MERCEDES-BENZ 600SL (From Warrington Guardian)

MERCEDES-BENZ 600SL

I have no idea what cars the presidents of Leeds Rugby League or Yorkshire County Cricket clubs drive but clearly they aren't as impressive as the Mercedes SL-Class two door convertible coupe that I drove up to the security gate one recent Saturday morning.

The man in the uniform who probably spends most of his life turning people away from the car park for the "in crowd" had no hesitation in waving me through, enabling me to park outside the main administrative building.

In actual fact, all I wanted was a programme for the match the night before between Leeds and Warrington.

I had been invited to Leeds to drive a whole selection of Mercedes-Benz cars on the Friday, which meant I couldn't be at the game.

Having collected programmes for Wires matches since the war I didn't want to miss out and drove over from my hotel in east Leeds across to Headingley. I would happily have driven any of the cars on offer but I was advised not to miss the SL-Class experience by Carrie Bond, the company's press officer so I just had to comply!

Accordingly, I crossed the city of Leeds for the first stage of my appraisal in a car that can reach 60 miles an hour in four and a half seconds.

Only when I went out of the city and on to the moors was able to really appreciate the Boeing style take-off of which the bi-turbo 12-cylinder five and a half-litre SL600 is capable and its subsequent mindblowing performance. I cannot confirm, however, that the top speed of this sensational car is a governed 155 miles an hour!

Driving such a supercar is by no means a challenge. Everything about it is geared to making the driver as comfortable as possible. Please, say Mercedes-Benz, is what this car is all about.

It's exemplified not only in vivid performance. Active Body Control, the name for the suspension system, makes sure there is no pitch and roll. Sensotronic Brake Control, an electro hydraulic system, cuts down the stopping distance quite considerably - you just have to make sure there is no one close up behind without such technology! The traction control system is stunning while the ABS anti-lock braking is supported by Brake Assist.

All of this works as part of an electronic stability programme and it is co-ordinated by a computerised diagnosis system that has previously only been employed by the aviation industry and the Space Agency in the United States.

Not surprisingly, 600SL returns the most punishing fuel consumption figures of any car I have driven in years - I was probably achieving 12 miles per gallon in the city traffic and the official Government figure for the combined performance is just 19.

The 500 horsepower engine also used in the S-Class saloon and CL-Class coupe, has a maximum torque figure of 800 Nm, available from 1,800 to 3,600 revs.

The transmission is a five speed automatic system featuring manual selection when it is required and lock-up. Like the engine, it is as smooth as silk.

Inside, there are embossed Nappa leather seats with massaging dynamic multi-contour backrests. There's a mass of wood and what's called wood look around the cabin along with a wood and leather-trimmed gear shift and steering wheel and a TV tuner for the standard COMAND audio and satellite navigation system are standard.

Sound is provided by a Bose speaker system, and Nokia mobile hands-free telephone is mounted within the centre armrest.

SL 600's bodywork looks like a million dollars and it all sits on exclusive 18-inch wheels. There's chrome trim around the radiator, silver brake callipers, special badging on the side air intakes and bi-xenon headlights.

Safetywise, there are two front airbags and side head-thorax airbags and rollover sensors are standard.

Apparently if the vehicle does roll the side airbags and seat belt tensioners are triggered and a hoop pops up to protect the occupants.

Speedtronic cruise control system may not be what this car is really about - but at least it means you may avoid bothering the cops and the cameras! At the flick of the cruise control lever the car can be kept within designated speed limits.

The Bose RDS audio system features a six CD player and is linked to eight speakers, controls on the steering wheel and an electric aerial.

That satellite navigation system features a voice over and is among the most simple to programme.

The remote control door opening system is personalised to the driver so that he or she doesn't even have to take the key from a pocket or handbag. It also operates the windows. In addition, the steering wheel, driving mirrors and all of the seats have a memory feature.

The air conditioning has climate control and secondary ventilation controls for the passenger.

