@TampaRon: actually I have driven an RS4 (saloon version) and I so haven't "picked a brand" as you've suggested as I actually own a Merc (which replaced an Audi) and I'm really not sure how I'll replace it when the time comes

OK the excitement is unreal, I was leaving my gym today and noticed that the road outside was closed off for filming, curious I waited to see what was going on and hey-presto what appeared was a DeLorean. I didn't have time to stop one of the crew and ask what was going on but I'm guessing it's for something set in…

I guess it's success will all come down to price point because the market for big V8 saloons (in Europe at least) is very badge-conscious and I don't think Hyundai can cut it with the big-boys quite yet

@brandegee: you're right of course but I still think I prefer the BMW "less is more" approach thought clearly the Audi 4wd chassis would be better in some circumstances than either the M5 or the Merc AMG. However this series A6 is getting near retirement so in any case the RS6 version is virtually a run-out model (as…

Well it might be faster than an M5 but you can bet it won't be as good to drive and the ride is bound to be bone-shakingly bad

@zedmanauk: I agree, I actually think it will be very successful for Jag (and it's new owners, whoever they turn out to be), whatever reservations people have about the car's styling it is sure to be a great drive. In Europe the Jaguar brand still has considerable cache and the XF will build on that and offer European…

@Euromobile: at the moment there is no VE wagon, Holden is still churning out the previous model (VZ) wagons until they get around to making a VE. Wagon sales in Australia have slumped in recent years so they may take some time

@geeteeoh: nothing yet, apart from the Volvos which share the Landy's engine, any others?

Your starter for 10 points, how many other cars currently in production have transverse 6-in-line engines?

I once drove the length of New Zealand in a Merc 350SL but it broke down when we had to drive through some standing water

The weirdest thing about this is that the UK isn't even a very "buggy" country, whenever I return home to New Zealand I'm always reminded how many more air-born insects and bugs there are every time I go for a drive at night.

Apparently at the launch some Holden exec said that there were currently no plans to export the ute to the US and that they would not be making a crew cab or 4wd version (as they did of the previous model)

surely the hoons deserve a Holden version?

well I guess that if you had a Fiat Stilo you'd need something like that…

@geeteeoh:

Audi is the only European manufacturer to have brought a hybrid vehicle to market - the A4 estate based Audi Duo launched in 1997, but didn't sell well. They've also shown off various hybrid concepts over the years including the A2-H2 in 2004 and a Q7 Hybrid in 2005

one thing is for certain, I won't be putting any money in his hedge fund any time soon

Isn't there a plan to eventually build the G8 in North America at GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility? If so this thing could be built on the same line

The current Holden ute is also available in crew cab (4 door) and 4wd versions so I'd guess it's only a matter of time before this one is too

Time was when you got your Holden ute with a bench seat and column shift, ideal for the hoon and two of his hoonish mates to tear up and down the main street of their hick-town. I know because I was there