So it’s with some trepidation that we publish some information about the new Skoda Fabia RS and Skoda Fabia Wagon RS.

Škoda Auto revealed the new Fabia RS and Fabia Wagon RS at the Geneva Motor Show, its second sports-tuned model after the Octavia RS.

For the first time ever, Škoda Auto is using a double-supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine providing 132 kW of power. The sophisticated compressor-and-turbo combination of the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine, increases the engine power smoothly and harmoniously, providing a maximum speed of 224 km/h (Wagon 226 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds.

With fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100 km, the Fabia RS offers high power, impressive fuel efficiency, as well as excellent environmental parameters.

The new Fabia RS models are unmistakable thanks to their unique front bumper design and integrated fog lamps that can optionally be fitted with the corner system or daytime running LED lamps.

The vehicle’s unique position in the Fabia portfolio is underlined by 17″ lightweight alloy Gigaro wheels developed specifically for the RS, red-painted brake callipers, tinted windows, a new rear bumper with a diffuser and a double exhaust tip.

The vehicle’s sports-tuned chassis with ESP, ABS and ASR is designed for powerful and dynamic, yet safe driving performance.

To enhance the driving experience, the new XDS electronic limit slip differential system electronically brakes the inside front wheel to increase the torque on the outside front wheel. Towing the car around the bend, the resulting torque gives it impressive agility.

Both the Fabia RS and the Fabia Wagon RS are fitted with height-adjustable sports seats with RS logos on the backrests. The three-spoke leather-clad sports steering wheel is available with an optional multifunctional version with gear change paddles for manual control of the standard seven-speed automatic DSG transmission.

The purity of the interior design is underlined by an Onyx-coloured dashboard, leather gearshift and handbrake, while the pedals are fitted with stainless steel treads.

Skoda Australia is currently considering the Fabia RS models for local launch to broaden its model range and to increase the brands appeal with a younger demographic and some of its young-at-heart customers.

Reportedly based on Toyota Scion … a vehicle quite popular in the United States … Toyota describes the Ruckus as “an urban utility vehicle with head-turning styling the projects an aggressive appearance”.

Toyota Australia’s marketing manager Scott Thompson said Rukus is designed to bring young, urban trend-setters to the Toyota family – especially those who have never previously considered a Toyota.

“It will be a case of ‘Rukus’ by name and ruckus by nature,” Mr Thompson said.

“This is a car that’s designed to be different, with a boxy shape that has become iconic,” he said.

“When it’s launched late in the first half of this year, it will certainly stir up the small-car market – creating a ‘ruckus’, if you will.”

Mr Thompson said Toyota Rukus will be offered to urban dwellers as a blank slate.

“It will be loaded with great standard features, but we expect many owners to express their individuality by making their car stand out from the pack.

“That might involve wild paint jobs, funky wheels or other ideas, limited only by the imagination of owners – and what’s legal.

“Potential customers have told us they want this style of car. We’ve listened and we’re responding.

“Rukus is designed to be different: it’s not for everyone. It’s a bit like Vegemite: it’s an acquired taste,” Mr Thompson said.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) announced the arrival today of two full-production i-MiEV electric vehicles into the Port of Brisbane.

Queensland’s Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, the honourable Kate Jones, was on hand to witness the arrival of the vehicles into Brisbane, and, along with customs, shipping and port authorities, presided over their first official Australian inspection.

The new arrivals are the first full-production electric vehicles ever to set their treads on Australian roads and are in the country for MMAL’s extensive pre-sale evaluation program. Over the coming months the vehicles will be tested in ‘real world’ situations by government fleets, private fleets and the media across the nation.

MMAL’s president and CEO, Robert McEniry, was delighted to welcome the globally acclaimed vehicles to Australian shores.

“The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has the ability to introduce a new era of environmentally sound motoring to Australia. The arrival of these vehicles brings the possibility of having large numbers of zero drive-time emission vehicles on our roads one step closer to reality. ”

The i-MiEV, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, is a zero drive-time emission city commuter. A perfect vehicle for commuting over common distances in a city landscape, the i-MiEV is able to reach a top speed of 130km/h and has a range of around 160 kilometres* from a single charge.

