chance, would you go for the Audi Q5 or the Audi A6 Avant (wagon)? Both are practical carry-alls, same powertrain in the four cylinder variants.But SUVs rule right now possibly because they take practicality to high levels while neatly side stepping all that prestige palaver. They also offer impressive value for money. Audi has just expanded its medium large A6 lineup with the $81,880 Avant in 2.0-litre petrol turbo TFSi and the $82,900 2.0-litre TDi turbodiesel tested here.DESIGNIt's a real glamour that's for sure - looks much sleeker and sexier than the boxy Q5 and therein lies the attraction. Not everybody wants a prestige SUV to drive around in. Some will pay a premium to look cool or to drive something different.That's because it drives the front wheels efficiently through an eight step Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) that slurs initially but hooks up nicely once you're underway. And there are paddles to click it up and down if you feel the need.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is good for 130kW and 380Nm output - not earth shattering in diesel terms but sufficient to give the A6 Avant a decidedly sporty feel for a largish, luxury family wagon tipping the scales at over 1700kg. Part of that pork is due to the generous level of standard kit inside the sumptuous interior.Audi really does stylish interiors and this one is up there featuring a large info' screen with Audi's excellent MMI Navigation + system, Bang and Olufsen audio and all the rest. Naturally there's metres of supple leather and seats for five with a large expandable load space. Like the clever 360 degree parking camera and assistance.DRIVINGWe took the Avant 2.0 TDi for a good squirt last week covering some 800km. We were still on the same tank of fuel which showed a further 200+ kms in reserve. It's amazingly frugal and yet, dealing with the trucks and lunatics out on the open road, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel doesn't give anything away in the go department.Driving the Avant you forget it's a wagon such is the composure with which it negotiates corners and rough roads. Audi was able to shave weight from the new Avant compared to the previous model thanks greater use of aluminium.There's drive select and efficiency mode to get the most out of the car as well as an electronic limited slip differential for greater grip. We love the sensor tailgate operation, LED driving lights and benefits of auto stop/start.Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDiPrice: from $82,900Warranty: 3 year roadsideCrash rating: n/aEngine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 4-cyl petrol, 130kW/380NmTransmission: CVT; front-wheel driveThirst: 5.1L/100km; 135g/km CO2Dimensions: 4926mm (L), 1874mm (W), 1461mm (H)Weight: 1640kg

Marketers are always on the lookout for new ways of grabbing the attention of the buying public and those at VW have come up with the name of Up! – the exclamation mark is an integral part of the name, we’re told – for this cute and affordable little city hatch. Also likely to rate a mention is the fact that Up! is the reigning World Car of the Year.VALUEVolkswagen has launched its all-new light car onto the Australian market with a price tag starting at a surprisingly low figure of just $13,990 for the three-door and $14,990 for the five-door. Of course, on-road costs have to be added to that. The Up! is available with just one equipment level but there are a number of option packages.There are three option packages available with the Up!. The biggest seller will almost certainly be the Maps + More Package, a portable infotainment system displayed on a five-inch touch screen monitor mounted onto a bracket above the centre console. Features include satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, trip computer with a fuel-saving trainer and media player. At $500 we would expect a large take-up rate.The Comfort Drive Package ($600) provides cruise control, multi-function display and rear parking sensors while the $2500 Comfort Style Package includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather trimmed steering wheel, parking brake lever and gearshift knob, heated front seats and carpet floor mats.A panoramic powered sunroof is also available for $1400, a pretty reasonable price for this popular option. There are a number of cost-saving cues in the Up! including sealed side windows in the rear of the three-door version and pop-out windows (only to about 10 degrees) in the five-door.DESIGNFirst up, and of vital importance in this market segment, it looks the part with a distinctive frontal styling with more than a hint of the iconic Beetle about it. No such likeness at the rear with its functional, near-vertical black-glass tailgate. At 3.54 metres in length the Up! is pipped by a mere 40 mm by the Suzuki Alto as the shortest four-seat car on the Australian market.While such a compact length doesn’t make much of a difference in the Australian suburbs, in tight city areas it can allow access to a parking spot nothing else with four wheels can fit into. Importantly the Up!’s wheelbase is almost half a metre longer than that of the Alto with short overhangs and extra interior space.There is seating for four, although rear seat adult passengers will need to impose on those in the front seat to get comfortable legroom. If you’re buying an Up! as a small family car make sure the kids are aware that they won’t be able to wind down the rear windows. There are no headroom problems in any seat and just the occasional elbow bumping between the two front seat occupants.Maximising the size of the passenger cabin inevitably reduces storage space and, at 251 litres maximum, the boot is relatively small. However it is quite deep and can take a single large suitcase with several soft bags squeezed in around it. The rear seatbacks fold down to greatly increase carrying capacity.TECHNOLOGYPower for the Up! comes from a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine. Peak power is 55 kW at 6200 rpm and 95 Nm of torque between 3000 and 4300 rpm. For the time being, there is no automatic transmission on offer. But for those who prefer to do their own gear changing then this smallest