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Welcome to MyAutoReview, future home of independant new and used car reviews, and motoring community forums.
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| Latest Motoring News - from CarsGuide
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| Ferrari won’t go electric | |
Ferrari emphatically rejects any potential for an all-electric supercar in its future. The company's chief, Amedeo Felisa, says sound is such an important part of any Ferrari that a silent battery car will not be acceptable to customers who buy into its high-priced V8 and V12-powered road rockets.
"We cannot do one," Felisa says, speaking in Sydney this week at the opening of a new landmark dealership and the local preview of the 458 Italia. "The sound is so important. "It's part of the development of our cars. The sound of the Ferrari … is part of the image of the brand."
He also questions whether electric cars are truly the answer to the needs of future motoring "If you look at global warming, full electric is not the solution. It is a marketing solution. "Hybrid, but done in a proper way, is the best solution. But it needs a lot of development to be done."
Ferrari is heading fast into the hybrid world and is set to unveil a petrol-electric 599 at the Geneva Motor Show next month in Europe before starting sales of a hybrid California in 2011.
"We have to face the fact that the future brings something new in engineering. We have to face the new challenges," Felisa says. He says the 599 hybrid will have a battery pack weighing around 100 kilograms with an electric engine integrated into the existing powertrain as a booster for the V12 petrol motor. The car will also run on pure electric power, but only at low speeds in city use.
Development work is already into the second phase, heading for production use, following more than four years of research and development. "We have a car that has been running for one year. Now we are doing the second step . . . how to apply that technology to Ferrari cars."
He says the 599 hybrid is fully operation but stresses it is only a concept car and not ready for production. "This is not a new car, it is the concept," he says.
On the electric front, Felisa says Ferrari has considered a plug-in car but the noise problem cannot be overcome. Not even with the sort of active noise systems being developed by another sports car maker, Lotus, for more pedestrian brands.
"We don't like to do it. It is not just a noise, it is the sound coming from our cars, from the engine, from the exhaust, from the gearbox, from the road," he says. "We don't just put speakers in the car to make a noise."
| | 2/9/2010 2:14:28 PM |
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| World Car of the Year finalists | |
A widely varied field from the soft-roader Audi Q5 to the baby Volkswagen Polo is competing for the biggest prize in world motoring. The latest Audi and Volkswagen bookend the 10 finalists for the 2010 World Car of the Year.
The line-up also includes the Toyota Prius hybrid, the Gen-Y Kia Soul and the latest Mazda3. The top 10 runners were chosen in a secret ballot of the 59 WCOTY judges from 25 countries, including four from Australia, based on their experience with an original entry list of 30 cars from around the world.
A shortlist of three cars will be named next month at the Geneva Motor Show ahead of final voting and the announcement of this year's winner at the New York Motor Show in early April. The eventual winner will succeed the Volkswagen Golf, which was named 2009 World Car of the Year ahead of its local win in the similar Carsguide contest last year.
"This is the seventh year of the award, and it's getting stronger every year," says co-chair Peter Lyon, an Australian based in Tokyo and covering the Japanese auto industry. "We're now the second most-recognised motoring award in the world. And getting more credibility all the time."
Lyon says voting has been strong through the first-round picks and he is expecting a close contest. "Obviously, it's going to be a tough choice. But from what I've heard the VW Polo is going well and the Toyota Prius has a lot of support. They are the two that stand out.
"What's a surprise is that the other major hybrid release last year, the Honda Insight, did not make the top 10. In Japan it was second in the Japan Car of the Year behind the Prius, in quite a close fight." Judging for the WCOTY includes three other prizes.
First is the Performance Car of the Year award, where the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Porsche Boxster/Cayman top-and-tail the 10-car list of finalists.
In the Green COTY award, the five finalists are the Ford Fusion, Honda Insight, Mercedes-Benz S400 and Toyota Prius, as well as the BlueMotion models - Polo, Golf, Passat - from Volkswagen.
The final WCOTY contest is for the World Car Design of the year and there are four finalists, led by the Australian-made Chevrolet Camaro. It is up against the Citroen C3 Picasso, Kia Soul and Toyota Prius.