The vehicle is a rear-wheel drive with three driving modes: Drive, Eco and Brake and takes approximately seven hours for a full battery charge from a normal 15 amp domestic household power supply.

The i-MiEV has been recognised internationally for its pioneering technology and its contribution to environmental protection. The vehicle has been on sale in Japan since July 2009, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan has signed memorandums of understanding with multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and several European countries.

History has definitely been made today but is it also the beginning of something we would rather not see? Is it the beginning of the end for the Australian manufacturing industry?

* Range may vary depending on a number of factors including use of climate controls, driving style, road conditions, number of passengers and the condition of the vehicle. Japan 10.15 Drive Cycle.

You’ll note that back then American cars were driven on the right-hand side and people who wanted to catch a tram or cable car stood in the middle of the road. There were horses, bike riders, pedestrians and what appears to be almost total chaos.

It’s about seven minutes long and after watching it I’m glad I wasn’t a tram or cable car driver back in those days.

Alan Kohler … the well-known economics commentator seems to think so. He sees Australia’s manufacturing industry as being underpinned by the local car makers and currently none of them are interested in building anything like an electric car in Australia.

While Australia has lagged behind the United States and Europe when it comes to electric propulsion for our vehicles Kohler suggests that may soon change and electric cars will become far more popular faster than many industry analysts may think.

And when that starts to occur what happens to our car industry?

Let’s face it, GM, Ford and Toyota have no real loyalty to this country … or any other for that matter … so we can’t expect them to stay here just because we like to buy they’re products. They know that we’ll buy their products whether they’re made at Fisherman’s Bend or somewhere overseas and we’re already doing that.

So as soon as it makes more economic sense to close their plants here in Australia than it does to keep them open they will. They can basically make their cars anywhere and the plants that are opening up in Asia and India can produce more than enough volume to keep our market and many others supplied.

So with all the major car makers already gearing up to produce electric cars in plants overseas our car making industry will wither and die and as it fades away so too will the rest of our manufacturing industry.

If Allan Kohler is right then the next five years could be very interesting for our local car industry and for our manufacturing industry in general.

You can read more of what Allan Kohler had to say here.

Falcon GT fanciers are spoiled for choice at Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic Auction on Monday (March 15), with three high-performance Ford going under the hammer.

Classic GT enthusiasts will be drawn to a one-owner XW GT sedan that was delivered new through New Oakleigh Motors in May 1970.

The purchaser’s father was a test driver for Ford Australia at the time and after testing the car at the company’s Proving Ground near Geelong earmarked the Grecian Gold vehicle for his son to buy because of its exceptional performance.

Offered registered with its original black and white Victorian number plates, the GT has been modified to run on premium unleaded petrol and comes with a supply of parts required for normal servicing, as well as spare decals.

Presented in good condition, the car is expected to sell in the $90,000-$110,000 range.

And to add further comfort to the deal, the vendor will through in a unique ‘couch’ shaped in fibreglass like the boot of an XW GT Falcon and featuring the same Grecian Gold and black trim colour combination of the real GT.

Buyers wanting the kudos of a Falcon GT combined with modern comforts and driving dynamics will be interested in the 1997 EL Falcon GT that is expected to sell for $22,000-$28,000.

Number 202 of the scheduled 250 built, the ‘30th Anniversary Falcon GT’ was the first product of Ford Australia’s new high-performance partner, Tickford Vehicle Engineering.

Powered by a Windsor 5.0 litre V8 pumping out 200kW, the EL GT featured lowered and stiffened suspension, a full leather interior and assorted wings and scoops to ensure it could not be mistaken for anything else but a ‘GT’.

Pent-up demand and the limited build ensured the model was an instant sell-out, with new examples offered for sale at up to $20,000 above the $69,500 recommended retail price.

Despite its performance, the EL GT came fully loaded with creature comforts, such as climate control air and power-operated everything, including a sophisticated ‘Premium’ 250-watt sound system.

This one-owner vehicle was a daily driver for the vendor from 1997 until 2004, after which it was used sparingly as a weekend recreational vehicle. The odometer now shows 120,502km.

