Articles by Ashlee Pleffer

You can't celebrate the beauty of Australia without delving into our rich motoring history. Since 1948 Australia has been producing some fast, popular and memorable cars, as well as the not-so-memorable ones, from the very first local production car, the Holden 48-215, to the now very valuable Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III.Whether it be Holden, Ford, BMC or the lesser known Lightburn, we have built and been the recipient of some outstanding cars. Next weekend, more than 1200 vehicles will gather in the city as part of the 23rd NRMA Motorfest. All cars have to be at least 30 years old.Rob Foster, a self-confessed Ford fan, will take his Aussie 1978 XC Ford Cobra to next Saturday's Motorfest for the first time. It will join four other Cobras also making their debut.“It's one of the great Australian models, Foster says. “While it's not up with the GTs, it still has its place in Australian history.“It's still up there with the Monaros and Chargers. Everyone just loves the Cobras.”And this year the Australian-built, Falcon-based Cobra, celebrates its 30th anniversary.Foster's muscle car is number 59 out of only 400 models that were built, and is in top condition, with airconditioning, power windows and power steering.“It's a good touring car,” he says. “I just always wanted one.” Foster says there are only about 270 of Cobras left and he knows of 20 that are in NSW.And the Cobra has become much more valuable over time. Foster says one model sold at a recent auction for $85,000, but their value can stretch up to $150,000.While the blue and white colour scheme was derived from the American racing Mustangs, Foster says the car is full of Australian DNA.“They're definitely nice cars and the Cobras were built in 1978 to say thank you to Moffat and Bond for winning in an XC coupe in 1977,” he says.While Foster had been wanting a Cobra since they first came out, the year he got his licence, he hadn't considered it seriously until three years ago, when his partner became sick of him talking about it and told him to buy one.“So in six weeks we went from nothing to an XC Coupe which needs restoring, then an XC ex-police car and then I bought the Cobra,” he says. “From nothing to lots in a couple of weeks. It was amazing to find a Cobra like that. It had been unregistered for about 12 years.”And it's not just the Australian muscle cars that were born Down Under. Fred Diwell enjoys jumping back into time with his rare 1965 Lightburn Zeta Sports and will also be taking it to its first Motorfest next weekend.“They only made 48 of them and there are only three going today,” he says.Diwell says Lightburn, a South Australian company, was better known for making washing machines and industrial machinery, with cars earning little success.“It was too late,” he says. “It coincided with the release of the Mini ... competition from the Mini finished all the micro cars. For pound stg. 100 more you could buy a proper car rather than a toy car.“I'm not sure if this car is a tumble-dry model or a spin-dry model. The suspension is a little bit harsh for the weight of the car.”Diwell has owned the Zeta for 18 years and has the only model built with a surfboard rack.“I'm still looking for a 1960s surfboard to put on it,” he says.Featuring the same 500cc twin-cylinder engine used in the German Messerschmidt Tiger, the Zeta has a top speed of 100km/h.But Diwell says it's a lot of fun to drive.And it won't only be Australian-built cars taking over the city, with other vehicles that have called Australia home over the years also going on display. Daily Telegraph cartoonist Warren Brown, will be showing off his 1925, fully-restored Bean, before he attempts to drive it from London to Melbourne later this year.Brown's journey will be filmed for an SBS documentary, and he'll retrace the steps of Australian adventurer Francis Birtles, who drove a Bean across the world in 1927 and 1928.“There are only a handful of Bean cars left in the world,” Brown says.About half a million people are expected to admire the variety on show, and this year's Motorfest includes classics such as Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Packards.  Snapshot 23rd NRMA MotorfestWHEN: Australia Day, next Saturday, 10am-4pmWHERE: Macquarie St and College St, CityWHAT: More than 1200 cars, all of them at least 30 years old. 

Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive represents a $600 million investment for the Korean company and was engineered with the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Lexus GS in mind.This week's launch marked its introduction in Korea. It will make its way to North America in June and China by the second half of the year. It will also be exported to the Middle East.But Australians will have to wait. Hyundai Australia director of sales and marketing Kevin McCann says Genesis hasn't been confirmed for Australia. “The Genesis is a great looking car and a very exciting prospect for Hyundai,” he says.“If we were to launch it in Australia, it would be post 2009.” While it carries a starting price of $49,800 in the U.S., Hyundai Australia says it's too early to say what price it would be if it did become available in Australia.The Genesis is available with a 3.3-litre V6, a 3.8-litre V6 and will also be joined by a 4.6-litre V8 engine later in the year.

