Mercedes Benz ML320 CDI

Mercedes Benz ML320 CDI



It’s a pretty safe bet that when you go shopping for a new M-Class All-Wheel-Drive Mercedes, you’re not planning a Leyland Brothers expedition.

The Cat's Back: Jaguar S-Type 4.2 Luxury

The Cat's Back: Jaguar S-Type 4.2 Luxury

40 years later, the stylish S-Type reappears. But is it the Cat of old?

Snowman

Ian Talbot has been in the snow business for so long, even Santa Claus sends him a Christmas card!

Since pioneering ski tourism and launching Powderhound Magazine in the mid-1970s, Ian now runs a successful media consultancy and public relations business, Skipress, servicing the ski, snow and summer resort businesses in Victoria’s High Country. With regular trips by road and between the major resorts such as Falls Creek Alpine Resort and Mount Beauty, Ian cannot afford to be waylaid by inclement weather or unreliable transport and is delighted with his choice of vehicle; his second Honda CRV.

Both regular and occasional visitors to Falls Creek turn their head when Ian’s distinctively liveried Honda passes by. Looking something like a cross between a mobile blizzard and a giant polar mint, the CRV is decorated with an unmistakeable ski and snow theme.

“I wanted something that really said what I was all about,“ says Ian, the edges of his mouth curling slightly to suppress a huge grin,” the design took two full days to apply and is made up of a series of very big stickers.

“I took it back to Col Crawford’s (Honda dealer in Brookvale, Sydney) for the next service and they couldn’t believe it. It gets huge reaction everywhere I go!”

And Ian sure gets about!

Although most of the mileage is clocked up around town, Ian is quite comfortable extending the CRV’s normal operating environment – especially after his mighty winter adventure.

“It was in the middle of winter and I had to get from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham,” begins Ian, hinting that this isn’t something he would normally attempt in such conditions, “It was snowing hard, so I rang my friends at the local police station for a road report. Surprisingly, the normal route through Harrietville was closed, but I was told the backroad via Trappers Gap was still open – or at least wasn’t closed.”

Normally the twisty 100km trip would take about two hours, but the heavy snowfalls had left 30cm of snow over most of the road and in some places, Ian found drifts right up over the bonnet.

“I was ready to put the chains on at any time, but I really didn’t want to get out of the car, so I pressed on. It was getting very dark and cold and the fuel situation was critical,” continues Ian, reliving the anxiety with some conviction, “but the Honda just kept going, and so did I. What began as a routine drive, turned out to be quite an adventure!”

Even though he was more than happy with the CRV’s off-road ability and All-Wheel-Drive stability, Ian found this demonstration very convincing.

“I really like the look of the new CRV,” he says wistfully, “knowing full well another snowflake paint job is just around the corner!

(Just) Give Me Liberty

Test Vehicle:

Liberty 2.0R Sat-Nav special
2.0 litre DOHC (horizontally opposed four cylinder)
5-speed manual with Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive
$32,490 as tested

Subaru has re-introduced the entry level Liberty with uprated features and equipment in the hope that it will attract buyers back to this value sedan.

After an absence from the model range for nearly twelve months, little Liberty is back with a vengeance. Previously powered by a basic SOHC 2.0 litre, the new model now uses the upgraded DOHC powerplant with variable valve-timing that’s more emission-friendly and kicks out nearly 30kW more. Styling is in keeping with its elite siblings, the 2.5, 3.0R and GT.

It’s no surprise that new car buyers are rethinking their next purchase. With the spiralling cost of fuel, dealers are reporting purchasers much more interested in frugal motoring without sacrificing comfort and performance. The new Liberty 2.0R satisfies the economy conscious with fuel consumption figures comfortably under 10 litres per 100kms for careful drivers, but those with a heavier foot may find they’re using closer to 12 if they succumb to the Liberty’s sporty urges. The requirement for premium ULP however is not necessarily on the list of selling points.

Our test vehicle employed the 5-speed manual transmission. Tight and definite, the gearbox was perfectly matched to the Liberty’s newly refined engine and power delivery. The 4-speed auto (not tested) provides pseudo-manual Sportshift but is unlikely to deliver better fuel consumption than a well-driven manual. At a cost impost of $2000, Subaru may find the manual a hotter than expected seller.

Inside the cockpit, driver and passenger comfort are well considered, even if the rear seat passenger space is a little restricted. Cloth-trimmed front seats are snug and embracing with a firm, comfortable feel that makes long hours in the saddle pleasant. My dicky back welcomed the confident side restraints and meant I wasn’t squirming in pain every few minutes. There is a lack of reach adjustment in the steering column, but is compensated somewhat by a highly adjustable driver’s seat.

The dash is clean and unintimidating with a clear, familiar and practical layout. Our test car was a limited edition model with the satellite navigation system that dominated the centrepiece. This piece of equipment is now finding it’s way into more and more regular vehicles and is no longer a high priced option at the lofty end of the range. At a premium of just $500, Subaru reckon this “door buster” might just reenergise the new Liberty. This feature is normally a $3000 add-on.

On the road, the 2.0R is every bit the sure-footed AWD sedan; the hallmark of Subaru across the entire model range. Excellent 4-wheel ventilated discs with ABS augment the performance handling and team superbly with a very high (ANCAP 5 stars) safety rating thanks to dual front, side and curtain airbags.

Standard fitments are anything but frugal. The balance of equipment includes five-spoke alloys with a full-size spare wheel; climate controlled air-conditioning; six-speaker CD sound system, leather steering wheel and gear shift; cruise control; dual exhausts; front fog lamps and DataDot technology as added theft deterrence.

In summary, the Liberty 2.0R is a highly creditable, good-looking car from an increasingly respected manufacturer that delivers safety, style and affordability.

Similar Vehicles: Honda Accord, Mazda6, Holden Vectra and Toyota Camry

We liked:

• Excellent occupant safety
• Potential for good economy
• Impeccable road manners
• Attractive styling
• Japanese build quality
• High security rating (93.5/120)

We weren’t so keen on:

• Tight rear seat for big adults
• Engine requires urging from low down
• Limited boot access from inside cabin
• Premium ULP requirement

Liberty at subaru.com.au

Ford Territory TX AWD

Charting New Territory

commissioned for OUTthere Magazine The Ford Territory has certainly put the swagger back into Ford Australia’s marketing department. After some years in the doldrums, Ford are now back at the big end of town with Falcon (BA) back in the good books and a Medium 4WD that now ‘owns’ the market segment, displacing even Toyota’s robust Prado and the slightly softer Kluger. Ford Territory TX AWD