Articles by Jonah Wigley

Subaru revealed its new Impreza range at picturesque Byron Bay. The rolling green hills of the country’s most easterly point was an apt setting for the new look Impreza, where traditional buzzwords like ‘muscle’, ‘aggression’ and ‘performance’ made way for more refined variants like ‘elegance’, ‘cosmopolitan’, ‘sophistication’ and ‘safety’. The range will be unveiled to the public at the 2007Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October. Subaru is offering four Imprezas: R, RX, RS, plus the turbocharged WRX manual. The roomiest ever Impreza is launched as a five-door hatch, with a four door sedan expected to arrive in Australia around October 2008. Subaru is trying to steer away from WRX as the ‘hero’ model and has instead focused more on the mainstream Impreza versions, in a bid to attract a more diverse consumer base. In his launch speech, Subaru managing Director Nick Senior said: “..While the emotion and headlines for this new Impreza may well centre around the WRX version, it is the normally-aspirated models that provide us with our greatest opportunity. “To be able to sell a $24,490 vehicle with five star safety, four star pedestrian safety, all-wheel drive, anti-lock braking system, Vehicle Dynamics Control, 2-litre double overhead cam engine, air conditioning, six airbags, cruise control and the rest of the equipment …is exciting for the brand.” said Senior. Subaru is highlighting the new range’s safety credentials — the new, lighter and stronger Impreza has as a five-star ANCAP rating for occupant safety, giving it one of the strongest safety stories in its class. “Undeniably we have the high ground in the small car sector when it comes to total safety,” Senior claimed. Senior said key structural points on all Imprezas are now reinforced by high tension steel, which has increased rigidity and ride comfort. Subaru claims improvements have been achieved with Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) in all Imprezas. The new-generation Impreza comes in normally-aspirated and turbo charged variants. The new double overhead camshaft provides improvements in power (more than 20%) and torque (more than 7%) over the SOHC engine used in the superseded 2.0i and RV. Compared with previous models, the turbo-charged engine delivers smoother torque from lower revs. As usual, All Wheel Drive is a standard feature. Improved ride comfort and more interior and cargo space are the result of a longer wheelbase and new double-wishbone suspension. Aesthetically, the sophisticated new style is an obvious change from earlier models. The new shape has sparked debate among WRX purists, who claim the rounder, softer Impreza is too bland. The MY08 Impreza hatchback is slightly taller and shorter, emphasised by a distinctive shoulder line that carries through to the front end for a more integrated feel. Clear headlight lenses and rear LED lights with metallic highlights distinguish the premium look. The change is consistent, not only outside but also throughout the interior of the vehicle. The sweeping twin-cockpit design offers greater head and shoulder room, and the use of plastics and other materials throughout the cabin is offset by aluminium-style highlights, across the range. Subaru Impreza starts at $24,440 for the R model, through to $39,990 for the WRX.  

Subaru revealed its new Impreza range at picturesque Byron Bay today. The rolling green hills of the country’s most easterly point was an apt setting for the new look Impreza, where traditional buzzwords like ‘muscle’, ‘aggression’ and ‘performance’ made way for more refined variants like ‘elegance’, ‘cosmopolitan’, ‘sophistication’ and ‘safety’.The range will debut at this year's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October.Subaru is offering four Imprezas: R, RX, RS, plus the turbocharged WRX manual.The roomiest ever Impreza is launched as a five-door hatch, with a four door sedan expected to arrive in Australia around this time next year.Subaru is trying to steer away from WRX as the ‘hero’ model and has instead focused more on the mainstream Impreza versions, in a bid to attract a more diverse consumer base.In his launch speech, Subaru managing Director Nick Senior said: “..While the emotion and headlines for this new Impreza may well centre around the WRX version, it is the normally-aspirated models that provide us with our greatest opportunity.“To be able to sell a $24,490 vehicle with five star safety, four star pedestrian safety, all-wheel drive, anti-lock braking system, Vehicle Dynamics Control, 2-litre double overhead cam engine, air conditioning, six airbags, cruise control and the rest of the equipment …is exciting for the brand.” said Senior.Subaru is highlighting the new range’s safety credentials — the new, lighter and stronger Impreza has as a five-star ANCAP rating for occupant safety, giving it one of the strongest safety stories in its class.“Undeniably we have the high ground in the small car sector when it comes to total safety,” Senior claimed.Senior said key structural points on all Imprezas are now reinforced by high tension steel, which has increased rigidity and ride comfort. Subaru claims improvements have been achieved with Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) in all Imprezas.The new-generation Impreza comes in normally-aspirated and turbo charged variants. The new double overhead camshaft provides improvements in power (more than 20%) and torque (more than 7%) over the SOHC engine used in the superseded 2.0i and RV. Compared with previous models, the turbo-charged engine delivers smoother torque from lower revs.As usual, All Wheel Drive is a standard feature. Improved ride comfort and more interior and cargo space are the result of a longer wheelbase and new double-wishbone suspension.Aesthetically, the sophisticated new style is an obvious change from earlier models.The new shape has sparked debate among WRX purists, who claim the rounder, softer Impreza is too bland.The MY08 Impreza hatchback is slightly taller and shorter, emphasised by a distinctive shoulder line that carries through to the front end for a more integrated feel.Clear headlight lenses and rear LED lights with metallic highlights distinguish the premium look. The change is consistent, not only outside but also throughout the interior of the vehicle.The sweeping twin-cockpit design offers greater head and shoulder room, and the use of plastics and other materials throughout the cabin is offset by aluminium-style highlights, across the range.Subaru Impreza starts at $24,440 for the R model, through to $39,990 for the WRX.