For some car fanatics, it's all about building a pristine show car. For others, it is the engine and the way it performs at the track that counts. And then there are those who want a dressed-up street car. But Torana owner Ian Williams decided to cover all bases. “My favourite thing is I can actually drive it on the street and do other things with it as well,” he says. Williams has transformed a 1976 LX Holden Torana into a real beauty. His interest was sparked years ago when his sons got their licences and he bought both a Torana for about $2000 each. That began their passion for the old-school Holden and, before long, they were modifying their cars and buying more. Then Williams succumbed to the muscle-car craze. “I said, `Boy, they're nice cars, I'm going to do one up one day too',” he says. When the perfect car presented itself in 2002 Williams couldn't resist. “My wife's son in Queensland had the car we have now,” he says. “He wanted to sell it 'cause he wanted his garage space back, so my wife bought it for me for $10,000.” While the LX Holden Torana had already been modified, Williams wanted to go further. So he stripped it down, pulled out the motor and completely rebuilt the car from scratch over the next four years. “There's nothing from the original Torana other than the body, and doors. Everything else has been replaced or modified,” he says. “The whole car is pretty much a new car. If there was late technology to put in it, we did.” The 58-year-old says he always admired the A9X models but as they came out in 1977, they fell under new emission regulations. So Williams was in search of a car released prior to then to give him more freedom in what he could do to the engine. He started with the 1976 LX model and added some Bathurst heritage, with A9X character traits, as well as integrating modern motorsport technologies to make the ultimate jack-of-all-trades Torana, which now proudly wears the number plate 2TOUGH. And with a 536hp (400kW) V8 engine, Brembo brakes, 17-inch wheels, a 100-litre fuel tank and a $13,000 paint job, among many other changes, it really does live up to its name. “I wanted a car that was completely legal, so I got the engineers involved to ensure that it was,” he says. “In my younger days I used to get pulled over by the police and get defected all the time, I don't want to go through that again.” Williams says the car has had about $80,000 worth of work, including the recent replacement of the manual transmission with a four-speed automatic, improving its track time. “We think it is a bargain. It can now out perform most modern factory sports sedans, and retains the eye-catching, classic styling of what we believe is the best Bathurst muscle car ever built,” he says. Williams says you could spend your money on a new Monaro or SS Commodore, which might be as quick around the race track, but there are more benefits to owning a Torana. “Monaros are more reliable and have better fuel economy, but everybody's got one,” he says. “The A9X-looking car is rare. Everywhere you go you get looks. You don't get that in a new Monaro or SS Commodore and that's all part of the enjoyment of having a cool car.” Williams says while it can't be the best show car, race car and street car all in one package, the Torana still has “the capability to not embarrass itself” on the track and also manages to attract a whole lot of attention. And it gets the thumbs up from the previous owner, Williams' stepson. “I took him for a drive in it and he was stoked, he was really happy about it,” he says. While Williams loves his Torana and enjoys Holdens, he says he appreciates good engineering, no matter what make or model. “Cars are like people, there are a variety of cars and a variety of things people do to them, it all adds to the rich tapestry of life,” he says.

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March. 

