Chrysler 300C News

AUDIThe much-anticipated second generation of the Audi TT Coupe made its public debut at this week's New York International Auto show. Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the new TT will be in showrooms here before the end of the year.The new TT features Audi's new magnetic ride-damper system, which uses metal particles suspended in the damper oil and electric current to provide variable damping. The car is also longer and wider than its predecessor while retaining the sleek lines pioneered in the original TT Coupe.DAIMLER CHRYSLERChrysler will unveil the stretched version of its popular 300C sedan. The extended wheelbase adds 150mm to the length while the rear seat environment has been enhanced with illuminated writing tables, more power outlets, footrests and custom-paint colours. Chrysler expects the 300C long wheelbase to attract interest from the limousine industry, as well as retail customers. Its arrival date in Australia is still uncertain.DaimlerChrysler has also showcased the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, claimed by Jeep to be the most spacious ever offered. Also on the stand is the compact Jeep Patriot.The Dodge Caliber will bring the Dodge badge back to Australia and will provide a second passenger stream for Chrysler. It will arrive in Australia for sale mid year. Dodge plans to release a new vehicle in Australia approximately every six months for the next three years.MERCEDESThe mildly face-lifted E-Class with engine revamps will make its way to Australia in September or October. Other vehicles on display include the R-Class, which had its Sydney launch this week and G-Class, due in Australia in November.HONDAThe next generation of the Honda MDX large four-wheel-drive, sold as Acura in the US, is on show as a concept car. It is expected to be a pointer to the production model that will go on sale in the US later this year.Honda is not giving away much about the second-generation MDX model, which it says is designed, developed and will be built in North America. The current MDX started as a left-hand-drive-only model, but after sufficient lobbying, Honda agreed to build right-hand-drive models for Japan and Australia. Honda Australia says it doesn't know if the second-generation MDX will be made in right-hand-drive but hopes it will be.It is keen to keep the prestige MDX in its line-up because the big crossover wagon, which is about the same size as a Ford Territory, added 829 sales to its tally last year.SUZUKIThe Suzuki SX-4 – a joint Suzuki-Fiat enterprise – is set to be released to markets outside Europe in the coming months. Suzuki Australia will not officially commit the car to Australia but privately is understood to be anxious to add it to the marque's limited garage.The latest generation of the large XL-7 will not make it to Australia with a decision having been taken last year to phase the model out of local sales.FERRARILaunched at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's 599 GTB has embarked on its world tour. Described as the company's most powerful V12 production car, the innovative and technologically advanced performance star is expected to make its first appearance in Australia at the Sydney motor show in October.MAZDAMazda has unveiled the CX-9, a seven-seat crossover sport-utility vehicle. Its arrival in Australia is still uncertain, with Mazda assessing the possibility of making the vehicle available in right-hand drive and getting it to market at a competitive price. Also on the stand – and confirmed for Australia – are the mid-sized crossover CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3 (badged as the Mazda3 MPS for Australia).LEXUSThe LS600h, which Lexus claims will be the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 engine, has been unveiled in New York.This new version of its flagship will be available in Australia only in long wheelbase, and is due to be launched in the first half of 2007. Lexus claims the car will be economical for such a large body, averaging 14 litres/100km.PONTIACOne highlight of the New York showcars not destined for Australia is the G6 GXP concept car. It features Pontiac's distinctive nose also seen on the US-version of the now-defunct Holden Monaro. This concept car has 19-inch wheels and boasts a 200kW, 3.9-litre V6 engine.Which of these cars excites you?

One of the headline acts will be the French star of recent independent crash tests - the Citroen C6 - which has been acclaimed as the safest car yet tested by the New Car Assessment program.The C6, set to go on sale in Australia by the middle of the year, is the fi rst car to earn the maximum four stars from Euro NCAP for its pedestrian safety rating, as well as a maximum fi ve stars for occupant protection.It's also won an award as the world's most beautiful large sedan.The C6 is offering two V6 engines - a 2.7-litre 150kW turbo diesel or a three-litre 155kW petrol engine; both drive the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.Alfa Romeo's 156 range brought the Italian brand back to the fore in Australia with fl air and passion. It's replacement, the 159, continues in that tradition. It will offer more modern drivetrains - and even a V6 with Australian roots - when it hits the market mid year.Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car will come in both front and all-wheel drive versions, with the Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system using three diffs to split drive.The Alfa Romeo 159 is the first of a whole family of new Alfas due over the next two years, including the Brera.Lexus will be the fi rst car maker to offer a luxury hybrid model, with its GS petrol-electric hybrid offering plenty of performance with the thirst and emissions of a two-litre.The Toyota-owned luxury brand also has a hybrid version of the RX SUV but the company's stand in Adelaide will feature the RX350 - which sees the looks get a nip and tuck, with a new more-powerful and more fuel-effi cient engine beneath its sculpted snout.When Volkswagen went back to the factoryowned subsidiary, they announced high hopes of surpassing 20,000 units by now. They haven't got there yet but with more than 15,000 sales last year the German car maker is on the right track.The prestige segment will see the Passat return with a vengeance this year, with direct-injection two-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines, or a V6 petrol engine, on offer in either sedan or wagon body style.The sales have had a boost from the new Golf and the newly-introduced (and keenly-priced) Jetta, giving the German car maker plenty of ammunition to work with.Peugeot will give Adelaide show-goers a look at its new 407 Coupe, a sleek, powerful and attractive 2+2 that will be offered in petrol and diesel models on sale in Australia as the show opens.The coupe will be offered with a three-litre 155kW/290Nm V6 petrol engine with either a sixspeed manual gearbox or new six-speed automatic transmission for $65,990 and $68,190 respectively.The sleek Pug will also be offered with a 2.7-litre V6 HDi twin-turbo diesel offering 150Kw and 440Nm with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. It will be priced at $72,500.Porsche chose to introduce the Australian motoring media to the Cayman S in the countryside surrounding Adelaide and its fi tting the German brand returns to the motor show this year with the same model.The Cayman S is more than a Boxster with a roof, sharing inlet systems and some other nice bits with the 911.The bulk of the DNA traces back to the midengined Boxster, which gives the two-seater Cayman the same basic powerplant - although slightly larger - plus the superb road manners and balance that has made the convertible a popular option among Porsche buyers.Chrysler has returned to the Australian market with plenty of enthusiasm and some interesting product, the latest and most powerful example of that statement being the 300C sedan.Soon to be followed by diesel and wagon variants, the V8 300C has serious visual impact and packs plenty of equipment to take on the big locally-built luxury sedans.The Chrysler has the added attraction of displacement on demand, which drops fourcylinders from use to save fuel when light throttle loads are required.