Nissan X-TRAIL Ti and TL, and Nissan Patrol Ti vehicle owners will now be able to tackle heavy traffic conditions with ease, thanks to the inclusion of SUNA Traffic Channel services provided by Intelematics Australia (a wholly owned subsidiary of the RACV).

Nissan is the first vehicle importer in the Australian automotive industry to offer its customers SUNA Traffic Channel as a standard feature on certain models. The X-TRAIL Ti and TL and Patrol Ti models equipped with satellite navigation will include a lifetime
subscription to the SUNA service. SUNA is Australia’s first digital traffic information service that broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible portable and in-vehicle GPS navigation devices.

Renowned as an innovator, Nissan will now connect X-TRAIL and Patrol customers with up-to-the-minute information on traffic incidents such as accidents, road closures, traffic congestion, major road works and special events, helping them escape city congestion and hit the open road sooner.

Dan Thompson, CEO, Nissan Australia, said, “We are extremely pleased to be able to provide the SUNA service to our customers. We are constantly looking for new ways to inject more value into our vehicles and believe integrating real-time traffic information into our GPS technology will dramatically improve our customer’s driving experience.”

Commenting on the relationship, Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said, ”We are looking forward to working with Nissan to deliver its X-TRAIL Ti and TL and PATROL Ti customers the very latest in convenient GPS features. This new alliance will further extend Intelematics’ partnership network in the automotive industry and help drive the SUNA brand in the in-vehicle navigation market.”

SUNA Traffic Channel is currently available in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. The SUNA service monitors traffic conditions using tens of thousands of traffic sensors supplemented with other sources including probe vehicles, freeway sensors, tow truck allocations, traffic cameras as well as roadwork and special events information. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent to your personal navigation device.

Motorists can find out more information on SUNA by visiting: www.sunatraffic.com.au

Now I know that the new Toyota Prado can handle some very rough country because I’ve driven it over some … but I’d have no problems traversing some of the terrain you’ll see in this video in my Honda CR-V all-wheel drive.

So why doesn’t Toyota really show what the new Prado can really do?

Well from a marketing point of view you do need to show potential buyers what the vehicle can do … but you don’t want to scare them away by showing them too much of the extreme terrain the vehicle can handle.

And that’s what they’ve done with this video … it’s a nice mixture of some tough terrain and some that’s not so tough … and nothing that’s so extreme that you would really need all the computer-controlled terrain handling presets that the new Toyota Prado comes with..

Eight Japanese tourists travelling in what, from the press and television footage, appears to be a 5-seater Landcruiser station wagon (not a troopie – the more common tourist transport on Fraser) were the latest victims when the driver “swerved to avoid some undulations in the sand”.

One person died at the scene, two more … including the driver … were flown to Brisbane in a critical condition, four were flown to Hervey Bay hospital in a serious condition and one walked away with minor injuries.

Fraser Island is unforgiving for inexperienced drivers … the beach may look firm but one wrong move and a wheel digs in and the rest of the vehicle continues over the top. Then it can take an hour or more for even the most basic form of qualified help to arrive.

There have been 43 serious accidents on the island in the last six years and only last April two backpackers from Europe died when the vehicle in which they were passengers rolled just a kilometre or two further down the beach.

For a look at what it’s like to drive on Fraser Island have a look at “So You Think Your Roads are Bad?”

Well fear not … be thou not faint-hearted for help is at hand thanks to the people from Mahindra … the people who bring you the 4-wheel-drive Mahindra Pik-Up (that you can read more about by following the link). They have just released a 4×4 adventure tips guide that will help you return from your adventures in one piece.

Feedback from a recent tour to dealerships across the Eastern Seaboard by Mahindra Automotive Australia (MAA), the distributors of the Pik-Up utility vehicle, has revealed that 4×4 ute drivers who purchase vehicles mainly for work purposes have strong aspirations to go adventure driving, but fear gets the better of them.

A survey by MAA of drivers across the country supported the notion with a 32% majority saying that they are interested in 4×4 touring, but have never done anything about it. And 7.2% said that they go touring with their friends in their 4×4, rather than braving it in a vehicle they own. Whilst the rest of the respondents were either already venturing out, or had no interest in the sport at all.

As a result of the tour and insight the research provided, MAA has developed a 4WD guide that potential adventure drivers can go through with dealers if 4×4 touring is of interest. Preparation, what to take, and general safety are just some of the factors covered so that buyers can feel confident when hitting the road on that ultimate dream track. The guide can also be downloaded from the Mahindra website by following the link to Customer Care.

Claire Tynan, CEO of Mahindra Automotive Australia says, “Through talking to buyers and understanding the market via extensive research we found that drivers are rightfully apprehensive of finding themselves in sticky situations in remote areas. This is why understanding a 4×4 vehicle before making a purchase and questioning the brand’s capability and reliability, as well as taking all of the right precautions before heading out, is absolutely vital. This sort of knowledge makes a huge difference in terms of confidence on those special adventure trips as well as on the road daily.”