And the French really hit the nail on the head with the Citroen 2CV, and not just because of its unique looks. Drive it and you'll notice its individual behaviour as it leans into the corner as much as an Olympic speed skater.But for Rudi Annus, (above) his 1985 Citroen 2CV Charleston is the best way to travel.“I have always been attracted to Citroens,” he says. “I'm a car nut and I like anything that's different, I don't like ordinary standard BMWs or Mercs. It's just a funny little thing. It's almost that ugly, it's beautiful.”Annus used to envy Australian fashion designer Peter Weiss driving around his area in this black and burgundy 2CV and knew he had to have it. And after a year or so of pestering Weiss, he finally got to call it his own.“I have had it for about five years and paid $12,000 for it,” he says.The first Citroen 2CV was released in Europe in 1948 at the Paris motor show and quickly earned the nickname Deux Chevaux, French for two horses. Another nickname was Escargot (snail) as in, as slow as one.“The motor was only a 375cc and it only had two horsepower,” Annus says.And while most cars change over years, the Citroen didn't get big makeovers, apart from a few cosmetic changes in the 1960s and a slightly bigger engine capacity.“The engine got progressively bigger, to a 602cc engine, two cylinders,” he says.“That's what mine has. It's the biggest engine they ever built and it has a top speed of 115.2km/h. It drives quite good for a 602cc, it's amazing — that's a small motorbike.”The 2CV was originally conceived in the late 1930s as a cheap and economical car.“Above all it had to be able to cross a freshly ploughed field carrying two farmers, a sack of potatoes and a basket of a dozen eggs on the back seat, and not break any eggs,” Annus says.“It's incredible, such a basic and fundamental car. It has unique suspension, coil springs that are horizontal instead of up and down like normal cars.”And Annus's love affair with the 2CV isn't a new obsession. In 1994, Annus's son, who lives in the UK, was considering buying a 2CV for some fun. Annus said at the time: “If you don't buy it, I'll have it.”So, before he knew it he was pound stg. 400 ($908) poorer and the proud owner of his first 2CV, which he used regularly on European escapades. He then imported the model to Australia, where it now sits in “a million pieces” in his garage, waiting for a restoration. Something that may happen sooner than planned after Annus decided to sell this burgundy and black model.“If I didn't have the grey one, I wouldn't have sold this, I have to have a 2CV Citroen in my life,” he says. “These people approached me, they were at me for about a year-and-a-half, but I hadn't considered selling it at all.”Annus says he had always planned to restore the grey one and the new owners got him at a “weak moment”.“It's going to a good home,” he says. “I wouldn't sell it to just anybody who doesn't love Citroens and I'll use the money to restore the other one.” Annus sold the car for the same price he bought it for. He hasn't delivered it yet.So, in the meantime he's enjoying every minute and he's not the only one. Annus says the 2CV gets a big reaction from all onlookers.“I drove past a $400,000 Bentley, the guy smiled and gave me the thumbs up,” he says.And while Annus is also the proud owner of a 1990 Lotus Esprit he drove around Europe for a year before importing it Down Under, the 60-year-old says the Citroen is where he would rather spend his time.“I spend about 70 per cent of my time driving my little 2CV, people can't understand that.”Citroen stopped producing the 2CV in July 1990, after 42 years on the market and more than seven million cars.They were never officially sold in Australia, but they weren't strictly a French or European car, with some models built and sold elsewhere, including South America.SNAPSHOT1985 CITROEN 2CV CHARLESTONVALUE NOW: $10,000 to $18,000VERDICT: This quirky French-mobile knows how to put a smile on people's faces, with soft suspension, umbrella-like gear-stick and a two-cylinder engine. 

Less than two months after Audi announced its multi-million dollar plans to cement its future in Australia, the big spending has continued for the parent company Audi AG, with further plans of investm

 Adding some chunky wheels, decorating it with some bling and transforming the whole character of a vehicle is a hobby and sport done by many passionate car-lovers around the country. But few go as far as Ditch Jones.What started out as a daily driver is now a $300,000 immaculate show car that's heading to Summernats for all to admire and with the big prize in mind.“I actually sold my house to pay for it,” Jones says, adding it was an investment property. “It's a car in excess of $300,000 and a unique car because of the amount of customised work.”Jones bought his already modified 1967 HR Holden ute 20 years ago for $6500.“I drove it around everywhere and took it to shows, then I thought if I'm going to get any more accolades I'm going to have to go to the elite level, where you have everything perfect, the underneath, everything,” he says.So four years ago, Jones started recreating his Holden ute.“I was like, `Right, I want to make a real killer car using the basis of the HR ute'. It's gone from a street to an elite car,” he says.Almost unrecognisable from its earlier days, although still maintaining its 'integrity,' the HR is now a real one-of-a-kind stunner.After all, it's not every day you see a ute with suicide doors, a 300hp supercharged 3.3-litre, six-cylinder engine and fully customised trim. There's no doubt this vehicle is a crowd-pleaser.“We tried to make it look like a late-model car by having the panels moulded the same way, but still keeping that original shape,” Jones says.Jones has made such an indelible impression on the street-machine scene, even the paint colour has been officially named after him; Ditch's Twisted Yellow. And after taking out the Superstars' Best Of Breed title at this year's MotorEx, there's another goal he has his eye on.