The Avalon
Toyota has launched a new large car, the Avalon, set to become the least expensive big six automatic sedan built in Australia. It is to be released through dealers on July 1, 2000. The Toyota Avalon offers high levels of driving dynamics and low interior noise levels. Local design items range from the underbody and ABS system, to the eight-function trip computer and body electronics. Avalon is the first Toyota in Australia with a trip computer and the first four-door Toyota in Australia with side airbag availability. Australian Avalon has been designed to accommodate a greater variety of road conditions and higher average speeds than its US cousin - Avalon's body has been strengthened to suit local conditions and increase durability.
The unique underbody and local steering and suspension calibration are said to provide high levels of ride and handling, and an overall feeling of quality. The Avalon will be offered in four grades - Conquest, CSX, VXi and luxury Grande. All have four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, all-alloy quad cam V6 engine and electronically-controlled four-speed overdrive automatic transmission.
Safety equipment for all models includes dual SRS airbags and pre-tensioning front seatbelts with force limiters. Electronic and electric functions include power windows, power mirrors, power antenna, remote central locking with rolling codes and owner-programmable two-stage door unlock, transponder engine immobiliser, audio with integrated telephone mute, and an eight-function trip computer with speed alert. Comfort and convenience equipment includes headlamp auto-off with programmable delay, tilt-adjustable power steering, driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, and boot access through the rear seat.
Avalon CSX has the key additional features above Conquest of ABS, front side airbags, factory air conditioning, cruise control, CD player, six-speaker audio, front and rear map lamps, and front passenger seat lumbar adjustment. VXi has the added specification of alloy wheels, power-operated driver's seat, woodgrain trim, climate-control air conditioning with push-button controls, leather-steering wheel and shift lever, leather-covered double centre console lid, remote electric boot release and integrated alarm system with panic mode.
Avalon Grande has front foglamps, unique alloy wheels, two-tone paint availability, leather seat trim, luminous instruments, power-operated front seats, anti-jam protection on the driver's power window, power tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, headlamps auto-on, power tilt-and slide moonroof and a seven-speaker audio with 6-CD in-dash multi-changer.
Improving Night Vision
DaimlerChrysler researchers in Ulm, Germany, have developed an infrared-laser night vision system that significantly increases a driver's sight at night. The system allows drivers to recognize darkly-clothed pedestrians and cyclists, even at great distances. It also illuminates the road ahead over a distance of around 170 metres without blinding the drivers of oncoming vehicles. The night vision system is a big boost for safety and comfort: conventional high-beam headlights provide visibility of only 45 metres.
The systems functions as follows: two laser headlights on the vehicle's front end illuminate the road by means of infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. A video camera records the reflected image, which then appears in black and white on a screen located directly in the driver's field of vision, or else as a head-up display on the windscreen.
The researchers in Ulm, who recently won the DaimlerChrysler Research Award for their invention, are currently testing the system in a bus. Further research prototypes will be developed throughout the year. The system will eventually be installed in premium production vehicles and other vehicles such as buses, trucks for transporting hazardous materials, emergency service vehicles and taxis, all of which require highly reliable safety systems.
Driving at night in bad weather is tiring and risky: the German Federal Statistics Office reports that some 40 percent of serious accidents occur at night, despite the fact that night driving accounts for less than 20 percent of total driving time in the country. The main cause of the accidents at night is poor visibility. Conventional high-beam headlights do not provide sufficient visibility, and many drivers therefore have difficulty estimating the correct distance. High-beams also blind the drivers of oncoming vehicles, thereby limiting their ability to react quickly to potentially dangerous situations, particularly on wet roads. Poor visibility also causes drivers to tire very quickly, something which can have fatal results.
