Volkswagen Caddy Life
One of those odd cars that only VW could produce. Take a Golf and stretch it vertically, add a bike carrier to the roof (nevermind low clearances) and add a million storage places in the wagon for all those bits every young adventurer would need. The idea seems a bit odd, it is, but somehow it all seems to fit together quite well. They won't sell many but that will be part of the allure for the very brand conscious demographic it is targetted at. Add in a frugal turbo diesel and you'll get the green market too.


Lotus Europa S
Based loosely on the Elise chassis, it is the car for those who want a bit more luxury than what the Elise offers. Admittedly, that isn't hard. The only downside is the pissy little 2.0 litre turbo GM Ecotec motor that is used. It needs a small grunty V6 with the option of a supercharger.


Honda Civic Type-R
I don't know if it was the colour or not, but this car demands your attention straight away. The shape is really good, it takes the bubble look of the Pug 206/207 and improves on it. The bonus of a 150 kW VTEC motor under the bonner just makes the thing seem all that more cool. If priced right, this car will be a serious contender in the hot hatch market. The question is, would you take this over a Astra VXR?


Mitsubishi Lancer Concept Sportback
Think of the Lancer and one of two things pops into your head, pov-pack Lancer coupe/sedan with steel wheels and breathless 1.5 litre single cam motor (optional Milo tin exhaust and Bob Jane special rims) or the fire breathing EVO models. If you haven't seen the new Lancer, the front end mathes this perfectly, even the base models. They have finally put some class into the Lancer line. Lets just hope the build quality improves as much as the looks have.


Mercedes Benz CL-Coupe
It is a Merc. It is a big Coupe. It is loaded with luxury and techy tricky bits. I reckon this is one of the best looking Benz' in a long time (no more bug eyes).


Subaru Factory Tarmac
At $160,000+, it would be the best way to get into a Targa capable to run at the front. If you could drive it that is. The Factory Tarmac comes with integrated roll cage, race seats, blueprinted engine, active centre diff, carbon fibre bits, FIA fuel cell, etc. A perfect way to get into tarmac rallying.


Volvo C30
Finally a small Volvo that looks good. Can you ever forget the Volvo 440? Oh, the horror...


Ford Fiesta XR4
As one of the tiny hot hatch brigade this is gonna sell like hot cakes. The stripes look naff but the rest of the package will compete well with the likes of the Polo GTi and Swift Sport. 0-100 in 7.9 and less than 8L/100 km (PULP) should be adequate.


Nissan 350Z Convertible
The 350Z has always been one of those cars that gets a look when it drives by and the Convertible is no different. Especially in this colour. My photos don't do justice to this amazing colour. Although the colour may date quickly.


Volkswagen Golf R32
Take a VW Golf that already has adeqauate power and handling and add a 3.2 L V6 and the quattro all-wheel-drive system and you have the Golf R32. Tons of grunt and tons of grip.


Proton Gen 2
Proton previous offerings of slightly modified 5+ year old Mitsubishi models were absolutely woeful vehicles. Finally it seems Proton have developed some sort of style and engineering and produced the Gen 2. A good looking car in itself with suspension tuning by sudsidiary Lotus. The build quality still sucks but at least it has some balls to run with before the doors fall off.
The Bad


Holden Epica
Another Daewoo sourced piece of shit to replace a much superior European made vehicle. 'Nuff said.


Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio
The answer to the question that nobody asked. I have one question and one question only. Why? A total of 6 was sold in Australia in the first 3 months of this year so Chrysler must have high hopes.
The Ugly


Toyota Corolla
Some were hoping the new Camry and Aurion were an indication that Toyota got rid of its bland design squad, but then the new Corolla comes along and I think the bland boys and girls have been given a raise.


Ford Focus Convertible
Unexciting convertible variation of a good car. I'm sure this will drive well and be a good car overall but the boring styling just doesn't cut it.


Nissan Micra
When will the Japanese manufacturers work out that the JDM micro car styling just doesn't work outside Japan. Take a frog and put a glass tumour on its back and you have the Micra. Of course in colours like shown above, some people (women and gay folk) will see it as cute and buy it. Use the Daihatsu Copen as a previous example.
The Absolutely Terrible


Hummer H3
I know American made cars aren't the best made cars in the world (Chrysler 300C interior for one), but the Hummer took my opinions much lower. Let me list the things I picked up on this piece of crap in my very brief encounter with the H3:
. Doors could be moved on the hinge pins creating a loud clunking sound 
. Rear door could be replaced with a timpani drum and be quieter when it was closed, plus it was possible to pop the front doors open just by shutting the rear door 
. The middle rear seat passenger has to sit on a concealed dual Big Gulp capable drink holder 
. Interior plastic trim comes off with a small tug, how it would survive an off-road excursion puzzles me
At this point I vacated the vehicle and escaped before the car (term used loosely) before it killed me.
