Hyundai will unveil its new compact MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) on September 30 at the Paris Motor Show and there’s no way this vehicle could be described as boring or boxy.

The Hyundai ix20 has been designed at their European R&D centre at Russelsheim in Germany and it has been designed to fit well within Hyundai’s new ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language as already seen on the i45 and the ix35.

And nor has Australia lost its love for SUVs … I can understand that … for SUV sales were up for yet another month.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 82,122 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in August, up 12.1 per cent (or 8,835 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“This is a strong August result with sales of SUVs showing a particularly healthy increase,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“The figures show sales to private buyers remain solid (up 20.9%) and there has been a lift in new car purchases by government fleets (up 21.7%),” Mr McKellar said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during August, recording an increase of 32.5 per cent; followed by light commercials (up 22.6 per cent) and then passenger cars (up 3.5 per cent).

Toyota was the top selling marque in August with 16,633 sales; followed by Holden with 11,146, then Ford with 8,212 units.
Year-to-date, 695,666 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 15.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.

Series II Commodore Berlina

I mean … come on guys … this is a car … tell us about its acceleration … tell us about its road holding ability … tell us about how hot it is … tell us about the fuel consumption … just don’t disappoint us by tell us about a touch screen … that’s not what a press release about a car should be about. Where’s the adrenalin rush in a touch screen?

If you guys at Holden think that the new infotainment system is the most important thing about the new Series II VE Commodore then maybe the rest of the car might be just as uninteresting.

To be fair to Holden this is a mid-life makeover that every model goes through so we shouldn’t really be expect anything too drastic. Sure there’s been a 2% reduction in fuel consumption in the six-cylinder models and a 12% improvement in fuel consumption in the V8 models and Holden are now making a lot of noise about having an engine that will run on everything from petrol to something that looks disgusting and can only be extracted from a rubbish dump but we still have the basic SIDI engine.

Series II VE Calais

Most of the savings in fuel consumption have been achieved by tweaking the body shape and smoothing out pockets of air resistance that are out of sight under the car. A little fiddle with the air-con compressor produced another small saving in fuel and reducing the idle speed of the 3.0-litre V6 has saved a few more drops of the precious fuel.

But we’re still not catching up with the Europeans when it comes to lowering fuel consumption and we’re not seeing some of the high-tech fuel saving solutions that some manufacturers are currently using … although to be fair Holden is definitely way out in front if you compare the Commodore’s fuel consumption to some Japanese and Korean six-cylinder vehicles.

Series II VE Commodore Caprice

So now that I’ve had my whinge about fuel consumption let me make it quite plain that I do like the Commodore … I certainly enjoyed the week I spend in the old Berlina Sportwagon earlier this year and I’m looking forward to spending another week in the Series II Commodore. But I’m not going to be overwhelmed by a touch-screen infotainment system.

The changes
So what’s changed on the new Series II VE Commodore? Well for a start the Omega and the Berlina now sit lower, you may notice that the rear wheels on the sedans all sit behind air deflectors and the boot lid now has what Holden describe as an ‘aero lip’.

All vehicles in the Series II range also now have a new front fascia, larger grill and revised headlamps with new lens and bright bezel.

Series II VE Commodore SV6 ute

The Berlina, Calais and SV6/SS models get new wheels … 17 inch on the Berlina, 18 inch on the Calais and SV6/SS models and 19 inch on the Calias V-Series. The Omega and Berlina models both have lower-profile tyres too.

The Series II Omega dash

Safety and comfort
All models came with Electronic Stability Control, dual zone climate control, four-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and the sedan and wagons also get six airbags that includes side impact bags for the front seat occupants and side curtain airbags for all occupants.

Infotainment
Yes well it may not be important for me but I’m sure there are some people who buy a vehicle for the sound system rather than the power, road holding and comfort. If you’re one of those people then I’m sure you will be blown away by Holden’s new full-colour multi-function LCD touch screen that sits right where everyone can see it in the centre stack.

Series II Calais interior

Holden says that they have benchmarked this piece of electronic wizardry against computers, mobile phones and video games. So you can be sure that it will look good … but does it also mean that we’ll also see the blue-screen-of-death from time to time or stop in the middle of a long drive to reboot it?

