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March 2, 2011 No. 570

GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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NEW CASTROL GTXPROFESSIONAL

SUPERIOR SLUDGE PROTECTION

Brilliant creations and a new-found confi dence dominate the Geneva motor showBy TERRY MARTIN

HARDLY a breath has been taken from the

world’s major motor manufacturers since

showing off their latest creations at the

Detroit auto show just seven weeks ago, as

evidenced by last night’s opening of the 81st

Geneva motor show.

This event is so signifi cant on the 2011

calendar that various car-makers have teased

with their Geneva world premieres since last

year, such as Kia with its crucial new Picanto

– one of many new compact cars that should

be coming Down Under inside 12 months –

and, at the other end of the scale, Ferrari with

its mould-breaking new FF grand tourer.

Cars from across the entire market

spectrum and concepts either close to

production or literally out of this world

are all represented in Geneva this week,

with a heavy emphasis on environmental

friendliness as well as power and passion

illustrating a new-found optimism in the

industry that was missing during the GFC.

GoAuto has covered the procession of new

metal – and the prospects of each model for

Australia – as manufacturers showed their

cards in recent weeks, and now, over the past

24 hours, a number of long-anticipated new

models, and some surprising concepts, have

hit the spotlight.

Among them are Alfa Romeo’s 4C

supercar, Lamborghini’s long-awaited

Murcielago-replacing Aventador LP700-

4, the near-production version of Toyota’s

FT-86 rear-drive sportscar, and more details

of Subaru’s take on the same vehicle.

See fresh arrivals and breaking news –

including Holden’s role in a forthcoming

Opel car – from the show in this issue, and

go to www.GoAuto.com.au in the hours

and days ahead as our comprehensive

coverage continues.

It’s only about fi ve degrees Celsius in

Geneva this morning, but in the Palexpo

halls – across 80,000 square metres,

upon which 260 exhibitors are spruiking

700 brands spanning 31 countries – the

temperature is still rising.

Our coverage continues on page 4.

GENEVA

INSIDEFULL COVERAGE OFTHE AUSSIE CRUZE

Show of strength

March 2, 2011 Page 2

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PUBLISHER: John MellorEDITOR: Terry Martin MANAGING EDITOR: Marton PettendyJOURNALISTS: Ron Hammerton, Haitham Razagui Byron Mathioudakis, James Stanford PRODUCTION: Luc BrittenSUB-EDITOR: David HassallEDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Mike CostelloProduced by GoAutoMedia: Ph: (03) 9598 6477 newsroom@mellor.net

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISGM HOLDEN has revealed it was at a

crossroads just two and a half years ago, with

the threat of closure a real possibility as it

awaited fi nancial support from government

to add the Cruze small car line alongside

the VE Commodore and WM Caprice at its

Elizabeth plant in South Australia.

“It was the worst time in our history no

doubt,” GM Holden chairman and managing

director Mike Devereux told GoAuto on the

eve of this week’s unveiling of the Australian-

made Cruze Series II small car – the model

he says saved Holden manufacturing.

“If we didn’t have the backing that we did

from the federal and South Australian state

governments we would not even have come

close to making the local Cruze happen.”

Holden accessed $149 million from the

federal government’s Green Car Innovation

Fund and another $30 million from the

South Australian government to help bring

the Australian-made Cruze to market. Sales

commence at the end of this month.

The plan was formulated by ex-Holden

boss Mark Reuss in 2008 as the end

loomed for the company’s vital Pontiac G8

export program to North America, during

the worst global economic downturn

since the Great Depression and when oil

prices were at an all-time high, scuppering

demand for V8-powered performance

vehicles worldwide.

Additionally, US parent General Motors

was sliding into bankruptcy, effectively

ruling it out as Holden’s fi nancier.

“You have to remember that in late

2008 the world for General Motors was

caving in. We were on a knife-edge,” Mr

Devereux said. “By building the Cruze in

Adelaide, it makes it more viable for us to

have Commodore. I can’t just conjure up

40,000 additional exports for Commodore,

and Holden can’t just survive on 60,000

Commodores every year.

“We lost between 35,000 and 40,000 US

export Commodores as a result of the demise

of the Pontiac G8 (announced in mid-2009).

“So to have stayed with just one car

line is not viable. You have to be building

over 100,000 cars to be viable – we tried to

achieve that with the G8 Commodore but of

course it went away.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREFocus on 100,000-plus – next page

Adelaide Cruze decision sealed Holden’s future in Australia, says Devereux

‘We were on a knife-edge’‘We were on a knife-edge’

Cruze

Union boss urges reinstatement of green-car fundBy BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

A LEADING union offi cial has used the

unveiling of the Australian-made Holden

Cruze to appeal directly to prime minister

Julia Gillard to reconsider the federal

government’s scrapping of the Green Car

Innovation Fund (GCIF).

Australian Manufacturing Workers

Union federal secretary Ian Jones

said it was ironic to be celebrating the

commencement of Cruze production so

soon after the program was abandoned.

Mr Jones was addressing an audience

that also included federal industry and

innovation minister Kim Carr, who has

driven the GCIF, South Australian premier

Mike Rann, several other federal and state

politicians, about 1000 plant employees

and key senior Holden personnel.

Switching production of the Cruze –

one of the key benefi ciaries of the green-

car fund – has created 265 new jobs at

Holden Vehicle Operations in Elizabeth,

South Australia.

“It is in a position of irony that we

fi nd ourselves celebrating this position

of success whilst that policy has been

abandoned,” said Mr Jones.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 3

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Holden is not concerned output targets could place Cruze above Commodore

Focus on 100,000-plusFocus on 100,000-plus

Holden sees export potential for Cruze, but ‘we don’t have a plan right now for that’By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

GM HOLDEN has reiterated it has no

current plans to export the Australian-

built Cruze sedan or its upcoming fi ve-

door hatchback sibling, and that the car’s

business case is not dependent on exports.

However, the company has revealed

that potential export opportunities may

exist in the future, with right-hand drive

markets such as South Africa and even the

United Kingdom likely to be investigated

as potential export destinations within the

lifecycle of the current model.

GM Holden chairman and managing

director Mike Devereux said the company

had simply not had the time to seriously

consider exporting the small car from

Adelaide, citing the breakneck schedule of

getting the car ready for manufacture at its

Elizabeth plant following the plan’s offi cial

announcement in December 2008.

Mr Devereux said the ‘Australianisation’

of the Cruze – in terms of local tuning,

restyling and engineering – has been a

priority, while amassing some 30 Australian

suppliers and then locking them in during

2009 had put any export thoughts on the

backburner for now.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISGM HOLDEN says it is happy for its

Australian-made Cruze to outsell the

Commodore if it means that the company

can profi tably achieve production targets of

100,000-plus units annually.

However, company executives will not

discuss volume expectations, except to say

that Holden expects the Cruze to “comfortably

outperform” the outgoing model’s 2010 (and

fi rst full-year) sales result of 28,334 units.

In contrast, Holden sold 45,956

Commodores, 1999 Statesman/Caprice

models and about 10,000 Utes in Australia

last year, while a further 8000 VE/WM

vehicles were exported.

Speaking to the media at the launch of

the newly Australianised Cruze (the existing

model was imported from South Korea),

chairman and managing director Mike

Devereux said that adding much-needed

volume at the Elizabeth plant in South

Australia to keep workers and suppliers

busy is more important than which car wins

the sales race.

“When we start selling the Cruze hatch

(in October) our position in the marketplace

will increase,” Mr Devereux said.

“People ask what happens when

Commodore gets overtaken by Cruze and

I’m happy to sell whatever cars Australians

want to buy. (If) they want to buy more

Cruzes, then they can buy more Cruzes. I’m

fi ne with that.”

Mr Devereux added that producing small

and large cars on the same assembly line gives

Holden a two-way bet to increase or decrease

production according to consumer demand.

He said there are also longer-term brand-

building upshots that the consumer can

benefi t from due to the two-pronged policy,

since Holden will be less likely to be stuck

with excessive stock of either model, which

should in turn reduce the need to discount at

the expense of reduced residual values.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 6, 16-18, 22, 25

Cruze production

March 2, 2011 Page 4

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Kia Australia plots dual attack in light-car sector, with Picanto next to Rio

Strong case for PicantoStrong case for Picanto

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By RON HAMMERTON in GENEVAKIA Motors Australia has made a pitch to its

parent company in South Korea to add the

all-new Picanto city car to its local line-up

beneath the similarly fresh Rio in a twin-

pronged attack on the light car market.

If the Australian business case for the

cheeky European-styled, Korean-built

Picanto hatchback is accepted by head

offi ce, it will join a rush of new models

arriving in Australia from the fast-

growing company over the next two years,

including an all-new Cerato small car, a

replacement for the top selling but ageing

Carnival and a fresh Soul.

The second-generation Picanto, which

along with the new Rio was unveiled this

week at a Kia event on the eve of the Geneva

motor show, would be pitched at entry-level

newcomers such as the Suzuki Alto, Holden

Barina Spark and Nissan Micra.

It would not be expected to arrive

in Australia until 2012, the same year

that Kia will launch a new Cerato small

car built on an all-new platform being

developed with partner Hyundai.

The bid for a local launch of Picanto

was confi rmed by KMAu national public

relations manager Kevin Hepworth, who

said the Australian subsidiary was awaiting

a response from Seoul.

He said the previous Picanto had been

rejected for Australia as KMAu felt that

the market was not ready for such small

cars when it was launched in Europe and

South Korea in 2004.

“No one wants to be the fi rst to jump in

the pool, especially when the pool is that

small,” he said.

Mr Hepworth said that, while the market

for such vehicles was still small, it had

potential to grow.

As the Picanto is already made in right-

hand drive for the UK, it would seem

relatively easy to tick the production box

for Australian shipments.

The move could put it on a collision

course at the bottom end of the market

with sister company Hyundai, which is also

considering importing its diminutive Indian-

built i10 to slide under the i20.

