Kia Sorento

Korean cars once had an image in Australia as cheap and not worth looking at..

But in just a few short years how things have changed.
Kia in particular as a partner with Hyundai.. has streaked ahead and now makes some of the most popular, desirable and value for money cars available.. 

From the luxurious Optima Platinum and Sportage to the vehicle on test here. 

The Sorento CDi SUV.

A powerful 2.2. litre diesel propels the Sorento along the highway in whisper quiet fashion, enjoying a powerful surge when the right foot is planted with determination.  

I averaged about 9 litres per 100 kays on mainly urban driving, on the highway that fell to under seven, not bad for a heavy 4WD.

There's some diesel rattle at idle but it's far from annoying or intrusive.

The Sorento's a stylish beast, set off with 18 inch alloys. 

Kia has resisted the temptation to go for the low roofline of others in its class, and vision all round is excellent.

This is a seven seat model with two seats emerging from the rear cargo floor.They are strictly for children or small adults however.

Night time driving brings its own delights. Soft ambient lighting on the doors and console gives a real luxury feel, as does the Sorento name highlighted with an illuminated scuff plate, and bright red lights in the trailing edge of the front doors make for extra safety.

Some luxury brands make do with just a strip of reflective tape.

The taillights are another Sorento styling key. 

An unusual matt glow from the large and distinctively shaped lenses make sure following traffic is well aware of what's ahead.

Seat comfort is excellent, not too soft or firm, and ride comfort on broken surfaces is among the best in class.

Handling is good through the corners, minimal body roll, but I found little difference in steering input when on any of the three settings, Normal, Comfort and Sport. 

The steering wheel felt vaguely stiff and reluctant to turn off centre for lane changing, but was otherwise okay. 

In a market segment awash with tempting offerings at all price levels the Sorento hits a sweet spot on all counts and should be on your road test list.. It's one impressive vehicle.. 

Sorento sells from mid 30K to 50k for the top of the range models.

Peter Sellen

Jaguar XF 2.0L

I am a Jaguar devotee from childhood. My father owned two Mark 5s and I remember them fondly, from the pale purple glow of the projected dashboard lamps to the insanely comprehensive tool kit in the boot lid and the manually operated taillight switch in the rear bumper. 

But times change and Jaguar has most certainly done that with the all new XF. 

I have driven several versions of the car from the XFR to the twin turbo diesel and regular six cylinder petrol models. Jaguar has however definitively broken with the past on one model at least,and the marvellous straight six engines that powered generations of Jaguars. 
The latest is a technical tour de force. 

A two litre turbocharged four cylinder power plant with more torque than the old sixes and better fuel economy. 

It was a little disconcerting to hear a new and somewhat uninspiring sound from beneath the bonnet when I first took the wheel, but it soon became familiar.

Acceleration under full throttle was a surprise.. I expected turbo lag and moderate forward motion but this engine has the goods.  It fairly flew down the road, belying its capacity and the weight of the big Jag.

Keeping the secret of what's under the bonnet, is the absence of any engine capacity badges on the car...so your neighbours will be fooled into believing you might have the top spec model instead of the budget one.

The engine is the same as used in some of the latest Ford Falcons.

I am yet to be convinced however of the ride of the XF.

It is not as serene as previous models, and as one who enjoys a comfortable ride, it was a tad disappointing.

Handling though was spot on, the big Jag lunging through corners was a hoot.

The interior is nice but to my eye, far too plain.

Other marques have more aesthetic appeal for me than this does. and once used to the rising circular gear selector and self opening air vents it becomes a little ho hum. That's not to say the quality isn't there, it's not that impressive. 

The absence of heated seats for example is an omission that shouldn't be. 

Many lesser vehicles include this feature and it's a welcome one on frosty mornings.    

Leg and head room in the rear is tight despite the cars generous dimensions elsewhere.

At 68 thousand dollars the 2 litre XF is Jaguar's cheapest model.. the  others start at well over 100 K.

If you have always yearned after a Jaguar this could be for you ..the price is definitely right.
Peter Sellen

Audi S6

Wow.. A very descriptive word when no other seemingly will do. It accurately describes the new Audi S6.. A potent four litre twin Turbo V8.

