The Lights Were Dazzling At Darling Harbour Last

John Mellor's
October 13, 2004 No. No. 259180
The lights were dazzling at Darling Harbour last week, as Australia’s auto brands brought out their fi nest
produce and some stunning new concepts. See our coverage throughout this issue.
Bold future
for Avalon
THE replacement for Toyota’s unloved Avalon large
car will be styled locally and aimed specifi cally at
the Australian market.
And Toyota Australia appears set to back up the
unique look by making the car its prime V6 model,
while the next Camry will be predominantly fourcylinder.
The new V6 engine is expected to grow from
the current 3.0-litre capacity to either 3.3 or 3.5litres
and be mated to a fi ve-speed
automatic transmission.
The unique styling and larger
engine shape is Toyota Australia’s
best chance yet to achieve a sizeable
chunk of Australia’s big selling
large car market against Holden
Commodore and Ford Falcon.
Avalon was launched with
much fanfare in 2000 but has never
managed to hit the initial sales
forecast of 2000 per month. In 2004
it has averaged 486 sales per month.
“The Avalon from day one,
in spite of its rather controversial introduction,
created exactly what we wanted,” Toyota Australia
e GoAuto -news
Nick Hogios
carsales.com.au
EXCLUSIVE
by BRUCE NEWTON
executive chairman John Conomos said at the
Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last
Thursday.
“There is an awareness of Toyota in large cars.
You all knew that from day one. The issue whether
the car was popular in terms of style
was another story.
“The car was popular in terms of
its quality, its driveability and userfriendliness.
The Avalon has positioned
us as having a chance to participate in a
segment of sedans-only large cars.
“So we intend to capitalise on that
with the replacement car.”
As part of this dramatic revamp,
it also seems that Toyota Australia is
debating whether the Avalon name will
carry on.
“We will consider everything,” said
Mr Conomos. “We are considering many things,
we have not decided that yet.”
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The fi nishing touches to the Avalon replacement’s
design are being made now in Japan by Toyota
Style Australia’s Nick Hogios.
Mr Hogios’ presence in Japan had previously
been linked with work on the next generation
Camry world car due on sale globally (including
Australia) by early 2006.
Although there’s no doubt Mr Hogios has
contributed to the development of the new Camry
and some unique Australian fl ourishes for that vital
international model, Toyota sources confi rm his
priority is the Avalon replacement.
The current local Avalon is a superseded
American design. Its replacement’s looks have been
the subject of much debate within Toyota Australia,
with various international choices eventually
rejected in favour of coming up with a localised
exterior and interior.
That Toyota headquarters has allowed the design
to be headed up by Mr Hogios – albeit based in
Japan – is a huge achievement and recognises the
level of respect TSA is garnering.
“Yes, it is Aussie-designed,” said Mr Conomos,
speaking about the Avalon replacement.
Continued next page
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Just for fun
Mazda unveils fi rst
phase of 'extreme
car' program
Avalon is primed for battle
Continued from previous page
“Yes, it will be introduced but at a slightly
later date than the Camry and the Camry
principally will be four-cylinder.”
The new Avalon will roll out in Australia
late in 2006, manufactured alongside Camry
at the Altona plant and based on Camry’s
updated international architecture, rather
than the localised TMP the current cars use.
That means a slightly longer wheelbase
than the current Camry and Avalon. The
cars will share identical hard points, but
signifi cantly different sheetmetal. Toyota
Australia had hopes of also stretching the
Avalon replacement’s wheelbase but that
John Mellor's
By GAUTAM SHARMA
MAZDA Australia has remained true to its word
in building its own stove-hot RX-8 super car as a
one-off show special and insisting – for now – the
turbocharged Motorsport Concept unveiled in Sydney
last week was just “for fun”.
As GoAuto revealed in an interview with Mazda
Australia boss Doug Dickson in July, the company’s
resident motorsport guru Allan Horsley has been
working on such a concept for several months now
– and a limited production run would be considered if
there was a strong enough response.
But on the show stand Mr Horsley was adamant
the RX-8 turbo was produced purely to “show what
we can do”, with no intention to offer even a handful
for sale.
“We certainly wouldn’t build 20 to go racing, but
we will build another one in a couple of weeks. It’s
not that diffi cult to do things on a one-off basis, but
it becomes more complicated to do volumes as you
e
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have to offer parts and service back-up,” he said.
Nonetheless, Mazda Australia isn’t averse to head
offi ce picking up the ball and running with it – as it
belatedly did with the MX-5 SE, which was inspired
by the Horsley-built MX-5 SP turbo circa 2002.
“We’re not going to hide what we’ve done, the
technology is freely available,” Mr Horsley said.
“We’d be delighted if Japan picked up the idea.”
Competitive action was also not out of the question,
he said.
“We’re talking to some people at Targa Tasmania
and we feel it could be an outright contender there.
has gone by the wayside.
A long wheelbase Avalon would have
gone hand-in-hand with a Middle East export
program, where it would have fi tted neatly
with the popular Camry.
But Mr Conomos confi rmed there were
no export plans for the Avalon replacement,
although he hinted that may come down the
track.
“We have no plans on export of that car.
Not yet. We are not planning to export it from
day one.”
The international architecture is also
all-wheel drive capable, but this does not
appear to be part of the plan at this stage.
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CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 2
Mr Dickson added that the RX-8 concept is the
fi rst phase of an “extreme car” program.
