Holden Captiva 2006 News

Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

There has been a rash of locally developed high-performance off-roaders such as the Ford Territory FPV F6 and Toyota's HiLux TRD. Now Holden Special Vehicles is looking to get in on the act.

Take a group of mates who want to indulge a little, add them with someone who always has to work the next day and who, by chance, has been given a seven-seater and you've got a great night for six and a long one for the odd woman left over. Not only does the four-wheel-drive turn into Sam's Cabs and charge nothing, it also becomes a coat room so those jackets don't have to be lugged around, a ladies' dressing room where big mirrors assist in makeup touchups and a DJ booth where loud sounds get tested outside the club and where guys adhere to the universal the-louder-the-better philosophy.Good thing there's plenty of room and thank God for sound controls on the steering wheel.Next day, seats fold down and we're ready for shopping. Only problem is fuel's getting a bit low.Normally there wouldn't be a problem. But driving to the shops, I'm not sure which side I need to pull up at the servo so I'm looking for the fuel-tank button which will pop it open. At each set of traffic lights, for the first time ever, I pray for red so I will have a few more desperate seconds to find this thing. There isn't one.At the last set of traffic lights, I've resorted to flicking through the manual. Then there's the situation I tried to avoid. I have to pull over to work out which side I need to present to the pump.The little arrow by the fuel gauge apparently indicates this, but in my panic at being caught empty I happen to overlook it.Somewhat cleverly, I think, I pop the bonnet so it appears I have a legitimate mechanical failure requiring inspection, as though I have some idea of what I'm doing.It's on the left side, in case you're wondering.While there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Captiva - on the practical side, it's got plenty of room, extra seats and storage spaces - it really isn't anything special. Yes, there are leather-trimmed seats and a sporty chrome-finished dash. There are also gadgets, including a compass. I figure if I don't already know where I'm heading, what am I doing in the first place? There are only two reasons I can figure a compass would be handy: if you're rallying - in which case, I don't think the Captiva is the vehicle to rally in, and, if you're actually an off-road driver.The Captiva is a solid vehicle but just lacks a hint of attitude.LOVE IT LEAVE ITHOLDEN CAPTIVA LXPrice: From $41,990LOVE ITSmooth driving, lots of storage and spaces for "stuff", sizeable mirrors eliminate what could be tricky blindspots.LEAVE ITSeats are not comfortable for extended trips, slow speed pick up, no button for the fuel tank.

Read related storyPatrick Loved the yellow Hummer, I just want one !Grant The Subaru Tribeca seems an awesome car. Look at its list of standard features for $53000 - leaves an X5 or Territory for dead. OK, the front grille takes a bit of getting used to, power could be up a bit for its weight, but you do get all the usual Subie delights, 5 star safety and quality. Definitely worth a test drive on November 25!Mark Mercedes e280cdei definatly the bestDan The absolute standout was the new BMW 3 series coupe. Can't believe no one else has mentioned it. What a sexy car! Looks much better in the metal than in photos...David Rome The Mazda CX7 is very fresh and the new BT-50 ute looks the goods to take some salesMichael Volvo C70 What a Glamour!!the engineer Mitsubishi TRM 380- bring it on in AWD! Would sell double current! Should have been the original 380 GT.Audi R8 ;-)Captiva <8>-(French Body Art 8-)Bob Rona Gotta Be the Lexus RX 350 Sports Luxury!!Jay The Saab Aero X concept car looks extraordinary. I was pretty impressed with the XR5 Turbo Ford Focus - hopefully if they bring it out in diesel, there would be a lot more interest and salesDavid Lunn Mazda CX7John The Mitsui 380 supercharged - grabbed allot of attention (so did the girls in the red dresses); I also like the new Outlander V6 & Astra convertible (or at least my wife did).Lex Biggar Audi R8william yates dark 4 door mitsi I believe it's a Tommy Mac serise and also shannon's stand the rest well............Kim I must agree with Bob MX-S ROADSTER COUPE The best by far!Jim Until I hit the Mitsubishi stand the show was a let down for me. Thank you to the Mitsubishi Girls for making the show worthwhile.Julie Definetely the Honda Legend & the Audi RX8.aaron need this so i could have this to have it better then i wont be a laughting stockNick Definitely the Mitsubishi TRM 380 - because I might be able to afford it and it looks great. Can't wait to test drive it.David Lyons Peugeot 207Stephen HSV GTS is my current realistic dream carROBERT DAWSON MX-S ROADSTER COUPEKris Audi R8 looked absolutely brilliant, that will be a real winner when it lands here. The Audi TT also looked really neat.Other cars to impress were the Volvo C30 and Suzuki SX4 WRC prototype.wazza smith nonesasha The Convertible Ford Focus. I simply love it. The new Fairmont Ghia was nice too.I did not like the Camry V6 sorry Avalon, sorry again, Aurion.Now I have gone and twisted my tongue. Anyone know a good tongue doctor <8>-). .... At least I can still type.The Volvo C30 was nice too as was the Land Rover Discovery.The Holden Commodores looked pretty decent although the Captiva did not captivate.Its too tall and skinny. I saw one in a shopping centre car park right next to a Territory and boy did it look like it needed some widening.I was also quite impressed with the Audi R8.The Hummer reminded me too much of the war in Iraq (I am against senseless wars). I also thought the Citroens were cool.Sean Hickey HSV GTS a true sports car at third of the price.I enjoyed the show,love to dream but quite a few people could get a GTS

