Goin' Nowhere
ChipTorque on the Gold Coast have just released this clever immobiliser system, which disables your car through the factory ECU. With the choice of either a programmed-in ultra-low rev limit or an ignition cut, it's impossible to get the car mobile unless the thief has got hold of the code transmitting key fob. Even if thieves try to bridge the system's wiring, the immobiliser will instantly trigger. Available to suit any car, ChipTorque are selling the immobiliser for $200 on top of the price of a conventional chip re-write. Oh, and they're even using it to allow customers to toggle through four different chip tunes - the potential is huge! www.chiptorque.com.au
Honda Launches 7th Generation Civic
Honda has launched the 7th generation of its popular compact car, the Civic. Since its launch in 1972, Civic production has reached 13.3 million units, and today the Civic is sold in 140 countries. An all-new Civic five-door joins the four-door sedan in the domestic line-up. The new Civic is equipped with a range of 1.5 and 1.7-litre engines with the top of the range models featuring VTEC and Honda's revised MultiMatic transmission. The 1.5-litre lean-burn VTEC engine achieves a class leading 5 litres/100km.
Smaller mechanical components have also helped maximise interior space. A compact engine design, a newly developed high-performance strut type front suspension and high-mounted steering box allow the Civic to adopt smaller external dimensions. Chassis components beneath the floor have been repackaged to accommodate the flat floor, ensuring sufficient ceiling height and easing entry and exit for rear passengers. The rear seats have been positioned farther back, thanks to the compact dimensions of the Rear Active Link Double Wishbone Suspension.
Honda's G-CON crash protection technology ensures the Civic meets standards for the frontal full-wrap collision at 55 km/h, frontal offset collision at 64 km/h, side collision at 55 km/h and rear collision at 50 km/h. Honda's pedestrian safety technology is also featured in the Civic for the first time. Torsional and bending rigidity have been improved through the use of body frame parts with larger cross sections, the addition of stiffeners and the reinforcement of joints and connecting points. Noise and vibration have been reduced with the extensive use of materials designed to block and absorb engine and road noise.
Inside, the Civic five-door features a dash-mounted shift lever and larger, more comfortable seats. The larger interior has boosted the Civic's cargo capacity - the Civic five-door has up to 732 litres of cargo space with rear seats folded, while the four-door has a boot capacity of 450 litres - 40 more than the previous Civic sedan.
The five-door tailgate opens to a height of 1880mm giving easy access for taller people, while the four-door has an enlarged boot opening.
More than 90 per cent of the car is recyclable. The new VTEC Civic also meets the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) exhaust standard, which is 50 per cent below the 2000 Japanese regulations.
New Fords - and Goodbye Mondeo
Ford Australia president Geoff Polites has said that the company will be putting its resources heavily behind products such as the new Ford Escape, to be launched in the Australian market early next year. "There is serious growth in the all-terrain market and Escape will take Ford into one specific area of this growing market for the first time. We have not had a player in the sub-compact segment of this market and it's overdue. Escape should do very well in the Australian market, especially with our commitment to the new 3-litre V6 powertrain, which will give Escape an edge on its competitors."
Mr Polites went on to say that the company had taken a hard look at its current line-up and had taken some dramatic steps to reposition Ford in the marketplace. "With our commitment to the extended SUV market, we've had to revise our forward plans for some other models," he said. "One of the tough calls has been to step away from Mondeo. The C/D market in which Mondeo competes is in decline. From 10.6% of the passenger industry in 1996, it's dropped to 8.3% in '99 and is currently running at 7.1% for 2000. Furthermore, it's forecast to drop further over the next few years, to around 5% in 2003. So while we continue to support Mondeo in the Australian marketplace, we won't be taking the new model next year."
"We don't want to be devoting resources to a market segment that's in serious decline if there are other more compelling sectors that we can concentrate on - and there are. We need to concentrate on the market areas that are in line with projected customer preferences and changes in the fast-moving global automotive market. Laser will be repositioned and early next year you'll see a new 2-litre model as part of a revised Laser line-up. There's a lot more to this car than we've fully exploited in this market so we'll be building on its traditional strengths while we move into more sporting variants. We've made the decision to delay Focus introduction while we make these other changes. Focus has been introduced to the European and US markets with tremendous success and we remain committed to seeing it here. However, at present the right combination of models, availability and pricing isn't there for us. The 3 and 5-door models are sourced from two different plants, and that means double the investment we would otherwise have expected to tool up for changes for the Australian market. We'll introduce Focus at a later date when we have the right package for this market, at a price that makes good business sense."