An even more affordable alternative for GT buyers is a 1992 Falcon EB XR8 ‘Allan Moffat’ HO sedan that is expected to sell in the $16,000-$20,000 range.

This rare and potentially collectible Falcon started life as a Falcon S Pack sedan before being delivered to Phase Autos early in its life.

There, Wayne Draper installed a host of available options including an oil cooler, high flow fuel pump and radiator, vented and cross-drilled discs with GT pads, sports suspension and a mandrel bent exhaust system.

This EB-HO has also been fitted with a two-way electric sunroof, tinted windows, power steering, air conditioning and a MOMO steering wheel.
The personalised number plates HO 302 remain with the vehicle.

The three Falcons are amongst 52 cars and motorcycles and 20 items of automobilia in the Shannons Autumn Auction.

All lots can be viewed over the weekend from 9am-5-pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday at Shannons Showroom, 321 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham.

For a long time now the car insurance industry has been more interested in reducing costs, increasing profits and pushing repairers to do a cheap job rather than it has in providing a good service for their customers. Consumers complaints get lost in the background noise and even motoring bodies that are supposed to represent their members haven’t had much to say.

But finally an industry body is trying to make itself heard and the VACC is not pulling any punches. They say that they’ve had a “gutfull of the car insurance industry”.

VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, has called for insurance companies to end unethical market practices and to stop treating motorists unfairly.

Channel Seven’s ‘Today Tonight’ program last night reported that some insurance companies were increasingly diverting motorists away from the repairer they choose to the insurance company’s ‘preferred repairer’. The program also reported that some insurers were:

quoting for repairs from photographs instead of personally inspecting the damaged vehicle;
pressurising ‘preferred repairers’ to fix vehicles cheaply, resulting in corners being cut, substandard repairs and unsafe vehicles;
offering cash settlements to motorists that do not cover the full cost of repairs.
“We have had a gutful of the treatment dished out to repairers and motorists by the insurers,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

“Increasingly, insurance companies are directing motorists towards their preferred repairer network. Their actions deny motorists’ control and freedom of choice.

“Insurers are unfairly, unreasonably, and increasingly arbitrarily, reducing quotes so low that the repairer cannot repair the vehicle properly. As a consequence, we have poorly repaired, devalued and, potentially, unsafe vehicles out on the roads.

“It is not as if insurance companies need to screw us to the floor boards in order to survive. They are making enormous profits. They are supposed to be providing a service, but once a customer signs the policy papers, the insurance company controls the process. We want Government to bring the insurance companies back into line.

“Insurers are good at asking consumers’ questions and insisting on truthful answers. We should expect honesty from them in return. It is not good enough to have a clause buried in the small print of the ‘product disclosure statement’ about choice of repairer. It needs to be clearly identified and open for discussion from the outset.

“VACC calls on the State Government to pass legislation that requires a consumer is told about the choice of repairer provisions being offered in a comprehensive car insurance policy.

“And VACC recommends all motorists ask their insurance company the following question, ‘can I choose the repairer I want’,” Mr Purchase said.

Ford’s Transit Connect Taxi is built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform that’s been tested to Ford’s tough truck standards. Both the interior and exterior are built tough to handle the hard life that every taxi has to face.

The Ford Transit Connect Taxi is powered by a fuel-efficient four-cylinder petrol motor.

The Transit Connect Taxi will be available towards the end of this year.

The exterior of the Outlander RX features a redesigned front bumper and fog lights, 18 inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, along with unique side and rear air dams. Finishing touches include silver painted exterior door handles, a chrome exhaust tip and privacy glass.

On the inside the special features include unique leather and sports mesh seat trim, silver painted floor console panels and chrome interior door handles. And, to complete the package the RX Outlander adds safety and practicality with its advanced Bluetooth 2.0 functionality and smart key (keyless operation system).

MMAL vice president of brand and marketing, Paul Unerkov, said the special edition Outlander RX is in a class of its own.

“This attention grabbing vehicle offers great street presence, drivability and functionality.”

The Outlander RX is limited to 500 units only and is available in the choice of three colours – Black Mica and Cool Silver, and White Pearl which is exclusive to the RX.

