IN YOUR FACE - Car Design and Opinion

The Noughties (00's) In Cars - - The Decade of the Supercar

2009-04-26T14:45:00.010+10:00

As we near the end of the decade, I thought that now would be a good time to reflect on what has been achieved this past ten years - how has the car world changed? A lot can happen in ten years. Companies can be changed forever, rare technologies can become mainstream, and fashions can go full circle. Some decades were known for different things, but the noughties was all about living large. Excess was the name of the game, and no other type of car does excess like the supercar. There were many amazing supercars of the noughties, and so I thought I'd summarize what they were all about in alphabetical order. Were they hits, or were they misses?

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (2007): It takes it's parts from all over the Fiat Group, but Alfa's first true sportscar in nearly twenty years hit the spot. It didn't have to be the greatest driving tool ever (and it wasn't, really - it couldn't corner to save its life), but it had to be sexy, fast, and prestigious. And it certainly hit the mark. It featured somewhat retro proportions and stance, but brought the design into the modern era with Alfa Romeo's new face. A convertible version has also recently gone into production - only 500 will be made at a mad price of $350,000 AUD. Save up, children.

Engine type 4.6 Litres, eight cylinders
Power/Torque 331kW/480Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual with paddle shift
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.2sec
Top speed: 291 kmh
Price $250,000 AUD approx

Aston Martin DBS (2007): Honestly, we could have included every new Aston Martin in this list, but instead chose to stick with the DBS. It's the fastest Aston, and the headline act in the new 007 James Bond films. So it gets a place here. There is no doubt that this is one sexy, agressive car. Attempting to build on what was probably the most beautiful design of the decade (the DB9 of course) was never going to be easy. But the DBS defines cool, and will go down in history as quite possibly the sexiest, most aggro Bond car in history. And in 2010, there will be a DBS Volante. I have heaps of photo galleries, for your pleasure.

Engine type 6.0 Litre V12
Power/Torque 380kW/570Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.3sec
Top speed: 307 kmh
Price $500,000 AUD approx

Audi R8 (2006) - (V10 model 2009): Audi set out the R8 with only one intention - to destroy the legacy of the Porsche 911. Is it better than a 911? Who knows, but when the R8 is this good, who cares? The R8 cuts a menacing figure, especially with the glowing day-time LEDs, but crucially, was a car that could be used as a daily drive. That alone was a feat of magnificence. Let alone the speed...

Engine type 5.2 Litre V10
Power/Torque 386kW/530Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.9sec
Top speed: 316 kmh
Price From $280,000 AUD approx

Bentley Continental GT (2003): Despite the sales wonders the GT has performed for Bentley, reviews for the car were largely mixed. Many could see how what a comfortable, fast, grand tourer is was, but many more saw that it was simply a Volkswagen on steroids. It didn't drive as well as it should have, and wasn't as fast as it needed to be, weighing in at 2300kg. At the time, however, it could rightly claim to be the world's fastest four-seater.

Engine type 6.0 Litre W12
Power/Torque 411kW/650Nm
Transmission Six-speed automatic with paddle-shift
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.8sec
Top speed: 319 kmh
Price From $400,000 AUD approx

Bugatti Veyron (2005): The iconic supercar of the noughties, and the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive car in production history (at the time). A mighty vehicle, everything about it was truly a startling feat of engineering. It will likely be the fastest accelerating road car we will see for a long time, especially since the economic meltdown, sadly. But on a lighter note: have you ever dreamed of owning a Bugatti Veyron? What two-tone colour scheme would you choose? Have a play around at this site, then, the best timewaster ever. Only 133 Veyrons were produced.

Engine type 8.0 Litre W16
Power/Torque 736kW/1250Nm
Transmission Seven-speed DSG sequential
Performance 0-100 kmh: 2.9sec
Top speed: 407.9 kmh (...!)
Price: $2,000,000 AUD approx

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (2009): The fastest production Corvette ever made was an absolute cracker - dynamite around corners, and blasting down straights. If anyone wanted a slice of delicious Yank action, the ZR1 was the perfect ticket. In a new era of "Yes we can!", the big Corvette proved that Americans could actually make a brilliant car. Sensational, in fact. And ridiculously cheap, too - though you'd want it to be, with the kind of interior you get. Americans still can't pull off a cool interior.

Engine type 6.2 Litre V8
Power/Torque 476kW/819Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.4sec
Top speed: 330.6 kmh
Price: $150,000 AUD approx

Dodge Viper SRT-10 (2008): Just because a car is fast, doesn't make it so remarkable. In fact, the Viper passed largely unnoticed when it was launched into its fourth-generation in 2008, because by that time, there were so many other cars out there that were cooler, more exciting, better quality, and even faster. There just wasn't any subtlety and quality of engineering about the Viper, though there was with the Corvette. It's hard to explain. Anyway, there just wasn't any really big reason why one should buy the Viper and not the Corvette ZR1. I'd have to agree, anyway.

Engine type 8.4 Litre V10
Power/Torque 450kW/760Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.5sec
Top speed: 325 kmh
Price: From $130,000 AUD approx

Ferrari Enzo (2002): Ferrari were so proud of their supercar creation that they named it after the company's founder, Mr. Enzo Ferrari. And what a car it was. Sure, it didn't really look that great, but just one look at it told you it would be lightning fast. It dawned the new era of supercar madness, and was super exclusive. It came at just the right time - Schumacher was at his peak, and everything about Ferrari made them seem unstoppable.

Engine type 6.0 Litre V12
Power/Torque 485kW/657Nm
Transmission Six-speed semi-automatic
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.14sec
Top speed: 365 kmh
Price: $1,000,000 AUD approx

Ferrari F430 Scuderia (2008): I was almost tempted to say that this car was a miss, and not a hit. Want to know why? Because I think the Lamborghini Gallardo is better than this car. But then I realised - so what? The F430 was an outstanding car in its own right, and in every respect. So much so that the waiting list to buy one stretched into several years. If that is anything to go by, this is one popular car. Soon to have a Spider form!

Engine type 4.3 Litre V8
Power/Torque 375kW/657Nm
Transmission Six-speed sequential
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.6sec
Top speed: 315 kmh
Price: $575,000 AUD approx

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (2006): Ferrari continued their brilliant streak with the 599. This was a car that could go almost as fast as the god-like Enzo, yet still be as safe and easy to use as a supermarket shopping trolley. This brilliance is not to be understated - even timid drivers could come out of the 599 feeling like Michael Schumacher. Once again, it isn't stunningly pretty, but the engineering focus was remarkable.

Engine type 6.0 Litre V12
Power/Torque 456kW/608Nm
Transmission Six-speed sequential or manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.7sec
Top speed: 330 kmh
Price: $630,000 AUD approx

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (2004): Is it the ugliest Ferrari ever? Is it the most boring Ferrari ever? Sure, the 612 had a brilliant engine, and cornered fantastically, considering it's size (it has 4 seats), but nobody could really feel any compassion for it - as superficial as it seems, it's true. Why would you speed nearly 700 grand on an ugly car, and have to tell your friends: "Don't worry, it drives much better than it looks". You shouldn't have to do that, least of all when it's a Ferrari.

Engine type 5.7 Litre V12
Power/Torque 397kW/588Nm
Transmission Six-speed semi-automatic or manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.3sec
Top speed: 315 kmh
Price: $670,000 AUD approx

Ferrari California (2009): No one was really sure why the California had to look awkward. That's the way it is, I guess. And despite the California being a grand tourer, we really didn't expect it to be so much fun. Here, we simply have a case of "there are so many other convertibles I'd rather look at". But although this car has a huge arse, you could almost see yourself owning one. Not only is it quicker than a convertible F430, it has a folding metal roof, a big boot, and four [almost] useable seats. And it'll be the cheapest Ferrari - genius!

Engine type 4.3 Litre V8
Power/Torque 338kW/485Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual/Seven speed double-clutch automated manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.0sec
Top speed: 310 kmh
Price: $380,000 AUD estimated (unconfirmed)

Ford GT (2003): The Ford GT probably isn't the sharpest supercar tool in the shed, in hindsight. But that doesn't mean it wasn't fantastic. Just like the GT40 its styling is based on, the Ford GT was out to kick some Ferrari butt. And, in a way, it did. It was super fast, turned pretty well, and looked gobsmackingly good. Sure, the interior was retro and cheap. But you could forgive this car for anything, simply for the way it looks.

Engine type 5.4 Litre V8
Power/Torque 410kW/680Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.8sec
Top speed: 341 kmh
Price: $200,000 AUD approx

Gumpert Apollo (2005): The ugliest supercar ever? Possibly. Least glamourous sounding name ever? Possibly. Mind-bendingly fast? Definitely. So the Apollo doesn't have a cool badge, or exclusivity. But if you're looking for a wild track weapon, this Gumpert has it covered. No other production car can give you this much quickness on straights and around corners. It surpasses the Bugatti Veyron, and is in a class all of its own. And guess what? It's about to get a whole lot faster, with a 600kW version in the works.

Engine type 4.2 Litre V8
Power/Torque 478kW/850Nm
Transmission Six-speed sequential manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.0sec
Top speed: 360 kmh
Price: $400,000 AUD approx

Koenigsegg CCXR (2008): Fast and furious - this car is dangerous, and not for the faint hearted. The kind of car that instils the fear of god into you. Not many cars can do that, and for this reason, the Koenigsegg was a hit. For people everywhere in the quest for speed, (or just daredevils) the CCX was the ultimate, something you can't go past. But the CCXR did the impossible - not only did it get faster than the CCX, it was greener than the CCX. I still don't understand how - the CCXR can run on E85 ethanol blend fuel, and because of that, somehow, we get the titanic kilowatt figure.