Kia says its new hatchback Picanto –

available in three- and fi ve-door models

in Europe from the second quarter of this

year – is “all grown up”, with thoroughly

modern styling from former Audi designer

Peter Schreyer, who has overseen a major

overhaul of Kia’s design language over

the past four years.Continued next page

Picanto

March 2, 2011 Page 5

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Toyota Fleet Management are a division of Toyota Finance Australia Limited. We offer a complete range

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The Fleet Products Coordinator will be responsible for developing

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Strong case for PicantoStrong case for PicantoContinued from previous page

Mr Schreyer was on hand on Tuesday to

see his new babies unveiled, with Picanto

and Rio both emerging more substantial in

almost every way than the previous models.

The Rio – the more conservative of the two

designs but still sharp in the new Kia family

style – has already been confi rmed for an

Australian launch about September in the fi ve-

door hatch guise that was revealed in Geneva.

It will be armed with an 81kW 1.6-litre four-

cylinder petrol engine mated with a choice of

six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Also confi rmed for Australia is a Rio sedan

that is set to join the range late in the year,

followed by a three-door hatch early in 2012.

Pricing is yet to be decided, but a $15,500

starting price for the base fi ve-door Rio

seems to be the target, with an automatic

version starting from about $17,000.

Rio, built on the same architecture as the

Hyundai i20, is 20mm longer, 25mm wider,

and 15mm lower than the current car and

features a wheelbase extended by 70mm (to

2570 mm), which Kia says greatly enhances

passenger space and cargo capacity.

It will be available in Europe with a choice

of four engines in three and four cylinders,

in petrol and diesel, with power ranging

from 51kW to 80kW.

But Australia will miss out on the

extremely effi cient smaller engines that,

with an extra-cost package of fuel effi ciency

measures such as idle-stop, can achieve a

class-best CO2 rating of just 85 grams per

kilometre and fuel consumption as low as

3.2 litres per 100km.

Some of these Rio engines will be

shared with Picanto in Europe, although

larger petrol power – probably the range-

topping Kappa 1240cc four-cylinder that

generates 63kW of power and 121Nm of

torque – is expected to be preferred for

Picanto should it make it to Australia.

Picanto transmissions are a fi ve-speed

manual and four-speed automatic, helping

to give the European fi ve-door model a

CO2 rating of between 95 and 105g/km,

while fuel economy will range from 4.2 to

5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.

Kia expects the Picanto and Rio to each

score fi ve-star NCAP safety ratings, with

both models getting up to seven airbags.

Like Rio, Picanto is bigger than its

predecessor, and at 3600mm long is some

100mm longer than the Suzuki Alto. And with

a wheelbase 15mm longer than the previous

Picanto, the more generous proportions have

been put to good effect in passenger space,

which Kia says has a big-car feel.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Rio

Rio

March 2, 2011 Page 6

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Business Development Manager –Alphera Financial ServicesAlphera Financial Services is the leading provider of premium finance products for all makes of prestige,luxury and performance vehicles in Australia as well as providing wholesale and capital loan facilities tothe dealer networks.

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An outstanding opportunity now exists for a commercially astute and experienced automotive financialservices professional to apply for the position of Business Development Manager.

Based in Melbourne and working from a home office, the Business Development Manager’s role involvesmonitoring, analysing and reporting individual dealer performance; conducting training on products,systems and procedures both in dealerships and at national training conferences, monitoring marketcompetition and liaising with national sales company Regional Managers.

Reporting to Head of Alphera Financial Services, the Business Development Manager is responsible formanaging dealer networks throughout Victoria, South Australia, WA and Tasmania. The role will suit anindividual with exceptional communication skills and a proven track record in developing effectivebusiness relationships. With strong analytical skills, you will be a self starter who thrives on achievingresults through working closely with Dealer Principals and Business Managers within retail dealerships.Essentially, you understand the importance of delivering value added service tobuild these relationships, and utilizing your business acumen to assist dealer’reach desired business outcomes.

An attractive remuneration package which reflects the importance of thisposition will be offered. Please email your CV toJodie.paige@bmwfinance.com.au or contact Jodie Paige on 03 9264 4008 forfurther information. Applications close Friday 11 March 2011.

Opel reveals Australian design centre is creatinga new model for Europe

Holden’s Euro touchHolden’s Euro touch

By RON HAMMERTON in GENEVAFRESH from designing the fi ve-door

Cruze hatchback for international markets,

Holden’s Melbourne-based design team is

penning one of three new aspirational models

to debut under Opel badges in Europe – and

probably Australia – by 2013.

The Australian design connection

was revealed by Opel vice-president of

corporate and product planning Frank

Weber at last night’s Geneva motor show

opening, where he gave Australian motoring

journalists a glimpse of new-model plans

for the German-based subsidiary of General

Motors over the next two years.

General Motors is planning to roll out

the Opel range across Australia under its

own brand name in 2012, as a premium

alternative to the Holden range.

Mr Weber said Opel would launch in

Australia with its core models – the Corsa

light car, Astra small car and Insignia

medium car – before spreading into a

broader model range with some of Opel’s

wide range of niche models.

He said that in Europe, those Opel niche

models would be expanded over the next

two years with an additional three vehicles

coming on stream, including a hot Astra

GTC coupe, a small SUV codenamed Junior

and an all-new four-seat cabriolet.

Mr Weber did not rule out a hard-top

coupe version of the cabriolet, as a form

of latter-day Calibra, saying there was still

plenty of desire for such a model in Europe.

“We have not announced (it) offi cially, but

a car like this could make sense,” he said.

Asked if Holden had a hand in the design of

any of these upcoming models, Mr Weber said:

“As you know, our design operation is global.

And I think there is one car (by Holden) that is

going to be an Opel in the future.”

Asked if that car was the cabrio/coupe,

Mr Weber shrugged and smiled.

General Motors vice-president of design

Ed Welburn told GoAuto at Geneva that he

had recently visited Holden’s design studio at

Fishermens Bend in Melbourne to view projects

underway there. He said the Holden design

team was extremely busy on a range of projects,

including the next-generation Commodore.

But he added that Holden was also working

on global projects for GM – an apparent

reference to jobs such as the new Opel.

GoAuto understands the Astra GTC –

a three-door hatchback with a blistering

turbocharged four-cylinder engine – is likely

to make its debut at the Frankfurt motor

show later this year as a 2012 model.

Mr Weber said a small, Corsa-based

‘Junior’ SUV would arrive in 2013 with

2WD and AWD variants, available in both

left- and right-hand drive, to suit Opel’s

British sister brand, Vauxhall.

Describing it as “like a Meriva, but an

SUV” – a reference to Opel’s small Corsa-

based people-mover – Mr Weber declined to

be drawn on whether this model would make

it to Australia, but said it would include a

full-electric powertrain variant.

Mr Weber said the cabriolet would

replace the Astra convertible, known as

the TwinTop overseas, saying: “There is

one spot in the portfolio.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore Opel news – page 16

Current Astra TwinTop

March 2, 2011 Page 7

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Te lephone: (02) 9957 4182Emai l : aust ra l ia@cour land .com

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Toyota’s new rear-driveboxer sportscar emergesin near-production guise

Toyota touts FT-86 IIToyota touts FT-86 II

By MARTON PETTENDYTOYOTA has used last night’s Geneva motor

show opening to lift the lid on a completely

new, more radical version of its upcoming

rear-drive coupe, which has now also been

confi rmed to go on sale in Europe next year.

Dubbed the FT-86 II and claimed to provide

“the clearest indication yet of the fi nal design

of Toyota’s next sportscar”, the latest version

of the joint-venture sportscar the world’s

largest car-maker has co-developed with

Subaru is signifi cantly more aggressive than

the original FT-86 show car revealed at the

2009 Tokyo motor show.

No, the FT-86 II concept does not front

with the fi erce air intakes that appeared on

the sides and bonnet of the wild FT-86 G

Sports Concept that emerged at the Tokyo

Auto Salon in January 2010, before being

wheeled out again at last October’s Sydney

motor show.

Nor does the latest incarnation of the

four-seater FT-86, a teaser image of

which was released in January, feature

the menacingly low-slung bonnet line of

the 18-month-old original – presumably

due to tighter new European pedestrian

impact regulations.

However, the latest FT-86 concept still

winds up the aggression meter on the fi rst

FT-86 by a considerable margin by featuring

an edgier new bodyshell that retains the

long-bonnet, rear-set cabin proportions of

its predecessor but adds several new, more

angular design elements.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

FT-86 FOR CIRCA $30KTOYOTA Australia has revealed to

GoAuto in Geneva overnight that it is

hoping to price its all-new rear-drive FT-86

sports coupe at “low $30,000s” to attract a

new generation of sportscar lovers to the

brand. That price would make the coupe

Australia’s most affordable thoroughbred

sports coupe, up to $20,000 cheaper than

existing rear-drive two-door cars such as

the Mercedes-Benz CLC at $51,600 and

BMW 120i at $53,200. – RON HAMMERTON in GENEVA

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 8

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Ford is embarking on an unprecedented 18-month period where 85% of the entire model catalogue will be updated including Territory, Focus, Ranger and Falcon. As a result Ford is seeking candidates to ll a number of positions:

We are Australia’s longest established car manufacturer and our high pro le, global presence, emotive products and close relationship with the public make for a highly satisfying work culture. We are deeply committed to the Australian industry, corporate and environmental responsibility and Equal Employment Opportunities.

MARKETING, SALES, PARTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIESFord Motor Company of Australia Limited

These roles represent a fantastic opportunity to develop your career with an iconic Australian company. All applications close Tuesday 15th March 2011.

GENERAL SALES ROLE (Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane)Key Responsibilities:

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• Monitor Dealer performance against key metrics and work with them to achieve sales and other business related targets.

• Sell Sales & Marketing programs and assist with implementation.• Apply online at: www.seek.com.au/Job/general-sales-marketing-

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DEALER SERVICE OPERATIONS CONSULTANT (Sydney)Key Responsibilities:

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Rear-drive coupe to begin production in 2012 but no local launch date set - yet

Subaru locks in ‘Boxer’Subaru locks in ‘Boxer’

By RON HAMMERTON in GENEVASUBARU confi rmed overnight that its

pocket-rocket rear-drive ‘Boxer’ sports

coupe being jointly developed with Toyota

will go into production in the second

quarter of 2012.