Outlander RX features the 2.4L MIVEC engine, with CVT auto transmission as well as Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control 4wd System, Dual SRS airbags, ABS Brakes with EBD, Active Stability Control, Active Traction Control and Hill Start Control.

The Outlander RX is available now for $38,475.00 from over 200 Mitsubishi dealerships Australia wide and is covered by Mitsubishi’s industry-leading 5 year / 130,000km, 10 year/160,000km non-transferrable drive-train warranty and 5 year/130,000 roadside assist as standard.

*Prices listed are vehicle the only price before adding dealer and statutory charges

The Honda Accord and CR-V have been named in Kiplinger’s 2010 ‘Best in Class’ awards in the U.S, with the Accord taking Best in Class in the US$25,000 – $30,000 price range and the CR-V named Best in Class: Small Crossover.

The V6 Honda Accord won its price range category for the third year in a row, with editors nominating the vehicle’s impressive reliability, comfortable ride, standard safety equipment and ‘powerful yet thrifty’ driving approach as key selling points.

One of the first models introduced to Australia, the Accord is the most highly decorated vehicle in Honda’s history. It was the first Japanese car to win the coveted ‘Wheels Car of the Year’ award during its first year in Australia and was more recently named 2008 Drive Car of the Year and Large Car of the Year.

Adding to its popularity as the top-selling compact crossover in the U.S, the Honda CR-V was awarded Best in Class for its clean design, fuel economy, and impressive driveability. Kiplinger’s editors also nominated the vehicle’s strong resale value as a contributing factor.

One of Honda Australia’s most popular cars, the CR-V is a versatile family car that offers superior safety, style and affordability. Comprehensively equipped with safety features, the CR-V features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body, Vehicle Stability Assist and front, side and curtain airbags as standard across the entire range.

The Best in Class awards recognise vehicles that are proven standouts in their respective categories. Vehicles are judged on performance, value, safety and road test results.

Kiplinger is a Washington, D.C.-based publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice, available in print, online, audio, video and software products.

Available with the choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, in both sedan and hatch, 1000 Impreza R limited editions will arrive in April with a price premium of just $500 over the standard Impreza R.

Impreza R manual with leather is priced from $24,490* Recommended Driveaway Price (RDP)*.

Subaru also announced today that it has reduced the price for standard Impreza R manual sedan and hatch by $1000 to $23,990 RDP.

As with every vehicle in the Subaru range, Impreza R variants have a five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Every new Subaru features dual front, side and curtain airbags, plus Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability system.

* NOTE: RDP includes the vehicle price, registration, stamp duty, CTP insurance cost estimate (based on private purchaser with good driving record) and a recommended charge for dealer delivery. RDP is not applicable to business or government buyers. Final on road costs could vary according to individual circumstances and actual driveaway price may vary between Retailers.

Peugeot will unveil the new 5 by Peugeot concept car at this month’s Geneva Motor Show, with the launch of the 5 by Peugeot and they hope that this is what people will see in it.

The 5 by Peugeot concept reinterprets Peugeot’s history of large touring cars and unveils its ambitions in the market of luxury sedans.

The concept car’s pure and elegant lines blend with subtle technological details to create an overall effect of timeless, exclusive and modern design.

Its flowing exterior design conceals Peugeot’s HYbrid4technology, which will be launched in Europe on the 3008 from 2011.

A 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine produces 120 kW and is mounted at the front of the vehicle. This is combined with a 27 kW electric motor at the rear. As a result, the concept car features an overall maximum power of 147 kW.

It also benefits from an electric-only mode at low speeds, four-wheel drive on demand, and low levels of fuel consumption and emissions (3.8 litres/100 km or 99 g/km of CO2, or 0 in ZEV mode).

With its dimensions, proportions and styling, the 5 By Peugeotconcept is a response by Peugeot to radical changes in the market for large, luxury saloons.

The 5 by Peugeot expresses the company’s vision and know-how of the large touring car market, and represents its intent to amalgamate the “large saloon” (M2) and “luxury” (H) segments.

The emotion aroused by its exterior design holds the promise of exceptional interior space, convenience and comfort.