Engine type 4.8 Litre V8
Power/Torque 759kW/1080Nm
Transmission Six-speed paddleshift manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 2.9sec
Top speed: 414 kmh
Price: $3,150,000 AUD approx (seriously)

Lamborghini Reventon (2008): Only 21 were produced, but everyone who is anyone knows that the Reventon is the most aggro looking supercar the world has ever seen. Mess with this car, and its looks will kill. Although I have never seen a Reventon in any colour but that boring grey - wish it was yellow. The mechanicals of the car are basically lifted from a Murcielago, but who cares - you can drive down the street and scare small children.

Engine type 6.5 Litre V12
Power/Torque 480kW/680Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.4sec
Top speed: 356 kmh
Price: $1,800,000 AUD approx

Lamborghini Murcielago LP460 (2006): When the original Murcielago was released in 2002, the motoring world was in awe of it. It was quite simply the wildest car the world had ever seen, but yet it was inexplicably beautiful. Not only that, it was fast. The LP460 was simply faster, and even more jaw-droppingly striking. Need I say more?

Engine type 6.5 Litre V12
Power/Torque 471kW/660Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual/sequential manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.4sec
Top speed: 356 kmh
Price: $750,000 AUD approx

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (2008): Once again, the original Gallardo was not slouchy, nor bad looking, but the LP560-4 is simply a triumph of design and engineering. The Gallardo will go down in history as one of the truly great looking supercars, as it deserves to. Edgy lines are somehow rendered dramatic and emotive, not to mention the fact that this car is a Ferrari F430 killer.

Engine type 5.2 Litre V10
Power/Torque 412kW/540Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual/sequential manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.7sec
Top speed: 325 kmh
Price: From $475,000 AUD approx

Maserati MC12 (2004): It didn't take a genius to work out the the MC12 was simply an Enzo Ferrari with a Maserati badge stuck on the bonnet. They shared the same engine, gearbox, suspension... blah, blah, blah... but because the body work of the MC12 is bigger than the Enzo (and bizarrely uglier), it was also slower than the Enzo. So what was the point of Maserati making this car? They wanted to create a racing variant of it to enter in the FIA GT Championship, so they had to have a production car to work from. The world largely ignored it.

Engine type 6.0 Litre V12
Power/Torque 465kW/652Nm
Transmission Six-speed semi-automatic
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.8sec
Top speed: 330 kmh
Price: $1,250,000 AUD approx

Maybach Exelero (2005): Pointless from the very start, you probably wouldn't have minded if the Exelero was a car of superlatives. It's not. It's not the fastest car ever made, although it's almost the longest (5.9 Metres), it's not the prettiest, not the most luxurious (but it should have been! It's a Maybach for god's sake!), but... it did have a most riduculous price tag. I've got to be fair though - how much would you really pay for a car like this? A million dollars? Two Million? No, try upwards of $12 Million. Makes the Bugatti Veyron seem like a bargain.

Engine type 5.9 Litre V12
Power/Torque 522kW/1020Nm
Transmission Seven-speed auto
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.4sec
Top speed: 351 kmh
Price: From $12,000,000 AUD approx

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2004): We were honestly getting ready for a monster of a car, when Mercedes showed us pictures of their new McLaren supercar. After all, the last McLaren effort was the legendary F1, a car that was, for a long time (until the Bugatti Veyron) easily the fastest production car the world had ever seen. The SLR however, was comparitively soft-core. It had a rather slushy automatic gearbox, and wasn't quick enough (there was enough power, though!) to really make it feel like a supercar on the road. It did look very spectacular, even if it wasn't to everyone's taste. I think the convertible version is the better option - that way, you can enjoy the SLR as a seriously fast cruiser, and soak up some sunshine as you expend very little effort going very fast.

Engine type 5.4 Litre V8
Power/Torque 467kW/780Nm
Transmission Five-speed automatic
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.7sec
Top speed: 334 kmh
Price: $650,000 AUD approx

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss (2009): "Thought the SLR McLaren was too soft, did you? DID YOU?!?!" Mercedes-Benz finally responded, with the properly hard-core version the SLR always should have been. The Stirling Moss is wild, with a bonnet longer than an airport runway, no windscreen, no roof - so you can imagine that it's ultra-light and fast. It had the kind of "no compromise" attitude we always wanted to see from the SLR. At least this tribute to Sir Stirling Moss lives up to the legend of the great man himself.

Engine type 5.4 Litre V8
Power/Torque 478kW/780Nm
Transmission Six-speed Manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.5sec
Top speed: 350 kmh
Price: $1,550,000 AUD approx

Morgan Aeromax (2005): Everyone laughed at the cross-eyed Aero 8, but when the Aeromax was released, everyone sat up and took notice. This was a very twenty-first century car, in a fusion with techniques and fashions of old. But nevertheless, it had the character and talent to hold it's own in the thoroughly over-the-top noughties. It was fast, eccentric, and very different. Loveable, one could say. It still wasn't a pin-up, but it now has cult status.

Engine type 4.8 Litre V8
Power/Torque 276kW/489Nm
Transmission Six-speed Manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 4.2sec
Top speed: 274 kmh
Price: $230,000 AUD approx

Nissan GT-R (2008): Everyone wants one. The car they nicknamed "Godzilla" (as with other GT-Rs) truly is the most accessible rendition yet of "the people's supercar". It is [almost] within the reach of the masses, and has almost Ferrari Enzo rivalling speed. It doesn't look that great, it's a bit characterless, but who cares? You can have a ridiculously fast supercar for the price of something far more mundane.

Engine type 3.8 Litre V6
Power/Torque 360kW/580Nm
Transmission Six-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.2sec
Top speed: 311 kmh
Price: $170,000 AUD approx

Pagani Zonda F (2005): How can one leave out the Pagani Zonda? In 2005, when the better-than-ever-before Zonda F was released, the world once again fell in love with this spaceship of a car. There simply isn't anything remotely like the Zonda, and there probably never will be. There's a sense of theatre in it you just can't go past.

Engine type 7.3 Litre V12
Power/Torque 478kW/760Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.5sec
Top speed: 346 kmh
Price: $900,000 AUD approx
Porsche Carrera GT (2004): A great car, but totally overshadowed by the Ferrari Enzo, which it was so often compared against. In fact, it was as though Porsche really could have done better, but didn't try hard enough - perhaps they're waiting to shock us all with a successor (there is a rumour it'll be called Porsche GT1). Still, it was cheaper than the Ferrari, and Porsche lovers, well... loved it.

Engine type 5.7 Litre V10
Power/Torque 416kW/589Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.9sec
Top speed: 330 kmh
Price: $700,000 AUD approx

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo (2005): The American S7 is truly a stunning testament to supercar engineering. The Saleen has huge presence, in a sort of NASCAR racing kind of way, and shows that ultrafast cars will never die. This is the quintessential American supercar (forget the Corvette, this will eat it for breakfast), and don't you forget it. Posters of this car are all over the bedroom walls of millions of young North American boys. And for good reason.

Engine type 7.0 Litre V8
Power/Torque 559kW/949Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-100 kmh: 3.2sec
Top speed: 399 kmh (ouch! That's so close to 400)
Price: $850,000 AUD approx

LONG LIVE THE SUPERCAR!!!

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Honda City

2009-04-17T13:41:00.005+10:00

The Honda City is the kind of car the new world wants. It's a little car, with the benefits of being little, but can still do a whole lot. The ideas present in the Honda City are very much "younger generation" oriented. And as Generation Y start to enter the market, this can only be a good business move. For example, caring about being "evironmentally friendly" is a relatively new idea - twenty years ago, if you wanted a car that didn't use much petrol, it was because you were a tightarse scrooge, not environmentally aware. The City delivers in that department - despite being a relatively roomy small sedan (good enough for at least four adults, anyway - the seats aren't really shaped for five), it is powered by a 1.5 Litre petrol engine. It's the same one in the Jazz, and does fine in pulling the weight of the car (it's a small sedan, remember), but delivers 6.3 L/100km if you're driving the manual. As Honda puts it on their website:

"So you can drive past your local servo a lot more often. Sweet as."

Even their marketing strategy involves Gen Y language. For more youthful inspiration, you only have to look at the stereo. Not only does it feature iPod and MP3 integration, it sounds fabulous - like an expensive aftermarket system. Now, no one under the age of 30 would understand why that matters. Honda have also gone to a lot of trouble with marketing their bodykit accessories - so youngsters can pimp their rides tastefully, without leaving the showroom. And honestly, it does look much better than the mismatched bodykits punks put on their cars. I just don't know why you'd bother.

These days, people don't want a small car because they want to save money - they've worked out that a small car suits their needs. So the trend is to make new small cars much better quality than they used to be. The City is no exception - it's built beautifully, and the interior is an absolute treat for the eyes, with architectural coolness. You'd want it to be, at a starting price of above twenty grand. You can buy a Yaris or a Tiida for much less. Some have bemoaned that it's not quite as funky inside as the Honda Jazz (the car this is based on), but you have to remember that the interior of the Jazz looks like the starship Enterprise - viewed in isolation, the interior is still fabulous. And much less messy, in some opinions.

