Aussie Motoring

Mitsubishi showed the prototype for the 2008 Lancer for the first time at last week’s Detroit Motor Show. The next Lancer certainly has some mean looks and interesting mechanicals

The technical details can be found here

Boy do I ever have egg on my face - as one reader pointed out the images that made up most of this article were of the wrong vehicle.

My humble apologies for making such a fundamental mistake.

by Stuart Livesey

They might be concept cars this year but they will be the basis of models to be released in 2008.

Lexus unveiled their 2008 concept cars at the Detroit Motor Show this week and they certainly are stunning examples of a high-performance luxury sedan and a luxury sports car.

The IS-F luxury sports sedan has some sweet lines that even make me drool.

And the lines of the LF-A sports car are just as mouth-watering.

You can read more about these two fine machines and see more images at Lexus 2008 Concept Cars

VW Touareg continues to lead at the end of stage 6

The Race Touareg continues Volkswagen’s domination at the head of the leader board after six of the Dakar Rally’s 15 stages: The Spaniard Carlos Sainz and his French co-driver Michel Périn lead the Dakar Rally now for the fourth day in succession.

On the extremely fast stage from Tan Tan in Morocco to Zouérat in Mauritania, at 817 kilometres also the longest of the rally, Sainz recorded the fourth fastest time. Under these conditions the buggies were able to exploit their weight and power advantages granted to them by the regulations– the American Robby Gordon won from the Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser.

The third fastest time went to Giniel de Villiers in a Volkswagen Race Touareg. The South African and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz clawed back 25 seconds from the overall leader and now lie second 3:11 minutes behind Sainz.

The Portuguese-German duo Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz still hold third position in the Lagos Team Race Touareg 2, who recorded the sixth fastest stage time. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) from the Volkswagen factory team completed the stage 12:38 minutes behind in ninth position and, in doing so, improved their overall position by two places to eighth on the tough stage, which saw several top teams tumble down the leader board.

by Stuart Livesey

Another great vehicle we won’t see in Australia

The pickup truck is big business in the American automotive industry and it’s been dominated by Ford and General Motors for a very long time. However Toyota is now taking them on at their own game and the Toyota Tundra is taking over the pickup truck market.

You can read more about the latest model and see more images at Toyota 2007 Tundra

Only available in the United States … but maybe one day

Hyundai have now announced the release of their latest crossover vehicle in the United States. The 2007 Veracruz combines luxury and performance.

Inside, passengers are coddled in a rich, sophisticated environment that was inspired by boutique hotels. The result is an interior that could be found in the finest luxury sedans thanks to Hyundai’s intelligent ergonomic engineering, intuitive design, and superior craftsmanship. Hyundai has combined space with elegance including conveniences that exceed expectations. For example, although the Veracruz is 9.7 inches shorter than the Mercedes Benz GL, it has more cargo volume.

Seating for seven adults is made possible thanks to the standard Hyundai Hideaway™ third-row seat. Access to the third row is just a step away with the flip of a lever to slide the second row forward. Available dual-zone climate controls for driver and front-seat passenger further enhance the Veracruz’s luxury credentials. Second- and third-row passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort, thanks to B pillar-mounted adjustable vents, rear HVAC controls and roof-mounted vents.

Other thoughtful convenience features include a proximity key, rain-sensing wipers, auto dimming exterior mirrors, mirror-mounted approach lights, adjustable pedals, memory settings for the power mirrors, driver seat and steering wheel, backup warning system, power liftgate, and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes a DVD player and eight-inch overhead screen.

On the street, the new Veracruz has thrilling performance courtesy of the same 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine that powers the Azera. It delivers an estimated 260 horsepower and 257 lb-ft. of torque. To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on the intake valves and a Variable Intake System which helps cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high RPM. The engine uses an aluminum block and cylinder heads for light weight and thermal efficiency, and features timing chains with no scheduled maintenance.

Hyundai has added an Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system to propel Veracruz through the elements. Using wheel speed sensors to monitor the road and the driver, this electronic system can sense when and where more torque is required and route it there automatically.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a multi-plate clutch without any extra effort from the driver. An AWD lock mode can be engaged with the touch of a button providing a 50:50 torque ratio when needed.

by Stuart Livesey

Fine lines and more comfort

Subaru released the latest version of their popular Outback at the Detroit Motor Show on Sunday.

The Subaru Outback debuts new front sheet metal and features a larger and more upright grille for a bolder appearance. Combined with the new grille and front fascia, the re-designed guards and hood deliver a more rugged look. The Outback also features unique fog lights and new wheels for the XT and six-cylinder models.

Inside, Legacy and Outback models gain a redesigned instrument panel and revised interior fabrics. A telescopic steering column and a new integrated ignition key/remote entry unit are now standard. Distinctive electroluminescent gauges, formerly featured only on the turbo Legacy and Outback models, will now be on the 6-cylinder models for 2008.

On the premium models, a redesigned steering wheel offers additional controls, including the audio system, cruise control, the multi-information display and separate Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) controls.

SI-DRIVE allows the driver to maximize engine performance, control and efficiency by choosing from among three selectable modes — “Intelligent,” “Sport” and “Sport Sharp.” The driver selects the performance mode by using a rotary dial on the center console or, newly added for 2008, a button on the steering wheel.

by Stuart Livesey

Imagine a Kia Rio with a 4.6 litre V8 under the bonnet

If you can stretch your imagination that far then you’re getting close to the Kia Kue. Sadly you’re not likely to ever see this in production but it is fun to let your imagination run wild with the latest Kia concept car.

It was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show today and you can read it more about it at Kia Kue Concept Car

VW is very happy

The 2007 Dakar Rally has just completed it’s third stage and VW must be feeling rather pleased at the moment. At the end of the day Volkswagen factory driver Carlos Sainz has taken the lead of the Dakar Rally. The Spaniard and his French co-driver Michel Périn took second place in the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 on the third stage in Morocco from Nador to Er Rachidia.

The Volkswagen duo Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford improved from seventh to fifth overall. The Finn Ari Vatanen recorded the eleventh best time with his Italian co-driver Fabrizia Pons on the 648 kilometre stage.

The Race Touareg remains unbeaten in this year’s running of the desert classic with three stage victories and as many days at the head of the leader board.

That’s what the NRMA and the New South Wales Opposition would like to see happen

by Stuart Livesey

If a proposal put to the New South Wales’ Young Driver Advisory Panel by the NRMA and supported by the NSW Opposition is adopted P-plate drivers in New South Wales would lose their licence if they lost just one demerit point in the first year.

While there are plenty of things that could be done to improve the chances of young drivers surviving on our roads this proposal is definitely not one of them. Why should P-plate drivers be subjected to such a draconian condition?

You can lose one point for very minor infringements that are far from life-threatening.

By all means take away their licences if they’re caught speeding, take away their licences if they’re caught drinking and driving, take away their licences if they’re caught fooling around on the roads and driving in ‘a manner dangerous’ but take away their licence because they did something that earned them a single demerit point?

That’s just trivialising the situation and alienating the very people we should be working hard to keep on-side.