Monroe Launches Magic Camber
Magic Camber - an all-new product from Monroe - has been designed to correct camber problems that, to date, Monroe claims have been difficult and expensive to solve. Peter Goodrich, Product Manager for Monroe Australia, said a number of factors could adversely affect a vehicle's wheel camber.
"Driving with tired springs, lowered or raised suspension, over kerbs or fitting lower or wider profile tyres can change the camber of the wheel," said Peter.
"Not only is tyre wear increased, it is also uneven, and tyres have to be replaced more frequently. Driving on uneven tyres can also be extremely dangerous as they can make the car pull to one side and dramatically increase braking distances. Magic Camber comprises a set of two special bolts that are fast, easy and safe to install and can be used on any vehicle with McPherson struts that are mounted to the stub axles by clevis bolts."
It takes just a few minutes to complete a professional readjustment of the wheel camber with Magic Camber. The mechanic simply replaces the upper bolt currently holding the lower end of the McPherson Strut in place with the Magic Camber bolt. This allows the camber to be adjusted by three degrees either side of centre while the vehicle is on the wheel alignment tester. Magic Camber has been tested and approved by Germany's technical standards agency TÜV.
SP20 Sports 323 Astina
Mazda has announced a bold and aggressively styled sports version of the 323 Astina five-door hatchback called the SP20. Priced at $28,045 for the 5-speed manual and $29,995 for the 4-speed automatic, the SP20 boasts a 2.0 litre DOHC in-line four cylinder engine which delivers 98kW of power at 6000 rpm and 178Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.
The model is instantly recognisable by its exclusive and bright Sunburst Yellow launch colour as well as a dramatic frontal treatment including 'rally style' lights in the bold bumper/air-dam which is exclusively styled for this model. Mazda's distinctive five point grille features a sporty black bar across the upper line and the bold centre emblem sits on a back mesh pattern. Side skirts, sports pattern 16-inch alloy road wheels, Yokohama Advan 195/50 R16 tyres, rear under-spoiler and high mount rear spoiler complete the exterior treatment while a racy "SP20" decal confirms the ID.
The sports theme is carried throughout the interior which is exclusively styled for this model and where driver and passengers sit on aggressively styled two tone fabrics with contrasting sporty accent panels. The leather bound steering wheel also features the two-tone theme as does the leather gear shift knob on the manual transmission model. Facing the driver is the instrument binnacle which displays fashionable white faced dials and which, along with other interior displays and controls, are amber lit at night.
The sound system incorporates a 6-CD stacker and four speakers while the standard air-conditioning system is fully automatic. Window and external rear view mirror controls are power operated and door locking is 'remote' with two transmitters for each vehicle. Illuminated entry with a delayed fade is also a feature of the model.
The interior also enjoys all the flexibility associated with hatchback including easy rear access and rear seats which double fold to create a large luggage carrying area
The SP20 also uses heavier duty stabilisers than its 'standard' stablemates. The solid front bar has a 22 mm diameter while the rear is 15 mm. Five stud wheel mounting is also used on this vehicle versus four point for the standard models.
New Barina
Holden's latest European-sourced Barina is available in a choice of two model configurations: three-door and five-door hatchback. Powering both models is a 66kW 1.4 litre DOHC ECOTEC engine that delivers improved power and torque, greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Standard equipment listings for the Barina include four wheel disc brakes, speed-dependent electric power steering and steering wheel-mounted sound system controls. High-tech 'drive by wire' electronic throttle control, a close-coupled catalytic converter and an advanced engine management system combine to increase Barina fuel economy over the previous model by up to three per cent on the city cycle (manual) and by seven per cent on the highway cycle (auto). This technology also meets the rigorous Euro 4 exhaust emission standards four years ahead of introduction. Prices start from $13,990.
Escape
The all-new Ford Escape will go on sale in mid-March with a 150kW 3.0 litre Duratec V6 engine and a 4-speed electronic control automatic transmission (including lockup torque converter and overdrive) as standard. The V6 engine gives Escape a fun-to-drive character in both urban and off-road situations, as well as robust towing capabilities. The fun and versatile small 4WD will be offered in two model ranges, with the well-equipped entry model XLS offering all the usual passenger car creature comforts and the XLT providing an even sportier execution and level of comfort. Based on an all-new platform, the Escape is said to offer superior performance, unique "fun-tough" styling, and new levels of comfort and convenience for those customers looking for a complete lifestyle vehicle.
Quickies
- AutoSpeed member and well-known identify in the Australian modified car scene, Todd Wilkes, aka 'Judge', was killed on Sunday while participating in a Sydney Auto Salon event. Our sincerest condolences to his family and those friends close to him.
- DaimlerChrysler Corporation has confirmed that it had filed suit against General Motors Corporation for appropriating one of the world's most recognisable automobile features in order to enhance the appeal of GM's new Hummer sport utility vehicle. The lawsuit was brought to protect DaimlerChrysler's trademarked Jeep® grille design, which is protected by three federal trademark registrations and has been made famous though over 50 years of use on Jeep vehicles.
- Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva will be among celebrities competing in the 2.0 litre Laser SR2 all-female celebrity race at the Clipsal 500 on April 9, 2001. Due to be launched in March 2001, the Laser SR2 is the next step in Ford's revitalization of the Laser brand. It will feature an all-new 2.0 litre engine, a sporty appearance and aggressive stance - all designed to fulfil the aspirations of younger buyers. The Mazda equivalent is covered above.
- The authoritative UK magazine Auto Express has placed the Daewoo Tacuma first in its Good Car Guide people carrier survey. The result comes against some serious competition with other contenders including Kia Carens, Ford Galaxy, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Citroen Xsar Picasso.
- Honda will debut a three-door version of its 7th generation Civic at the Geneva Motor Show, Switzerland, on March 1.
- The AUII Falcon XR ute is set to attract even more interest with the release of the 'Pursuit' - a limited edition 200kW XR8 ute or VCT-equipped XR6 ute. The XR8 Pursuit is fitted with the same 5.0 litre V8 that is usually found in its sedan sibling. The sequentially-injected V8 produces 200kW of power at 5000rpm and 420Nm of torque at 3750rpm. The VCT engine fitted to the XR6 Pursuit produces 172kW of power at 5000rpm and 374Nm of torque at 3500rpm. 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with P235/45 ZR17 tyres, as per all XR utes, are standard. The Pursuit is fitted with an aggressive new body kit, polished aluminium sports bar and tonneau cover. A 'Pursuit' badge is located on the body kit rocker moulding. The new body kit will be available as a factory fitted option from March. The limited edition Pursuit utility will retail for an additional $1000 above the recommended retail price of the equivalent XR6 or XR8 utility.
- Citroën has announced that the first 100 Citroën Xsara Coupe VTRs sold in Australia when the first cars hit the show rooms this week will come with $2000 worth of ABS anti lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution free of charge, making the new Coupe's $23,990 price even better value.
- The latest version of the award-winning Alfa Romeo 147 will make its Australian debut in the 2001 Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix (1 - 4 March) just hours after its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.
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