DaimlerChrysler's infrared night vision system can reduce these dangers. It is an active system with its own light source and, unlike passive systems, not solely dependent on information resulting from the heat emitted by objects in the field of vision. This means that it can discern objects which display no difference in temperature from their surroundings-like lane markers, for example. Researchers chose an infrared light source because such light is virtually invisible to the human eye, meaning it cannot blind drivers of oncoming vehicles. Its narrow spectral width also offers substantial benefits: preset optical filters are capable of dampening the blinding effects of oncoming headlights by a factor of 50 to 100, while still allowing the system's reflected laser light to pass through.
The DaimlerChrysler team even came up with another trick to reduce the blinding effects of oncoming high-beams: the laser headlights send pulsating infrared light onto the road. Since the video camera's electronic cover is synchronized with the frequency of the laser diode, the camera records all of the reflected infrared light but only a greatly reduced amount of the blinding light from oncoming vehicles.
Joke
A friend has a car for sale; do you know anyone who is looking to buy? While the car is 15 years old, it has only had the one owner and has done only 25 kilometres, yes only 25 kilometres! Let me know if you're interested. Lots of cold starts, but...
Mazda Cars Go On Line
Mazda Motor Corporation will be the first Japanese carmaker to provide an Internet information service to drivers to operate in conjunction with car navigation systems. The service will be linked to a server in what the company calls the "Mazda Telematics Centre," (MTC) and will be launched next month. It is being offered free of charge or membership fee to any Mazda customer who has a vehicle equipped with a compatible car navigation system.
It will enable drivers in Japan to send and receive emails as well connect with over 10 million services, including news, weather, hotels, restaurants, shops and service stations.
Accessed by a mobile phone, users of the Mazda Telematics Centre will also be able to customize a home page of preferred information through the use of large display icons and a local memory bank designed to assist the speed of retrieval. By adding a home PC to the system, drivers will also be able to map out a travel route, book travel arrangements and find a sporting venue - before stepping into the car. The MTC's direct-to-vehicle email link will also allow remote on-board diagnosis as well as scheduled maintenance requirements.
Australian Gearbox Inventor May List
Preload International Limited, the technology development company which recently signed a joint venture agreement with the Jordan Grand Prix team to develop its innovative Western Australian designed gearbox system for Formula 1 racing, is seeking equity in the UK and evaluating plans to list on the London Stock Exchange.
"The Preload design has the potential to capture a major slice of the $A60 billion plus world market for passenger car transmissions," said Perth-based PIL director Adrian Stafford, "The agreement with Jordan will help raise PIL's profile and demonstrate the system's strengths, but we are obviously looking to the wider market and seeking the means of reaching our objectives there."
The Preload system offers considerable performance advantages over conventional transmissions, however the technology is equally attractive from the mass-market commercial standpoint in that it promises manufacturing and production savings and offers the potential for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
"The technology is clever, but it is also relatively simple and can easily be incorporated into existing transmissions," said Mr Stafford explaining that manufacturers could adopt Preload technology in current models without prohibitive redesign or retooling costs. The Benson & Hedges backed Jordan Grand Prix team expects to have Preload gearboxes on the track before the end of the year. Road-going versions are not far behind: a licensing deal with a British sports car manufacturer is considered imminent and discussions are underway with a number of major European automotive businesses.
The push into the EEC is being made from PIL's new UK headquarters in Buckinghamshire. "Having engineering and office facilities close to the Jordan Grand Prix team and European manufacturers offers obvious logistical advantages, but it also makes sound financial sense as well," said Mr Stafford. "Preload International grew out of our original Perth-based company Preload Gearbox Limited. We formed PIL and headquartered it in the UK because while overseas investors were very keen on the technology they weren't quite as enthusiastic about it being developed so far away from major European markets. "The Buckinghamshire operation, and the agreement with Jordan, have meant we can put the Preload concept onto the world stage where the technology belongs."
Australian Drivers At Le Mans
Over the years many of Australia's top drivers have raced at Le Mans. Here's how they recollect the event.