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2The Freelander 2 is new from the ground up, and will make its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. It hasn't always been plain sailing Down Under for the popular European model, but with outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability everyone expects from Land Rover, Freelander 2 seems set to leave its mark on our wide, brown land.Freelander 2 is available with new petrol and diesel engines. The diesel is a 2.2-litre TD4 common-rail turbodiesel with peak outputs of 118kW and an impressive 400Nm, plus better fuel economy than its predecessor (as well as 43 per cent more power). A 3.2-litre i6 petrol producing a peak of 171kW represents a hike of 30 per cent in power compared with the previous V6, as well as a 10 per cent boost in fuel efficiency. Freelander 2 will be in Land Rover across Australia by mid 2007.MAZDA CX-7The Mazda CX-7 is the production version of the Mazda MX-Crossport Concept SUV, and will be built only in the company's Ujina Plant No. 2 (U2) located near Mazda's global headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan.Australia has been confirmed as second in line for production of the new generation crossover vehicle (after the North American market).It will go on sale here late this year priced below $50,000 and will be on public display at the Sydney show.The Mazda CX-7 is a clean break from the fleet of traditional SUVs currently offered. Bringing together performance and design like never before, the Mazda CX-7 – like every Mazda – was engineered to exemplify sporty driving in keeping with the company's 'Zoom-Zoom' philosophy.CX-7 promises sophisticated styling, an engaging drive, and the facilitation of fun.NEW PAJEROMitsubishi has just released its NS Pajero seven-seat 4WD with a complete makeover for the exterior design, a modern new interior, two new engines that are Euro 4 emissions compatible. The new model also heralds the reintroduction of the three-door 'shorty' short-wheelbase (SWB) models to inject additional excitement into the model range.There hasn't been a SWB Pajero on sale since 1999, so the new model represents one of the most exciting product additions to the Mitsubishi range in 2006. The three-door model is the closest product consumers can buy to the acclaimed Pajero Evo that races across the harshest terrain in Europe and Africa in the Dakar rally. (There will also be a Pajero Dakar race car on display in Sydney.)All the expected features – power steering, power windows, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry with encrypted immobilisation and multiple storage compartments and cupholders – have been incorporated in to NS Pajero. All models also feature a multi-mode display, including trip computer, weather information and compass for which the 4x4 has become renowned.Two new engines also deliver significant leaps in power and torque, while being more efficient and economical. The 3.8-litre 24-valve V6 MIVEC petrol engine produces maximum power of 184kW at 6000 rpm (a massive 24 per cent increase on the previous engine) and maximum torque of 329Nm at a very low 2750 rpm (up 6 per cent). It's also LPG compatible.The new diesel engine is a common rail-version of the 3.2-litre diesel that was first seen in Australia in ML Triton when it was launched in July this year.SUBARU TRIBECAThe biggest, boldest and certainly the most distinctive Subaru in the lineup will be shown production-ready in Sydney. There's a hint of Porsche Cayenne about the Tribeca's brash design, which is sure to polarize punters into 'love it' or 'hate it' camps, but nobody's arguing with the motive power choice – Subaru's venerable 3.0-litre horizontally-opposed 'boxer' six-cylinder engine, which is both responsive and low, keeping the centre of mass close to Terra Firma.The 3.0-litre flat-six likes having its neck wrung, so this is an SUV that will appreciate a punt. It's mated to a fivespeed automatic gearbox.Like most Subarus, you can expect this one to handle well, thanks to (almost) eons of involvement of the brand at the forefront of the World Rally Championship series. A low C of G and permanent, symmetrical AWD give the Tribeca rock-solid dependability across a range of surfaces, assisted by well-sorted suspension and responsive steering.Build quality is exactly as you'd expect from the Japanese car maker that