Rees Leyshon, a Mahindra Pik-Up driver bought a 4×4 dual-cab Pik-Up approximately two years ago for his landscape gardening business. He always aspired to go up North for an adventure trip, but lacked the confidence to do so. He researched on line and found that the Mahindra had a reputation for being a rugged and capable vehicle in many parts of the world. That factor, coupled with some short “test” trips locally in his Pik-Up, showed him that it handled all sorts of harsh terrain without any trouble at all.

Once he knew comfortably what it could achieve, he took his Pik-Up to Cape York and fulfilled a lifelong dream. A year later, having had the time of their lives, Rees and his four sons braved some of the hardest roads in Australia and took it to the Kimberley for an amazing adventure. Rees says, “At many turns, we left other 4×4’s for dead! In fact we had to tow some vehicles that have been long associated with adventure driving out of very thick bog, which we were completely floored by. It just takes time to do your research and build confidence with your vehicle once you’ve bought it before you can go out there and conquer some tough tracks. But it’s well worth it.”

Rob Attwood, another Mahindra Pik-Up driver who owns a motorbike and farming equipment shop in rural Queensland tows boats, caravans and trailers for work and play. He has clocked up over 86,000 Km in his vehicle in a fairly short period of time and says it’s all about knowing what the vehicle can do and treating it “rough” in more controlled environments which will help build confidence.

Along with the guise, testimonials of drivers such as Rees and Rob are also available to buyers both on line and at Mahindra dealerships so that they have a clear understanding of the vehicle’s track record under harsh Australian conditions.

MAA recently launched a new TVC campaign with the tag line “Made for the hardest places on Earth” which is based on Mahindra’s tough 4×4 heritage and its ability to handle well under difficult circumstances both here and internationally.

With a drive away price of $25,499 for the single cab 2-wheel drive ute and $30,990 for the single cab 4-wheel drive version the Mahindra Pik-Up is certainly competitive and they not only have a decent load carrying space but they also come with plenty of  standard bells and whistles in both creature comfort and safety too.

Included in the creature comforts are features such as:

• air conditioning
• power steering, windows and mirrors
• central locking with immobiliser
• ergonomic seating and
• a rear window demister

Safety features include:

• driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
• ABS brakes
• audio controls on the steering wheel
• side intrusion beams
• fire-retardant interior fabrics
• load adjustable headlights

All models are powered by a 2.5L turbo diesel that meets Euro IV emission rules and that gives the Mahindra Pik-Up 2.5 tonnes of carrying capacity with a range of up to 800km.

The Mahindra Pik-Up is also available as a dual cab version in both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. The current drive away price for the 2-wheel drive version is $29,499 and you can expect to pay an extra $3,000 for the 4-wheel drive version.

Drive away prices for both the single cab and dual cab models are even cheaper if you happen to have an ABN.

So the price is good and the vehicle certainly looks rugged enough … in fact every time I look at it I can’t help thinking that I can see a Mark I Land Rover in some of the lines of the Mahindra Pik-Up … but whether it’s as tough as it looks remains to be seen. I have been hearing Mahindra and the Dakar Rally being mentioned in the same breath lately so maybe we’ll see just how tough they are quite soon.

Mahindra is planning on moving into the US market early next year although the ever-changing exchange rate appears to be causing them some problems when it comes to fixing a sticker price for the Pik-Up in the United States. It’s planned that the US market will get both the single and dualcab versions and Mahindra’s US website is also advertising an SUV that’s not yet available in Australia.

You also get access to some great interactive maps that will help you plan your next big 4×4 adventure.

This link will get you to the Toyota 4×4 Facebook page but you will have to join Facebook if you aren’t already a member.

The all-new 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander is on the leading edge of versatility, technology, and value in the crossover SUV segment. The 2007 Outlander debuts the all-new 3.0L V6 MIVEC engine and features a standard six-speed Sportronic(R) automatic transmission with one-touch manual shifting and adaptive electronics.

The Outlander XLS adds rally inspired Sportronic steering wheel paddle shifters for shifting control at the driver’s fingertips. All Wheel Control (AWC), an advanced version of all-wheel drive is available. An innovative two-piece flap-fold rear tailgate makes cargo loading easy, and an in-floor stowable third-row seat adds to the XLS model’s versatility.

Technology is one of the hallmarks of the new Outlander, including a standard Bluetooth(R) hands-free cellular phone interface, advanced FAST-Key access system, and optional 650-watt Rockford Fosgate(R) audio system and DVD entertainment. A new hard-drive navigation system option will be state of the art.

And the all new 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander was on display at the New York International Auto Show last week.

The larger, more comfortable Suzuki midsize crossover SUV is powered by a sophisticated, Suzuki-built 3.6-liter V6 engine matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manumatic control.

