Articles by Neil McDonald

The wraps came off the new-look SY Territory MkII range at the Melbourne Motor Show this morning. It gets a much-needed visual update, revised model lineup new equipment. Two Territory models, a Territory Ghia AWD and a Territory TS RWD, are on display at the motor show to give customers a first look at the SY Territory MkII line-up, which will go on sale next month. The Territory TX now gets side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a full body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors as standard. The TS is also fitted with the full body colour package, along with a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat. Ghia models also gain a third row seat as standard equipment, along with a rear Alpine DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass, body coloured door handles and 18-inch alloy wheels. The top-of-the-range Ghia Turbo picks up the same list of additions, along with a new wheel design for its standard 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside the cabin gets some new trim materials and colours but the dashboard carries over largely unchanged. The TS and Ghia have the option of a no-cost option of a cashmere interior. The proven 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder carries over. Prices have risen between $500 and $1000 depending on the model. The entry rear-drive TX now costs $39,490, a $1000 price rise. The RWD TS is $44,490 and Ghia $52,490. The AWD TX is $44,490, TS $49,490, Ghia $57,490 while the AWD Ghia Turbo is now $66,420. The Territory has been an outstanding success for Ford since it was launched in 2004. More than 86,000 have been sold and the car has won a multitude of consumer and industry awards.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

The fifth and smallest member of the Suzuki family is already on sale in Europe and hits local dealers late this year. Although prices have not been set, the Alto is expected to come in under the $16,490 Swift hatch. Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says the Alto will represent “outstanding value for money”. However, Suzuki spokesman, Andrew Ellis, says exchange rates will play a big part in determining the car's pricepoint. The Alto will be available in two specifications. The entry level gets six airbags, air conditioning, CD stereo system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, anti-skid brakes and six airbags. The top specification Alto adds alloy wheels, foglights, a tachometer and electronic stability control. At 3500mm long, the Alto is almost 200mm shorter than a Mini Cooper. It is slightly narrower than a Mini but 63mm higher and has a wheelbase of 2360mm, 107mm shorter than the Mini. Powering the Alto is a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 50kW and 90Nm mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic will be optional. The Euro IV-compliant engine delivers fuel consumption of just 4.5L/100km and produces only 103g/km of CO2 emissions. Manufactured in Suzuki's Manesar plant in India, the Alto was designed by Suzuki engineers and tuned for European customers based on an extensive test drive program. Already on sale in Europe, the little hatch has returned fuel economy figures of just 4.4 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 103 grams a kilometre. “Alto is the answer for people wanting a quality vehicle offering great performance, high levels of safety and outstanding fuel economy,” Devers says. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut type while the rear is a three-link rigid axle.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

Now the Korean carmaker is focusing on April's Seoul Motor Show, where it will unveil the new Sorento off-roader, codenamed XM.Probably the biggest news about the new Sorento is that it will move from a traditional body-on-frame construction to a unit-body design borrowed from the Hyundai Veracruz, which is sold in North America.Visually it is clear the Sorento has grown up, with a more refined and car-like design to distance itself from the more agricultural current model.The new look is more muscular, following some of the same themes as the contemporary looking Cerato, also design by Kia chief designer, Peter Schreyer.The off-roader is expected to have both turbo-diesel and petrol engines.Its engine line-up is expected to include the next-generation 150kW/435Nm 2.2-litre R-diesel engine delivering an impressive 7.0 litre/100km, a 2.4-litre Theta II petrol four cylinder and a 200kW 3.8-litre in-line petrol six.Engines will be coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission. 

After years of being in the styling doldrums, Kia looks as though it has seized the day with design.It has followed up the C'eed and surprising new-look Cerato with the No3 concept, which will be unveiled at next Tuesday's Geneva Motor Show.The No3 concept hatch, described as a multi-purpose vehicle, is one of three new Kias to be at the show.Apart from the No3, Kia will show off a range of cars with what it calls ISG for “idle, stop and go”, as well as an innovative hybrid.Kia executives say the No3 concept “redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive”.The concept looks almost production ready and could end up battling the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Getz in the ultra-competitive light-car class.The concept features an extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new Kia corporate grille treatment, headlights and brand logo in a new constellation.At 4045 mm long, the concept is 95mm longer than a Ford Fiesta concept.The No3 is finished in matt Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.The ISG system will be previewed in the Kia Cee'd.It delivers about to 15 oper cent fuel savings in city driving.The device is already on sale in many countries across Europe.The system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver moves off.ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines.The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.In keeping with an emerging green theme at Geneva, the Korean carmaker has built a fleet of prototype Kia Cee'd hybrids especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.The Cee'd Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia's Gamma 1.6-litre petrol engine, mated to a 15kW, 105Nm AC synchronised electric motor, CVT transmission and ISG.The hybrid hits 100km/h in 11.8 seconds and has a top speed of 185 km/h.The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 4.81 litres/100km and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km, a 25 per cent reduction compared to the standard 1.6-litre petrol Cee'd.The 79th Salon International de l'Auto which opens next Tuesday. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