This screen also gives you touch screen control of just about any electronic device that you might have that will hold and play music and Holden have also introduced what they refer to as a ‘virtual changer’.

In the new Series II VE you won’t have to load up CDs into a CD stacker if you’re heading off on a long trip. All you have to do is pop each CD into the player and then allow the audio system to rip the music and store it on an internal flash drive … the ‘virtual changer’. Holden says that the internal flash drive can hold as many as 15 CDs.

The interior on the Series II SSV - it's a personal opinion but somehow the red just doesn't work for me.

So what does a buyer end up with if they buy a new Series II Commodore? Well on paper they end up with a good solid car that will deliver on its promises. It flirts with some of the electronic gizmos that other makers have been building into their cars for some time now … but it doesn’t push the envelope too far.

Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers aren’t on the agenda as standard fittings just yet (the wipers aren’t standard until you get to the top-of-the-range Calais) but the SS V-Series, the Calais and Caprice models do get a high-end navigation system that also doubles as a reversing camera.

Perhaps that means we might see something a little more exciting than an infotainment system in a year or two’s time if General Motors does build another Commodore (not guaranteed right now but it certainly could be on the agenda) and by then we should also be seeing some more developments in the engine department too.

Till then we’ve got the Series II VE Commodore and, for an Australian car, it looks pretty good to me.

Rear of the Series II VE Commodore Omega

Well the Honda CR-Z has just been rated one of Europe’s safest cars, achieving a maximum 5-stars in the latest independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.

Euro NCAP’s rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids.

The rating scheme uses a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car’s safety performance: adult (50%), child (20%) and pedestrian (20%) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10%). To qualify for inclusion, safety assistance devices must be fitted as standard across 90% of the EU 27 2010 model range.

And when it comes down to the Honda CR-Z

Vehicle Stability Assist
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking assistance to any of the wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.

Braking
Ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes ensure road stability, which is further enhanced by the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE)
The ACE body structure is a Honda exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. The ACE design utilises a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle.

This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.

Pedestrian Protection
The CR-Z also incorporates many features designed with pedestrian-protection in mind. Research has shown that these features can dramatically improve a pedestrian’s chance of survival if struck by a moving vehicle. Features include windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, energy absorbing front wing mounts and bonnet hinges, as well as an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet allowing greater space for deformation.

Airbags and Seatbelts
On all models in the range, the driver and passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front and side airbags are complemented by full length curtain airbags to protect all occupants. There are three-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts in all seating positions, the front seatbelts also have two stage Energy Absorption (EA) load limiting pre-tensioners.

Active headrests
The CR-Z is equipped with front seat active headrests which reduce the likelihood of neck injury in rear impacts. As the occupant is pushed against the seat back, a rigid plate in the seat presses a link to the headrest pushing it up and forward to support the head.

Included in the upgrades are a redesigned instrument panel and new storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. A new lockable console and upgraded door armrest areas boast comfortable touch points, while a redesigned centre stack is easier to reach and operate.

Heated, power mirrors are now available, and drivers and passengers will enjoy enhanced visibility courtesy of larger rear windows.

All-new steering-wheel controls allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping hands on the wheel. A new USB device interface connects to storage devices (thumb drives and most MP3 players) for use with the vehicle’s Media Centre, which now includes streaming Bluetooth audio.

Twelve-volt accessory outlets have been added and a new 110-volt outlet is available to provide power similar to AC outlets in the home.

In line with traditional Jeep design, hex-head bolts are utilised throughout the interior, and are used to mount a “Jeep, Since 1941” inlay onto the new passenger grab handle

The current Renault Megane hatch

The new Renault Megane hatch will hit the showrooms next month and with a price point starting at $22,990 it’s sure to interest a lot of people who want something a little different from the usual Korean and Japanese offerings.

Following after the Renault Megane hatch will be a new sedan … the Renault Fluence. Then we can expect more versions of the Megane including a Cabriolet and mixed in there somewhere will be a new version of the Renault Kangoo … the light van that has undergone a complete redesign.

Mitsubishi is no stranger to the Australian SUV market and now they want an even bigger slice of that market. To achieve that they’ve introduced the Mitsubishi ASX … an SUV that fits somewhere between the Lancer and the Outlander and, if the advertising is anything to go by, the ASX is aimed squarely at urban dwellers who probably don’t have kids.

