European

Factory closures are becoming increasingly probable after European car registrations fell to their lowest level in 22 years last month. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) notes the sales slowdown is accelerating and now predicts a slump of up to 10 per cent for the year.In all, just 688,168 new vehicles were registered in August, the lowest total for the month since the EU data was first compiled in 1990. With some factories already running at 50 per cent of capacity, there is talk of Fiat, Ford and Opel closing the doors on some of their most unprofitable production lines.“Something needs to give,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said last week, adding that Fiat will outline a blueprint for the “European challenge” when it releases third quarter results later this year. Ford was the biggest loser in August with sales down by almost a third on the previous year, a fact it attributes to a decision not to match rivals discounts during what is traditionally the slowest car sales month on the EU calendar. “There was a lot of short-cycle business and heavy incentives that we decided largely to refrain from, Ford of Europe's marketing chief Roelant de Waard says. The Volkswagen Group's massive product portfolio made it one of the few carmakers to increase sales, led by Audi increasing its share of the luxury car segment. In contrast, Opel/Vauxhall saw a 19 per cent fall in registrations, Fiat was down 18 per cent and both Renault and Peugeot/Citroen were hit with 13 per cent drops. Registrations by country largely reflect those hurting worst from the sovereign debt crisis. Greece and Portugal lead the way with falls of 40 per cent year-to-date, Italy is down by almost 20 per cent and Spanish registrations fell by 8.5 per cent. Ominously for France, registrations this year are down 13.4 per cent, while Germany, which accounts for one in three of all cars sold in Europe, has seen its market contract by 0.6 per cent. The French Government has fiercely resisted factory closures on its turf and criticised Peugeot last month when it announced it would shed up to 10,000 jobs and close a factory in the north of the country. That's not an option for Renault, with the government holding a controlling stake in the French carmaker. 

A Volkswagen at $13,990 seems too good to be true. But the Up is not just another Volkswagen and, in many ways, has more in common with the original Beetle than the Golf that has set the benchmark in the small-car class for more than a decade.The baby Up - it's even smaller than Volkswagen's Polo, it's previous starter car in Australia - is intended to be starting-price motoring for anyone who wants to hit the road. The Up comes as a three-door hatch at $13,990 in Australia, or a five-door for $14,990, but the basics are the same and quite basic."One engine, one transmission, two boy choices," says Anke Koeckle, managing director of Volkswagen Group Australia. "I think this is the people's car again. The Beetle was all about making it affordable to the whole world and the Up is also focussed on mobility and affordability."VALUEThe Up is a global car and that means - just like the Big Mac - that it's the same taste but tweaked to the pockets of local buyers. So that means $13,990 for Australians, well below the Polo and right into the range of cars like the Nissan Micra and Holden Barina. It's more costly than the current bargain-basement leader, the Suzuki Alto at $11,990, but there are plenty of obvious reasons why it costs more.The standard specification for the Up is nicely meaty, with everything from remote central locking and power steering to aircon and front electric windows. But the rear windows only pop out, they don't wind, and there is no automatic gearbox.The big bonus comes on the safety front, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating that's expected to be repeated in Australia, and a radar-guided anti-collision system that's a major breakthrough at this price. By the end of the week it's also likely that Volkswagen will have welcome news for Up shoppers about the running costs of their car, too.TECHNOLOGYThe Up is straightforward and simple: a 1-litre, three-cylinder engine in the nose, a four-seater cabin that's just big enough for the job, a reasonable boot and full-sized spare. The big technology tweak is the City Emergency Braking system, which uses a forward radar to detect imminent collisions and car brake automatically at up to 30km/h. VW says it is a major advance and it's standard for Australia.The engine makes a meagre 55 kiloWatts of power and 95 Newton-metres of torque, but it only has to move 880 kilograms. VW says the fuel economy is 4.5 litres/100km running on 95-octane unleaded.DESIGNThe Up is a box. Nothing special at all about it. The nose has a bit of personality, with a smiley face, but otherwise it's all about jamming the biggest possible cabin into a car that's less than three metres in length.The cabin is typically Volkswagen and typically Germanic, which means efficient and not particularly inviting. But when you look around it has everything you need, with a couple of nice touches - like the flat-bottom steering wheel - to relieve the hard plastic and painted metal surfaces.SAFETYThe Up has already hit the five-star standard in Europe and VW says the result will be mirrored in Australian testing, which is already underway. It only has four airbags, with no head support for the rear, but there is that radar system, audible seat belt warnings, and the usual ESP and ABS, but with only drum brakes on the rear.DRIVINGThe first impression of the Up is good - the doors shut with a thunk, not a Coke-can clink like most of the true tiddlers sold in Australia. The cabin is nice enough, with reasonable seats - and height adjustment for the driver - clear instruments and typically-VW controls and switches.It all works, and that's all you really need. The engine has the irregular beat of a three-cylinder but propels the Up well enough, at least for its size and price. It's no fireball, and sometimes you have to row the gears to get it up a hill, but it is what it is.The same is true for the suspension, which thumps a bit over city potholes but smooths out when you get to 80km/h. The handling is, well, what it is. The brakes are fine. The level of road and noise is fine.If this all sounds to be a bit underwhelming, it's not. But no-one shopping in the sub-$15,000 class - and often considering a better deal than a secondhand car - is expecting a Rolls-Royce or Ferrari.The Up is a good deal at a good price, although the lack of an automatic gearbox is a big negative and anyone who wants Bluetooth connectivity for their phone - with the bonus of satnav and a classy trip computer - will have to spend more for the $500 Map+More package. For what it is, and what it costs, and what its up against, the Up cannot fail. Right now, it looks like a four-star car in Australia.VERDICTThe spiritual successor to the Beetle, in everything but shape, is a good deal at the right time.Volkswagen UpPrice: from $13,990Engine: 1-litre 3-cyl petrol, 55kW/95NmTransmission: 5 speed manualThirst: 4.5L/100km (95 RON)