“The idea behind ‘extreme cars’ is not just added
acceleration and all that goes with that formula. An
idea could involve any present Mazda model. We
have, for example, discussed an extreme B Series that
would showcase its comfort, refi nement and off-road
ability,” Mr Dickson said
The RX-8 Motorsport Concept’s Renesis rotary
engine is equipped with a water-cooled Garret
turbocharger (running 7.5psi of boost pressure) and
a large air-to-air intercooler. The engine is expected
to develop about 270kW and 350Nm when fully
sorted.
Braking is by an Alcon six piston racing system
comprising 335mm vented and grooved discs. Other
mechanical upgrades include a smaller but more
powerful battery and a larger core radiator.
Visually, the RX-8 concept stands apart from
the “cooking” model via its Mazdaspeed nose with
integrated spoiler and gaping air intake, as well as a
large adjustable rear wing.
It rides on white-painted, 19x8-inch alloy wheels
shod with 235/35 tyres at the front and chunky
255/35s at the rear to help relay the added grunt to
the tarmac. Mazda says the car’s revised suspension,
which drops ride height by 25mm, reduces body roll
and sharpens steering response.
As for how much the conversion costs, no one at
Mazda is saying.
Auto-I.T.
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By GAUTAM SHARMA
LAND Rover’s next generation Freelander, due in
2006, will be a substantially improved vehicle that
addresses the key limitations of the current model,
according to design director Geoff Upex.
Speaking exclusively to GoAuto at the Australian
International Motor Show, Mr Upex identifi ed the
existing Freelander’s shortcomings as being in the
areas of “powertrain, poor luggage space and a
non-height-adjustable driver seat”.
These handicaps and a high price vis-a-vis its
rivals have meant the Freelander has remained a
niche player in the booming Australian compact
off-roader segment. But it has fared well in Europe
and Land Rover managing director Matthew Taylor
said the heavily facelifted version launched late last
year had increased sales there by 11 per cent.
Mr Upex revealed the all-new Freelander is
close to being signed off, which indicates it may
be unveiled at next September’s Frankfurt motor
show, if not sooner. It is likely to go on sale in
Europe in early 2006 and should arrive here later
that year.
As with the current Freelander, the new vehicle
will be built on a monocoque chassis – in all
likelihood a derivative of the C1 platform that
underpins the Volvo S40/V50, Mazda3 and new
Ford Focus. This platform is also expected to form
the basis for the imminent Volvo XC50 all-terrain
vehicle.
Although unconfi rmed by Mr Upex,
it is believed the new Freelander
will use Volvo-sourced engines,
including the fi ve-cylinder units
that power the S40 and V50. The
2.4-litre normally aspirated version
produces 125kW and 230Nm, while
the 2.5-litre turbo variant pumps out 162kW
and 320Nm. Of course, the engine line-up will also
include diesel powerplants – perhaps borrowed
from elsewhere in the Ford parts bin.
Transmission choices are expected to include fi ve
and six-speed manuals and a CVT (continuously
variable transmission). The Freelander will also
LAND Rover’s heavyweight new
Discovery 3 SUV will be trimmed during
the course of its life, the company’s
global managing director Matthew Taylor
said at the Australian International
Motor Show.
The latest Disco, which goes on sale
here in April 2005, weighs in at a range
between 2486 and 2718kg.
While much else about the new
vehicle has drawn praise, this aspect
has created media controversy and
criticism.
GoAuto e-news pioneer a new 4WD system developed by Haldex.
The Haldex system is expected to debut in the
Volvo S40/V50, but the Freelander will use a more
sophisticated version that is more capable off-road.
Mr Upex was tight-lipped on the subject.
The new Freelander may derive its styling
inspiration from a Land Rover design study
unveiled earlier this year. It is
believed the concept also points
the way to a new mini-SUV
that will be positioned below
the Freelander in Land Rover’s
line-up.
European sources suggest
that production of the next Freelander
will be switched from Solihull to Halewood on
Merseyside, where it will be made alongside
Jaguars. This would be consistent with Ford’s
efforts to cut costs by sharing as much as possible
between marques.
Meanwhile, Mr Upex said the imminent Range
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 3
Fix is in for
Freelander
Geoff Upex with what is believed to be an early sketch of the next Freelander.
“I would sincerely hope it gets lighter,”
Mr Taylor said. “If not, I will be having
discussions with the engineers.”
But Mr Taylor made it clear that he was
“comfortable” about the Disco’s launch
weight level.
“At the end of the day we built
some very clear priorities into the
performance of this car and we have met
those priorities,” he said.
“At the end of the day what you have
to look at is are you delivering the
customers' expectations?”
Rover Sport would set a new standard for on-road
performance for a Land Rover, competing against
the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5.
But Mr Upex is adamant it won’t be a soft-roader.
“It has to be capable off-road, because that’s
expected of anything wearing a Land Rover
badge,” he said.
Derived from the composite monocoque/ladderframe
chassis that underpins the new Discovery,
the newcomer harks back to the original two-door
Range Rover of the 1970s.
Performance will be a strong point with the
range-topper using Jaguar’s 4.2-litre supercharged
V8. The Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged, as
it is expected to be badged, will be the fastest Land
Rover ever, with a near-240km/h top speed and a
0-100km/h time of less than seven seconds.
Other engines in the line-up are likely to be a
140kW turbo-diesel 2.7-litre V6 and a 220kW 4.4litre
V8. Both these units are offered in the new
Discovery.
Weight loss program awaits Discovery 3
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HSV racing
project
HSV didn’t just content
itself with launching the
6.0-litre Z Series at the
Australian International
Motor Show in Sydney
last week. It also showed
this aggressive GTS/R
racing project.
The GTS/R combines
a sexed-up version
of the Coupe 4 allwheel
drive’s body, a hot
335kW/605Nm 6.0-litre LS2 drivetrain and a
race-tuned chassis into a package that HSV hopes can form the
basis of a one-make series for aspiring V8 Supercar drivers.