Where does the Honda City fall down? Not in the airbag department - six are standard. But like the Jazz, stability control isn't available, which is a massive bummer. No, where it really falls down is in terms of style. In every other department, the City is up there, appealing to Gen Y punters like me, but to look at it, you'd never know. It's boring. There, I've said it. I understand that it must be very difficult to make a funky and cohesive sedan design in 4.4 metres - but it's dead boring. And it costs more that $20,000 AUD before on-road costs. The equivalent Jazz doesn't cost anywhere near as much, so why would you pay the extra money? Buy a Jazz then.

But I still see why you'd buy one - it doesn't look feminine, like a Honda Jazz, so an environmentally aware male can buy one without feeling embarassed, and aside from all that, you have no other choice. I mean, if you wanted a small sedan that didn't cost much, what choices have you got? Would you buy a Holden Viva? No. Would you buy a Nissan Tiida? Not unless you've lost the will to live, no. Would you buy a Yaris sedan? Really? The City is is a far more respectable car that a Yaris will ever be. So what's left? A Hyundai Elantra?

Then you realise that at $20,490, there is an entire market segment of options you can buy, and they're all an extra bit roomier. But they soon won't be this cheap - the new 2010 Mazda3 certainly won't retail at $20,490, and the base model old one doesn't have all the features the Honda City has as standard. Even Honda's own Civic starts at 22 grand. The only car that is larger, still a sedan, but at the same price, with all the same features, bizarrely, is the new Kia Cerato - which is cheaper, somehow. Although still, I don't think I could live with buying a Kia Cerato - I wouldn't get the same fuel economy, and I love the interior of the City too much.

I've been sucked in. I like the Honda City. I didn't think I would. But I haven't been sucked in by all the "Gen Y" marketing rubbish - I've been sucked in because there really isn't anything else at that price point I would rather buy. I'm suddenly thinking that I might end up owning one of these someday. I only wish it looked better. But at least it's not embarrassing to be seen driving it.

As a used car? Seriously, can you go wrong? It's a bloody Honda, for gods sake - they just don't break down. And despite this car being built in Thailand, it's still well and truly up there with everything else in Honda's range. The i-VTEC engines never seem to fail, and the interior is simply brilliant quality, as I've alluded to earlier. It'd be a great first car, and it seems to make sense as a used car than as a new one, because you won't have to pay the currently rather high RRP.

GET TO THE POINT!

Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Style: 7/10
Build Quality: 9.5/10
On-Road Performance: 8.5/10
Value For Money: 7.5/10
Practicality: 8.5/10
Safety Rating: Unavailable
Average Real Owner Reliability: 8.6/10 (www.carsurvey.org April 2009 - previous model)

THE STUFF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT!

Engines:

(Click picture to enlarge)

Features:

Alloy Wheels: Standard on VTi-L, "Modulo" Alloys optional
Leather: NOT AVIALABLE
Cruise Control: YES
Air Conditioning: YES
Power Windows and Mirrors: YES
Stability Control: NOT AVAILABLE
Airbags: SIX
Foglamps: Optional on VTi, Standard on VTi-L
CD Changer: SINGLE DISC
Speakers: FOUR
Sunroof: NOT AVAILABLE
Metallic Paint: $325 option
Spare Wheel: Full-size spare
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km

HOW MUCH MOOLAH?

Effective April 2009

WHAT ELSE COULD I GET?

Sedans Only

Ford Focus
Holden Viva
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Cerato
Mazda3
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Tiida
Proton Persona
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Corolla

FEATURE STORY: 15 Amazing Car Wallpapers You've Never Seen

2009-04-15T14:35:00.010+10:00

Like many hopeless car fanatics, I have a huge collection of digital car pictures. Sort of like my own private stash. They serve as my desktop backgrounds, and my slideshow screensaver, and with about 1300 high resolution pictures on my hard drive, I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourites. They aren't necessarily the coolest cars on the planet, but as a desktop wallpaper, they're all pretty hard to go past.

But of course, I'll start with the supercars. Although the Mercedes-McLaren SLR isn't one of my favourite supercars (awkward proportions), there's something about the cold, brutal foreground of this photo clashing with the background that makes me love it.But I really do love Aston Martins. And although I think the DBS is merely an adulterated (with bodykits, etc.) DB9, and silver is my least favourite colour of all time, this picture has got it all. It's better than any scene out of Casino Royale of Quantum of Solace, anyway.While this picture of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione doesn't have such an amazing background to match the last two, it does have a superb paint job - just look at the tones of red present in the front flanks of this car. Doesn't hurt that it's a brilliant looking car, either.This next picture convinced me that when James Bond isn't driving Aston Martins, he should definitely be driving a Jaguar XF. No, it isn't the XFR, but it's a stunning picture, nonetheless. Only makes me love the big Jag sedan even more.Everything about the Bentley Azure is encapsulated in this next wallpaper. Serene rivers, mountain ranges that appear to have been dusted with icing sugar, and bright warm sunshine. Not to mention a huge, rich, sumptuous convertible.Small cars can make some great wallpapers too. I couldn't choose between these two Fiat 500 wallpapers, so I'm showing you both. I just love the way the scenes are laid out, and the way light and shadow are handled. Little car, big impact.And you're probably wondering why I love this one of a Lancia Ypsilon. It's not as immediately stunning as the others, but the use of colour (or lack of it) really strikes a chord with me, and the way the puddles are black makes the scene menacing and austere.In contrast, this little picture of a Peugeot 107 is all about fun, vibrant colours, and sexy attitude. And again, the use of colour is what attracts you to it - I wish I was doing the samba around a Peugeot 107 now too.
Interestingly, 4x4s can sometimes provide some of the most beautiful car landscapes you can find. Especially if the company wants their car to appear butch and outdoorsy. Like this Ford Explorer, whose occupant has gone on a camping trip in the mountains. Fantastic.This is another interpretation of this "butch and outdoorsy" theme, courtesy of the Land Rover Discovery 4, which will be released next year. The elements are all there - steaming river, gnarly rocks, rugged (yet impeccably polished...) car - so what more could you want?This next one is just a really good landscape photo, I figured. It just happens to contain a car - a Land Rover Freelander 2 - so for that reason, it's awesome.But not all 4x4s are trying to appear rugged. Volvo, for instance, doesn't want its XC60 to appear rugged - because it isn't. It's a city slicker, and that's what's represented here. I have never seen a photo that appears so colourful and interesting, but in reality would be ordinary and boring. Genius.This one's a bit of a laugh. It always makes me chuckle - that the Subaru Forester could make it to the antarctic, where a group of exactly three penguins would examine it's spotless body in the musky moonlight.And I leave you with an Aussie company - HSV. This picture of the Clubsport R8 Tourer is a really nice one - I just wish it had been driving past the MCG.

NEW YORK 2009: Subaru Ruins the Liberty/Outback

2009-04-14T10:36:00.008+10:00

Why did they do it? The current Liberty and Outback are pleasant looking cars, even if they are a little bland. But they've just made it hideous. Yep, this is the new Subaru Liberty and Outback, ready to take up the fight with the Mazda6 and Honda Accord Euro - but it has huge disadvantages before it even steps into the ring with the other two.

It's clear that they tried to make the new Liberty more macho and aggressive - we now get flared wheelarches, lots of sharp surface detailing on the bonnet, and aggro, flared-up headlamps. But for some reason, they didn't complete the job. Even without noting that the face of the car looks like a stunned rabbit, you can't deny the door handles look like they've been lifted off a Toyota Yaris, the alloy wheels couldn't have been plainer if they had tried, and the rear end looks so much like a toned down Honda Accord (the other one, not the Euro) it isn't funny.

And it's not like you can take solace in the interior, either. It looks quite similar (though thankfully not the same) to the interior of the new Impreza, which is odd, because I can't think of anyone who really likes the interior in the new Impreza. It really is a shame, because I was expecting a truly wonderful new interior for the Liberty. This was, of course, because the last Liberty had a fantastic interior. In fact, I think that this one may well be a step backward:

And the Outback isn't any better. At least its face doesn't look cross-eyed like the Liberty, but at the back, we have the worst-designed reflectors I have ever seen in a long time. How hard is it to integrate reflectors into the design of a car? They look as out of place as elephant tusks on a sausage dog.

In terms of specs, we have three engine choices: a 2.5 Litre, 127kW revision of the old engine, a turbocharged 198kW version of that same engine (for the Liberty GT models) and instead of the old 3.0 Litre, we now have a 3.6 Litre 191kW six-cylinder engine which no longer requires premium grade fuel like the old one. In transmissions, you can now get a 6-speed manual as standard, but the standard automatic has now become a CVT (continuously variable transmission). It remains to be seen how much confidence Subaru have in this kind of automatic transmission, because you can only get a standard 5-speed auto in the 3.6 Litre version.

Gains have also apparently been made in interior space, which is great, but the old Liberty wasn't as roomy as it could have been, so you'd hope the gains are fairly significant. In another sign of changing priorities for Subaru, they've also fitted a dreaded electronic parking brake. A normal parking brake would have been just fine, thanks.

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Renault Koleos

2009-03-24T18:23:00.007+11:00

I don't know why Renault tries to market the Koleos as a rugged, earthy 4x4. In advertisements, we see the Koleos driving through rivers, splashing mud on an unsuspecting Alfa Romeo owner... but it's all a bit of a gimmick. Heaven knows a Koleos will never see the rough side of a dirt track. But that doesn't stop marketing spin.