Radar sensors enable the vehicle to be parked quite safely in the tightest of spaces.

ASSYST variable servicing intervals apply to 600SL. The car also carries a three years' unlimited mileage warranty and Mercedes-Benz's industry-leading life warranty cover. Warranties for protection against inside-to-outside corrosion and breakdown cover are commonplace in the industry, but only Mercedes-Benz has the confidence to extend this cover for 30 years - three decades - from the date of first registration.

Security features include an immobiliser and remote control anti-theft protection.

Oh yes - and one more thing. The car will cost you only £95,440.

Car: Mercedes-Benz SL 600

Configuration: Two door convertible coupe

Engine: Bi-turbo 5513cc 12 cylinder, multi-point fuel injection

Power output: 500hp at 5,000 revs

Top speed: 155 mph

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Steering: Speed sensitive powered rack and pinion

Brakes: ABS, EBD, BA

Wheels: 18ins

Verdict: One of the world's great cars. If you are devotee of class this one would bring tears of emotion to your eye

BMW SIX SERIES COUPE by Alan Domville

DRIVING up into the Maritime Alps behind Nice over the twisting, testing terrain greatly favoured by car manufacturers over the years is always enjoyable and, despite appalling bad weather, it was doubly so at the wheel BMW's low-slung, high-tech two door 645Ci Coupe.

The first Six Series car built by BMW in 14 years, the Coupe's vivid power is provided by one of the outstanding engines of recent years with a capacity of 4.4 litres.

Using what's called Valvetronic valve control, Bi-Vanos variable valve timing and fully variable intake manifold adjustment, the eight cylinder engine can push the car through the corners at more than 6,000 revs and yet cruise at 1,500.

So if you are in the wrong manual gear at any time the car immediately forgives you and begins the recovery instantaneously - and what recovery! Generating more than 330 horsepower, the car can reach 60 miles an hour in just five and a half seconds and its top speed is an electronically governed 155 mph.

When the six-speed manual version is slotted into Sport mode the acceleration and steering response is even further enhanced; in the Steptronic or sequential automatic variants the gearshifts are carried out at higher engine speeds.

Torrential rain and an abundance of leaves on the twisty roads above St Paul de Vence have spelled disaster for many drivers - I spotted three vehicles on their roofs during the morning drive - but this beautifully balanced machine caused no qualms.

Good old rear wheel drive, powerful brakes and stability control reduces the danger created by the conditions - or alternatively some over-enthusiastic driving.

Active cruise control cuts the power and applies the brakes if another vehicle appears too close "on the radar."

This two-plus-two will set you or your company back all of £60,000 but in addition to all that engineering expertise you also get mountains of technology to smooth your way forward - and even backwards. Front and rear parking distance control features a display on the dashboard showing the relationship of the car to objects and you also get an audible warning beep.

Once inside you really don't know where to look first.

How about the multi-function screen with options for pan European satellite navigation, entertainment, climate settings and advanced communication?

Or the leather seating that can be adjusted in all manner of ways for optimum driver and passenger comfort?

Then there's the leather-clad steering wheel where there are controls for the audio systems, cruise etc.

Trim strips of pearl gloss, or optionally, birchwood, are eye-catching too.

The basic instrumentation can be obscured by a lowered wheel, however, and the kilometre markings are far too small for those who wear glasses for reading and can't drive with them.

I have long rattled on about the need for someone to invent a display with alternative graphic grounds - but BMW will soon go one step further by introducing a projection of all the necessary information on to the windscreen but which looks as if it sits at the end of the bonnet. It will be here in September next year.

The familiar BMW kidney grille naturally continues but in a wholly streamlined version that even includes flaps that help to lower the drag co-efficient.

The car sits on its dedicated platform so that while it shares some components with Five Series it is a totally different animal.

The Wrap-round Bi-Xenon lights don't just illuminate the road quite vividly but can be swivelled by up to 15 degrees in the direction the car is pointing when it's going round corners.

