LOTUS EXIGE S

One of the greatest cars on the planet, the giant-killing Lotus Exige S, has been given a power boost. The light-weight pocket rocket now puts out 179KW from its 1.8 Supercharged engine, up from 163 KW. Now that might not sound all that exciting, but in a car weighing less than just about any other on the market that's huge. The Toyota sourced engine will now take the Exige S from standstill to 100 km/hr in 4.16 seconds. 4.16 seconds! That's faster than just about anything the better side of half a million dollars can muster! Who needs a Ferrari hey? Not only is it so quick that it'll burn the hairs of your face, but with go-kart-like response from the agile chassis, this makes for one formidable track weapon. Lotus Exiges are quite common on race tracks throughout the world. Their popularity stems from their easily accessible chassis and light weight, making them reasonably gentle on their tyres and largely untouchable in the twisty stuff. This power increase will scare quite a few of those people out there who battle Exiges on the track.

Of course, as a daily option, the Exige is a bit complicated. The interior, while featuring solid brushed aluminium and some lovely exposed body work, is minimal and industrial. Then there's the ride. When they say this thing is a go-kart they're not kidding. You feel every bump, every ripple on the road. A characteristic that's great fun on a Sunday drive up the hills, but potentially painful on the daily commute to work. In spite of all this, though, this is by far the best bang for your bucks, in the best roadster you can buy today. Forget all those TTs and SLKs. Leave them to the hairdressers and Real Estate Agents. This is the real deal, and isn't afraid to let you know it at each and every turn. Sure, you're back will be stuffed, and you'll have a massive headache from all that road noise, but my God you'll still have a smile on your face. This is the closest you can come to a track focused touring car for the road. And doesn't it just look a million bucks!

LAND ROVER FREELANDER2

If there's one car that sums up the arrogant, yet deluded, attitude of the British automotive industry it's this. The Land Rover Freelander 2. Now you'd be forgiven for thinking this is the old car, but it's actually 'new from the ground up'. How you can tell is beyond me, as it looks like an 1980's brick with some glittery paint. To call this car underwhelming to look at would be a gross understatement, yet if you believe any British journalist then you'd view it as the small SUV of the moment. How a car more utilitarian in design than suburban equates to it being the most attractive of it's segment is rather confusing. The whole ethos of a small, premium cross-over is to provide all of the rough, go anywhere image of a cumbersome 4WD in a smaller, city-friendly package which appeals to younger, more fashion-conscious buyers. A big part of this brief is environmental-friendly efficiency and car-like dynamics, yet it's hard to see where the Freelander2 ticks these boxes.

There's nothing aerodynamic about this shape whatsoever. Just imagine the fuel burnt up lugging this thing up a hill against a strong wind? That big, flat nose will hit more resistance than Britney Spears trying to get her kids back. So not only have they forgotten to style the thing, they've also created a shape that will surely generate a lot of wind noise and weaken economy. The chassis is all new, and also underpins the upcoming Volvo XC60, the Ford Mondeo, and future S60. Yet they've turned a highly capable platform to a wishy washy boat. Suspension settings are far too soft, and the Freelander leans into corners more than what's acceptable for a car of this size. A BMW X3, one of the Land Rover's prime rivals, has more in common with a car than an SUV, such is it's poise and control. Ok, the ride is rather horrible, but something had to give if a cross-over is to have the dynamic ability of a saloon. One suspects that the people who these small SUVs are directed at would much rather a firmer ride than a body that leans like a bus.

The Freelander was on display at the Brisbane Motor Show and the one impression people had of the new SUV is how dated it is inside and out. Inside  is particularly disappointing. There are far too many buttons and dials sitting on a cluttered and messy dash that already looks ten years old. Build quality really isn't good enough for a car that is arguably too expensive as it is. The door trims are hard to the touch, and if perceptions are correct, many plastics and surfaces won't last as long as is needed. Of course, this is all history repeating itself, as the original Freelander from 1997 had an abysmal interior, and an even worse reliability report. You'd have thought that Land Rover would've learnt their lessons from that car, but clearly they haven't. Instead you're treated to what they and the British motoring press label as a quality interpretation of a robust, yet luxurious, British SUV interior. Well if that's in fact true, then it's a rather embarrassing reflection on British car makers.

It's interesting, isn't it, that the British are so hopeless in objectively reviewing cars when one of their own is involved. This thing gets 5 stars, wins comparision tests, and sits at the top of the small, premium SUV pile as far as the British are concerned. They're more than willing to criticise the X3 for it's firm ride, yet they can't construct a suitable arguement for the Freelander2 without making blatant lies. It's a shame that this patriotism clouds their judgement. Look at what some honest soul searching did for Jaguar. The XF was born. Hopefully Land Rover can get a dose of reality before they become irrelevant. They'll certainly need to with excellent competition like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Citroen Cross-Over and upcoming Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK. The upcoming LXR concept is a small sign that they just might bring themselves into the 21st century before it's too late. Fingers crossed.

SKODA FABIA SUPER 2000

The emerging car maker that is Skoda has revealed their new rally car for international competition, the Fabia Super 2000. Based on the new Fabia hatchback (not sold here...yet), the Super 2000 marks the welcome return of the quintessential Czech group to the world rally stage. Skoda first dipped its toes into rallying back in 1999 with their first-gen Octavia, which ultimately turned into a full works outfit with the first Fabia WRC. Results were rather patchy, but there were several glimpses of promise, most notably in Safari 2001, Monaco 2002, and Australia 2005, where they were in serious contention for victory. This lack of consistency lead to VW foolishly pulling Skoda out of the WRC as a manufacturer, with all cars and parts remaining sold off to privateer teams. But as is so often the case with the suits at the control tower, they failed to recognize the invaluable contribution the sport did for their brand awareness. Of course, dominating on a Sunday afternoon gets buyers behind the wheel on Monday morning, but to be there is just as worthwhile. Toyota, Honda, and BMW aren't exactly running away with it in Formula One, but what the sport gives them back in coverage on a global scale is priceless. What better way to brand your cars than with an association to your brand's motor sport activity, your race cars, and all of that technical prowess and mastery that goes with it? So fast forward to 2008, and Skoda have realized their error of judgment.