Which is a shame, because the Koleos itself, once freed from the hype and spin, is a very honest car. By that, I mean, it is quite unpretentious and a quiet achiever. First off, unlike some of the latest 4x4 efforts from some Japanese manufacturers (X-Trail, CR-V, I'm talking about you), the Koleos actually looks quite pleasant. Sure, the front end will never be pretty like a Volkswagen Tiguan or a Volvo XC60, but the overall shape of the Koleos is sufficiently elegant. It doesn't try to look tough - it's just focussed on being a pleasant car. In that respect, it succeeds, and not just in terms of exterior styling.

The interior of the Koleos is most definitely a highlight. The plastics feel soft and supple, yet durable, the design is chic and functional (reminds me a bit of a Volvo, without the gimmicky "floating centre console) and the use of colour here (particularly in the Privelige model) is as good as I have seen on any car, in any price range. It's just a nice place to be. The seats are brilliantly comfy, and there are great little ledges, storage pockets, and other neat touches that make you smile from ear to ear. It really is, very well thought out - you only need to glance at the brochure to sense this. Even the dual hinged tailgate (a "clam-shell" type) can act as a loadbearing seat for about two people (rated at up to 200kg). Neat touch, you have to say - and it's not a gimmick. I've tried it, and it really does feel sturdy.

4x4s are never very sporty to drive, but Koleos doesn't try to be. It remains comfortable and quiet at all times, and keeps the handling nice and predictable. It doesn't try to be anything it's not. But of course, no car is perfect. The petrol engine is weak and high-revving, which is detrimental to fuel economy, so the diesel is the one to choose here. And even then, if you choose the automatic, power and torque take a big hit. Definitely investigate engine and transmission combinations if you're thinking of buying this car. Add to that the less-than-perfect reliability record of Renault - they say they've investing bazillions of dollars in achieving high quality and reliability standards, but do you trust that? They're marketing department is only capable of gimmicks, after all. But the interior does appear well made, so time will tell if it holds up well. But the Koleos isn't a gimmick. It deserves to sell well, and give Renault some badly needed success in Australia.

As a used car, it's hard to guage just how reliable the Koleos will be in the long run. One thing is for certain - because it's a Renault, it'll lose it's value faster than you can say "depreciation".

GET TO THE POINT!

Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Style: 8/10
Build Quality: 8.5/10
On-Road Performance: 8/10
Value For Money: 8.5/10
Practicality: 9/10
Safety Rating: 5-star EuroNCAP
Average Real Owner Reliability: Unavailable

THE STUFF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT!

Engines:

Engine Type and Displacement - Power - Torque - Fuel Economy
2.5 Litre Petrol - 126kW - 226Nm - 9.5L/100km
2.0 Litre Turbo Diesel Manual - 127kW - 360Nm - 6.3L/100km
2.0 Litre Turbo Diesel Automatic - 110kW - 320Nm - 6.7L/100km

Features:
Alloy Wheels: YES
Leather: Only on Privelige model
Cruise Control: YES
Air Conditioning: YES - Climate Control
Power Windows and Mirrors: YES
Stability Control: YES
Airbags: SIX
Foglamps: YES
CD Changer: only Privelige has 6 CD
Speakers: Dynamic has FOUR, Privelige has SEVEN
Sunroof: optional Panoramic Sunroof ($1,890)
Metallic Paint: $800 option
Spare Wheel: Full-size spare
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km

HOW MUCH MOOLAH?

Effective March 2009

$29,990 - Dynamique 4×2 2.5 Litre petrol, 6-speed manual
$32,990 - Dynamique 4×2 2.5 Litre petrol, CVT automatic
$36,990 - Dynamique 4×4 2.5 Litre petrol, CVT automatic
$39,990 - Dynamique 4×4 2.0 Litre Diesel 6-speed manual
$39,990 - Dynamique 4×4 2.0 Litre Diesel 6-speed auto
$41,990 - Privilege 4×4 2.5 Litre petrol CVT

WHAT ELSE COULD I GET?

Dodge Nitro
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
Kia Sportage
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Dualis
Nissan X-Trail
Ssangyong Actyon
Ssangyong Kyron
Subaru Forester
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

NEWS: India's Tata Nano Heralded As "World's Cheapest Car"

2009-03-24T17:02:00.003+11:00

This little oddity is the people's car of the 21st century. The Tata Nano will offer the dream of personalised transport to the millions of people in India who can afford 100,000 Rupees. This equates to just $2,815 Australian. And it's quite a normal car, considering - the entire bodywork is made of sheetmetal, like a normal car, it's safe enough to be a normal car, and is roomy enough to be a normal car. It even has four doors and four seats! At just over 3 metres long, this would have to be one of the most efficient uses of space I've ever seen.But I'm wary of Tata's Nano. Soon, millions upon millions of people will own this car, when ordinarily they would never have had enough money to buy a car. 350,000 Nanos will be built every year. At just 100,000 Rupees, so many more Indians will have a car. Millions and millions more Indians will be able to heavily contribute to global warming, and clog up the streets of India, and contribute to the frightening Indian road death toll.

This is obviously an arrogant and elitist point of view - I don't consider it wrong for any Australian to buy a car, and yet I think of denying Indians the privelige we have. The privelige of owning a car, and creating a global greenhouse problem. We should have known that eventually, the problem of petrol-powered cars will reach an epic scale - but the advent of the Nano makes it all the more real. Machines that destroy the environment are being made and used on a massive scale, and although I do love these machines (I am an automotive enthusiast after all) I can't help but feel morally obligated to voice my concerns.The green cars (electric, hydrogen fuel-cells, whatever) need to save us. We need to be able to buy them, and quickly. Cars like the Tata Nano are absolutely brilliant, but they're fatally flawed - not just by their CO2 emitting potential, but by their mass-production. Usually, I would delight in showing you all the laughable facts about this car, but the truth is, I'm sad about the release of the Tata Nano. I feel the forbidding of mother nature.FACTOIDS

Drive system: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: 4 Speed Manual
Number of doors: 5
DIMENSIONS
- Overall length: 3,099 mm
- Overall width: 1,495 mm
- Overall height: 1,652 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,230 mm
- Tread
  - Front: 1,325 mm
  - Rear: 1,315 mm
CAPACITIES
- Seating capacity: 4
- Luggage capacity
  - Rear seatback raised (VDA method): 135 L
- Fuel tank capacity: 15 L
ENGINE
- Number of cylinders: 2
- Piston displacement: 624 cm3 (0.6 Litres)
- Maximum output: 26kW @ 5,250 rpm
- Maximum torque: 48 Nm @ 2,500-4,000 rpm
PERFORMANCE
- Maximum speed: 105 km/h
- 0-100 km/h: Probably quite a while
- Fuel consumption (Average): 4.2 l/100 km
- CO2 emissions (Average): 101 g/km

LINGO: Sunroof vs. Moonroof

2009-03-21T10:46:00.004+11:00

I really didn't know the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof - I only worked it out yesterday. So I thought I'd share it with you. I had always imagined that a sunroof and a moonroof were exactly the same thing, but now know the rather significant difference.

A sunroof is essentially a large glass panel in the roof of a car, which is almost always heavily tinted (so all the UV rays don't come into the car and sizzle the top of your head). The idea is that you can see through the glass and up to the wonders of blue skies. Sometimes however, it is simply too hot or too sunny for that kind of thing, so you can usually cover the sunroof from the inside with a retractable sheet of plastic or fabric which shields you from the light. Alternatively, if you're diggin' the sunshine, you can (usually electrically) make the sunroof glass slide up over the top of your roof, and let the golden rays of sun in. Hence, this is why it is called a "sunroof."

A moonroof is very similar, except for one important missing feature. With a moonroof, you can't allow the glass panel to slide away and let the sunshine in - it's a fixed panel. I suppose that's why it's called a "moonroof" - you can't let the golden rays of moonshine in, no matter how hard you try.

All this is illustrated with this picture below. On the left of the picture is a sunroof for the front passengers - it's letting the sun in. You can also see a plastic grab handle in the middle of the roof which allows you to cover over the glass (you might need to click the picture so you can see it in a larger format). To the right of the picture is a moonroof for the rear passengers, which has all the features of the sunroof, without the ability to let the sun completely "in", if you know what I mean.Another cool feature you might hear of is a "panoramic sunroof". I've included this picture of one in a Citroen C4. The thing that makes it "panoramic" is that unlike the sunroof and moonroof in the previous picture, a panoramic sunroof spans the entire roof length of the car. It's like one giant sunroof. Except for the fact that it really should be called a panoramic moonroof, because it's one huge big fixed glass panel, and cannot allow sunlight properly "in" - unhindered by tinted glass.Okay, there really isn't a huge difference between these things, but if you're going to splash out such a huge amount of money on a sunroof/moonroof (usually about $2000), I think you might want to make sure it has all the features you want.

IN YOUR FACE! -- Site Map

2009-03-20T17:37:00.006+11:00

Haven't found what you're looking for? You can always take a look through this sitemap, which is categorised in subsections, and chronologically ordered from most recent to oldest.

