Hyundai ix35 Elite

Hyundai is no slouch when it coms to marketing its vehicles across just about all segments... from the lowly i 20 up to some pretty good medium,large cars and SUVs.
The ix 35 is one of its more popular models, easily leading overall national sales in Australia, with a 24% market share in April, more than double its nearest competitor, Subaru's XV.
The ix 35 on test here is the mid spec Elite AWD. 
In a crowded market it's often hard to style a car that stands out from the rest, especially in the small SUV scrum. The IX 35 is pleasantly inoffensive in this area.
While there's no real standout style feature, it is by no means an ugly duckling.
Standard roof rails, and a distinctive headlight array at night help to make it less anonymous. Chrome door handles tell people that you've bought the slightly upmarket version. 

Entry and exit is easy ,with wide opening doors leading to an inviting interior.
There are plenty of storage spaces in the doors and two cup holders in the console.
The driver's seat is power operated, and quite comfortable thanks to adjustable lumbar support.
The dashboard layout is clean and all functions easy to use.
At night, all the instrument buttons, including those on the steering wheel are a pleasing blue colour.

However the headlights are nothing special...unlike the brilliant beams on the previously tested Elantra.
Standard fitments include keyless entry and start, sat-nav,dual auto climate control, Bluetooth, reversing camera and cruise control.

Padded centre console and door armrests are welcome, and all round visibility is very good.
Windows are electric but only the driver's has auto up/down.
There's an auto headlights function, but none for the windscreen wipers.
Despite being a small SUV there's room aplenty inside. Head and legroom is good and five adults will fit easily without complaint.

The large cargo area houses an underfloor full sized spare, which is unusual in many cars at the moment. 
On the road the ix 35 handles well. There's a little body roll in tighter corners but nothing out of the ordinary. Steering effort is light and precise.
On the highway wind and tyre noise are kept to a minimum and overall it's a very pleasant drive.
Bumps are absorbed without too much fuss, although you will still feel larger ruts.
The 2.4 litre petrol engine goes about its business with little noise, and has reasonable torque(240nm) from its 136 kw. Acceleration is brisk, even with a full load of passengers.

The six speed automatic gearbox has like most cars these days, a manual override, and it has a very smooth operation.
Hyundai's five star crash safety rating and five year warranty, are partly the reasons for its sales success, but its overall refinement is also helping to keep it on the top of the sales charts.The ix35 Elite AWD sells for around 35K.
Peter Sellen

Hyundai Elantra Elite

Australians have long had a love affair with hatchback vehicles.
However most manufacturers make sedan versions as well, and that's a good thing. Many buyers prefer the separate boot that sedans provide.
This is Hyundai's offering in the small car segment, the Elantra, and it is a standout.
Swooping, sleek, clean styling, aided by an upgrade to the headlights, ensure that the car shines above the more mundane. In short, I like the look of the thing very much. Build quality is excellent.
Korean engineers have worked hard to adapt the Elantra's suspension to local conditions and they've done an impressive job.
The Elantra Elite on test here has one of the most comfortable rides of any car I've driven regardless of price. It soaks up road irregularities with amazing compliance. It's not floaty nor too hard, unlike some of its popular rivals.
 It really hits the comfort and handling sweet spot.
You will be as impressed as I was with this development, if you take one on an extended test drive.
The Elantra handles corners with a verve you wouldn't expect from such a car. It's flat and neutral with just a hint of understeer.
Fire up the 1.8 litre petrol engine and you will be hard pressed to know it's running unless you glance at the tachometer. It's that smooth and silent.
The refinement of the 110kw,178 nm engine is evident even when accelerating hard. There's no mechanical thrashing from under the bonnet even at the upper revs.On the open road the engine will impress you with its sophistication. You'll think you're in something much more expensive.  
It's one of the best engines in the segment for performance and near silent operation. 
The Elite model is fitted with a six speed automatic gearbox with "manual override" for selecting gears.      
The only minor issue I found with it, was when using cruise control on the highway and also around town, which I often do,the gearbox will hunt between gears a little too often. Other than that it works a treat.   

The headlights are much better than most. Bright on low and high beam, with good spread and penetration.

                                                               

Small cars are not that small anymore as most of you will have noticed.

The Elantra has plenty of room inside, almost nudging the next segment up in this respect. 

Head room, even in the rear seat for my 6'3" frame, was fine and with the driver's seat adjusted for me, there was still plenty of leg room behind it for a rear seat passenger. 
The overall driving position is very good.. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel and height adjustable seat make finding the right spot easy.
The seats are very comfortable,with just the right amount of side bolstering when pressing on through tight corners.

The dashboard layout is good, and there are plenty of soft touch surfaces.
The Elantra Elite comes standard with a few goodies.They include folding wing mirrors, sun visor vanity lights. reversing camera, (and sensors) cruise control, auto lights and wipers, sat-nav , keyless entry and start and bluetooth connectivity, 
There's also adjustable steering feel, via a button on the wheel. Comfort, Normal  and Sport.
You choose which you like best.
You will notice a real but subtle difference in each setting, to the amount of effort you need to turn the tiller. 
The only minor flaw in the whole package, is there are no air vents for rear seat passengers. 

