John Mellor's GoAuto -news · GoAuto -newse SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 Page 2 Phone: (03) 9598 6477 E-mail:...

THE FULL STORY Big car, big claims p1 Built to last p3 Bigger issues p4 Clean sheet p5 Fleet street p7 Design for living p7 Standard bearers p8

By MARTON PETTENDY

THE most important vehicle Mitsubishi Motors Australia

has ever released becomes a reality today, when the all-

new 380 sedan replaces the nine-year-old Magna.

To receive its public debut at the Australian

International Motor Show in Sydney on October 13, the

make-or-break car – which was almost called Contega

before management decided on 380 – will dictate the

future of Mitsubishi as an Australian manufacturer.

Candidly, however, Mitsubishi concedes the most

researched model in its history will not be the largest,

most powerful or even the most sophisticated Australian-

built vehicle.

Instead, the company argues it has left no stone

unturned to design the best-quality vehicle ever produced

in this country, as well as a car that meets the needs of

Australian customers like no other.

To that end, the largest single investment by Mitsubishi

Australia – $40 million – was spent on state-of-the-art

manufacturing facilities as part of a total $600 million

research and development program for the 380.

That is as much as Holden has ever spent to develop

a new model (the VT Commodore launched in

1997), although the forthcoming new-generation VE

Commodore is expected to top $900 in total R&D costs

by the time it is launched around August next year.

The fi rst in a bevy of all-new large sedans to emerge

from Australia’s four big car-makers, the 380 will also be

followed by a new Toyota Camry in the second half of

next year and a new Falcon in 2007.

As such, Mitsubishi hopes to get the jump on its

rivals by invigorating Australia’s stagnant large-car

market with a vehicle that will also aim to tempt buyers

away from popular mid-sizers like Honda’s Accord, the

Mazda6 and Hyundai’s new Sonata.

The sedan-only 380 will be available in fi ve variants,

including fi ve-speed manual and automatic versions of

the base 380 and sports-oriented VRX.

Offi cial pricing remained secret when GoAuto was

published this morning, however it is understood that

Mitsubishi intends to undercut Camry, Commodore

and the updated BF Falcon, which also goes on sale in

October.

The covers are off. The gloves are off. And Mitsubishi claims its new car is quicker, quieter, smoother and better built than its Aussie rivals

The car that must succeed to keep Mitsubishi alive and well in Australia has arrived...

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September 28, 2005 No. 180

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Continued from previous page

So expect prices ranging from the low-

$30,000s for the entry-level 380 – a direct rival

for the Commodore Executive, Falcon XT and

Camry Altise – to the high 40,000s for the top-

shelf 380 GT.

GT replaces Verada as Mitsubishi’s Australian

fl agship and takes on a sports-luxury persona in

its bid to snare Calais, Fairmont Ghia and Grande

buyers.

In between, there is the lower-luxury LS

and the upper-luxury LX, plus the VRX sports

representative.

Mitsubishi has made some bold claims about

this vehicle, most of which its rival manufacturers

have disputed – or are about to. Among them are

that the 380 offers the most space-effi cient interior

in its class as well as the greatest overall legroom,

and that it is quicker, quieter and more refi ned

than its large Australian-built competitors.

A high level of standard passive safety features

is also offered, including twin front and side

airbags across the range and body rigidity claimed

to be double that of Magna.

However, unlike some of its rivals, traction

control remains optional on the entry-level

380 and there is no sign of the stability control

system offered in top-end Commodores and to be

available in some BF Falcons.

Similarly, a comprehensive standard equipment

list extends to a 10-function trip computer

and climate-control air-conditioning but there

is no reach-adjustable steering wheel or the

convenience of a split/fold rear seat.

Featuring different front, rear and interior

styling to the US market Galant upon which

it is based, the front-drive 380 also uses

“Australianised” suspension, brakes, wheels/tyres

and transmissions.

Of course, the Mitsubishi Australia-developed

– and now Japanese-built – 3.8-litre V6 is

also unique to the 380 and develops 175kW at

5250rpm and 343Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

That is 30kW up on Toyota’s current Camry

and equivalent to the basic

version of Holden’s 3.6-litre

Alloytec V6 that powers

most VZ Commodores.

While the 380’s peak

torque fi gure approaches that

of the class-best BF Falcon

(383Nm), next month’s

upgraded BF Falcon will

produce 190kW – the same

as the Alloytec 190 V6 found

in premium Commodore

variants.

