Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

The words "Chinese" and "quality" aren't often used in the same sentence in the automotive world.But that could change with the Foton Tunland one-tonne ute arriving in Australia in October. Rod James, spokesman for the importer, Foton Automotive Australia (FAA), says the high-quality international components and low price will attract strong interest.They are powered by a American Cummins turbo-diesel engine married to a German Getrag five-speed short-shift manual gearbox and American Borg-Warner transfer box with German Bosch and Continental electrics, American Dana rear axles, a "proper" box chassis and leather interior."It's the first vehicle out of China that is truly a world car with a brand new platform and quality componentry, plus it's a good-looking vehicle," he says. "What's come in from China so far are vehicles that are being sold domestically in China on price alone."This vehicle comes with an expensive Cummins engine tested to 1m kilometres with a minimum failure rate."The Foton Tunland will initially arrive in basic five-seater dual-cab layout at $29,995 on the road for the two-wheel-drive model up to $36,990 for the luxury model with four-wheel drive. Optional cloth upholstery will cost about $1000 less.That compares with the Chinese Great Wall ute which starts at $17,990 for the V240 single cab. James says future Tunland models will include cheaper single cab and extra cab with a 1.8 tonne extended tray."We can't reveal our sales targets at the moment, but they are reasonably modest at first," James says. "On early indications, with the componentry and price, we believe there will be a reasonable market share there."FAA, which is a joint venture between management company NGI and bus importers the Phelan family, has 15 dealer outlets with a target of 60 sites over the next three years. They will have a three-year 100,000km warranty with a five-year paint and corrosion warranty and 10,000km service intervals.While the first models will arrive with the Cummins ISF 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and five-seed manual short-shift gearbox, they will be followed by a 100kW 2.4-litre petrol engine and six-speed ZF automatic transmission.There are push-button controls to switch between four and two-wheel drive on the fly and high and low ratios when stopped. It sits on a ladder-frame chassis with a live Dana rear axle and leaf springs and double-wishbone front suspension, with wide Chinese Savero tyres (245/70 R16) and 17 and 18-inch options available.It's missing Bluetooth, aux input and USB inputs but it does have four auto windows with the driver's window also auto up. James expects a four-star safety rating. It comes with reverse sensors and braking is assisted by anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD) and as yet doesn't have stability control."They've been tested by (Euro) NCAP at four stars and we are expecting the same," James says. "The only thing it lacks is five airbags. There are only two at this stage, but we have no fears that it will get to five stars reasonably quickly." It doesn't have reach-adjustable steering, but does have rear parking sensors.It looks very American with an imposing chrome grille and some nice cosmetic touches. The bodywork gaps are small and consistent, the door seals are generous, there are extended mudflaps, side steps, fog lamps, big back doors, truck-size mirrors and the rear tray was sprayed with a liner which is an option.However, there is some unfinished bodywork around the back window and rear bumper and the wheel arches are uncovered which means a lot of noise over gravel. Inside is leather upholstery, wood trim highlights, basic switchgear and plastic trim that is hard, but reasonable quality with matching colours.The front bucket seats are flat with little support and you tend to slide around on them. James points out that the Tunland is "longer, wider and higher" than the Toyota HiLux which has become Australia's top-selling car in the past few months.Towing capacity is currently listed at 2.5 tonne, but James says that could be uprated. "It has the capacity to tow a lot more. Our engineers have tested it and they are all sure it is at least three tonnes," he says. It has a healthy 210mm of ground clearance, but a wide 13.5m minimum turning circle.There are only two cars in the country doing the rounds of dealers and we had a chance to drive one a short distance around town. When it fires up the Cummins engine has the usual diesel rattle but it's not invasive, especially when the revs pick up.The engine pulls firmly from 1800 revs and feels smooth and powerful. All the pedals feel mushy which is a contrast to the heavy and notchy gearshift. Steering is also on the heavy and numb side.