New BMW M3
The details of the third generation of BMW's practical supercar, the M3, are now public. Staring at the Paris Auto Salon, the new E46 M3 confirms the look first previewed in the "design study" car show at the 1999 Frankfurt show. Beneath the subtle power bulge of its aluminium engine compartment lid lurks a 3,246 cc, 252kW, 365Nm, Double VANOS controlled straight six engine, which propels the car from rest to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The driver communicates with this powerplant via throttle actuated electronic signal to each of the six individual electronic throttle butterflies. Eighty percent of maximum torque is available from just 2000 rpm, with 8,000 rpm the limit.
Additional technical highlights of the new M3's engine include an all new engine management system (MSS 54) able to perform 25 million calculations per second, engine mapping which can be driver selected for an even more sporting mode (as first seen in the new M5), lighter weight thanks to high technology composite materials, cylinder specific knock control and fuel efficiency of 11.9 litres per 100km.
The revised suspension features fine modification to the single-joint sprint strut front axle and central-arm rear axle with longitudinal control arm and double track control arm. This time the upper track control arm is made of aluminium and the front and rear track are both wider than the previous M3 and the 330Ci, at 1508mm and 1525mm respectively. The new M3 also rides on specially constructed 18-inch light alloy wheels shod with 225/45 ZR 18 front tyres on 8J wheels and 255/40 ZR 18 rears on 9J wheels.
Bishop Technology
Australian engineering innovator Bishop Steering Technology Limited has granted a licence to Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH to develop and manufacture components for the patented Bishop Torque and Angle Sensor (BTAS). Bishop Technology Limited expects worldwide production to reach more than two million units by 2006, with production continuing to rise.
The digital torque sensor was developed in-house by Bishop Innovation Limited, another business unit of the Sydney-based Bishop Technology Group Ltd. The joint development agreement provides for Bosch to manufacture sensor modules and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) under licence for the world automotive steering gear market. These components will then be integrated into the BTAS and then integrated into electric power-assisted steering systems. Bishop Steering Technology business planning manager Bernd Failenschmid said BTAS technology was expected to debut in Europe in 2004.
Some elements of Bishop-developed steering technology are used in 20 percent of the world's passenger cars manufactured each year.
Formula SAE
Toyota is helping a group of Australian engineering students build their own racing car. The team, from the University of New South Wales, is one of eight which will compete in December in Australia's inaugural Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) contest. SAE Australasia has initiated the local contest - based on a formula which has operated in the United States for the last 20 years and is now active in Europe.
Formula SAE contestants must design, fabricate and test a formula-style racing car with a 600cc four-stroke engine. The US competition now attracts teams from over a hundred universities from North America and Europe. It has become the world's leading engineering-based inter-university competition.
The University of New South Wales "Golden Lions" team is drawn from the university's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Emeritus Professor of Engineering Brian Milton is the faculty mentor. Many students in the team hope to forge careers in the automotive industry. Team members are working in groups on administration, engine development, chassis design, suspension and brake design, and media liaison.
With Toyota's backing, the group has secured two Yamaha R6 four-cylinder motorcycle engines for the project - courtesy of Yamaha Australia. Yamaha Japan (which is part owned by Toyota) is a Toyota technology partner and helped develop the VVTi-equipped engines in the new Celica and MR2 sports cars.
Mustang Arrives
The famous American 'pony' car, Mustang, originally took its name from the World War II fighter plane, the P-51 Mustang, and not the wild pony according to Ford Motor Company archives. Although the abiding Mustang image is that of the legendary American wild pony, the first approach by designer John Najjar was to go with the fighter plane that he personally admired so much.
Najjar was a great fan of the P-51 Mustang, and felt that Ford had produced a car with lines worthy of the same name. Although the name was initially cleared with the company's styling and legal departments, somewhere along the line someone preferred the pony image. They felt it fit better with everyone's concept of the car.
Next step was the galloping horse logo, arguably one of the most enduring automotive icons of all time and one that has remained true to its original lines for 35 years. And the new car was unveiled with a teaser campaign that announced 'a new horse in Ford's corral.'
The release of the new Mustang in Australia follows in the footsteps of the Mustang sold here in the Sixties. To promote 1966 XR Falcon sales slogan 'The Mustang Bred Falcon', Ford Australia imported 161 left hand drive 1966 Mustang coupes and converted them to RHD at the Homebush Assembly Plant in Sydney. The cars were converted between January and September and were snapped up by Ford dealers as soon as they rolled off the special assembly line.