- Vern Schuppan - Debut 1973
"It is such a tough race because there are so many factors that can influence the result. Just getting to the finish can be half the battle. I have been lucky to win but there are other guys like Brian Redman who was regarded as one of the best sportscar drivers in the world, but he never finished the race. When I won in 1983, we were actually lucky to finish the race. I had finished 2nd the year before and I was actually standing on the podium with one of my team-mates Hurley Haywood when we noticed smoke coming out of the back of the car. We had led the race for 21 hours and the engine actually seized as Al Holbert crossed the line. You could imagine the range of emotions we went through...."
- Tim Schenken - Debut 1970
"I drove for the French team Matra in 1970 but all the cars blew up in the first hour and I didn't get to drive - this was despite completing a 28 hour test before the race. I did Le Mans six times and back in my day there was no chicane after the pits and the Mulsanne Straight also had no chicanes. You had to nurse the cars a little more back then. The plan was to set yourself a lap time and try to maintain a steady pace to stay on the lead lap. It was also hard to know where you were in the race because there was often confusion between the pits and signalling area which was on the other side of the track. When I drove for Ferrari with Carlos Reuteman in 1973, I remember driving down the main straight and looking up at the Goodyear Blimp which had an electronic scoreboard below it to see where we were in the race!"
- Geoff Brabham - Debut 1990
"Le Mans has such a great tradition because the race has been around so long with so many great drivers competing. Racing over 24 hours can be extremely draining. It is not so bad with one of the professional factory outfits, but if you are in a low budget team, sleeping between your stint on top of a tool box in the back of the shed is not very comfortable. When I won for Peugeot in 1993 I was the only non-French speaking person amongst a 200-person team. Despite that, Jean Todt (now Ferrari's F1 team manager) asked me to finish the race. It was quite an experience to win at Le Mans with a French team and be in the car as it took the chequered flag. It really was an unbelievable feeling with the crowd flooding the track and all the track marshals waving their flags; it was a race I will never forget."
- David Brabham Debut 1992
"I had the initiation from hell at my first Le Mans. My team-mate crashed the car on the opening lap and by the time they repaired the car and I had my turn to drive, the circuit was blanketed in thick fog and it was raining really heavily. It was actually quite terrifying. This year will be my seventh Le Mans and I would certainly love to win it. Le Mans, the Indy 500 and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix are the three most famous races in the world and I would love to join my brother, Geoff, as a Le Mans 24 Hour winner."
"I've only done the race once, but it really was one of the highlights of my career. The track, the place, the heritage, I would love to go back and do it again. The circuit was really tough to get used to, particularly through the high-speed sections. I drove a Porsche with a fellow Kiwi Bill Farmer and British driver Robert Nearn and we ended up 2nd in our class, and 14th outright after starting from 46th on the grid. It was really tough keeping out of the way of the outright cars, particularly at night. You would be driving along when all of sudden a swarm of headlights would appear from nowhere. At the end of the race the adrenaline would wear off and it would just hit you - we were all exhausted. These cars are great to drive - I would love to race one in Adelaide at the end of the year."
Other Australians Who Have Driven At Le Mans Include:
- Sir Jack Brabham
- Alan Jones
- Lex Davison
- Bib Stillwell
- Mark Webber
- Peter Brock
- Larry Perkins
- Mark Skaife
- Alan Moffatt
- Wayne Gardner
- Allan Grice
- Paul Hawkins
- Lucio Cesario
- Evan Clements
- Neil Crang
- Rusty French
- Ray Lintott
- Mike Hall
- Derek Jolly
- Brian Muir
- Barry Smith
- David Sutherland
www.lemansadelaide.com.au
Hyundai Accent Accelerates
Hyundai's new Accent small car has made a remarkable sales debut in Australia, posting 371 registrations during May. Around 300 of these have been word-of-mouth retail sales (ie not distributor launch fleet or dealer demonstrators) made in advance of any advertising or individual dealer launches. Accent already outsold Barina and Mirage to rank sixth in the 20-strong light car segment, behind perennial leader Hyundai Excel, according to monthly retail vehicle sales figures released today by official industry statistician, VFACTS.