NEWS

India's Tata Nano Heralded As "World's Cheapest Car"
GENEVA 2009: Aston Martin Lagonda
MELBOURNE 2009: BMW Tips its Hat to the M1
MELBOURNE 2009: Suzuki Alto Creates Supermini Class in Australia
MELBOURNE 2009: Mitsubishi iMiev is Electrifying
MELBOURNE 2009: Subaru Makes a Stella Electric Failure
MELBOURNE 2009: Ford Facelifts Focus and Territory
MELBOURNE 2009: Holden Cruze To Go On Sale in Six Months
MELBOURNE 2009: Audi Q5 Stages Jennifer Hawkins
MELBOURNE 2009: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Slaps Hybrids in the Face
GENEVA 2009: "Baby" Rolls Royce, Say What?
GENEVA 2009: Hyundai ix-ionic Will Become ix35 Replacement
GENEVA 2009: Rinspeed i-Change Shapeshifter
Audi A4 Allroad
GENEVA 2009: BMW Says "It's On, Biatch!" With 5-Series Gran Turismo
CHICAGO 2009: Chevrolet Stingray Concept to Star in Transformers
Saab 9-3X Turns Swedes Butch
Citroen DS Inside Concept for Geneva 2009
New V12 Vantage Will Become Fastest Aston... Momentarily
2010 Mazda3 MPS and i-Stop
Citroen Bringing Sexy Back With Revived DS
Opel Ampera Set To Make Chevy Volt Sexy
Porsche 911 GT3 Wonders If It Should Be King
New Kia Cerato is an Interesting Mish-Mash
Cadillac Not Coming to Australia, Boo Hoo...
Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss
BMW Z4 Proves BMW Can Still Make A Good-Looking Car
Peugeot 3008 Officially Launched into a New Market Segment
DETROIT 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept has MX-5 Chewing Fingernails
DETROIT 2009: Subaru Legacy Concept Points to Future Liberty/Legacy
DETROIT 2009: The Next-Gen Toyota Prius for Next-Gen Greenies
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class With Split Priorities
DETROIT 2009: "Sportback Concept" - Which is German for "Audi A7"
Audi A7 to Challenge CLS
Chevrolet Volt to Save the Planet
Porsche Panamera Unveiled and Uncool
Mazda3 2010 Update
Bond is About to get Jealous
Ferrari California
Hyundai i20 to Replace Getz
PARIS 2008: Lamborghini Estoque Concept
PARIS 2008: Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman
2009 Megane - "Bootylicious" No More
Volkswagen Golf Mark VI
PARIS 2008: Ssangyong Learns What Sstyle Means
Mazda3 2010 Teaser Photos

WATCH THIS SPACE

March 2009

WTF?!

LED Display Wheels
Fiat 500 Barbie
Lamborghini Stilettos for the Fashion Conscious (read deprived)
The Bamgoo That Looks Like a Poo
This Post Has A Lot Of Smarts
Scott Wade's Mind-Blowing Dirty Car Art
The Mansory Monstrosity Redefining Bad Taste
The Copycat Chery QQ
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
Pontiac Creating A Worldwide Laughing Stock
Ergo to Renault - Don't Design Turds!

FEATURE STORY

Car Commercials From the Superbowl
My Sister Bought an i30... Shock!
Wacky and Fast Police Cars
Have A Laugh With These Car Names
Your First Car
The Really Cool (and not) Cars Of 2008
How to do "Retro" Tastefully
Mercedes-Benz GLK Class vs. Volvo XC60
Which Small Cars Can A Man Drive With Dignity?

RANT

MELBOURNE 2009: Wrap-up
Australian Cars
I Don't Like That Arse, I Don't...
The American Car Industry Deserves To Die
Those Pesky Holden Epica Ads!

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF

Renault Koleos
Hyundai i30
Fiat Ritmo
Citroen C5
BMW 3-Series
Audi A4
Alfa Romeo 159
Index

LINGO

Cruise Control
Understeer and Oversteer
Sunroof vs. Moonroof

CAPTIONS

BMW 5-Series 1972
The Renault Laguna Concept

JEALOUSY

God Save Our Gracious... Cars

ADMINISTRATION

About IN YOUR FACE!
Contact Us At IN YOUR FACE!
IN YOUR FACE is on a Brief Hiatus... for now
"IN YOUR FACE!" To Become an Information Station

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Hyundai i30

2009-03-19T17:13:00.008+11:00

As unremarkable as it may look, the Hyundai i30 is a landmark car for both Hyundai and automotive history. It is the first Korean car that is actually good. Not only is it historically significant, it is highly capable and ticks all the boxes a prospective car buyer could possibly want.

It looks rather good, and even better when it's not restricted to a 2D picture. It'll never be cool, especially with a Hyundai badge on the front and rear, but to most people, the Hyundai i30 looks pleasantly attractive, if not stunning. And importantly for a Korean car, it's built to a high quality standard. If you get inside an i30, close your eyes and have a feel of the interior, you'll swear that it was a Japanese car. The interior, on the whole, is impressive, with great functionality, presentation (if not filled with attitude), and like I mentioned earlier, high quality. It's fantastically roomy inside, and could quite easily be used as a 5-seater family car, believe it or not. Because it's a Hyundai, it's cheaply priced, and yet it still manages to be a wonderful drive - it has strong handling credentials and an impressive ride.

What don't I like? Pretty inconsequential things, really - if you get the top-spec SR model, please don't get the two-tone chrome/silver alloys, that way you'll do the community a good service. And don't get the bodykit either - often the paint colour of the bodykit doesn't match the car, and it looks like it's been tacked on with blu-tack anyway. But those things won't matter to most people. They didn't matter to my sister - she bought one.

It's even available as a wagon, though I don't know why you'd bother. It looks odd, and the cargo space in the regular hatch version is so great I can't see why you'd need much more. There's nothing much not to like about this car - except the shame that it's a Hyundai. But at least you'll know that it was the first good Hyundai.

As a used car? If your i30 isn't more than 5 years old, it should still be covered with Hyundai's warranty, but the i30 is built to Japanese-like standards, so not much can really go wrong. It'd be a great first car, and well worth a look.

GET TO THE POINT!

Overall Rating: 9/10
Style: 7.5/10
Build Quality: 9/10
On-Road Performance: 8.5/10
Value For Money: 9.5/10
Practicality: 9/10
Safety Rating: 4-star ANCAP, 5-star ANCAP with side and curtain airbags
Average Real Owner Reliability: 9.2/10 (www.carsurvey.org March 2009)

THE STUFF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT!

Engines:

(click image to enlarge)

Features:
Alloy Wheels: Only on SLX, SR, and Sportswagon
Leather: Not Available
Cruise Control: Only on SLX, SR and Sportswagon
Air Conditioning: Standard - SLX, SR and Sportswagon have Climate Control
Steering Wheel Audio Controls: Only on SLX, SR and Sportswagon
Power Windows and Mirrors: YES
Stability Control: Standard
Airbags: SX has TWO (option of six for $700); SLX, SR and Sportswagon have SIX
Foglamps: Front only on SR, SLX and Sportswagon
CD Changer: Six Disc only on SR and Sportswagon
Speakers: SX has FOUR; SLX, SR and Sportswagon have SIX
Bluetooth: Optional
MP3 Compatibility: Standard on all models (USB connection included)
Sunroof: Not Available
Metallic Paint: $320 option
Spare Wheel: Full-size spare
Warranty: 5 years/130,000km

HOW MUCH MOOLAH?

Effective March 2009

$19,390 - 2.0 Litre Manual SX Hatch
$21,390 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SX Hatch
$21,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SX Hatch
$23,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SX Hatch
$23,890 - 2.0 Litre Manual SLX Hatch
$25,890 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SLX Hatch
$26,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SLX Hatch
$28,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SLX Hatch
$26,540 - 2.0 Litre Manual SR Hatch
$28,540 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SR Hatch

$20,890 - 2.0 Litre Manual SX CrossWagon
$22,890 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SX CrossWagon
$23,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SX CrossWagon
$25,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SX CrossWagon
$27,390 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SLX CrossWagon
$29,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SLX CrossWagon
$29,990 - 2.0 Litre Automatic Sportswagon CrossWagon

WHAT ELSE COULD I GET?

Citroen C4
Dodge Caliber
Ford Focus
Fiat Ritmo
Holden Astra
Honda Civic
Mazda3
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Nissan Tiida
Peugeot 308
Renault Megane
Subaru Impreza
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf

About IN YOUR FACE!

2009-03-17T21:23:00.001+11:00

So what if you're new to this website? What on earth is going on here? What is IN YOUR FACE? How do I use this site? There are many questions that new users of IYF (that's IN YOUR FACE! for short, by the way) may ask. I hope to answer most of them here.

What is this blog about? I mean, REALLY about?

IYF is, on the surface, a plain jane automotive blog, based in Australia. But it's our attitude to cars that makes it so different. Perhaps you've been reading car reviews in newspapers, or in magazines, or online - have you ever found those reviews are often written in language you don't understand, talking about stuff that's absolutely irrelevant to you, aren't properly critical, or simply don't get to the point? This is because they don't take interest in real people. We don't matter. Their articles sound impressive.

IYF articles are written in plain English (unless you've used our translator feature!), as though the writer is speaking to YOU personally. The Insufferable Git (our writer) doesn't like feeling detached from his readers. Not only does IYF talk in its articles about stuff that's important to you - getting to the point in strong, opinionated (and often controversial) fashion - we also like talking about the stuff in the automotive world that makes us laugh. The wierd, the wonderful... you got it right here. It's this unique blend of fun articles and opinionated reports that makes IYF so special.