The announcement came at the Geneva

motor show as Subaru revealed the

mechanical heart of the all-new purebred

sports model that is yet to be formally

confi rmed for Australia.

A full 348mm shorter than the Impreza

WRX sedan and 25mm narrower, the

two-door, four-seater coupe will get an

all-new ultra-lightweight body with short

overhangs and a low-slung boxer engine

for a race-like low centre of gravity.

The transparent mock-up of the car,

dressed in a see-through acrylic skin,

reveals a normally aspirated 2.0-litre direct-

injection version of Subaru’s third-generation

trademark boxer engine sitting in what Subaru

parent company Fuji Heavy Industries calls

its Boxer Sports Car Architecture.

Although no power or performance

fi gures were quoted, European reports

suggest a power output of 149kW from

this engine co-developed with Toyota. That

is 39kW more than the current second-

generation 2.0-litre engine in the standard

Impreza and 13kW more than the new 2.5-

litre third-generation normally aspirated

engine in the latest Forester.

A turbocharged variant belting out a

WRX-like 194kW is also mooted, although

there was no sign of that at Geneva.

Subaru described the new car as the

world’s only rear-drive, front-engined

sportscar powered by a boxer engine.

It said the emphasis had been on driving

enjoyment rather than raw speed, with a short

2570mm wheelbase – 35mm shorter than

that of the Impreza – for agile handling.

“Short front and rear overhangs reduce

any yaw moment of inertia and provide

a higher level of stability, control and

handling,” Subaru says.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 9

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Toyota Fleet Management are a division of Toyota Finance Australia Limited. We offer a complete range

of business nance products and automotive eet management services to both small businesses and larger

corporate, Government and not-for-pro t organisations.

We have experienced enviable success and growth in recent years to become one of the top four eet management

organisations in Australia. We have a unique approach to managing our customers, and our employees are a critical

part of our success. As a result of our organic growth, we are now recruiting for the following positions.

To apply for one of these advertised positions or to submit your resume for general consideration, please email your

resume and cover letter to: hrrecruit@toyota.com.au or contact Ben Dugan from Human Resources on (02) 9430 0371.

Fleet Sales Manager – St Leonards, NSW

This is an opportunity for a proven sales professional and people

leader to build our NSW Fleet sales portfolio by focusing on

business acquisition and maximising existing clients relationships.

You will enjoy the high credibility which comes with being a part

of the Toyota family and you will be supported by industry leading

systems and products.

You will have a strong record of achievement in business-to-

business sales, ideally in the eet leasing industry, as well as a

demonstrated ability to lead a sales team. Tertiary quali cations

will be highly regarded.

Fleet Dealership Manager – St Leonards, NSW

This newly created role will look to increase eet leasing

opportunities such as new business referrals and SME products

sold through the dealership network. This will involve developing

and delivering a coordinated sales program that harnesses the

strengths of the dealer network, eet sales channel and the

Toyota brand.

You will have an in-depth understanding of eet management

including experience working with a dealer network to increase

sales and income. An understanding of eet funding products and

proven success in business development is essential.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Mid-engined two-seater sportscar wows Geneva,with 2012 launch ahead

Alfa 4C to the foreAlfa 4C to the fore

By MARTON PETTENDYALFA Romeo not only returned to its compact

rear-drive sportscar roots by presenting one

of the most stunning concepts at the Geneva

motor show last night, it also confi rmed the

spectacular mid-engined two-seater 4C coupe

will go on sale globally next year.

Sadly, however, while the 4C appears

set to form the basis of Alfa’s long-awaited

return to North America in 2012, it has not

yet been confi rmed for right-hand drive

production, meaning its Australian future

remains unknown.

Riding on a wheelbase of less than 2400mm

and measuring only about four metres long,

the rear-wheel drive 4C is likely to be the fi rst

in a series of compact sportscars from the

Fiat group – including a standalone Abarth

version – over the coming years.

The 4C is powered by a more powerful,

mid-mounted version of Fiat’s new 147kW

1.7-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-

cylinder petrol engine – which recently

became available here in the 1750 TBi-

badged 159 sedan and wagon, Brera coupe,

Spider convertible and, in 173kW tune, the

Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde – matched with

the ‘Alfa TCT’ twin dry-clutch transmission.

Combined with a kerb weight target of less

than just 850kg, Alfa promises the 4C will

sprint to 100km/h in less than fi ve seconds on

its way to a top speed of more than 250km/h,

making it the most energetic model from the

rejuvenated Italian brand since the limited-

edition 8C Competizione Coupe and Spider.

At the same time, along with an estimated

weight-to-power ratio of less than 4kg per

horsepower, Alfa promises the 4C’s mid/rear-

mounted engine will return fuel consumption

similar to a compact four-cylinder while

matching the performance of a 3.0-litre engine.

Alfa says the 4C’s staggeringly low weight is

the result of technology and materials derived

from the 8C, and reveals its “chassis supports

a body crafted completely from carbon”,

while the rear frame structure and crash boxes

feature extensive use of aluminium.

This indicates the 4C will be based on

a steel spaceframe chassis that rather than

employing the KTM X-Bow’s expensive

carbon-fi bre tub, as has been rumoured,

although extensive use of carbon-fi bre or

carbon-reinforced plastic should be a given.

Comprising double wishbone front

and MacPherson strut rear suspension to

deliver 40:60 front/rear weight distribution,

the 4C’s throttle, steering and suspension

systems will be controlled by the familiar

‘Alfa DNA’ dynamic control selector.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE1750 TBi for 159 wagon – page 20

March 2, 2011 Page 10

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Nissan Financial Services have two (2) newly created roles to support the ongoing

growth and development of the Nissan Dealer Network. Reporting to the Regional

Sales Manager your mandate is to increase client nance penetration and grow

contract volume, whilst building brand value within the market. You will be a highly

visible primary contact for your clients across your Region.

Other responsibilities include generating proactive and positive customer relations,

ef cient resolution of any issues, training, and acting as a conduit between your

clients and head of ce. This integral role will involve balancing your time with

internal and external clients in your region. Dealer network experience with a focus

on nance will be highly regarded.

DEALER ACCOUNT MANAGERS– Southern Region (VIC/TAS/SA)– Eastern Region (NSW)

To apply in con dence please call Theresa O’Brien on (03) 9797 4221,

or send your resumé to: theresa_o’brien@nissan.com.au

FINANCIALSERVICES

By MIKE COSTELLOMASERATI has revealed a more powerful

version of its GranCabrio four-seater at

this week’s Geneva motor show, ahead of

its Australian release early next year.

The GranCabrio Sport will join the

standard GranCabrio model in Australia,

and will also sit alongside the hard-edged

GranTurismo S and Quattroporte Sport GT

in the local line-up.

The Sport packs a tuned version of the

alloy Ferrari-derived 4.7-litre V8 from the

standard model with peak power up 8kW

to 331kW and a torque boosted 20Nm to

510Nm, resulting in a slightly higher top

speed of 285km/h.

Maserati claims that despite the power

increase, reductions in friction mean the

Sport uses six per cent less fuel than the

standard GranCabrio.

The ZF six-speed automatic gearshift

has also been ‘optimised’, according to

Maserati, with the addition of software

from the Quattroporte Sport GT S, while

the Skyhook suspension and brake discs

have likewise been upgraded.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Maserati pumps more Sport into GranCabrioXKR lights upXKR lights up

By MARTON PETTENDYJAGUAR has turned the volume of its

sexy XKR coupe up to 11 by creating the

XKR-S, the British brand’s most powerful

production model ever.

Unveiled at this week’s Geneva motor

show, where Jaguar is also celebrating the

50th anniversary of its legendary E-Type,

the XKR-S is therefore the wildest ever

version of the two-door XK sportscar – and

its supercharged V8.

The XKR-S eclipses the standard XKR’s

already-epic 375kW/625Nm engine, which

also does duty in the XFR and top-shelf

variants of the XJ limousine, by belting

out a whopping 405kW and no less than

680Nm of torque.

Apart from raising the XKR bar by a

signifi cant 30kW and 55Nm, which is

enough to propel the big coupe to 100km/h

four-tenths sooner in 4.4 seconds and to

increase top speed to no less than 300km/h,

the XKR-S is blessed with reworked

suspension and revised “aerodynamically

driven” exterior cosmetics.

Jaguar claims that not only makes the

XKR-S the quickest model it has ever

produced, but also the most agile, responsive

and driver-focused, despite the fact it is also

billed as the only car in its class to emit less

than 300g/km of CO2.

However, the company claimed the same

4.4-second 0-100km/h acceleration time

for the limited-edition XKR 75, which

was revealed last June and is powered by a

390kW/655Nm version of the XKR’s blown

V8 that generates a top speed of 280km/h,

but will not be sold in Australia.

Instead, Jaguar Australia last October

imported 10 examples of the XKR Special

Edition coupe, which was revealed last

February ahead of its 2010 Geneva debut and

also boasted a 280km/h top speed for $272,000

– $17,000 more than the regular XKR.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

S-spec XKR is Jaguar’s quickest-ever production car

March 2, 2011 Page 11

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM — ELEMENT 3

APPLICATIONS NOW OPENApplications are now being accepted for the Australian Government’s Automotive Supply Chain Development Program (ASCDP) — Element 3The ASCDP is providing $20 million to 2012–13 to assist the automotive components sector enhance its capabilities and better integrate into local and global supply chains.Element 3 of the program is designed to support Tier 1 suppliers to Motor Vehicle Producers to implement development strategies for their own suppliers and other businesses further down the supply chain and assist them to more effectively identify and secure emerging opportunities.Applications close 1 April 2011 with successful applicants being notifi ed soon after.

For further information please refer to the Information for Applicants document on the Department’s website at http://www.innovation.gov.au or contact the Automotive Policy and Development Section, Manufacturing Division, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on +612 6213 7088 or +612 6213 7544.