Follow the link to see the full report on the Suzuki XL7 SUV

One of the country’s largest gold mines is capitalising on the toughness and durability of approximately 80 Toyota vehicles on a daily basis.

Cadia Valley Operations is located 25km south-west of Orange in central western New South Wales.

It has a light vehicle fleet that mainly comprises LandCruiser 78 and 79 Series, as well as some LandCruiser 100 Series wagons, which live up to their solid reputation in the tough mining environment.

The facility comprises the Cadia Hill open-cut mine and the Ridgeway underground mine.

Cadia’s light vehicle supervisor, Roger Hicks, says the naturally aspirated diesel LandCruisers (the only type in use at the mine) usually travel around 7000 kilometres a month.

“The LandCruisers are constantly in the pit and underground, encountering all sorts of unsealed and rough surfaces,” says Hicks.

The LandCruisers are retired when running costs start peaking due to the extreme conditions and their non-stop use – usually between 150,000 and 170,000km, although it is not uncommon for some to clock 200,000km.

“Running costs are so important here – we have to choose vehicles that will handle the conditions best and have the most readily available parts,” says Hicks.

“For us, that vehicle is the LandCruiser.”

The mine has recently opened its own dedicated $500,000 service facility, complete with heated floors, to care for the service requirements of its vehicles on site – which Roger Hicks sees as a huge advantage.

“Vehicle downtime costs a lot of money and this facility allows us to minimise it” he says.

“We have four to five mechanics working at any time, and we rely on our partnership with Toyota through the West Orange Motors dealership.”

Last financial year, Cadia Valley Operations produced nearly 700,000 ounces of gold, the second best result for a gold mine in Australia.

It also currently places a strong emphasis on copper production, due to the mineral’s high price and increasing demand for it from the Chinese market.

Copper production last year amounted to approximately 72,000 tonnes.

Cadia Valley Operations and its operator, Newcrest Mining, are currently in the midst of feasibility studies that could see the mine in operation for up to another 40 years.

It is also envisaging new open-cut and underground mines that would form Cadia East, within the existing Mining Lease Area of Cadia Valley Operations.

A recent study in the United States has found that bigger does not equal safer when it comes to being safe inside a vehicle. The study reached the conclusion that any safety imparted to the occupants by the size of the vehicle were cancelled out by the fact that SUVs have double the risk of rolling over in an accident.

While size does enhance the safety of people within a vehicle, children in vehicles that rolled over were three times more likely to be seriously injured than those in non-rollover accidents.

I mean what self-respecting 4WD only has one gear? Where’s the fun in driving a vehicle that has only one gear even if it is the right gear for that precise point in time?

Even using the word ‘gear’ is probably not quite right because the Murano comes equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and that means that it is always in the right gear for the conditions.

The CVT is a stepless transmission controlled by an onboard computer and it gives an infinite number of gear ratios. But just in case the driver happens to have Luddite tendencies Nissan have also provided a gear selector that the driver can use to select from one of a number of pre-programmed gear ratios.

When the vehicle is being driven in full auto mode the drive operates as 2WD only with power going to the front wheels but as soon as any wheel spin is detected the vehicle automatically switches to 4WD. And if anyone is silly enough to believe that this vehicle should be taken off-road then the driver can lock in 4WD.

But even there the responsibility of driving the Murano is taken from the driver because even with the 4WD locked on the vehicle will automatically switch back to 2WD should the vehicle speed exceed 30kph.

The Murano is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 – the same V6 that powers the Maxima and 350Z – and the suspension is very similar to that used in those on-road vehicles too. In fact the Murano also shares its frame with the Maxima.

The result is a big vehicle that is really designed for sealed roads. It rides and handles well and seats 4 adults in comfort and carries their luggage as well. On a trip you can expect to get around 11 litres per 100km but around town that figure is going to worse.

The starting price for this Soccer Mom’s vehicle is $51,990 and you can option it up from there up to around $56,990 for the top of the range Ti model.

Based on figures from the US where the Murano has been selling for the last 2 years, and has now sold over 327,000 units, Nissan expect to sell as many as 300 a month here in Australia.

Hmmmm – I still can’t come to grips with a vehicle like this. Whoever heard of an off-road vehicle that had a foot operated parking brake?

Nissan believes that the new D40 is going to take on the Toyota SR5 Hilux while the older D22 will compete strongly in the area of the 4WD market that includes Triton and Rodeo.

The D40 is a bigger vehicle all round than the D22 and comes with a choice of diesel or petrol engines coupled to a 6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic gearbox.

There will be two models in the the range. The RX version is the entry-level model while the ST-X is the up-market version. Prices start at $38,990 for the V6 petrol RX and $40,990 for the dielsel version.

Prices for the ST-X version will start at $37,990 for the 2WD and stop at $45,990 for the 4WD

Update You can see further information about the Nissan Navara here