Chairman wows

Now here's a novelty: a Korean car that costs $110,000. Meet the SsangYong Chairman, a super-luxury sedan (pictured) being imported in limited numbers by new distributor Rapson Holdings.

If you think the Chairman looks a bit Mercedes-like, you're right. A technology licensing agreement between the three-pointed star and SsangYong allows the Korean maker to use the underpinnings and 161kW 3.2-litre powertrain from the previous-generation E-class as a base for its luxury limo.

The wheelbase is stretched 300mm, making the Chairman a similar size to the Mercedes S-class. Goodies include leather trim, fully adjustable rear seats and a "touch control centre" which can be used for the automatic air- conditioning, sound system and audio visual displays.

Now here's the catch - SsangYong's agreement with Mercedes forbids it from selling the car in certain markets, including Europe and America.

New Zealand gets the thumbs up, but Rapson isn't allowed to advertise the car for less than the price of a new Mercedes C320 - hence the hefty $110,000 ticket in the window. Rapson boss Russell Burling says he expects to sell four Chairmans this year.

Even less of Compact

BMW has confirmed that it is developing a new small car for sale in 2004. More compact than the Compact, the 1-series will fit in between the 3-series and the company's Mini model range.

Despite its diminutive dimensions, it will retain BMW's trademark rear-drive layout for sporty handling. Also under development is a successor to the legendary 6-series coupe built between 1975 and 1989.

Like the original, the new 6-series will be a large sporty two-door at a premium price. Unlike the first model, though, a convertible version is also being planned. Closer to home, BMW New Zealand's model range has just been boosted with the addition of a 3-litre six-cylinder variant to the X5 lineup.

The $109,900 newcomer joins the 4.4 V8 X5 launched in November 2000.

One four the road

With Renault's stylish Scenic RX4 off-roader finally on its way to New Zealand, the next-generation model for 2003 is already undergoing testing in Europe.

The second-generation Scenic is being built on a joint Renault-Nissan platform and is likely to feature bold, sharp-edged styling.

Both the two-wheel drive and RX4 versions will continue and the platform will also be used for a Nissan hatchback.

Ford's Ka-less days

Reports from Europe suggest that Ford will not develop a direct replacement for the Ka. Concerned that the quirky three-door has cut into sales of its similarly sized European Fiesta, it may opt for a much smaller new model in 2004 to compete in the "city car" segment instead.

We are the world

The car targeted most by thieves in the United States last year was the Honda Integra.

A court in the United States has upheld a police decision to confiscate a man's four-wheel-drive after he was found drunk behind the wheel, listening to music. He was in his own driveway and had bought the car that day.