Considerable use has been made of lightweight materials and this is emphasised by an astonishingly light bootlid. Beneath it there is enough room to hold a dance - or at least two golf bags and the amount of assorted luggage four people might normally take with them.

So what's the downside? If you are small, like me, there are blindspots created by the rear pillars and head restraints. And if you are tall, don't ride in the back!

A convertible version of the car will also be made available when the car is launched next month.

Buyers will be able to take advantage of a maintenance deal over five years or 60,000 miles for a fixed fee of £750 which is transferable.

Car: BMW 645Ci

Configuration: Two door

Engine: 4398cc

Power output: 330hp at 6,100 revs

Top speed: 155 mph

Transmissions: Six speed manual, Steptronic or sequential autoshifts

Steering: Servotronic hydraulic powered rack and pinion

Brakes: ABS, stability and traction control

Wheels: 18 ins with run flat tyres (no spare)

Fuel tank: 70 litres

Boot capacity: 450 litres

Length: 16ft

Verdict: Car with a proud heritage yet in the stratosphere compared with its predecessors

TOYOTA PRIUS by Alan Domville

PRIUS, the second generation hybrid car introduced last month by Toyota, is one of those cars that is so different that you have to spend 10 minutes sorting out all the switches when you initially take the wheel - and you are fearing the worst.

But at the end of the test week it had become one of those cars that I simply didn't want to give back.

If Prius is the way forward for the motor industry then I for one will have no qualms.

Prius provides truly astonishing fuel efficiency but not at the cost of performance thanks to what's called Hybrid Synergy Drive which uses a 1.5 litre petrol engine and an electric motor that's as powerful as a conventional 1.2 litre petrol unit.

Together, they give the car the pulling power equivalent to that of a V6 diesel.

The "key" is simply a little piece of plastic that's inserted into an aperture in the fascia. If you press on the the starter and the clutch pedal the engine comes to life - but you only know it because the fascia lights come on; the operation is silent until you rev.

As you move away, a digital display indicates if the power is coming from the battery or the engine along with the charge level - and you also have a reassurance that the wheels are turning too!

If one prefers, a manual switch allows sole use of the battery for up to one and a quarter miles while driving at 30 mph.

Conventional cars waste energy every time the brakes are applied but in Prius this is fed back into the battery to maintain the charge.

When Prius is stopped at traffic lights the petrol power is automatically switched off - but it swings straight back into action if you need a fast take-off.

The car went on sale in Japan only in September but the order book already exceeds 20,000 units - more than six times the demand expected.

Building on the original, which sold in excess of 130,000 units worldwide, new Prius has been given a larger five-door body style, a spacious and comfortable passenger cabin with five seats and a versatile luggage space.

Fuel consumption during the test period averaged a stunning 66 mpg and government figures credit the car with more than 50 mpg around town. I'm told that in Japan, Prius has achieved just over 100 mpg by running the car at below 50 miles an hour.

There's also the bonus of ultra clean emissions with the battery power taking away the worst of them when starting from cold. Particulate emissions are virtually non-existent, hydrogen and oxygen "fall out" is more than 80 per cent less than levels to be permitted in new cars sold in Europe from next year and NOx emissions are 100 per cent less than those that will be allowed for diesels.

Yet performance isn't impaired - the zero to 60 mph acceleration yardstick can be achieved in under 11 seconds and the top speed is 106 mph.

It gets even better: all this advanced technology is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles and major services are 20,000 miles apart.

Prius is available in this country in three grades called T3, T4 and T Spirit and prices are £17,495, £18,295 and £19,995 respectively but those figures can each be reduced by £1,000 thanks to the Powershift grant from Energy Savings Trust.

All of the grades feature eight airbags, ABS brakes supported by Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Electronic Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control Plus.

T4 adds a an audio system with a six-disc CD autochanger linked to nine speakers, cruise control and fog lamps while the T Spirit that was supplied for test adds a Bluetooth telephone interface and a DVD-based full-map satellite navigation with voice recognition and touch screen controls.

