Articles by Ron Hammerton

Lexus has revealed its facelifted RC sportscar ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show in October.

General Motors will closely monitor the local sales performance of the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro before deciding whether to produce a factory right-hand drive (RHD) version of the muscle car in the future.The first batch of sixth-generation Camaros will start to roll off a conversion line at Melbourne's Walkinshaw Automotive Group facility this month before going on sale across Holden's Special Vehicles' (HSV) network of 55 dealerships.According to GM executive vice-president for global product development Mark Reuss, the current Camaro was not engineered for RHD production, meaning a factory iteration would have to wait until the next generation.When asked if a RHD Camaro will ever be imported, Mr Reuss said "that will depend on how the current model goes in this market".While the current model has yet to be released Down Under, it has been on sale in the States since 2015, and given the vehicle has an expected lifespan of five-or-so years, the next-generation may not be so far away.With the V8, rear-wheel drive Commodore models long gone, Holden hopes the imported muscle car will help regain traditional HSV customers.Rumoured to wear a circa-$90,000 price tag, the Australian-spec Camaro is based on the 2SS variant that packs a 339kW/617Nm punch thanks to its 6.2-litre free-breathing V8.Although the Camaro's arch-rival Ford Mustang matches its power outputs, the Blue Oval-badged pony car suffers a 61Nm torque deficit.However, with the Mustang produced in factory RHD form, Ford Australia is able to price its V8-powered muscle car from $62,990 before on-roads.The sales performance of the Equinox and Acadia SUVs – both also sourced from North America – will also play a part in GM's RHD market engineering decision.As for Chevrolet's other sportscar, the iconic Corvette, Mr Reuss dismissed questions on whether the two-seater could come Down Under with a definitive "maybe". 

MG Motor Australia has confirmed the HS medium SUV, recently revealed in China, will make it Down Under sometime next year badged as the second-generation GS.

Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has developed a new membrane that has the capability of separating hydrogen from ammonia, advancing the pursuit of viable hydrogen transport.This allows bulk hydrogen to be moved in liquid ammonia form, without the need for unique transport infrastructure.Previously, hydrogen needed to be transported in gas form, which needs to be stored under high pressure making it not only more dangerous, but also requiring specific logistic infrastructure and technologies.With the membrane developed by the CSIRO, ammonia can be passed through a module at the refuelling station to produce ultra-high-purity hydrogen gas, ready to pump into a vehicle.This was demonstrated recently at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies where fuel-cell vehicles – the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo – were refuelled using the ammonia technique.The technology is part of the CSIRO's broadening focus on hydrogen power, which includes improving the generation of hydrogen and ammonia from solar energy using water electrolysis and ammonia synthesis.These advancements mean renewable hydrogen production will likely compete with fossil fuel production, according to the research organisation.While at face value, it may not seem groundbreaking, CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshal described the demonstration of the membrane as a watershed moment for energy."We look forward to applying CSIRO innovation to enable this exciting renewably-sourced fuel and energy storage medium a smoother path to market," he said. Local FCEV advocates, Hydrogen Mobility Australia (HMA), said that both local and state governments are committed to building hydrogen refueling stations in Australia within the next 12 to 18 months.Speaking about the CSIRO's latest technology, HMA chief Clair Johnson said it has the potential to open new doors for both export markets as well as local opportunities for hydrogen transport."With Australia a potential supplier of hydrogen to the world, it is imperative of governments at all levels to work with industry to realise the full potential of this opportunity, including the development of a local hydrogen-powered transport sector," she said.While production hydrogen vehicles are few and far between, Hyundai has become the first carmaker to make a strong commitment to importing hydrogen cars, with the brand's local firm set to import a small batch of Nexo SUVs later this year.Hyundai Motor Company Australia has already signed a deal with the Australia Capital Territory government to supply 20 Nexo units as part of the Hornsdale Wind Farm development.The initiative will include the construction of a wind farm that is projected to have the capability to power up 1000 FCEVs a year, which may allow for private FCEV sales in the future.

Fans of the Chevrolet Camaro will be pleased at the sight of a truck-load of brand-new muscle cars being shipped into Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s right-hand drive conversion facility.

Chinese company Great Wall Motors (GWM) and Germany's BMW Group have jumped into bed to each build electric vehicles (EV) at a new factory in China.

Australian vehicle sales fell last month, despite the annual June end-of-financial-year splurge that saw Toyota claim a record sales month for its HiLux ute.

Ferrari's acclaimed 3.9-litre bi-turbo V8 has taken first place at the International Engine of the Year awards for the third time in a row.

Kia Motors has uncovered the European version of its new-look Sportage medium SUV, revealing fresh styling inside and out, and a range of additional technology.

In what has been a tough start to 2018 sales-wise, Holden has something to smile about with its Trailblazer, Trax and new Equinox SUVs all registering a lift in sales volume in April.