Articles by Spencer Leech

Ford Australia has confirmed its new Ranger Raptor performance flagship will not be equipped with auto emergency braking (AEB) when it is released locally in October.In fact, fewer than half of the forthcoming updated Ranger variants will feature AEB when they first hit Australian showrooms.The Raptor will be by far the most expensive of the Ranger line-up, checking in at $74,990 plus-on road costs.For perspective, the updated Wildtrack the Raptor is based on comes with standard AEB and is $11,000 less expensive at $63,990.However, at the international launch of the hi-po pick-up in the Northern Territory this week, Ford Asia Pacific vice-president of product development Trevor Worthington said AEB would eventually become standard on all Ranger variants, including the Raptor."For the change that we're making with the (new Ranger), about 70 to 80 per cent of our Rangers will have AEB," he said."There are a couple of derivatives that we're still delivering the plan on, so we've got a firm plan to introduce AEB on all the other Rangers, and we're working on it."You'll notice there are some physical differences between the (updated Ranger) and the (Raptor) that we've had to do that mean (AEB) will be available in the not too distant future."We know how important it is. We've got lots and lots of safety features, so it'll be available soon."While AEB may not be equipped from launch, the Raptor will come with a catalogue of standard driver-assist systems which includes lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, speed limiter, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway control and roll-over mitigation.According to Mr Worthington, it was due in part to the complexity of the vehicle that made it too difficult to incorporate AEB."Programs like these are very, very complex with all the technology, and there's a lot of new uniqueness with this vehicle that really means we weren't able to do it for (the first production car)," he said."We've got a firm plan. We're working on the plan, and we'll let you know when we've got a firm date.""We'll be in a position next year to let you guys know when the rest of the range – the 20 per cent that don't have the feature – will get it."As previously reported, the Raptor gets its grunt from a 2.0-litre 'EcoBlue' twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that is capable of delivering 157kW/500Nm.With its wet weight of 2404kg, the Blue Oval pick-up will complete the 0-100km/h dash in 10.5 seconds before topping out at 170km/h.Power is sent to all four wheels using a dual-range transfer case and a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.The Raptor is designed to handle a wide range of terrains and uses Fox Racing Internal Bypass twin-tube shock absorbers front and rear.Also distinguishing the vehicle from its siblings are 17-inch black alloy wheels with 285/70 BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres, a bespoke bodykit, high-strength steel bash plate, sheet moulded front fenders, four tow hooks, black wheel-arch extensions and heavy-duty skid plates.

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Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed an August arrival for its new-generation A-Class, with the mid-spec A200 variant the first to go on sale at $47,200 plus on-road costs.Powering the German luxury hatchback is a 120kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which is exclusively mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, helping it to return a combined fuel economy figure of 5.7 litres per 100km.The A200 will be the only A-Class variant available at launch, though the rest of the range including the entry-level A180, the higher-spec A250 and the Mercedes-AMG A45 will follow soon after.While Mercedes-Benz will offer diesel powertrains in overseas markets, the brand's local arm has confirmed that all Australian-spec A-Class variants will be petrol-fed, for now.The fourth-generation A-Class will feature new items as standard such as 18-inch wheels, LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assist, and keyless start and wireless charging. Pricing is up a considerable $2900 compared with the previous-generation A200, which listed at $44,300.The car also sports a strong safety catalogue including active brake assist, semi-autonomous braking, active parking assist, lane-keep, blind-spot and traffic-sign assist, a reversing camera, and nine airbags.Standard in the A200 is the brand's latest infotainment system dubbed Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), projected on a 10.25-inch screen with voice control, artificial intelligence-powered functions and all the usual connectivity and comfort features.Instrumentation is also an all-digital affair, with vehicle readouts shown on a 10.25-inch display.Optionally, customers will have the choice to equip a revised suspension setup that includes MacPherson pillows up front and a multi-link rear-end. Electronic damping adjustment will also be available, which is actively modulated via four driving modes.Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2018 list pricingA200 petrol, auto - $47,200Check out all 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class price and spec info here.

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