Every IYF article is sorted into a category, most of which are instantly available as a "quick link" from the pop-out sidebar, site map, or in the label cloud:

NEWS: Our news is as up to date as you'll see anywhere. Whether it be a stunning new concept, or first pictures of a new model, our news articles will give you the low down. Most news will also offer an interactive flash gallery full of pictures (courtesy of netcarshow.com), so you can browse as you please. Our news doesn't cover every automotive story, and we know that. We pick out the ones that are going to matter to you, or interest you in some way. So instead of wading through a blog full of useless and boring news stories, you can have the best, and only the best. If you want the latest news headlines, you only have to check the recent articles box which is located on every page of the blog.

FEATURE STORY: A feature usually involves some sort of investigation - it often includes a range of different cars, or compares cars. These stories aren't car-lover stories like you once knew them, however. Check out such classic IYF articles like "Which Small Cars Can a Man Drive?" "Wacky and Fast Police Cars" and "Have a Laugh With These Car Names" to check out what I mean. I can guarantee that you haven't seen articles like these anywhere else. This is the unique IYF breed of writing, and we hope you enjoy it.

YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: This is essentially our reviews section. Unlike probably every review you have ever read, YCIB doesn't forget anything. We've included all the specifications, in a format that is easy to read and understand (you won't have to strain your eyes looking at confusing and small-font specifications lists!), and we consider a car both as a new and used car with extensive ratings in all the important areas. You can find reliability information, up-to-date price information (Australia only, sorry), and a bevy of pictures here too. We even let you know what other cars you should investigate and compare with the car being reviewed. A lot of time and effort goes into a YCIB article, and it definitely shows. While there are few reviews as yet, due to the fact that this site is still quite new, there are new reviews added frequently, so soon I'm sure you'll agree that IYF is the ultimate site for new and used car research. Search the index here.

RANTS: These are opinion-based stories that come from issues in the automotive world, and whims and thoughts of The Insufferable Git's sad and disturbed mind. Feel free to add to the heated discussion, either through reviews or reader reaction buttons.

WATCH THIS SPACE: Don't you ever find that you want to know what cars will be coming to the showroom in the near future? What cool new cars can you expect? Well, here's your chance to find out. This detailed list is updated every month as new information arrives, complete with some new-car launches scheduled years in advance. The cars due for launch in the next month get pretty pictures, too, so you'll know exactly what to look forward to. Why don't you watch that space right here?

WTF?!: Everyone's favourite segment, and the IYF attention grabber. Laugh and cringe at cars that simply make you say, what the... uh, F. The funniest and often untold stories of the auto industry can be found here, with surprising variety. If you are a first time IYF reader, the WTF?! series is must-read, and a staple of the IYF diet. So what are you waiting for? Start reading them!

LINGO: Ever heard someone talk about cars, and use a word or acronym you don't understand? Lingo sorts out what you need to know. These articles are useful whether you're wondering what something does, how it works, or what it stands for. And it's written in language that anyone can understand, whether you're an automotive expert or newbie.

CAPTIONS: Ever seen a funny picture, that you really wish had a funny caption? This is what captions is all about. Funny car pictures, with even funnier captions. And feel free to add your own!

JEALOUSY: Have you ever paused for a moment to think "What would it be like to have [insert rich celebrity or politician here]'s life, and be able to drive their cars?" No, you probably haven't, but it does make for some interesting reading, knowing just how the other half lives.

There are, of course, many other cool features on the IYF site. You can click the "Feeling Lucky" section to get a random IYF article, you can translate the page, find related posts below the article you have just read, subscribe (and please do!), get the latest IYF articles posted to your inbox, or follow the blog with your Google/Blogger profile.

In the end, IN YOUR FACE! intends to be exactly what we claim to be - the most hilarious automotive blog on the world wide web. But that doesn't mean we're not informative and useful. It's just a great read, with a barrel of laughs thrown in, just because we feel like it.

GENEVA 2009: Aston Martin Lagonda

2009-03-15T14:21:00.006+11:00

I struggled to come to terms with the Aston Martin Lagonda Concept. It looks like a truck. I didn't see how it is possible for Aston Martin, a company known for the graceful form of its cars, to conceive such a horrendous looking car for the revival of an iconic brand name. I obviously didn't understand what the brand "Lagonda" actually meant.

Aston Martin has owned Lagonda for over 60 years, and in that time, Lagonda cars have sort of dissipated, in the same way that Aston Martin had dissipated up until the recent arrivals of the DB7 and DB9. So occasionally, every now and then, Aston Martin produced a Lagonda, and then didn't, sometimes for decades at a time. Now is the time, then, during a period of Aston Martin's resurgence, that they have decided to revive Lagonda. Shame they're doing it at a time when everyone's broke.

But back to the point about why it is necessary for the new Lagonda to look like a truck. Aston Martin and Lagonda stand for two very different things. Aston Martins are athletic - the ultimate sports tourer. Lagonda is, put simply, the ultimate statement of what a car can be. Superlative, you could say. However, Lagondas simply don't have a sporty bone in their body. As Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez puts it:

"Lagonda is a car that can be used in Moscow in December with half a metre of snow, and used in countries with less well-developed infrastructure, and is a luxury product."

This car, which you see in the gallery at the bottom of this article, is like a new Range Rover, which isn't meant to have the same shoddy quality as Land Rover. And way more luxurious. In other words, this truck of a Lagonda is for people who want a massive 4x4, but think a Range Rover is a bit cheap and proletarian.

But why is a 4x4? Lagondas have never been high-riding vehicles in the past. But nowadays, it makes sense for them to be. Essentially, Lagondas have sheer contempt for all other cars on the road. If you were a Lagonda driver, you'd be thinking: "I'm in here, in my cocoon of luxurious paradise, and the scum of the world are on the outside. I spit on you. Phteuh." Exactly. And the design of a Lagonda has to encapsulate this thought. Let's gaze upon the Lagondas of the past to see what I mean. The first is a Lagonda Rapide of 1964, and the second is an Aston Martin Lagonda of 1989.As you might have guessed, these cars are exactly like Rolls-Royces, but without the grace of design, and a "stuff youse all" attitude instead. These were the biggest, baddest cars of their respective eras. But at that time, there were no 4x4s - now, the biggest baddest cars on the road are big 4x4s (cough, BMW X6, cough). So if Aston Martin were going to create a modern Lagonda that embodied the spirit of the cars you've seen above, it would be a massive, fugly 4x4. So, if you look at it that way, it's mission accomplished for Aston Martin and their new Lagonda concept. It's bloody ugly, but it's just right.

WTF?! #11: LED Display Wheels

2009-03-12T16:50:00.004+11:00

Okay, so two WTF installments in one day might be a bit like all your dreams coming true all at once (yeah, probably not, though, unless you're really sad), but while surfing the net, I came across something I just couldn't resist posting.

There are wheels, and then there are customised wheels. Americans, as usual, like to go overboard. Here in Australia, you might call chrome 22-inch wheels "excessive", but Americans haven't heard of that word. You may have heard of "spinners", which have spokes that spin even when the car is stationary. You may also have heard of LED lights which have been embedded into the spokes of the wheels. This custom tuning company has taken the latter idea to a whole new level. First, watch this promotional video.

Not only can you display images in your wheels, you can text or email new graphics to them whenever you like. As the "homie" in the video puts it, "and you can do it while you're driving!" Great! Because that's not, like, SUPER DANGEROUS, at all! I suppose it's all worth it if you get to pick up a blonde bimbo with breast implants.

I found the storyline of this video quite interesting, too. It's a bit like Romeo and Juliet, only destroyed to a pulp by modern "hood" culture and consumerism. Boy sees girl, boy falls in love with her breast implants, then proceeds to stalk girl. Girl falls in love with boy as he woos her with tonnes of chrome and LED representations of her apparently beautiful body. They embrace as they face the glowing sunset, and the love in their hearts is perfectly represented by the "nigger and my bitches" music pumping out from no less than nine subwoofers.

Act 2? Girl gets a restraining order on boy. God bless America

WTF?! #10: Fiat 500 Barbie?

2009-03-12T16:09:00.004+11:00

WTF moments are happening all the time. As long as there are people with either wacky or stupid thoughts in their heads, things like this continue to happen. It's no secret that I really love the new Fiat 500. But suddenly, Fiat have done something that may make me rethink that opinion.

Meet the Fiat 500 "Barbie" Concept. Yes, I said Barbie. To celebrate the doll's 50th birthday, Fiat have shown off a pink version of their fashionable new 500, and have now presented it to Barbie herself (an actor I presume). More actors were involved in the presentation, it seems, because Barbie hopped in the 500, and got Ken to drive it through Milan on the way to her extravagant 50th birthday party, where Barbie will walk the lavish pink carpet as 99 red balloons are released into the sky. It sounds like lunacy, but it happened. On Monday, in fact (9th of March).

So what makes this car a Barbie car, apart from the fact that it's pink? Did you have to ask? Okay, I'll admit, I wanted to know, too. The Fiat 500 Barbie features a pink interior, to match the paintwork, but that's not all...

"...there are mats enhanced with natural silk yarn and sleek viscose, not to mention lip glosses in brilliant colours stored in the glove compartment, plus a LED-decked vanity mirror to ensure perfect application."

