Suzuki Swift News

Suzuki unveiled the third and final Kizashi 3 sports sedan concept at the show today, which previews plans Suzuki has for entering the medium passenger car segment.Built as the ultimate Suzuki, its 3.6-litre V6 engine features plated cylinders, a weight and space-saving technology that evolved from lessons learnt by Suzuki’s MotoGP and World Rally Championship teams.The 220kW VVT engine is teamed with a paddle-shift six-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive on 21-inch wheels.Kizashi - a Japanese word meaning prelude or foretaste - is a sign of things to come from the brand.“This concept represents a new direction for Suzuki in that it takes our expertise with smaller sporty vehicles and translates that into the midsized segment,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers “We believe Kizashi will break the mould of typical midsized or family vehicles, when it goes into production next year.”While a firm timetable is still to be announced, Devers said production of the new mid-sized sedan would begin in late 2009.For now, Suzuki has added more style and value to the award-winning Swift and SX4 AWD with the release of limited edition versions at today’s show.Inspired by Suzuki’s domination of the Junior World Rally Championship, a run of 800 Swift RE3s come with more than $3000 of extras including a sports bodykit, unique seven spoke alloy wheels, and unique RE3 floor mats and badges, priced at $16,990.Suzuki has also waved its limited wand over 300 versions of the SX4 AWD Adventure. Based on Suzuki’s AWD hatch, the Adventure pack comes with roof racks, cargo tray, rear bumper protector, bonnet and headlamp protectors, Adventure decals and floor mats, and without a price increase.Suzuki Australia also today confirmed the all-new sub-light Alto would join the line-up in 2009.The fifth and smallest member of the line-up is also the most fuel efficient; the four seat Alto is aimed at urban drivers after eco-friendly motoring without sacrificing style, comfort, practicality, or performance.Powered by a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 50kW and 90Nm, the Euro IV-compliant engine delivers just 4.5l/100km through a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed auto, thanks partly to a low drag coefficient of just 0.30.Standard safety equipment includes ESP, a crushable energy-dispersing structure and six airbags. Pricing and final specs will be announced closer to the launch in the second quarter of 2009.

Suzuki unveiled the third and final Kizashi 3 sports sedan concept at the show today, which previews plans Suzuki has for entering the medium passenger car segment.

The heavy hitters from Suzuki are taking more back to Japan than just some happy snaps of their Australian Outback adventure last week.Tucked into Suzuki board member and senior managing executive officer global marketing, Toshihiro Suzuki's, luggage will be a folder containing a big wishlist from Suzuki Australia.His colleagues Oceania marketing chief, Satoshi Shimizu, sales planning boss, Takahiko Hashimoto and product planning manager Motoki Harada, also have a clearer understanding of what local buyers want after driving 250km through the Aussie outback.The company's Australian boss, Tony Devers, says there are several key cars on this wishlist.The return of the car that started it all for Suzuki back in 1980, the three-door GTi, is one of the contenders.Devers wants the GTi back here to go head to head with the Peugeot 207 GTi and Volkswagen Polo GTi and he reckons there's a good chance.“It's one of the things we're looking at,” he says.With the popular Swift hatch responsible for half of the company's local sales, Devers says a GTi three-door would be a bonus.A three-door Swift GTi will probably get the same 92kW/148Nm 1.6-litre VVT four cylinder as the Swift Sport.Apart from the small hot hatch, Devers is looking at light commercials and a bigger four-wheel drive than the Grand Vitara.“We'd like a Nissan Navara-type light commercial,” he says.“I think that segment has being growing dramatically and will continue to be strong.”A seven-seater off-roader could also be viable, he says.“That would be good,” he says.The bigger off-roader would follow the same “crossover” philosophy as some of Suzuki's Japanese rivals and be on sale as soon as 2010, boasting sporty dynamics and striking styling.The Suzuki XL7 is available as a left-hand drive model only in North America but a newer off-roader is being designed out of Japan and is likely to be available in right-hand drive.Devers is keen to stick with potential growth segments, ruling out a people mover.“I wouldn't bother with a people mover, that segment is too small,” he says.“That segment is only 1.5 per cent of the overall market.”Currently Suzuki has models covering 45 per cent of the overall local new vehicle market.“In two years time it could be 60 per cent,” he says.Devers says the company does not want to be a huge volume player locally but clearly has a top 10 spot in its sights. 