Totally decadent is how we'd describe the new Mercedes-Benz SL and that's the way buyers would like it. Gen’ 6 of the big Benz sports coupe is as much about image as it is about sporty driving and style.The SLS is an AMG product and is hardly “mass production.” We get the SL350 and SL500 initially to be followed by an SL 63AMG and an SL65AMG. If you buy one of these, it tells everyone you are at the top of your game. Why else would you be in a large, two seater, drop top sports car selling from a starting point of $225,000. Beats driving an S-Class limo every day.There's plenty of other new stuff in SL this time around including relatively simple magic view control (wipers fitted with numerous washer nozzles), electric draught stopper (a large screen behind the seats) and ‘Front Bass’ technology developed by Harman Kardon that places sub-woofer speakers in chassis voids within the firewall.Higher up the technology food chain is stuff like hands free access to the boot, and SUNA satnav. There’s also a myriad of goodies like an 18cm info screen, electric park brake button, rear view camera, 40 gig hard disc drive with a 10 gig music register, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and much more.This new car is something special in the Benz family being the only all aluminium mass production model in the lineup. And true to the SL (Super Light) acronym coined back in the early 1950s, this new gen' car actually sheds up to 140kg compared with the previous model. The entire body/chassis is only 256kg.The new model is slightly larger overall than the previous model but is still relatively compact. The interior is up to S-Class Benz standard but in the latest idiom with stitched leather dash, four spoke vent covers and a high tech centre stack.Comfort is boosted by the inclusion of heated seats and the airscarf seat-based neck warmer system. The tiller is chunky in your hands and is equipped with paddle shifters and a number of other controls for the audio, cruise (radar controlled), phone and other stuff. The entire interior is a study in modern function and attractive design.They are all petrol engines starting with a 3.5-litre V6 in the 350, a 4.7 twin turbo in the 500, a 5.5-litre twin turbo in the 63 and a 6.0-litre V12 twin turbo in the 65. Power and torque ratings for the first two are 225kW/370Nm and 320kW/700Nm of the V8. The other two will have much more of both and will cost a lot more too.Fuel economy is better than ever thanks to BlueDirect technology a reference to the direct fuel injection in the V6 and V8 engines as well as auto stop/start and numerous other refinements designed to reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions.Of course, safety is rated at five stars but the SL gets many more active and passive safety systems than a five star rating demands. Pre-safe collision preparation, pop up roll bars, active park assist, blind spot warning, lane keeping assist and an active bonnet for improved pedestrian safety are some of them.Power goes to the rear wheels via a seven speed automatic transmission with multiple modes. Dynamic responses are also dial up offering a range from comfort to sporty. As you'd expect, the SL in either V6 or V8 form is superlative to drive offering convincing handling with luxury at a high level and super performance. The V8 is a missile in a velvet glove.