places engineering above all other concerns. High equipment levels are a given, plus three seating rows. A diesel engine is coming for Subaru but is still a way off – a boxer-style common rail turbodiesel engine currently under development by Subaru will be unveiled at next year's Geneva Auto Show.HOLDEN CAPTIVAThe sense of relief in Holden's marketing division is palpable. The smiles are back and, at least for the immediate future, likely to stay.The billion-dollar VE set the trend but it is the Koreanbuilt Captiva compact SUV that is really pushing the buzz. Holden has been staring with green-eyed envy at Ford's home-grown Territory and its runaway success in what has been one of the hot segments in the new car industry. "'It is nice to finally have an SUV that we can offer. It has been a long time coming," Holden's marketing boss John Elsworth said at the recent launch of the Captiva."It has been tough to watch the (SUV) segment grow and grow and have nothing we could play a part with." Even better news for Holden is that the Captiva, while built as a global GM model in South Korea, benefitted from a huge level of input in design and engineering from Holden staff. The result is a stylish, cleverly packaged compact or medium SUV with drive and ride quality comparable to anything else in the competitive market.VOLVO XC90 V8The new XC90 V8 represents not just an awesome performance SUV – if you visit the Volvo stand in Sydney you'll be looking at the first production V8 powertrain in Volvo's history.There's some serious engineering gone into this vehicle, with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control plus Roll Stability Control systems representing just the tip of a very substantial safety iceberg culminating in a five-star NCAP crashworthiness rating (first SUV in the world to achieve that).The 4.4-litre V8 develops 232kW and 440Nm, and features a 60-degree 'V', unlike most V8s, which are set to 90 degrees. The V8 is 16 per cent more powerful and also torquier than the outgoing T6 engine it replaces, snatching 100km/h just 7.3 seconds after a standing start. The V8's 60-degree V allows for a more compact design, allowing transverse mounting in the engine bay, which delivers superior crashworthiness. It's also the first petrol V8 to meet the demanding USA ULEVII emissions standard.Volvo calls it the world's safest SUV and there's really no basis for disagreement. For $84,950, the world's safest SUV can also be one of the world's most capable.AUDI Q7The Audi Q7 has officially earned its stripes in Australia, having just completed an epic Trans-Continental Crossing from Sydney to Broome, spanning three weeks and 7000km. Fifteen Q7 vehicles took part in the grueling expedition.In spite of very challenging terrain around areas like Innamincka and Birdsville where sharp, stony tracks are common, the notorious Mereenie Loop Road and areas of the Tanami Track in WA where the roads were characterised by huge potholes and harsh ruts, all 15 Q7s made their way to Broome unscathed.Similar expeditions are planned annually for upcoming vehicles including the new allroad quattro and Audi Q5.In the full 7000km of harsh Outback travel, the only technical requirements of the fleet were the replacement of 16 flat tyres, two broken foglights and a new pollen filter for each car. One vehicle needed minor cosmetic repairs, however only as a result of human error. All 15 vehicles completed the journey as they started – in excellent condition and free from squeaks and rattles.MERCEDES-BENZ GL-CLASSSeven seat SUV with style; Shares ML-Class platform; Constant AWD via 4Matic system; 4.6-litre V8 power with 250kW output; Air suspension optional; Off-road pack available.VW TOUAREG UPGRADETwo bold new V6s – petrol and hi-tech diesel; New 3.0- litre V6 turbodiesel with 165kW and 500Nm; New 3.6-litre V6 petrol with 206kW and 360Nm; Optional air suspension package; Constant AWD via 4XMOTION system; Frontal pedestrian/cyclist impact protection zones; Hero 5.0-litre V10 with remains storming 230kW and 750Nm remains.LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER TDV8All-new hi-tech 3.6-litre V8 turbodiesel; Replaces ageing BMW-sourced TDV6 diesel; Silky smooth runner with 200kW and 640Nm; Delivers 500+ Newton-metres between 1250 and 3750rpm; Frugal consumption: 11 litres per 100km likely; Magnificently competent ZF six-speed auto transmission.