On the outside the ASX five-door wagon has followed just about every other SUV maker’s move away from the boxy SUV shape that was the norm for many years and it comes with sweeping curves and a smooth profile. On the inside there are plenty of creature comforts and all the looks and feel of a quality sedan.

The range
The Mitsubishi ASX comes in three variations … the ASX 2WD, the ASX 4WD and the ASX Aspire. Standard equipment across the range includes automatic climate control air conditioning with air filter, cruise control, front and rear electric windows and exterior mirrors, an electric tailgate opener, AM/FM radio/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary and USB inputs and variable intermittent windscreen wipers.

The engine and transmission
The Mitsubishi ASX is available in both two and all-wheel drive configurations with a three different engines and manual or automatic transmission. While the ASX comes with an all-new 1.8-litre diesel engine it’s not available in all models and not with the automatic transmission

The only engine available on the ASX 2WD is a 2.0-litre petrol engine coupled to either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic gearbox and prices start at $25,990 (excluding statutory and dealer costs).

The ASX 4WD does have the new diesel but only with a six-speed manual gearbox and if you want the petrol version of the ASX 4WD then you’ll have to settle for the automatic transmission. Prices for the ASX 4WD start at $31,990 (excluding statutory and dealer costs) for the manual version.

At the top of the range you have the ASX Aspire with either the 1.8-litre diesel engine or the 2.0-litre petrol engine but once again there’s no automatic transmission with the diesel engine and no manual transmission with the petrol engine.

However the automatic ASX does have what Mitsubishi calls “virtual ratios” that the driver can select for “sports performance” and the automatic Aspire features paddle shifts mounted on the steering column.

Fuel consumption figures range from 5.9L/100km for the diesel engine to 8.1L/100km for the all-wheel drive versions fitted with the petrol engine. The two-wheel drive version returns 7.7L/100km.

Safety
The Mitsubishi ASX comes with Mitsubishi’s proprietary Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution system that integrates and interconnects structural elements to provide even more protection for passengers during an accident. Mitsubishi claims that this system disperses the energy generated during an accident … whether it be from the front, rear or side … and controls distortion.

The ASX also comes with Active Stability Control, Active Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, Emergency Stop System and seven airbags.

Interior
The ASX comes with cloth trimmed seats front and rear in the base and mid-range models while the Aspire is fitted with leather seat trim. The driver’s seat offers forward/rear adjustment and height adjustment (power operated in the Aspire model).

The backs of the front and rear seats recline and the rear seats split 60/40 to allow more luggage space. There are tie-down hooks in the luggage space and there’s 416 litres of luggage space with all seats in the upright position. With the rear seats folded down there’s 1193 litres of luggage space.

A full-size spare is what you would expect in an SUV ... but you never know for sure till you have a look

Automatic climate control, cruise control, front and rear electric windows and exterior mirrors, electric tailgate opener and AM/FM radio/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary inputs are standard across the ASX range but Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel mounted audio controls and rear parking sensors and fog lights are standard on all 4WD versions and optional on the ASX 2WD.

The ASX Aspire comes with even more creature comforts and things that are useful for the driver including a heated front seats, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing automatic wipers, dusk sensing headlights and a sun roof. The Aspire also has onboard navigation, a reversing camera and an upgraded sound system.

How will all that compare with other SUVs at this end of the market? Well when it comes to buying a motor vehicle the things that matter are more subjective than objective so if you’re thinking of buying a Mitsubishi ASX be sure to take one for an extended test drive before you sign on the dotted line.

It’s due for release at the Paris show on September 20.

The Kia Pop - all-electric city concept car from Kia

While not a big player here in Australia Ssangyong does have a strong presence in other parts of the world including Europe, Russia, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Mahindra’s acquisition of Ssangyong will give it access to Ssangyong’s years of research and development and the Ssanyong distribution network in countries where Mahindra is virtually unknown.

Mazda has already identified 215,000 vheicles in the United States and over 10,000 in China that need to be recalled to fix a power-steering problem but now there’s more.

Reuters is now reporting that the Mazda recall is set to target vehicles in Europe and Australia as well.

Vehicles affected by the recalls are the Premacy and Mazda3 manufactured in Japan between 2007 and 2009.