When the system is tuned to react to the driver's voice, a simple word such as "restaurant" will produce a list of them in the neighbourhood and to which a route can be automatically programmed.

The electric climate control standard on all versions operates independently of the engine - and that's another fuel saver.

No less than 16 functions can be controlled from the steering wheel.

The higher than average positioning of the seats promotes ease of access and egress all round and also provides the driver with great visibility. At the back, the seats can be folded flat and the squab has a 60:40 split to enhance versatility.

Car: Toyota Prius

Configuration: Five door hatchback

Engine: 1.5 litre DOHC 16 valve

Maximum power: 76hp at 5,000 revs

Electric motor: 500 volts

Maximum power: 67hp between 1,200 and 1,540 revs

Battery: Sealed nickel, 201 volts

Top speed: 106 mph

Steering: Electric powered rack and pinion

Brakes: Disc all round, ABS, EBD, BA, TC

Wheels: 16 inch

Fuel tank: 45 litres

Insurance group:

Length: 15ft

Verdict: Motorists needn't be the bad guys anymore. It was privilege to drive Prius - nothing less than the most innovative car I have experienced in more than 40 years

SKODA OCTAVIA AMBIENTE by Alan Domville

SKODA introduced a new special edition of the current Octavia, the Ambiente additionally designated SE, last month.

Combining the flexibility and driving comfort of Octavia's most popular trim level with additional equipment, the Ambiente SE starts from £12,380 and rises to £14,890.

Buyers of the special edition can choose from three engines and two transmissions.

There's a manual 1.6 litre petrol engine that has a maximum output of 102 horsepower, a 1.9 TDI diesel capable of 90 hp mated to either manual or automatic transmission and the 1.9 TDI using Pumpe Duse technology with 130 hp.

The petrol engines meet the stringent EU4 emissions standard not due to come into force until next year and the modifications that were required to achieve this had the spin off of slightly increasing the horsepower. The diesel engine complies with EU3 regulations.

Each of the Octavia Ambiente SE models include features normally found as options on the range: metallic paint, alloy wheels, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and small leather pack.

These are valued collectively at £975 while the actual premium is £300 above the price of the corresponding Octavia Ambiente models.

The full Octavia range already features a compact disc player and stereo system, driver's and front passenger's airbags, an ABS braking system, a steering wheel that's height and reach adjustable and central locking.

It's no secret, of course, that after one million sales of the model a new Octavia will soon be with us.

First pictures were released last month and the car will make its first public appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 2.

The car has been designed and engineered at Skoda's technical centre at its headquarters in Mlada Boleslav near Prague in the Czech Republic. The factory is the most modern in Europe and the cleanest I have ever visited.

The new car is 4,572 mm long, 1,769 mm wide and 1,462 mm high. The basic luggage-compartment capacity amounts to 560 litres with the folding rear seats in place.

New Octavia will be available with a choice of six engines. These include 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines as well as 1.6 and 2.0 direct injection petrol engines. The diesels are two fuel-efficient four-cylinder units of 1.9 and 2.0 litres.

As with the rest of the Skoda range, Octavia comes with a full peace-of-mind warranty package which provides three years' or 60,000-mile cover plus three years' paint and 10 years' anti-perforation warranties and three years' worth of emergency assistance at the roadside.

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER by Alan Domville

MITSUBISHI'S all-new Outlander crossover model went on sale in January with three specifications and a dual fuel variant of each.

The equipment-laden 2.4 Equippe model costs £16,999 while the twin-sunroofed Sport carries a premium of £1,000 while leather-clad Sport SE is £18,749.

The dual fuels each cost £1,000 more the petrol models.

Outlander's front end features a broad vertical nose that houses a large three-diamond logo - and I understand that this is how future Mitsis will look.