The design of the 5 by Peugeot concept has been guided by the ongoing research into perfectly balanced and streamlined body shapes.

The contours of its three-compartment body flow smoothly, unruffled and without interruption or embellishment from the end of the bonnet to the top of the boot: all surfaces are flush-fitting, with clearances between each element precisely determined to obtain an assembly quality rivalling that of a goldsmith.

At the front, the finish of the feline expression is spectacular: “LED tubes” are highlighted by a luminescent surround that blends with the body.

The headlamps frame a unique front grille whose aesthetic codes are reinterpreted following the example of the Peugeot SR1concept car – which is also due to be unveiled at Geneva.

The new lion logo naturally takes its place in a sculptured section at the end of the long aluminium bonnet.

The streamlined sides of the concept car are enhanced by bevelled, brushed-aluminium window surrounds, door handles in the same material, and sculpted 19” wheel trims.

The rear design suggests robustness and power – the particularly expressive rear lights are composed of three raised red clusters, also clearly distinguishing the vehicle at night; they are a reference to certain aspects of Peugeot’s historic models.

5 BY PEUGEOT DIMENSIONS (mm)
Overall length 4,860
Overall body width 1,880
Kerb height – with full tanks 1,420
Wheelbase 2,815
Front/rear overhang 974/1,071
Front/rear track 1,643/1,614

It was an impressive debut for the JAS Motorsport built, Mugen powered, Tankformers backed Evans Motorsport Honda Civic Type R.

On Friday’s first leg over two competitive stages, Evans and Weston finished first and second to end the day second overall by just 0.3 of a second.

Confidence was high for a good result on Saturday’s second leg which covered eight stages. Despite problems with the championship control tyres, Eli still managed to grab a stage win, as well as a second and third place on two other stages in the morning. However as the day progressed the tyre situation became critical, and after a quick off-road excursion Evans backed off.. As a result he ended the day in eighth place.

The weather was cooler on Sunday for leg three and Evans was able to attack the eight stages with renewed vigour.

Over the first six stages the Tankformers Honda Civic Type R won three and placed second in the other three. At the start of the final stage, run around the streets of Burnie, the gear lever broke as Evans grabbed second gear off the line. Unable to change gears Evans cruised through the stage resulting in a slow time.

Eli Evans, Glen Weston and the Evans Motorsport team were delighted with the strong showing of the Honda Civic Type R, clearly demonstrating its winning potential, collecting 50 championship points and instantly becoming the crowd favourite.

Nissan
Nissan is recalling over 500,000 vehicles … some for a brake problem … some for a petrol gauge problem … and some for both.

The brake problem is caused by a brake pin that … in very basic terms … tends to fall out of whatever it’s holding together and the result is that you have no brakes. It seems that all the vehicles affected by this recall are located in the United States.

The fuel gauge problem affects vehicles in both the United States and in other parts of the world and involves Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra models produced between January and March 2006 and October 2007 and January 2008. It seems that vehicles with high odometer readings experience a problem with the fuel gauge reading more than what’s actually in the tank.

GM
General Motors has to recall around 1.3 million vehicles sold in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The vehicles to be recalled included 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s. These vehicles could develop a faulty power-steering motor that could affect the vehicles handling at low speeds.

Hyundai
Here in Australia Hyundai have issued recall notices for 2.4-litre iLoad and iMax vehicles manufactured between April 28 and June 30 2009 due to a faulty throttle cable. A missing sleeve may mean that the accelerator is harder to depress than normal.

The recall of Hyundai vehicles is almost nothing compared to the big numbers for Nissan and GM … there are only 539 vehicles in Australia affected by this recall notice.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) will add a limited edition to the already popular Lancer range in March 2010. Based on the feature-packed ES model, the Lancer ACTiV sports an impressive list of interior and exterior additions all with a drive-away price starting from $21,990.

MMAL Vice president of brand marketing, Paul Unerkov, is delighted to welcome the Lancer ACTiV and believes it will be a hot seller at Mitsubishi dealerships across Australia.

“The Lancer ES is already an extremely well appointed and popular vehicle. The additional features available as standard increase the street presence and highlight the superior value of the ACTiV variant.”