CONTENDERS: 2010 WCOTY
Audi Q5
BMW X1
Chevrolet (Holden) Cruze
Kia Soul
Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia
Porsche Panamera
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Polo
CONTENDERS: 2010 WPCOTY
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Audi R8 V10
Audi TT RS
BMW Z4
Ferrari California
Jaguar XFR
Lotus Evora
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
Nissan 370Z
Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
| | 2/9/2010 2:00:25 PM |
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| China no threat to price line | |
The current benchmark is the Proton S16, which will be priced from $10,990 in June, but the first Chinese imports are more likely to be priced against the Hyundai Getz in the $13,990 zone.
Baby cars from Great Wall and Chery are expected first from China, followed by Geely, and the man leading the push says he is more worried about value than a rock-bottom price. "We're not even trying to get to $10,990. Absolutely not. We don't see Proton as a big deal, to be honest," says Neville Crichton, boss of the Great Wall and Chery importer, Ateco.
"We'd like to stay, probably, dollar-for-dollar, where Hyundai is. But with better specced cars." Crichton plans to have a 1.4-litre Great Wall car in showrooms in July, alongside a RAV4-size SUV, with the first Chery just a month later, and he is pushing value ahead of a rock-bottom price.
"We'll have better value in the cars. We will launch with a small SUV, the same size as a RAV4, which we will put in the market under $20,000, drive-away. It will be very competitive. "I think it's just good-value motor cars. That's exactly what we're selling - good, reliable, economic transport."
Great Wall is already underway with an SUV and ute and, despite a poor two-star ANCAP safety rating and a recall for the ute, Crichton predicts sales of around 8000 vehicles through 2010. But he has much bigger plans when Chery and Great Wall get into gear.
"We certainly see that within three years we'll be selling in excess of 20,000 Chinese vehicles, between the two brands." Ateco has huge experience as an independent importer, currently holding franchises from Ferrari to Citroen and Fiat, but its biggest volume success was with Kia. It took the brand to a major presence in Australia before Kia decided to buy the business back and Crichton says there is no reason he cannot do it again.
"We had a huge success with Kia, taking it to 26,000. They've had three years and they still haven't got back to that." Crichton knows the safety concerns surrounding the Chinese cars but says his brands are moving rapidly away from their copycat roots, tweaking existing designs from western brands, and are capable of doing better than the two-star score for the Great Wall pickup.
"We would like a minimum of three stars. I think thtat's a good start. With two airbags," he says.
| | 2/9/2010 1:45:18 PM |
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| Holden Colorado fails roof crush | |
It received a "marginal" rating in the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety roof crush test program in the United States. The Colorado - sold in North America as a Chevrolet - also rated "poor" for side impact protection despite having side curtain airbags as standard. In Australia, the Colorado has neither curtain nor side torso airbags.
The GM pickup was one of five utes that underwent roof strength and side impact testing. Nissan earned the highest rating of ‘good’ for its popular Navara, while the Ford Ranger was ‘acceptable’ for roof crush protection. The Navara is the only pickup in the group to earn the highest rating.
The two other utes were the Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Dakota, which are not sold here. The rating is based on institute research that shows occupants in rollover crashes benefit from stronger roofs.
Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as the minimum required under US safety standards. "As a group, small pickups aren't performing as well as small cars or small off-roaders in all of the institute's safety tests," according to the institute's senior vice president David Zuby.
"None of the ones we tested is a top-notch performer across the board." In the US rollovers are much more common for off-roaders and pickups than for cars. Almost half of all pickup occupants killed in crashes last year were in utes that rolled over.
This compares with 58 per cent of deaths in off-roaders and 25 per cent in cars. In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against a corner of a roof at a constant speed.
New ute rollover standards are now being phased in for the United States that will require manufacturers to increase the roof strength. Both the Navara and Ranger also achieved a ‘good’ rating for side impact.
In the US the Navara has standard head curtain and side airbags while the Ranger has a combined head and torso side airbag. In Australia neither the Navara or Ranger are available with curtain or side airbags. The Colorado is sourced from General Motor's Thailand factory.
| | 2/9/2010 9:20:36 AM |
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| Carsguide Radio: Episode 34 | |
... and what did the second-hand car buyer find tucked behind his back seat?