Despite its towering performance, the serenity inside when on the move has to be experienced to be believed.Wind and tyre noise notably absent.

The muted warbling of the engine is in many respects an astonishing accomplishment but disappointing in other ways. 

I know there will be a noisier RS version, but it would be nice to hear some exhaust note. 

It's just too quiet thanks in part to noise cancelling speakers in the roof headlining.

The understated styling of the (A6) and S6 is most likely just what new owners want. 

It's a real sleeper.

Acceleration is pure magic, the way it propels you down the road with a seriously strong push in the back is your reward..it is effortless grunt and jaw droppingly thrilling. Guaranteed to raise a smile every time.

Tiny V8 T badges on each forward flank and similarly small S6 logos on front and rear are the only outward signs apart from fabulously stylish 20 " wheels and 40 series tyres.

Combined with Audi's Quattro all wheel drive the grip in corners is amazing.

Audi must soon run out of different wavy line shapes for its daytime running lights on its prolific model range.

Each one has a different shape to identify it on the road.

The S6 indicators follow the thin wavy line of the front daytime running lights and I liked the look of them as well as the distinctive rear lenses.

All the standard quality Audi equipment is here including reversing camera, Sat nav, adjustable suspension settings, a heads up display, and  multi speaker sound system.

It's a large car but seems smaller from the drivers seat, which incidentally is very well shaped and comfortable.

An electrically operated sun blind on the rear window is complemented  by smaller manual blinds in each rear door. excellent on hot days.

As an older tester,I preferred the "Comfort" setting on the suspension/drive train. 

Selecting "Dynamic" however turns the car into a different beast.. the bonnet lifts and the speed of arrival of 100 kays or more is achieved in just under five seconds. 

If you are looking for a performance car in the 170K price range make sure this is on your list.
Peter Sellen

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Part racing car and part SUV.. the awesomely powerful Jeep SRT 8 fits both bills .

With a growling V8 super car exhaust note from its six point four litre V 8 booming , (it is loud) the lowered and much modified Grand Cherokee will sprint to 100 kilometres an hour in about five seconds, accompanied by neck snapping g forces as you hurtle down the road.

It's something you will want to do time and time again just to listen to that sensational engine.

Some 25 mm lower than its more plebian siblings the SRT 8 Jeep is a performance powerhouse. 344  KW and 625  nm of torque.

While those who buy this car won't care too much about the fuel bill, they need to know it uses about 17 litres per 100 kays with regular driving around town. That's a significant thirst and if pushed to full throttle occasionally, that figure will rise to over 20 litres per 100 k.

You will certainly be noticed in this beast.. aggressive bonnet scoops and scalloped front bumper with daytime running lights leave no doubt to those in front what's about to overtake them.

The interior is a very pleasant place to be, with a panoramic glass roof , the front opens as a normal sunroof, and there's a roller blind to shield you on hot days.

Front seats are leather with  suede inserts and are heated and chilled and  quite comfortable., but with a stiffer than normal suspension you will still feel every crack in the road. 

The 20 " wheels and 45 series flat tyres don't assist in ride comfort.

It's unlikely they will ever be put to the test off road, although with the Jeep heritage, that's yet another capability you might be encouraged to use. 

The sound system has more than a dozen speakers provide excellent clarity and volume! 

A reversing camera and park alert beepers are standard. As is  the power tailgate which rises and closes at a touch of the keyfob button. 

Gigantic Brembo brakes help slow the car in an instant.

The heavy SRT 8 is almost nimble through corners on the open road .. there's very little body roll, thanks to its lower ride height... and can be punted enthusiastically.

However you will also see the fuel gauge begin to plummet if you do.

There's only one stalk on the left of the steering column for wipers and indicators,as per other Chrysler models such as the 300 sedan. It's easy to get used to.

Why would you buy it? Well if you want stunning performance and in your face styling from your vehicle with the bonus of the odd off road trip this hot rod is made for you.
Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen

Chrysler 300

When it was first released almost ten years ago, the Chrysler 300C as it was then called, was a sensation. The low roofline and chunky gangsta styling with large 18 inch wheels took the large car market by storm, for a time eclipsing the local long wheelbase home grown Statesman and Caprice.