Wild thing

By MARTON PETTENDYFORD has revealed the range-topping

Wildtrak version of its next-generation

Australian designed and engineered Ranger

utility at the Geneva motor show this week.

Packing hi-tech gadgetry including

Bluetooth audio streaming and voice control

for the audio, phone and air-conditioning

systems, a rearview camera, satellite-

navigation via a fi ve-inch colour screen

and USB/iPod connectivity, the Wildtrak

is certain to top the all-new Ranger line-up

when it goes on sale Down Under in the

third quarter of this year.

“Wildtrak is part of our current Ranger

line-up, so it’s safe to assume it will continue

to be,” Ford Australia public affairs director

Sinead McAlary told GoAuto.

Also included in Ford’s European Ranger

announcement were a number of fresh

technical details about the fi rst ute designed

under the ‘One Ford’ product strategy,

including a hefty 3350kg towing capacity,

impressive 800mm water-fording capability

and ground clearance of up to 230mm.

Although Ford Australia has so far

stopped short of claiming some variants will

offer best-in-class towing capacity – as Ford

has in Europe – the Ranger (and therefore

its mechanical twin, Mazda’s new BT-50,

which should go on sale here around the

same time) should also set new towing and

wading benchmarks in Australia’s one-tonne

ute segment.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

FIESTA MAXES OUTFORD has taken the wraps off a small

Fiesta-based people-mover dubbed the

B-Max at the Geneva motor show in

Switzerland this week, but it is unlikely

to be seen in Australian showrooms any

time soon.

Designed as a direct rival for the Opel

Meriva MPV from General Motors in

Europe, the B-segment people-carrier

will slot underneath Ford’s Focus-based

C-Max MPV.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

SKODA’S NEW VISIONSKODA has used this week’s Geneva

motor show to stage the world premiere of

a striking new fi ve-door mid-sized vehicle

concept dubbed the Vision D.

Far from previewing the German-

engineered Czech brand’s next-generation

Octavia, however, Skoda says the Vision

D is merely a design concept that – for

the fi rst time – reveals the company’s new

corporate styling direction.

Presented under the slogan ‘The New

Power of Skoda’, the Vision D is said to

represent Skoda’s move towards extending

its model portfolio and intensifying its

activity in Europe, as well as emerging

nations like China, India and Russia.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

KOMBI REBORN – AGAINVOLKSWAGEN has again raised hopes

of a new-generation Kombi reaching

production by revealing an all-new van

concept in the spirit of its 1950 original at

this week’s Geneva motor show.

Judging by the press release that

accompanied pictures of the German giant’s

newest Kombi concept, however, the new

Bulli show car appears to have a greater

chance of hitting showrooms than the still-

born Microbus concept from a decade ago

at the 2001 Detroit motor show.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Ford reveals Wildtrak version of its Aussie Ranger

This is it! The automotive PR role you’ve been wishing for, that ticks every box.Arguably one of the most exciting PR roles available in the country, here’s the chance to be the voice of the fun-filled Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. With ‘let’s-go-for-it’ budgets and a passionate team, you could be powering alongside some of the most creative minds the industry has to offer, like CumminsRoss advertising, Maxus media and more. With a fresh new direction, we’re surrounding ourselves with the highest calibre of expertise. So if you’ve got around five years experience with top-shelf PR skills, and enthusiasm to match, we want you in this action-packed team. Don’t Hold Back!

Chrysler Australia is seeking a motivated and experienced Sales Coordinator to join the Sales and Distribution team. Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager – NSW, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth process of sales coordination and distribution of vehicles to the dealer network. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:• Assisting with sales and demand planning.• Providing and distributing stock to all Chrysler Dealers.• Working closely with vehicle ordering and production.• Liaising and communicating with Transport companies. • Working with inventory management and associated

reporting.• Providing Administrative support to the region.SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:• Experience working with automotive stock control.• Able to communicate clearly, calmly and tactfully – both written

and oral.• Well-organised; thorough and able to work to specified

schedules.• Able to work both autonomously and within a team

environment.• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. SAP experience highly

desirable.

Calling car-nut graphics experts! Here’s the chance to use those Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign skills on the automotive art that is the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands.With a fresh, fun-filled new direction, the Chrysler Australia marketing crew are surrounding themselves with the best-of-the-best, and overflowing with ideas. So another team member is needed who’s packed with enthusiasm to create outstanding graphic design work with a bit of digital here-and-there thrown in for good measure.So if you’ve got your tertiary qualification sorted, and a couple of years graphics design experience, get that application in and Don’t Hold Back!

We require 2 experienced and highly skilled District Parts Managers for our NSW & QLD regions who are passionate about our brand. In this challenging role you will be responsible for assisting dealerships in improving and maintaining a high level of productivity and efficiency to ensure the viability and profitability of their After Sales Departments, with particular focus on customer satisfaction and retention. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:• Assist dealers in meeting targets.• Prepare and develop dealer Parts sales targets and margins.• Advise dealers on Parts policies, procedures, inventory and

service levels.• Monitor compliance with Operating Standards.• Provide Parts monthly operating reports. • Run and report biannual Parts audits.• Develop parts marketing to achieve Chrysler and dealer

objectives.• Provide specialised Parts sales advice to Chrysler

management.• Monitor technical training needs and assist dealers to implement

onsite training plans.• Provide onsite parts technical support to dealers.SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:• Sound knowledge of dealership parts operations with the

ability to build rapport with key stakeholders.• Chrysler product experience and knowledge of Chrysler IT

systems an advantage.• Excellent customer relations and interpersonal skills.• Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite.• Organised with strong attention to detail.

March 2, 2011 Page 13

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Business Analyst (4)

To be successful you will have:

Lamborghini releases its new Raging Bull, with fi rst local deliveries due in July

Aventador entersAventador enters

By DAVID HASSALLLAMBORGHINI has thrown back the covers

on the highly anticipated replacement for its

fl agship Murcielago – the Aventador LP700-4

– at the Geneva motor show this week.

The Italian supercar-maker’s new four-

wheel drive fl agship looks similar to its

predecessor but is powered by an all-new high-

revving V12 engine and introduces Lambo-

fi rst F1-style features including a carbon-fi bre

monocoque chassis and pushrod suspension.

First customer deliveries are expected

to take place simultaneously around the

world in the third quarter, with Lamborghini

Australia scheduled to deliver its fi rst

customer cars in July.

Lamborghini Australia managing director

Andrew Smith said he is already holding

deposits for eight cars and anticipates

delivering between 10 and 12 cars before

the end of this year.

Pricing will be just under $800,000,

making it slightly more expensive than

the outgoing base Murcielago LP640

($755,000) but less than last year’s limited-

edition LP670-4 SuperVeloce ($889,000).

In keeping with Lamborghini’s traditional

bull-related theme, the Aventador is named

after a fi ghting bull from Spain that was

awarded for its outstanding courage.

Also in keeping with modern Lambo

nomenclature, the LP700-4 refers to the

engine output in horsepower and the fact

that it drives all four wheels.

Although the new 60-degree engine is the

same size as the previous V12 at 6.5 litres,

it was designed from a clean sheet of paper

and is smaller, lighter and lower, measuring

just 665mm from top to bottom, including

the intake system.

This short-stroke V12 is rated at 515kW

(at 8250rpm) and therefore produces some

44kW more power than the LP640 and 22kW

more than the LP670, while also delivering

more torque (690Nm versus 660Nm).

With the car’s dry weight having been

reduced by 90kg (to 1575kg) over the

Murcielago, the more powerful Aventador

has startling performance, racing to 100km/h

in just 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of

350km/h, making it one of the quickest and

fastest production cars ever built.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 14

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Profi t Focus benchmarks Go mobileIt is now easier to benchmark your businesswith this new free iPhone App.

For more information and to downloadyour free application, click here.

By HAITHAM RAZAGUICITY-CAR specialist Smart has whipped

the covers of an all-electric two-seater

roadster concept – dubbed ‘Forspeed’ – at

this week’s Geneva motor show.

While Smart chief Annette Winkler

has been quoted as saying that unlike its

limited-edition Crossblade forebear the

Forspeed will never make production, the

concept is clearly a “look forward at the

next generation” of Smart vehicles.

The zero-emissions Forspeed has a

claimed battery range of 135km with

its 30kW motor with additional 5kW

‘overboost’ providing brisk acceleration

from 0-60km/h in 5.5 seconds on the way

to a 120km/h maximum.

That said, driving at anything other than

city speeds might be ill-advised as the

ironically named Forspeed has just a low-

rise wind-defl ector in lieu of a windscreen,

making driving goggles a necessity for

taller drivers.

In fact one of the press shots shows the

driver sporting a Robocop-style helmet.

Daimler-owned Smart says the concept

proves its credentials as a pioneer in

electric propulsion, backed up by the

fact that following a trial of 100 British-

engineered electric prototypes in 2007,

the company has sold 1500 Smart ForTwo

EVs in 18 countries since late 2009.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Electric ForSpeed holds clues to Smart futureGolf Cabrio backGolf Cabrio back

By MARTON PETTENDYVOLKSWAGEN has come clean on its plan

to reintroduce the Golf Cabriolet for the fi rst

time in more than eight years by revealing a

drop-top version of the latest Mk6 Golf hatch.

Making its global debut at the Geneva

motor show this week, the new-generation

Golf soft-top will be among the last of 11

new or facelifted Volkswagen Group models

to be released in Australia this year when it

goes on sale in late 2011.

The German giant’s all-new Golf cabrio

features a folding soft-top that is claimed to

open in just 9.5 seconds and can be operated

when driving at up to 30km/h, as well as a

boot that offers 250 litres of luggage space

even when the roof is stowed.

Featuring front-end styling straight out of

the latest Mk6 Golf hatchback’s copybook,

the born-again two-door Golf Cabriolet scores

a more steeply raked windscreen, LED tail-

lights from the Golf GTI, a unique bootlid and

a chromed highlight strip that extends around

the cabin from the base of the A-pillars.