Upgrades to the exterior of the Lancer ACTiV include 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, side airdams, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip and the ACTiV badge. Inside, the ACTiV boasts the convenience of hands free blue tooth and features a leather steering wheel with audio and blue tooth controls.

The Lancer ACTiV boasts the efficient 2.0-litre dual overhead cam MIVEC four-cylinder engine, delivering 113kW of power @ 6000rpm and 198 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm, and is available in both manual and CVT transmissions, and in either the Sportback or sedan body styles.

With the five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded to the entire Lancer range, the Lancer ACTiV provides the utmost in safety. Active Stability Control with Traction Control (ASTC), ABS braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), (SRS) airbags, anti-intrusion pedal system, seatbelt pretensioners, and reinforced impact safety evolution (RISE) body all contributing to the ultimate protection rating.

Available in the full range of Lancer colours, the Lancer ACTiV is now available at Mitsubishi dealerships Australia-wide.

Like all Mitsubishi vehicles, the Lancer ACTiV is protected by the company’s leading and comprehensive five year/130,000 whole vehicle warranty, backed up by its 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty and a five year/unlimited km roadside assistance package.

The new Nissan Micra is a very important vehicle for Nissan for it was developed and built on Nissan’s all new V-Platform and while it was designed and tested in Japan the Nissan Micra will be built in at least four overseas locations … India, Thailand, Mexico and China … and be exported to 160 countries around the world.

Design
“The car has to charm a global audience,” comments Makoto Yamane, Associate Product Chief Designer. “Its face had to look stylish and have an air of sophistication to it. “ A unique design feature of this car — its double-layer integrated grille — meets these requirements. But the car’s classic shape was also crucial. That’s why it also employs a stylized version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal in Europe and Japan.

Retaining its compact dimensions, the new car is slightly longer and marginally lower, while its longer wheelbase enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance, the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interior. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too, continues Yamane. Aiming to create the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation binnacle and the similarly shaped glovebox compartment on the passenger side.

The interior of the new Nissan Micra was designed in Japan ... I guess it shows.

All-new Engine and CVT
In Europe, a simple engine line-up sees just two engines options – both are variations on Nissan’s all-new naturally aspirated HR12 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Inheriting its DNA from the HR16 4-cylinder engine powering the Note and Qashqai, the new engine employs valve-timing control (VTC). Power is rated at 59kW (80ps, while torque output is 108Nm. At only 115g/km, CO2 emissions for this version are world-class.

In addition to the new normally aspirated engine, Nissan will also offer a supercharged 1.2-litre direct injection iteration with a start-stop system fitted as standard in Europe. These technological innovations – stop-start reduces CO2 by six per cent – combine to offer spirited performance, with outputs of 72kW (98PS) and 142Nm of torque. Emissions will be just 95g/km, an exceptional achievement for a petrol engine.

Both engine options in Europe are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or Nissan’s all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The wide gear coverage enables the 1.2-litre engine to achieve the economy of a 1.0-litre as well as brisk acceleration.

Not satisified merely improving performance levels, engineers excelled in developing ride and handling characteristics which combine agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the suspension has been designed to be both compact, minimizing intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car’s on-road dynamics. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, meaning that the Micra will ride serenely over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.

Comfort, function and equipment
In contrast to its high speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.5m and several new technologies that assist with minimizing CO2 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier.

Globally, equipment levels differ by market, but the new Micra is available with some key technological innovations which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners.

The new Micra is available with reversing sensors and a new ‘parking space measurement’ (PSM) device with three skill levels (amateur, normal and expert) to lessen the burden of parking in tight spaces – a unique feature in this segment, and likely to be a popular innovation in Europe where ‘touch parking’ is a way of life.

It also offers an Intelligent Key, Nissan Connect, Nissan’s accessible touch-screen combined audio and satellite navigation system, glass roof, automatic wipers, speed sensitive volume on the audio, a push button start-stop system in addition to a drive computer which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. On the security side, the car is also fitted with a speed-sensitive automatic door locking system.

The Nissan Micra is a city car so don't expect a lot of boot space

Safety
The incorporation of the V-platform is one major factor contributing to the car’s improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, thanks to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. In Europe, the Micra will be fitted with ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and pretensioner seatbelts as standard equipment.