Mercedes CL 55 AMG - first with ceramic brakes
The engineers at DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-AMG have developed internally ventilated brake discs made from fibre-reinforced ceramics. The ceramic brakes are part of a pilot project with a view to offering this technology early next year as optional equipment for the S and CL 55 AMG models. The model on which this stunning special edition is based is world-renowned in the field of Formula 1 as the CL 55 AMG safety car.
In line with the thoughts of twice Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen - "The most important thing in a sportscar is not the engine, but the brakes" - the ceramic braking system not only ensures ultra-short braking distances but also an extremely sensitive response. Other key properties include a high resistance to heat and continuous stresses, low maintenance and a long operating life. When emergency braking from maximum speed, a braking performance of approx 2000hp is generated at the front axle.
Another advantage of this technology, which is completely new to series-production cars, is the significantly lower weight of the brake discs. Each disc weighs approximately six kilograms less than its steel equivalent. The new front brake discs of carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramics are approx 60 percent lighter in weight than comparable brake discs of conventional cast iron. This significantly reduces the unsprung masses, with a noticeable improvement in driving dynamics. By virtue of these lighter brake discs the steering of the CL 55 AMG "F1 Limited Edition" is also more responsive and precise. The significant weight advantage also has a positive effect on suspension comfort.
However, these are by no means the only the advantages to be obtained from the high-performance "C-BRAKE", which was first shown in the Mercedes-Benz SLR super-sportscar in 1999. The new material also exhibits very high temperature stability. The maximum temperature load is up to 1400 degrees Celsius. This provides a level of safety when braking from high speeds which was previously unknown in series-production cars. The extremely low thermal expansion of the ceramic brake also reduces juddering when the brakes are hot. Brake squeal and juddering when cold - two familiar characteristics of cast iron discs - are also considerably reduced with the ceramic brake. The extremely long operating life of up to 300,000 kilometres and the low maintenance are also features of the new, corrosion-free ceramic brake discs.
Equipped with a 5.5-litre, 265 kW/360 hp V8 engine, the Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG "F1 Limited Edition" coupe has exquisite AMG styling and presents a very striking appearance. Used are 8.5-inch (front) and 9.5-inch (rear) wide, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR 19 tyres at the front and 285/35 ZR 19 tyres at the rear.
Audi RS 4 Confirmed for Australia
The Audi RS4, the company's fastest estate vehicle since the legendary RS2, has been confirmed for Australia following its European launch late last month. In conjunction with Audi AG, quattro GmbH has designed the RS4 using the Audi S4 Avant as its base and as a result has created the supreme model in the A4 series. Superlative performance will ensure that the RS4 impresses sports-style drivers, thanks to a 280 kW biturbo V6 engine, 'quattro' permanent all-wheel drive, overtly sporty suspension tuning and a high-tech brake system to suit the engine's high performance characteristics.
Only 30 units will be available for Australian buyers in a one-off shipment of vehicles. The Australian launch is expected to be held in November this year. Pricing and specifications have not been confirmed. The car boasts sports features including strikingly flared wheel arches, 18-inch alloy wheels, a front apron extending well down with large air inlets, an aerodynamically-styled tail and side sills. The RS4 engine develops 280 kW between 6100 and 6700 rpm. The 2.7-litre V6 biturbo reaches its peak torque of 440 Nm as low down the engine speed scale as 2500 rpm. This maximum torque is available up to an engine speed of 6000 rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox has ratios chosen to suit the car's sports character, and together with quattro permanent all-wheel drive converts the high torque of the biturbo V6 into propulsion and traction highly effectively and with excellent directional stability.
The RS4 sprints from 0 - 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. It has an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h.
In keeping with this superior performance data, the RS4's brake system has been completely redeveloped. Much larger composite-type brake discs have been fitted at both the front and rear wheels. Large 18-inch wheels provide sufficient space for the RS4's more voluminous brake system. The 18 x 8.5 alloy wheels with a 9-spoke design have 255/35 ZR 18 tyres. Recaro seats for driver and front passenger are a standard feature and provide stability, optimum lateral support and comfort. A new gear lever knob design features an eye-catching aluminium ring.