It was the product of Chrysler's now concluded joint venture with Daimler.

That partnership saw the E class Mercedes platform and ( one engine,) the Mercedes diesel, form the basis of the 300c. 

While it looks to be larger than a Commodore or Falcon, when parked side by side there's not a lot of difference in length or width. The 300c has moved on from the first iteration and is now just the 300.

It's one of very few modern cars that you can actually see the bonnet from the driver's seat and it's an impressive sight. 

The model on test here is the 3.6 litre petrol V6 and a very smooth and refined motor it is, surpassing the current Commodore for quiet smooth running.

Doors that open almost 90 degrees are a rarity on many modern cars. On the 300 they allow easy access and exit from both front and rear. I like the electric blue instrument display and the art deco analogue fascia clock is a nice touch.

Not so nice however is the foot operated park brake . It's awkward to use especially when many manufacturers are adopting electric parking brakes, even on cars much cheaper than this.

A potential safety issue is the position of the foot pedals.

The accelerator is substantially lower than the brake. and in an emergency the driver has to lift his foot some four centimetres to the brake pedal.

I believe they should both be the same height . It would save a fraction of a second in reaction time, perhaps enough to avoid a collision.

For such a large car, rear legroom is not ideal and the old fashioned gooseneck hinges for the boot intrude into the space severely .. a couple of gas struts would free up more space.. as it is the boot is not overly large, smaller than a falcon or Commodore.

Ride comfort is excellent,,, the heavy 300 absorbing all but the worst bumps with ease.. and it's silence on the move is among best in class.Despite its bulk the 300 can be pushed hard into corners without drama or fuss.. Handling is essentially neutral.

A new central screen allows for the rear vision camera, navigation and all other functions such as climate and audio.  

Fuel economy on the V6 petrol averaged around 10 .5 litres per 100 kilometres during my week with the car in mainly suburban driving.

Having a low roof turret is not an issue as the smaller glass area is compensated for by having seats that give an eyeline right in the middle of the glass so there's no feeling of claustrophobia.

 The three litre turbo diesel model I drove previously was quiet and powerful, with an ocean of torque to handle any hills or passing situations with ease.

The 5.7 litre hemi V8 with cylinder de activation is a marvellous if not thirsty beast as is the SRT performance version ,. There are not a lot of yankee V eight s that better it for sound and performance.  

Initially to market around 60 thousand dollars, the base petrol model here retails at 46 thousand.. Chrysler has a winner here in this class and for a stunning head turning car it still can't be beaten,
Peter Sellen

VW UP!

The world of the sub 13 thousand dollar car has just improved substantially (at least temporarily more on that later)with the arrival of the new VW UP!

Having driven three cylinder cars before, notably the Indian made Suzuki Alto..I wasn't expecting too much from the one litre powerplant in the VW.

However to my surprise it has a handy turn of speed through a nicely weighted five speed gearbox, but with just 55 kw and 95nm of torque it could struggle with four adults and luggage aboard. 

Nevertheless,the sound of the three pot whirring away under acceleration is quite entertaining.. even bordering on sporty! 

What also amazed me was its silence when on the move.Even at 100 ks on the highway, road and wind noise are masterfully muted. UP! averages 4.9. litres per 100 kays.Standard kit also includes an emergency stop mode between 5 and 30 kays an hour if something suddenly appears in front of the car, it will apply emergency braking by itself.. and that's not found in any other car in this class. 

 At idle there's barely a hint of three cylinder vibration.. it's very subtle, just enough to let you know you're being powered by just one litre. Ventilation is okay but there are no central vents facing the occupants, just one fixed outlet on the dash top which is mildly annoying on hot days as the air flow from it can't be channelled directly onto the faces of those in front, leaving that job to swivelling vents on the outer edge of the fascia.

Other things that impressed were the roominess and comfort of the of the cabin, which is only marginally narrower than it's larger sibling the Polo.

At  6" 3" or 183 cm tall I found plenty of space for my head and legs.. however those sitting behind me would struggle unless they were short or a child.