The legend continues; Porsche 911 is approaching its 50th birthday and has appealed to many generations of drivers over the decades.VALUEA price tag of $268,550 for the Carrera S with the optional PDK automatic transmission may seem high, but compare it with supercars from Italy and its German competitors and it almost seems like a bargain.We found fuel consumption around town to be in the 12 to 14 litres per hundred kilometres range, but on easy country roads it could easily be brought down below nine litres per hundred.TECHNOLOGYThe Porsche Carrera S we reviewed has an improved version of the 3.8-litre flat-six engine. It now produces up to 294 kW of power. A strong emphasis on torque means the engine is amazingly flexible, with good pulling power from as low as 2000 rpm. In the ultra-high top gear of the seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox the engine turns at a mere 1700 revs with the 911 sitting on 110 km/h.DESIGNPorsche’s iconic 911 has its first all-new body in years. Obviously the new 911 looks similar to previous models – if it didn’t heads would roll in the design department after Porsche purists invaded the studio. However, it does have a distinctive shape that’s well-suited to the second decade of this millennium.Stand the old 911 and the new side by side and you can see the body is now larger. The wheelbase has been lengthened and the track widened.There’s slightly more interior space in the 911 than in the superseded model due to the larger body. The front seats are large and support well without being taken to the extremes of race-style seats.Though there are four seats, those in the back of the 911 are best used only by those who are desperate for transport and simply can’t get to their destination any other way. Leave this space for extra soft luggage is our best suggestion.Having said that, the deep luggage compartment in the front of the 911 absorbs a lot more luggage than you anticipate and can even manage a mid-sized suitcase with some soft bags around it.SAFETYIt also sits on a new stiffer platform to further firm up handling, as well as adding safety in a crash.DRIVINGThe sound of the new 911’s engine is brilliant. Though Porsche hasn’t built air-cooled engines for many years the acoustic engineers have retained some of the sound and feel of these traditional original units. This is the sort of car that has you powering down the windows from time to time just to let you hear the echo of the car off cliffs and tunnels.Obviously the gearing is aimed at low emissions and fuel use and at the sign of any sort of a hill the PDK immediately drops itself back to sixth gear. Fifth is selected promptly if you’re in any sort of a hurry on country roads.Porsche 911s have the engine located in an illogical position – dangling way out behind the rear wheels, instead of within the wheelbase. This does nothing for the balance and the ultimate grip from the rear of the car, but, frankly, you have to be going really hard – preferably at a racetrack – before you can really feel things happening at the tail. Then there’s that lovely, slightly unruly feel that Porsche drivers just love.The latest Porsche 911 uses electrically-assisted steering for the first time but the engineers have sorted it out beautifully and the feel and responsiveness are spot on. We really would have to test the cars back to back with a hydraulically-assisted steering system to try and find any real differences.VERDICTThose who love the concept seem sure to be more than satisfied with this new generation. Those who have never previously owned one should perhaps treat themselves to the experience one day soon.