The Australian line-up is yet to be announced

but in Europe will comprise six direct-injection

engine choices, including 77kW 1.2-litre,

90kW and 118kW 1.4-litre and 155kW 2.0-

litre forced-induction TSI four-cylinder petrol

engines from the Golf, which will also donate

77kW 1.6-litre and 103kW 2.0-litre TDI four-

cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

Volkswagen says three engines will come

with fuel-saving BlueMotion technologies,

with the 1.6 TDI claimed to return fuel

consumption of just 4.4L/100km and CO2

emissions of 117g/km.

Six- and seven-speed dual-clutch DSG

automatic transmissions will be available

in Europe alongside fi ve- and six-speed

manual transmissions.

Three model grades – S, SE and GT – will

be available in the UK, where the four-seater

Golf Cabriolet opens for orders before fi rst

deliveries start in September.

In Australia, however – as in Germany,

where the car went on sale last week – only

a single trim level is likely to be offered with

a range of packaged or stand-alone options,

such as bi-Xenon headlights. Standard

equipment should include front, head/

thorax and driver’s knee airbags, electronic

stability control, ABS brakes, 16-inch alloy

wheels and Bluetooth connectivity.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Local launch for reborn Golf Cabriolet due late 2011

March 2, 2011 Page 15

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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Visit carhistory.com.au/goauto or contact Sharon Sheather for more information email: sharon.sheather@carhistory.com.au or phone: 0459 066 554

*Veda Auto and Carhistory.com.au reports are based on information supplied to Veda Auto and may not have the complete history of every vehicle

carhistory.com.au

New 9-5 wagon emerges as revised Aussie line-up and timetable take shape

Saab’s great EstateSaab’s great Estate

9-5 SportCombi

By MARTON PETTENDYSAAB has removed its Swedish security

screen from the redesigned 9-5 SportCombi

station wagon, which made its global

premiere at the Geneva motor show this

week and will join the 9-5 sedan on sale in

Australia by November.

While the fi rst completely new fl agship

sedan from Saab in more than 13 years is

on schedule for Australian release in April,

its new fi ve-door 9-5 wagon derivative – to

be known as the 9-5 Estate here – will be

followed late this year or in early 2012 by

the all-new 9-4X crossover.

In the meantime, fi rst shipments of Saab’s

born-again MY11 9-3 range – including, for

the fi rst time, the 9-3X crossover – are about

to hit a condensed national retail network of

eight Saab dealerships.

Prices remain virtually identical to those

worn by 9-3 vehicles imported before GM

Holden relinquished its distribution rights

last year after General Motors sold Saab.

New local distributor Saab Cars Australia,

a wholly owned subsidiary of Saab

Automobile AB, has confi rmed it will also

replace the newly available MY11 9-3 range

with a facelifted MY12 model range that

likewise debuted in Geneva.

Also making its world debut at the Swiss

extravaganza is an all-new concept car,

the PhoeniX, which previews Saab’s next

generation of models.

The 9-5 Estate is billed as the next

step in Saab’s biggest ever new product

offensive and wears the same Aero X

concept-inspired face as the 9-5 sedan but

adds a number of new cargo solutions,

including an adaptable multi-fold fl oor,

fl exible U-rail load space confi guration

and under-fl oor stowage with a sealed wet

storage compartment.

Powered by the same all-turbo petrol,

ethanol and diesel engines as the sedan,

Europe’s 9-5 SportCombi – or SportWagon,

as it is also known – will come complete

with Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system,

DriveSense adaptive chassis control, adaptive

cruise control, bi-Xenon Smart Beam adaptive

lighting, keyless entry and starting, tri-zone

air-conditioning and Pilot Head-up Display.

FULL STORY, 9-3 PRICING: CLICK HERE

SPYKER SELL-OFFTHIRTEEN months after Dutch sportscar-

maker Spyker Cars acquired Saab from

General Motors in the wake of GM’s

chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company has

announced plans to sell the sportscar side

of its business in order to reduce debt and

sharpen its focus on the revival of Saab.

The buyer, British-based CPP Global

Holdings Limited, will acquire “virtually

all assets related to the Spyker business”

including its trademarks and intellectual

property rights for an upfront payment of

€15 million ($A20.3 million).

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Spyker C8 Aileron MY12 9-3 PHOENIX RISES: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 16

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

EV Engineering is recruiting for some of the most exciting auto engineering roles available in Australia. EV Engineering will build 7 proof-of-concept battery powered Holden Commodores with switchable-battery module and latest technology lithium cells. These vehicles will show-case Australian capabilities, enabling us to pursue opportunities with local and overseas OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to develop electric vehicles, components and systems.

EV Engineering is currently looking for exceptional: • Engineers • CAD Operators • Automotive TechniciansTo be successful you will demonstrate a history of superior achievement, working to tight deadlines and the ability to contribute creatively in a dynamic and highly productive team. If you want to make a difference on the road to zero emission driving and gain skills that will be at the core of the next generation of motoring you should apply.

For details go to www.evengineering.com.au

Building an Australian future in electric vehicle technology

By MARTON PETTENDYOPEL has unveiled its next-generation

Zafi ra and confi rmed it will produce a

successor for the Astra convertible, both

of which are likely to join the German

General Motors brand’s model range that

goes on sale here next year.

GM Holden has confi rmed it will

launch Opel as an upmarket rival for

Volkswagen in 2012 with at least three

core models – the light-sized Corsa, Astra

small car and mid-size Insignia – but the

all-new Zafi ra people-mover and Astra

convertible are odds-on to eventually

join the Euro GM brand’s initial B, C and

D-segment offerings here.

Emerging as the Opel/Vauxhall Zafi ra

Tourer Concept at the Geneva motor

show this week, the thinly disguised new-

generation Zafi ra seven-seater features a

new ‘Flex7’ seating concept wrapped in

a rakish exterior design that Opel says is

reminiscent of a high-speed train.

Opel’s newest people-mover is claimed

to combine “lounge-on-wheels luxury”

with the seven-seat fl exibility it has offered

in Europe for the past 12 years – and in

Australia between 2001 and 2006.

The Zafi ra Tourer concept is headlined

by a panoramic windscreen that melds

with a large glass roof which extends to

the rear of the car to bathe all three rows

of seats in ambient light.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Opel unlocks next Zafi ra, confi rms new Astra CabrioCruze high fi veCruze high fi ve

Holden-penned fi ve-door hatch takes bow in GenevaBy HAITHAM RAZAGUI

A FIVE-HOUR drive separates Paris and

Geneva but General Motors has taken the

long way around – via Fishermens Bend

in Port Melbourne – to take its fi ve-door

variant of the popular Cruze small car from

a concept unveiled in the French capital last

September to the production version that has

premiered at the Swiss show this week.

Designed and engineered by Holden, the

showroom-ready Cruze hatch has emerged

as a slightly toned-down version of the Paris

concept that was penned by the same team.

Compared with the concept, the production

model rides higher on smaller wheels and

deletes chrome trim from the doorhandles

while losing the concept’s sporty bumpers,

blue-tinged headlights, fancy rear clusters

and HSV-esque LED daytime running lights.

Earlier this week, Holden unveiled its

facelifted Cruze sedan which coincides with

the switch in production from South Korea

to Elizabeth in South Australia – on the same

production line that once turned out Holden

Vectras for the local market.

Sales of locally built sedans will

commence later this month, while the

Cruze’s new face is also likely to turn up on

the Australian-built hatch when it surfaces

in the fi nal quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, the front end of the

European-delivered, Chevrolet-badged

version on show at Geneva looks identical

to that of the existing sedan.

The fi ve-door’s fastback styling lends

itself to large luggage capacity and General

Motors claims a class-leading boot space

of “close to 400 litres” to beat the 385

litres offered by the Kia Cerato and Ford

Focus hatches.

As GoAuto has reported, the local Cruze

will be offered with a choice of three

engines, including a 120kW/350Nm 2.0-

litre diesel mated to a six-speed manual

gearbox – already used in the Chevrolet

Orlando compact people-mover that shares

the same Delta II platform.

An effi cient new 103kW/200Nm 1.4-litre

turbo-petrol engine and a tweaked version

of the current 104kW 1.8-litre petrol four-

cylinder are also likely options under the

bonnet of the revised Cruze.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

March 2, 2011 Page 17

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’Uzing confi dence’Uzing confi dence

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISGM HOLDEN unveiled the fi rst

Australian-made small car in more than a

decade on Monday morning in Adelaide,

the Cruze, ahead of its showroom arrival

later this month.

Dubbed the JG Series II, the facelifted

small sedan ushers in a fresh face, improved

Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines and an

optional 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol four

that brings more advanced rear suspension

and electric power steering, as well as a

sporty SRi series option.

Despite the upgrades, prices hold fi rm for

the volume-selling 1.8-litre petrol versions,

meaning that the base model CD still kicks

off from $20,990.

Ending almost two years of sourcing from

GM Daewoo in South Korea, the Australian

Cruze marks the fi rst locally manufactured

small car since the demise of Toyota’s

AE100 Corolla in 1999.

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard

was on hand to drive an example off the

line at Holden’s Elizabeth manufacturing

plant in Adelaide, before full production

commences in the last week of March.

However, as GoAuto has previously

reported, the long-awaited (and Holden-

designed) fi ve-door hatchback version will

not be released until the last quarter of 2011,

leaving the facelifted Cruze sedan to soldier

on alone in Australia’s booming small-car

market segment until then.

The biggest visual giveaway is the more

rounded grille, yet the bumper and air

intake, wheel design, headlight and rear

fascia treatments are also different.

Several new colours have been

introduced, most of which are shared with

the VEII Commodore and WMII Caprice

also built at Elizabeth.

About half of the JG Series II’s retail

value is now said to be Australian made,

with the roof, body sides, closures, fascias

and most interior plastics and trim made on

site. Holden says local content will climb as

more suppliers come on board.

Counting both the Cruze and Commodore/

Caprice variants, total Holden Vehicle

Operations production at Elizabeth will rise

to approximately 430 vehicles per day over

two shifts, fi ve days per week. Personnel

numbers now top 2500.