For all this and a lot more, listen to the podcast above.
| | 2/9/2010 7:31:22 AM |
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| Best hot hatches under $30,000 | |
And just sometimes, you can get it all and still hear the reassuring sounds of change rattling in your pocket. Small cars don't have to be cheap and nasty or even perform like an asthmatic snail in a bid to maximise fuel economy. Nor do they have to be cramped or have the visual appeal of a packing crate that instantly identifies you as cheap. Here are five small cars that will haul you and three friends - and do it on a miserly fuel budget.
The good news is they're all less than $30,000. And that includes comprehensive safety features with electronic stability control and ABS brakes. But best of all, turn up the wick and these things will give you a decent thrill. Two are turbocharged and one has a 2.5-litre engine. No need to be red-faced at the traffic lights in these.
Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart
This looks like a small apartment block sitting on a cute set of alloys. In fact, it's a powerhouse that will dust of a lot of cars with twice the engine capacity and has room for four adults, parks in weeny car bays, runs on a sip of fuel - though you'll need premium brand - and is the perfect shopping trolley for people who like their food fast.
Price: $25,740
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 113kW/210Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy: 6.7 l/100km premium
Performance: 0-100km/h in 7.6 sec
Safety: two airbags, ESC, ABS, BA
Volkswagen Polo GTI
This baby sister of the Golf GTI quickly gets off the mark thanks to some component sharing and a 1.8-litre turbo engine. It comes only as a three door so may limit those with heaps of friends, though certainly looks as good as it goes. Solid German construction and versatile interior add to its appeal.
Price: $26,990
Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 110kW/220Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy: 7.9 l/100km Premium0-100km/h: 8.2 sec
Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, diff lock
Ford Fiesta Zetec
You can get this in three and five-door versions (extra money for the five door) and while it's not turbocharged, is a spirited performer with lots of aesthetic charm. It's an easy hatchback to live with and aside from a small fuel thirst, runs on cheaper unleaded petrol. Comprehensive safety features show you care for your friends.
Price: $20,490
Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 88kW/152Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy: 6.1 l/100km Unleaded
0-100km/h: 8.2 sec (estimated)
Safety: 5 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA
Suzuki Swift Sport
You know the Swift, now meet its more beefed up brother. The Sport is unassuming though gets a bigger engine and tauter suspension to accentuate its handling and acceleration. That makes it as practical and reliable as its less-powerful relations. Also has great features and the full safety package.
Price: $23,990
Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 92kW/148Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy: 7.5 l/100km Unleaded
0-100km/h: 8.8 sec
Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA
Mazda3 SP25
This is a great package at a superb price. The SP25 just takes the refreshed Mazda3 to another level, boosting power and torque yet not crushing attributes such as its fuel economy. The features are also excellent as is the safety equipment. It's physically bigger than its rivals here and that means more cabin and luggage room, so it never feels like a small car.
Price: $29,740
Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cyl 122kW/227Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel economy: 8.6 l/100km Unleaded
0-100km/h: 7.9 sec (estimated)
Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA
| | 2/8/2010 2:35:51 PM |
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| Camry our first green car | |
That's the showroom tag for the Toyota Camry hybrid, which finally hits the road today. The hybrid is being pitched as the flagship in the Camry range, from the way it looks to a cabin that is claimed to set a new standard for quietness in a locally-made car.
The hybrid bottom line is fuel economy of 6 litres/100km, with performance that trims a full second from the petrol-powered Camry's 0-100km/h time. The $36,990 pricetag compares to $29,990 for a basic Camry Altise, or $39,990 for a Prius hybrid.
The basic details of the Camry hybrid have been public since the car was introduced in 2006 in the USA, but there has been a lot of work on 'Australianising' the car, both for production and driving. "Right from day one we knew that the American version wasn't going to work," says Phil King, who headed local chassis tuning work.
