New AUII Falcon
The new model, which goes on sale in April, boasts fresh exterior styling, a new interior design and a range of customer-friendly features.
"The AUII builds upon the key strengths of Falcon," says Falcon Brand Manager, Roger Gray. "The new model has a fresh look, a range of functional improvements and increased feature levels which represent excellent value for money. Over the past 18 months we've spoken to a wide variety of customer groups. Their feedback has shaped the content of the AUII. Our customers have spoken and we've delivered."
Detailed styling changes include new grilles, rear bumpers, rear appliques and badging. All models are fitted with 16-inch wheels as standard equipment. Underneath the new exterior, enhancements have been made to the Falcon's ride quality and noise suppression, while the popular XR8 has been given more power and standard 17-inch wheels. The new Falcon range will be the first to offer a dedicated LPG engine option, which will be introduced in June. The LTD will feature a standard satellite navigation system, while all Falcons will receive a new, two-stage remote entry system with panic alarm.
The Tickford built XR8 gets a performance boost with the 5.0 litre V8 now producing 200kW. New 17-inch alloy wheels are standard equipment. A new front bumper, rear spoiler, body-kit and wheels have also been developed for the XR range. A factory-fitted Satellite Navigation system, complete with colour screen and voice guidance instructions, will be introduced in July. The system will be standard on the LTD and optional on Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia and Fairlane Ghia.
Forte, Futura, S and Fairmont customers will have the ability to order dedicated LPG vehicles with the introduction of a single fuel LPG option. The single fuel option was introduced on the AU utility late last year. The system provides benefits to the owner in the form of lower running costs and helps the environment by producing less harmful exhaust emissions than petrol powered vehicles. This option will be introduced from June.
Retrofit Modifications of TT Coupe
Audi in Australia will commence retrofitting 1999-built TT Coupes with modified suspension parts and rear spoiler from the end of March 2000. Approximately 400 TT Coupe customers in Australia have been offered the option of having their vehicles retrofitted with the modified suspension parts and a rear spoiler as part of a voluntary national service campaign. Vehicles produced from early 2000 will already have modifications made on the production line, plus the addition of Audi's Electronic Stability Program (ESP), as a standard feature. The first shipment of these current production updates will arrive here at the end of March 2000.
Audi is currently working with the factory to evaluate the technical and logistical feasibility of having Australian vehicles retrofitted with the Electronic Stability Program, in order to provide customers with the same technology available on current production models.
Alfa 156 Wagon!
The new Alfa Romeo Sportwagon makes its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show this week before arriving in Australia in the middle of the year. Based on the award winning Alfa Romeo 156 sports saloon, the 156 Sportwagon features a completely redesigned rear end from the B-pillar rearwards. The new tail has not impacted on the aerodynamic performance of the 156, which has a Cd of 0.30. Available in Europe with the full range of engines, the Australian version of the 156 Sportwagon will be launched with the 2.0 litre 114kW Twin Spark engine with a choice of a five speed manual gearbox or the Selespeed sequential manual gearbox. Full Australian specification and prices will be announced when it is launched.
GTP Hots Up Further!
Two of Japan¹s fastest-ever production road cars are set to do battle with the best from Germany, Italy, the United States and Britain when the new Century Batteries GTP Nations Cup motor racing series debuts in Adelaide next month. The pair of specially-built supercharged Brabham-Honda NSX coupes will be among a multi-million dollar field of up to 28 exoticars racing on the Adelaide street circuit on April 8-9. The cars are being built in Brisbane for drivers Ian Agnew and Ian Palmer. The all-aluminium Hondas, usually capable of 275 km/h, will be fitted with American Comptech superchargers to boost their three-litre engines to more than 350hp. Bigger brakes and wheels also will be fitted under the GTP Nations Cup rules, ensuring the cars will be fierce contenders against the 300-plus km/h Porsche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Diablo SVR, Ferrari F360 Modena Challenge, Dodge Viper and Jaguar XKR, says Agnew.