No dead pedal for the drivers left foot was mildly annoying but having driven many older cars without one, I easily adapted.

Seat comfort is excellent... no scrimping on the padding here. and the steering wheel is adjustable for rake only. Ride  comfort is incredible for a sub light vehicle.. handling the bumps of suburbia like a much larger car... 

Spirited cornering inspires confidence ,, there's no feeling the Up won't hang on and get you safely through.

 Some items are missing of course.. cruise control, sun visor mirror on drivers side, trip computer and cords to hold up the rear luggage cover are also absent.

But on the plus side you still get auto door locking,unlock, electric windows, power door mirrors, and multi adjustable (manually) driver's pew.

And there's the optional $500 "Maps and More Portable Entertainment Device (PID) screen providing Multi function trip computer,Media picture player, Bluetooth, Audio streaming and sat nav.

Other options include a $1400 electric glass sunroof, and a $2600 comfort style package that delivers alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather seats,leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, heated front seats and variously UP logo'd car mats. 

The light airy feeling inside the three door, is enhanced  by long doors with plenty of large glassed areas.There's a six speaker sound system but no steering wheel audio controls. 

The rear tailgate incidentally is an all glass affair.. and very easy to operate. Luggage room back there is obviously not huge but has  more space under a removable floor, and is more than adequate for the weekly shop and smaller items. The cargo cover has no elastic supports and needs to be manually returned to its closed position.

 Rear seats fold forward for extra room. I enjoyed the Up very much and it more than competes with other littlies like the slightly larger Getz, Swift, or Mazda 2. 

VW offering an initial  drive away price for the three door UP! of $12,990. 

Regular on road price for the three door is $16,500 and the five door 17,500. The UP! is a car I would wholeheartedly  recommend for those wanting the ultimate quality urban runabout.
Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen

Holden Volt

The incredible future of automotive propulsion is here right now.

Holden's Volt is on sale in Australia for the first time.

It is truly an amazing vehicle... about the size of a Mazda 6/Holden Cruze or Honda Accord, the technology and fuel saving is astonishing.

The 1.4 litre petrol engine comes from the Cruze.

But it is only aboard to generate electricity for the twin electric drive motors, it's not connected to the drive wheels at all.

The Volt can be charged from a domestic power point overnight, a full charge giving an endurance of about 80 kilometres before it runs flat. 

But before that happens the petrol engine kicks in to start recharging it. 

As with other hybrids from Toyota and Honda the large T shaped battery when braking or descending a hill the battery is charged by a regenerative system through the electric motors. (The battery situated in what would normally be the transmission tunnel.)

So if you only used the car for a weekly commute the petrol generator/engine will never be needed! 

Just plug in overnight and you're ready to go for another 80 or so kays. On one gentle morning commute I saw a range of 93 kilometres.

It takes about four hours or so to fully recharge from empty.The cost? about $2.50.

On the highway after the battery nears its low point the generator starts and keeps the charge up to the battery. 

The range is about 600- kays before you need to even think about refuelling with petrol on a long highway run. 

Or you can just plug in to a socket wherever you might be staying overnight before resuming your journey.

The handling is very surefooted through corners.

The 1700 kg weight of the car barely noticed, although the low rolling resistant eco tyres don't feel to have as much grip as regular rubber.

The trend towards electric steering in many of today's cars is repeated in the Volt.

The effort to turn the wheel feels firmer than a hydraulic system but it's very accurate nonetheless. 

The fascia is ablaze with two colour information screens providing a myriad of information, including how efficiently you are driving, as well as Sat nav, audio, car settings and more. .

Despite the Volt's weight, acceleration is brisk, the only sound a slight whine from the electric motors and a whisper of wind and tyre noise once rolling.

The seats are quite firm but not uncomfortable and the ride is pleasantly smooth and absorbing.. most bumps passed virtually without notice.

It has a reasonably roomy interior but there are just four seats. There's enough room for most people.

Headroom in the rear is tight.

Rearward vision is not so good despite small quarter windows in the c pillar, and rear seat passengers heads are exposed to the sun though the large, almost overhead back window. .