"I had a team that raced at Bathurst twice in the early '70s and in '72 we won our class in the Australian Touring Car Championship and finished fourth outright with a twin-cam Escort driven by Eric Olsen," he says. "I also built speedway race cars for years so I never stop thinking about weight. "The latest trend in caravans is that people want to tour right around Australia but they want to take everything. "But we have to be careful the caravan is not overweight, so we put in products carefully based on weight as well as quality. We think about weight all the time." Kratzmann's latest luxury caravans - the Franklin X Factor Platinum range - is packed with luxury features and a heavy duty chassis, but can be towed by mid-sized SUVs such as the Toyota Prado. The caravans are made in Melbourne by Concept Caravans to Kraztmann's specifications. There are 10 models in the range from 5.2m-7m with the 6m model the biggest seller. Prices vary from $60,000 to $70,000. The Platinum Pack range adds features such as a Waeco reversing camera, slide-out barbecue and external TV box. Kratsmann says the framing is made of high-quality meranti timber with minimal spacing between frames for extra strength and durability. It also sports a 15cm Duragal heavy duty chassis, Al-Ko load-sharing leaf-spring suspension, 15-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, pre-coated marine-grade ply flooring, dual water tanks with stone protection and tank gauge and two 9kg gas bottles. There are a dozen different floor plans, many with family bunk bed layouts and some with en-suites. All layouts have shower and toilet with gas/electric hot water service. "This is the most highly specced van in our fleet," says Kraztmann. "It's our flagship and has all the creature comforts of a luxury hotel."  Features include an entertainment system with flat-screen TV, DVD/CD/MP3 radio with internal and external speakers, boosted 12V windup antenna, reverse-cycle airconditioning, oven, 184-litre three-way two-door fridge/freezer, innerspring mattresses, combo plush leather upholstery options, energy efficient LED lighting and washing machine in most models. Kratzmann caravans are only sold from the company's Burpengary showroom north of Brisbane, but Kratzmann says they sell to people around Australia. "We sold one from this range this week to a couple from Tasmania who started out travelling around Australia towing a camper van and decided they wanted more luxury," he says. "We fly people in from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne but mainly Sydney and north Queensland and refund them a budget airfare if they buy a caravan. "A lot of them are already on the move and drop in on their travels."  

The voice of actor Morgan Freeman as "God" has topped a national poll of spoken satnav directions while Prime Minister Julia Gillard was the second-least favored behind Batman.The AAMI survey of their 45,000 Facebook followers also offered little support for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott who polled third-last, behind the PM. Other favourite voices were actors and former Broncos captain, gruff-voiced Darren Lockyer who tied with Hollywood star Christopher Walken.Wives, husbands and partners were among the least favoured for voice directions. AAMI also yesterday released a national Newspoll survey of more than 3000 drivers which found men most likely to listen to satnav directions.Spokesman Reuben Aitchison said 64 per cent of males used a GPS device to find their way as opposed to only 50 per cent of females. “In the past, the man was confident he could find his own way," he said."It was a point of honour, sometimes known as stubbornness. Their long-suffering wives and girlfriends, meanwhile, insisted on asking for directions, knowing full well it would have to happen eventually. “Now the wonders of modern technology have turned this time-honoured tussle on its head and brought peace to the front seat. At least as far as directions are concerned."The favourite voicesLeast favourite voices 

People movers were originally just vans with bench seats like the VW Kombi, introduced in 1950.But people movers have come a long way since then. The svelte lines of the Honda Odyssey are light years from the brick-shaped Kombi.But isn't a rectangular van the most practical shape for moving people and their luggage? VW thinks so and still flies the flag of people-moving vans with the Multivan.It might appear to have the aerodynamics of a shoe box, but it is practical and the new two-litre turbo petrol model overcomes some of the problems associated with big vans such as power, economy and driving dynamics.VALUEPeople movers start at $25,990 for a Kia Rondo and range up to the Mercedes Viano at $79,490. The Multivan TSI350 is at the top end of the field along with the Benz and the flagship Tarago ($71,990).It comes in Comfortline spec for $54,990 with chrome accents, Bluetooth, window blinds, climate control and cruise, while the Highline at $71,990 adds powered dual sliding side doors, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, auto headlights, cabin table, better sound system and 17-inch alloy wheels.The true value comes in the ability to carry seven big adults in absolute comfort, still with plenty of space for luggage and the ability to configure the cabin in myriad ways. VW also has good resale and warranty for this type of vehicle.TECHNOLOGYThe addition of the two-litre turbo petrol TSI350 engine adds some sporty and responsive dynamics while keeping fuel economy relatively affordable. The engine combines a turbocharger with intercooler and direct fuel injection to produce 150kW and 350Nm of torque. It's not as potent a people mover as the V6 Kia Grand Carnival (202kW/336Nm), but married to the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission it's slightly more economical at 10.1L/100km compared with 10.9 for the Kia.SAFETYThere is no ANCAP safety rating for the Multivan, but it comes with six airbags including curtain airbags that cover the whole cabin.Side assist and a rearview camera are optional, however since it is a rectangle, the vehicle extends as far as the eye can see at the windows, so parking and manoeuvring in small areas really is little problem. It also comes with stability control, ABS and brake assist, and there are five child seat anchor points.DESIGNIt's basically a brick on wheels and only Bauhaus fans - the rational and functional art style, not the '70s Brit-punk band - would find it remotely appealing. That's not to say rock bands wouldn't find this appealing. Many a rock band owes their ability to move from gig to gig to a VW Kombi or similar van. Exterior design is reflected inside with VW's typically austere and functional instrumentation. While some people movers such as the Kia have eight seats, the VW has acres of cabin room for seven large adults and greater luggage space. It also comes with long dual sliding doors and a massive tailgate that makes loading luggage and people effortless. Sliding floor rails allow the two second row seats to be moved separately and rotated 180 degrees and the third row bench seat also moves forward and back for maximum versatility.DRIVINGIt leaps off the line with surprising acceleration and a slight chirp of the front wheels. Drivers will also find it turns into corners with startling agility and very little need to deploy the electronic stability program. The engineers can only go so far in counteracting the laws of physics on a tall van, so rapid swerving to avoid an object at speed can cause massive body wobbles. Still, it's responsive and agile for a big van and also very quiet even though the driver is almost sitting over the engine. Doors open and close with a solid clunk and the whole vehicle feels like it could hit a brick wall and come away in better shape.VERDICTForget about the looks. This is a practical van with loads of space, a flexible seating arrangement and now a good balance of power and economy.Volkswagen MultivanPrice: $54,990-$71,990Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 51 per centService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: N/ASpare: full-sizeEngine: 2-litre 4-cyl turbo, 150kW/350NmTransmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic; FWDBody: 4.8m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.9m (h)Weight: 2180kgThirst: 10.1L/100km; 236g/km CO2

