Articles by James Stanford

It is the single-cab version of the Nissan D23 Navara. Nissan has already previewed the dual-cab NP300, which arrives in Australia late next month.But no such fuss has been made of the single-cab low-riding D23, which will play a crucial role in Australia when it gets here about September.Until now, Nissan has sold two Navaras, the cheap and simple previous generation D22 and the more advanced current generation D40.Nissan has stopped making both and now will build only the new generation D23.So, there will be no more cheap last generation models this time.Nissan Australia says the D22 was popular. "It developed a real cult following, especially with farmers who appreciated the simplicity," says spokesman Peter Fadeyev.The D23 single-cab, sitting in the shadows at the edge of Nissan's Bangkok stand, will have to cover for it.Fadeyev says Nissan hopes to coax rusted-on D22 owners into the more modern Navara but won't comment on whether it can match the former's sharp pricing, starting from $24,490.New dual-cab Navaras will incorporate a coil-spring rear end, for improved occupant comfort, but the workhorse models will keep leaf springs.Australian Navaras will run a new 2.3-litre diesel with one turbo or two. A petrol 2.5-litre four-cylinder also will be available.The single-cab's cockpit is modern and there is a long steel tray with built-in footboards and tie-down points.

The prestige brand that builds everything from the S‒Class limos to the heavy-duty Actros trucks has confirmed it will follow the lead of fellow German brand Volkswagen and build a one‒tonne ute that will rival the Amarok.Mercedes has announced it will sell the new load hauler in South America, South Africa, Europe and Australia.It hasn’t given a solid date when the new worker will go on sale, saying only that the vehicle will arrive before the end of the decade. But Working Wheels understands that the ute is well advanced and is only about two years away.Mercedes-Benz Australia pushed hard for the ute project to go ahead and for it to made available in right-hand drive.“We have a done a lot of market research and the response (to a Mercedes ute) was overwhelmingly positive,“ says Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy.Mercedes-Benz already sells a ute in some markets, but it is based on the ancient and basic G-Wagen. It also sells similar utes to the Australian Defence Force, with single and double axles, and has just sold a few handful to a Victorian government agency for use in remote access areas.Mercedes will use the new ute as a flagship as it enters new markets with its commercial vehicle divisionBut there are no plans to sell the G-Wagen ute models to the general public.The new one-tonner workhorse will be a different matter entirely and the production scale of selling to so many markets means Mercedes will be able to make a relatively affordable ute.“It is not going to be a Great Wall, but it will be competitive,” McCarthy says.Mercedes will use the new ute as a flagship as it enters new markets with its commercial vehicle division as well as lifting the profile of its working vehicles in other markets.The new hauler will be built on Nissan’s D23 Navara platform“The Mercedes-Benz pick-up will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” Daimler chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche says. “We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value.”Details are limited at this stage, but the Wall Street Journal, which first broke the Mercedes ute story, reports the new hauler will be built on Nissan’s D23 Navara platform.The new Navara, which goes on sale locally in late May, features a coil spring rear suspension, which is the first in its class and is designed to increase ride comfort while still managing a payload in excess of one-tonne.Responsibility for the new ute rests with the Mercedes-Benz van division, which sells the Vito and Sprinter vans in Australia.The news comes just weeks after Hyundai announced plans to build a ute, called the Santa Cruz. Much to the dismay of the Hyundai Australia team, the vehicle will be a car-based crossover rather than a body on frame worker to take on the HiLux and Ranger.Land Rover has also indicated it could build a ute version of its next generation Defender, but the company has ruled out it being a workhorse, instead suggesting it would be more of a prestige model.Mercedes is expected to bring a high level of technology to the class and will need to, given the technologically advanced updated Ford Ranger that is due about July. That ute will feature electrically assisted steering, engine start-stop, as well as advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