With kerb weights ranging

between 1625kg and 1700kg

(making it, on average, heavier than Commodore

but lighter than Falcon), Mitsubishi claims the

380 also delivers best-in-class acceleration.

Compared with the current BA Falcon, which

achieved 0-100km/h acceleration of 8.47 seconds

in Mitsubishi Australia’s in-house testing,

Mitsubishi claims the 380 betters it and the

Commodore (7.84 sec) with a time of 7.76 sec.

On premium unleaded, 380 is claimed to sprint to

100km/h in 7.6 sec.

Similarly, Mitsubishi’s own testing fi gures

reveal 380 as the quickest of the Australians (using

PULP) over the quarter-mile, with a 0-400-metre

time of 15.6 seconds (15.49sec on PULP), versus

Commodore’s 15.55sec and Falcon’s 16.11sec.

All fi gures relate to automatic versions of base

variants.

The 380’s benchmark performance is claimed

to come with no trade-off in fuel effi ciency, with

offi cial Mitsubishi Australia fi gures claiming the

380 consumes just 10.8L/100km on the ADR 80/01

cycle, which is better than the base BF Falcon

(10.9), Commodore (11.1) and Camry (11.2).

For now. As will be the case in the VE

Commodore, Ford’s forthcoming BF Falcon will

feature a six-speed auto as standard in selected

variants. Come October, the BF Fairmont Ghia

will claim a class-best fuel consumption of

10.2L/100km.

Built to last – next page

Big car, big claims

GT

Big car, Big car, big claimsbig claims

380

Editor: Terry Martin Managing Editor: Marton Pettendy Staff Journalist: Byron Mathioudakis Production & Graphics: Chris Harris Advertising manager: Steve Butcher – Ph: 0419 562 110

Phone: 03 9598 6477E-mail: [email protected]

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GoAuto -newse 2005 Page 3

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SUPPORT TECHNICIAN – WEST PERTH

By MARTON PETTENDY

IN LINE with its mantra to build the best-quality

vehicle ever produced in Australia, Mitsubishi

has invested $600 million to design, develop and

manufacture the new 380.

This included $40 million for a large press,

which replaced Magna’s 50-year-old ex-Chrysler

press and is capable of stamping 450 one-piece

body sides per hour, representing the single largest

upgrade in the Tonsley Park production facility’s

40-year history.

Apart from reducing manufacturing costs

and complexities, reducing vehicle weight and

improving body quality, panel gap accuracy and

strength, the press is also capable of stamping

panels for any Mitsubishi vehicle – including full-

size four-wheel drives.

Replacing the separate panels employed

previously, the 380’s single-piece body-side

stamping process – an Australian-fi rst known as

“toy tab” assembly technology – precedes similar

production technology to be used by Holden for

its VE Commodore.

Rather than weld each body panel piece-by-

piece in the traditional manner, toy tabs allow the

entire body shell to be “tabbed” together before fi nal

checking and welding takes place on a single fi xture.

Greater body accuracy, improved fi t and fi nish,

fewer squeaks and rattles and reduced vibration and

wind noise are claimed to be the result.

As such, Mitsubishi’s target was to ensure

95 per cent of all critical points were accurate

to within 0.7mm – rather than the 1.5mm gap

tolerance targeted by most manufacturers.

Used on doors, bootlids and bonnets, the

company’s new Versilock epoxy adhesive sets in

30 minutes and requires no oven-curing, which

is claimed to eliminate possible misalignment

during transit.

Roll-hemming – used to fi nish edges on door

panels – involves robots rather than traditional

die-hemming as used on the US Galant, and is

claimed to be a Mitsubishi fi rst outside of Japan.

A new $5 million wheel-fi tting facility, which

is capable of handling up to 20-inch wheel

diameters, measures radial force vibration,

balances wheels, infl ates tyres without touching the

wheel, inserts valves automatically (not by hand)

and fi ts both tyre beads sequentially, which is said

to ensure greater wheel/tyre fi tment consistency and

reduce NVH.

A $7 million painted body storage system

commissioned in 2004 uses an inductive-power

electrifi ed monorail system – the fi rst of its kind

in Australia – and is claimed to improve paint

quality, reduce costs and improve Mitsubishi’s

build-to-order process.

Controller area network (CANBUS) technology

is also employed by Mitsubishi Australia for the

fi rst time in the 380.

