Ford A-Ute Near
Ford will launch the all-new AU Falcon ute in July, signalling the return of the home-grown 'Aussie one-tonner'. The new Falcon ute is a 'chassis-cab' design, allowing a range of trays or bodies to be fitted. Fitted with an aluminium tray or style side body, depending upon the model, the new ute will be able to carry up to a tonne in payload. The 'super-cab' design has storage space behind the seats and increases occupant space significantly. The three model line-up, XL, XLS and XR, will be available with six cylinder or V8 engines.
Quickies
- Holden has appointed Peter Hanenberger has Chairman and MD. Hanenberger is best known in Australia for the period in the late Seventies when he worked as Holden's deputy chief engineer. Back then he revolutionised Holden handling with the introduction of RTS.
- Hyundai in Australia is offering a $2000 Sportz pack for no extra cost on the Excel. The pack comprises alloy wheels, a bootlid spoiler, CD player and decals.
- The special edition Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo is now on sale in Australia. Available only in yellow, the Monte Carlo has spots tuned suspension and a high trim interior. In manual form the 2 litre four develops 147kW using 1 Bar boost.
- Subaru has achieved first place in the 1999 JD power and Associates/Top Gear UK customer satisfaction report. The Impreza was first and the Liberty joint second with two other vehicles.
- Toyota plans to develop an engine air intake system integrating the control of multiple variable intakes with control of variable valve timing mechanisms.
- Aston Martin has unveiled the DB7 Vantage, an updated version of the DB7 powered by a 6 litre V12 with an output of 313kW (420hp) developed by Ford and Cosworth. The Vantage is available with a new six-gear manual or a five-gear automatic transmission and it can reach 60 mph in under 5 seconds.
- Audi has launched its new-look A4 sedan and Avant in Australia. A new 2.4-litre quattro variant Tiptronic has also been introduced to the range.
- Extra equipment with a retail value of more than $2000 has been added to 300 limited edition Mazda 626 Sedans and Hatchbacks, to commemorate the marque's 40th anniversary in Australia.
- The Audi TT Coupé was launched to the media this week in Sydney, Australia, by Audi Asia Pacific. The market introduction of the Audi TT Coupe in the Asia-Pacific region starts with Australia in June 1999, followed by Asian and other Pacific markets in July 1999
- With 109,200 vehicles sold in March, Citroën achieved monthly sales of over 100,000 units worldwide, for the first time.
- www.getfaster.com is claimed to be THE source for technical information to racers around the world. It also lists suppliers, schedules, photos and race team profiles. The information is updated daily and covers karting, stock cars, road racing and soon to be added drag racing.
- The Alfa Romeo Spider is now better equipped, more refined and costs A$3500 more. The car now has a handstiched Momo leather interior, climate control air conditioning and remote control central locking. Some of the dash is also redesigned. Also on Alfa Romeo, the company (back in the Australian car market for less than a year) beat Audi and Chrysler in the April VFACTS Australian sales figures.
- The Cadillac Evoq concept roadster will have a redesigned version of the Northstar V8 engine, with changes made in the way it cools, breathes, and lubricates itself. The finished powerplant produces 302kW (405hp) at 6,400rpm, and 385lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. By comparison, the Northstar in the 1999 Cadillac Seville STS produces 223kW (300hp) at 6,000rpm and 295lb-ft of torque at 4,400rpm.
- The new Alfa Romeo 166, due to be launched in Australia in August, is setting new sales records for the Italian car maker and it is one of the winners in the European market, with sales comfortably beating sales targets.