The boot is large and there's a full sized spare in there as well. A cargo net helps secure the load.
The Elantra is Hyundai's biggest seller worldwide, and it's easy to see why.
It's smart looking, comfortable,capable, economical, well equipped and roomy.
Don't overlook the Elantra if you're in the market for a small sedan.
If you want comfort, refinement and features, well above what you'd expect in a car of this price, the Elantra should be on your list.
The Elite model retails for just under 27K.
It ticks all the right boxes for me.
Peter Sellen         

  

Jaguar F Type 3.0 litre Supercharged V6

When the E Type Jaguar or XKE, was introduced in 1961 it was an absolute sensation,there was simply nothing else like it anywhere.

Sleek lines and a 4.2 litre engine that took it to 240kmh (153 mph) made it the "must have" car for anyone wanting to make a performance and styling statement. While it was better in a straight line than in corners, that didn't deter seventy thousand buyers, over its model run, from experiencing its panache. 
For many it was and still is, one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
I almost bought a pristine, red Series 1 back in 1977.
It was on sale for just $6,000 dollars, but my budget was about $1,500 less than that. ( $1,500 was a lot of money back then.)
Being tall I didn't quite fit in the cockpit, the steering wheel brushed my legs and the top of the windscreen was a bit too low. In one of life's great regrets,I didn't buy it, choosing instead a 1971 Mk II Triumph 2.5 PI saloon that I could better afford. Hindsight is great isn't it?
Jaguar had always meant to bring the dream car of the 1960s into the modern era and the XK8 of the late 1990s was close to that ideal, but for purists, not quite the E Type replacement.

Finally, after more than 50 years, Jaguar has a worthy successor to the legendary XKE... the F Type. 
The F Type's styling cues pay homage to the svelte E Type.The long bonnet, short bootlid and sculpted flanks set it apart from anything else.
It too,is a beautiful car.

Despite being a two seater, it's very wide, plenty of room to stretch out.
There are a several variants starting at around119K. 
This is the mid range 3.0 litre supercharged V6 and what a magnificent engine it is. 
280 kw and  460 nm. 
The F Type has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Dynamic mode changes the engine mapping to hold onto each gear longer, and also opens up the exhaust. 

But if you just want the sound without the fury of the extra revs, a tiny button opens the baffles in the exhaust, producing a glorious crackling snarl that has to be heard to be believed.  
I tried it out in the tunnel through the Adelaide hills using manual mode on the eight speed gearbox. 
Now, I am normally a fairly unemotional bloke, but  I laughed myself silly at the sensational howling soundtrack out the back. 
Each gear change produced an instant loud, barking crackle from the twin pipes as the  car rocketed forward like there was no tomorrow.   
(Think Golf GTi or Golf R, with DSG transmission only ten times louder!)  
Overrun elicited a further cacophony of pops and crackles as the sound bounced and ricocheted off the tunnel walls. 
Others in the tunnel must have wondered where all the noise was coming from.
It is absolutely intoxicating! 
Wow Jaguar.....You have nailed it.
No V6 I have ever driven sounded as good as this.
The sound doesn't however come cheaply. It's a $4,900 factory option.
If that maniacal, mechanical melody isn't enough to make you happy, there's a standard Meridian 10 speaker 380 watt digital audio system.
Or you could shell out an eye watering $8,440 extra for the "Technology"pack.
That includes a 770 watt 12 speaker sound system. 
In the confines of the two seat cabin, you'll never want for anything louder or with more clarity. 
There are standard rear parking sensors, but you'll have to shell out an extra $1,725 for a reversing camera in the "Parking Pack." The $1,400 "Climate pack " gives you heated seats and steering wheel.(Sounds a bit rich however, when the 36K Kia Optima Platinum for example, has heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard.) I am willing to forgive Jaguar here, as the F Type's sheer driving exhilaration and enjoyment overtakes such minor issues.  

Jaguar has tuned the suspension to give superb ride comfort, better than some prestige sedans, but not at the expense of brilliant handling. The F Type devours tight corners with arrogant ease, thanks to that brilliant gearbox and precise steering. A real adrenaline rush.
Flicking the steering wheel mounted gearshift paddles made light work of selecting the right ratio for each corner.
Zero to 100 is dispatched in under 5 seconds.
The brakes are huge, front and rear... very effective stoppers.

The test car was fitted with 20 inch wheels shod with fat 295/30 ZR rear tyres and 255/35 ZR 20s up front.  
 Like the old E Type, the F type's bonnet is hinged at the front. It's supported by two gas struts.
The car has a twin safety devices that raise the rear of the bonnet to give more distance between it and the top of the engine block, in case of a collision with a pedestrian.

The soft top lowers in just twelve seconds and about the same to erect. Soundproofing with the top up is very good, but you'll still hear the exhaust's music nevertheless. 
Headroom, top up, easily accommodated my 183 centimetre (6'2") height, with room to spare.