Times are tough but job opportunities are emerging at one of Melbourne's big events this week. Along with the glamorous models and glittering concept cars at the Melbourne Motor Show, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce is chasing prospective apprentices for the auto industry. While acknowledging the economic crisis, some areas of the car industry still had shortages, according to the chamber's executive director, David Purchase. “Right now, despite the economic downturn, there is a still a skills shortage of automotive technicians,” he said. “There are shortages across the board and demand outstrips supply, but it appears businesses are requesting motor mechanics, panel beaters and spray painters in particular.” Purchase said the show was a worthwhile event for young or even mature students looking for a career with cars. The chamber will have several trained advisers at the show to talk about apprenticeships. The VACC is the largest employer of automotive apprentices in Victoria and a registered training organisation. There are currently about 500 auto apprentices across Victoria, 25 per cent females. Most are in motor mechanics but paint and panel beating are also popular. “Without the next generation of mechanics and skilled technicians, the industry will lose its competitiveness,” Purchase said. “It is vital young people are given a taste of the industry and supported every step of the way.” The chamber will also showcase a selection of entrants in its Target 2020 competition, which this year drew more than 100 entries from secondary and university students. Because of the overwhelming response, the competition is likely to go national next year. Some of the entrants have also been employed by local carmakers. “For the past two years, tertiary winners have been snapped up by Ford and Holden,” Purchase said. Chief judge GM-Holden chief designer, Richard Ferlazzo, said the quality of this year's entrants was extremely high.   The Melbourne Motor Show opens at 5pm on Friday at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

...the Japanese carmaker is revealing three new cars, the 1/X, third-generation Prius and Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle. Each in their own way presents Toyota's vision of the future, according to Toyota marketing chief, David Buttner. "It's no coincidence that all three cars have hybrid drive technology," he said. The 1/X presents a vision of tomorrow while the Prius hybrid and Camry concept hybrid point to just what's around the corner. The Prius goes on sale later this year for under $40,000 and the Camry hybrid, to be built at Toyota's Altona plant, hits showrooms next February. The Camry hybrid will be built alongside the 2.4-litre petrol Camry and is expected to cost between $3000 and $4000 more. Using the Camry sedan as the base, the HCCV gets more streamlined aerodynamics to improve fuel economy. The third-generation 1.8-litre Prius showcases some new technologies, including a solar-powered ventilation and remote air conditioning system that works when the car is parked. The car will also be the first car in Australia with C02 emissions below 100grams a kilometre. The 1/X, pronounced one-Xth, gets its name because it uses hybrid-powered technology that has a fraction of the environmental footprint of today's cleanest cars. Buttner describes it as a car for "post 2020". Toyota is already developing the car's potential, looking at sustainable seaweed as a source of materials. The 500cc rear drive 1/X is made from light-weight carbon fibre and weighs just 420kg, less than half the weight of a Corolla but delivers similar performance to the 1.8-litre petrol hatch. "But carbon fibre is oil based and oil is a finite resource," he says. "Post-2020 it is likely vehicles like the 1/X will be made of plant-based plastic, which has just been invented." Buttner says the car is realistically a decade away but some of the innovations could make it to market earlier. Toyota expects to replace the carbon fibre body with one made of plast-based plastice, called eco-plastic. By 2020 Toyota has vowed to have a hybrid powertrain available across all its models, from the Yaris right up to the LandCruiser. * The Melbourne Motor Show starts at 5pm on Friday at the Melbourne Exhibiton Centre.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

