Audi Launches All New A4 in Australia
A new generation Audi A4 will go on sale in Australia in July 2001.
Initially, Audi Australia Pty Ltd will launch the A4 with a new 2.0-litre (96kW) engine with the choice of manual and multitronic (continuously variable) transmission. The popular 1.8-litre Turbo quattro model, with 110kW, will also be available at launch. A new 3.0-litre engine will be added to the range in late 2001. Two versions of this 160kW V6 will be available, including a 3.0-litre multitronic and a 3.0 quattro Tiptronic. An Avant version of the new A4 will be available in Europe in September 2001 and in Australia in the first half of 2002.
The new generation Audi A4 saloon is priced between $47,400 and $84,500.
'Holden Assist' Introduced On Statesman International
Buyers of the latest limited edition Holden Statesman International will be among the first in Australia to experience the benefits of a new era in on-board communications. Holden is using the luxurious Statesman International as a platform to launch an innovative system known as Holden Assist, which offers drivers a range of in-car support services at the touch of a button.
The Holden Assist in-car communications system is operated by a series of controls that are neatly integrated with the rear view mirror. Touching a button will put the driver or passenger in direct phone contact with a Holden Assist Centre that is manned 24 hours a day. The system can also remotely unlock doors on command, diagnose low battery voltage, detect unauthorised entry, track and immobilise the vehicle if stolen and automatically notify authorities of an airbag deployment.
Roadside Assistance: If this is required, the Holden Assist operator will arrange to have a service technician sent to the location of the vehicle, which can be verified via its global positioning system.
Remote Door Unlock: If keys are accidentally locked in the car, Holden Assist can remotely unlock the vehicle once the identity of the driver has been validated.
Low Battery Alert: If the car's battery voltage drops to a certain level, it will send a Low Battery Voltage Alert to the Holden Assist Centre. Operators will then attempt to contact the driver, using details supplied, and advise of the situation. If a jump-start or new battery is required, Holden Assist will facilitate it.
Unauthorised Entry Alert: If a break-in is attempted or made, Holden Assist can contact the vehicle. If the occupant is unable to supply the password, the car's owner will be contacted and advised of the situation.
Vehicle Tracking and Immobilisation: If the vehicle is stolen, Holden Assist can locate and track it using global positioning system technology. If required and instructed by Police, the operator can remotely immobilise the stolen vehicle.
Accident Alert and Notification: If the vehicle is involved in a collision severe enough to trigger airbag deployment, the Holden Assist system will automatically contact the National Emergency Response Centre (NERC). The NERC operator will then attempt to make voice contact with the driver, and if unable to make contact, or if requested to do so by the driver, will contact the appropriate emergency services.
Emergency Connection: In the event of an emergency situation, or if the driver finds himself or herself threatened, the National Emergency Response Centre can be contacted by pressing the SOS button. NERC operators will then initiate voice contact with the occupant and notify Police if required.
MG Rover New Luxury High Performance Sports Car
MG Rover has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of the Italian subsidiary of Qvale Automotive Group. The company, based in Modena, Northern Italy and employing 70 people, manufactures the Mangusta sports car.
Using the outstanding chassis and engineering of the Qvale project, coupled to a 4.6 litre V8 powertrain producing up to 380hp, MG Rover is designing a new luxury high performance sports car. Today the first design sketch is revealed of the new car, code-named MG X80 and styled by MG Rover's world-renowned design director Peter Stevens.
The MG X80 will be launched in 2002, giving the MG brand a world-class product in the high performance luxury sports car sector. Both coupe and roadster versions are planned with manual and automatic transmissions. The new car will be positioned above the existing MGF roadster, the new MG sports saloons and sports wagon that will be launched in the UK this summer.
Kevin Howe, chief executive of the MG Rover Group, said: "The MG X80 will be an excellent fit at the top of our family of MG cars. It also provides an opportunity to look at markets where we are not currently represented, in particular the USA market, the world's largest sports car market, where we can now seriously evaluate the full potential for the MG brand."
Bruce Qvale, president of Qvale Automotive Group said: "MG Rover showed an interest in our Mangusta car project in Modena and we have agreed a good deal for both sides. The power of the MG brand now takes the project forward on a global basis."
Like all new products from the UK, the MG X80 will be evaluated for the Australian market but an announcement is not expected for some time. MG, together with the new Rover 75 luxury sedan, is distributed here by MG Rover Australia, a division of the Classic Motoring Group.
New Compact Honda
Honda Motor Co today launched a new subcompact car that boasts new advancements in small car crashworthiness, fuel efficiency, performance and cabin space.
The Fit is the first of Honda's Small Max vehicles to combine a new global small car platform and the new-generation i-VTEC engines. Its 1.3-litre 63kW i-DSI engine employs Honda's intensive combustion technology to achieve a world-class 4.35 litres per 100km, a figure that meets 2010 Japanese fuel economy standards.
Honda has made the combustion chambers as compact as possible by adopting narrower valve angles and other refinements. The i-DSI engine uses an innovative dual spark plug system for maximum combustion efficiency and a combustion chamber engineered to promote greater swirl of the air-fuel mixture. The engine also uses friction reducing molybdenum-impregnated piston skirts, a rear port exhaust system and oblique-feed catalytic converter. It is also 8 per cent lighter and more compact than previous 1.3-litre Honda engines.
Honda's new small car has a unique layout including a centrally located petrol tank that not only allows more cabin flexibility, but also improves crashworthiness. The fuel tank is enclosed on all sides by cross-members and the floor frame to ensure high body rigidity. Further rigidity is gained with a front arched side frame that extends into tunnel-shaped front cross members. The new small car meets the highest safety standards despite its compact dimensions. Enhanced by Honda's G-control technology, the body can withstand a full-frontal barrier collision at 55km/h, a side offset collision at 64km/h, side impacts at 55km/h and rear collisions at 50 km/h.
Inside, the new small car is fitted with padding to protect the heads of occupants and seats that cushion impacts to the neck. Dual airbags are standard. Left and right rear seats with ISO FIX-compliant child seat installation bars are also standard, while the exterior incorporates pedestrian safety measures to minimise head and lower-body injuries.
Flexible front and rear seats take advantage of the substantial interior space with four easily configured seating arrangements. The 60:40 split rear seats can be folded flat - complete with headrests - creating a low-floored 1,720mm-long cargo area. The front passenger seat can be fully reclined to increase this space to 2,400mm in length. Taller items are accommodated by removing the seating section of the rear seats, while the front seats can be fully reclined with the headrests removed for maximum space.
The Honda Fit is now on sale in Japan.
Quickies
- Proton Cars Australia has confirmed its support for the Proton Rally Trophies one make rally series in conjunction with the Australian Rally Championship with the announcement of backing and a significant prize pool for both this year and in 2002. Proton will offer a prize pool of $15,000 for the Proton Rally Trophy in 2001 along with a drive in a 1600 Satria in the 2002 series. Clarion Car Audio has also signed on as a major sponsor of the Proton Rally trophy for the next two years. The Proton Rally Trophy is a control series for Proton Satria 1.3 litres, with strict cost and specification controls in place to ensure even competition.
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