Holden has accessed $149 million from

the federal government’s now-defunct

Green Car Innovation Fund and another

$30 million from the South Australian state

government to help bring the Australian-

made Cruze to market.

The headline Series II act is the all-new

1.4-litre ‘iTi’ double overhead cam four-

cylinder turbo-petrol – an engine that was

fi rst seen in the Cruze’s closely related Astra

J cousin (due to go on sale in Australia next

year with Opel badges). Both GM small cars

share the same Delta vehicle architecture.Continued next page

Local Cruze ushers in fresh look, cleaner engines and broader driver appeal

March 2, 2011 Page 18

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’Uzing confi dence’Uzing confi denceContinued from previous page

Delivering 103kW of power at 4900rpm

and 200Nm of torque between 1850 and

4900rpm, and paired to six-speed manual

or new six-speed automatic transmissions

– the latter with a sequential-manual shift

mode – the new turbo averages 6.4 litres

per 100 kilometres (auto: 6.9L/100km) and

153 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per

kilometre (auto: 164g/km).

The 1.4 iTi carries a

$1250 price premium in

entry-level CD guise, but

also brings electric (instead

of hydraulic) power steering

and adds a ‘Watts Linkage’

to the torsion beam rear

suspension set-up, which

is claimed to reduce lateral

movement and cabin noise

intrusion to produce a more

controllable yet quieter car without the

expense of a multi-link rear set-up.

The turbo-petrol drivetrain also underpins

the new SRi and fl agship SRi V series.

Both are identifi able by a modifi ed

grille and air intake, a rear lip spoiler

and revised alloy wheels, while the latter

also introduces remote keyless entry and

starting, satellite-navigation, a 10GB hard

drive, CD/MP3 rip and store capability,

DVD player and live-radio pause

functionality to the Cruze

for the fi rst time.

More information

about these, as well as the

mechanical workings of

the iTi-equipped models,

will be revealed at the

Cruze’s offi cial launch on

March 16.

Meanwhile, the least modifi ed Series II cars

are the CD and CDX that use GM’s long-lived

1.8-litre Ecotec four-cylinder petrol unit.

Holden says minor modifi cations have

resulted in driveability and fuel economy

improvements, but outputs remain at 104kW at

6200rpm and 176Nm at 3800rpm respectively.

The standard fi ve-speed manual returns

7.0L/100km while the optional six-speed

automatic gearbox ($2000) slurps slightly less

unleaded petrol at 7.4L/100km (down from 7.5).

Greater effi ciency comes in the form of

a heavily revised 2.0-litre DOHC common-

rail turbo-diesel for the Cruze Diesel, which

has the distinction of being the most frugal

Australian-built production vehicle.

Although power is now up nine per cent

to 120kW at 3800rpm and torque jumps

12.5 per cent to 360Nm at 2000rpm,

combined fuel consumption slips

0.1L/100km to 5.6L/100km for Diesels

fi tted with the improved six-speed manual

gearbox. The six-speed auto remains

unchanged at 6.7L/100km.

Holden expects diesel model popularity to

increase as fuel prices spike upwards, despite

a $500 price increase for the model variant.

Currently diesel sales are at about 20 per cent

of total Cruze volume.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

PRICING:CD 1.8L $20,990

CD 1.8L (a) $22,990

CD 1.4iTi $22,240

CD 1.4iTi (a) $24,240

CD Diesel $24,990

CD Diesel (a) $26,990

CDX 1.8L $24,490

CDX 1.8L (a) $26,490

CDX Diesel $28,490

March 2, 2011 Page 19

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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China’s Chery brand sets new low-water mark with J11, priced at $19,990 d/a

Australia’s cheapest SUVAustralia’s cheapest SUV

By MARTON PETTENDYCHINESE car-maker Chery has set a new

price benchmark in Australia’s exploding

compact SUV sector by releasing its J11

city crossover at a driveaway price of just

$19,990 (including on-road costs).

However, the tiny front-wheel-drive

fi ve-door wagon will not be available in

Victoria for now because it does not feature

electronic stability control (ESC), the

potentially life-saving safety technology

that became compulsory in that state for all

passenger cars and SUVs with compliance

plates dated from January 1 this year.

Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, the J11

is now on sale alongside the pint-sized 1.3-litre

J1 hatchback – which as GoAuto has reported

is priced at a bargain-basement $11,990

driveaway but has now been confi rmed to

also lack ESC – through 45 Chery Automotive

dealers in every state except Victoria.

A further 15 Chery dealers will be added

in Victoria by November, when a similar

ESC law makes the safety device mandatory

nationwide and the latest date that Chery

distributor Ateco Automotive – the same

Sydney-based importer that brought China’s

pioneering Great Wall Motors to Australia

– expects both the J1 and J11 to become

available to it with ESC.

Before then, Chery’s third Australian

model, the Toyota Corolla-sized J3, will join

the J1 and J11 on sale outside Victoria, despite

featuring ESC and six airbags as standard.

“ESC is required in Victoria now and so

we won’t be selling Cherys in Victoria now,”

said Chery spokesman Daniel Cotterill.

“Our 45 dealers are everywhere in Australia

except in Victoria. There are a couple on the

border, but they can’t sell cars in Victoria.

“We will have an ESC car, the J3, mid-

year and the plan is that we have ESC on

the current cars either as soon as Chery

can do it or by November this year when

it’s required.”

Mr Cotterill said that unlike a number of

other models that remain unavailable with

ESC, Ateco Automotive did not receive an

exemption to sell the J1 or J11 in Victoria

– as it did for Great Wall’s compact SUV,

the X240, which also does without ESC but

remains on sale in Victoria.

“We would have rolled out an extra 15

dealers in Victoria,” he said. “We applied

to VicRoads for exemption, and such

exemptions have been granted to other

models from other brands, but they took the

view that because we weren’t on sale yet we

didn’t qualify for exemption.

“With the dealer network that we had

roughed out – and these are their fi gures

not ours – they’ve missed out on 115

jobs in Victoria and $10 million in direct

investment.”

Ateco Automotive says it will wait until

both the J1 and J11 are available to it with

ESC before releasing the J3 alongside them

in Victoria. At that point, Chery will offer

three models via national dealer network of

60 dealers.

“I don’t know that we could launch a

Victorian (Chery dealer) network with one

car,” said Mr Cotterill. “I would think we’d

need the full range available before we could

go to Victoria.”

Mr Cotterill said Ateco Automotive was

prepared for criticism about the lack of ESC

for Chery’s fi rst two models in Australia, but

said both vehicles should be compared with

used cars in the same price range and that

both models would be fi tted with the now-

commonplace safety device within months.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

J11

J1

March 2, 2011 Page 20

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Renault expands Kangoo EV range with LWB ‘Maxi’By TERRY MARTIN

RENAULT has broadened its all-electric

light commercial vehicle range, announcing

a long-wheelbase ‘Maxi’ version of its

Kangoo ZE (zero emissions) compact van

at the Geneva motor show this week.

To reach European and British

showrooms by the end of this year, but

not due in Australia before 2012/13, the

two-seater Kangoo Van Maxi ZE will

be available as a two-seater with a load

capacity of up to 4.6 cubic metres, or in

a crew van confi guration with seating for

up to fi ve people and a maximum cargo

volume of 3.4 cubic metres.

The long-wheelbase (4600mm, up

400mm) version will join the regular

Kangoo Van ZE, which hits the road in

Europe in the fi rst half of this year.

The Maxi version uses the same electric

powertrain as the Kangoo ZE, which includes

a synchronous electric motor developing

44kW of power and 226Nm of torque, and a

22kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

All models have a range of 170km based

on the NEDC cycle – a distance that will vary

according to factors such as road conditions,

temperature, terrain and driving style – and

a top speed of 130km/h. Battery recharging

takes between six and eight hours.

Standard equipment includes ABS

brakes, a driver’s airbag, all-wheel disc

brakes, 15-inch wheels and electronic

variable-rate powering steering.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Alfa adds 147kW turbo manual variant, lowering the entry level to $51,990

1750 TBi for 159 wagon1750 TBi for 159 wagon

By TERRY MARTINFOLLOWING a similar move with its 159

sedan late last year, Alfa Romeo has lowered

the entry level of its 159 Sportwagon series

with the introduction of a manual-only

$51,990 1750 TBi variant featuring the

Italian marque’s potent new 147kW 1.7-litre

turbo-petrol engine.

Restricted to ‘special order’ status, which

means customers could be required to wait

about three months for delivery, the 1750

TBi Sportwagon also emulates the 159

sedan in being available with a higher-grade

Ti specifi cation, which starts from $56,480

(plus on-road costs).

Now slotting into a host of models

across Alfa Romeo’s range, including the

Brera and Spider in January

and the new Giulietta QV

(in 173kW tune), the new

1742cc four-cylinder engine

complies with the Euro 5

emissions standard, employs

direct injection and dual

variable valve timing, and

produces 147kW at 5000rpm and 320Nm

from just 1400rpm.

Performance-wise, the 1750 TBi

Sportwagon front-drive manual can accelerate

from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds,

on its way to a 233km/h top speed. It returns

8.3L/100km on the combined fuel economy

cycle, and emits 194g/km of CO2.

Although most sales of the 159 station

wagon are for the 2.4 JTD diesel automatic,

Alfa Romeo importer Ateco Automotive

says it chose to make the 1750 TBi available

– albeit as a special order model only – “for

customers who wish to have the dynamic

driving involvement of a

manual gearbox”.

As with the 159 sedan,

the Sportwagon 1750 TBi

is fi tted standard with seven

airbags, electronic stability

control, ABS brakes with

brake assist and a hill-

holder, leather upholstery, cruise control,

foglights, power windows/mirrors, rain-

sensing windscreen wipers, automatic

headlights, remote central locking, rear

parking sensors, dual-zone climate-

control air-conditioning, the Blue&Me

infotainment system and voice-activated

Bluetooth connectivity.