“I'm hopefully going to go for Grand Champion this year at Summernats,” he says.The team responsible for Jones' masterpiece, the boys at Sefton Smash repairers in Sydney, have been adding final touches for Summernats, finishing the disc brake rear end and coil over rear shocks and some subtle changes.While the whole package is undoubtedly impressive, there's one feature in particular that Jones is particularly proud of.“I'd say my favourite thing about the car is that I've always wanted to build a serious supercharged six-cylinder motor,” he says.Jones says the car has become a part of him, something his family has been very supportive of over the years.He won't be alone in proudly showing off his car at the 2008 Summernats. More than 1500 transformed cars will compete for an award in the different 'tribes,' including Street, Elite and Tuff cars. The pinnacle is the Grand Champion title, in which Jones hopes to bring home the trophy.And his ute will have to do more than look like a beauty to be victorious, as the winner also has to succeed in certain competitive events.“It has to be able to drive, taking part in the Supercruise and the special grass driving event in the arena,” Jones says.Competitors also have to hit the burn-out track in their cars, although not to get those tyres smoking, rather to do a "go to whoa” test of accelerating and suddenly braking.And there's also the fan votes, with the people's choice taken into account.Jones isn't the only one wanting to walk away as a winner, with others hot on his heels, including a new car by Gary Myers being unveiled in this section, as well as a Holden Rodeo. But Summernats isn't just about admiring glamorous cars. It's a festival of street machine lifestyle.There will be burn-out competitions with reigning champ Peter Gray going for three times lucky in his new Monaro. Other highlights will include Hollywood-like stunts such as a Rolls-Royce driving through a tunnel of fire, before crashing through a bus and into a stack of cars.  SnapshotSummernats 21When: 3- 6 January 2008Where: Exhibition Park, Mitchell, CanberraStars: Victor Bray and his 1957 Chevy Black Bess, stuntman Lawrence Legend and the Bandag Bullet burnout machineTickets: Priced from $25 to $165 

Now reality television will enter the world of car lovers, with a new series that goes in search of Australia's best car and driver. Blood, Sweat & Gears is a new show which will debut on FOX8 next month, with seven finalists competing for the title of the best driver and the best car, not to mention the bragging rights that come with it. Advanced driver training instructor Ian Luff is a judge on the reality show, which he describes as a motoring version of Survivor, even featuring a car council and a whole series of challenges. “It's a show about people and their cars in a competitive environment where everyone wants to win, but naturally, there's only going to be one winner,” Luff says. The seven finalists, who come from all over Australia, previously had their cars featured in car magazines and were selected by people in the industry to take part in the series. And there is a diverse range of machinery on show, from Japanese imports, a Nissan 200SX and a 800hp Mazda RX7, to classic American and Australian muscle cars, such as a 540-cubic-inch Chevy Corvette, an original VL Brock Commodore, an LJ Torana and a classic Ford GT. And you can't have a competition about the best and fastest cars without a Ferrari. “The cars were supposed to be the stars, but you have to remember people drive cars, they own these cars, the people and personalities tend to overshadow the cars,” Luff says. “These cars are their passion, they built them, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on them and you're dealing with male egos here.” And it seems putting seven rev-heads together with their prized possessions is a recipe for disaster generating some fairly heated moments making for, of course, some great TV. “It was all about egos, big boys and big toys,” Luff says of the contestants, who were put through a series of tests, from navigating their own powerful cars through slalom courses, accelerating and suddenly braking on skid pans, to testing the engine on a dyno or on the quarter mile at an air strip. On one challenge, Luff jumped into a Hyundai i30 and set a time he expected the seven competitors to beat. Not surprisingly, Luff says most were a little too confident and eager. Six of the seven drivers spun out. Ferrari owner Mohamed Ibrahim, in particular, was not happy as his “very powerful” car began to lose control around the bend, and went into safety mode, turning itself off. The Mazda RX7, a car Luff calls a “stealth bomber” was the only car to make it through successfully, beating Luff's time by two-tenths of a second. “When you see enthusiasm exceed ability it's just the most amazing thing, where testosterone and ability don't work together,” he laughs. And it wasn't just the car against car, with all seven drivers having a turn in the i30 for one challenge, to see who could do the best. It then came time to jump into an old Ford Fairlane, which lacks the benefit of modern technology. Ibrahim says although car fanatics can get competitive both behind the wheel and when talking of their cars, the program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “It was excellent, the best week of my life,” he says. “We were working with a team we never met before and at the end of the series you miss them. Straight away we became like best friends in a matter of a couple of days.” Having rebuilt more than 500 cars in the past six years at his smash-repair business in Condell Park, Ibrahim has the credentials. In four days, he got his 2003 350 Modena ready for the show. Having spent $350,000 on the car, including enhancements such as 22-inch wheels, a twin turbo, a paint job and red leather interior, Ibrahim was ready to show Australia he and his 5.6-litre V8 car really are the best in the country. “I know pretty much everything to do with cars,” Ibrahim says. “My one is definitely the best, there were a lot of old cars but I like the later models.” Ibrahim says he loved taking part, but didn't learn anything new from Luff. “I reckon I could give him a lesson,” he jokes.  

