Honda HR-Sea Makes a Splash
A Honda HR-V has taken to the water as the newest exhibit at the Melbourne Aquarium - as a 2500-litre fish tank. Dubbed HR-Sea, A Fish Called Honda, the HR-V fish tank is a brainchild of the Melbourne Aquarium. The HR-Sea has been converted from a production car to an aquatic haven by a team of engineers and students from Kangan Batman TAFE.
The team had to overcome a number of technical challenges to make the HR-V completely watertight and fit for marine habitation. The engine and gearbox were stripped from the HR-V, before waterproofing was completed with a plastic polymer normally used to seal swimming pools and grain storage silos. The HR-V's glass windows were replaced with shatterproof 12mm acrylic strong enough to withstand the pressure from 2500 litres of water. Car windows are normally designed for external pressure, but in the HR-Sea's case, pressure is exerted from the inside. As a result, the window frames were modified to allow the acrylic windows to be secured from inside the car. Lighting was also added via concealed windows cut from the car body, and all life support equipment has been concealed beneath the HR-Sea bonnet. Despite its extensive modification, the HR-Sea's headlights still operate normally.
Honda Australia Deputy Managing Director Neal Robertson says HR-Sea is another activity that is synonymous with Honda's technology-pioneering history and sense of fun. "We were immediately attracted to the aquatic HR-V idea - the technology involved appealed to Honda's sense of innovation and challenging spirit," he said.
The HR-Sea will be on display at the Melbourne Motor Show from 1-12 March, until it returns to the Melbourne Aquarium as a permanent display.
Mitsubishi's New Management Vision
Mitsubishi Motors Australia's Managing Director, Mr Tom Phillips, said that the contents of the outline of Mitsubishi's new management vision did not come as a surprise to him.
"The conversations I had when I was in Japan a couple of weeks ago indicated that the Australian operations would not be featured in the release of the vision, or when the detail is announced next month. I expect that the part that Australia will play in the international jigsaw will become known later in the year when the integrated global product plan is finalised," Mr Phillips said.
The vision outlined by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) President and CEO, Mr Takashi Sonobe, and COO, Mr Rolf Eckrodt in Tokyo today focussed on Japanese activities and said that the Company's turnaround would be driven by:
- Material cost savings of 15% by 2003,
- Production capacity reduction by at least 20% (the closing of one out of four car assembly plants in Japan is under consideration),
- Reduction of headcount by 14% (approximately 9,500 people) which will be achieved through capacity reductions, outsourcing and optimised business and administration process,
- Focus on core business, and reduction of the number of car platforms (for example, the discontinuation of the Japanese Proudia/Dignity models),
- Enhanced customer service through better dealership relations,
- Implementation of a new quality management system to achieve sustained quality procedures and products,
- New organisational structure to be announced by April 1, 2001
Maserati 3200GT Assetto Corsa
Inspired by owners' desire for a racier version of the record selling Maserati 3200GT coupé, Maserati has unveiled the latest model in its blossoming line-up, the limited edition 3200GT Assetto Corsa. Translated from Italian, 'Corsa' means track and 'Assetto' means handling. Therefore, the limited edition 3200GT Assetto Corsa has emphasised the sporting character of the 3200GT, with the majority of development work being on handling and braking performances. Unlike others, Maserati has decided that extra performance doesn't mean less comfort. The 3200GT Assetto Corsa continues to surround its four adult occupants in luxury, with a sporty new Connelly sports leather interior.
The additional features of the Assetto Corsa are as follows;
- Electronic adaptive sports suspension - switchable with 17 individual settings
- Firmer anti-roll bars
- Firmer race springs
- Ride height lowered 15mm
- Pirelli P-Zero Corsa soft mix tyres
- Racing brake pads (Yellow Pagid RS421)
- Red brake calipers
- Carbon Fibre brake ducts
- Firmer steering rack
- Brake servo setting increased for faster response
- Aluminium race pedals
- Anthracite BBS 18 inch alloys
- Customised Connelly sports glove leather interior
- Individually numbered in aluminium sill panel
- Available in 3 special colours, Grigio Touring, Grigio Alfieri and Rosso Mondiale
Deliveries of the Assetto Corsa start in August 2001. Final pricing will be released in the coming months, but expectations are around $15,000 above the standard 3200GT retail pricing.
Mitsubishi Lancer and Mirage Kits
People buying Mitsubishi's extremely popular Lancer coupe and Mirage hatch can now add style and dash to the lines of their cars with the release of full body kits produced by the company.
The kits comprise front and rear bumper skirts, side skirts, fender flares and a rear spoiler, which give the cars a more aggressive appearance. Manufactured from high performance polymer alloy the kits are lightweight, resist cracking on impact as well as stone damage, and are tough and flexible. Importantly also, the kit parts do not need drilling to affix them, thereby reducing the potential for corrosion.
Mitsubishi is offering a full 3 year/100,000 km warranty if the parts are fitted to a new vehicle, and they may be purchased individually or as a full kit.
