Articles by Neil McDonald

Devers said yesterday the scheme could to be tailored to "green" car purchases as part of an incentive package for more efficient cars. "We've all seen the benefits to the building industry as a result of the first homeowner's scheme, which contributes up to $21,000 to first home buyers," he says. "If the Federal Government was serious about making environmentally efficient cars more appealing, why don't they consider a similar scheme for first car owners?" Devers said the level of incentive would have to be worked out but $5000 would be manageable. Vehicle sales this year are down 20 per cent as buyers desert showrooms and all brands are feeling the heat. Devers wants to link a first buyers scheme to cars that deliver low greenhouse emissions and economy under 6 litres/100km. "By linking a first buyers' scheme to cars that meet 130 g/km of C02, it has enormous potential to not only lower our greenhouse gas emissions, but also help save the lives of hundreds of young Australians. "Last year, drivers aged between 18 and 25 made up almost 30 per cent of all fatal crashes, despite representing only 14 per cent of all drivers," he says. "One of the acknowledged factors in many of these crashes is the fact young people traditionally drive older vehicles, most of them lacking advanced safety features such as side curtain airbags or electronic stability control. "Making fuel efficient cars with high safety levels more financially attractive with a bonus - like the home owner's scheme - addresses two major issues." Devers said he had not shopped the first car concept with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries but was seeking to put it out to the public. He admitted that Suzuki has a vested interest in low emission cars because it will soon start selling its 1.0-litre Alto. The three-cylinder Alto emits just 113 grams a kilometre of C02. "But the issue of green cars and incentives is wider than just our interest," he said. "Every carmaker has similar cars in other markets with similar low emissions but there is little incentive to bring them here. "Customers shopping at this end of the market should not be rewarded for thinking with their conscience, as well as their wallet."  

I still have fond memories of my Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti.

Both the Falcon and Territory share their underpinnings, but the brake architecture of the latest FG model Falcon is different to previous model Falcons.

The recall affects 83,534 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.Details of the defect were uncovered by Carsguide after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to our Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.Ask Smithy, Daily Telegraph, March 27, 2009.Carsguide answers your questions about the Ford Territory recallThe recall affects the bulk of Territorys on the road, built between February 1 2004 and December 31, 2008.Territory Turbo, Territory Ghia Turbo and the FPV F6X are not included in the recall.Ford Australia spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said the problem had affected less than 2 per cent of vehicles but the company was recalling most Territorys to replace the hosesMcAlary said the issue was isolated to the Territory and did not affect Falcon models.The problem relates to the front brake hose, which can wear through, leading to leaking brake fluid that could render the brakes almost useless.Ford is fitting all Territorys with replacement hoses that are stronger and longer, McAlary said.An official Ford statement said that the the rear braking system will still bring the vehicle to a halt within Australian Design Rule requirements. If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention, the statement said.McAlary said that a Ford investigation had shown that a combination of high mileage on the vehicles, along with frequent cornering at full steering lock, could lead to a problem with the brakes.She said any customers with concerns are advised to contact their nearest Ford Dealer to make arrangements to have their vehicle rectified.The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge.Related stories:First look: 2009 Ford TerritoryToyota Kluger Vs Ford TerritoryGOT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR? - Ask 'The Guide'

Last week’s Pickles auction in Sydney sold a late-model Ferrari GTB with just 2293km on the clock for $355,000, plus the 33 per cent Luxury Car Tax component.The car was nabbed by Ateco Automotive Ltd, which distributes Ferrari in Australia and has since been onsold to an enthuasist.Ateco spokesman, Edward Rowe, says the GTB was now back in the Ferrari fold.“Ferrari guards its residual values jealously,” Rowe says.Although Rowe would not comment on the price paid, Carsguide believes it was well over $500,000 and just shy of its new car price of about $600,000.The Ferrari was one of several high-end cars that went through Pickles quarterly luxury and exotic auction.More than $4.5 million worth of vehicles went under the hammer.Other rich pickings included a 2006 Aston Martin Vantage sold for $162,000 and a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo all-wheel-drive fetched $280,000. Even with the LCT component added into the price the cars were bargains.Some home-grown performance cars also sold.A 2007 Ford Performance Vehicles F6 Typhoon fetched $38,500, not bad when new it cost $63,310.Apart from Pickles, GraysOnline and ManheimFowles auction houses are reporting a lift in distressed prestige sales by finance companies and cash-strapped owners and the economic crisis bites.For the managing director of GraysOnline, Cameron Poolman, the downturn is proving a boon.He says the traffic on Grays’ site has increased more than 25 per cent since the economy took a dive.“We expect that it will continue to rise,” he says.“People are still looking to buy but they’ll try to get it at a reduced price.”Poolman says GraysOnline has helped take out the middle-man and dealers.The upside of increased interest in cars going through auction houses is that it is helping push used values up.Private owners and fleets are holding on to their cars for longer, leading to a shortage of used stock coming into the market.This is lifting used prices of some popular late model cars by up to $1500.