The new vehicle has the lofty ground clearance and commanding driving position of an off-roader, but it is intended to provide the versatility of an estate and the driver-friendly dimensions and low centre of gravity of a saloon car.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 158 horsepower at 5,750 revs, is new and can be switched between separate low and high cam profiles for improved pulling power at low and mid range speeds as well as higher output at high speeds.

Top speed is 112 mph and zero to 60 mph time is 11.2 seconds.

The unit has been mated to Mitsubishi's second-generation four-speed automatic transmission which has a sports mode manual override.

Surprisingly, Outlander borrows much from Evolution VIII - it actually sits on a modified Evo platform and utilises the car's rally-derived permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Outlander rides on a MacPherson front strut and independent multi-link rear suspension set-up. - and that's also similar in principle to the layout used in the Evo.

Equippe boasts ABS and EBD, driver and passenger front and side airbags, climate control, a four speaker single slot stereo radio/CD sound system, central locking, an alarm and keyless entry, electric front and rear windows with an anti trap function, a split folding rear seat, electrically adjustable heated wing mirrors, a rear spoiler with high level brakelight, 16 inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a leather-clad steering wheel and gearlever and integrated roof rails.

Sport model has an electric sunroof and fixed rear skylight with blinds, a six speaker single slot CD sound system, colour-coded electrically adjustable wing mirrors, a black wood-effect dash panel and integrated front fog lights. Sport SE adds leather seats.

HYUNDAI GETZ by Alan Domville

HYUNDAI'S biggest seller, the Getz supermini, has received another boost with the introduction of a diesel model.

The £8,695 Getz CRTD GSI five-door uses Hyundai's latest generation 1.5 litre common-rail, turbo-diesel, three-cylinder engine already seen in Accent and Matrix.

The new car is credited with a consumption figure of just under 60 miles per gallon according to Government figures. It can reach 60 mph from standing in 16.5 seconds.

Standard equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, power steering, electric front windows, split/folding rear seats, ISOFIX seat anchorage, a stereo/radio RDS CD player and a rear spoiler.

The Getz range starts with the £6,995 1.1 GSI three-door, rising to the 1.6 CDX five-door and 1.6 Sport at £10,145.

Shortly, Hyundai will also introduce a Getz 1.3 Sport model.

The 1.3 unit fitted to mainstream models generates 82 horsepower at 5,500 revs and is exceptionally smooth - and the five speed manual transmission is one of the nicest gearboxes in a small car I have experienced.

Top speed is claimed to be just over 100 miles an hour and the sprint from standing to 60 can be achieved in under 10 seconds.

Getz, unlike so many other vehicles of its genre, is extremely roomy at the front, the back and overhead. Indeed the claim for the latter is that it exceeds that in the Mercedes E-Class.

The GSi specification features powered steering, ABS brakes, a Sony radio and CD player with a removeable front and RDS, electric front windows, central locking from the driver's door, twin airbags and an immobiliser.

If there's a downside to Getz it is its interior trim. Drab is the word that comes to mind - though Hyundai are convinced that potential buyers will be impressed by its minimalism. Even the audio receiver is as black as the fascia - simply a silver surround like those on the central instruments would have lifted it.

The rear bench seat can moved backwards and forwards to make best use of the room available and the squab can be split 60:40. The third central rear seat is equipped with a three point belt as well as a height adjustable head restraint.

Safety features include front and side airbags and those ABS brakes, assisted by electronic brake force distribution, and are something not fitted as standard to many of the car's entry-spec rivals.

Hyundai's pioneering five year warranty, which has still not been matched in the UK, continues to offer customers unrivalled driving cover. The warranty is an unlimited mileage offering, is fully transferable between owners and applies across the complete range.

VAUXHALL MERIVA

VAUXHALL'S versatile long wheelbase Meriva, which entered the showrooms last summer, is a five-seater that makes use of what's called FlexSpace which enables the user to convert the three rear seats into two offering executive car comfort.