No one at BMW is waiting for the new year to get a start on diets, resolutions or new models.Next year will be huge for the German brand, which is finalising plans for a range of new diesel engines and will have new models including the M3 sedan, so it rushed its newest update through before Christmas.The latest 6-Series gets some subtle design changes and a new six-speed sports automatic transmission with paddles in place of a traditional gear lever.The result is a quicker 0-100km/h for both the 6-Series coupe and convertible, dropping the hardtop to 5.2 seconds and the open-air model to 5.6, without any changes to the car's 270kW V8 engine.On the design side, the 650i gets some minor tweaking.There are new sporty side skirts, a lower contour edge, newly designed light clusters and wider bars in the front spoiler, for more character without a loss of glamour.The biggest design change to the 6-Series is at the rear, which has a revised boot lid and is more concave underneath the rear spoiler.But the changes do not come cheap. The 2008-model 6-Series now starts at $212,000 for the coupe and $228,800 for the convertible.Hit the road and you instantly notice the 6-Series is a big, heavy car.But as the price suggests, it has all the performance you would expect from a two-door luxury sports car, with great control on winding roads, responsive and agile handling, and a strong feel through the steering.The new transmission, which is also available now as an option on the 5-Series, makes the drive even sharper, whether uphill or on long, straight roads.The 6-Series still has run-flat tyres, which can get a little noisy, but now drives on newly designed 18-inch light-alloy double-spoke wheels, with 19-inches available as an option.Other additions include soft-close electrically assisted doors, cruise control with brake function, as well as a USB/audio interface, which means you can now connect your iPod and control it with ease through i-Drive.The soft-top comes with what BMW calls SunReflective Technology on the leather seats and interior.A jet fighter-style head-up display remains standard on the 6-Series, with the speed reflected on to the windscreen in front of you, which is useful and not distracting.One significant safety improvement is the recently developed active headrests, which in rear-end collisions direct the head restraints to automatically move closer to the occupants.Fuel consumption is rated at 11.1 litres and 11.7 litres for 100km, but on a 280km run we averaged about 13 litres in the coupe and 15 litres in the convertible.Though the sportier M6 models miss out on the basic design changes and the new transmission, they get the new features, raising the price by $3000.So the M6 coupe is now $279,400 and the M6 convertible $299,000.The update also brings several new exterior and interior colour options to the entire 6-Series range.Despite the hefty price, you can still dip into the optional equipment list for the 6-Series and the choices now include a lane-change warning system, Stop&Go functioning on the cruise control, BMW Night Vision and a premium sound system.  INSIDE VIEWBMW 6 SERIESPRICES 650i Coupe $212,000, Convertible $228,800, M6 Coupe $279,400, Convertible $299,000ENGINE 4.8-litre V8OUTPUT 270kW/490NmTRANSMISSION six-speed automatic, rear-wheel-driveCONSUMPTION Coupe 11.1 litres/100km, convertible 11.7 litres/100km 

The daily grind of peak-hour traffic is tedious, to say the least. The steam comes blowing out of your ears, the headache kicks in with force and the throbbing hangs around for the remainder of the day.Then it's time to hit the congestion once again.The brake lights of the never-ending line of cars in front of you light up like Christmas trees as you sit almost shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other, equally frustrated motorists.Hitting the turmoil in an average passenger car will no doubt leave you angry and stressed.But after spending endless hours being part of the problem I have found a simple, although expensive solution to making your trip into work a whole lot more exciting.The answer is to drive a spanking new super car to work, and not just any fancy car, but the recently launched Audi R8.Yes, you still have the monotonous travel ahead of you, but getting behind the wheel of this stunner will brighten your and everyone else's