The tiddler of Japanese carmakers has plans for a big year in 2009 in Australia.Suzuki, which is a fraction of the size of Toyota and Nissan and made its name and money with micro cars in Japan, is almost ready to deliver a new baby car and a mid-sized star in local showrooms.No one at Suzuki Australia will confirm the exact plan for the micro-car, though it is likely to be a Splash baby car made in Hungary, or the production version of the Kizashi concept that will go up against a range of mid-sized V6 rivals.But a group of Australian dealers travelled to Europe last week to see the Splash, Swift and SX4 being built in Hungary — at a rate of 300,000 cars a year — before going to the Rally of Turkey to see the company's World Rally Championship car in action.“We will launch a sub-Swift car in the second quarter and Kizashi at the end of 2009, both in new segments for Suzuki,” Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says.“Two new cars in 2009 will increase our volume naturally as we currently compete in only 45 per cent of the Australian market.”Devers says the Australian plan will reflect Suzuki's global moves, which have already seen the Euro-style Splash make big gains in Europe.“Suzuki's new philosophy is to become a global player and produce vehicles in strategic locations in factories in Japan, Hungary, India — where Suzuki has 50 per cent market share and has won several JD Power and Associates quality awards — and Thailand, which comes on stream in 2010,” he says.“Our stated goal is to achieve 40000 units by 2010, again with incremental models sourced from the most appropriate global factory. This will allow us to continue the Suzuki core philosophy of true value for money.”Devers will not confirm Splash from Hungary and hints India or Thailand could be a better long-term fit for Australia, despite the size and success of the Eastern European factory.Planning for the Kizashi is further into the future, though the final production version of the car — previewed with concepts at several shows — is expected to be seen at the Paris Motor Show in October.Devers is still not committed to a rally program in Australia, though an SX4 suitable for local regulations should be ready towards the end of the year. 