Buying artwork is generally an emotional experience. The same logic applies to the Mercedes-Benz SL roadster: there's no rational need to own one, particularly as most SL buyers already have an S-Class or CLS (or both) in the garage. If money isn't an issue, the feel-good factor certainly is and few cars in the three-pointed star's stable make drivers.In the rarefied strata of SL candidates, six-figure sums don't mean much. It's the perception - their own and others - that matter. The SL350 starts at $225,000; the bi-turbo SL500 is $304,500. Only early adopters will pay those prices - most buyers will spend more to dip into the "designo" catalogue and customise their car.When the AMG variants arrive later this year, the SL63 will hit showrooms at $381,500; with the V12-powered SL65 at $446,500. You can't sleep in an SL but owners don't need to dream - it's already been realised.If you have a fancy, these cars have a feature for it. Take the top off and the electric draft stop, airscarf neck ventilation and heated ensure the enhanced view isn't sullied by wind. And the windscreen wiper sprayers are mounted on the blades and, with the top down, discharge on the downward stroke to ensure the no mist hits the occupants.The sub-woofers in the Harman Kardon sound system are built into the alloy chassis, literally transforming the car into a boom-box that will drown out any techno-beats from the adjacent lanes. Reach your destination with the top down and a button in the boot - which opens and shuts with a wave of the foot under the rear bumper - lifts the stowed roof to give access to the luggage.Where the SLS is sculpted for sport the SL's silhouette is all style. This is the marque's longest-running and most treasured nameplate - it's been around for nearly 60 years - and the designers have the unenviable task of creating a contemporary interpretation of a classic design. The proportions are key - long bonnet, humped cockpit and truncated tail.That said, every successive model has grown in size from the original SL300 Gullwing and the latest roadster is a mid-sized car at 4.6m long. The inside should put a smile on owner’s dials, from the scalloped seats to the standard of the stitchwork on the dash and the choice of three ambient interior colours that are housed in fibre-opted channels around the interior.Every acronym in the Mercedes range has been shoehorned into the SL but they should be superfluous, given the car's basic driving dynamics. Recycled aluminium has lifted 110kg from the body's weight - only the A-pillars are steel to improve rollover strength - and the car is noticeably lighter changing direction.The SL350 comes with six airbags, a drowsiness-detection feature and an active bonnet to protect pedestrians. Step up to the SL500 and there's adaptive cruise control, blind spot and lane-keeping assistance, tyre pressure monitors, “Pre-Safe” software that prepares the car for an imminent collision and a reversing camera.The SL takes refined ride to a new dimension. Set the adaptive damping to comfort and there's very little jostling over broken roads. Flick the switch to sport and every crease on the bitumen can be felt through the chassis. Acceleration should be measured in G-force, not seconds - though for the record the SL500 hits 100km/h in 4.6 seconds; the SL350 does it in 5.9 seconds.The scary part is both cars are more impressive in roll-on urge - and the AMG variants will up the ante again. The only criticism Carsguide can find is the electric steering is precise to the point of being over-engineered: it doesn't give the on-the-edge feedback of genuine sports cars. That'd be the SLS's role, then. In all other aspects, from driver comfort to noise suppression - top up or down - it justifies the expense. And the look-at-me factor is priceless.Mercedes Australia sold around 1000 of the fourth-generation SL and CL models. That figure grew to 2000 for the fifth-generation, which included the SLS.

... so Peugeot is adding a family version of the 308 in addition to a 008 crossover. Carparazzi caught it in hot-weather testing in southern Europe with pictures that show a considerable increase in length and width. 

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering  -- would you buy one?What is it?The new entry point for the BMW 3 Series range and it's a turbo diesel.How much?Priced from $56,400 plus on-roads, which is $1200 less than the 2.0-litre 320i entry level petrol model.What are competitors?That would be the 2.0-litre Audi A4 TDI and 2.1-litre Benz C-Class C200 CDI BlueEfficiency. Both are more expensive, both produce more carbon and both use more fuel at 4.8 and 5.4 litres/100km respectively.What's under the bonnet?It features the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine that we have seen previously in the 1 Series. It produces 105kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Eight-speed automatic with Auto Stop/Start is standard along with many other fuel saving devices.How does it go?Not going to win any races. The 318d accelerates to 100km/h in a conservative 8.9 seconds. But it's super responsive in the low to mid rev range, thanks to the torquey diesel engine.Is it economical?If you're chasing fuel economy it doesn't get much better than this. Boasts a staggeringly low fuel consumption figure of 4.5 litres/100km. We were getting a rock solid 5.5 after several hundred kilometres without really trying  but it will do better than this on a long run.Is it green?Gets four out of five stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide. Produces 118g/km of CO2. Prius gets five stars.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars for safety, with plenty of safety aids. All models are fitted standard with six airbags, and Dynamic Stability Control that includes ABS, Brake Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Traction Control.Is it comfortable?Gets fake leather and airconditioning, but bear in mind this is the entry model. Seats are comfortable and the dash is looking a lot less daunting these days.What's it like to drive?Okay. Didn't like it at first but it grows on you. Lacks the smoothness of a petrol engine, but that's soon forgotten.Is it value for money?Dual-zone climate standard, along with cruise (with brake function), electric front seats with memory, auto lights and wipers, rear park sensors, Bluetooth and 6-speaker CD audio systems with AUX and USB inputs. Misses out on satnav.Would we buy one?You bet. Many people would give their right arm to own a 3 Series. At the price and what you get for your money it's an attractive package.