But now the Getz is gone and we have a much smarter design in the i20 but the changes are more than just a new name and some cosmetic surgery. The i20 was designed at Hyundai’s Russelsheim Design Studios in Germany and the focus was on producing a compact that not only looked good but was comfortable, economic and fun to drive.

While it’s easy to see what’s on the outside perhaps it’s the refinements inside the i20 … and some of the safety features … that really separate it from the old Getz. The i20 features such things as fade-out interior lights, illuminated glove box compartment that also includes a cooling system, an information system located above the centre console and increased storage options for small items including your mobile phone.

The 120 range
There are three models in the Hyundai i20 range. The base model … the Active … is available in three and five-door versions and comes with a 1.4-litre engine. The mid-range i20 … the Elite is only available as a five door hatch and comes with as 1.6-litre engine. The top of the range Premium is also only available as a five-door hatch and has the same 1.6-litre engine as the Elite.

Engines
Both the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines feature 16-valves and twin-overhead camshafts coupled to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed electronic HiVec (Hyundai intelligent Vehicle electronic control) auto box.

The 1.4-litre engine combined with the manual box will return around 6.0L/100km while the 1.6-litre engine with the manual box adds just 0.1 litres to the fuel consumption. The automatic versions add 0.4L/100km for both engine options.

Safety
The i20 comes complete with an extensive range of safety features. Standard throughout the i20 range is Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System; a four-channel, four-sensor Anti-ski Braking System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

The front seatbelts in the 120 are fitted with pretensionsers, load limiters and are height adjustable. The child-seat anchorage points and child-proof door locks are standard across the range.

Airbags for driver and front-seat passenger are standard while side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags are standard on the Elite and Premium models.

The i20 has been designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a frontal collision and rigid cabin and crumple zones front and rear have also been incorporated into the design. Dual side intrusion bars offer added protection in the event of a side impact.

Trim levels
All models come with keyless entry and alarm, folding side mirrors (an option on the three-door Active), glovebox cooling, AUX and USB input as standard. Both the Active and the Elite have cloth-upholstered seats but the Elite has leather on the steering wheel that also incorporates the audio controls, a trip computer, front fog lamps, a cargo net and 15 inch alloy wheels (including a full-size spare).

The Premium i20 comes with full automatic climate control, a combination of leather and cloth upholstered seats, leather on the steering wheel and driver’s armrest and 16 inch alloys (including a full-size spare).

Seating
The seats in the i20 are a complete redesign compared to what was in the Getz. The shape has been enhanced to offer maximum support and comfort. The driver’s seat is now height-adjustable.

The rear seats do have a 60/40 split folding capability.

Comfort
Air conditioning is standard across the range and rear passengers now have ducted ventilation in the foot well.

The audio package features a CD player with MP3, WMA and AM/FM tuner and the auxiliary input and iPod connectivity allows you to add external audio sources.

Luggage
Don’t forget that this is a small car so don’t expect any more than 295 litres of space with the rear seats in the upright position. The 60/40 split folding rear seats will add more luggage space.

That’s all quite an impressive list of features for a compact car starting at just $14,990 plus on-road costs for the three-door manual Active and peaking at $23,490 for the five-door automatic Premium and of course you can expect that sooner or later Hyundai will be talking drive-away-no-more-to-pay pricing too.

Will the Hyundai i20 sell as well as the old Getz? You can just about bet your house on the fact that Hyundai is already sitting on a bunch of orders from car hire companies.

But you do have to wonder if Hyundai have missed a share of the market by not including a diesel in the range … they do have a 1.6-litre diesel so why not issue a challenge to Ford’s diesel Fiesta?

With looks like no other SUV, FJ Cruiser comes to Australia with a pedigree that stretches back 50 years to the legendary FJ40 LandCruiser and he modern FJ Cruiser captures this heritage with its body-on-frame structure, short wheelbase, stocky appearance and the arrangement of its headlights and grille.

But the FJ Cruiser is more than just rugged looks. It’s equipped with a powerful engine, dual-range 4WD, excellent ground clearance and ample suspension articulation that will enable it to live up to the reputation of the early FJs.

Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said FJ Cruiser was all about style and substance.

“FJ Cruiser has loads of character that isn’t found in any other SUV, let alone one that is built for off-road terrain,” Mr Buttner said.