As the manufacturer’s newest entrant in the compact off-road segment, the Koleos, launched last September, has helped swing the spotlight back on to Renault.As Renault is part of the Nissan alliance, the Koleos shares the best of Japan with the style of Europe. The off-roader is based on the Nissan X-Trail but takes a typically French path to its design and upmarket interior.Two models are available, the Dynamique and the Privilege, with prices starting at $29,990 for the petrol 2.5-litre front-drive Dynamique.The Dynamique is available in both front and all-wheel-drive configurations.Apart from the Nissan-sourced 2.5-litre petrol engine, the Koleos is available with a refined Renault 2.0-litre turbo-diesel in two states of tune, either 127kW or 110kW.In keeping with Renault’s high equipment levels, the car comes with keyless card and start button function, an automatic handbrake, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, dual-zone climate control, satellite audio controls, cruise control (with speed limiter), power windows, roof-mounted child-minder mirror, electronic child locks and adjustment of the exterior mirrors.Joining the Koleos at the Melbourne Motor Show will be the hot special edition Clio RenaultSport R27.The R27 boasts a Cup chassis that is 7mm lower than the ClioSport and gains 17-inch Dark Anthracite BeBop wheels that give it an even sportier feel and higher precision above the ClioSport.It is powered by 2.0-litre normally aspirated engine that delivers 145kW at 7250 revs and 215Nm at 5500 revs.The car will hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, yet it delivers a combined fuel economy cycle of 8.4 litres/100km. In keeping with the sharper chassis setup, the model gets Recaro sports seats equipped with side airbags.The new Laguna hatch and wagon will also be featured at the show. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

Just 10 years ago, dual airbags and anti-skid brakes were probably the most technologically advanced systems in your new car.Today, there can be as many as 10 airbags, anti-skid brakes are the norm and electronic stability control and traction systems are becoming more common.But the automobile industry’s rush to technology has not stopped there.Runflat tyres are a familiar safety feature, as well as park assist sensors and lane departure warning systems. In addition, adaptive high-intensity LED headlights that can light the way through corners are a major benefit of R&D at Audi and Lexus.These features are all on the checklist of new car buyers.New safety systems continue to appear — adaptive cruise control, night vision, driver alert systems and collision avoidance warnings.Apart from advances in life-saving technology, petrol-electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are mainstream models now.Manufacturers are also introducing new engine drivetrains with all-electric cars, hydrogen-powered cars, in-wheel electric motors and dedicated LPG and CNG cars.Mazda and BMW are testing hydrogen cars in Japan and the US.Nissan expects to have an all-electric car based on the prototype EV-02 on sale in two years and Mitsubishi’s i MiEV electric car is on sale in Japan. The former is also working with Renault to launch an all-electric Megane for Israel next year.All new technology takes time to trickle down to the mainstream, and cars are certainly no different.BMW’s road speed sign detection system is currently available only on the new $200,000 7 Series.The system, designed to read signs and adjust speed accordingly, will eventually roll out in other BMWs and there will be inevitable imitations from other manufacturers. The road speed system tells the driver the maximum speed allowable on the route they are taking.Mercedes-Benz is pioneering a drowsy driver system called Attention Assist.With driver fatigue responsible for 25 per cent of all accidents, the Mercedes Attention Assist system monitors the driver’s behaviour. It also registers steering wheel movements, indicator and pedal operation, along with several specific control operations and external influences such as side winds or uneven road surfaces.If it detects that the driver is drowsy, an alarm will sound and the warning “Attention Assist. Break!” pops up on the instrument cluster.The Swedes, famous for their commitment to safety, are also adding newer technologies to gain an edge.When the new Volvo XC60 arrives in March it will have a computer and radar-controlled collision avoidance system as standard. Called City Safety, the system is mounted behind the windscreen and constantly monitors vehicles ahead.Volvo found that 75 per cent of collisions occur below 30km/h and that, in 50 per cent of those cases, drivers had not braked before impact.City Safety is able to make a crucial difference. It operates at speeds up to 30 km/h and is able to detect if the car is at risk of colliding with the vehicle ahead. If the driver has not taken corrective action in time, City Safety will apply the brakes to either minimise the impact or avoid it altogether.Volvo’s new S60 concept car, displayed at this year’s Detroit Motor Show, takes the concept a step further. When it goes on sale next year it will have a collision warning with full automatic brake and pedestrian detection system that reacts when a pedestrian walks out in front of a car. The system will apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to the danger.Even the Japanese are getting in on the act. Last year Nissan introduced an innovative safety system that warns your car’s GPS system if a pedestrian is about to step in front of your car.How?Well, the newer Nissans in Japan will be equipped with mobile phone readers in the satellite navigation systems that scan the front of the car for any pedestrian with a mobile phone. If that pedestrian is about to step in front of your car, their mobile will ring or vibrate to warn them.The driver of the car also gets a warning alarm. This will be supplemented by a flashing “pedestrian” image that pops up on the satellite navigation system.The system is expected to be available on all Nissans in 18 months.Audi and VW’s contribution comes in the form of park assist. At the press of a button it will parallel park your vehicle into a vacant space. The system is available on the VW Tiguan, Passat CC and newer Audis like the A3. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

