VX Aero in Victoria
The Melbourne-based Commodore and HDT specialist, Autotechnique, is set to increase sales of HDT's newly released Aero Signature Series VX, and will also be responsible for servicing and upgrades. The latest in the legendary stable of Holden cars, the VX Aero is designed for the person who enjoys driving and getting the most out of his car.
Typically, the VX Aero Signature enhancement pack is based on either an Executive or SS sedan, and consists of a comprehensive body kit of front air dam including mesh and fog lamps, side skirts and rear door spats, two-piece rear wing and one piece rear bumper. It rides on either 17 or 18 x 8-inch Milano rims wrapped in meaty Sumitomo tyres with handling enhancement provided by a Sports Suspension package designed to the customer's requirements. Brakes are enhanced with specific HDT sports rotors and pads, while the interior is equipped with a white dash facia, colour coded dash, leather upgrade, and 2-way electric sunroof.
Four engine upgrade packages are available with 255, 265, 275 and 285kW readily available. There are also several optional extras. Of great significance, all HDT Aero packages are complete with the famous HDT insignia, numbered build plate and 21st anniversary badging.
Autotechnique is located at Factory 2/3 Seismic Court, Rowville, Melbourne. Ph 03 9763 1195
Electrifying Pajero Evolution
One of the opening salvos of a new design directive, the Pajero Evolution concept car hints at the shapes of things to come.
Upon joining the company, Mitsubishi's new chief designer and French artisan, Oliver Boulay initiated a new design directive that calls for greater visual emphasis of the passion and enthusiasm that go into every one of its vehicles. The Pajero Evolution concept car is one of the first Mitsubishi cars to express this new approach.
Mitsubishi changed its development philosophy to create a more competitive and exciting car in anticipation of new regulations at the Paris-Dakar.
According to Mitsubishi, the result is the chiselled beauty of a well-trained athlete. The sleek, futuristic expression of sheer driving pleasure at once projects power and emotion. Mitsubishi's trademark three-diamond emblem is enlarged on the rakish front, establishing a link between Mitsubishi's projects stability and dominating performance as well as the multi-functional nature of the car
The Pajero Evolution concept car backs up its unparalleled performance claims with a 3.5-litre V6 MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control) engine and revolutionary chassis technologies, including Super Select 4WD, AYC (Active Yaw Control), and ACD (Active Centre Differential).
European STi WRX
Subaru will release the Impreza WRX STi in Europe. The high-performance, 198kW model features a heavily modified, turbocharged engine with active valve control, new six-speed gearbox and large 17-inch Brembo brakes. The car comes fitted with big 225/45 tires on gold-spoked alloy wheels, uprated suspension and front and rear Suretrac limited-slip differentials.
Two versions of will be available in Europe from January 2002 - a standard STi and a special edition Prodrive Style modified by the British race-engineering company responsible for Subaru's world rally cars. The Prodrive Style features a massive high-riding rear spoiler, newly designed sill spoilers and a deeper, squarer front bumper.
All-Wheel Drive By Wire In Subaru's Concept Car
Subaru has unveiled an All-Wheel Drive mini concept car, the HM-01, featuring petrol engine drive to the front wheels and electrical motor drive to the rear.While the power source is different front and back, both are synchronized electrically, without the need for a propeller shaft running to the rear wheels.Unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show, retro styling cues, including trafficator indicator arms protruding from the A-pillars, distinguish the Subaru HM-01, evoking memories of the 1958 Subaru 360, the company's first car.
The HM-01 uses the front-wheel drive platform from the Japanese domestic market Pleo microcar. Its 658cc petrol engine drives the front wheels via Subaru i-CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The rear wheels are driven by a 42-volt electrical motor system. A central processing unit monitors driving conditions and the throttle position, and distributes power in the most efficient way.
When cruising on the overrun, momentum from the rear wheels is converted into electric power by the alternator in the rear drive unit, which also recharges the battery. The electrical components include a 42-volt system using a readily available, easily recyclable 36-volt sealed lead acid battery. This is used in conjunction with a regular 12-volt unit, a high-power 3kW alternator and a DC-DC converter that takes the power down to 14 volts for the rest of the car's electrical system.
Quickies
- If you are in the market for a new car, make use of our new car information data base and free quote service - AutoSpeed New car Guide.
- With 484,000 vehicles sold in the first 8 months of 2001, Audi has reached a new record. Compared with 442,154 vehicles in 2000 year-to-date, Audi has never before achieved this sales level in the first eight months of a year - equivalent to an increase of 9.5 percent
- The all-new Ford Explorer is set for release to the Australian market in November with a two-model line up that comes standard with a sophisticated independent rear suspension (IRS) system and an optional all-new, all-aluminium, 4.6 litre V8 engine.
- Organisers of the Drive Safely East Coast Classic have been given approval to use the entire Mount Panorama circuit during next year's event. Bathurst Council and local area police have green-lighted 10 stages to be held around the 6.2km track, with the final stage giving competitors two full laps of the legendary circuit. The Drive Safely East Coast Classic, which is sponsored by the NSW Motor Accidents Authority, is one event affected by recently introduced police requirements for public-road motorsport in NSW. However, the sport's governing body, CAMS, is negotiating with the NSW Police to resolve the issue. The Classic's clerk of course, Wayne Kenny, who is well-known to Australian rally competitors through his involvement with the Rally of Canberra and other special-stage events, is in constant contact with the negotiations and is optimistic a solution will be found to keep all parties happy.
- Holden has released a sports performance version of its popular Astra hatch. The three-door Astra SRi features the new generation 2.2-litre engine, a streamlined body kit, a high level of standard equipment and customised interior. This distinctive new model heads the Holden Astra range. More information: "Holden Launches The Sprited Astra Sri"
- Toyota Motor Corp retained its status as top earner of taxable income for the second year in a row in fiscal 2000, according to rankings of the top 50 corporate Japanese earners released last week. Toyota topped the rankings with taxable income of 679.15 billion yen, up 40.6 percent from the previous year. It is the 20th time that Japan's largest automaker has retained the top spot since the agency began compiling the rankings in 1952.
- The Orbital Engine Corporation and Delphi Automotive Systems have announced that General Motors has unveiled a new V8 engine incorporating Orbital and Delphi technology. The global V8 concept engine, the XV8, provides a showcase for several advanced technologies, including an air-assisted direct injection gasoline system developed by Orbital and Delphi. The air-assisted direct injection system is integrated into a unique three-valve cylinder head design with dual cams in the block, enabling optimal positioning of the injector and spark plug in the centre of the combustion chamber.
- French automotive components manufacturer Valeo said it has won a contract worth "several hundred million" euros from Ford Motor Co of the US for electronic parking sensors. In a statement at the Frankfurt car show, Valeo said its Ultrasonic Park Assist system will be used by two planned Ford new cars.
- General Motors expects to mass produce fuel cell cars by the end of the decade, said Matthew Fronk, a senior executive at the company last week. "We see a path to volume production within this decade, probably around 2008-2010," Matthew Fronk, chief engineer of fuel cell systems at General Motors, the world's largest carmaker, told a fuel cell conference in London.
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