However, it is at pains to stress the car is not a replacement for
the ill-fated HRT 427 that was shown in Sydney two years ago
and later killed off when the cost of bringing it to production
blew out.
The difference here is that GTS/R is not going to be a road-going
project. HSV forecasts opportunities including racing series
here and overseas, as ‘thrill’ ride cars in a new venture with
Phillip Island racing circuit, in an executive-based ‘reality racing’
program and as investments for wealthy individuals.
The race orientation of the GTS/R is refl ected by the engine’s
forged pistons with billet conrods, double row timing chains,
high lift camshaft, roller rockers and recalibrated ECU.
The suspension includes lightweight chrome-moly tubular front
crossmember, lightweight cast aluminium lower control arm and
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By GAUTAM SHARMA and
BRUCE NEWTON
THE managing directors of both Volkswagen Group
Australia and Audi Australia are leaving their positions,
although the moves are not thought to be linked.
And although Audi will soon join its fellow Volkswagen
Group brand at its new Botany headquarters in
Sydney, there is little prospect that a PAG-style structure
with an overall managing director running both divisions
will be created.
VGA managing director Peter Nochar, who came here
from the VW Japanese national sales company in 2001,
resigned rather than be transferred out of Australia.
But outgoing Audi boss Graham Hardy, by contrast,
will stay with the Volkswagen Group and move on to
running another national sales company for one of its
brands somewhere, although he is not sure where.
Mr Nochar said: “We’ve done all the stuff we set out
to do when I started (at VGA). They (VW head offi ce)
thought it was time to for me to move on.
“There were murmurings about (sending me to)
Dubai. I said I really didn’t want to go anywhere.”
Mr Nochar said he would consider managerial
positions outside the automotive industry.
“I wouldn’t say no to something else, but I haven’t
even tidied up my CV yet,” he said.
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 4
knuckle, relocated top strut mount and Öhlins struts
incorporating rebound and low and high speed compression
adjustment.
The braking system is provided by AP Racing and includes
374mm front Carbon Ceramic cross-drilled rotors clamped by
six-piston callipers.
Filling the wheel arches are 19 x 9-inch and 19 x 9.5-inch threepiece
ROH wheels with Bridgestone 245 x 35ZR19 and 275 x
30ZR19 performance/race tyres. Above the left rear wheel arch is
a race style dry brake fuel fi ller.
The fi rst orders to be fi lled are two cars for the Malaysian Grand
Prix Commission and four cars for Phillip Island. They will be
delivered within three months at an anticipated cost of between
$150,000 and $200,000.
– BRUCE NEWTON
Audi, VW bosses move on
Graham Hardy
Peter Nochar
HSV GTS/R
“I’ve had a few twists and turns (in my career), but
they always work out for the best”
Mr Nochar’s replacement will not be decided until
a VGA board meeting in November. For the moment,
VGA fi nance director Rainer Grimm has taken up the
role.
Mr Hardy will be replaced by Jörg Hofmann, currently
director sales and marketing, Asia and Pacifi c region.
Mr Hardy, who took up his post in 2001, departs in
January.
“I will be moving on to a fresh assignment with the
Volkswagen top management structure,” Mr Hardy
said.
“It’s not yet fi nalised exactly where, although there
are several options on the table.”
Both men leave their positions as sales look certain
to slide backward from 2003 levels, but much of that is
being blamed on the dry-up of old models as run-outs
extended.
“The Australian market is a very tough one,” said
Mr Nochar.
“Managing the expectations of head offi ce is very
diffi cult. VGA still has ambitions of selling 20,000 cars
a year. The Touareg, new Golf and new Bora (due late
next year) will be the key players.
“If I’ve achieved one thing during my tenure, it’s to
ensure that our cars are well priced.”
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More in store from
Toyota Inc.
EXPECT the greater Toyota Australia group to
launch six signifi cant new models in 2005.
Toyota itself will update to the all-new IMVbased
HiLux and the HiAce commercial, with a
new RAV4 and Echo coming later (below).
Lexus showed off the new GS430 in Sydney that
goes on sale next March, alongside the GS300,
while Daihatsu replaces the Sirion.
All-new Alfas
are on the way
ALFA Romeo had the gorgeous 8C Competizione
as its star, but the next production car due here
will be the facelifted 147 (below), to be launched
in Melbourne next year sans the GTA version,
which comes later.
Following on from that will be the 157, which
will be previewed at the AIMS in 2005.
The stunning Brera, which replaces both GTV
and Spider, should get here in 2006, along with
the all-new 167 and 148.
The 8C, unfortunately, will not be coming our
way as it is left-hand drive only.
Is managing your Internet Stock a juggling act?
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 5
NEW PEAKS FOR AUDI
AUDI Australia chairman Wayne Griffi ths threw down the gauntlet to his local troops in
Sydney last week when he revealed the aim was 10,000 sales per annum within fi ve years.
“If we want to be number one in the segment, that’s what is required,” he said.
“I think we have the product range on the way to achieve that.”
That product charge will be led by the BMW X5-rivalling Q7 SUV, due here in 2006
and based on the Pikes Peak concept (pictured) shown at the AIMS.
Add in a smaller SUV due not long after, and Mr Griffi ths predicts all-wheel drives
will account for 15 per cent of those 10,000 sales.
The power
and the passion
KOENIGSEGG. The name of this Swedish
Supercar company sounds silly, but the
performance certainly isn’t.
The CCR two-seat coupe (above), with around
600kW pumping from its V8 supercharged engine,
rockets across the quarter mile in nine seconds.