Of the 12 off-roaders tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States just four earned a top rating of ``good'' and three were ``acceptable''.The tests were designed by the institute to provide new roof strength ratings.The Volkswagen Tiguan has the strongest rated roof and the Kia Sportage the weakest.Roofs on the Honda CRV and Ford Escape are marginal, and the Kia's is poor.The Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Jeep Patriot and a car sold in the US, the Honda Element, earn good ratings.The Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander rated acceptable.The Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue, both just sold in North America, also rated acceptable.A spokesman for the Australian New Car Assessment Program and RACV chief engineer, Michael Case, says the US test add another dimension to safety information for new car buyers.He says ANCAP will be studying the findings.“The roof crush rating is a useful measure of how the roof will perform in a real rollover,’’ he says.“Rollover is the next area to go in developing tests and rating vehicles.”He says ANCAP will need to look at the IIHS process, particularly how to assess it.The new rating system is based on institute research showing that occupants in rollover crashes can survive better if their off-roaders have stronger roofs.Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.``We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way that our frontal offset and side impact consumer test programs have led to better protection in these kinds of crashes,'' institute president Adrian Lund, says.The Institute recognises that vehicle roof structures have become stronger over the past few years.Part of the reason is that carmakers have made structural improvements to earn better front and side crash ratings.Strong A and B pillars help prevent intrusion in these types of crashes and also help hold up the roof.``It's not surprising that Volkswagen and Subaru earn good ratings in our new roof test because these carmakers were among the first to ace our front and side tests,'' Lund says.In the United States more than 10,000 people a year are killed in rollovers.When vehicles roll, their roofs often hit the ground with considerable force, deforming and crushing.Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that occupants will be injured by contact with the roof itself.Stronger roofs can also prevent occupants, especially those not wearing seatbelts, from being ejected.In the US, about 25 per cent of deaths in car and van crashes are rollovers but in off-roaders this jumps to 59 per cent.The RACV’s Case says the incidence of rollovers in Australia is lower “but there is still a high chance of death or serious injury”.In the institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one side of a roof near the A-pillar.To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 12cm of crush.   

The car went on sale on Tuesday with the first deliveries starting in July.Already dealers are reporting long queues from buyers with the waiting list extending out to 12 months.The Nano has been designed with low cost in mind.The budget four-door five-seater car, has a small 22kW 624cc two cylinder engine at the rear and a four-speed manual transmission.Engineers have trimmed down the car so it appeals to Indians hoping to trade up from a motorcycle.There is no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, although buyers will be able spend more on those items in two deluxe models, the CX and LX.The Tata Corporation also intends launching a better-equipped, larger engined Nano in Europe.Tata is building a new plant in Gujarat in western India to build the car.It will produce between 250,000 and 500,000 Nanos a year.The Tata Corporation also owns Jaguar and Land Rover.It bought the British companies for $US2.3 billion last year.

Just a week after the launch of the new MX5, the latest Mazda to get the company's new corporate "five-point" grille is the CX9.Apart from the CX9 and MX5, the new face is spreading across the Mazda range.It appears on the next-generation 3, due in local showrooms within days and the CX7 due later this year.The 2010 CX9 is expected to hit local showrooms later this year, about the same time as the refreshed CX7.The CX9 will be unveiled at next month's New York motor show.Mazda is not spilling the beans on exactly what the changes are underneath, saying only that the car will get "added options and reinforced safety features".However, the seven-seater's existing 3.7-litre V6 and six-speed automatic is expected to carry over.Unlike the CX7 though, no diesel version is tipped to be added to the range.CX9 buyers can however expect improvements in the V6's fuel economy and a mildly updated cabin.Visually, the new corporate grille is prominent, as are the revised foglights and lower air intake.New larger exterior rear view mirrors and updated tail-lights complete the look.Locally Mazda is one of the few brands that has had a good sales start this year even though its overall share has slipped almost 9 per cent.At the launch of the new MX5 last week, Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, says he remains confident this year in the face of the 20 per cent market downturn.He expects Mazda to continue to build its market share through the year despite overall sales volumes being down.The arrival of the next-generation 3 hatch and sedan is expected to be a big driver.Mazda, like other Japanese importers, has been under pricing pressure because of unfavourable exchange rates with the Japanese yen.Dickson expects the Australia dollar to rebound against the yen over the next few months."The Australian dollar could gain lost ground over the next few months," he says."So pricing pressure will disappear over the next six months."Dickson expects Mazda to sell about 70,000 vehicles this year, 12 per cent down from the 79,826 vehicles sold last year.