Gas Falcon Ute
The AU XL and XLS Falcon ute is now available with a A$500 dedicated LPG option for those customers wanting a dedicated gas-powered light commercial vehicle. The power and performance of the LPG powered ute is almost identical to its petrol-powered sibling. Because the two 55 litre gas cylinders are fitted in the same position as the petrol fuel tank, the location of the spare wheel remains unchanged. The range of the dedicated LPG ute is at least the equal of the manual petrol ute, with the manual version of the LPG ute having a range of almost 800km on the open highway.
As part of the launch of the new option, several gas-powered 'Barby' utes have been built for promotional activities. The purpose-built utes have a large mock gas cylinder mounted on the rear which opens to reveal a massive gas barbeque. The new 'Barby utes' will be seen at Ford dealers and a variety of events around the country.
Mustang to go on Sale
The official Australian launch of the Mustang by Ford will occur in the fourth quarter of this year.
"It will be the only high-performance V8 coupe or convertible on the market here under A$100,000" said brand manager Stephen Eyears.
When it is launched in Australia, Mustang will be the most powerful vehicle in Ford's line-up, with a 4.6 litre all-alloy, quad-cam V8 pumping out 240kW and 430Nm of torque. The car will be Year 2001 specification, including standard 330mm vented Brembo front discs with twin-piston calipers, multi-link Independent Rear Suspension, traction control, ABS and 17-inch wheels.
Australian Mustangs will be converted to right hand drive by Tickford Vehicle Engineering, and will carry full factory backing, warranty and parts support locally. Mustang will become part of the FTE stable and will be available as a manual coupe or convertible.
Mustang was briefly sold in Australia during 1964 and 1965 and later thrilled Australian motor racing fans when it dominated the Australian Touring Car Championship in the hands of Pete Geoghegan in the late Sixties. Racing legends Alan Moffat and Dick Johnson also tasted success with Mustangs - Moffat in the 70s and Johnson in the 80s.
The latest model Mustang was released in North America last year and was an instant success in the marketplace, with sales up 15 per cent on 1998. Sales were the highest since 1988. Close to seven million Mustangs have been sold since April 1964, when the car was unveiled to the public at New York's World Fair. On the car's first day on sale, 22,000 orders were taken. In Australia, the Mustang Owners Club boasts about 1500 members and there are an estimated 4000 privately imported Mustangs on the road.
DaimlerChrysler's Concept ESX3
The Dodge ESX3 continues DaimlerChrysler's progress toward an ultra high-mileage family car that pleases passengers at the same time it protects the environment.
The ESX3 builds on the knowledge and experience gained from its predecessors, the Dodge Intrepid ESX in 1996 and the ESX2 in 1998. With ESX3, DaimlerChrysler engineers and designers have cut the cost penalty for a high-mileage vehicle in half in just two years. The ESX2 from 1998 cost about US$15,000 more than a comparable gasoline-powered car; with the ESX3, the cost differential is about US$7,500. (The ESX in 1996 carried a cost penalty of US$60,000.)
The progress in fuel efficiency and cost stem from several major improvements in technology. The ESX3's mild hybrid electric (or "mybrid") powertrain combines a clean, efficient diesel engine, electric motor and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery to achieve an average 3.3 litres/100 km (72 miles per gallon) fuel efficiency (petrol equivalent). That is two miles per gallon better than the fuel efficiency of its predecessor, the ESX2 in 1998. A unique electro-mechanical automatic transmission (EMAT) developed by DaimlerChrysler engineers provides the fuel efficiency of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic.
The lightweight, extremely aerodynamic body makes use of another DaimlerChrysler innovation - injection-moulded thermoplastic technology that achieves significant improvements in weight and cost. The ESX3 weighs in at just 1020 kg (2,250 pounds) while meeting all US federal safety standards and providing the roominess and comfort of today's family sedan. The entire vehicle is more than 80 per cent recyclable.