Sound attractive? Well, get in contact with
Galleria Veloce of Sydney, which launched the
CCR onto the Australian market at AIMS.
The price? $1.25 million.
And the name?
Comes courtesy of company founder Christian
von Koenigsegg.
Your own website
Kappa infl uence
confi rmed
WELL, is the Torana TT36 show car (above) based
on the low volume Kappa architecture or not?
After some defl ection by Holden, it turns out it
is, just as GoAuto e-news reported when it broke
the story last month.
“It (Torana) uses a lot of the chassis components
and the suspension components that have been
used in the Kappa-based show cars like the
(Pontiac) Solstice,” said Holden managing
director Denny Mooney.
“This is a little different because we have our V6
in this.” Everyone clear now?
TORANA RESURRECTION: CLICK HERE
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Close attention
to hot Fiesta
IN addition to its awesome F6 Typhoon
production car -– and images of the forthcoming
ute version – Ford had the 110kW 2.0-litre Fiesta
ST show car on its stand to assess public reaction
for local sale.
The car goes on sale this year in Europe and
there’s no doubt, according to local president
Tom Gorman, that the local Blue Oval division
would like a hot Fiesta here too.
But would it take the ST out of Europe or do its
own version here courtesy of Ford Performance
Vehicles?
“I think there are possibilities in both directions
and we haven’t made a decision yet,” he said.
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Continental GT
sedan is coming
BENTLEY’S hot-ticket Continental GT will
be supplemented late next year by a four-door
version, according to South Asia/Australasia
regional director Julian Jenkins.
European sources suggest the sedan will look
near identical to the coupe (pictured) from the
front but quite different from the rear. Expect its
overall proportions to be less dramatic than the
coupe, to cater for a more conservative buyer set.
The drivetrain is expected to be as per the coupe
– a twin-turbo W12 engine mated to a six-speed
automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.
A convertible version of the Continental GT
built by Karmann is likely to be unveiled late
next year.
GoAuto e-news Saab's great
X-pectations
THE second generation 9-2X sport hatch and
9-7X sports utility vehicle could make it Down
Under, Saab Australia managing director Tony
Jennett told GoAuto in Sydney last week.
The two vehicles are based on the Subaru Impreza
wagon and Chevy Trailblazer respectively, and
will initially be built in left-hand drive form only.
Although the fi rst generation 9-2X (pictured) and
9-7X will be targeted at the US market, Mr Jennett
suggested the second iterations would be pitched
at a wider audience. But this won’t happen in the
near future.
Additions to Saab’s local line-up in the interim
include the 9-3 Sportwagon and heavily revised
9-5, both due about October next year.
BMW's Mini
drops its top
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 6
Fiesta ST
BMW’S Mini line-up will be bolstered by the
addition of cabrio variants (pictured) from
January onwards.
National Mini manager Shawn Ticehurst, who is
soon departing for Munich to take up a post as
Mini’s head of partnership marketing, said the
drop-tops could notch between 500 and 600 sales
next year.
The entry level Cooper Cabrio will be priced
below $38,000.
The supercharged Cooper S version will cost just
under $47,000.
This is a premium of about $8000 over their
hardtop counterparts.
Deliveries will start from February onwards.
Integra softens up
AS forecast by GoAuto e-news in April, Honda has ended the life of the
Integra Type-R in Australia and instead gone with the more luxurious Type-S
confi guration.
With 154kW, it is actually 7kW more powerful than the R and is still exclusively
mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Integra Luxury continues and
kicks off pricing at $38,490. The R is $42,990, $1000 less than the old R.
Over the Luxury model, the Type-S has exclusive rights to the close-ratio
six-slot manual gearbox, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars, 300mm front disc
brakes and 17-inch low-profi le 215/45 series tyres. Both models have revised
suspension, steering and braking systems, structural reinforcements, plus standard
fi tment of ABS brakes, black leather trim, four airbags and a sunroof.
Meantime, Honda has also released an upgraded CR-V all-terrain wagon and
Jazz light car. With pricing unchanged, CR-V gets a revised four-wheel drive
system, new fi ve-speed auto, 16-inch wheels (up an inch) and, on Sport models,
side airbags. Jazz changes are mainly cosmetic.
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CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 7
A6 tries again
Audi's new generation mid-size
luxury car takes aim at
BMW and Benz rivals
By BRUCE NEWTON
“YOU only live once” is the tagline with
which Audi Australia has chosen to advertise
its new A6 mid-size luxury sedan.
That’s something of an irony considering
the car has been rebirthed more than once
over the generations in an attempt to gain a
credible foothold against the giants of
the segment, the Mercedes-Benz
E-class and BMW 5 Series.
Where those fellow Germans sell in the
thousands annually in Australia, the Audi entrant
has struggled along in the hundreds.
The just-superseded second generation A6,
launched in Australia in 1997, was meant to
redress that balance. But as elegant and sculpted
and technically interesting as it was, it didn’t
catch on here, never selling more than a tick over
300 in a year.
That was despite various ploys designed to
lift interest including offering a wagon version,
front and all-wheel drive, a substantial mid-life
overhaul and even the launch of the S6 and RS6
hot-rod versions.
And so to the new A6, a car which the local
distributor candidly admits is its most important
vehicle introduction here in four years.
eurotaxglass.com.au
The launch range consists of fi ve
models, essentially distinguished by powertrain
and equipment level. The starting point is a new
130kW/230Nm 2.4-litre V6 multitronic (CVT)
front-wheel drive, with the next step up a carryover
160kW/290Nm 3.0-litre V6 sold as both
multitronic FWD and six-speed tiptronic quattro
(all-wheel drive).