Ford Used Car Sales on the Web
Ford Motor Company and South East Queensland Ford dealers have launched a new approach to used car sales, establishing an official Ford Pre-Owned Showroom on the internet. The site, www.fordpreowned.com.au offers customers a convenient way to choose from a limited range of Ford company-owned vehicles that meet strict quality guidelines. Ford E-Business Manager, David Katic, said the site was a first for the Australian motor industry.
"Ford Pre-Owned allows you to do the initial shopping around in the comfort of your own home. But you still have the option of test-driving the vehicle you select at a nominated Ford dealer," he said. "All the vehicles in the program are factory-endorsed with Ford warranty and recommended driveaway pricing," he said.
The on-line purchase process is simple:
- The prospective buyer logs on to the site, searches for and selects a vehicle, then nominates a Ford dealer for a test drive and places a "hold" on the vehicle by providing a refundable $250 credit card security.
- The opening page of the website features a number of models and price ranges.
- Customers can specify the model they are looking for and/or their price range.
- The site then calls up a list of vehicles that fit the criteria and features information such as colour, recommended driveaway price and mileage.
- Once a customer has selected a specific car, the next page features images of the vehicle, its build date, transmission, the amount of factory warranty remaining and any equipment highlights. There is also a calculator for working out finance repayments.
- All cars carry the balance of Ford's three-year, 100,000km warranty and buyers are given a three-day money back guarantee on the purchase.
One Million Audi Vehicles Sold with quattro Drive
More than a million Audi customers have purchased permanent all-wheel drive since the original quattro was first exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 1980 - and the trend is still continuing to grow upwards!
Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman of the AUDI AG Board of Management, handed over the one millionth Audi with permanent all-wheel drive, an allroad quattro, to the Central President of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), Franz Stämpfli, on the occasion of the 71st Geneva Motor Show. "We will be using the allroad quattro for SAC mountain rescue, which is celebrating its centenary this year, and also in the field of Alpine training", commented Franz Stämpfli. "The quattro driveline is one of the most successful Audi concepts ever. It has played a big part in establishing our good reputation on the world market", says Audi's Chairman Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen.
With a market share of more than 25 percent, Audi is the market leader in the all-wheel-drive passenger car sector in Germany, and also in Europe as a whole, where its market share is over 13 percent. By the end of 2000, Audi had boosted the quattro's share of total production to 30.8 percent (1999: 27 percent). Overall, the quattro's share has more than doubled since 1997, evidence of the popularity of this proactive driveline which unites safe and sporty driving.
In the USA in particular, Audi's most important export market, the quattro's share of sales has reached an all time high at almost 90 percent.
In Australia, sales of quattro vehicles are around one-third of all vehicles sold.
The quattro driveline's triumphant progress began with the original Audi quattro. Victories by Michèle Mouton, Walter Röhrl, Stig Blomqvist and Hannu Mikkola in rallying from 1981 to 1987 contributed above all to the quattro's growing popularity. The Audi A4 quattro alone carried off seven international touring car championships in 1996, including victory in Australia.
The latest high point in the quattro model program was the market launch in Europe last year of the Audi allroad quattro, which combines the advantages of both a roadgoing saloon and an off-road vehicle. The allroad quattro was officially launched in Australia last week, with first deliveries to customers expected towards the end of March 2001. In addition, Audi's S3, S4, RS4, S6 and S8 sports models and the Audi TT with 165 kW/225 bhp are sold exclusively with the quattro driveline.
Audi is an international developer and manufacturer of high-quality cars. The company maintains production sites in Germany, Hungary, Brazil, China and South Africa. In 2000, Audi sold more than 650,000 cars, bringing in sales revenues of around DM 39 billion (including Autogerma). The Audi Group has around 50,000 employees.
Australian Fuel Economy Milestone
Fuel economy expert Hans Tholstrup has set a new Australian fuel consumption record of 43.5 kilometres per litre after driving the revolutionary Honda Insight more than 1700km from Brisbane to Melbourne on just 37.75 litres of fuel. That is equivalent to achieving 128.4 miles per gallon in the old currency. The Honda Insight - the world's most fuel efficient petrol-powered production car - averaged 46km per litre during the trip. Tholstrup drove with the windows up and no air-conditioning, with cabin temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, in two shifts of five hours each per day - the maximum allowed under regulations for the challenge.
The advanced Honda Insight uses a hybrid petrol/electric powertrain and has achieved a world's best consumption figure of 2.8 litres/100 km (highway cycle) and 3.6 litres/100 km (city cycle) according to Australian standard tests. Key to the Insight's fuel efficiency is Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) which combines a lightweight, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder VTEC ULEV engine and an ultra-thin electric motor to produce 56kW of power. This is housed in a lightweight body with an ultra-low coefficient of drag of just 0.25Cd, making it one of the world's most aerodynamic mass-produced cars, which contributes to the Insight's phenomenal fuel efficiency.