For around sixty thousand dollars it's well worth a look and test drive, even if you are not an eco/hybrid car devotee. I was surprised at how well it goes about delivering what it does, exactly as advertised.

40 were sold nationwide in its first month in showrooms in December 2012.

Cars at similar prices simply can't match the Volt  for economy,versatility and features.   
Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

Putting a five and a half litre litre V 8 in a car the size of a Mazda MX5 is bound to result in startling performance... and when that V8 is made by Mercedes Benz performance arm AMG the effect is exhilarating to say the least.

Others have decried the sound of the V8 in the SLK as not befitting a performance car but I have no problem with the growl both under the bonnet and at the exhaust. 

Under load it's at its best....howling through the seven speed gearbox with amazing speed. 

Exhaust system flaps open further under hard acceleration to give even more enjoyable V8 noise.

It develops 310 kw and 540 nm of torque.

Th engine also has cylinder deactivation when just lazing along, cutting out four cylinders to aid economy.

The AMG SLK hits 60 in just 4.6 seconds, yet returns an amazing economy around town of around eleven litres per 100 kays. 

Combined city/ highway figure is eight and a half litres per 100k

The idle stop system which cuts the engine when the car is stopped for even short periods takes getting used to and can be overridden, but it's said to offer some small fuel savings.

 Riding on huge 18 inch wheels with multi caliper ventilated discs the size of large dinner plates, the AMG 55 hauls off speed as quickly as it accerelates.

At six feet tall or over 183 cm. I still found a comfy driving postition with adequate leg and head room with the top erect.

The speed and cruise control wand is now a very familiar part of the instruments layout and in cruise held speed easily despite hilly terrain.

Heated seats and a warm " Airscarf" vent on the driver and passenger's necks is a welcome feature on chilly top down days. 

I found the ride to be excellent, supple yet firm enough to encourage spirited cornering. 

However the rear end does have its moments when pressing on in the bends.. feeling a little unsettled as the suspension takes up the extra loadings.

The seats are very supportive and not too firm, unlike other German made vehicles that are just a little too hard for every day comfort

Black alloys, bonnet vents and four exhaust pipes are external signs that this car is something special. 

The metal folding roof does its work in seconds and stows neatly away in the boot leaving a fairly usable space beneath it for some soft luggage.  

For those into audio the Harmon Kardon sound system is marvellous.. rich tones and good clarity.

The SLK 55 AMG is more of a cruiser than an outright sports machine, and that's no bad thing as not everyone wants or needs rock hard " sports " suspension.

Mercedes has slashed the price of this car by 25 thousand dollars to 155 thousand, making it even more attractive for those wanting something that bit different. Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen

Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai has become one of the world's largest car makers thanks to an avalanche of styish new models..

No longer the cheap and cheerful manufacturer of thirty years ago.. it's cars compete with or better its rivals in many areas in terms of value, equipment, safety and desirability.

The latest to hit our shores is the Veloster. a sleek coupe, with an unusual asymetrical door configuration.

Two on the passenger side and a single longer door for the driver.

Mazda's RX 8 has two tiny doors that open from the B pillar for easier rear sear access.. but the Veloster layout seems more practical... with passengers more likely to enter or leave from the kerbside openings.

Power  from the Hyundai group one point six litre engine also found in the Kia Rio, is however barely adequate.. just 103 Kw and 166 Nm of torque means a lot of rowing through the six speed manual gearbox to keep up with the traffic.

Economy on my week long mainly city driving test was seven point two litres per 100 kays...quite acceptable as most of that was with the air con running.

A turbo version is on its way and will give the car the missing oomph  it needs.

The chassis can certainly handle more power. 

Visually stunning, the swoopy Veloster drew many admiring glances while on test.

Not so stunning is the rearward vision. A failing on so many of today's cars across all price ranges and segments. 

The rear window like Honda's CRZ is split with a divider bar..the upper part almost horizontal in the roof and the lower bit slightly angled forward from vertical. 

However,there's no wiper on either surface and in the rain on a muddy road visibility is very poor.