At least 40 new cars will be unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show, which begins in Sydney in two weeks.Futuristic concept cars, with designs and features hinting at possibilities for production vehicles, will lead the line-up.The Mazda Kabura is one such concept. Sitting between the size of an MX-5 and an RX-8, the Kabura features a glass roof that connects to the windscreen, and borrows chassis components and the 2.0-litre double overhead cam engine from the MX-5.For Nissan, the stand-out will be a concept car by the name of Foria, which was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. The compact coupe has easy access to the rear seats through centre opening B-pillarless doors.Likewise, Honda's new Sports 4 concept, also revealed in Tokyo last year, will be on display at the show. It features a low centre of gravity and low inertia body and a sports cockpit with futuristic controls.Over at the Saab stand, the aviation inspired Aero X will be on display in Australia for the first time. With a 298kW, twin turbo V6 engine, fuelled entirely by bioethanol, the Aero X does 0 to 100km/h in 4.9seconds.An eye-catching feature of this concept car is the cockpit-like entrance, usually found on a jet aircraft.Straight from the Paris Motor Show, Hyundai's concept car, the Arnejs, is aimed at developing a stronger identity for the brand. Designed in Germany, the Arnejs gives an indication to the upcoming FD-series Elantra, expected here late next year.While there will be a plethora of eye candy in the concept cars, they won't be the only stars to debut at the upcoming motor show. Production vehicles will also go on display to the public for the first time.Perhaps the biggest on the list will be the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. But those interested shouldn't reach for their wallets just yet. All models destined for Australia and New Zealand for this year and next have already been sold.The new Ferrari, which races from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, has a $574,000 price tag for the manual model and costs $600,000 for the model fitted with the F1 superfast gearbox.Over at Audi, the all new R8 will go on show. It is the company's first attempt at the rarefied supercar segment. With its 309kW 4.2-litre, V8 engine, the Audi R8 has a top speed of 301km/h.While the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione made an appearance in Australia at the 2004 Sydney motor show, that was merely the concept version. Now, two years later, the 8C will return in production form as a 336kW, 4.7-litre, V8 supercar.The new Holden Captiva, launched to the media this week, will also go on public display. The Captiva is Holden's attempt to break into the compact SUV market.Toyota's new V6 family car, the Aurion, will also make an appearance.Motor show spokesman, Mark Mathot says: "It will be as strong as any motorshow we have ever had and we still have a few surprises in store."Other new production cars to feature at the show will include the Alfa Spyder, the Mazda CX-7 and the new Audi TT.* Don't miss the official motor show magazine exclusively in The Daily Telegraph on October 27.FAST FACTSWhen: Thursday, October 26 until Sunday, November 5Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling HarbourPrice: Adults $17, children under 16 $10.50 (under five free), family $42, seniors $10.50More information: australianmotorshow.com