In these days of people's concern about the high price of fuel, it is worth noting that the Honda Insight cost only 2.15 cents per kilometre - making it not only Australia's most fuel-efficient car but the cheapest to run.
Quickies
- With the unanimous agreement of the competing teams, the World Motor Sport Council has approved the following changes to the Formula One Technical and Sporting Regulations:
- a driver start abort system to come into force on January 1, 2002
- a system capable of warning teams and drivers that a speed limit will be enforced on specific parts of the track to come into force on January 1, 2002
- a collision warning system to come into force on January 1, 2003.
- a system capable of warning teams and drivers that a specific speed profile will be enforced on the whole track to come into force on January 1, 2003. This system will replace the safety car.
- the size of the rear view mirrors will increase from 120x50mm to 150x50mm on January 1, 2002.
A number of engine control parameters will no longer be restricted, these include:
- throttle, ignition and fuel settings, thus permitting the use of a traction control system;
- pit lane speed limiter;
- engine rev limiter.
- clutch control during gear changes will no longer be restricted.
- Subaru Australia will use Melbourne International Motor Show to gauge public reaction to the cross-over Subaru Outback Sport, which could become a
permanent part of its range if feedback is positive. Based on the new model Impreza hatch, the Outback Sport would fit in the range between Impreza and Forester.
- "Maserati is an important reality on the automotive scene, as is evident in the state-of-the-art production facilities in the Viale Ciro Menotti factory in Modena, or from behind the wheel of the 3200 GT. The new Maserati web site reflects the company's new-found vitality, giving users both a detailed insight into the company's rich heritage, and a glimpse of its future programmes," commented the Maserati's President, Luca di Montezemolo, at the launch of the company's new web site (www.maserati.it).
- Subaru today confirmed the much-anticipated twin-turbo Liberty B4 sedan will be sold in Australia from late August this year. After 18 months of evaluation and tailoring for Australian conditions, Subaru is now taking orders for the high-performance Liberty B4. Liberty B4 features a 2.0 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine linked to Subaru's trademark All-Wheel Drive. It produces nearly 20 per cent more power than the Impreza WRX's single turbo-charged engine. Liberty B4 will be available with a five-speed manual transmission only and has a sports leather interior, premium McIntosh sound system and unique alloy wheels. It will be available in a limited colour range and pricing has yet to be finalized.
- The new luxury Rover 75 and the recently expanded MGF sports car range are distributed by a new company, MG Rover Australia, a division of the well established and highly successful Classic Motoring Group. Agreement with the newly independent MG Rover Group in the UK was reached last year for Sydney-based MG Rover Australia to become the exclusive importer of new MG and Rover cars to this country.
- Improved NVH, sharper styling, more equipment and extra safety features are said to make the 2001 Honda Accord smoother, quieter and more refined. Leather becomes a standard feature on all Accords, including VTi-L and V6. But the Accord's biggest changes lie under the skin. Up to 20 anti-noise and vibration measures have improved road and engine noise suppression. These measures include improved insulation, liquid-filled engine mounts, improved door and window seals, a more refined air intake and improved driveshaft dynamic damper.
- Volkswagen Group Australia will contest the 2001 Australian GTP Production Car Racing Championship with two New Beetle RSi models. Drivers will be 28 year-old Matthew Coleman from Melbourne, Victoria and 24 year-old Tim Leahey who lives in Orange, NSW. The Volkswagen Racing team will be based at Volkswagen Group Australia's corporate headquarters in Alexandria, NSW.
- The South Australian team of Adelaide knee surgeon, Greg Keene and navigator Richard Geue have scored an historic victory in the five-day, 2001 Trading Post Grand Prix Rally, with official results announced in Melbourne this afternoon. Driving a lightweight Porsche 911 GT3, they finished 47 points ahead of five-times winner Jim Richards and navigator Lis Burgess driving a new Porsche 911 Turbo in the 2000km Rally to the Qantas Australian Grand Prix
- Renault, Europe's most popular brand, has announced the preview of its new Australian range at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Renault's re-entry to the Australian market is being accomplished as part of the brand development of Renault's Asia Pacific Division and with the strong support of its Japanese business partner, Nissan Motor Co. The Global Alliance between Renault and Nissan Motor Co. places Renault in an excellent position to establish and quickly develop its market presence in Australia.
- Nissan will preview the all-new European-styled Pulsar Hatchback model at the Melbourne International Motor Show 1st - 12th March 2001. Scheduled to go on sale midway through 2001, Australia's new Pulsar hatchback variants will be manufactured at Nissan's multi-award-winning plant at Sunderland in the North of England. The car on show in Melbourne is a British market model, which is called Almera in that market and throughout Europe. The success of the hatch in Europe has meant Nissan Australia has been forced to wait for production availability of the N16 Pulsar hatch. The N16 Pulsar sedan currently on sale in Australia is produced in Japan and will continue to be sourced from there.
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