Aussie Motoring

The Phantom Drophead Coupe - only the second new model from Rolls Royce since 1998 will be launched at the Detroit Motor Show on January 7

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show on Sunday 7 January. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2007.

The two-door, four-seat convertible is a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. Using the lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminium spaceframe, it marries modern technology to a sleek, streamlined convertible body.

Even though it may be a “less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design” there is no mistaking this for anything but a Rolls.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “This car gave us the chance to think about the very nature of convertible motoring and in particular what it means to Rolls-Royce. Above all we were determined to make this car a joy to live with and engineered it to give years of effortless service to its owner.”

A number of features first seen on 100EX, the experimental convertible shown by Rolls-Royce in 2004, have been engineered into the new Phantom Drophead Coupé. Two of the most visually striking of these are the brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar and the teak decking for the rear hood cover.

The brushed steel is machine finished to give a uniform grain before undergoing extensive hand polishing to achieve a perfect sheen. At the rear, the teak decking is treated with a carefully blended mix of oils to preserve a natural finish and a long lasting lustre that is as beautiful as it is hardy.

Front opening coach doors have been homologated for the new car and add considerably to the ease of access to the rear seat, as well as to the overall aesthetics. Unique to Rolls-Royce, the doors dramatically transform the Phantom Drophead Coupé’s looks, giving a side profile reminiscent of classic sports cars of the ‘60s. Crucially, they also aid the overall stiffness of the body as the rear hinged doors allow for an uninterrupted A-pillar.

Luggage is housed within a picnic boot, a split tail compartment that opens in two parts giving easy access to the 315 litres of space. The lower tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered. Careful engineering of the folding soft-top roof means that it stows in a relatively small space resulting in a luggage compartment that remains unaffected regardless of whether the roof is up or down.

The fabric hood is the largest of any modern convertible car and its acoustic insulation is exemplary. Five layers of material ensure that the cabin remains a serene space, even at speed. Lined with cashmere it has been tailored to stow in a relatively small space.

At the core of the Phantom Drophead Coupé is an advanced aluminium chassis, perhaps the single most significant component in delivering the marques legendary refinement. Lightweight and exceptionally strong, it impacts positively on ride comfort, handling and safety. Hand made, it requires over 140 meters of welding in each chassis. Power is supplied by the same 6.75 litre naturally aspirated V12 engine found in the Phantom saloon, giving brisk performance and a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, “The Phantom Drophead Coupé marks the next chapter in our history. While the saloon continues as the brand flagship, the Drophead leads us in a more informal direction, attracting new buyers to the marque. In the coming years other new models will strengthen the company still further.”

The Phantom Drophead Coupé has definitely been crafted to be aesthetically pleasing, yet practical too. Wood, leather, chrome and brushed steel have been used where most appropriate. Form and function have equal billing. The simplicity of the design belies a car built to provide years of effortless service. It will offer owners an unparalleled convertible experience, combining compelling driveability with exceptional engineering, technology and design – hand crafted from the finest materials to an exceptional level of quality.

A sneak peek at what Suzuki has for the US market in 2007

Suzuki has released details of the vehicles it will be releasing in the United States in the new year.

2007 Suzuki XL7

Three trim levels are offered: XL7, Luxury and Limited. The XL7, offered in five- and seven-passenger configurations and either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, has a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,899. The XL7 Luxury adds leather-appointed interior, power driver seat, heated front seats, wood trim accents and 17-inch alloy wheels and has a starting MSRP of $24,599.

The top-of-the-line XL7 Limited features standard seven-passenger seating and adds fog lamps, rear spoiler, upgraded roof racks with aluminum lower bumper valances, premium XM Satellite Radio-ready audio system with seven speakers (including subwoofer), auto-dimming antiglare rearview mirror with compass, remote starter and DVD entertainment system. The feature-packed XL7 Limited carries an MSRP of $27,949.