The sporting Ti grade for the 1750 TBi

adds 20mm-lower sports suspension,

19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 R19

tyres, Brembo brakes (with red callipers), a

bodykit, aluminium-fi nish exterior mirrors,

black leather upholstery with contrasting

red stitching, power-adjustable heated

sports seats, red instrument highlights and

aluminium trim for the dashboard, door sills

and drilled sports pedals.

With the departure of the diesel-powered

1.9 JTD Q-Tronic last year, the 159

Sportwagon range was, prior to last week’s

1750 TBi announcement, opening at $63,990

for the front-drive 2.4 JTD Q-Tronic – a

147kW/400Nm 2.4-litre fi ve-cylinder diesel

matched with a six-speed automatic.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

PRICING:1750 TBi $51,990

Ti 1750 TBi $56,480

2.4 JTD (a) $63,990

Ti 2.4 JTD (a) $65,990

Ti 3.2 V6 (a) $82,990

March 2, 2011 Page 21

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First NCAP EV crash test hands four stars to i-MiEVBy RON HAMMERTON

THE fi rst full-electric car tested under a New

Car Assessment Program (NCAP) safety

regime anywhere in the world, the Mitsubishi

i-MiEV, scored four stars in the latest round

of European results announced last week.

Crash test technicians took extra safety

precautions for the test, due to the danger

of electrocution from the i-MiEV’s battery-

powered drivetrain, but no electrical or fi re

hazards surfaced in post-crash checks.

New test procedures were also developed

to test battery integrity and the performance

of the battery cut-off switch that is designed

to isolate the high-voltage battery on impact.

Euro NCAP described the four-star

result as creditable, even though driver’s

chest protection was rated as marginal

and points were deducted for passenger

compartment distortion.

Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel

van Ratingen said his organisation

recognised Mitsubishi’s efforts to

demonstrate that plug-in battery-powered

cars could be as safe as others.

“It shows that a future fi ve-star accolade

for EVs is not unthinkable,” he said.

“Whether produced by established car

manufacturers or by new players on the

market, consumers should expect to get

electric vehicles that meet the same safety

standards as conventional vehicles.”

The diminutive i-MiEV’s adult protection

was rated at 73 per cent, which compares

with the 86 per cent rating for Mitsubishi’s

ASX compact SUV that scored fi ve stars in

the same round of tests.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Australian team fi nishes close second to Russia in inaugural MX-5 ice race

N-ice one, ladsN-ice one, lads

By MARTON PETTENDYGOAUTO contributor James Stanford

claimed pole position by no less than six

seconds for Mazda’s inaugural MX-5 Ice Race

for journalists in Sweden last week, but that

was not enough for a crack Russian team to

defeat Australia in the second of two races.

The left-fi eld media event was held on

a 4.9km track on the frozen Lake Kallsjon

near the Norwegian border in central

western Sweden, where temperatures

plunged to -31 Celsius, and was contested

by teams of six journalists racing identical

MX-5s on studded tyres.

Some of the 20 teams appeared to stretch

the defi nition of ‘journalist’, however, with

ex-Formula One race winner Rene Arnaux

competing alongside a national ice racing

champion and several GT tarmac racers.

The Australian team (comprising Stanford,

Unique Cars’ Nathan Ponchard, News

Limited’s Mark Hinchliffe, Drive’s Toby

Hagon, Carsales’ Mike Sinclair and Italy-

based freelancer Michael Taylor) stunned

the mainly European fi eld by grabbing pole

position on the opening day of competition

after dominating the session.

Stanford set a fastest lap of 4:41.412 –

a massive six seconds faster than the next

best time set by a composite squad from

Hungary, Slovenia and Turkey – while

two other Australian drivers set times fast

enough for a top-three grid position.

The underrated Aussie team then pulled

off a major upset by winning the fi rst of two

races, dominating the race before coming

home with a 1:19 lead over Russia, with

Belgium in third place.

It was a similar story early in the second

of two races in the four-hour event, but

the Russian team passed the Australian car

during a lightning-quick pit stop in the mid-

part of the race and pulled away.

The Australians fought back and there

was contact when the fi nal driver made a

move to pass the Russian car, forcing the

#21 Australian entry off the track. Trying to

make up for the lost time, the Australian ran

wide and was stranded in a snow bank.

The Russians went on to take the win, with

Australia second and the consistent Belgian

team third. Importantly, the Australian team

did fi nish in front of the two squads from the

UK, which ended up eighth and 15th.

Mazda Australia public relations manager

and team coach, Steve Maciver, said he was

happy with the effort, which also saw Stanford

set the fastest lap in both two-hour race legs.

“To place second in such unfamiliar

driving conditions is really an amazing

effort. Coming in to the event we knew that

we had some good drivers but weren’t sure

how we’d go against the more experienced

Northern Europeans,” he said.

“It was clear early on that we had the pace

and I was delighted to see the Australian

spirit come to the fore, allowing us to get

the best out of the MX-5.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

i-MiEV

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March 2, 2011 Page 22

Medium SUV title fi ght to enter knockout round as blue corner hits back

By RON HAMMERTONFORD’S facelifted Territory SUV cannot

come quickly enough for the Blue Oval

brand in Australia, bringing a spicy new 2.7-

litre turbo-diesel engine and other tweaks to

the showrooms from May.

Under attack from rivals such as the

Holden Captiva, Territory’s sales have

slumped by half in just six years, from

23,454 in 2005 to 11,558 in 2010.

Once the king of the medium SUV heap,

the Territory last year slipped to fourth in

the sales stakes.

A fresh face and the all-important new

diesel engine – taken from the Ford parts

bin in Europe where the Duratorq V6 once

powered Land Rover, Jaguar and Peugeot

vehicles – promises to give the biggest

locally made Ford another chance.

The makeover will bring the fi rst serious

exterior change to the Territory’s styling since

it was launched in 2004, although tweaks in

2006 and 2009 gave the range some impetus.

In 2006, Ford added its stonking turbocharged

straight-six engine to the Territory model mix,

causing plenty of excitement but only a short-

lived sales spike.

After all, SUV buyers tend to have their

feet fi rmly planted on the ground, putting

family values ahead of 0-100km/h times.

The main gain from the 2011 Territory

will come from just such buyers, looking

for fuel effi ciency and understated muscles

in a practical family vehicle.

For a change, the grunt-fi lled diesel V6

will give Ford a mechanical advantage over

Territory’s two biggest rivals – the Toyota

Kluger and Holden Captiva 7.

Kluger offers no diesel at all, while

Captiva’s optional diesel is only a four-

cylinder, albeit a handy new 2.2-litre twin-

cam four-cylinder unit that comes on stream

to replace the noisy, asthmatic 2.0-litre unit

from this month.

While we do not yet know the fi nal

performance fi gures for the Territory

diesel – the company is expected to share

more information on this at a special media

technical presentation next week – the V6

produced 152kW of power and 440Nm of

torque in Land Rover guise.

But more interesting than the engine

output will be the price. Holden has just

taken the shears to the pricing of its Korean-

built seven-seat Captiva 7 – the slightly

larger of the two Captivas, the other being

the fi ve-seat Captiva 5 – cutting $2000 from

all but one model.

The cheapest Captiva 7 – the SX 2WD 2.4-

litre petrol automatic – now starts at $32,490,

which is more than $7000 cheaper than the

most affordable current Territory, although

that $39,890 2WD TX gets Ford’s much more

powerful 4.0-litre petrol inline six.

If Holden buyers don’t mind slipping

down to fi ve seats, the Captiva 5 pricing

starts at $27,990 for the 2WD 2.4-litre

petrol manual.

In run-out mode, combined Captiva 5 and

7 sales last month drove Holden’s SUV twins

to effective market leadership, although the

‘5’ is now regarded as a compact SUV.

However, the Toyota Kluger is arguably

a more direct competitor for the Territory in

both size and performance.

Powered exclusively by Toyota’s 3.5-litre

petrol V6, Kluger pricing starts at a tick under

$40,000 for the 2WD KX-R automatic.

Last November, Toyota upgraded the

Kluger – which is built off the same platform

as Camry – with some new sheetmetal, a fresh

fascia and more equipment, along with price

cuts of up to $1000 on all eight models.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Comes with the TerritoryComes with the TerritoryFord’s Territory versus Toyota, Holden medium SUVs

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5000

02004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Source: VFACTS

Sale

s

1300 66 11 33

www.dealersolutions.com.au

Make your models the focusA picture says a thousand words.

On-site PhotographyFocus on sales. Contact Dealer Solutions today.

Captiva KlugerPradoTerritory

March 2, 2011 Page 23Green issues in the auto world

GoAuto Green is brought to you by Custom Fleet

GoAuto Green

John Mellor’s

SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.GoAutoMedia.com

By RON HAMMERTONTHE probable next piece of Volvo’s super-

effi cient DRIVe diesel model jigsaw in

Australia has just been slotted into place in

Europe with the arrival on that market of

the thriftiest versions of the mid-sized S60

sedan and its V60 wagon sibling.

Volvo Car Australia has confi rmed it has

an eye on the S60 and V60 DRIVe as part

of a possible expansion of DRIVe diesel

technology in its local range after the sell-

out success of its fi rst venture into low-CO2

motoring, the C30 DRIVe hatchback.

The S60 and V60 DRIVe variants use the

same 84kW 1.6-litre Euro 5 diesel engine

that powers not only the C30 DRIVe sold

here but also similar fuel-sipping versions

of the S40 and V50 in Europe.

In the larger and heavier S60 and V60

vehicles, the DRIVe diesel engine, mated

with a six-speed manual gearbox, produces

114 and 119 grams of CO2 per kilometre

respectively, compared with the 99g/km

and 104g/km emitted by its smaller C30

and S40 stablemates.

However, this performance is not only

suffi cient to put the S60 and V60 at the

head of their respective classes in terms

of fuel effi ciency, but also equates to a 40

per cent cut in CO2 emissions over the

current most fuel effi cient S60 model on the

Australian market, the 2.4-litre diesel S60

D5 automatic AWD (189g/km).

The DRIVe engine – which features

idle-stop – also cuts combined-cycle fuel

consumption from 7.1 litres per 100km in

the S60 D5 to 4.3L/100km in the S60 DRIVe

sedan. V50 wagon DRIVe fuel consumption

is rated at a slightly higher 4.5L/100km.