A simple fender bender could cost you more than $7000 to repair.That's part of the findings of new research carried out by motoring organisation the RACV.Nine small cars were tested in the study using a new crash apparatus that has never been used in the southern hemisphere before.It is the first in a year-long program to test various cars for sale within Australia.The testing simulated a 10km/h impact, one of the most common forms of accidents. The RACV then priced repairs for the collision.The findings highlighted the huge variety in repair costs across the small-car segment. The Toyota Corolla was the star with an estimated repair cost of just over $1000, or 4.4 per cent of the car's recommended retail cost.That was offset by the high costs to repair the Honda Civic and Suzuki Swift. The Honda's repair bill was more than $7000 and the Suzuki's $5547, a whopping 34.7 per cent of the car's price.“The results show a vast difference in repair costs across the range of vehicles tested because a poorly designed bumper can slide under other bumpers on impact, causing more damage to both vehicles,” RACV Insurance general manager Susan Allen says.Aside from the repair costs, poor-performing cars can lead to further insurance increases.“We are urging consumers to consider repair costs as an important factor when buying a new car because this can have a significant impact on their insurance premium,” Allen says.The testing is done in conjunction with six countries around the world and is designed to highlight deficiencies to help carmakers improve their vehicles.RACV's chief vehicle engineer, Michael Case, praised Toyota's efforts with the Corolla for collisions with other cars and pedestrians.“The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic scored similar leg-protection results in the EURO NCAP pedestrian-safety program, yet the repair costs of these vehicles differ dramatically,” Case says.“This proves manufacturers can design vehicles that can perform well in pedestrian safety and vehicle protection.”The RACV's results come in the wake of similar testing done by NRMA Insurance.Each year the New South Wales company conducts two low-speed accident tests of more than 46 of the country's biggest sellers. The first simulates a 15km/h impact with a solid barrier and the second a rear crash at 30km/h.That data is used to calculate the repair costs for such accidents and, according to NRMA Insurance chief Rick Jackson, some of the results are shocking.“Though design enhancements may largely go unnoticed by vehicle owners, they can have a sizeable impact on the cost of insurance,” Jackson says. “Design improvements by carmakers are helping to reduce collision costs in some makes and models, but there is still a need for improvement."“A startling fact that has come out of this year's low-speed crash test is Australia's three biggest-selling family sedans — the Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry and Ford Falcon — have all increased in repair cost. The Falcon by a staggering 26 per cent.“However, proving that new-car technology doesn't have to become more expensive, the cost of repairing the Mazda6 has dropped 36 per cent since last year.”Such data is used by the insurance company to help set rate premiums, meaning choosing the right car could save you money.“Motorists should consider the cost of repairing a vehicle before they make their purchase because a bargain in the showroom may not be such a good deal when taking the cost of insurance and repairs into account,” Jackson says. Crash test resultsEstimated Repair cost repair cost as a % of rrp1 Toyota Corolla $1018 4.4%2 Ford Focus $2357 10.7%3 Holden Astra $2626 10.9%4 Mazda3 $2886 12.6%5 Toyota Yaris $4016 22.1%6 Hyundai Getz $3363 22.4%7 Mitsubishi Lancer $5467 23.5%8 Honda Civic $7385 31.4%9 Suzuki Swift $5547 34.7% 

This year has seen the market share of Commodore, Falcon and the Mitsubishi 380 fall to 19 per cent of new passenger vehicles, with only Toyota's Camry more or less immune.And while it was the biggest sales October ever, the share enjoyed by big Australian cars was reduced to 17.2 per cent. The lighter fare from Thailand achieved a best-ever 15.4 per cent. The Vfacts monthly bulletin, released this week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, recorded that 89,289 motor vehicles were sold in October; an increase of 9359 on the same month last year.It beats the previous record for October, set in 2004, by more than 8000 sales. Year-to-date the market is up by 70,000 vehicles as it continues its charge towards breaking the one million mark for the first time.Yet against this bumper backdrop, 15,382 Australian-made units were shifted last month, mostly to fleets.Japanese-made cars continued their dominance but Thailand is where Honda's CR-V, Civic and Accord sedans are made. These and others, including Ford's Courier, which accounted for 13,825 sales in October.In sharp contrast to ever-diminishing local sales, that Thai-built percentage has increased by almost 50 per cent so far in 2007.Petrol prices are blamed for the decline of the great Australian six-cylinder. But the fact four medium-sized SUVs sold more than 1000 units each last month gives the lie to that.Yes, light cars, spearheaded by 1193 sales of the new Mazda2, experienced a sales surge, but the truth for the big Aussies is grimmer than the rising cost of the stuff that makes them go. The fact is that given wealth of choice, fewer and fewer Australians want the types of cars made in Australia.FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar says the locals have never had it tougher.“The intensely competitive situation in the motor-vehicle market is being driven to a significant degree by the ongoing strength of the Australian dollar,” he says. McKellar says 4400 Commodores (excluding utes) were moved last month, so with about 300 more sales than the Corolla, it is the nation's number-one seller.Toyota's eggs are in more than one basket with the ever-competitive Yaris, Camry, RAV4 and Prado prominent among its 20,212 October sales. Holden managed 11,415 and Ford 8206. It was the first time that Toyota had outsold the combined total of Holden and Ford in any single month.Year-to-date Toyota leads Holden by 71,360 with the launch of the new LandCruiser this month.If Toyota's lead is unassailable, surely the success story is Mazda.At number four, the leading full-imported marque sells not a single car to fleets or rental companies. They all go to private buyers.October's best-ever 7271 sales represented Mazda's 10th record month in a row. Mazda's year-to-date total of 64,929 already surpasses its 2006 full-year sales result of 63,664.  Snapshot   Country of originJapan 31,838Australia 15,382Thailand 13,825Korea 9830Germany 3901South Africa 2434Belgium 1525US 1448Spain 1422France 1206 The biggest sellers1 Holden Commodore (Australia) 44402 Toyota Corolla (Japan) 41233 Mazda3 (Japan) 31254 Ford Falcon (Australia) 24395 Toyota Camry (Australia) 19946 Hyundai Getz (Korea) 18967 Toyota Aurion (Australia) 18318 Mitsubishi Lancer (Japan) 14469 Honda Civic (Thailand) 140910 Honda CR-V (Thailand) 129111 Toyota RAV4 (Japan) 129312 Toyota Prado (Japan) 127313 Suzuki Swift (Japan) 119714 Mazda2 (Japan) 119315 Ford Territory (Australia) 119016 Toyota Kluger and Subaru Forester (both Japan) 117317 Holden Astra (Belgium) 111818 Mitsubishi 380 (Australia) 110019 Holden Captiva (Korea) 109320 Nissan Tiida (Thailand) 1087 