Skyfall hits our cinemas on November 22 with 007 actor Daniel Craig riding a Honda CRF250R motocross bike in the opening sequence of the 23rd James Bond film which was shot in Istanbul and Adana, Turkey earlier this year. Twenty CRF250R machines were adapted for the sequence in which a Turkish police bike is swiped by a villain who is pursued by Craig. Two CRF450R motocrossers were also used as filming bikes in the chase scene. But car fans should not be concerned; Bond also drives a cavalcade of exotic four-wheel machinery in the film, including a return of the quintessential Bond car - the Aston Martin DB5. The licensed to kill secret agent also drives some Land Rover products including a Defender and the new Range Rover Evoque. Bond films have been used over the years to highlight and even debut new car models, including the Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me and the BMW Z3 Roadster in GoldenEye. Auto manufacturers pay big dollars to have their product included on the big screen. Model car company Scalextric will also pay big dollars to produced three sets of tracks and cars to coincide with the movie. Prices and specifications are yet to be released. While most people associate the British master spy with Astons, the original Ian Fleming books had him driving a Bentley. In a new book commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications, author Jeffery Deaver has returned 007 to a Bentley in the pages of Carte Blanche. Deaver, author of the Bone Collector, selected the Bentley Continental GT which is partly set in Dubai, where Deaver recently drove a Continental GT. Despite Bond driving a Bentley in Fleming's books, his first car in a movie was a Sunbeam Alpine in the 1962 film Dr No. He didn't drive a Bentley until the second Bond flick, From Russia With Love, in 1963 in which the licensed-to-kill agent drove a Bentley Mark IV. He also drove Bentleys in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and Moonraker (1979). It wasn't until the third Bond movie, Goldfinger in 1964, that Bond drove the famous DB5. Agent 007 cars Dr No (1962): Sunbeam Alpine, Chevrolet Bel Air convertible From Russia With Love (1963): Bentley Mark IV Goldfinger (1964): Aston Martin DB5, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes 190 coupe, Lincoln Continental, Ford Mustang convertible, Rolls-Royce Phantom III Thunderball (1965): Aston Martin DB5, Ford Mustang convertible, BSA Lightning 650cc motorcycle, gyrocopter You Only Live Twice (1967): Toyota 2000 GT, BMW 2000 CS On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): Aston Martin DBS, Mercury Cougar, Bentley Mark II Continental, Rolls-Royce Corniche Diamonds are Forever (1971): 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Triumph Stag, moonbuggy Live And Let Die (1973): Glastron speedboat, double-decker London bus, Chevrolet Impala convertible, Mini Moke The Man With The Golden Gun (1974): AMC Hornet and Matador, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Lotus Esprit, Wetbike concept, Ford Cortina 2.3 Ghia, Mini Moke Moonraker (1979): Bentley Mark IV, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II For Your Eyes Only (1981): Citroen 2CV, Lotus Esprit Turbo, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II Octopussy (1983): Merc-Benz 250 SE, BMW 5 Series, Alfa Romeo GTV A View To A Kill (1985): Renault taxi, Ford LTD, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, Chevrolet Corvette C4, Jeep Cherokee (XJ) The Living Daylights (1987): Aston Martin DBS and V8 Vantage, Audi 200 Quattro Licence To Kill (1989): Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Kenworth petrol tanker GoldenEye (1995): BMW Z3 roadster, Aston Martin DB5, Russian tank, Ferrari 355 Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Aston Martin DB5, BMW 750iL, BMW R1200C motorcycle The World is Not Enough (1999): BMW Z8, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Die Another Day (2002): Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar XKR, pink Ford Thunderbird convertible Casino Royale (2006): Aston Martin DBS and DB5, Jaguar E Type Roadster, Fiat Panda 4x4, Ford Transit, Ford Mondeo Quantum of Solace (2008): Aston Martin DBS V12, Alfa Romeo 159 & 156, Audi A6, Ford Ka & Edge, Jaguar XJ8, Volvo S40T5, Volkswagen Type 1.  