The ratings, given by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), measure the safety of various aspects of a car based on crash tests.The car received a rating of five out of five stars for occupant safety and four out of four stars for pedestrian impact safety.Besides being the first tested in Australia, the Impreza is also the second car worldwide to achieve the double top-star rating.The Impreza now joins stablemates, Liberty, Outback, Tribeca and the All-Wheel Drive Forester with ANCAP’s highest possible occupant safety star rating.Subaru Managing Director Nick Senior said: “Safety is a major consideration during the vehicle purchase.“This should be a major influencer for not only private buyers, but government and statutory authorities.”During the ANCAP process, Subaru volunteered the Impreza for optional pole testing, where it achieved a rating of two out of two. A pole test is where the car travels sideways at 29 km/h, striking a round pole lined up with the driver’s head. This measures the effectiveness of head protecting side airbags and can result in extra points being scored.• Offset test: 14.93 (out of 16)• Side impact test: 15.73 (out of 16)• Pole test: 2 (out of 2)• Seat belt warnings: 2 (out of 3)Total = 34.66 (out of a possible 37)Pedestrian test: 27.76 (out of 36)Across the whole Subaru range, not just for the Impreza, all safety features described below are divided into active and passive categories.Active safety systems include constant All-Wheel Drive, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which improves rear braking and Vehicle Dynamics Control(VDC).VDC monitors vehicle stability and makes appropriate adjustments to the car’s suspension and handling. In extreme cases like swerving or entering a spin, VDC controls each wheel individually via braking, engine output, and the All-Wheel Drive system.Passive safety features includedual front and side SRS airbags, front seatbelt pretentioners, Automatic Emergency Locking Retractors(A/ELR), steering wheel impact minimisation, reinforced door beams and strengthened side frames, and safety pedals.The ANCAP five-star success began for Subaru in 2003 with the Forester XS Luxury pack and they have since achieved the prestigious rating across the range every year up to 2007 with the new Impreza.“Safety has been a long-term commitment for Subaru and we’re delighted to gain five stars for every car in the range. Said Senior.“It is now undeniable that we are producing some of the safest vehicles in the world.” 

GM Holden unveiled its first new Ute range in seven years in Melbourne yesterday, the result of a $105m investment by the company.Launching the new range at Docklands in Melbourne, GM Holden boss, Chris Gubbey said almost 60 years of history had established the Holden Ute as a true Australian icon.“The Ute’s development tells the story of Australia. Today’s Ute is about working hard, playing hard and enjoying an active lifestyle. The new VE Ute is the benchmark of two door performance and attitude.” Mr Gubbey said.Development of the Ute cost $105 million, and this was on top of Holden’s $1 billion VE Commodore sedan program. Holden has also conducted around 650,000 km of validation testing for the new model.For the first time the Ute features Holden’s Electronic Stability Control Program crash avoidance safety technology as standard, and the new interior will provide increased cabin comfort and greater storage space. The tray is more functional and versatile has a new cargo liner fitted as standard.The new SS V high performance model packs a punch with a thumping 270kW V8 engine as well as a plethora of features and accessories including Bluetooth connectivity, alloy pedals, six-disc CD player, hard tonneau cover, ladder and roof rack, quad exhaust and a premium audio system.Wider wheel and tyre combinations are available across all models.Holden’s VE Ute is the first all-new Holden Ute since 2000. The complete range includes the entry level Omega V6, the SV6, the SS and the premium sport model, the SS V.

