BMW has combined its diesel expertise with innovative Active Hybrid technology in a concept car that could go into production sooner rather than later.

Based on a BMW X5, the concept car demonstrates the potential of technology developed as part of the BMW Efficient Dynamics program.

Boasting the worlds first all-aluminium diesel with a specific power output of over 65kW per litre of capacity and a generator as part of a mild hybrid concept, the vehicle uses a frugal 6.5-litres of fuel per 100km and emits 172g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

It has sporty driving dynamics and will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

The engine features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with variable twin turbo, latest generation common rail injection and all-aluminium gearbox housing.

It develops 150kW/400Nm.

A compact generator, integrated in the gearbox housing, contributes to vehicle acceleration with 15kW and a maximum torque of 210Nm. The total output of the vehicle is 165kW.

Coupe 60 celebrates the six decades since Holden built the 48-215 at its Fishermans Bend plant in Port Melbourne, Victoria.

It provides a glimpse of Holden’s future directions in design, engineering and emerging engine technologies.

The sports luxury Coupe 60 is a pillarless concept car that explores the limits of Holden’s current rear-wheel drive capabilities, combining racing looks and technology into a road-going sports car.

Its sophisticated appearance is delivered through simple and powerful design, highlighted by the pillarless construction and V8 supercar inspired cockpit layout and side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips.

Almost 60mm shorter than the VE sedan, and sitting on 21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels with Kumho high performance semi-slick tyres, Coupe 60 captures an exciting new design from Holden.

Other racing-derived enhancements include full flat under body, rear underbody air diffuser and functional rear deck-lid spoiler with unique designed LED tail lamps.

The interior one-piece carbon fibre bucket seats feature leather and suede pad design and there is a sports-inspired flat bottomed steering wheel with integrated shift light display and LCD sports instrument cluster.

The high gloss carbon fibre carries through to doors and rear trim providing a contrast to the leather trimmed instrument panel and black suede trimmed pillars, headliners and parcel shelf.

Under the bonnet is a 6.0-litre V8 engine incorporating the latest technologies such as active fuel management and calibrated for E85 ethanol fuel.

Even the paint is a one-off; its called diamond silver by Holden designers, it gives a liquid aluminium finish.

It doesn’t matter how good a vehicle is, if you don’t get the colour right you run the risk of losing the car-buying customer.

That was the warning from DuPont, which has kept track of colours in the automotive industry for more than 55 years.

As many as 40 per cent of people are willing to switch brands to get a specific colour, according to a poll commissioned by the paint manufacturer.

After seven years in first place, silver ran into some stiff competition this year with white and white pearl rising to the lead colour choice for vehicles in one key region and two countries.

Looking further back, silver took the crown from green in 2000.

In North America, the report revealed white/white pearl, silver and black/black effect were in a virtual tie for first, with white/white pearl narrowly taking the top spot.

White also topped silver in Japan and was a decisive leader in Mexico, where it more than doubled the popularity of grey.

DuPont tipped white/white pearl as a trend-shifting colour and anticipated the new black metallic and other colour effects would show an increase in popularity over time.

Red also continued to gain ground and is ensuring a more vividly coloured outlook in nearly all segments.

“We are not surprised to see a proliferation of white/white pearl in DuPont’s report this year,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of Color: Messages and Meanings.

“It follows global trends in home furnishings, fashion, consumer products and industrial design where we are seeing a return to white as a clarifying agent before change, a colour of purity and minimalism.”

“White also is considered a fashion statement. The car you drive is a fashion statement and consumer preferences for white agree. White pearl itself is a combination of many colours, allowing an ability to change, reflecting, in effect, layers of white.”

From a global perspective, overall colour popularity is beginning to shift from silver to an increased interest in grey.

White/white pearl remain a very important colour for trucks and sports utility vehicles based on the high volume of those vehicles.

This also is represented in the growth of white/white pearl among luxury buyers and other segments.

The popularity of red globally is growing significantly, with an increase of two per cent overall.

Red, in particular, is a popular choice with people who want to express a level of individuality with their vehicles.