The Optimum is now the brand's most innovative motorhome, with such luxuries as a push-button bed extender, two-tone leather furniture, optional washing machine and windows with built-in blinds. The motorhome is based on a Fiat Ducato X250 at $159,500 plus on-road costs, or an Iveco Daily 65C at $172,750 which can tow three tonne compared with the Fiat's 1200kg capacity. The Iveco also has greater carrying and seating capacities. Both are powered by three-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines with 130kW of power and 400Nm of torque, married to six-speed auto transmissions. Jayco marketing director Andrew Ryan says the new Optimum motorhome range is "ideal for travellers who demand premium quality and have an eye for style". "We think it packs a real punch in terms of comfort, looks and safety," he says. "We have really raised the bar with this range." He says Jayco used a range of research avenues to develop the new range. "Mainly feedback from dealers, past customers, and also discussions and research gleaned from caravan, motorhome and camping shows," he says. Standard features include a barbecue, 120w solar panels, picnic table, outdoor entertainment system, extendable aluminium bed frame and satellite TV. Apart from extra luxury, Jayco has also upgraded safety on the new Optimum with a new rear-view mirror-mounted reversing screen and two rear cameras to help negotiate tight campsites. The motorhome has double electric slide-outs which increase the interior space and Jayco has a new range of interior layouts in high-roof models. The exterior of the Fiat gets a new fibreglass nose cone and both models have updated side skirts, tail light assembly and new trunk doors. There are also new graphics and automotive-quality paintwork. Jayco's offers a 12-month warranty and roadside assist program free for three years.  

The depressed Euro car market is showing signs of recovery, according to analysts Jato Dynamics, with low-emission vehicles leading the way.

There is no end in sight for world travellers Simon and Lisa Thomas of England. Now in their 10th year of riding around the globe, they have racked up four world records and spent more than half of their married life on their BMW motorcycles. Over the past 400,000km they have visited 77 countries, six continents, had four bouts of malaria, three bouts of dengue fever, Simon has broken his neck and he has acted in a Hollywood movie, Vikingdom, due out next year. They have now arrived in Brisbane determined to set two more world records in Australia but still have no idea when or if they will ever finish their journey. "We thought two years ago we would have another couple of years on the road and now we still think we have at least another couple of years to go,'' Mrs Thomas said. "We said we would stop when we ran out of money - well that hasn't happened - or if we had a big crash - but that's happened and still hasn't stopped us - or when we started taking all this for granted but we haven't had that happen. "And returning to the UK with absolutely nothing at our age is not an attractive option, either.'' After spending a year in Australia, they will head to New Zealand then Antarctica which will give them another world record for being the first couple to ride bikes on seven continents. "That will be a logistical nightmare,'' Mr Thomas concedes. Their epic journey started in 2003 when they decided that, since Lisa couldn't have children because of a heart problem, they would sell up and travel around the world for 18 months. "It was meant to be a short career break,'' Mr Thomas said. "After we sold everything and paid off our debts we only had 32,000 ($48,000). We don't need much and it's pretty cheap to live, but this is looking like the most expensive part of our trip.'' They finance their exploits by selling photographs on their website and doing graphic design work, both skills they developed since they started travelling. Mr Thomas admits they miss some of their friends and relatives, but stay in regular contact via their laptop computer. "Thank god for Skype which wasn't invented when we left. Neither was Facebook or Twitter,'' he said. They now have a website, You Tube and Facebook pages that also direct viewers to charity websites - World Water Aid, The British Heart Foundation and CancerBACUP - although they have no idea how much money they have raised as the funds go directly to the charities. Their favourite places for riding have been in the lonely deserts in Mongolia, Africa and South America and they agree the worst place to ride is in India. "You know what India stands for: I'll never drive it again,'' said Mr Thomas. The couple will share their experiences and travel tips with other riders today (AUGUST 21) at BMW Motorline, Daisy Hill, before heading north and anti-clockwise around the continent. Visit: 2ridetheworld.com; facebook.com/2ridetheworld#; youtube.com/2ridetheworld  