That's from the press release, by the way. But again, that's not all. If you look closely, there are crystals everywhere - right through the interior (air vents, steering wheel, "500" logo, just to name a few), on the hubcaps, the outer window mouldings, the antenna (...!), and to top it all off, there are pink crystals on the door pillar that take the shape of a doll's silhouette. When the Fiat 500 Barbie is garaged, it has a neat sixties 500 slip cover, that turns the new 500 into the old one with the aid of only a sheet of plastic. But that's pink too, obviously.

Whatever Fiat and Mattel could have done to make you shudder, they did. They've got a lot to answer for.

MELBOURNE 2009: Wrap-up

2009-03-09T18:52:00.007+11:00

It may surprise you, but as the Melbourne Motor Show draws to a close, I'm feeling thoroughly disappointed. Not for the fact that it's finished, and that there now won't be another one in Melbourne until 2011 - I'm disappointed because there wasn't a whole lot to see.I mean, yes, there were some important new releases, some great new eco-friendly technology, but ultimately, the appeal of something like a Motor Show is the variety of cars on show. That was missing this year - this is probably due to a multitude of reasons, the most important of which involves words like "economic" and "crisis". The spaces between cars was huge this year, and it felt almost empty. Not empty of people, but of cars. There is still strong public support for the Motor Show, as there has been for some years now, but this time, the carmakers just didn't rock up to the party. Perhaps this is why the Melbourne Motor Show has been rescheduled to every two years - Motor Show organisers want everyone to turn up.

There were so many quite important carmakers that were a no show that they were almost impossible to count. Not that it stopped me. I counted a total of 17 carmakers that ordinarily, would have been there, but were in fact absent. Count them if you don't believe me.

I certainly mourned Alfa Romeo, not just for the cars, but the seemingly mandatory sexy models in shiny red dresses. Instead, we had blonde bimbos in skimpy frills attempting to glamourise Toyotas. Not as satisfying.

Of course, American carmakers like Chrysler and Dodge and Jeep were absent, obviously because they are more strapped for cash than a boarding university student (and come from the same broke parent company). I didn't really miss them as much, coincidentally. Inexplicably, Hummer managed to get one solitary H3 under the lights of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Why Lord, why? I did miss Citroen, however. I was very much keen to explore the insides and outs of the new C5, and fall in love with the C4's dash design (and 3-door hatchback) all over again.

In the sports car arena, both Ferrari and Maserati were missing, leaving only Lamborghini to wave the flag for exotic Italian carmakers. I have also been waiting for Aston Martin to turn up for what seems like an eternity - the last time they showed was 2007, from memory. Any glimpse of a DB9 is absolutely worth every cent of the entry ticket price.

Fiat wasn't there, which I was annoyed by - I was having fun guessing what accessories they would have on display in their 500 demo car. Fashionistas would have been further disappointed by Mini and Smart, as they too failed to show. Even Land Rover decided they'd give the 2009 Melbourne show a miss.

Probably the most significant were Jaguar and the venerable Mercedes-Benz - while the absence of Jaguar is easily explained (they were struggling before the world economy went into self-destruct mode) but Mercedes remains a mystery. Perhaps this is a by-product of rapidly falling sales in premium segments? Not even Volvo made a showing, and they had the new XC60 to promote.

So you would think that a less luxurious brand such as, say, Proton, would be there instead? Nope, wrong again. No Ssangyong either, which surprised me - they usually have a much bigger stand than what they deserve.

If you had never been to the Motor Show before, you'd be forgiven for thinking these carmakers didn't exist. But they do, and it's a greater sign than ever that they're in some financial strife. I would suggest to buy cars from them (not Proton and Ssangyong, idiot) - not only will it help to inject cash into these struggling carmakers, it will be lighter on your wallet. At some manufacturers, some cars are being sold for frankly ridiculously low prices, so take advantage of it.

So even though I'm going to hold a grudge against these carmakers for not turning up to Melbourne 2009, I'm suggesting that we support them by buying their products. I'm a bit of a hypocrite sometimes, aren't I?

MELBOURNE 2009: BMW Tips its Hat to the M1

2009-03-06T17:36:00.003+11:00

One of the biggest crowd pullers at this year's Melbourne Motor Show is this outrageous design study from BMW, a design study called "M1" - it's basically a retro homage to the real BMW M1 sports car of thirty years ago. This "design study" was not in fact designed by BMW's design team, rather, it was designed by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro - so I guess the term "design study" has been used loosely. BMW's design team are probably just studying the work of a master like Giugiaro.

This M1 will never become a reality, like the last one, so BMW are instead happy to parade this car around to motor shows, showing off the apparent "talent" at the German firm. In this case, Mr. Giugiaro was the talent, but I really shouldn't care - it looks fantastic. Enjoy.

MELBOURNE 2009: Suzuki Alto Creates Supermini Class in Australia

2009-03-06T17:31:00.000+11:00

Yes, on the surface of things, it is just a crummy little Suzuki. I say "crummy", but you know I only mean boring. It's probably a fine car, but most people won't care. A bit like a So You Think You Can Dance winner - they're very good at what they do, but you don't really care. What actually gives the launch of the Suzuki Alto relevance here in Australia, is that when it arrives here soon, it will have no direct competitor.

We no longer have Daihatsu, the Daewoo Matiz no longer exists, and in fact, the only car I can think of that is remotely like the Alto is the Proton Savvy - which is about as savvy as buying a Toyota LandCruiser for inner-city driving (there's no direct correlation there, by the way). The reason why the Alto has no direct competitor is its size, mainly - at 3.5 metres, it is 40 centimetres smaller than an average size "small car" - as we know them at the moment, anyway. At this length, the Alto is even tinier than a Mini Cooper, but will be nowhere near as expensive. Expect a price at about $13,000 - which is crazy these days, and reminds me of when Hyundai Excels were that price way back in the 90's. The million dollar question is: will the Suzuki Alto be good enough, in terms of quality for as start, to catch on in Australia? For more info, read the factoids below.

FACTOIDS

Drive system: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual/4 Speed Automatic
Number of doors: 5
DIMENSIONS
- Overall length: 3,500 mm
- Overall width: 1,600 mm
- Overall height: 1,470 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,360 mm
- Tread
  - Front: 1,405 mm
  - Rear: 1,400 mm
CAPACITIES
- Seating capacity: 4
- Luggage capacity
  - Max. Volume: 774 L
  - Rear seatback folded (VDA method): 367 L
  - Rear seatback raised (VDA method): 129 L
- Fuel tank capacity: 35 L
ENGINE
- Number of cylinders: 3
- Number of valves: 12
- Piston displacement: 996 cm3 (1.0 Litres)
- Maximum output: 50kW @ 6,000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 90 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
- Fuel distribution: Multipoint injection
PERFORMANCE
- Maximum speed: 155 km/h
- 0-100 km/h: 14 s
- Fuel consumption (Average): 4,5 l/100 km
- CO2 emissions (Average): 103 g/km

MELBOURNE 2009: Mitsubishi iMiEV is Electrifying

2009-03-03T21:06:00.003+11:00

From some of your responses to my recent article about the Subaru Stella on show in Melbourne, I guessed that you may think I'm the usual middle-aged car-nut. Apparently, I hate the environment, and electric cars. Clearly, these people can't read.

As I said in that article, I love electric cars. Not ones like the Subaru Stella, though. I prefer ones that actually are a significant step toward sustainable and environmentally friendly motoring. Like this Mitsubishi iMiEV. And guess what? It's coming to a showroom near you. This is the good parts you need to know:

The Mitsubishi iMiEV may only have a 47kW motor, but with 180Nm it will have impressive acceleration, and it has a healthy top speed of 130kmh. If you don't believe that those figures are enough to provide "normal" acceleration, you only need to consider that the iMiEV weighs just over a tonne - 1080kg. It's plenty, trust me. Power comes from Lithium-ion batteries, and can give the iMiEV a range of 160km, which is more than enough for most daily commutes, or your lazy Sunday drive. Recharging the batteries at the end of the day takes between 7-14 hours from flat to fully charged, depending on your power source. That may sound like a lot, but most of the time, it won't take that long to fully charge it, because it won't be fully flat to start with, if you know what I mean. Putting it on charge overnight will do just fine.

So what are the downsides, assuming there are any? Yes, there are, but crucially, as I would like to point out, they are not as significant as they are with the Stella. Like the Stella, the iMiEV is expensive. At $30,000, it may be a seriously hefty price premium for a car that is only 3.4 metres long (a whole half a metre shorter than the Colt, which isn't a huge car to start with), but nevertheless, I must commend the iMiEV for putting environmentally friendly motoring within the financial reach of a lot of people. Not everyone, admittedly, and a car this small may not be practical for some people, but the iMiEV is highly space-efficient, since it is an electric adaptation of the hugely successful Mitsubishi i (which sadly isn't sold here).

Yes, it does have some limitations, but the Mitsubishi iMiEV is a huge step in the right direction, and one that is useable for an average Joe like me, everyday. That's a win-win. I can only hope that the Australian public take to it warmly, which will encourage other car makers to bring their new, high-tech electric cars to Australia.

MELBOURNE 2009: Subaru Makes A Stella Electric Failure

2009-02-28T15:52:00.003+11:00

I love electric cars. But I hate electric cars like the Subaru Stella. I hate electric cars that give the false pretence of being glimpses of the future - the Subaru Stella is not the future. Not only is production unlikely, but everyday use is downright impractical. Yes, it is a plug-in electric car, and yes, that is wonderful, but this is a poor example of a car company talking up its green and technological credentials.
For example, the Stella can only do 80km on one charge. And also, it can only go up to a top speed of 100kmh. That sounds fine, because it makes you unable to speed, but at the same token, electric cars only have one gear, as opposed to the four, five, or six you get in normal cars these days. At the car's top speed, the Stella absolutely revs its guts off, which is useless for engine life, and power usage.