Don't forget to check out the "Stunt Driver Experience" video at the end of the story, and let us know what you think.Crunching down the gravel driveway at Sandown Racecourse, I noticed that I had arrived early enough to watch the morning stunt group screeching through the last few minutes of their session. I parked the hire car and perched myself on the guard rail for a closer view of the action. In five minutes I saw cars spinning out of control and one up on two wheels. They’re not really going to make me do that are they??Soon, the other participants in my group began to arrive, and we chatted awkwardly at speed - the way you do when you are scared but putting on a brave face.As the morning session wound down, we meandered across to a small hut where we were introduced formally to the group members and the two instructors. One of them, the instantly likeable owner of Driver Dynamics, Kevin Flynn, gave us a short background of his company before ushering us into part of the racetrack grandstand for some tea and bickies, and a more detailed description of the day.The softly spoken and cool Flynn described the stunts we were going to perform, together with some safety instructions, and then handed out sheets of paper with a wry smile. “Now you can have a read of this or I can sum it up for you in one sentence. If you crash, burn and die today, it’s your fault, not ours.” His tongue in cheek comment was received with a nervous chuckle and sideways glances. It was a worryingly short prep session. We were in and out of the classroom in minutes. I got the impression that Flynn and his crew strongly believe that actions speak louder than words.Multiple 360 degree spins  With gawky helmets at the ready, we stepped out onto the track to have a crack at what we came here for. First, the multiple 360 degree spins on a special ‘Split Surface’ System (a length of thick wet vinyl).To give us an idea of what to expect, the instructors take us through the first run. We only do this once, so I make sure I listen hard. Then it’s straight into the drivers’ seat for my turn. The first time is the hardest. At the top of the run I stop and gaze down the track. With heart in mouth I release the clutch and ease into first, then second, and third. “Hold at sixty. Concentrate on your speed.” Flynn instructs firmly. With seconds to go before hitting the vinyl surface he yells “clutch!..”, then as the tyres hit the mat, “…now brake!” And with that I stomp on the brake like I’m trying to plunge it through the floor and keep the steering wheel straight. It’s out of my hands from that point as the car spins out of control and the G force lurches me into a screeching spin. With a jolt I’m facing back where I started. From then on, the adrenalin is pumping, my endorphins are raging and with a loud “wooohooo!” and more than my fair share of expletives, I get straight back up to my mark for a second, third and forth go.The instructors seem to get a genuine kick out of my excitement. They are calm, patient and generally great fun.Box park  The second stunt is the box park - a neat handbrake turn into a parking spot. It’s amazing how easy the professionals make something quite fiddly look so easy. Everyone has their turn and improves with each try.Ramp to ramp jump  Now for the ramp to ramp jump. I had been secretly hoping that one of the ramps was faulty, or that the rain would somehow deem the jump too dangerous and it would be called off. Alas, it was not to be. Fortunately, Flynn recognised the fear. “Ok this is where everyone goes quiet” he jokes. He takes everyone for a test jump then makes his way back to the group for the real thing. “And now this is where the instructors go quiet” he sighs with a hint of sincerity. I chuckled inwardly and stepped forward to get it out of the way. Flynn gets a bit more serious for this one, as a constant speed heading up to the ramp is critical. I head down the straight keeping a keen eye on the speedo. Everything else is blanked out as my tyres meet the ramp. Up we go! There is a brief feeling of weightlessness before I have had time to think, and I meet the other ramp with seamless ease before gliding back down to the track. It’s hard to believe how easy it is – almost like driving over a mount of soft dirt - and I relish the opportunity to do it again and again.Two wheels  Finally, we get a taste of what it’s like to drive up on two wheels, just like in the movies! The instructors drive for this one as it takes around two years to get it right. Driver Dynamics is the only group in the world to offer this experience to the public. I have to say, it ain’t that comfortable and when you crash back down to four wheels, it proves to be one jarring experience. But it’s great fun none-the-less and I’ll never forget it.At the end of the day, certificates are given out as proof to the world that we are now fully fledged (well, kind of) stunt drivers The no-nonsense approach that Driver Dynamics holds is refreshing and lets you get stuck in to the exciting, hands-on aspects of the course, with minimal theory. Kevin Flynn and his team are consummate professionals, giving you peace of mind, allowing you to relax and enjoy the day.I got back into my hire car exhausted, exhilarated and proud. All my fear had melted away within minutes of the first stunt, and all I could think about was how I could wangle another trip down south to be a stuntman, just one more time. Driver Dynamics "Stunt Driver Experince" Cost: Melbourne Only $335.00 AUD per driver including GST. Sydney only $435 per person.Telephone: 1300 652 693http://www.driverdynamics.com.au/