National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council boss Ray Carroll says 16,082 vehicles were stolen in the first quarter of this year, a leap of 10 per cent over the previous quarter. This follows a 5 per cent national rise last year after a decade of declining theft rates with thefts in Queensland up 26 per cent and 17 per cent in WA. Mr Carroll claims tougher economic conditions have produced "winners and losers" in society with the losers turning to motor vehicle crime as "easy money". "It seems the losers are people like those working in the small end of the motor vehicle industry such as repairs, some of whom operate in a mixed climate of legitimate and illegitimate practices," he said. "They are finding it harder to operate legitimately so they ramp up illegitimate practices as an easy way to make money." He says there has also been a sharp rise in "opportunistic short-term car theft". "The crunch in the economy is being felt hard by easily disenfranchised groups such as young, unskilled workers and jobless," he said. "It's easy for them to fall back into crime such as stealing a car, often to do a house burglary or other crimes." Carroll says there is a range of solutions that the council, motor vehicle industry and state and federal governments are looking at, but motorists must also practise "key security" to thwart opportunistic thefts. "A byproduct of better security in modern cars such as immobilisers is that criminals steal the keys from your house or garage," he said. "There has been a big spike in sneak thefts where crooks are taking the opportunity to walk into someone's house even if they are home, find car keys left on the kitchen bench or still in the car in a locked garage, jump in the car and they're gone. "Your car keys are the difference between having your car stolen and not. Motorists need to think and practise key security." He said the result of rising car thefts could be an increase in insurance premiums. "The bulk of a premium is calculate on the cost of crashes, not theft, but low theft rates over the past decade have helped offset rising costs of crash repairs, keeping a lid on insurance premiums," he said. "Now with car theft going up, insurance companies seeing rises in theft claims will flow the costs back into rises in premiums." Insurance Council of Australia boss Rob Whelan said insurers received more than 7000 vehicle theft claims totalling $50.5 million for the last quarter. "An increase in insurance claims, and rising levels of theft or attempted theft, can have an impact on insurance premiums as insurers take into account the likelihood and risk of theft occurring," he said. 5 things car thieves love: Car keys easy to find in a home break-in, giving a double-whammy Cars parked in poorly lit areas, where nobody will see them Cars left untouched for weeks, where the owner may not notice them Cars with charging cords, suggesting satnavs and other valuable items might be inside Cars with no alarm system activated - a quick smash and the thief is in.  

As Ford this week announced plans to axe 440 jobs from its two Victorian plants and throw the future of the Falcon into jeopardy, the legendary five-time Australian Touring Car Champion and three-time Bathurst winner has come out in support of the family car and the company. “Certainly from our perspective it would be a shame to see the Falcon disappear off the face of the earth,'' he said. “It's one of few rear-wheel-drive platforms in the world and Aussies have traditionally enjoyed rear-wheel-drive cars.'' Johnson says there is nothing wrong with the product. “The product is an excellent car. All Ford products are excellent,'' the long-time Ford racer said. “I don't think the styling is bad and now that they've brought out the four-cylinder model and have the EcoBoost engines, they are much more economical. “Surely there is still a market for people who enjoy the luxury of a car with a lot of room.' 'He says the problem is the lack of an export market. “Where Holden have a slight advantage over Ford is they have an overseas export market which keeps production numbers up,'' he said. “That's the problem. They need an export strategy. Ford is reducing daily production from 209 to 148 vehicles in November in response to an industry-wide slump in large car sales, despite a $103 million funding package Ford received from its US parent company, the Victorian and federal governments in January. The package is aimed at securing the manufacture of the Falcon and Territory SUV at Geelong and Broadmeadows until at least the end of 2016. Industry analysts predict the Falcon will be axed at the end of that period. “I hope they keep it. It's been very good for us,'' Johnson said. “I don't know where it's heading. Between now and 2016 we may see a resurgence in sales. “Markets change and one would hope the economy will repair itself in the meantime and we might see a few things pick up. “I'm the eternal optimist.'' Johnson, who runs a three-Falcon team in the V8 Supercar series, says he will he still race Falcons even if they are scrapped from production. “My favourite Falcon is any one that won a race,'' the laconic driver said. “Realistically the ones that most people relate to is the XD and XE. They were tough-looking cars.''