of all Vee Dubs could be just the car for you, as it’s sold with a five-speed manual gearbox.We were a little disappointed with the fuel consumption number during our test which we found well above the combined city/highway published figure of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Having said that, it was a small engine working hard with a reasonable load on board so even consumption around 7.0 L/100km is quite acceptable.SAFETYThere are no curtain airbags to protect rear-seat occupants. Volkswagen expects the Up! to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating in its upcoming is test. It already does have a European NCAP five-star rating. In a logical compromise the Up! doesn’t come with cruise control as standard but does have City Emergency Braking (CEM).This uses a laser sensor mounted at the top of the windscreen to scan a space in front of the car, detect the risk of imminent collision and selectively apply the brakes depending upon the force required. It will reduce the impact of a collision at speeds up to 30 km/h.DRIVINGWe spent about three hours driving in and around Melbourne and found that it performed above our expectations. There were few hills in our drive route but those that we did encounter didn’t offer any serious challenge to the Up! despite it carrying a couple of non-anorexic occupants.By their nature lower-powered cars do require a bit more thought and planning in the driving technique needed to get best out of them. We did encounter the occasional bump and pothole but the Up!’s suspension absorbed the impact surprisingly well.VERDICTWith its combination of European branding, neat styling, a reasonable array of features and that sub-$14,000 starting price Volkswagen Up! should be a sure-fire winner with the Generation Y female market.Volkswagen UpPrice: from $13,990Engine: 1-litre 3-cyl petrol, 55kW/95NmTransmission: 5-speed manualThirst: 4.5L/100km

It comes as no surprise that Peugeot’s new 208 is all about style, after all the French and flair are synonymous. In an unusual move we will discuss the style of the 208’s interior before we get on to talk about it body. That’s because of a radical new shapes and ideas within the car.The new Peugeot 208 Active starts at $18,490 for the 1.2-litre three cylinder. The 1.6-litre four cylinder Allure starts at $21,490, while the top of the range 1.6 four cylinder turbocharged Allure Sport comes in at $26,490.Lower set, and in the centre of the car, a seven-inch multifunction touchscreen provides access to the satellite navigation and onboard audio systems. The latter comes complete with the usual inputs for music and telephone, but, interestingly no CD player. Peugeot feels the era of the audio CD is now history.Power comes from a choice of three engines, 1.2-litre with three cylinders, a four-cylinder 1.6 with natural aspiration, or the latter unit with a turbocharger to push along the Active Sport model. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are offered.The first thing you will notice stepping into the Peugeot 208 is the tiny steering wheel, the sort of wheel you would expect to find in a sports car, not in a family hatchback. The miniature wheel is there not to make a styling statement, but to leave space above itself so the driver can view the high-set instatement layout.The intention is that the driver takes their attention off the road for a minimum amount of time to scan the instruments, and thus increases road safety. These instruments are set within a dashboard design that’s classy and finished to a high standard. The plastics have pleasingly soft finish and the minor controls not only look good but function in an easy to use manner.Peugeot 208‘s all-new body comes in three and five-door format. However, the three-door isn’t simply a five-door with fewer openings, it takes quite a different approach to style. Thus the three-door has a real sporty appearance, while the five-door has a slightly less radical shape. The latter still hasn’t lost out in the flair stakes, though.Peugeot was in the vanguard of the latest car ‘big-grille’ styling theme, with close to a decade since it first moved in what was considered a provocative new direction. Now Peugeot has left the others, who have been copying its ideas in recent times, and set off in a new styling direction.While the Peugeot 208 still has a large grille the focus isn’t on the complete grille, but rather on the central section. This is raised in what Peugeot calls a ‘floating’ manner, leaving the main segment of the grille in the background to frame rather than dominate the frontal appearance. Depending on which of the grades of 208 you select – Active or Allure – you get a different finish to the floating segment.The smaller, lighter body has more interior space than the outgoing cars, particularly in the back seat. You wouldn't want to cram five big Aussie blokes in this small car, but two plus a trio of kids will fit nicely.The 208 is marginally smaller on the outside than the 207 it replaces, but intelligent design works gives it even more safety in a crash. Peugeot is proud of the fact that its 208 is the first car in the world to score five stars in the recently toughened-up European NCAP crash testing.On the road on a drive program organised by Peugeot in the Gold Coast hinterland we were able to sample the 1.2 and 1.6 engines, but only with manual gearboxes as imports are still pending. The 1.6 naturally aspirated probably has enough performance for most drivers, but interestingly our favourite was the little 1.2-litre three-cylinder.We like the willingness and character of three-cylinder units and the way they are happy to rev. Though it has to be said that the latter is a handy feature because in the interests of economy this engine isn’t designed as a high-performance powerplant. So you do need to use lower gears on any sort of a hill and keep in mind that on level roads the fuel consumption is going to be well down.Steering and suspension are brilliant and the feel through the tiny steering wheel is great. You really do get the feel you’re in a sports machine, not just a family hatch.In typical Peugeot manner the ride comfort is good despite this excellent handling ability.