It is so incredibly over the top.There are not usually many worldwide reveals, although this year the new Ford Ranger was shown for the first time, but locals make up for it with wild and wonderful cars, laser shows, crazy accessories, excruciating pop music and eye-popping dance routines.It is not really a place for kids, at least on the opening media day, as the car companies have no problem draping scantily clad women over the cars, and I mean really scantily clad.One of the best things about the show is that there is something for everyone, cars, motorbikes, boats and accessories are all under the same roof.The car companies have no problem draping scantily clad women over the cars, and I mean really scantily clad.This year, there was even some AirStream polished aluminium caravans, perhaps the only cool caravans on the surface of Earth.Ssangyong also got into the camping spirit by fitting a camper body on the back of an Actyon Sports ute. Thailand now produces several hundred thousand cars and utes a year for international companies, but there few are local manufacturers of passenger vehicles.Thairung is one of them and it gained plenty of attention with a truck for Hummer lovers. It’s called the Transformer and looks like a shrunken H2 Hummer, with a little bit of Jeep thrown in the mix.Thairung builds a military version of this machine for the Thai Army and visitors will see a few parked around Bangkok to remind the public of who is in charge.These trucks have a unique body, which sits on top of a Toyota Hilux chassis and runs the D4 Hilux diesel.Another vehicle gaining plenty of attention was a new-age Mini Moke, which is produced in China and sold in selected developing countries.The manufacturer, Moke International, claims it can do 110km/h but I don’t think that would be wise given its limited crash protection.Its Thai importer also brings in Sprinter-based motorhomes, which really do look dull at such an exciting show. The solution was a ‘fashion show’, with models strutting down a pretend catwalk in between the vans. A lot of people looked, mostly men, but I’m not sure anyone saw the motorhomes.Isuzu was in danger of being forgotten this year, with the brand-spanking new Ranger being revealed at the other end of the hall, but the company ensured it would get some time in the spotlight with a pair of remarkable D-Max utes.One was wore a fantastic green metallic wrap, which seem to glow under the bright lights. Dropped down low and riding on 20-inch wheels, it was one of the most popular cars of the show. Even better, it is actually a production model, although I’m not sure if the paint scheme is part of the package.Next to it was a super-tough off-road D-Max complete with raised suspension, knobby mud tyres and massive chunky bull bar.Toyota revealed a special ‘Nurburgring Edition’ Corolla sedan, no kidding, which features a body kit but no mechanical changes. The company didn’t say how fast it could lap the famous circuit. I’m thinking it might take a while.Next to it was an updated Camry, which was painted brown, a colour that makes white Camrys look good.The wildest Toyota was actually an Aurion pimped by a speaker manufacturer, which sat just millimetres off the ground with fat wheels that protruded way past the wheel arches.Chevrolet got in on the act with a matt black go-anywhere Colorado7, while it also built a custom Cruze and a hot version of the car that sells as a Barina in Australia. It was lowered and decked out in matt black before being fitted with a glowing green grille and headlights.Ford’s Australian developed Ranger secured lots of attention after driving down a ramp and through a shallow pool on the show stand, and the new Everest SUV was popular too.The accessories section didn’t disappoint either, featuring some of the craziest parts known to man. The best was a chandelier designed to hang from the roof of a HiAce-style commuter van. Yes, a proper chandelier.There were also a range of super-sized and super bright alloy wheels available in almost every colour under the sun. One design was bright green with oval spokes designed to look like flower petals. I’m not sure that one will catch on, but you never know.

It will bring new technology to the workhorse ute market for the first time, including electric assisted steering, stop-start fuel saving, radar cruise control and a system that automatically calls 000 in the event of a major accident.A range of fuel saving measures delivers savings of up to 22 per cent.The Ranger will arrive in Australia this August, after the refreshed Mitsubishi Triton and new Nissan Navara but before the new Toyota HiLux, which remains the segment sales leader.The Ranger update is significant, with an all-new interior that looks less masculine than the last generation. The Ranger shares its interior with the passenger carrying Everest wagon, which explains the change of direction.It features clean lines and simple shapes, which emphasis the width of the vehicle.New interior technology includes two high-resolution screens in the instrument cluster, while a large 8-inch touch screen is retained in the centre of the dashboard.Ford has added some extra features including a convenient 240-volt plug on the dashboard, which can be used to charge a laptop.Australian designers have overhauled the front of the Ranger, with a bold new design that makes it look tougher than before.The design takes on the current Global Ford ute design themes with a chunky trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights.Ford left alone the rear of the ute.Ford is yet to release all of the technical details, but says stop-start technology will be added, although it is not specified whether all engines will use it.Minor upgrades have been made to the engines, but they largely remain the same. Australia will continue to offer a 2.2-litre turbodiesel, a 3.2-litre turbodiesel and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol.The electric power steering saves fuel and reduces noise in the cabin and is a first for the class.Ford has retained the leaf-spring rear suspension layout of the current Ranger, although small changes have been made.The tow rating remains at 3500kg.The Ranger will inherit a swag of technology including lane departure warning, adapting cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and automatic emergency braking.It is not yet clear how much of this technology will be made available as standard.Ford engineers also strived to reduce cabin noise, introducing new sound deadening material in key parts of the vehicle.The Ranger is developed by Ford engineers in Australia, but is not made locally.Australian Rangers are built in Thailand, while a plant in Argentina and South Africa also built the ute that is sold in 180 countries around the world.