Simon Thomas, Nissan’s European Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, said: “The new Micra will continue to be the benchmark city car in Europe. Its appeal will be enhanced by its unique combination of compact exterior dimensions, with roomy interior, small and efficient engines, and user-friendly technology. Its continued icon status is destined to be be reinforced in its fourth generation.”

Sales of the new Micra will start in Thailand this month and spread to Europe in November.

“This is a very strong result and provides further evidence of renewed growth in vehicle sales,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Private buyers returned to the market in greater numbers during February, recording a 9.3 per cent increase on the same month last year.

“It is encouraging to see private buyers edging back into the market following the financial concerns of the past year,” he said.

Business sales remained strong (22.7 per cent increase) and there was a sharp rise in the number of vehicles sold to rental companies (175 per cent increase).

“Deliveries of vehicles purchased under the business tax break are gradually phasing down and we need to examine how the market will look without the impact of economic stimulus,” Mr McKellar said.

“Looking ahead, sustaining the confidence of private buyers is the key challenge for the economy,” he said.

“For that reason we continue to be cautious about the impact of interest rate increases,” Mr McKellar said.

Toyota retained the top selling position in February, increasing its market share to 20.5 per cent; followed by Holden with 13.6 per cent and for the first time in third position, Hyundai with 8.8 per cent.

Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG explains: “Volkswagen will be taking E-mobility to mass production. In 2011, we are expanding our test fleet by adding 500 Golfs with electric drive. A hybrid version of the Jetta for the US market follows in 2012. Starting in 2013, the E-UP goes into production. The goal is to become the market leader in E-mobility by the year 2018. We want to attain an electric vehicle market share of three percent within our entire range of products.” He goes on to say: “We will take the hybrid out of its niche status with our high-volume models. In the future, the heart of the brand will also beat with electricity.”

Today, the electric car is already technically capable of short ranges of up to 150 kilometres. And so, the Group’s various brands will be conducting field studies in key strategic markets of Europe, North America and China in upcoming months. An important intermediate step here is Group-wide implementation of hybrid technology in production vehicles. In Geneva, Volkswagen is therefore showcasing its technological competence in hybrid development and is already introducing the new Touareg Hybrid.

“This technological competence will be advanced in Volkswagen’s modular strategy of flexibly integrating hybrid and E-drives over a wide variety of vehicle platforms in all of the Group brands”, says Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Group Chief Officer for Electric Traction.

“We will continue to systematically exploit the potential of internal combustion engines with the goal of significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. So over the mid-term, vehicles with electric drives and those with internal combustion engines will co-exist.”

Well here I sit watching only the second episode of Top Gear on Channel 9 and they obviously just cut the news segment out of Top Gear.

Gee thanks Channel 9 … I guess we really didn’t expect that you’d keep your word … but you might have at least waited till the third episode.

Subaru has confirmed there will be two diesel variants, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Forester 2.0D and 2.0D Premium.

Nick Senior, Subaru Managing Director, said: “Given the level of customer enquiry so far, we anticipate substantial demand for Forester diesels. We expect supply to be quite tight and on that basis our network is now taking orders, to avoid customer disappointment.

“We thank customers for their patience and based on the huge response we’ve had to our Outback diesels, we’re gearing up for significant orders.”

Mr Senior confirmed the Forester 2.0D will be equipped with the same turbo diesel engine as the Outback 2.0D, producing 110 Kilowatts of power at 3600 rpm and 350 Newtonmetres of torque between 1800 and 2400 rpm.

All variants will have a six-speed manual transmission.

Forester 2.0D will feature cloth trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather gear shift, front fog lights, climate control air conditioning, self-levelling rear suspension, a flip-out rear tray and colour-coordinated door handles.

Forester 2.0D Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, power driver’s seat, upgraded audio, HID headlights and a sunroof.

Subaru Forester 2.0D Euro model engine.

As with every vehicle in the Subaru range, Forester 2.0D variants will have a five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Every new Subaru features dual front, side and curtain airbags, plus Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability system.

Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Please note: images shown are of Euro-specification Forester 2.0D.