The 3.0 engine should be replaced by a more
powerful and cleaner burning 3.2-litre FSI (direct
injection) within 12 months.
The range topper (until the
new S6 arrives next year) is an
updated 4.2-litre quattro V8,
producing
246kW and
420Nm.
The 2.7litrebi-turbo
disappears, essentially
replaced by Audi’s fi rst
attempt at a passenger car
turbo-diesel in Australia. The
3.0-litre 24-valve common
rail V6 produces 165kW and
450Nm, and is a tiptronic
auto.
Whether it proves to be an
inspired marketing move or
folly remains to be seen, but
Audi is forecasting it will
account for around 10 per cent
of the 500 A6s it hopes to sell in 2005. There
are some improvements in performance claims
among the carry-over engines, most notably the
2.4 which drops its 0-100km/h time from 10.4
seconds to 9.4 seconds, while the new turbodiesel
claims a 7.3 seconds dash.
It’s a similar story in fuel economy with minor
gains or losses claimed.
AUDI A6 PRICING:
2.4 multitronic $83,900
3.0 multitronic $92,900
3.0 quattro (a) $92,900
3.0 TDI quattro (a) $99,900
4.2 quattro (a) $151,900
The diesel again
impresses with an 8.3L/
100km overall claim. All
petrol engines require
at least 95 RON and
all – including the TDI
– comply with strict Euro
IV emission levels.
Pricing kicks off at $83,990, a rise of just over
$3000 compared to the old generation’s base
2.4. The 3.0 multi continues the trend but the
quattro dips sharply to $92,900. The TDI is $100
off $100,000, while the fl agship just breaks the
$150,000 barrier, rising nearly $9000.
Visually, the organic exterior has been
hardened a little but the previous car’s signature,
the curving roof line, has been retained.
The main talking point, however, is the ‘single
frame’ grille that introduces Audi’s new front
graphic to Australia.
Continued next page
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Proton takes
over Lotus
PROTON Cars Australia has taken over the distribution of Lotus
sports cars in Australia and New Zealand.
The change, implemented on Monday, follows the purchase of
Lotus Cars Australia from Melbourne-based Prestige Motor Imports
Pty Ltd. (part of the Zagame Automotive Group), which
has held the distribution rights for the famous British
marque since 2000.
The purchase of the Australian distributorship
is a logical progression since Group Lotus Plc
became a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian
national car company Proton in 2002. Proton had
previously acquired 80 per cent of Lotus in 1996.
Lotus Cars Australia will move operations from
Melbourne to offi ces located within Proton Cars
Australia headquarters in Sydney.
The sales and marketing functions of Lotus will be
separate to Proton in the Australian market.
That structure is designed to ensure Lotus maintains its
independence and character. But back-offi ce functions such as
administration, accounting, IT and parts distribution will be shared.
Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari said the purchase of the
Lotus Cars Australia distributor would allow the sports car marque to achieve
increased growth in Australia utilising Proton’s resources.
The Zagame Automotive Group Pty Ltd. (trading as Lotus Melbourne) will
retain the exclusive dealership rights for Lotus in Victoria
“Our plan is to grow Lotus sales by approximately 20 per cent per year over
the next three years with the goal of achieving sales volume of 200 to 300 units
Continued from previous page
In essence a chrome strip outlines a one-piece
grille including the lower inlet, whereas the old
car had two distinct outlets separated by the front
bumper. At the rear, there are no such dramatics,
with the look more than reminiscent of the large A8
saloon launched last year.
Inside, the cockpit now curves around the driver
rather than being a fl at slab, and includes the MMI
Multi Media Interface that debuted in A8 last year.
The rest of the cabin is larger, offering a claimed
10mm improvement in knee room, 23mm more
shoulder room and 7mm more headroom.
That refl ects a growth in wheelbase of 83mm to
2840mm, as well as an overall increase in length to
4.92m, a 1.86m width and 1.46m height.
Although still built predominantly in steel, Audi
The Academy of Accounting is a 2-day intensive training
programme aimed at improving the all round management,
operational and financial skills of:
Dealership accountants
Senior administration staff
Factory staff
The course includes understanding the financial dynamics of
a dealership, cash flow and asset management, income tax,
says extensive use of aluminium has prevented a
kerb weight blow-out. The body is stronger too,
with a claimed 34 percent increase in torsional
strength.
Suspension has been upgraded to a trapezoidal link
rear-end for all models, while the front suspension is
the familiar Audi four-link system. Other changes
Academy of Accounting
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 8
per year within fi ve years,” Mr Startari said.
About 90 of the hard-core Elise and Exige two-seat sports
cars will be sold in Australia in 2004, but the sales drive will be
built on a wider product line-up based on a sophisticated aluminum
architecture.
Included in that range will be a new generation Esprit Supercar that
is fi rst expected to break cover at the 2005 Frankfurt motor show next
September.
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus Plc is Lotus Cars Ltd which
has two operating divisions – Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering:
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services
to many of the world’s original equipment manufacturers, including parent Proton,
and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and
project design through development to full production prototype build.
Lotus Cars builds and commercialises Lotus sports cars, builds sports cars for
General Motors and manufactures the advanced composite front and rear crash
structures for Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.
Audi tries again with the A6
Sydney 15-16 November 2004
include the adoption of the latest Bosch ESP system
which includes a neat function that cleans discs as
you go along.
Other standard safety equipment includes front,
side and rear airbags and active head restraints.
A high level of standard equipment kicks off at
2.4 level with all the usual suspects listed, including
leather trim, dual climate control, cruise control, 10speaker
audio, trip computer, powered seats, 16-inch
alloy wheels and rear parking sensors.