Meriva also offers more headroom than it sister car, the larger Zafira, and more than 2,000 litres of stowage space when the front passenger seat is taken out.

With the rear middle seat folded, a useful travel box called Travel assistant becomes an arm rest with cupholders.

It can be stowed in the boot when not in use or removed altogether.

There are three trim levels, called Life, Enjoy and Design and a choice of 1.6 and 1.8 litre engines and prices range from £10,005 to £13,495.

The Life specification features powered front windows, remote central locking, a radio and cassette player, ABS brakes with brake assist, driver and passenger airbags, electric powered steering, a front centre dome lamp with theatre style lighting, black instrumentation which includes a rev counter, powered exterior driving mirrors, roof rail sliders and 15 inch steel wheels.

Enjoy also provides air conditioning, steering wheel controls, a CD player with a separate audio system for rear passengers, seat back tray tables and net pockets, a boot power outlet and, with the 1.8 litre engine, cruise control.

At the top end, Design also has alloy wheels, front fog lights, dark tinted glass, a leather covered steering wheel, a boot net, under seat storage and body coloured features.

Options include a DVD entertainment system to enable rear passengers to watch films, play music or date CDs and connect games consoles.

The exterior design in based on Zafira but its four window arrangement is emphasised by a four-window arrangement.

Eight and 16 valve 1.6 litre and 16 valve 1.8 litre petrol engines are available along with a 1.7 litre common rail diesel.

The option of Vauxhall's Easytronic automatically shifted manual gearbox is also being offered.

With the monocab market still growing at a pace, Vauxhall are hoping to sell 25,000 versions of Meriva this year.

Meriva is built for Europe at General Motors' plant in Zaragoza in Spain and assembly for the American continent is taking place in Brazil.

Insurance groups range from 3T to 5T and service intervals are at 20,000 miles or a year.

PERODUA KELISA

SMALL car specialists Perodua's five door Kelisa EX can put you on the road for under £5,000 plus the road fund licence and first registration fee.

The GX specification is £800 more while the range-topping EZ costs only £6,699. In the latter a three speed autoshift replaces the five speed manual gearbox.

Each of the cars is powered by the advanced one litre three cylinder engine that is fitted to the Toyota Yaris and Daihatsu Cuore.

To get the picture, imagine a more compact and narrower car than the Ford Ka - but with two extra doors. The latter, along with roof height that would bother no one under 6ft, helps to give the car spaciousness and ease access and egress for the rear passengers.

The exterior of Kelisa features flush fitting door handles, faired-in headlamps and a contoured chromium grille. Inside, there are high-positioned seats complete with head restraints.

Power assisted steering is standard in all of the models and with that narrowness providing a tight turning circle, this is a car that will appeal to all those who need a women who don't want to wrestle with heavy steering. All cars need safety features and small cars especially so.

Accordingly, Kelisa has been given airbags for both the driver and the front passenger and there is also side impact protection, seat belt pretensioners and child locks in those rear doors.

For additional security the engine is automatically immobilised.

The entry EX has a folding rear seat to enhance its versatility and the tailgate wash and wipe system is also standard.

GX and EZ each boast electrically operated windows sensibly controlled from switches in the doors, central bottle holders at the front, coin holders and two tone cloth upholstery. You also get a glove box larger than those in cars twice the size.

Colour keyed bumpers and trim are specified too and there is a choice of metallic paint finishes at no extra cost.

The three cylinder 989cc engine has variable valve timing and generates a high of 54 horsepower. That can be turned into zero to 60mph performance of 15 seconds and seemingly effortless 70 mph cruising for the motorway. The top speed is claimed to be 88 miles per hour.

Other mechanical features include suspension with MacPherson front struts and a semi trailing arm

arrangement with a three link beam axle at the rear. The brakes are servo assisted with discs at the front.

The red, green and black instrumentation set behind a racy steering wheel features a rev counter, there's a central digital clock and a six digit mileometer which provides a subliminal message about durability.