The result is a car which is more responsive, as well as packing a full suite of safety gear. The Camry hybrid picks up the vast majority of its mechanical package from the third-generation Prius, which went on sale last year, although it has a 2.4-litre engine (up from 1.8) and still has a drive belt for the water pump, unlike the Prius.
Full details of the pricing, equipment and sales plan will be revealed later today. But Toyota Australia is already trumpeting six airbags, ESP stability control, active steering assistance and a special power cut-off. But the boot has taken a hit to fit the onboard battery system.
"This hybrid can walk, and chew gum," says Peter Evans, technical chief for Toyota's imported cars. More details later, together with a first driving impression.
| | 2/8/2010 9:49:30 AM |
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| Maserati GranCabrio launched | |
The launch of the GranCabrio was timed to coincide with the opening of the new $32 million Ferrari Maserati Sydney headquarters, described this week by Maserati's commercial director, Raffaele Fusilli, as the ‘most beautiful’ in the world.
"We are already holding 40 customer orders for the GranCabrio and I am confident that for the full year we will be able to sell at least 45," Ferrari Maserati Sydney dealer principal Edward Butler says of the $338,000 convertible.
"We are predicting overall sales this year of 165 cars with all the growth coming from the GranCabrio." Butler says he is confident that the new convertible will not draw buyers away from the GT car, but rather from key rivals BMW, Mercedes and Aston Martin.
"With the traditional soft-top the GranCabrio is quite different to the Coupe and will appeal to a very different buyer ... that may not have been the case if it had a folding metal roof."
Butler believes a key point of attraction for the new car is that there is a useable amount of legroom for the two rear-seat passengers. "This is a car in which four people can comfortably sit ... it is not compromised in any way as a four-seater," Butler says.
| | 2/5/2010 9:03:33 AM |
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| Nano gets a prestige makeover | |
Indian specialist customiser, DC Design, is working on a Suzuki Hayabusa-powered Nano that will cost $240,000 and hit 225km/h. DC Design has taken a stock-standard four-door Nano and converting it into a souped-up two-door racer.
Looking like a Smart ForTwo on steriods, the car gets Mercedes SLS AMG-style gullwing doors, along with a light-weight carbon fibre body. The minute 25kW 624cc engine has been ripped out, along with the rear seats, to fit the 147kW 1.3-litre Hayabusa four.
To match the high-powered motorcycle engine, the nifty Nano also gets a seven-speed sequential gearbox, cross-drilled ventilated F1-style brakes, wider tyres and re-engineered sports suspension. To cope with the hot-rod performance, the standard suspension has been completely re-engineered.
Inside the bare-basic interior has been ditched in favour of a leather-lined cabin. The car gets sports seats, a large screen to operate internet and satellite navigation systems and embedded lighting in the roof lining.
There are also high-powered xenon headlights and an articulated one-piece windscreen wiper. Electro-chromatic lighting will allow owners to change the intensity and colour of interior lighting.
The head of DC Design, Dilip Chhabaria, says the company will build up to five hot Nanos a year for wealthy Indian clients. There are no plans for exports. The chassis and car's floorpan will be largely the same. "But apart from than that everything will be different," he says.
DC Design is one if India's largest auto accessory makers. It also specialises in customising cars for India's well-heeled car enthusiasts.
| | 2/5/2010 8:23:39 AM |
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| Toyota brake problems hit Australia | |
More than eight million of the marque’s most popular models have been recalled in the United States, Europe and China to address sticking accelerators caused by at least two separate problems -- slipping floor mats and a design fault in the pedal.
To date Australia has been isolated from the problems, but the latest safety concerns over inconsistent brake feel have hit closer to home. Toyota Australia says it is investigating reports that some owners have experienced inconsistent brake feel when the vehicle is driven over potholes, bumps or slippery road surfaces.
There have been more than 100 complaints of brake problems on the Prius in the United States and the world's biggest car manufacturers says that 77 similar concerns were reported in Japan to the end of last year. Toyota has not released the number of Australian complaints.
Toyota Australia says that while it is investigating the reports of Prius brake problems in Australia and will make no further comment or supply numbers of complaints the company believes there is no relationship with the earlier overseas recalls.
| | 2/5/2010 7:40:45 AM |
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