Despite riding on low profile 40 series tyres on 18 " rims the Veloster is quite comfy for a sporty coupe....steering is a little dead at the straight ahead, but otherwise does it's job well in the bends, with good driver feedback. The smart alloy wheels look terrific, really setting off the rest of the car.

Keyless entry and start, among the first positive impressions inside.

I liked the clarity of the reversing camera on a large screen in the centre of the dashboard.

The audio system is adequate with more than enough power and tone adjustments to satisfy just about anyone. 

I  found the Audi-esque door and console grab handles to be easy to use and functional.

Daytime running lights complement the futuristic front end, but the headlights could do with more illumination... the spread on high and low beam not as good as others in the class.

Seat comfort was good except being tall I left the sun roof shade open.. as even on the lowest seat setting the blind brushed my head. 

 Priced at under thirty thousand dollars, this head turner is bound to be popular with those style conscious drivers who just love to be seen in the latest thing... they won't be disappointed.. just a little more power Hyundai.

Peter Sellen

Honda CRZ

After sampling other Honda hybrids the Insight and Civic some years ago I was eager to try the latest from the Japanese maker the Honda CRZ... after all it was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year.

However I came away somewhat disappointed with a couple of aspects of the car.

The CRZ has the well proven powertrain of previous Hybrids and externally it's quite a good looking car.

With prices starting at 37 k to over 40k you'd expect some driver conveniences such as auto locking, and keyless entry and start, now common on many budget priced vehicles.. 

Nope... just a standard flip key to get in and get things underway.

Once seated the car is very cocooning.. probably far too much for some drivers. 

A fixed glass moon roof helps placate the claustrophobic.

 

The windscreen is miles away from the drivers view, with a large swathe of dashboard stretching out in front.

It's a vastly different story looking rearward. It's atrocious.  There is virtually no rear three quarter vision thanks to large C pillars and a minuscule vertical rear pane of glass joined by a beam to the almost horizontal upper rear window.

.Having a wiper blade on this surface is useless as all you can see through it is a half dozen centimetres of sky.

The dividing beam is however useful for blocking the headlights of following vehicles very effectively.

There is a reversing camera and it's a vital part of safe reversing from any supermarket car park.

Without it you could simply take forever to extricate your CRZ. But it only covers directly behind the car. Enormous C pillars obscure cars coming from either side as you begin to reverse, and I found myself avoiding 90 degree parking spots, fearing someone would collide with me as I backed out. 

 

Other niggles include no three blink lane changer on the indicator wand.. (a common Honda omission.) 

Almost every other car on sale here has this feature. 

There's reach and rake tilt adjustment on the steering column.

The instruments are quite comprehensive, and laid out in an electric blue and green with a large and easy to read digital speedo.

On the top spec cars there's a sat nav and a reasonable sound system. 

The CRZ is incredibly quite comfortable, the seats are particularly good. but the rear two are for either very small children or just parcels.. There are no head restraints back there. 

The 1.5 litre engine features a fuel saving stop start mode when stopped with a foot on the brake.. release it and the engine starts seamlessly. Like other hybrids elsewhere, it's said to deliver reasonable fuel economies. Hondas makes great engines and this one is no exception. The 6 speed manual gearbox in the test car is a beauty to use, smooth as butter. Honda's traditionally competent handling is ever present and the CRZ is good fun on the twisty bits through the hills..Steering feel is excellent.

The CRZ is not only eco friendly, it's a storming performance car as well.On the open road with Sport mode selected, the central dial on the speedo turns red and the thing slingshots down the road. You'll see 102 kilometres an hour in second gear at the redline of 6,800 rpm, and there are four more gears to go! City fuel consumption from the one point litre engine and electric motor combo is around 7 litres per hundred kilometres.

Realistically a small turbo diesel gives similar figures and the bonus of a huge wave of torque under acceleration. 

Most hybrids including the CRZ simply can't compete in this area.

Luggage space is minimal but more than enough for the shopping and short holidays.

The car will appeal to the eco conscious among us, but the C pillar blind spots are just too hard to live with in daily driving.
Peter Sellen

 

Lexus 450H

Lexus has come a long way since its origins more than twenty years ago as a spin off luxury brand of Toyota.