A total rethinking of the car's electronic and electrical systems cut several pounds from the weight of electronics while providing an ergonomically satisfying system of driver controls, vehicle monitoring and diagnostic indicators, high-performance audio and video systems, and a state-of-the-art telematics (no, we don't know what that is either! - Editor) package.
The TH!NK (sic)
The TH!NK city is a battery-powered, electric city car that proves personal mobility and environmental responsibility can co-exist. The compact car went on sale in Norway late last year and will be available in the United States within the next two years. The zero-emission TH!NK city has been specially-created to provide urban transport for fleet and individual customers. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre and fits into tight parking spots. TH!NK city is a purpose-built two-seater, powered by a liquid-cooled, three-phase, alternating current-induction motor. It accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in seven seconds and has a top speed of 90 km/h. The motor is powered by nineteen nickel-cadmium batteries, which are also water-cooled for maximum performance, generating roughly 11.5 kilowatt hours of energy.
TH!NK city has a range of 85km on the European Commission dynamometer cycle, which is the industry standard. Real world range is affected by different factors, including weather and driving conditions Th!nk uses a conductive charging system for easy recharging. Customers can plug directly into any standard 220-volt/16 amp or 10 amp outlet and recharge the car through an easily accessible outlet just under the windscreen. It takes approximately eight hours to charge a drained battery and five hours to get an 80 per cent charge at 220 volts.
Quickies
- Hyundai's medium size Sonata is switching solely to six appeal and forsaking fours. Hyundai is offering a new Sonata Executive V6 model - which becomes the most affordable 6-cylinder new car on the Australian market - to replace the 4-cylinder Sonata GLE. The car is priced from just A$24,990, driveaway no more to pay.
- Honda has boosted the value and size of its popular compact four-wheel drive, the HR-V, with the addition of a new five-door model. Joining the HR-V three-door, the five-door has an extra 100mm in overall length and wheelbase, creating extra interior space. Both variants are powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder LEV engine and are equipped with Honda's Real-Time four-wheel-drive system.
- Sales of the Mazda 626 range have jumped 28 percent in a month following the launch of a marketing programme for the extensively face-lifted model, and the arrival of additional stock.
- While the Australian launch details are yet to be finalised, the Ford Focus is expected to go on sale early next year.
- Take a brand-new Ford XR8 ute. Add about A$40,000 worth of aftermarket accessories and customisation, throw in a slick paint job and what do you get? - The Ford "Venom" ute. The Venom is powered by a Herrod modified 5.0 litre, fuel injected V8 engine fitted GT40P heads. Stopping power is provided by 14-inch, 4-piston Harrop ventilated discs with curved cross-slots. A five-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential and ABS complete the mechanical line-up. The car is to do the Australian motor show circuit.
- A long-wheelbase version of the revolutionary aluminium-bodied Audi A8 has arrived in Australia. Boasting every imaginable luxury feature, the stretched version of the Audi A8 will be launched in Australia in the second quarter of the year. It will be priced around A$210,000.
- Holden has introduced a four-door Astra sedan. Buyers can now choose between the Astra sedan and five-door hatch models in two trim levels: City and CD.
- Adelaide's 2000 Le Mans Series Race of a Thousand Years has been boosted by the confirmation that the new Cadillac sportscar team will contest the event. Run by the French team, DAMS, the American manufacturer has launched a three year program including selected races in the Le Mans Series as well as the Le Mans 24 Hour. You can find the new Le Mans Adelaide computer screen calendar for March at the following: http://www.fan.net.au/~paulryan/~lemans/MARLEMAN00.jpg
- Mitsubishi's Mirage hatch has added Which Car's gold medal for budget cars to its list of past awards. AutoSpeed will have a full test of the Mirage VR-X in an upcoming issue.
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