Sporty coupes seldom take the value for money route. James Stanford swoops on a likely pair.

MARCH, 1950: Volkswagen started building its second ever vehicle, known in the factory as the Type 2 or the "Bulli" but later to be called the Kombi.

Ford's F-750 Tonka truck is a life-size version of the iconic children's favourite.

The Caddy is already a clear bestseller in the Australian baby van segment. The fourth-generation model with a host of upgrades, including new safety technology, smart powertrains and fresh styling, should further increase its appeal.The new Caddy will be introduced in Europe in June, but won't arrive here until the last quarter of this year.It appears as though the wait will be worth it. Among the headline features of the new Caddy is City Emergency Braking, which is available on a few passenger cars.Operating at lower speeds, it uses a type of laser to detect objects in front. When it determines the object is getting closer and a collision is imminent, it not only sounds an alert but also applies the vehicle's brakes.This setup has great potential to reduce the amount of driver and passenger injuries and in some cases reduce their severity.A reversing camera will also be available on the Caddy, which is refreshing given the poor vision in vans.It is most effective in reducing lower speed nose-to-tail crashes, which should be appreciated by van drivers or fleet operators, who know how such accidents can prove costly thanks to time off the road and the bill for repairs.VW is going further with the Caddy's optional radar-based adaptive cruise control, which adjusts the speed of the van depending on the pace of vehicles in front (and can also perform emergency braking). This operates at up to 160km/h, although we're not sure when a van driver would go so fast.A reversing camera will also be available on the Caddy, which is refreshing given the poor vision in vans.Capping off the technology suite is the automatic parking, which is increasingly available on passenger cars.VW says the kerbside and perpendicular parking assistance will be of great use to couriers, although some may suggest that couriers should be capable of parking a van.The maker has freshened the styling of the Caddy, which takes on the latest small passenger design cues as seen on the Polo and Golf.As you might expect from VW, the design is clean and sharp, but not bold or adventurous. There are front and rear tweaks but the body shape remains essentially the same, which means there is no impact on practicality.The designers also spent some time updating the interior.The leanest version of the engine... averages less than 4.0L/100kmThere are changes to the dashboard, with new vents and a new mid-mounted multimedia screen.Volkswagen's engineers also worked hard to comply with Euro6 emissions requirements, developing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel that will be available in Europe.VW is keeping the exact economy numbers close to its chest, but says the leanest version of the engine, fitted to the Caddy BlueMotion model, averages less than 4.0L/100km, which is remarkable. There is a Euro5 version of this engine, which could well be the one chosen for Australia.Outputs start at 55kW and top out at 103kW. There was no mention of the torque figures for either version of the engine.There was also no mention of a petrol engine at the European preview but it is likely that at least one petrol four-cylinder engine will be made available as is the case currently.

James Stanford road tests and reviews the Fiat Freemont Crossroad with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Benz had already confirmed the new van would have front and rear-drive variants.It will be launched in Europe soon and is expected to arrive here in about July.Now it has completed the puzzle by revealing the AWD version of the mid-sized van.It is not designed as a rough and tough rock-climbing off-roader but simply provides improved traction on slippery surfaces such as snow, ice, dirt and gravel.The engine is the most potent diesel in the line-up, producing 140kW/440NmMercedes is the only mid-sized van manufacturer that offers customers the choice of front, rear and all-paw traction.The front-drive Vito vans are only available with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. When it comes to the rear-drive Vitos, they come only with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel.The AWD Vito will be based on the rear-driver. The turbo diesel sends drive via a seven-speed automatic transmission, a conventional torque converter-style box.The AWD setup to be used on the Vito van is similar to that used on most of its passenger vehiclesThe engine is the most potent diesel in the line-up, producing 140kW/440Nm.It is no guzzler, claiming 6.4L/100km. The engine runs Selective Catalytic Reduction, which means it uses AdBlue fluid to treat the exhaust emissions. It already complieswith the Euro6 emission standard.Mercedes says the AWD setup to be used on the Vito van is similar to that used on most of its passenger vehicles.In normal driving conditions, 55 per cent of power is sent to the rear wheels via a central differential. An electronic system senses wheel slip and sends additional power to other wheels that have traction, all in a matter of milliseconds.