Skoda has approached its return to Australia in a canny European manner. Rather than rushing in with bottom end cars to gain quick sales, and then trying to lift its image by aiming at the medium-premium segments, Skoda started at the top end. By doing so it has gained credibility and is now pushing down into the affordable car area.VALUEThe result is that Skoda, now five years into its revival in Australia, has just sold its 10,000th car downunder. It’s also quickly making its name in the affordable end of the hot-hatch scene with the great little Fabia RS as well as a five-door station wagon should the hatch rear end not supply enough luggage space for your needs. The RS starts at a modest $27,990.TECHNOLOGYSkodas use major mechanical components from Volkswagen – having been controlled by the giant German company since the early 1990s when the communist era ended in the Czech Republic – and the Fabia RS shares a Twincharger 1.4-litre petrol engine, transmissions and suspension with the Volkswagen Polo GTI.We were most impressed with the hot little Fabia’s performance. With 132 kW of power, and a strong 250 Nm of torque all the way between 2000 rpm and 4500 rpm, the Fabia RS is a pocket rocket. It goes from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds.The use of both a supercharger and turbocharger provides strong push throughout most of the rev range. From about 1500 you can feel the torque working, it quickly rises when you get to 2500 revs and pulls in a very linear manner when it’s comfortably over 5500 rpm.This straight-line speed is enhanced by the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. In flat-out mode the transmission is great to sit behind, switching gears faster than humanly possible.DESIGNThe Polo GTI and Fabia RS have quite different appearances, with the Volkswagen leaning in a mildly conservative direction, while the Skoda has gone for a chunky out-of-the-ordinary look that we love. There’s a hint or two of the cheeky shapes favoured by the British Mini in the character lines of Czech Skoda, these are emphasised by the availability of numerous colour combinations. Letting buyers design their own car by way of accessories is an excellent idea and can result in real fashion statements.Our Skoda Fabia RS road test car came in yellow, which is a bold move in a conservative market like Australia. But, hey this is a sporting model for the young and for the young at heart. Indeed the young at heart could be big buyers of these little cars because in their teenage years bright colours were all the rage in cars, clothes, interior design – you name it.We are currently in the standard Fabia (not the RS) that is a metallic blue and while that shade also works well with the Fabia's lines it doesn’t exactly leap out on the street scene.SAFETYElectronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist are standard to minimise the chances of having a crash – as are six airbags should you still get it wrong. The Skoda Fabia has been designed with pedestrian impact in mind, so the front bumper and bonnet are designed to deform on impact and absorb energy.DRIVINGWhile the DSG works well under hard acceleration and deceleration, like many of its type it is a bit of a dog in slow situations. Even worse, it can surprise when parking in first or reverse gears by responding too quickly to any throttle input. For some reasons no two double-clutch gearboxes are identical in the way they perform, which must be so frustrating for engineers trying to make them work to perfection.The Skoda Fabia RS will really suit those who like to ‘drive' cars. It is stable on all but the worst of Australia's roads and feels really sound in hard cornering. There is some steer torque, which is hardly a surprise in a sporty small hatch with a modified engine, but it is manageable and those who like a bit of character in their car will love that gentle tugging on the steering wheel under hard acceleration.We like the chassis, it uses MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent read end, is a relatively sophisticated setup for a car in the affordable class. The suspension is on the firm side at times, but on the whole it soaks up most bumps without any banging and thumping. Those who like sporting cars will forgive the hot RS for its actions. At 10 metres the Fabia has a tight turning circle and the all-round driver's view is excellent.VERDICTThe hottest Fabia is a great little hot hatch around town and a superb tourer for steep and winding roads where you can really get stuck into the corners.

