Better drive edges extra door.

Kia ProCeed GT

You won’t be at all surprised to know that Kia’s seven-year unlimited-kay warranty plays a big part in the result. It’s also pretty obvious that a $29,990 entry price is a good start in a class with a $75K ceiling, even though price itself isn’t scored, because instead the predicted three-year resale – a reasonable 57 percent – works on a very low starting point.

As well as being a better sports hatch/coupe – the multi-link rear suspension and Recaro seats are highlights – than its direct rival (in second place), the ProCeed GT is a better buy, despite being a bit thirstier.

Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo

Toyota 86

The Subaru BRZ twin finishes sixth.

Punch doesn’t have to punch a hole in your bank balance.

Mercedes-AMG A45

The service interval is long (12 months), which means more time baiting BMW owners and less time in the workshop, while the 60 percent resale is pretty good – it sheds $30K in three years.

BMW M235i

Lotus Elise S Roadster

Fun in the sun does come cheap.

Fiat 500 C Lounge

Volkswagen Golf 118TSI Exclusive

Mini Cooper Cabrio

Triton still the value pick.

Mitsubishi Triton GLX

Ford Ranger XLS

Mazda BT-50 XT

PLUS

• The power. With 441kW and 700Nm, you build yourself up to full throttle. Sustained full throttle is licence-annihilating. This thing is fast.
• The grip. There’s lots of it, meaning the M6 can go around corners rather fast.
• Mini corner-exit drifts. Even with ESP in ‘MDM’ half-off mode, the M6 will dance sideways out of corners in a most delicious way.
• Duality of personalities. One minute it’s a docile traffic animal, press a few buttons and it’s ready to rip your face off. In a good way.
• The interior. It’s a Bimmer, it’s got a nice interior. Leather and carbon fibre combine for a super high quality feel. It’s a nice place to sit.

• Equal parts frightening and thrilling. Driving fast, you feel ever-so-slightly insulated from the car. With so much grunt and grip, it can be unnerving.
• Can feel enormous during cornering. 1850kg isn’t that much, but driven up a twisty road the M6 reveals a talent for making every kilo known.
• The noise. We’re on the fence. You can tell it’s a V8, but it’s a bit computer-ish. Not sure if it sounds purposeful and technical, or a bit artificial.
• Cornering in general. It’ll do corners competently and accurately, but a little unsatisfyingly. It’s made for autobahns more than twisty roads.
• Starting to feel a little ‘last generation’. A new generation 6-Series and M6 is due 2017. That’s not that far away, really.

WHAT would you do if you could attend the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, joining up to one million visitors at what is arguably the world’s biggest and most significant car expo?

Would you go straight to the wildest and quickest looking concept car? Or check out the newly unveiled latest model of the hatchback you are planning to actually buy?

After months of teasing, lashings of leaks and the constant rumble of rumours, the Frankfurt show has finally opened its doors, and once again it doesn’t disappoint.

What’s the pick of the show? Join the Wheels team on the floor as they hunt down their personal favourites.​

Reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show reveal Holden’s VF II Commodore SS will be the last Holden V8 sedan for Australia.

During the international event Stefan Jacoby, General Motors’ executive vice president, confirmed to Australian media the V8 era is over.

“I know they are charming and I like the sound of the V8 but times are changing. The technology is changing with more or less the same performance. The acceptance is changing, even in America,” the GM boss told News.com.au. “The V8 period is coming to an end.”

He hinted the next generation Commodore would come from Germany, pointing squarely at the next-generation Opel Insignia. The current generation Insignia is sold here with a twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel drive.

But even with the increased focus on downsizing from manufacturers, the V8 engine’s popularity in Australia remains rock solid with models like the Commodore, and also the incoming Ford Mustang.

When asked whether Chevrolet would further develop the Commodore for its own market (the US firm currently sells an LS3-powered VF Series I Commodore SS Redline as its ‘SS’) he said: “That [Chevrolet SS] phases out when we see manufacturing end in Australia.”

However the newly developed Mustang-rival has been judged too expensive to develop for right-hand drive.

It is expected GM will eventually import Corvette to Australia instead, with a price tag for a V8 coupe from the sports car manufacturer poised to reach over $100K.

A couple of hints are in the name of the Nissan Gripz Concept – enthusiasts need to come to grips with a future Z-car crossover.

Although the Gripz Concept previews “an innovative new future for the marque,” the Japanese brand insists an SUV Zed would just pay homage to its offroad rally heritage; it’s not a scary new frontier.

As evidence, Nissan points to the original 240Z of the 1970s were rally stars that conquered the open plains of Kenya, Uganda and present day Tanzania with their raised ride height and beefed-up suspension.

“The Nissan 240Zs were proof that sports cars didn’t have to be low to the ground to be fun,” the company adds in a statement. “The Nissan Gripz Concept proves this again.”

Nissan says the Gripz is a design statement rather than a replacement for an existing model, previewing the company’s new ‘emotional geometry’ design language.Similar in size to a Juke or Qashqai – with no B-pillar and suicide rear doors – the Gripz instead uniquely has the “silhouette of a sports car” while the tail-lights boast obvious 370Z cues.

The only HRT 427 in public hands is for sale once again, just months after appearing in Dutton’s Melbourne showroom listed as POA.

The car is now in the hands of Victorian exotic car dealer Lorbek Luxury Cars, but crucially it now wears a price tag of $599,500.

It’s an important difference, as while POA can essentially mean anything, a well-established outlet has now provided a barometer of what it thinks this rare machine is worth.

Internationally, classic car values are skyrocketing, however there is little evidence that this trend is being followed in Australia in a similar manner to the muscle car boom of 2007-08.

Prices for sought-after Australian cars like the Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III and Holden Torana A9X are remaining relatively steady.

It will be interesting to see how long the listing lasts.

IS THIS the first Mazda CX-4? The Mazda Koeru concept has been shown at the Frankfurt motor show and potentially adds another model to the best-selling SUV line-up in Australia.

The Koeru takes Mazda’s Kodo design language a step further, with a low-roofed, athletic SUV that showcases forthcoming Mazda cues and rides on the same platform as the Mazda 3 and CX-5.

The most distinctive part of the overall look compared to the existing Mazda line-up is that tapering roofline, which sits a significant 210mm lower than the CX-5’s.

Yet Mazda chief designer Iwao Koizumi is adamant that the concept is not simply a CX-5 with tapered roofline, a la BMW’s transformation of the X5 into the X6.

Instead, the Koeru sees Mazda capitalizing on the increasing trend away from its core Mazda 3 model and into SUVs.

Moro said that the Koeru will appeal to customers that enjoy the space of the Mazda 3, want an SUV but find the CX-3 too small – and the CX-5 too conventional.

“So CX-4 or CX-6 or whatever you call it, it will be a more sporty and sophisticated execution,” Moro said.

“Of course this is a show car … the design will evolve,” said Mazda chief designer, Iwao Koizumi. “The basic dimensions will change, going towards a more realistic mass production car.”