morning and afternoon.With only 25 R8s on Australian roads, motorists took a liking to seeing one accompany them on their daily treks this week, kind of like the reaction you'd expect if Nicole Kidman walked into a smelly pub.Many people pulled out their mobile phones for a quick snap, others just taking the time to admire and take in the beauty piece by piece.From the huge 19-inch wheels, to the diamond-looking LED headlights, from the double exhausts to the striking appearance on the low-to the ground, glamorous, fiery red piece of machinery.And from the start, it was very clear that Sydney likes Audi's first attempt at a high-performance car.Super cars are fast and gorgeous, and are usually at home on the track.Sure, they can reach 300km/h, but stuck in stop-start traffic most require the effort associated with an-hour long uphill jog. You might look and feel good for doing it, but there's a lot of hard work in getting there.Audi's $259,900 R8, ($274,000 on the press model we tested with extra features), proved to be no outcast on public roads.Drawing on Audi's rally cars and the Le Mans prototype R8 race car, means the road R8 is impressive at fast speeds, sprinting to 100km/hour in just 4.6 seconds. But it's the lingering around that leaves a lasting impression.Apart from the roaring growl of the engine, the catwalk looks and super performance, the R8 feels like a normal car, one that can be driven in traffic without having to work too hard.Turn the key and you're instantly greeted with a growl from the 4.2-litre mid-mounted V8 engine, roaring over your shoulder. But it's not too loud, allowing you to enjoy the sound system at the same time.The free-revving V8 is the same as the one in Audi's remarkable RS4. And it's impossible to miss the engine's location, on display to passers-by through the back window.In traffic, you unfortunately don't get the full benefits of Audi's R8. The full 309kW doesn't arrive until way up the tacho at 7800rpm and there's no chance of getting there in bumper to bumper traffic. Under 40km/h, rarely going above 3000rpm is disappointing, the R8 just wanting to break free.But it's still impressive at all speeds, with the torque evenly distributed, the peak of 430Nm reached between 4500 and 6000rpm.With Audi's typical classy interior and the comfortable ride, you blend in with other cars, although standing out like a sore thumb at the same time, if that's possible.The car tested was the six-speed manual, which sounded a little clunky with each shift, but felt great to drive the open-gated gearshift. The clutch isn't too heavy, which can be the case in other cars of this kind, and while the brakes are touchy, it doesn't take long to get used to.Featuring quattro permanent four-wheel drive, with a weight distribution split of 44 per cent to 56 per cent, the R8 grips to the pothole-filled roads and attacks corners and bends with confidence and grace, hugging tightly.Flick sports suspension on and you really feel the blemishes on rough roads, a little hard to tolerate on longer journeys. Turning it off improves the comfort of your ride.And, inside the cabin, cramped is one word that won't even enter your mind in the R8. Instead, cosy and spacious make an appearance, with surprisingly good head and leg room. For the task of slipping into the cockpit-like cabin, dresses and skirts are not advised for those females; or even those males wanting to maintain their dignity.That said, most people won't be paying attention to what you look like, instead gobsmacked by the car.For this daily driver, the six-stacker CD system, the satellite navigation and reversing camera all came in handy, but get used to expensive trips to the service station. The R8 has a claimed 14.6-litres per 100km and, with a 75-litre tank, it cost more than $80 to fill just over half a tank.There's little storage room in the boot or inside.So the cure to peak hour traffic may not be the most practical or affordable way of getting to work, but it's definitely one of the most enjoyable, attention-grabbing, thrilling rides to get you there.You'll be on cloud nine for the rest of the day.But if the Audi R8's outside of your budget, I guess there's always the train, where you can close your eyes and dream.  Snapshot Audi R8Price: $259,900Engine: 4.2L/V8, 308kW/420NmTransmission: 6-speed manualEconomy: 14.6L/100km