The 3.0 petrol and diesel upgrades include 17inch
alloys, more sophisticated climate control and
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GoAuto -news
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 9
V8 tip for next M3
M chiefs hint at V8
fi repower for next M3,
plus more work for V10
By MARTON PETTENDY
TOP BMW executives have given the strongest
indication yet that the next generation M3 sports
coupe will reject the six-cylinder fi repower upon
which it has built its reputation.
Instead of continuing with the straight-six
concept that’s given a string of M3s a careful
balance between performance and handling, it
appears M3 will opt for a lighter V8 version
M5
of new M5’s free-spinning V10 in an effort to
maintain its edge over the latest crop of compact
V8 sports sedans from arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz
and Audi.
While the current M3’s 3.2-litre inline six
produces 252kW, its closest rivals now both pack
V8 performance, with S4’s 4.2-litre V8 matching
M3 with 253kW and the facelifted C55 AMG
leapfrogging it with 270kW and a muscular
510Nm of torque from its 5.4-litre V8.
A 4.0-litre V8 version of M5’s all-new
373kW/507hp 5.0-litre V10 would, in theory,
produce around 294kW or 400hp with two fewer
cylinders – the same as the previous M5’s 5.0-litre
V8.
Asked if V8 propulsion would undermine M3’s
standing as one of the best handling sports coupes,
BMW M division president Ulrich Bruhnke told
GoAuto: “Not if we are able to develop it without
increasing weight. Compare the (M5’s) old V8
with the V10 – 25 per cent more performance
with two more cylinders and (it weighs) only 1kg
more.”
M5 project manager Siegfried Friedman, when
asked if the V10 was a modular design that could
also be produced as a V8, said: “It depends on
what you call modular. We can certainly apply
the same design principles to a V8, such as the
bedplate crankcase design. We could apply it a
V12, for that matter.
“The competition would have a hard time
keeping up with a V8 M3.”
M5 chief engineer Helmut Himmel confi rmed
a V8 version of the M5 V10 would be lighter than
M3’s current six-pack at the global M5 launch,
but wasn’t giving away any secrets about the next
M3.
“BMW is stuck with the inline six, it has a
great history with the inline engines. We’ll have
to wait and see. You will have to draw your own
conclusions,” he said.
One way or another, it’s clear the new M5
won’t be the only application for BMW’s groundbreaking
new V10 architecture.
Asked whether the V10 was the logical choice
for a possible M6, Mr Friedman said: “At the
moment it fi ts very well into 5 Series and it could
be possible (to fi t in 6 Series) and soon it will
be possible to talk about other cars. One car at
a time.”
Mr Bruhnke said: “With such a big investment,
we wouldn’t do it only for one car”.
More M models to come
THE future of BMW’s M division lies in
vehicles in 36 years – and 62,000 produced in the
producing the most profi table and appropriate Ulrich
past three years alone.
performance cars, says M Gmbh president Bruhnke
Mr Bruhnke wouldn’t be drawn on whether
Ulrich Bruhnke – rather than following the AMG
it was too late in the Z4’s life cycle to produce
tradition of delivering a sports range-topper for
an M version, but remains enthusiastic about the
every Mercedes-Benz model.
prospects of more M models, starting with a new
Mr Bruhnke was AMG boss for three years
M Roadster.
before taking the top job at M Gmbh in October
“We should have given the answer by now,” he
2003, as well as a Mercedes-Benz development
said. “Z3 was the founder of this segment. It (M
stalwart for 24 years. As such, he offers an
Roadster) was a great car – in general, this is a
unrivalled insight into two of the world’s most
typical M segment.”
successful automotive performance houses.
On an M version of 1 Series, he said: “I ask
“M stands for a high-revving engine, SMG, lightweight M3 CSL was a pinnacle example of the same question. Is there room for growth?
light weight and rear-wheel drive, and our M division’s philosophy, and that while there 1 Series M makes sense but it has to be profi table.
mission is to produce the most typical M cars would never be M versions of the 7 Series, X3 About 45 per cent of M sales come from the US,
possible. AMG has another mission – to offer a or X5, M would not stop at simply producing M3 but no decision has been made about 1 Series
performance fl agship in every model series,” he and M5.
(sales) there, which would limit our volumes by
told GoAuto in Paris.
“They didn’t hire me to do a better M5. M3 and almost half.”
“High revs is the defi nition of M – anything M5 are only the fi rst defi nition. We are thinking When it comes to producing a unique model,
else would not fi t the M character. Using an now which others we can do – and they’re not so like the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren supercar,
automatic transmission means you
far away. M must think about growth Mr Bruhnke remains cautious: “When early in
cannot go beyond 7000rpm. We
and the need to build the brand.” the job I was presented with a model of a super
are more focussed on the manual
But he said M must be careful not sports car ... But fi rst we must be successful
transmission and SMG, which can
to dilute the brand or risk profi tability with M5, have profi table growth and then if this
handle more than 8000rpm, is lighter and has by producing too many M variants. With some is successful we’ll discuss if this is a dream or
reduced fuel consumption,” he said.
20,000 M5s and 80,000 M3s built, M production reality. But we must be able to dream.”
Mr Bruhnke said the high-performance, leads that of AMG, which has built 80,000
– MARTON PETTENDY
is produced by Automotive NetWorks, Australia’s most innovative automotive publishing group
Phone: (03) 9598 6477 Fax: (03) 9521 0264 E-mail: newsroom@mellor.net

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HOLDEN is attracting record attention with
readers researching cars on GoAuto Online
host sites*.
Readers have requested more than 111,000
stories about Holden since the beginning of July.
This compares with 48,470 requests by readers
for stories about Ford in the same period.