“It will be a lot of fun to own and drive, satisfying those who want a modern vehicle with the boulder-crawling spirit of Toyota’s legendary off-roaders,” he said.

In the United States, the FJ Cruiser has recently been awarded for its quality and its value.

In the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study, it was rated at the top of the Compact Crossover/SUV segment.

FJ Cruiser was also named best-in-class for mid-size SUVs in the 2010 IntelliChoice.com Best Overall Values of the Year Awards.

Australian models will be produced in Japan and we’ll get our first look at the vehicle at the Australian International Motor Show to be held in Sydney from October 15.

Some of the other changes in the new Nissan Dualis include a new length and height … sliding middle row … under floor storage … CVT automatic transmission as standard … and front while drive or all-mode four-wheel drive options.

The new Nissan Dualis was designed in London and they’re built in the UK. I think it’s been many years since a vehicle in this price range was imported into Australia from the UK.

So how much bang for your buck do you get for your buck in the new Nissan Dualis?

The engine and transmission
The engine is the same lightweight all-alloy MR20 2.0-litre engine from the previous model and there’s no diesel option.

To keep fuel consumption down (in a vehicle that’s heavier than the previous model) to a level where the petrol engine is competitive the 2.0-litre engine is now coupled to a fuel-saving continuously variable transmission … a stepless automatic transmission that keeps the vehicle in the right ‘gear’ regardless of what the vehicle is doing.

With the CVT transmission the Dualis will return a combined cycle of 8.5L/100km.

For those who want something a little sportier for their driving pleasure the CVT transmission also includes 6 pre-set ratios that can be accessed by “nudging the lever forward or back”.

Seats
To give greater access to the third row of seats the middle seat now slides through a range of 240mm … the cushion now splits 6040 and the seat bock splits 4020/40.

Even Nissan admits that the rear seat is really designed for children but they do say that it may suit short adults too. The rear seat splits on a 5050 basis and to fold it away all you have to do is pull on a single trap … there’s no need to fiddle with the head restraints first.

When the rear seat is folded away there’s 550 litres of luggage space when when the second row is folded away there’s a 1520 litres of space.

Comfort and Safety
A full safety package that includes six airbags, front-seat active headrests and seatbelt pretensioners are standard on the Dualis +2 and the range features power windows, air conditioning, drive computer, Bluetooth mounted on the steering wheel along with audio and cruise control. The audio system includes a four-speaker CD system and MP3 connectivity.

The Ti version includes a panoramic glass roof, leather trim seats and steering wheel, 18 inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, six-disc CD player and dual zone auto air conditioning.

Models
The new Nissan Dualis +2 comes in three versions … the base model ST 2WD priced from $29,990 … the Ti 2WD priced from $34,690 … and the Ti AWD priced from $36,890

The Holden Ute recall affects Commodore VE utes built from 2007. It seems that there may be some chance that the latching mechanism on the tailgate may be faulty and may open while the vehicle is moving.

A report in the Age suggests that this is the biggest recall in Australia this year.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 108,722 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in June, up 5.7 per cent (or 5,875 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Today’s result eclipses the previous June monthly record set in 2008 by 2181 units to become the highest selling month in history.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales,” Mr McKellar said.

Year-to-date, 531,168 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 16.7 percent compared to the first six months of 2009.

“Given the stronger than expected state of the market over the past six months, the industry has upgraded its annual sales forecast to in excess of 980,000 units – up from our original forecast of 940,000 sales,” Mr McKellar said.

“This is a positive yet cautious outlook for the second half of the year, as we assess the impact of factors on the market such as previous interest rate increases,” Mr McKellar said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during the first six months of 2010 with an increase of 30.8 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 15.8 per cent), heavy commercials (up 8.8 per cent) and then light commercials with a 5.8 per cent increase.

Year-to-date, Toyota has the top selling position with a market share of 20.2 per cent; followed by Holden with 12.9 per cent and then Ford with 9.3 per cent.

BMW claims that the Megacity Vehicle will be the wold’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. The Megacity will also feature what BMW calls their LifeDrive architecture. LifeDrive incorporates a completely re-designed electric motor, electronics and battery system that’s being designed in-house.

The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis.

Its partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production processes which are both simpler and more flexible, and use less energy.