The ultra-green machine has a 2.8-litre, twin-turbocharged engine based on the GM global V6 made in Australia. However, the engine in the Aero X has been developed by Swedish engineers to run on bio-ethanol.Saab says the bio-ethanol engine does not increase greenhouse-gas levels because its CO2 emissions are balanced by the amount of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion to bio-ethanol are grown.It has 298kW of power, 500Nm of torque with a seven-speed double-clutch manual gearbox in a lightweight carbon-fibre body.Saab says it is theoretically capable of 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.Several new concept cars are expected to debut at the show along with key new production models, including the all-new Toyota Aurion, the Ford BF II Falcon and Holden's new Captiva 4WD.For details, go to australianmotorshow.com

Seen as a crucial gap-filler for GM Holden's line-up and a head-to-head competitor with Ford's market-dominating Territory, the Captiva is a mid-sized machine, which will launch with a 3.2-litre Holden V6 engine.It is expected to be on sale in Australia in the second half of this year with diesel and four-cylinder engines on the horizon.Details of the local Captiva are still a little sketchy, but GM Holden confirms it will be available as a five- and seven-seater with an "active" (part-time) four-wheel-drive system, which feeds on-demand drive to rear wheels.GM Holden chairman Denny Mooney says there was extensive Australian input into the Captiva project that "covers the outside, inside and underneath to ensure it looks, feels and drives as a Holden should"."This has been a missing link in our product line-up," Mooney says.The Geneva show was the launching pad for new models ranging from production-ready family cars to exotic concepts.Saab stole a good deal of the limelight with its Aero X concept, which not only shows a new life in the Swedish manufacturer's design department but also highlights a new direction for green technology.Fitted with a BioPower turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW, it is being trumpeted as a hero car for the bio-fuel movement.The Aero X is also a looker and Saab has tapped its aircraft roots to add a fighter-style cockpit canopy which does away with doors, opening windows and even windscreen pillars. "It represents our vision of what a high-performance car from Saab could look like," says Anthony Lo, the director of advanced design for General Motors Europe. The Concept A on the VW stand is a good example of an idea getting very close to a production future.Rumours abound about a Golf-based small SUV under development at Volkswagen and the Concept A fits that scenario to a T. The concept combines a sleek coupe-style silhouette with the raised stance of an SUV.The drive train is VW's tried-and-tested 4MOTION system while the engine is at the cutting edge of the company's combined use of turbo and supercharger technology. A production schedule for the Concept A could become reality in months.Kia's sleek SUV concept, the Cee'd, is based on the company's C-segment passenger model which start production in Slovakia in December. European Design Centre chief designer Gregory Guillaume says the concept was "the starting point for the new design DNA for Kia". Cee'd incorporates a mixture of designs from the Sorento SUV to the small Picanto.On the more extreme end of the SUV scale sits niche Dutch manufacturer Spyker's D12 Super SUV. Powered by a W12 engine the Spyker retains the marque's trademark sportscar lines but sits on seriously puffed suspension. Staying in a luxury vein, Rolls Royce has again produced an "experimental" car in the 101EX. The car has been hand-built to "explore a potential design direction for a future coupe model".The 101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm.Ferrari has unveiled its replacement for the 575M Maranello in the shape of the 599GTB. The Modena maestros have not spared the horses in the sleek-bodied 599 using the 485kW 6.0-litre V12 derived from the Enzo supercar powerplant and already in use in the 612. With its lightweight aluminium chassis and body, the 599 GTB promises to be an absolute rocket. It will be on sale in Europe about the middle of the year.GM has shown it hasn't given up on the idea of a successful soft-top model with the unveiling of the Opel GT. There is no indication of how far through the GM family the GT will spread but indications are that it will remain left-hand drive only.Mazda has revealed its Mazda3 MPS, following the success of its Mazda6 MPS and continuing on its promise to have a performance car in every model.Unlike its larger sibling, the 3MPS will not get an all-wheel drive platform, and will stay front-wheel drive. That should make the promised 186kW output an interesting test for Mazda's suspension engineers.It hasn't taken long for Alfa Romeo to follow up its Brera sedan with an even more delicious spider version of the car.The Brera Spider will be in production before the middle of the year.

Motoring fans can compare the two SUVs at the Brisbane International Motor Show from this weekend.On the Holden stand will be the S3X concept vehicle. It is almost identical to the Korean-made production Captiva which made its global debut under its new name at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday.The Captiva will be powered by the new 3.2-litre Global V6 all-alloy engine made in Port Melbourne, and come with five or seven seats, electronic stability program (ESP) and an active all-wheel-drive system.GM Holden chairman and managing director Denny Mooney said Captiva would be in Holden showrooms in the second half of the year with price and specification details released closer to launch."The production car remains very close to the S3X concept which has impressed motorshow crowds in Australia in the past few months," Mooney said."The extensive Australian input in Captiva covers the outside, inside and underneath to ensure it looks, feels and drives as a Holden should."Former GM Holden-based designer Mike Simcoe, who was responsible for the resurrected Monaro, and Max Wolff were involved in the Captiva design team."This vehicle has been a missing link in our product lineup and we believe there is strong appetite for its arrival," Mooney said.Captiva is 4.635m long, 1.850m wide and 1.720m high, offering seating for five or an optional third row to fit seven people as does the Territory.Captiva's active all-wheel-drive system instantly employs the rear axle, as driving conditions dictate, via an electronically controlled electro-magnetic coupling to provide maximum traction.This system also works with electronic stability program and ABS.Ford will display its new 245kW and 480Nm turbocharged Territory with ominous bonnet scoop at the motor show.It features FPV style grille, twin exhausts, new alloy wheels, saddle-stitched leather seats and a sport steering wheel.When it is released in July it will come in two trims — Turbo and Turbo Ghia — both with the new ZF six-speed transmission. The Ghia will include power seats and a reverse camera.Gorman said no prices were available yet, but they wanted to be "competitive".He said the Territory would bring in "additional customers".He also admitted Ford was "still looking at diesel" for the Territory.