The original Lion brand has been in and out of my personal life since I first drew breath - I grew up riding in the back of a 504 and spent time in a number of models during my formative years - 405, 205, 505 and a classic 404. Having sampled the flagship 2.2-litre turbodiesel 508 GT we're spending time in a mid-spec

If Victoria Beckham were French, she’d drive a Peugeot 4008 instead of a Range Rover Evoque. The former Posh Spice had a hand - so they say - in styling the interior of the Evoque and she wouldn’t be disappointed with the 4008.While the Pug is French, there are none of the usual French quirks about styling or utilitarianism inside. The blinkers are on the right side, the handbrake is close to the driver and all the controls are intuitive – all this in a very stylish catwalk model. Kind of like having a French girlfriend with no nasty habits liking smoking Gauloise in bed.VALUEHere’s one of the best attractions about this French model - she’s not expensive. The two-wheel-drive models start with five-speed manual in Active trim at $28,990 which makes them comparable to Japanese and Korean models (Nissan Dualis, Hyundai ix35 and Mitsubishi ASX on which it is based). CVT adds $2500 and all-wheel drive an extra $2000.The Active comes with a host of features including cruise control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, chilled glovebox, daytime running lights, automatic lights and wipers, cloth seats, leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels. Allure adds 18-inch alloys and leather seats which are heated and electronically controlled up front. Top of the line is the all-wheel-drive Allure with CVT at $38,490 with all the fruit.It’s French class at Asian prices. However, the sting is in the cost of metallic paint at $800 and the “premium” shade which is an extra  $1300. Peugeot has followed the trend with fixed-price servicing of $330 a year for three years making it a practical as well as attractive proposition. This is also available on fleet sales. Peugeot even throws in a valet service.TECHNOLOGYPeugeot has been at the forefront of diesel cars in Australia and the company has championed diesel on the famous Le Mans circuit with some success. Yet there is no diesel on offer here. Instead, it’s the same two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from the ASX. The 110kW of power pulls the 1.4-tonnne vehicle to 100km/h in just under 10 seconds, which is ok but hardly sizzling.And it’s not as if it’s frugal at claimed figures of 7.7L/100km for the manual two-wheel drive and up to 8.1L/100km for the CVT AWD. On our tests in the Allure AWD CVT and Active AWD manual over a mix of road and traffic conditions, we scored a dribble under 9L/100km for both.DESIGN The resemblance to the stunning Evoque is uncanny, particularly in the bold front end. However, the roof line doesn’t dip as far toward coupe-like styling as the Evoque and the result is that the rear compartment is not as cramped or claustrophobic. You wouldn’t think it was based on the rather plain-Jane ASX. Inside, it is not as stylish as the Evoque, but still quite a classy place to be. And thankfully all the controls are intuitive and easy to use. This is very atypical of the French who like to make things difficult and quirky. No stalks hidden behind steering columns here or audio systems that make you guess what the buttons are for.SAFETYThe 4008 has not been crash tested here yet, but it has a maximum five-star Euro NCAP score. All models come standard with a rear camera and seven airbags. Strangely there is a full-size spare wheel under the boot floor but it is only rated up to 80km/h. It takes up cargo space, yet doesn’t really provide much peace of mind if you venture out bush to test its AWD capabilities.DRIVINGPeugeot has toughened up the suspension over the ASX to give this more off-road capability. It feels remarkably tied down on sealed roads with little wallow around sweepers or sway in quick changes of line. Yet it does crash and bang over the hard hits off road or in city potholes. There is substantial road grip out of the road-biased tyres, but these are compromised in sticky off-road situations. While the suspension is taut, the rest of the drive experience is a little on the soft side. Brakes lack initial bite and the steering feels a little ponderous. Still, they both have feel and effect. The engine is smooth and refined without being either lusty or frugal like some of its peers from VW and Mazda. It is perhaps hampered by transmissions that don’t match the performance.While the CVT is smooth and doesn’t scream like most, it doesn’t provide swift responses to throttle input. The five-speed manual just seems out of date with today’s six-cog units. The manual does have a nice gate and the clutch is very light. A hill-start hold is a handy addition. Driver and passenger accommodation is comfortable with easy access and plenty of leg and headroom. However, it will still only fit two teens or adults comfortably in the rear. Extra sound deadening material provides a quiet cabin. Surprisingly there seems to be more luggage space than the ASX.VERDICTFor French flair without the price tag, this is a good value proposition.

Sitting below the Polo in terms of size, the Volkswagen Up! is sure to earn VW an even greater market share.