In July 1965, Ford had imported 48 of the 1965 Mustangs and converted them to RHD in Sydney. The success of this project spurred them on to bring in the 1966 models. All the 'Australian' Mustangs have local ID plates fitted and small metal decals on the door sills identifying them as 'Australian'. All were automatics with 289 cubic inch V8 engines. Today, these 209 cars are genuine collector's items as they were the only Mustangs ever sold by Ford with right hand drive. Until now, other RHD Mustangs have been converted by companies outside Ford.
But now the Mustang is available new from Ford for the Australian market for the first time in 35 years. Built at the Detroit plant, the first of the new Mustang Cobras arrived at Webb Dock in Melbourne recently. These pre-production units will be used for press and promotional purposes. Customer orders will follow next month.
"Mustang will be the only high-performance V8 coupe or convertible on the market here under $100,000," said SVO Business Development Manager Rick Nayler. "Orders have climbed to over 60 now, despite the fact we can't confirm the final price and no-one's even had a test drive! Unfortunately we won't have more than 100 units arriving this year."
Mustang will be the most powerful vehicle in Ford's line-up in Australia, 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.
Mustang will become part of the FTE stable and will be available as a manual coupe or convertible. Australian Mustangs will be converted to right hand drive by Ford's highly respected performance car partner, Tickford Vehicle Engineering, and will carry full factory backing, warranty and parts support locally.
New Xsara
Citroen has released the first pictures of its Xsara. Set for its first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show (28 October 2000), the Xsara includes in its new equipment package indicators that automatically switch on in the event of accident to warn other traffic, headlights with 20 per cent more light and which include fog lights, larger wheels and tyres and a new range of engines. Using the latest computer technology, the standard wiring system is replaced by an all new multiplex system that speeds servicing and maintenance and enables the Xsara to be fitted with a wider range of standard and optional equipment.
The new Citroën Xsara will go on sale in Australia after the Sydney Motor Show in five door versions and the three door Xsara Coupe will join the range early in 2001. Pricing and specifications will be announced when the new Xsara goes on sale in Australia.
Quickies
- Up to August, the US industry's midsize car sales were more than 2.8 million units, which is 27 percent more than either sport utility vehicle (SUV) sales or pickup truck sales.
- Toyota has introduced a limited edition version of its popular LandCruiser Prado GXL four-wheel drive wagon. The limited edition model offers buyers $3,600 in additional features for a recommended retail driveaway price of $45,990.
- A special limited edition New Beetle, a first for Australia, will be made available as part of a special internet pilot on the Volkswagen website, www.volkswagen.com.au In addition, the VW Beetle will provide amateur drivers the chance to race on the Adelaide Lemans street circuit. Utilising standard Volkswagen Beetles, the cars will be fitted with important safety items including rollcage, safety harness and fire extinguisher.
- Chrysler Jeep Australia has moved its National and Southern Regional Headquarters to a new building adjacent to the existing Mercedes-Benz Headquarters in Lexia Place, Mulgrave, Victoria. This move is one of the final steps in the integration of the business units which comprise the DaimlerChrysler Australia-Pacific Region.
- General Motors has announced the adoption of ParaXSG as the lightweight (able to run on PCs and easy to use) math model technology standard to achieve real-time vehicle design collaboration among the thirteen GM Engineering Centres around the world. ParaXSG is the next generation standard for visualization of complex products incorporating the advancements in Microsoft's new eXtensible Scene Graph technology with a ParaLite math kernel. ParaXSG uses the collaborative capabilities of Microsoft's Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000 architectures. The ParaXSG lightweight math models are a critical part of GM's Fast Vehicle Development strategy for leveraging common vehicle subsystems and architectures.
- New versions of three cars with big cult followings will be major visitor drawcards at this year's Sydney Motor Show. Visitors to the show (November 17-26) will be amongst the first to see the all-new BMW M3, Subaru Impreza WRX, and the latest evolution of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo VI. The new M3 is the third generation of the 3-Series based sports sedan.
- With the release of the new VX model, Holden's all-conquering V8 racing Commodores will adopt a fresh new look for season 2001.The VX race cars, based on Holden's popular 'SS' sports model, will debut in the likely Supercar category opener at the Australian Fl Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 4.
- Entries from Subaru Impreza WRX owners will be considered for the year 2002 Targa Tasmania motorsport event. The sports marketing company for Targa Tasmania, Octogan Motorsports, has written to Subaru Australia confirming the change of plan, following several years in which Impreza WRX was not eligible for the event.
- Every new Alfa Romeo Spider bought during October will include Pininfarina accessories valued at more than $1500.
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