Did you purchase your car on the basis of colour? If you had the chance to choose the colour of your vehicle what would it be?

Godzilla resided at Cockle Bay Wharf for the day, caged in a perspex box. Even those not enthused by hot cars stopped to have a look.

Check out the gallery for exclusive images.

The Mk1 Jaguar, nicknamed the Grey Pussy, has been taken out of the Bathurst museum and overhauled to make its comeback next weekend.

Owner Chris Haigh says the car has had a chequered career since its first owner, then Daily Telegraph motoring editor David McKay, brought the Jag out from England in 1958. The 3.4-litre engined car was one of three Jags that dominated the early days of touring car racing in Australia.

As well as winning the first two Australian Touring Car Championship titles in 1960 and 1961, the 3.4 Jags were virtually unbeatable across Australia. Their reign only ended when legends such as Bob Jane brought out larger-engined Jags and Norm Beechey and Ian Geoghegan turned to America for their V8 muscle cars.

Haigh says his car was incredibly successful when driven by McKay, Geoghegan and Ron Hodgson.

“In 58 starts it finished 52 of them in first or second place,” he says. “It won just about everything it went in.”

And it’s also a remarkable survivor.

“It is the only car from that early era of Australian Touring Car racing that is still running,” Haigh says.

On arrival in Australia, the Grey Pussy quickly caused a sensation in racing circles when McKay had it painted with the red, white and blue stripes of its sponsor, Ampol.

It’s nothing to get excited about today, but back then any form of sponsorship on cars was banned.

McKay went on to win key events at the old Albert Park circuit in Melbourne and at Bathurst.

He then sold the car to Sydney car dealer Hodgson, who came third in the first ATCC race at Orange in 1960, beaten only by McKay in a new Jag and Bill Pitt in a similar car. Geoghegan then bought it off Hodgson.

Geoghegan’s immense driving talent steered the car to a host of state touring car titles.

He also finished in second place behind Pitt in the 1961 ATCC.

In Geoghegan’s hands the car recorded 40 first or second placings from 42 starts. But by 1963, the car was outpaced and was retired.

“It then lay dormant and deteriorating in South Australia until it was rescued and partially restored in the late ’70s,” Haigh says.

Jaguar Rover Australia resurrected it in the 1980s.

It was given a mix of competition and display roles, which included parading at the 1987 Australian Grand Prix. Haigh bought it in 1991 and it has since been raced, totally restored and displayed in Bathurst for three years.

Haigh is a Jag fan from way back.

He says became a lover of the famous British marque after his father bought a Jaguar from Sydney’s famous Hordern family in 1957.

Now he will celebrate the car’s 50th birthday by racing at Bathurst as part of the new Festival of Sporting Cars historic race meeting.

Organisers say about 550 cars will compete in more than 30 races.

Legendary drivers Mal Brewster, Leo Geoghegan, Ray Gulson, John Leffler, Spencer Martin, John Smith, Bruce Stewart, Warren Weldon and Garry Wilmington will be on hand.

The event is seen as a revival of the traditional Easter race meeting.

SNAPSHOT

FESTIVAL OF SPORTING CARS

WHAT: racing for historic cars

WHERE: Bathurst

WHEN: next weekend Easter Friday, Saturday and Sunday

HOW MUCH: Saturday adult $20, family $40, Sunday $25 $50, weekend pass $40 $80

In Europe, it comes with 2-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engines or Honda’s new 2.2 i-DTEC diesel. Australians have to make do with the 2.4.

Honda Australia is pushing hard for the inclusion of the wagon for the local line-up. But even if it did appear it could trail the sedan version by at least 12 months.

This is the eighth generation of the Accord (the first came to Australia in 1976), and with 16 million sold since, it has become a core model for Honda.

It is one of the few Honda passenger cars manufactured in Japan since the company built factories in Thailand. Jazz, Accord V6 and CR-V are built in Thailand.

The Accord Euro, which is only available with a four-cylinder engine to differentiate it from the bigger V6 Accord, has a higher level of features and safety over the current model.