But companies like Holden and Ford are
missing out on a commercial opportunity.
For example, Holden can buy a link from
every Holden story to the Holden website so that
readers researching cars on GoAuto Online can
then get more specifi c manufacturer information
about the cars they are considering.
Ford can do the same by buying a link from any
story about Ford products, including stories about
new models, car reviews and news stories.
This is an alternative to generating visitors to a
car company website by paying for exposure on
search engines like Google and Yahoo!
The going rate to buy a click-through from a
search engine like Google to a car company web
site is somewhere between $0.35 and $1.00 each.
Search engines provide pride of place to the
highest bidder. They allow rival companies to buy
the links from searches being done on competitive
brands.
Media groups also bid for click-throughs
to attract people searching for, say, Holden to
their sites thus high-jacking readers wanting the
A team of senior consultants truly passionate
about our automotive clients needs.
Manufacturing, Retail, Aftermarket, Insurance, Fleet.
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 10
Holden Tops 110,000 GoAuto
stories since July
* GoAuto host sites include: Red Book, RACV, Discount New Cars,
Carsales, Private Fleet, Glass's Guide, AOL Cars, Auto-Zone, Prestige
Cars, Interleasing, Members Education Credit Union, LeasePlan and
GoAuto. (Serving more than 150,000 stories each month).
Readers use this
link to view colours,
accessories, features
and options
Holden site.
At GoAuto Online we have set it up in a way
that only a Holden story will have a Holden link
or a Ford story a Ford link.
And we provide these links at a fraction of the
cost of the search engines.
Our readers are very receptive to the message
in the car company websites because they have
chosen to get more information from within our
editorial environment.
To fi nd out more about securing your
company’s web links from GoAuto Online, call
Steve Butcher on 0419 562 110
GoAuto Online – creating a demand for cars
Readers use this link
to view a range of
quality used cars
Readers use this link to get
more information from a
manufactures website
AUSTRALIA’S #1 AUTO INDUSTRY CANDIDATE DATABASE!
Raising the bar in Automotive Recruitment, Training & Development.
Call 03 9416 0722
www.edgepp.com
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ISUZU-GM DEPARTURE
MARTIN Grasett, director
of sales and marketing at
Isuzu-GM Australia, has
resigned to pursue other
career interests.
Mr Grasett (right) joined
Isuzu-GM in December
2002, having previously
held the position of national marketing and
sales executive for Barloworld in South Africa.
President and managing director of Isuzu-GM
Australia, Masayuki Murata announced that
he would take on Mr Grasett’s responsibilities
for the immediate future.
BMW HIRES DCX EXEC
BMW AG has hired a former DaimlerChrysler
executive to head its fi nancial services
division, reports Automotive News.
Georg Bauer, 53, has replaced Hagen
Luederitz as division chief effective. Mr
Luederitz will retire from the company.
Nissan in
new SUV attack
NISSAN will launch a twin-pronged offensive
on the SUV segment with the mid-2005 debut
of the Murano and all-new Pathfi nder.
Nissan Australia CEO Shinya Hannya said the
rakish looking Murano would be offered with
a 3.5-litre V6 mated to a CVT with six-speed
manual shift capability.
The Murano will use Nissan’s All Mode 4WD
system.
Although it rivals the likes of the Lexus
RX330 on paper, Nissan’s contender won’t be
“as outrageously expensive”, said company
spokesperson Lenore Fletcher.
The all-new seven-seat Pathfi nder will be
offered with the choice of 4.0-litre V6 petrol
and 2.5-litre turbo-diesel power.
Expect pricing to start in the low-$40,000s.
Meantime, Nissan has added a limited edition
ST-X variant to its X-Trail range.
Based on the ST model, the X adds a sunroof,
16-inch alloys and a rear cargo blind.
Pricing starts from $33,990 for the manual,
with auto adding another $2000.
sales•service•parts•admin
1300 666 562
UP CLOSE on PERSONNEL
Mr Bauer was previously a board member at
DaimlerChrysler Services AG, where he was
responsible for fi nancial services business,
fl eet management operations and global
insurance activities.
MITSU MOTOR SPORT
MITSUBISHI Motors Corp has appointed
Isao Torii as president of its German-based
motor sport unit MMSP GmbH.
The company says the appointment was
made to add impetus to the current threeyear
restructuring plan of the embattled
Japanese manufacturer’s World Rally
program, as well as to ensure the company
builds further on its cross-country rally
successes.
PEUGEOT NZ
SIME Darby Automobiles has appointed
Rachel Bradbury as the new marketing
co-ordinator for Peugeot NZ, effective
immediately.
Nissan Pathfi nder
Hyundai E3 concept
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 11
Ms Bradbury replaces Natasha Hirtzel,
who has accepted a position with Air New
Zealand.
Ms Bradbury’s marketing background
includes the Continental Car Services
team, working in the Ferrari and Maserati
showroom and more recently with Bayleys
Real Estate on Auckland.
DEALER OF THE YEAR
LEADING Adelaide dealer
Ric Collins (right) has been
named Aon Martec Dealer
of the year for 2004.
The award recognises all
aspects of the dealer’s
performance including
fi nancial, sales volume and
customer service.
Mr Collins runs Ford and Toyota dealerships
and has a strong used car presence in the
Adelaide market. He is also a director of
carsales.com.au Ltd.
Korean Accent
makes sense
HYUNDAI’S Accent will make way for an all-new
replacement late next year, said Australian sales and
marketing director Theo van Doore.
“It will be as different from the current model as the
Getz is from it,” he said.