The technology in the latest SUV and sedan hybrids is recognised as one of the best and most reliable systems available.

My week with the GS 450 h was one I enjoyed very much.

The almost total lack of noise in the interior from road and wind even at highway speeds was astonishing rivalling Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW in this respect.

So job done Lexus.. 

There's no doubt you are in a luxury saloon, when you slip inside. .

Ventilated and heated front seats , a heated steering wheel, active distance radar, heads up display and auto everything else, just some of the delights of the 450H.

One that I found strangely absent is the lack of an auto lock feature on the doors.

They will unlock automatically, but you have to lock them manually in the first place..searching the manual I couldn't find anything that allowed the doors to auto lock.

Billed as an eco car, the 450h did not disappoint. 

The average fuel consumption during my week driving mainly around town, was eight and a bit litres per hundred kays..the 3.5 litre V 6 petrol engine quiet and frugal on its own, automatically disconnects from driving duties quite a lot while tootling about in the metro area, leaving the silent electric powerplant to take over..  

There are four suspension/transmission modes. Eco, Normal, Sport and sport S. the latter when selected also brings the seat tighter about the driver's back. 

The seventeen speaker sound system is simply fabulous, and probably one of the best in any car at any price. Clarity and presence is amazing.

 It's a large car although if the driver is tall, rear seat room diminishes substantially behind he/she.

A nice touch is a driver controlled button on the side of the front passenger seat back that allows remote fore and aft movement. Although why you need that escapes me for now.

Handling is excellent and while not perhaps in the league of a 7 series BMW or Audi A8 is surefooted enough and communicative.

Would I buy one over more conventional rivals?

Probably not, but only because of personal taste and preference for certain features not found on the 450 h.

A smooth turbo diesel powerplant like the three litre V6 TDi in the Audi range gives similar economy but with a much greater rush of torque. Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen

Hyundai i30

If there was ever a sign that Korean carmaker Hyundai has hit its straps it's in the new i30 hatch.

Already one of the most popular cars in its class the i 30 has to be one of the best value cars on the market.

The upspec Premium model with an asking price of just over 30K is simply a masterpiece of technology with just about every conceivable feature that normally you'd find in a luxury European model.

The list is endless...

Heated side mirrors that fold automatically when parked, incorporating  puddle and door handle lights which activate when the car is approached ,when the keyless entry fob is in your pocket or handbag.

Automatic wipers and headlights, full length glass roof with the front half that opens into a sunroof... A retractable blind covers the entire panel in summer when needed..

 Standard reversing camera that hides beneath the tilting rear Hyundai badge, standard sat nav, heated leather front seats,and a marvellous sound system with subwoofer and an electrically operated handbrake,are further proof of the exceptional thought that's gone into the vehicle.

There is also a dual temperature climate control, for passenger and driver, and i pod and bluetooth connectivity.

The style of the car is right on target..

Two young tradies stopped next to me at the lights one day were amazed that it was a Hyundai, saying to me, " nice car mate."

You don't often get praise like that in previous incarnations of any Hyundai in my experience.   

The 1.6 litre turbo diesel mated to an six speed auto transmission is not as quiet or powerful as say those from the VW or Peugeot stable, with just 260 odd nm compared to 350 or so from the Europeans,but is very frugal and there will be few complaints from owners about it's torquey characteristics in town or on the highway. 

The steering wheel is adjustable for reach and rake, and there are three resistance settings, normal, comfort and sport, although I couldn't discern much difference between them. 

Ride comfort is on par with the rest of the class.. slightly on the firm side but quite acceptable except over the largest road irregularities when the occupants will know what they have just driven over.

The 17 inch alloy wheels on the premium model , a mix of flat aluminium and chrome spokes look sensational, even better than many aftermarket wheels.

I averaged just over 6 litres per 100 kilometres in mostly city driving with the air con on.

On the highway you could reasonably expect five litres or less, which is far better than the petrol powered equivalents.   

Stability control and multiple airbags round out what is one of the most complete packages in any car I have driven at any price.

The i 30 is sure to grow even more in stature with the public once they sample just how good it is.

Peter Sellen