2007 Suzuki SX4

The SX4’s standard features include six airbags; front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags; four-wheel ABS with EBD, TPMS, seatbelt pretentioners, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, daytime running lights, fender flares and silver bumper guards. SX4 carries an MSRP of $14,999.

The SX4 comes in two trim levels: SX4 and SX4 Sport. SX4 is available with the Convenience Package, which includes cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

SX4 Sport includes: TCS and ESP, auto temperature control, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, premium audio with six-disc CD changer and nine speakers (including subwoofer), silver-color roof rails and SmartPass keyless entry and start system. SX4 Sport has an MSRP of $16,399. All trim levels are available in manual or automatic transmission with standard AWD.

2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara

The list of standard safety features is extensive: ABS with EBD and ESP, including traction control, six airbags, three-point driver and front-passenger seat belts featuring shoulder height adjustment; in the rear seat, each passenger is provided with a three-point seat belt system and a headrest. With its carefully engineered control layout and close attention to materials and fit-and-finish, the interior of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is functional and attractive.

The Grand Vitara comes in three trim levels: Base, XSport and Luxury. The standard five-speed manual transmission and two-wheel drive starts at an MSRP of $19,379. The Grand Vitara with Luxury Package and Four-Mode full-time four-wheel-drive system drives tops out at $23,399.

The Suzuki Forenza Sedan and Forenza Wagon

The Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon feature Pininfarina styling, high standard feature content, powerful engines and backing by America’s #1 Warranty.

Last year, both Forenza models received a fresh front fascia design that incorporates a new Suzuki family grille. Both the Forenza sedan and the Forenza Wagon are available in one trim level, and customers can choose to add the ABS option, the Convenience Package (remote keyless entry and cruise control) or the Popular Package (remote keyless entry, cruise control and power tilt-and-slide sunroof).

The starting MSRP for the Forenza sedan is $13,999 and $14,699 for the Forenza Wagon

2007 Suzuki Reno

With its sculpted European styling and lively 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine, the Reno is an attractive alternative to compact competitors. New in the 2005 model year, the five-door Reno offers budget-conscious buyers versatility for their active lifestyle.

The starting MSRP for the Reno is $13,499. The Reno also has an available Convenience Package, adding power tilt-and-slide sunroof, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever knob and cruise control.

2007 Suzuki Aerio

The fun-to-drive Aerio sedan comes standard with a sporty 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine with 155 horsepower and 152 lb.-ft. of torque and adds more value in 2007 with the addition of a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system.

Aerio is available in two trim levels (Aerio and Premium), and buyers can choose between a front-wheel-drive system, and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which comes with standard automatic transmission. Prices start at $14,299 for the Aerio and $14,399 for the Aerio Premium.

Today’s Brisbane Courier Mail is reporting that the chief executive of Ford in the United States had talks last week with the chairman of Toyota with a view to forming some sort of ‘partnership’

It seems that Ford wants some help in reducing production costs.

Now why would Toyota want to align itself with a lame duck like Ford?

And if it does what will General Motors go looking for a similar arrangement?

You can read more about the story here

… that my 2000 Hyundai Grandeur has developed a fault that no one has heard of before?

by Stuart Livesey

For the latest on this story see Hyundai Meltdown

Our 2000 Hyundai Grandeur has been running a little sluggish lately and She who must be obeyed and who only knows two speeds (flat out and stop) decreed that it must be fixed - it was spoiling her driving experience.

So off I toddled to the mechanic this morning who took it for a test run and found that it seemed to be ‘a little flat’. I thought it might have been the plugs and so did he and after checking the service record it definitely is time for the plugs to be replaced … but wait … there’s more.

Tucked away under the manifold cover towards the back of the motor on the driver’s side is a small electric motor. According to the experts the motor controls the ‘variable throat’ on part of the fuel injection system and in our Grandeur the top of that motor appears to have melted.

The mechanic rang his contact at Hyundai and was told that no one has ever had that problem in a Hyundai Grandeur before … so there’s no cheap alternative but to buy a new one and no one knows what the price of that little electric motor might be.