It comes standard with safety equipment including a new electronic stability control linked to the car’s steering system, which helps the driver steer safely in demanding conditions.

Options will include lane-keeping assistance (which alerts the driver when the car starts to move out of its lane); adaptive cruise control and a collision mitigation brake system to warn the driver of a possible accident and prepare the brakes for an emergency stop.

The new Euro is bigger than its predecessor to boost cabin room. In styling, it is an evolution of the current model and shares some styling clues with its main rival, the Mazda6, which was also released as a new model.

The Australian 150kW, 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine version drives either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with steering-wheel paddle shifters.

No prices have been announced ahead of its local launch, because the Mazda6 was released last month at an unexpectedly low price and it appears Honda will have to follow suit. Only a minor price increase over the existing model is expected.

Meanwhile, Honda has announced an additional hybrid sedan and the fast-tracking of its stunning fuel-cell car to production. Honda president Takeo Fukui said a “dedicated” hybrid would go on sale in 2009 to support the existing Civic Hybrid.

This new car is smaller and is expected to cost about two-thirds of the Civic price, making it the cheapest hybrid on offer in Australia.

This sedan is confirmed for production but the news is slightly more blurred about Honda’s cute CR-Z sports coupe that is also slated for a hybrid powerplant.

The CR-Z, a successor to the popular CR-X of the mid-1990s, was first shown at last year’s Tokyo motor show.

Better news for Honda’s medium-sized fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, which goes on sale in the US in June and in Japan in October. The FCX theoretically has a market in Australia, although Honda Australia spokesman Mark Higgins said an immature infrastructure for hydrogen would delay local sales.

The FCX will be the first fuel-cell car to reach the global market though it is being hotly pursued by other manufacturers.

Honda also released details of a sophisticated, low-emission 2.2-litre diesel called the i-DTEC. This engine will appear first in the European-spec Accord but won’t come to Australia for at least two years.

Honda is adopting a brighter shade of green with the surprise announcement of an additional hybrid sedan and the fast-tracking of its stunning fuel-cell car to production.

Honda president Takeo Fukui said a dedicated hybrid would go on sale in 2009 to support the existing Civic Hybrid. The new car is smaller and is expected to cost about 2/3 of the Civic price.

The news is slightly more blurred about Honda’s cute CR-Z sports coupe, also slated for a hybrid powerplant.

Better news is for Honda’s medium-size fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, which goes on sale in the US in June and in Japan in October. The FCX theoretically has a market in Australia, though Honda Australia spokesman Mark Higgins said an immature infrastructure for hydrogen would delay local sales.

Honda also released details of a sophisticated low-emission 2.2-litre diesel called the i-DTEC. This engine will appear first in the European-spec Accord but won’t come to Australia for at least two years.

This is the Grand (Prix) Fantasy of Bernie Ecclestone — that millions of people on the dark side of the planet would wake and curse that they were asleep as Britain’s Lewis Hamilton led from start to finish atMelbourne’s Albert Park Agincourt.

For McLaren’s young gun, yesterday was a triumph of skill and endurance as the Melbourne Grand Prix suffered a massive attrition, with only seven of 22 cars completing the 58 laps.

Hamilton, 23, claimed his fifth win in his 18th Grand Prix, winning by 5.4 seconds from German duo Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) and the 22-year-old Nico Rosberg (Williams). “I feel fantastic,” Hamilton said afterwards. “I never would have thought it would have been as physically a breeze as it was. We could have gone faster.”

It was a bad day for prancing horses, with the Ferraris of world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa failing to complete the race. With the track temperature a blistering 51C, air temperature 37C and a sweltering northerly wind cutting across Albert Park so that conditions were something like a convection oven, the diehards came and guzzled beer on little rises of scurf, many of them in Ferrari red, while grid girls mingled urgently with the champagne set.

Race organisers claimed there were 108,000 people at the event (3000 more than last year).