Volkswagen has announced styling changes to the 2013 model Touareg and at the same time has significantly upgraded the equipment levels of its medium-large SUV.VALUEEntry level Touareg 150TDI now has a standard Rear View Camera (RVC Plus) that improves reversing safety by displaying static and dynamic guidance lines on the display. This is an important safety features as their can be no worse feeling than reversing into a child hidden behind a large vehicle. The petrol powered Volkswagen Touareg V6 FSI was never a big seller in Australia so has been discontinued to make space for more turbo-diesel models on the importing ships.TECHNOLOGYAll Volkswagen Tuoaregs are powered by V6 engines that drive through a sophisticated eight-speed automatic transmission. The entry level Touareg is powered by a 3.0 litre, six cylinder engine with an eight speed sports automatic transmission. This results in 150kw of power and 400Nm torque.DESIGNThe Touareg V6 TDI 4Motion body now has the same exterior design as the other variants, incorporating the body coloured lower side and bumper trims with chrome mouldings as well as dual chromed triangular exhaust tips on either side. The previous styling of grey and silver coloured lower body side and bumper trims as well as oval chromed exhaust tailpipes is now being offered as an option at no charge for those customers intending to put the Touareg’s off-road credentials to the test.The Touareg 150TDI has bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime driving lights and Karakum 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, there’s now a luxury look provided by Vienna leather seat upholstery. The driver and front passenger seats have 12-way electric adjustment and electro-pneumatically adjustable backrest side bolsters. The new design of safety-optimised front head restraints permit height and longitudinal adjustment.The rear backrest now provides the convenience of split-fold 60:40 that can be operated from within the luggage compartment creating more convenient solutions for transporting bulky items.SAFETYThe biggest news is on the safety front with all 2013 Volkswagen Tuaregs getting Volkswagen’s clever Driver Fatigue System (DFS). At the start of each trip the system analyses the driver’s characteristic steering behaviour, their use of pedals and transverse acceleration. If the monitored parameters show a significant deviation from the steering behaviour recorded at the beginning of the trip, warning lights and buzzers alert the driver and recommends they take a break. If the driver does not take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated. Which seems rather too long a gap to us, but hopefully Volkswagen’s engineers have considered this. The optional Driver Assistance Package now also contains the added City Emergency Braking function. The City EB function is active below a speed of 30 km/h and also reacts to stationary vehicles; if necessary, it automatically initiates a braking manoeuvre, thereby contributing to avoidance of an impending front end collision or at least minimising the resulting damage.DRIVINGVolkswagen Touareg V6 TDI has received 20-inch Pikes Peak alloy wheels with 275/45 R20 tyres that team with air suspension with adaptive dampening control. This gives the benefit of the looks of the big wheels without the harsh ride that can be created by low profile tyres on rough Australian backroads.The complete 2013 Volkswagen Touareg range is:150TDI 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $62,990 (automatic)V6 TDI 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $78,990 (automatic)V6 TDI 4MOTION 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $83,990Volkswagen TouaregPrice: from $62,990Warranty: 3 years roadsideEngine: 3-litre, 6-cyl, 150kW/400NmTransmission: 8-speed diesel, AWDSafety: n/aBody: 4898mm (L); 1965mm (W); 1732mm (H)Thirst: 7.2L/100km, 190g/km CO2

In another exciting reveal announcement for the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, organisers can confirm that Mercedes-Benz will be taking the wraps off not one, not two, but three AMGs it has built specifically for the Show at Sydney.Similarly to the orange C 63 AMG and matt black SLS AMG at previous Motor Shows, these three AMG vehicles are certain to be some of the most popular and talked-about vehicles at next month’s Australian International Motor Show.“Mercedes-Benz is consistently one of the highest-profile exhibitors and this year they have organised one of the biggest public displays of their vehicles ever in Australia - and in fact, it is actually its largest Motor Show stand in local history,” said Russ Tyrie, Show Director.“They have really pulled out all the stops by building three AMGs specifically for Sydney as well as exhibiting a fantastic array of its current and 2013 models, with more model announcements and details to be confirmed closer to the Show date.”On its stand, Mercedes-Benz will have a customer lounge, roughly 20 vehicles from its current and forthcoming model range and will command over 1,200 square metres of the internal floor space, making it one of the largest exhibitors at this year’s Show. The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and will open daily at 10am from October 19 to 28.