The boot is tiny however, especially with the spare wheel in place. Without it, there's just enough space for soft luggage. Jaguar offers fitted luggage for the F Type as an option.
A rear spoiler activates at speeds over 100 kmh, and it can be lowered and raised manually at any time below that speed.

The tail lights are a single stripe of colour, matching the daytime running light strip up front.
The small door handles are flush with the bodywork, and each contains a puddle light.When locking the car, a simple push on the handles retracts them and  locks the doors.
 You can also change the colour of the interior ambient lighting in the doors and on the console from red through to blue. 

The seats are very comfy, although oddly, fore and aft movement is manually operated, but seat height and backrest rake are done electronically, using Mercedes- like switches in the outline of seats on the doors.   

At 171K, (about 180K on road,) I think the F Type V6 S is worth every penny, (for those who can afford it) and I'm certain it will become as much a classic as its E Type forebear.
If you must have the V8 version, it will set you back just over 201K. 
For my money, the supercharged V6 is more than adequate for sound, feel, dynamics and performance.
If you're in the market for something very special...you'll be hooked after the first corner, and the moment that unique exhaust crackle, pummels your senses.
But be prepared to laugh as much as I did. 
It's one exciting machine.
Peter Sellen 

Alfa Romeo Mito Progression 0.9

Cars with two cylinders once were all the rage, especially in Europe in the1950s and 60s. Names like Goggomobil, Fiat 500,Citroen's 2CV,and Honda's Z600 were much sought after by the budget conscious. More recent examples include the Indian Tata Nano and the Suzuki Alto.(also made in India).
None of the above are noted for their performance prowess, and leisurely would best describe their acceleration.
But now there's a brilliant new game changer in town and it comes from Italy's Alfa Romeo.
Australian buyers used to V8s and large six cylinder cars might scoff at the very idea of a small capacity engine providing any kind of sporty thrills but that's exactly what the smallest Alfa, the Mito Twin Air "Progression" has in spades.
The Mito has a two cylinder 900 cc turbocharged engine that offers incredible performance in the light car class.

Firing up the Mito, the tiny engine settles into a vibration free idle.
There are three transmission driving modes. Dynamic, Natural and "All weather."
I left the thing in Dynamic for the week I had the car because that's where the best performance lies.
Flooring the throttle produces a marvellous rasping growl from beneath the bonnet unlike anything I have heard before. (And no, it doesn't sound like a lawn mower thank you very much...anything but.)
The thrust is out of all proportion to the modest engine capacity. While it takes 11 seconds to reach100 kmh, the way the 77kw, 145 nm engine delivers its power is quite incredible.
It feels almost like a two litre hot hatch.
The Mito Progression comes only with a six speed manual transmission, and it's a delight to use. You really don't need to change your driving style too much.
All that's needed to wring the maximum grunt from the two pot engine is to remember to change up just before the 6000 rpm rev limiter, and the grin on your face will be a mile wide!

At 60 kmh in the suburbs the Mito will happily tootle along in fifth gear, pulling away on gentle throttle without any driveline snatch.
Slot it into 6th at slightly higher speed and it still will accelerate without fuss despite its modest torque. First gear is quite low and will take you to about 35 kmh, second around 70 and there are four more gears to play with. I never tired of making full use of the slick gearbox.
The Mito Progression has a stop/ start feature to save fuel, and once you deselect it, it stays that way until you press the button again. Other cars with idle stop, return to the default mode each time the car is turned off.
The two pot Mito averages around 5 litres per 100 kilometres.
Alfas are renowned for their handling and the Mito stays true to the marque's reputation. In tight bends it's a sheer joy to drive, staying flat and balanced....you will revel with each bend and snappy gear changes. The steering is quick and responsive.
I guarantee you will almost forget that it's just two cylinders and 875 ccs providing the thrills!
I found the dead pedal/rest for the drivers left foot a tad too close to the clutch pedal for my size 12 's, but  despite my big feet there were never any mis-hits with the pedal nor problems changing gear. 
Ride comfort is on a par with the recently tested Renault Clio, capably absorbing most urban ruts and bumps. On the open road in sixth, the tiny engine is barely turning over and noise levels are low.

The Mito's twin doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and the cabin room is quite generous considering its size. 
Both front seats are height and lumbar adjustable, and are quite comfortable.
There are no overhead grab handles, but I really didn't miss them. The red lit instruments are well laid out and easy to read. Cruise control and speed limiter are standard, as is a quality good sound system.
The Mito is a pretty car with good proportions, and the boot is a handy size.
I thought the headlight styling gives it a slightly "cartoonish " face. But maybe that's just me.

The lights front and rear have been redesigned and are very effective.
My only real complaint was the large ugly mudflaps fitted to the test car.
It looked like we were about to head off for a spot of rallying. It's one accessory that I would do without. 
Summing up, an outstanding engineering effort Alfa Romeo, to wring that much performance from such a tiny engine. 
I really enjoyed the Mito Progression Twin Air, and at just 22 and a half K, I reckon you will too.
Peter Sellen