In the years since, many imitators have come and gone but the venerable Golf GTi remains a benchmark for fun and performance. Now VW has unveiled the sixth-generation GTI, which is even sharper than previous models. Expected in local VW showrooms later this year, the newest GTi looks almost identical to the concept shown at this year's Paris Motor Show, even down the the dual exhausts, rear diffuser and alloy wheels. Visually the car is 22mm lower at the front and 15mm lower at the back and the spring, dampers and stabilisers have been retuned. Not surprisingly, performance is the car's strongpoint. It is powered by a turbocharged 155kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four cylinder TSI engine which delivers a top speed of 240 km/h and combined fuel economy figure of 7.3 litres/100km. The GTi's maximum torque is available from 1700 revs right through to 5200 revs. The car will hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds but VW says in-gear performance is also improved. The hatch accelerates in fifth gear from 80 to 120km/h in 7.5 seconds. The 2.0-litre also meets Euro 5 emission levels and produces 170 g/km. Like all new models, the GTi gets some new tricks, like an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) to help handling and traction. XDS is designed to reduce understeer and provide near-neutral handling. It is an extension of the electronic limited-slip differential (EDS) integrated in the electronic stability control system. VW's dynamic chassis control system is also available. For durability the engine gets modified pistons and piston rings, a regulated oil pump, new vacuum pump, new high-pressure fuel pump and new mass airflow sensor. Like the previous model, buyers will get a choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes. The engine and exhaust system carries a distinct `GTi' sound. At highway speeds it remains muted but open the throttle and the acoustic exhaust delivers a distinct note. In front, the familiar strut-type suspension operates with helical springs and telescoping shock absorbers. In the rear, the multi-link suspension continues. The adjustable chassis control system automatically stiffens steering and damping for more dynamic handling and also reduces pitch and roll. Drivers can choose between normal, sport or comfort settings. For the first time, adaptive cruise control will be available. When activated, the system automatically brakes and accelerates within a speed window from 30km/h to 210 km/h. It uses a laser sensor mounted in the rearview mirror to continually scan vehicles in front and their speed using five laser beams. The GTi will also be available with a second-generation version of park assist and active bi-xenon headlights. Previously, to use the system the space had to be at least 1.4m longer than the car but now 1.1m is sufficient. The system also has multiple forward-reverse stages in parking. When the GTI is ordered with the system it also gets parking sensors and a Hill Hold feature. Inside there are standard sport seats with the trademark tartan fabric pattern, active headrests and nine airbags. As with previous GTi's there are brushed stainless steel pedals, aluminium GTI gearshift lever, leather steering wheel with grip recesses and GTI emblem, decorative red seams on the steering wheel, gearshift surround and leather parking brake grip. Like the Golf upon which it is based, the GTi can store between 350 and 1305 litres of luggage.  

Now it has taken another step along the automotive road by building a complete car, the Mila concept.  The all-electric Mila was unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show, showcasing a fully integrated electric platform that the company says can be used by every carmaker. Apart from an all-electric version, the Mila can also accommodate natural gas, fuel cells or hybrid drive systems.  Magna Steyr expects to be able to provide the complete technology to a carmaker, direct from a concept to a full-blow series production model. The idea is that it provides all the underpinnings and a car company can assembles the car’s outer body to suit its own design requirements.  The concept is a 4m long five-door hatch and sits on a 2500mm wheelbase. Visually it does not deviate too far from a hatch design with a few extra curves.  What is different is the side profile detailing. There is a strong connecting line between headlights and side windows, which lends the vehicle a futuristic and elegant look.  Unusually, the lateral running sensor strip is a design element, door opener and “fuel gauge” which shows, clearly visibly, the level of battery charge left in the car. Additionally, the integrated door opener is activated by an electronic key.  Like the Toyota Prius, the Mila uses solar cells integrated in the glass roof for extra energy generation. The usually large rear view mirrors of conventional cars have been replaced by aerodynamic reverse-view cameras.  Magna Steyr designed the car’s lithium ion battery module with built-in software for load balancing and power control. A series of modules can be combined into the battery pack to work seamlessly together, providing power for the car. The Mila is driven by a 50kW electric motor.  The car takes about 2.5 hours to recharge and has a range of up to 150km. The Mila can be built using Magna Steyr’s “Flex Plant” concept, which allows different production volumes without added cost or complexity.