Renault Cortinas and Ford Mack Trucks
Another historical Ford snippet...
While Ford's Australian plants have mostly made Ford vehicles, there have been a few anomalies during the 75 years that the company has been in Australia. During World War II, Ford's Homebush Assembly plant built Mack, Studebaker and Diamond T trucks for the armed forces and the Geelong Plant produced Marmon Harrington 6-wheel drive trucks for the Australian and US armies. Later, from 1977 to 1980, Ford sub-contracted the assembly of some Cortina models to the Renault Australia assembly operation at Heidelberg in Victoria. These were mostly station wagons due to the fact that Ford's Broadmeadows Assembly plant was undergoing facility upgrades and didn't have the capacity to build enough vehicles. So, if you ever owned a 1977-80 Cortina station wagon, it's a safe bet that it was actually built by Renault!
DaimlerChrysler Taps Landfill
DaimlerChrysler Corporation is tapping waste gases from the decomposition of landfill garbage to provide power for its two Chrysler assembly plants in St. Louis, Missouri. The landfill gas contains 50 per cent methane, a renewable fuel source that otherwise goes to waste. Methane is also a greenhouse gas, so the project will reduce the use of fossil fuels and eliminate a source of greenhouse gas emissions. To use the captured gases, Chrysler will convert two of the four boilers in its St. Louis plant powerhouse.
"This is the way to make environmental protection work," said James J.Lyijynen, Vice President - Stationary Environmental and Energy for Chrysler. "We are reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions from one of the primary sources of greenhouse gases, at the same time we are reducing costs for the company and our shareholders. That is sustainable environmental protection."
Proton Rally Trophy
The second round of the inaugural Proton Rally Trophy one-make rally rally series has seen Ashlea James and co-driver Toni Feaver take victory in both heats of the Rally of Queensland in the forests around the Sunshine Coast. The Proton Rally Trophy Queensland victor was also the winner in the opening round, the Rally of Canberra in May, and is now well clear of nearest rival Joe Lombardo who failed to finish in Queensland after a crash. Another new Proton joined the series in Queensland with Wodonga father-and-son team Brian and Todd Reed having their first run. Despite an off-road excursion in Heat One of the rally, they were able to claim second in Heat Two. The field of Proton Rally Trophy Satria's will swell significantly over the next two rounds with four more cars joining the series at the Rally of Melbourne in August ahead of the final two rounds in Tasmania and at Rally Australia in Perth.
5000 Saab Convertibles
The Saab Convertible confirmed its status as Australia's top-selling luxury convertible by chalking up its 5000th sale this month. Saab's droptop has won admiration from Australian buyers since its introduction back in 1987. The first Saab Convertible sold was a luxurious cherry red 900 Turbo 2.0 16V priced then at $73,700.
Today the Saab Convertible is available in three models - the *$67,900 S, *$84,900 Aero and range-topping *$104,900 Viggen - all with high levels of luxury and safety but varying degrees of performance from Saab's range of turbocharged engines. Saab Ambassador and actor Rebecca Gibney of the famed Halifax f.p telemovies, is one of the Saab Convertible's loyal fans.
* denotes pre-GST pricing. Prices change on July 01, 2000
Alfa 156 Monza
Alfa Romeo will add the Alfa 156 Monza to its range from the 1 July 2000 with a new package of equipment designed to emphasize the heritage and sporting ability of the Italian marque's sports saloon range. Available on all three versions of the 156, the Twin Spark, the Selespeed and the V6 24V, the 156 Monza adds 16 inch alloy wheels in a design unique to the Monza fitted with wide low profile 205/16 tyres, a full hand crafted Italian leather interior, side skirts, leather steering wheel and gear knob and red-on-black instrumentation.