A four-door model will be launched initially, with
three and fi ve-door versions coming on stream a
few months later. The all-new Accent, which was
previewed in concept car form as the E-cubed in
Geneva last March, will be preceded by the mid-
2005 launch of an all-new Sonata.
Hyundai Australia spokesman Richard Power said
the revamped Sonata would be slightly bigger than
the current car and powered by new generation
Hyundai-designed engines (these will also be sold
to Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler).
An all-new Elantra debuts in 2006, along with a
heavily facelifted Santa Fe.
Also, the Getz light car is now equipped with
remote central locking and an alarm, while the
Terracan seven-seat sports utility gains cosmetic
enhancements, a new twin-bin centre console,
white-faced instruments and chrome detailing.
Pricing starts from $35,490 for the baseline manual.
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WHEN we talk to advertising
executives about GoAuto Online,
their eyes glaze over and they call
for security.
That’s because they think
GoAuto Online is a single website
– one they have never seen
promoted or advertised.
What’s the point, they ask, as they show you the door.
Sure, goauto.com.au is a website in its own right, but it is only one of 13
websites carrying the GoAuto Online syndicated editorial.
Our strength is that our content is read on the web sites of some of
Australia’s leading automotive brands. Three of them are among the top 10
web sites in Australia.
CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 12
GoAuto Online?
Never heard of it!
Brands like RACV and Carsales (Australia’s number one auto website)
and LeasePlan (Australia’s largest leasing company), Red Book and Glass’s
(the two leading auto price guides), Private Fleet and Discount New Cars,
AOL and Interleasing (GM’s all-makes leasing group), Members Education
Credit Union (one of Australia’s larger credit unions), Prestige Cars and
Auto-Zone.
So when GoAuto calls for an appointment; just one meeting, just one
booking and just one piece of material gets your client’s messages on to
all those quality websites in front of readers who commonly spend an hour
reading our material.
So your messages are spread across that broad audience who are exposed
to them for an hour at a time.
A latte with two sugars thanks.
For your GoAuto Online booking, call Steve Butcher on 0419 562 110
No other single media booking can get this space!
Red Book RACV Discount New Cars
Carsales Private Fleet Glass's Guide
AOL Auto-Zone Prestigecars
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GoAuto latest road test
MG ZT 260 V8 sedan
THIS sort of thing doesn’t happen very often in the car industry. A car-maker keen to
enhance its image as a maker of performance-oriented machines is inhibited
by front-drive engine packaging. Solution: convert the whole thing to
a rear-drive confi guration and source a suitably powerful V8 from
another manufacturer. This, in essence, is what MG Rover has
done with the understated but dramatically engineered ZT 260.
And the British engineers have done a good job, producing a car
with no fl aws in its ability to deliver power, as well as a nicely
balanced chassis designed to appeal to the enthusiast. If there’s a
problem, it’s that hot V8 sedans are pretty common in Australia, and
that signs of British inattention to build quality tend to show through
in niggling ways. ROAD TEST: CLICK HERE
X-Type gets
a meaner look
JAGUAR Australia will add a sports pack to its
X-Type (pictured right) in the latest bid to pitch
the car at a younger buyer.
The pack will include a new front spoiler, mesh
grille, lowered sides and a new, lower rear valance,
all of which is intended to create “a more squat,
purposeful stance”.
There’s also a rear boot spoiler, new tailpipe tips
and 18-inch alloy wheels. Pricing is still to be
confi rmed.
Meantime, the Australian-spec XK range was
revealed (pricing details are still to be released)
and Jaguar’s new V6 diesel engine was shown in
the R-D6 concept ahead of an expected production
debut in the S-Type in mid-2005.
The X-Type Estate on the Cat stand is also a strong
contender to come to Australia next year.
ZS sports sedan
under $40,000
MG has given its new ZS180 sports sedan its
best possible chance with a $39,990 starting price
announced at the Australian International Motor
Show last week.
On sale later this month, the ZS180 is powered by
the same 133kW/240Nm KV6 2.5-litre V6 as the
larger ZT sedan, mated exclusively with a Getrag
fi ve-speed manual gearbox.
Standard items will include ABS brakes,
282mm/260mm front/rear disc brakes and 17-inch
alloy rims with 205/45 series rubber. Optional full
leather seats will be available at $2,500.
ABN 22 079 079 824
Automotive Event Specialists
NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA
One out
of the box
WHILE Volvo’s YCC (Your Concept Car)
was the main attraction in Sydney, the
Swedish maker last night revealed its 3CC
concept car at the Challenge Bibendum
eco-car showcase in Shanghai, China.
Using an interesting 2+1 seating
confi guration, which uses 50 per cent
less space than a typical passenger car,
the front-drive 3CC “personal mobility
vehicle” can apparently hold up to three
adults – or two adults and two children
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CTOBER 13, 2004 PAGE 13
LAUNCH PAD
OCTOBER:
Audi A6 sedan redesign
BMW 118i hatch
Ford BAII Falcon range update
FPV F6 Typhoon sedan
FPV GT range facelift
Holden Astra hatch redesign
HSV Z-Series range facelift
Jaguar S-Type sedan facelift
Kia Sportage SUV redesign
Mini Cooper cabriolet
Nissan Patrol SUV facelift
Peugeot 407 sedan redesign
Proton Gen.2 hatch redesign
Renault Sport Megane hatch
Smart ForFour five-door hatch
New model diary: CLICK HERE
– in “comparable” comfort and space to a
larger vehicle.
It also uses a zero-emissions electric
powertrain capable of reaching 100km/h
in approximately 10 seconds on its way to
a top speed of around 135km/h.
What a Fantastic Sydney Motor Show
…. Congratulations! From all of us at Kumari International ….