So while he’s waiting for Hyundai to get back to him with a price our guy is calling a few wreckers to see if there’s a second-hand part available.

I guess I’ll know if I’m thrilled or not when I get the bad news about the cost of the part in the New Year.

Still, things could be worse. While I was picking the Grandeur up the mechanic got a phone call from another regular customer who had just destroyed the gear box in his Nissan Patrol … and he was planning on going away in it over Christmas.

In the town where I live most decent mechanical repair shops were closing at lunchtime today and not re-opening till January 2.

Mixing attitude with functionality

There were a number of concept cars at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show and American Honda had their own styling concept car on display.

According to Honda “the REMIX explores the shape and design of a two-seat sports car focused on agile and fun-to-drive performance that can also provide exceptional practicality as a daily driver.”

The Honda Remix is a product of Honda’s Advanced Design Studio in Southern California. Purely a design concept, the vehicle is fashioned around a front-wheel drive small car platform with a 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. A sport suspension, along with aggressive tires and brakes, further supplement its performance side.”

Note the perforated discs

The vehicle certainly wouldn’t please everyone but there’s something in the design that just appeals to me.

For some reason the rear of the Honda Remix reminds me of the Honda Civic wagon from the late 1980s.

by Stuart Livesey

Who is going to be the world’s number one car maker? Toyota is!

On Friday Toyota is set to announce it’s production numbers for the coming year. That number is thought to be a whopping 9.45 million units (it also includes the production numbers for Toyota’s subsidiaries Hino and Daihatsu)

And that number is around 400,000 units more than they produced in 2006. It will also put Toyota ahead of General Motors the company that currently holds the title as the world’s biggest car maker.

Get a sweet suspension deal

The new BF Falcon XR6 Cab Chassis MkII is one mean combo of workhorse and sports machine and it comes at a sweet price that, for a limited time, is one hell of a lot sweeter.

Now you get to choose between half-tonne suspension and 17″ alloys or a one-tonne suspension and 16″ alloys at no extra cost.

But it really is only for a limited time.

New turbo-diesel and upgraded specifications

Toyota’s popular SUV - the Prado - has just received an upgrade that includes a new DOHC four cyclinder turbo-diesel engine, an extra cog in the transmission and some trim upgrades across the range.

The new diesel motor delivers more power, lower emissions and better fuel economy.

The transmission now comes with a six speed manual or an five speed automatic.

The Toyota Prado GX comes with bigger tyres and wheels, colour co-ordinated bumpers and door handles, wide steps and flares, side protection mouldings and a chrome radiator grille and exterior mirros

The Toyota Prado GLX gains privacy glass and roof rails

The Toyota Parado VX gains power-operated front seats, leather seat trim and leather and woodgrain on the door trim.

More information on the new Prado can be found here

by Stuart Livesey

Autocar magazine’s Car of the Year 2007

This year the magazine’s award went to the BMW 335i which was also winner of the Best Performance Car category.

Other category winners included:

Holden VE Calais V8 - Best Executive Car

Nissan Maxima Spec-R - Best Large Car

Mazda3 SP23 - Best Compact Car

Mitsubishi Outlander - Best Crossover

Suzuki Swift Sport - Best Small Car

by Stuart Livesey

Now the Australian car makers want the Government to help

If there is one thing that history teaches us it’s that we never learn a damn thing from history whether it’s ancient or much more recent.

In the United States Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are all in varying degrees of trouble because they have been building cars that the consumers aren’t buying. Increasing fuel costs, environmental concerns together with increased interest rates have led the American car buyer to look for smaller, cheaper alternatives.

But have the Australian off-shoots of the American manufacturers learned anything from that? Apparently not and now the word on the street is that all four Australian car manufacturers have gone cap in hand to the Federal Government to ask for a $10 billion bail-out because the Australian consumer is doing exactly what their American counterparts have done.

Even the Federal Government is concerned by figures that indicate that today the Australian manufacturers have just 20% of the market compared to 70% just 18 years ago.