The day of the electric car is fast dawning and Mitsubishi Australia is ready.Having previously exhibited the petrol-engined “i” small car at the Melbourne Motor Show in 2006, Mitsubishi will unveil an all-electric version called the i MiEV.It is a 100 per cent electric vehicle, using high-energy density lithium batteries to power its compact, lightweight motor.Mitsubishi Japan is gearing up for full-scale production and the car has sparked plenty of interest worldwide, including Australia.The four-door uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor that develops 47kW/180Nm, providing plenty of power.As the car weighs just 1080kg, it will hit 130km/h, with an operating range of 160km.That’s enough for the average daily commute in addition to an evening out on the town before it needs recharging.The i MiEV also has a regenerative braking system that reduces speed by converting the braking energy into battery energy to top up the electric supply.The Japanese model uses an on-board unit to recharge the car through 100-volt or 200-volt power sources.It takes 14 hours to recharge through 100 volts and seven hours through a 200-volt outlet.However, with the anticipated development of quick chargers, Mitsubishi believes charging time can eventually be dramatically reduced to just 30 minutes.Driving the car is relatively simple. There is no conventional gearbox, rather a gear lever with drive, economy and brake modes.The brake mode applies the regenerative function more aggressively down steep hills.The i MiEV generates zero carbon dioxide emissions and even in terms of “well-to-wheel” performance, the vehicle emits only about 30 per cent of the C02 generated by a similar-sized petrol car.“Well-to-wheel” performance measures the efficiency of the entire fuel process, from fuel production to supplying the electric power to operate the car.Mitsubishi has already undertaken extensive testing of the i MiEV with Japanese utility companies over the past two years and with electricity provider Southern California Edison in the US.The success of these programs and feedback from users has prompted Mitsubishi Motors to start selling the car alongside other petrol-engined Mitsubishis in Japan this year.The i MiEV is a true city car, measuring 3395mm long and 1475mm wide while sitting on a 2550mm wheelbase.That’s about 490mm shorter than the popular Mitsubishi Colt and 105mm narrower.Joining the i MiEV on the Mitsubishi stand are the new Lancer and Pajero ranges, as well as Mitsubishi’s rugged Triton ute. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

While many others are talking about mass-market hybrids, the Prius hatch pioneered volume production more than 10 years ago.More than a million have been sold, including 12,000 in Australia. Now the third-generation Prius is just months away, to be joined early next year by the locally built Camry hybrid.Toyota showcases both cars at Melbourne, as well as the 1/X concept car, which provides a glimpse of the future.About the same size as the Prius, it is 430kg lighter than its predecessor. It has lightweight materials and a 500cc plug-in hybrid engine.These three will be joined by a purpose-built Camry hybrid concept car created by Toyota Australia chief designer Paul Beranger.Beranger’s team has taken a production hybrid Camry and enhanced the car’s on-road presence. The idea is to showcase Toyota’s hybrid story today, but show off tomorrow’s generation of new cars.The third-generation Prius gets a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine mated to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Fuel economy has improved 9 per cent over the existing model’s 4.4 litres/100km rating.The 73kW/142Nm 1.8-litre engine is the first Toyota engine that has no belts under the bonnet. This innovation in turn leads to better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs.The Prius has three driving modes, an all-elective mode that works for up to 2km, power mode for sportier response, and eco mode, which delivers better fuel economy.In terms of appearance, the car has evolved from the previous model’s classic aerodynamic shape. The overall height is the same, but the roof profile has been moved back 99mm to emphasise the car’s distinctive wedge shape.The new Prius shares the same wheelbase as the current car but it has grown by 15mm in length. One of the car’s neatest features is a glass sunroof packed with solar panels that power a new ventilation system.The solar-powered ventilation system does not need engine power to operate. Using solar power, the interior can be cooled, even remotely, before the driver returns to the car. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...