They may be a far cry from the two-wheel and four-wheel off-roaders that Suzuki is renown for, but nevertheless Suzuki was keen to prove the performance prowess of its new Swift and SX4 hatches in the rough stuff, and signed both of them up to different dirt rally championships.The Japanese company’s latest release, the SX4, is riding the performance wave with a one-off WRC SX4 rally car, which takes centre stage at the Australian International Motor Show.It is based on the 2WD SX4 hatch, but carries the all-wheel-drive SX4 drivetrain (confused yet?). The many hi-po rally mods to its body and bones makes it look far removed from its comparatively conservative production base car, and will spruik the new addition as a full WRC production rally car.In fact, its racing debut is tomorrow, at the Rallye de France in Corsica. Of course, we don’t get the actual race car, just a carbon copy; but if the roads of France are cruel to the new competitor, you can bet the SX4 show car will be flying home in a hurry.Whether the SX4’s performance potential affects its potential owners is yet to be seen, as the car only launched two months ago. But a long racing heritage certainly hasn’t harmed the Swift.The cult following of the old Swift GTi variant, and two successful years in the Junior World Rally Championships with a turbocharged Super 1600 Swift, which produces 160 kW at 8750 rpm and 186 Nm of torque at 7250 rpm, the WRC is a feature at this year’s stand - has bolstered the small hatch’s popularity and cut down the age of its buyer demographic significantly.Many young drivers and first-car buyers will drive straight to the mod shop after purchasing the car to make a speedy statement with decals and alloys, and this is where the limited edition RE1 makes its move.The RE1, or Rally Edition One, is like a distant second cousin of the rally car, twice removed. It is essentially a limited edition extras pack, with 600 units specced up a the factory with a claimed $4000 of goodies for a $1K premium ($16,990).It gets ROH alloy rims, a go-fast bodykit, a six-stacker, and some badges. While the glitter pack looks unimpressive on paper, these are the prime market mods for the younger Swift market, who can get their mods factory-fit, instead of expensively fit, at an aftermarket modifier. 

The diminutive Suzuki Splash is expected to create more than a ripple at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Suzuki Australia has broader plans apart from this sub-Swift hatch.