But the Melbourne Grand Prix has lost much of its lustre, and as Victoria counts the cost of what is expected to be a $40 million loss, Ecclestone’s threats to take the race away have been met with significant indifference.

With a cloud over the future of the race, former cricket great Shane Warne lent his support yesterday, saying: “I like the event, it’s good for the city, hopefully it stays here for a while.”

As Honda driver Rubens Barrichello waited for the race to begin, he said he would like to see the event staged in Melbourne twice a year. “I really hope we keep this race, whether it’s night, day or snow, it doesn’t matter.”

Before yesterday’s event, it was suggested the grand prix would be a two-car race with Hamilton and Raikkonen fighting out another chapter in their global rivalry — although with Hamilton starting in pole position and Raikkonen on the eighth row of the grid at 15, the Finn was going to need wings.

In the end, it was Hamilton’s event from start to finish in a race of attrition. Raikkonen, never in winning contention, pulled out with mechanical trouble with five laps to go, while in a disastrous start to the season for Ferrari, team-mate Felipe Massa retired at 29 laps.

Among others who did not finish, Giancarlo Fisichella spoke of a car coming at him “like a kamikaze”.

Australian hope Mark Webber — who had predicted before the race, “You’re going to see a few guys run out of talent” — was out of the event himself in a calamitous first lap in which five cars, including his Red Bull Renault, came to grief.

He said he was “disappointed, but we go on to the next one”, as ageing rock legends Kiss promised to create more sound than the grand prix in a concert at Albert Park after the race.

Its vice-president of international sales Bernd Schantz was on hand in Melbourne last week for the global debut of the 308 Touring, ahead of its Geneva motor show reveal.

Although Schantz’s focus is on big markets like Russia, China and South America, he says Australia and the Asia-Pacific rank highly.

“If you look at the different regions in which Peugeot is present, very clearly the European market is in saturation phase,” he says.

As a result Peugeot is looking to growth areas but “clearly the Asia-Pacific region is one of the important developments for us.”

Peugeot has been in Australia for 50 years.

“There’s a great (synchronicity) between this market and Peugeot,” Schantz says.

“Our products are well adapted to this market. The Peugeot image of stylish cars fits very well with this market."

“I hope that we will sell more than 10,000 cars but I think that we should go further in the future. We have some further potential and we have to work on optimising our potential.”

Schantz says it is a personal challenge to increase sales in markets like Australia.

“The 308 Touring debut in Australia ahead of Geneva shows that Australia is an important market,” he says.

“The next world premiere should be in Sydney, without saying too much.”

He described the Melbourne debut for the vehicle as symbolic.

“But it’s important because a lot of motor shows want to have a world premiere and the decision to show the 308 Touring here is a good symbol,” he says.

The German company has launched an education course called First Gear. It is designed to teach new drivers about the safety systems available on its cars and demonstrate their use.

First Gear is open to the family of customers and their friends under 24 years of age.

Mercedes chief driving instructor Peter Hackett leads the program. The former Australian Formula Three champion has assembled eight instructors for the half-day schedule.

First Gear is the latest addition to Mercedes’ Active Safety Experience.

This year Hackett and his team will hold 110 driver training days throughout Australia and Asia.

The idea for the course came after the company’s older customers took part in the Active Safety Experience and wanted their children do it.

The demand was such that Mercedes added the new course. It comes at the perfect time as the Victorian Government changes the way new drivers have to earn a licence as well as the news that electronic stability control will become standard on all cars by 2011.

Mercedes believes so strongly that the technology is crucial to cutting the road toll; it is offering its patented technology free to any rival carmaker who wants it.

The First Gear course highlights just how effective it can be. The local program has a C Class on a hydraulic rig that can raise and lower front and rear wheels to simulate a loss of traction.

When the ESP system is not turned on, the wheels spin with ease and the car is hard to control as the instructor guides you through the marked layout. When the system is switched on you can put your foot down and the system does the rest. It modulates the brakes and throttle to keep the car under control.

It is an eye-opener for the young drivers doing the course.

The rest of the day involves experiencing the Anti-Lock Braking System and working on steering control.