And here's the clincher. If the Subaru Stella went into production, it would cost $100,000. What a waste of good money! Get it away from me - it's pathetic.

MELBOURNE 2009: Ford Facelifts Focus and Territory

2009-02-28T15:19:00.004+11:00

The latest generation Ford Focus hasn't really been the success Ford thought it would be. Sharing similar components to the Mazda3, it has been outshined by its competitor, purely because of its lack of style, and the Mazda's abundance of it. But Ford hopes that it's fortunes will be lifted with the facelifted Focus, with a more Mondeo-like front end. It's still recognisable as a Focus, but unbelievably, it seems that the entire "look" of the car has been transformed. If the Focus had've looked as good as this on launch in 2004, it could have sold as well as the Mazda3.

This facelifted Focus not only brings changes to the exterior, but the interior as well. Allegedly, more upmarket materials are being used, with a black soft-touch dash pad, soft-touch upper door trims, and a contrasting tan coloured inner roof lining to visually lighten the cabin.

The changes to the Ford Territory are less satisfactory. The Territory was a runaway sales success when it debuted, also in 2004, but of late, the appeal of the Territory has waned. Blame the spike in petrol prices in early 2008, and the financial crisis that has plagued us ever since the prices came down again. So after seeing the facelift magic Ford created with the new Focus, I was actually excited when I heard Ford spruking a facelifted Territory. After all, we didn't think they would, what with the money woes of the car industry. So I was excited. Until I saw it.The facelift is in the form of this MkII model, on which it appears that only the front bumper and side mirrors have been modified. Pictured here is the Turbo Ghia model, so this really is as good as it gets. It's not enough. The Territory was a plain-looking car back in 2005, but now it looks old and tired. I really feel sorry for it. They didn't even update the engines to FG Falcon specification, so the new Territory gets a thumbs down from me.

MELBOURNE 2009: Holden Cruze To Go On Sale in Six Months

2009-02-28T14:41:00.004+11:00

Holden really wants to sell some cars. They've proven their intent. The Holden Cruze, a rebadged version of GM's Chevrolet Cruze, will go on sale within six months. At that time, it won't be locally made, and Australian production will begin at Holden's Adelaide production plant. So desperate are Holden to sell some cars and turn a profit that they have accelerated the arrival of the Cruze, which originally wasn't meant to be sold until locally-made vehicles were ready. The small-car market is currently the fastest growing in Australia, and the Cruze will be sold alongside the Viva and Astra, neither of which Holden believes will be affected in sales by the new Cruze. This is primarily because the Viva will be significantly cheaper (not to mention crapper) and the Astra is only available as a hatch. The Cruze will be sedan only, and will be up against established competitors like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Mazda3.

But Holden seems to be finally forgetting the foolish idea that because it is a Holden, it will sell. They've packed it with features that would make the aforementioned competitors weep - the full complement of 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control will be standard on all models. Cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, and front/rear power windows will also be standard on all models.

And it's not just the features that sound impressive - the mechanicals sound just about right for this day and age. The Holden Cruze will be available with two engines: A brilliantly economical 1.8 Litre Petrol, (103kW, 6.8L/100km) and a 2.0 Litre Diesel (110kW, 5.8L/100km). Even the gearboxes are thoroughly modern and cutting edge - all Cruze models will be available with either a 5 speed manual or a 6 speed automatic. The interior design, also, appears to be functional and stylish (providing the quality of the plastics are up to scratch). The Cruze sounds just about unstoppable.

So although we have a thoroughly boring looking car (with a bum copied straight from the Honda City), we may also have a class-leader. And a car that will save the Australian automotive industry. And possibly save GM Holden from financial doom. Never has so much pressure rested on such a car - but the Cruze is readying itself for the challenge.

MELBOURNE 2009: Audi Q5 Stages Jennifer Hawkins

2009-02-28T13:38:00.003+11:00

The Audi Q5 has already been unveiled around the world, but Audi took the opportunity at the Melbourne Motor Show to launch it in Australia. Wherever it went, the Q5 didn't really get the warm reception Audi was looking for. Most people can see that the new Q5, although meaning to be compact, seems gregariously large, bulky, and lacks elegance. But Audi had a secret weapon in Melbourne - it was a weapon that gave Audi the warm reception it wanted. But it wasn't directed at the car.

To unveil the Audi Q5, Audi enlisted the help of 2004 Miss Universe winner Jennifer Hawkins, apparently to "show off" the "good looks" of the Q5 - but in reality, she was a welcome distraction.

To be honest, Hawkins was the real news of the launch, which mostly involved Audi prattling on about it's four engine choices (I actually almost tuned in when they talked about the 2.0 Litre Turbo-Diesel one that uses only 7.0 Litres per 100km). It will go on sale immediately, and will be a competitor to the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and when it arrives, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class.

MELBOURNE 2009: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Slaps Hybrids in the Face

2009-02-28T13:12:00.004+11:00

When the Motor Show comes to my home town, you just know I'm going to go all out. This is the first of a series of articles about the Melbourne Motor Show - not a large Motor Show by world standards, but this year, there are more new unveilings and locally relevant cars and concepts on show than ever before. For those of you who are international (not Australian) readers, don't worry - most of these articles will be highly relevant to you too.

So I've started with the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic - which is already sold in the UK, but will soon arrive here in down under. This is one of the most important cars of the Motor Show this year, because, crucially, the Fiesta ECOnetic aims to be the most economical car available in Australia when it launches later this year. How economical is it? Try just 3.7 Litres of diesel per 100 km, and on the environmental front, less than 100 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometre. Which, in Australia - where the hyper-economical cars of Europe are currently not available - is a revelation. Definitely beats the Toyota Prius for green-credentials, anyway, which is fine with me, because I don't like it very much.

The crucial difference between the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic and the aforesaid Prius is clearly price. The ECOnetic is set to be priced at around $20,000 - which makes helping the environment within the reach of so many people. This is the way we have to save the environment until the electric cars arrive - not wacky hybrids that are ugly, environmentally unfriendly to make, and aren't particularly efficient. This car even has a decent amount of power - 66kW and 200Nm, if you please. There seems to be no downside to the ECOnetic, because not only is it economical, it is a real car, and has real performance, and a price-tag that is well and truly in the real world. And if the Fiesta ECOnetic sells well, Ford might also bring the Focus ECOnetic and Mondeo ECOnetic to Australia, which sounds like it's exactly what the doctor ordered.

Greenies, start your engines. Turbo-diesel engines, I mean.

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2009-02-20T21:57:00.004+11:00

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GENEVA 2009: "Baby" Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept, Say What?

2009-02-20T15:34:00.003+11:00

No, this is not a new Phantom, this is an entirely new Rolls-Royce car. Designed to sit below the Phantom in the product line-up, the 200EX is what you can call a "baby" Rolls-Royce, however oxymoronic that may sound. The 200EX is still 5.4 metres long, which only sounds baby when you consider that the Phantom is 5.8 metres. Essentially, this car will compete with Bentley's ageing Arnage, and offers a more youthful interpretation of the Rolls-Royce brand.

For example, the Rolls-Royce designers decided that they wanted to make the 200EX more streamlined than the Phantom. And it is almost noticeable - the 200EX looks softer, more sporting, and more subtle (slightly) than the Phantom, which tends to look a bit like a Kenworth truck. "Approachable" was a term bandied around quite a lot in Rolls-Royce's press release for the 200EX ahead of the Geneva unveiling, so that tells you quite a bit about how much they wanted to differentiate this car from the Phantom.

This is still unmistakeably a Roller - this new one boasts a rear door maximum opening angle of 83 degrees, which is an industry record, apparently. So you can be under no illusion as to what kind of social class considers to buy ths car. But inside, there are a few subtleties that indicate a different purpose for this car: the black-on-white-background instrumentation, chrome air vents, and convenience buttons on the steering wheel. It is, of course, as sumptuous as ever.

It is an awesome new car for a very bad time period - let's hope Rolls-Royce still get lots of buyers for their new 200EX, and don't plunge into debt.

GENEVA 2009: Hyundai ix-onic Will Become ix35 Tucson Replacement

2009-02-20T13:38:00.003+11:00

Ahead of it's official launch at the Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai has released preliminary pictures of the ix-onic Concept, which will become the Hyundai ix35 at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, which will effectively replace today's Hyundai Tucson. Hope that all wasn't too confusing. At only 4.4 metres long, this new ix-onic concept proves that 4x4 cars don't need to be big and bulky to look cool - it will enter a market segment populated already by the Nissan Dualis, but will also head off the upcoming Peugeot 3008. If this concept is anything to go by, the Koreans will make a car that is sexier than both of them put together.

Obviously, the ix35 isn't quite going to look as good as this concept. But, as we've seen from the new i20, Hyundai are increasingly making cars that look as good as the best in the business. And if there's one thing I know, it's that style is the number one factor in getting people into showrooms. I swear it's 100% true.

This concept has a very attractive 1.6 Litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is likely to go to production on the ix35. This is wonderful news indeed, since this engine will pump out 125 kilowatts of power while emitting less CO2 than any of it's 4x4 competitors (149 g/km). That's something I like to hear.