While electric vehicles are frequently far heavier than their conventionally powered equivalents BMW believes that the combination of carbon passenger cell and LifeDrive architecture will offset the weight of the electric vehicle by 250 to 350 kilograms.

But if you are in the market for a luxury people mover then the good news is that an upgraded Mercedes-Benz Viano has just been released in Germany. The exterior, the interior, the drive train and the suspension have all been upgraded and now it’s more comfortable and more environmentally friendly than ever before.

Interior
The interior upgrade includes a new lighting system with individual LED reading lamps and fibre optic units. Rear seat passengers now get their own entertainment system and the seats now come with re-designed upholstery.

The driver hasn’t been forgotten either with the addition of new control buttons and a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel.

Suspension
Both front and rear axles have been revised and specially tuned to match each specific model so that the Viano’s handling is predictable, précis and safe.

Engine and transmission
Four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines complete with BlueEfficiency technology that includes an ECO start/stop system and low-resistance tyres mean that emissions have been reduced and fuel economy has been increased by up to 15 percent.

A new six-speed transmission is now standard on all four-cylinder diesel models.

Exterior
A new headlamp design and a re-designed rear end make a clear difference between the new Mercedes-Benz Viano and previous models.

Price and availability is yet to be announced but your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer may know more.

Apparently there’s a valve spring problem in their 4.6-litre V8 and 3.5-litre V6 engines that are fitted in eight of their current models. Toyota says that the problem may cause the engine to stop in the worst-case scenario.

It looks as though Toyota will be recalling as many as 270,000 units worldwide to correct the problem.

The models that are fitted with the suspect engines include the:

• GS350
• GS450h
• GS460
• IS350
• LS460
• LS600
• LS600h

This recall follows hot on the heels of a recall of 50,839 2000 to 2001 Toyota Corollas in Japan for faulty airbags and seatbelts.

The airbag and seatbelt problem isn’t just Toyota’s … Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi are also recalling vehicles for the same issue.

At the same time a whole lot of aerodynamic trim was added to the body and it has just won the unlimited division in the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in Colorado.

The climb is run over a 19.9km course that starts at an altitude of 2,860 metres, features and after 156 turns it finishes at 4,300 metres. At those altitudes engines lose power by as much as 30 per cent and competitors need special breathing apparatus.

This Suzuki SX4 handled the conditions with no problems at all and took just 10 minutes 11.49 seconds to complete the course. That’s not the course record though … Nobuhyiro Tajima who drove this SX4 set the all-time course record back in 2007 with a time of 10 minutes 1.41 seconds.

The very first Holden Torana A9X Hatch for sale to the public … serial number J590981 … would have to be the most desirable of all the Torana A9X vehicles that are around today and you can have it if you’ve got somewhere between $270,000 and $290,000.

That’s what this almost pristine car is expected to go for at Meguiar’s MotorEx auction to be held at the Sydney Showground over the weekend of July 24-25.

This vehicle was originally acquired by Ron Hodgson … a well known car dealer in Sydney … and has only traveled 16,000 km since new. Back then the A9X could be bought off the showroom floor for a mere $10,600 … oh to have had ten grand back then to snap up a vehicle like this (I think I was driving a Renault 12 in 1977).

The A9X was actually a ‘Performance Equipment Package’ available on a range of LX models fitted with the 5.0 litre, 308-cid engine and was introduced in August 1977 to ensure that it was eligible for the Bathurst 1000 of that year.

Although the A9X didn’t win Bathurst that year it did go on to be the most successful Australian Touring Car ever built by Holden.

While race versions were equipped with the L34 engine, T10 gearbox, roll cage, wide wheels and long-range fuel tanks, new Australian Design Rules and Emission laws dictated that all A9X Toranas rolled off the assembly line in the same, more basic specification, fitted with Holden’s stock L31 5.0-litre V8.

Significantly, the Holden Torana A9X was the first Holden ever to be fitted standard with rear discs and its Salisbury differential also meant the extra tall 2.60:1 final drive ratio could be used to advantage on Bathurst’s long Conrod straight.

The cars were also clearly identified by their new rear facing, bonnet-mounted carburettor induction scoop, one of the 100 or so differences that set the A9X apart from standard LX Toranas.

Dashboards were much simpler and drivers were expected to have a 'feel' for their cars back in 1977.