Really classy

The Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan has won the New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild Car of the Year Award - the first Mercedes-Benz to win the trophy.

It headed off a number of strong contenders, including - in no particular order - the Volvo V70 estate, Toyota's Echo, Celica and RAV4, BMW's updated 3-series, the Honda Odyssey, Renault Clio, Nissan's Maxima and the Aero version of the Saab 9-5.

The guild represents more than 30 automotive journalists in daily and specialist print media, and those from radio and television programmes and websites. Members assessed more than 50 passenger vehicles which came out last year.

They considered performance, design, quality, safety, value for money and other factors.

The C-class won particular praise for its styling, dynamics and safety technology, much of it derived from the super-luxury S-class.

"As you would imagine, the new C-class is dripping with sophistication and technology - more than any other immediate rival," guild president Richard Bosselman said. "Not everyone can afford a car such as this. But those who can, still see that it offers good value.

"It's also an extremely characterful sedan imbued with a new and exciting level of dynamic brilliance. I think the fun-to-drive aspect of this car makes a big impression."

Cross-dressing

Toyota's luxury car division Lexus unveiled a wagon version of its IS-series at this month's Detroit Motor Show.

The SportCross is based on the forthcoming IS300 V6 and features a wagon/hatch shape in the mould of the Alfa 156 Sportwagon, BMW 3-series Touring and Subaru Impreza five-door.

Daewoo dilemma

Talks between troubled Daewoo, Korea's No 2 carmaker, and joint bidders General Motors and Fiat have entered their fifth month.

Daewoo, in receivership but still in business through its Korean bankers, continues to experience labour and union problems after further proposed job cuts and the main plant is facing further disruption from insolvent suppliers.

Industry experts predict that GM decide by the end of next month whether to go ahead with the buyout. Ford pulled out of its takeover bid in September after full investigation of the Korean debts.

Daewoo is distributed in New Zealand by a private company, Rapson Holdings, which took over the Korean brand in August.

The company has now stopped any direct-selling and is concentrating on working through retail dealers.

This includes including a flagship sales operation, called Daewoo Auckland, in Wairau Rd.

This year, Rapson has also taken over distributorship of Ssang Yong vehicles.

New models, including the Musso four-wheel-drive, are expected by March.

Influential range

Land-Rover is now part of the Ford stable, but next year's Range Rover will still show heavy BMW influence. Many of these components have been developed from X5 technology, including the sophisticated all-independent suspension.

When it comes to powerplants, the new Rangie's V8 and V12 engines are pure BMW.

The newcomer is longer and wider, but designers say that the approach and departure angles have been improved.

Styling is expected to follow traditional Range Rover themes.

Little Sir Echo

Toyota is thought to be working on a high-tech, common-rail turbo-diesel for the diminutive Echo hatchback.

The 1.4-litre powerplant produces 60kW and should go into production next year.

The derv-burning Echo is aimed primarily at the European market, where small diesel cars are gaining popularity.

British motoring writers suggest that the engine will be used in the BMW Group's Mini, though not until well after the petrol models have established themselves. The German firm does not have a suitable small oil-burner for its retro-look hatchback.