The Noughties (00's) In Cars - - The Decade of the Supercar
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Honda City
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.
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)
Features: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
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
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
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
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".
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
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
$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
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