The new Fabia Super 2000 is still relatively fresh, so you won't see it in competition for at least another 6 months or so. While testing is underway, Skoda will endeavor to hone the car to be accepted within both international and national rallying regulations. This means on top of the works team there will be a customer service arrangement, where Skoda will sell the Fabia Super 2000 to willing customer teams. This will enable the car to compete in different rally competitions throughout the globe, ultimately spreading awareness of both the car and the brand. It certainly looks the part, and when it gets the traditional green, back and white livery of the race team it will become the hero of the Skoda portfolio.

Along with touring cars, rallying is the closet link between motor sport and the cars you buy from the showroom. It's a shame more manufacturers aren't involved in WRC these days, as the Super 2000 regulations are quite cost effective.

VOLVO XC60 PRODUCTION LEAK

Don't you just love the internet? Thanks to some clever bugger Volvo's world premier of their new XC60 SUV at the Geneva Motor Show has been ruined by these leaked images of the production car. In one instant you can easily come to the conclusion that Volvo's new design DNA is bang on the money. This is one great looking car, or should that be SUV? Either way, the future looks to be bright for the Swedes. Thankfully they've kept close to the concept shown nearly 12 months ago, as the new angled snout, LED ru! nning lights, squeezed shoulder line, and dramatically tampered tail lights remain in all their glory. What's more, even in this horrific shade of gold the XC60 still looks the dogs bullocks. Why the hell would you pass one of these up for a BMW X3 or Land Rover Freelander 2. That's like saying 'No I won't go to David Jones, I'll stick to Target'.

Inside we can see the evolution of Volvo's trademark floating center console. Like the concept, the fascia of the console is now one piece, running all the way up to the air vents. Don't be too concerned by the Ikea-like birch seen here, for those of us with taste you will undoubtedly be able to stick to aluminum trim. Sat-Nav and info screens for the climate control and sound system are now higher up on the dash, closer to the driver's line of sight. All in all it continues Volvo's excellent track record on! high quality, stylish interiors that don't make you feel underdone. Those lovely, textured, soft touch plastics and brushed dials will worry Audi.

All in all, this bodes well for the upcoming S60 saloon, which will essentially be the compact executive version of the XC60. In recent years Volvo has beaten the Germans at their own game in many areas and this is surely set to continue with this new generation from the Swedish-cool car maker. If the dynamics manage to improve on the solid foundation of existing models, then that ought to prove all of those Volvo doubters wrong. If it doesn't then so be it. Let them buy their BMWs and Mercs. All they're buy! ing is an inferior car for more money...

ALFA ROMEO 8C COMPETIZIONE

Alfa Romeo is returning to the United States with this, the 8C Competizione. A bit of a mouth full, but however you spit it out, you'll be referring to one seriously stunning car, even for Alfa Romeo. The first supercar Alfa's attempted in a long long time, the 8C Compe-you-know-what is essentially a re-bodied Maserati Gran Turismo. Both cars share the same chassis and engine, but feature their own bodies, interiors, and suspension and handling set ups! . We've all seen what Maserati came up with, and Alfa Romeo has certainly matched them for impact and desirability. But these two are chalk and cheese, especially in how they look.

The Alfa Romeo is an unashamedly retro take of a modern supercar. Ford did it with the GT, and with much success. Folks in the US seem to like their retro cars. Mustangs, Corvettes, GT Chargers, and many more past icons have re-appeared. While some are clearly a question of taste (they're all rubbish), the 8C has the substance. The design harks back to Alfa's glory days, when the Italians were synonymous with motor sport. The shape works very well , particularly in Alfa's preferred hue of red. The great thing about this car is its simplicity. There's no clutter, none of that Mercedes-like criss-cross of lines and flanks. It's just one simple, flowing shape that still manages to be as aggressive and identifiable as it needs to be. You get a bit of a headache looking at a Ferrari F430. It's so complex, and there's so much going on with the aero work on that car. Park this beside! it, and it's so much easier to understand while giving no street-cred away to the Ferrari. Those flared wheel arches and long, swooping bonnet are both perfectly proportioned and meaty in stance.

Inside has no real surprises. There's plenty of leather, carbon fibre, and engine related dials to qualify for a supercar. What is a revelation, though, is that the 8C is rear wheel drive, thanks to sharing the same chassis with the Maserati. However, while the Maserati is more focused on refinement, the 8C was focused as a more hard-edged drive. How they've executed t! hat is yet to be seen, but they'd have pulled off a massive achievement if the 8C is more enjoyable than the Gran Turismo, which is the best all-round Grand Tourer of the moment. If they've done it right, then the Alfa Romeo will offer a completely different focus than it's Italian cousin. They both have the same V8, the same basic platform, and the same Italian passion instilled in their pedigree. The only choice is, which one suits you more? The sophisticated yet utterly drop-dead-gorgeous allure of the Maserati, or the retro and in-your-face aggression of the Alfa Romeo.

If it were me I'd take the Gran Turismo, but there'll be plenty of people who'll batt for the other team, the yanks included. And it seems that's all Alfa Romeo is concerned about, as it's left-hand drive only. That's a real shame...