The S60/V60 DRIVe range went on

sale in Europe on the eve of the Geneva

motor show, where the Swedish car-maker

unveiled a prototype for an even more

effi cient V60 in the shape of a plug-in

hybrid diesel version that achieves world-

beating 1.9L/100km fuel effi ciency, and

CO2 emissions averaging just 49g/km.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – a world

fi rst, according to the company – can cruise

for up to 50km in electric mode, dubbed

‘Pure’ mode by Volvo.

In ‘Power’ mode, it can accelerate from

zero to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds using a

combination of 150kW 2.4-litre D5 turbo-

diesel driving through the front wheels

and 50kW of power from an electric motor

driving the rear wheels.

The default ‘Hybrid’ mode switches

between the electric and diesel power to

balance economy and performance.

As well, the car can operate in all-wheel-

drive mode at the push of a button, with the

mechanical power driving the front wheel

and electric drive through the rear axle.

Volvo Car Australia public affairs

manager Laurissa Mirabelli told GoAuto

that the company was looking at both the

DRIVe diesel and Plug-in Hybrid versions

of the S60/V60 range.

She said the fi rst batch of 50 C30 DRIVe

cars had sold out quickly last year, and a

second batch had all but been snapped up

by the end of 2010.

“Because of this demand, we are having

another look at our DRIVe strategy in

Australia to see if we can take greater

advantage of these models,” she said.

Ms Mirabelli said that because the S60

and V60 DRIVe models were only under

consideration at this stage, she could give no

projected arrival date for them in Australia.

The same applies to the V60 Plug-in

Hybrid, which Volvo has confi rmed will go

into production in 2012 at a price premium

to other variants.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Volvo aims to expand eco DRIVe range here as V60 diesel hybrid hits Geneva

DRIVen to succeedDRIVen to succeed

V60 Plug-in Hybrid

V60 DRIVe

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March 2, 2011 Page 24GoAuto Personnel

John Mellor’s

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By TERRY MARTINVOLVO Car Australia (VCA) has

presented its 2010 Dealer of the Year

award to Premier Motors in Perth,

WA, which won the coveted prize

despite suffering from extensive

hailstorm damage during the year.

The dealership also took out

the Volvo Insurance DOTY and

Aftersales DOTY awards.

Accepting the awards at a presentation

event in Sydney recently, Premier Motors

dealer principal Rob Webster said the

DOTY recognition was “testament to the

hard work and dedication shown by each

and every member of the Premier Motors

team who worked tirelessly to make up lost

ground following the severe impact of the

hailstorm on the business”.

“We have been with the Volvo brand for

over 32 years and this award is most certainly

a highlight of that long association,” he said.

Outgoing VCA managing

director Alan Desselss also

highlighted Premier Motors’

comeback, describing the

turnaround “from such a horror

start” to last year as “exceptional”.

“Premier Motors worked

extremely hard to make up lost

ground following the severe impact

of March’s hail damage,” he said. “A great

job from a great team.”

As GoAuto has reported, Mr Desselss has

been appointed president and CEO of Volvo

Cars Japan. His successor in Australia is

former VCA sales director Matt Braid.

In other awards presented in Sydney, Allan

Mackay Autos in Moss Vale, NSW, won the

highest PMA (prime market area) market

share award for the second year running,

while Melbourne City Volvo was recognised

for the highest retail sales volume.

Premier Motors’ gong follows

Silverstone Volvo’s 2009 DOTY award,

which was also marked by the winning

dealer experiencing trading diffi culties.

In Silverstone’s case, the dealership suffered

a fi re at its premises in Doncaster, Victoria.

Volvo’s DOTY award recognises the

dealership that has consistently achieved

the highest standards across 13 criteria,

including sales, aftersales, training,

customer service and brand representation.

Meanwhile, VCA has appointed Jaedene

Hudson as public relations manager,

replacing Laurissa Mirabelli who has

started 12 months maternity leave.

Previously the NRMA online motoring

editor, Ms Hudson has more than eight

years’ experience as a motoring writer and

has been a journalist for the past 14 years.

In announcing the appointment, Mr Braid

said Ms Hudson was “an excellent fi t for

the role in what will be an exciting year for

Volvo Car Australia”.

PREMIER MOTORS NAMED VOLVO’S TOP DEALER, DESPITE HAILSTORM SETBACK

Rob Webster

FORMER GM EXECS ESTABLISH DETROIT-BASED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAMBy TERRY MARTIN

THREE former General Motors executives

have formed a product development

consulting fi rm, having left the US auto

giant last year after the deal to sell Hummer

to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy

Industrial Machinery Co Ltd fell through and

the decision was made to wind up the brand.

Based in Detroit, New Motor Advisors

was launched late last month by former

Hummer chief technical offi cer Dave

Stenson, who as founder and president

of the new consultancy has hired former

Hummer engineering operations director

Bill Shikany as vice-president of operations,

while former vice-president of powertrain

engineering for GM’s International

Operations (and before that, Asia Pacifi c)

Ron Yuille has become vice-president of

powertrain for the new fi rm.

The company said New Motor Advisors

was well placed to supplement the product

development and program capacity of

vehicle manufacturers, and suppliers, as

well as provide “leadership assistance” to

start-ups.

Fleet managers are also considered

key potential clients with their need to

evaluate new technologies during fl eet

planning and purchasing.

“We will bring our knowledge to

companies lacking experience or short

on leadership bandwidth with so many

projects initiating,” Mr Stenson said.

“This is especially common with

electric vehicle programs – hybrids,

battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids

– and other green technologies, but our

consulting services are not exclusive to

these based on our decades of experience

across automotive products.”

Mr Stenson had a 29-year career with

GM spanning product development,

engineering and program management. He

rose to line executive for vehicles as diverse

as GM trucks and the Pontiac Solstice, then

mid last decade became executive director

of global engineering design and release.

In late 2008 he was appointed executive

director of GM’s performance division,

before moving on to chief technical offi cer

of Hummer in April 2009.

He left the company in April last year

and spent time running the start-up

transportation division of Raser

Technologies, focusing on extended-range

electric propulsion for light trucks.

Dave Stenson Bill Shikany Ron Yuille

careers@motorstaff.com.au • 1300 547 662 • www.motorstaff.com.au

Australia’s No.1Motor Industry Recruiter

Les Land

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Sharon Hunter

Anne Taylor

Mara Nogarotto

Doug Tame

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March 2, 2011 Page 25

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au

BMW X1 xDrive20d 5-dr wagpn

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

ELISE CLUB RACER NODLOTUS will launch the super-light Elise

Club Racer in Australia in July, following its

debut at the Geneva motor show this week.

The British sportscar marque’s regional

manager for South East Asia, Christian

Pauketat, has told GoAuto that plans are

underway to launch the Club Racer here.

“We are intending to bring this variant of

the Elise model range to Australia. I would

expect the launch to take place some time in

July, of course depending on the logistics,”

he said.

There was some question over whether

the new Club Racer would be imported,

due to the anticipated change of Lotus

distribution from Malaysian parent

company Proton to Ateco Automotive, due

to take place around April.

Powered by the base Elise’s existing

100kW/160Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder

petrol engine, the Club Racer is 25kg lighter

as a result of replacing the retractable

soft-top with a cape and shedding airbags,

sound-deadening material, carpets, air-

conditioning, audio system, driver’s

footrest, central locking and other items.

CARBON TAX SUPPORTHOLDEN says it will support a carbon tax

in Australia, despite possible effects that

even a small petrol price rise will have on

Commodore sales, because manufacturers

are striving to reduce emissions worldwide.

GM Holden chairman and managing

director Mike Devereux said the

government’s proposed levy is insignifi cant

against global oil price fl uctuations.

Mr Devereux told the media at the

unveiling of the Australian-built Cruze small

car in Adelaide this week that Holden’s

planned development and rollouts would

not be affected.

“We have to deal with whatever outcome

happens, but what people may not realise is

that the car industry is actually committed

to reducing carbon emissions, so we don’t

have a preference (about whether petrol is

included in a carbon tax),” he said.

FRESH TOYOTA RECALLTOYOTA has issued a fresh safety recall

in the United States over Toyota and

Lexus accelerator pedals that can become

dangerously trapped in fl oor mats, adding

almost 2.2 million vehicles to the repair list.

The recall, which does not apply to any

vehicles in Australia, addresses concerns

raised in a 10-month investigation by

the US National Highway and Traffi c

Administration into claims of unintended

acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

While the investigation, done with the help

of NASA experts, cleared Toyota vehicles

of any electronic throttle control problems,

it reiterated that fl oor mats fouling throttle

pedals were an issue.

THE three major German prestige automotive manufacturers have been creating and fi lling new market niches as if their futures depended on it; perhaps they do. A fourth, Porsche, claims it needed the Cayenne SUV for survival. But where some vehicles appear to have been designed to answer an unasked question (the BMW X6 looms into mind), the same maker’s X1 should fi ll an existing need. Its place in the BMW scheme is obvious.

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March:Audi A7 SportbackBMW X3 redesignFiat 500 Abarth EsseesseHolden Cruze sedan faceliftLexus CT200hMercedes-Benz G-classNissan GT-R MY11Skoda Scout DSGToyota FJ CruiserVolvo V60

New model diary: CLICK HERE

Audi A7 SportbackAA diddiAA diAudiAAudiAudiAudiuAudiAudi AAAA7A7A7 SA7 SA7 SpA7 SpA7A7 SpA7 SpA7A7 SpA7 Spportbortbaortbackck

Toyota FJ Cruiser

BMW X3

Lexus CT200h

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

ANOTHER JAZZ RECALLHONDA has recalled its Jazz hatchback for

the second time in as many months, this time

due to a potential engine problem that may

also affl ict its four-door twin, the City sedan.

A total of 11,009 model year 2009 and

2010 vehicles are affected by the latest recall,

which aims to fi x a potential valvetrain

gremlin that Honda advises has emerged on

just one car in Australia.