With the local car industry now at the halfway point in the 2007 sales race, it is easy to see who's winning and who's losing.Toyota is basking in the glory of not only being No.1, but also cementing its sales lead so convincingly that — barring a catastrophe — it will take out the sales crown this year.The Altona-based Japanese company is 40,404 vehicles clear of its nearest rival, Holden. It is also relishing the positive spin of the Corolla knocking off the Holden Commodore last month.But apart from Toyota, other players are also revelling in the good times.Of the importers, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Peugeot managed strong June sales.Mazda sold 6932 cars, with the Mazda3 being the strongest seller on 3037.The company experienced the biggest market share gain of any importer.Its record half-yearly result is 20.3 per cent up on the same time last year, lifting market share from 6.7 per cent in 2006 to 7.5 per cent, a gain of 0.7 percentage points.Subaru's tally was 4085 for the month, with the Forester, Impreza and Liberty all breaking through 1000 sales.Suzuki, like many importers, was buoyed by keen end-of-financial year deals.It sold 2368 cars for the month, bringing its year-to-date tally to 10,910 vehicles, a 43 per cent lift over last year.Of the French, an ever-expanding Peugeot line-up continues to bolster sales, but Renault flops around due to a lack of new product.Peugeot sold 1016 vehicles last month, bringing its year-to-date run-rate to 4549, a 13 per cent lift over last year. The 307 continues to be Peugeot's best seller.By contrast, Renault has a year-to-date total of 1431 vehicles, 32 cars fewer than last year.Even Saab experienced some solid growth, albeit off a low base, as the 9-3 turbodiesel helped lift the marque's appeal.Saab sold 336 cars last month, its best month for 10 years, taking its year-to-date tally to 1148, a 170 per cent lift over last year.The X-Trail, Tiida and Navara continue to drive Nissan sales. The Japanese importer sold 5845 vehicles last month with 31,176 year-to-date, a 20 per cent lift over last year.The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries monthly Vfacts figures show that most of the extra volume last month was generated by the light, small and medium car segments.A breakdown of large car sales shows that Holden sold 5588 Commodores last month, Ford 3206 Falcons, Toyota 2626 Aurions and Mitsubishi just 877 380 V6s.All three were eclipsed by the new four-cylinder Corolla, which secured 5890 sales.But a finer look at the figures shows that much of the Corolla's success was down to fleet purchases and pent-up demand for the new car, which spiked figures.But a sale is a sale. Holden's own figures point out that 29 per cent of VE Commodores are bought by private buyers, as opposed to 18.6 per cent for the VT Commodore.Apart from the Corolla, other small car stars were the Mitsubishi Lancer with 2143 sales, Holden Astra 1763 and Ford Focus 1550.Of the tiddlers, Toyota again ruled last month. The Yaris managed 2926 sales against 2486 for the Hyundai Getz, 1361 for the Kia Rio, 1351 for the Suzuki Swift and 1392 for the Honda Jazz.Despite the dominance of the light, small and medium segments, large cars were up 3.7 per cent in June and, in year-to-date terms, are running 5.1 per cent ahead of last year.However, Ford's overall market share has slipped 2 per cent and Holden's by almost 1 per cent, despite its Korean strategy, which was hoping to deliver an increased share.Mitsubishi is a bit stronger, experiencing a 0.6 per cent overall drop in share and, despite Toyota's increasing sales, its share has increased by only about 0.6 per cent.One of the more interesting results was for the Ford Fairlane.Ford sold 149 Fairlanes, bolstered by the news that the long-wheelbase sedan will be axed at the end of the year.Dealers are also reporting a slight pick-up in interest for the car from fleets.Overall, the year-to-date sales figure of 524,376 means that a record 1 million market is likely by December.   Top 10 makes  1 Toyota 24,5392 Holden 14,2563 Ford 10,3044 Mitsubishi 81945 Mazda 69326 Nissan 58457 Honda 57508 Hyundai 50239 Subaru 408510 Volkswagen 2848 Top 10 models1 Toyota Corolla 58902 Holden Commodore 55883 Toyota HiLux 42494 Ford Falcon 32065 Mazda3 30376 Toyota Yaris 29267 Toyota Camry 26458 Toyota Aurion 26269 Hyundai Getz 248610 Mitsubishi Lancer 2143 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November.