The GST pricing of the 156 Monza starts at $47,990 fitted with the 2.0-litre 114kW Twin Spark engine and a five speed gearbox. Fitted with the unique Selespeed five speed sequential gearbox as the Twin Spark engine, the 156 Selespeed Monza is $50,850. Topping the range is the 156 V6 24V Monza with the 142kW 2.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine with the Q-System automatic gearbox, which has a recommended retail price including GST of $59,800.
Kia Carnival
In May 35.8 per cent - or better than one in three - of people mover sales in Australia were Kia Carnivals, with 277 Carnival finding homes with Australian families. Only one other people mover managed to get into three-figure sales and the Toyota Tarago, previously the big seller in this sector, saw its sales drop from 122 last May to 48 this year. The Carnival's nearest rival, the Honda Odyssey, was out-sold by two Carnivals to each Honda sold. In year-to-date sales, the Kia Carnival is the only people mover to have reached four figures and its sales have moved the people mover share of the Australian car market from 1.2 per cent to 1.9 per cent.
Quickies
- Please find the new Le Mans Adelaide computer screen calendar for June at the following - only 7 months to go! June LeMans
- DaimlerChrysler has announced a recall of 474,000 Jeep® Cherokees built between 1997 and 1999. The recall is to replace and relocate the air bag control module. In five cases in the U.S., salt used to de-ice roads has caused the control module to corrode and, as a result, the air bag inadvertently deployed. None of these incidents resulted in collisions or injuries. No instances of this have occurred outside the US. Australian owners with questions regarding this recall can phone Chrysler Jeep Australia's toll-free hotline on 1 800 680 077
- Subaru's Impreza sold 649 in May, including 297 WRXs. This represents a 7.5 per cent increase in Impreza sales over May last year. According to Business Motoring magazine, the Subaru Impreza WRX represents outstanding value for a performance car. In its Fleet Test 2000, the Impreza WRX was rated in the "Value for money ratio" ahead of nine sports cars: the Ford Cougar, Lexus IS200, Toyota Celica, Volvo C70 convertible, BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Elegance, Saab 9-3 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor and Peugeot 306.
- Peugeot, winner of the Le Mans 24-hour sports car race in 1992 and 1993, is returning to the world famous endurance classic with the newly formed Pescarolo Sport team. Powering Pescarolo Sport's Courage C52 Prototype is a twin turbocharged and optimised version of Peugeot's ES9J4S production V6 engine. Developed by race engine tuning specialist SODEMO, and increased in capacity from 3.0 to the 3.2-litres, the quad-cam, 24-valve powerplant develops 410kW (550 hp) - over two and half times the output of the road-going version. Thanks to the extensive use of titanium (valves, connecting rods) and other light alloys, the engine's weight has been reduced by 16 percent. And mounted in a Courage C52 chassis, with an overall weight of just 900kg, performance is shattering. The final round of the series is Adelaide's Race of a Thousand years, to be run on December 31, 2000.
- BMW Group has announced that from 2003, when the group takes control of Rolls-Royce Cars, the new home of Rolls-Royce will be Goodwood, near Chichester in the south of England. This is where an all-new plant is to be built in the county of Sussex and where the Company will have its corporate headquarters.
- The Peugeot 306 GTI 6, the performance flagship of the 306 range, has collected its latest accolade as Britain's Best GTI. The 306 GTI 6 has been recognised by Autocar, one of Europe's leading motoring magazines, in its May 2000 Megatest Special, where it was judged against six of the world's premier performance hatches.
- Following news last month of the restructuring of its Adelaide operations, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited has won a major new export deal. The deal involves the production of 4000 additional sedans for the American market over the next 12 months, which represents export revenue of more than A$150million, and the creation of more than 300 additional jobs in production to meet this requirement.
- The winner of a new competition will drive away in a Ford Falcon XR8 Tickford utility valued at $37,000. The Century Autobarn XR8 Ute giveaway, to be run in conjunction with the Century Batteries GTP Nations Cup and the Century Batteries Australian GT Production Car Championship, is open to anyone who buys a Century battery from an Autobarn store up to November 24.
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