Continued next page

Built to last

THE MAKING…

Built to Built to lastlast

380

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NEW VEHICLESALES MANAGERThis dealership is part of an international group of companies managing some of the world’s best known brands. The group maintains

a presence in 31 countries and employs over 25,000 people.One of their Australian prestige dealerships is seeking to employ a New Vehicle Sales Manager who will report to the Dealer

Principal. The incumbent will have direct responsibility for the stock holding and sales of new prestige vehicles through a group of dedicated sales people coupled with their ongoing training and motivation. You will also champion customer satisfaction, profitability, marketing and advertising on behalf of the dealership. Ideally you are commercially astute and while valuing the importance of the sales process you recognise and understand the importance of process and people improvement. You may be tertiary qualified in a Business or related discipline and are able to demonstrate your previous successes in a similar role. If you are from a prestige vehicle environment or feel you

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LeadingMelbourne Dealership

PRESTIGE VEHICLES

M E L B O U R N E S Y D N E Y B R I S B A N E A D E L A I D E P E R T H L O N D O N

MITSUBISHI Australia’s future as an Australian

vehicle manufacturer depends on the success of

380. But even if the new sedan meets its forecast

of 30,200 annual sales, the company’s Tonsley

Park assembly plant outside Adelaide will be, at

best, a break-even proposition.

With senior Mitsubishi Motors Corp executives

expecting the Australian business to return to profi t

within two years following its $588 million loss for

the fi nancial year to March 2005 – a consequence

of massive write-offs, and with 30,000 vehicles

representing only half the capacity of its new

press – the future of Australian manufacturing for

Mitsubishi relies heavily not just on the success of

the 380 but on a second model line as well.

Australian production of the next-generation

Pajero four-wheel drive wagon, to be launched

here late next year, is under investigation by MMC,

but is believed to be a less viable alternative to

producing a second D-segment (large-car) model.

Following the abandonment of the PS41-L

long-wheelbase sedan to replace the Diamante

previously exported to the United States – and

with 380 exports to the US ruled out because it has

its own Galant – export markets will be limited to

New Zealand and, perhaps, the Middle East.

A Peugeot-developed turbo-diesel version and

a 2.4-litre MIVEC four-cylinder variant are both

on the horizon for the 380.

But with typical Australian model-development

periods spanning up to three years – and work

on the 380 replacement required to begin in two

years – the chances of these (and a second model

line) becoming a reality depend very much on the

immediate success of 380.

Mitsubishi Australia also has the task of

reversing a sliding sales trend to achieve 65,000

sales this year – up from 57,000 last year – as well

as reclaiming fourth position from Mazda in the

manufacturers’ sales charts.

New chief executive Robert McEniry slides

into the hot seat at the end of this week. And it

wouldn’t be an understatement to suggest that he

has got a hell of a job ahead of him.

Clean sheet - next page

Built to lastContinued from previous page

Interacting with engine, transmission, instrument, airbag, alarm and ABS ECUs, CANBUS is said to ultimately improve vehicle performance, safety and security.

A new $2.8 million under-body sealing facility measuring 42 metres long – 30 metres longer than Magna’s – employs six robots and is claimed to reduce waste, improve factory safety and provide more consistent sealing application.

It also allows Mitsubishi to offer a 12-year corrosion warranty for 380.

In-factory vehicle testing replaces the rattle track around the plant property and settles springs before – rather than after – wheel alignment and headlight aiming. This is done on an indoor track at 8km/h for about 60 seconds.

DC torque guns ensure all 150 critical bolts on 380 are correctly tensioned. Electronic bolt torque sensors eliminate the need for hand tightening, ensure the correct torque for every bolt and confi rm the correct number of bolts is fi tted.

While DC torque guns are common in Australia, Mitsubishi also records and archives the manufacturing “history” of each bolt in each car. This allows its million-dollar quality assurance system, which employs 10 production line quality gates and transponder tracking devices attached to each car, to be alerted (and production halted if necessary) if a problem occurs.

Bigger Bigger issuesissues

VRX

THE FUTURE…

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By MARTON PETTENDY

BASED on the US-market left-hand drive

Galant but claimed to be 70 per cent Australian

and featuring 2000 new components, Mitsubishi

Australia’s 380 sedan comprises less than one

per cent of carryover components from Magna,

including switchgear like the cruise control stalk.

Representing an almost total redesign over

Magna’s 3.5-litre SOHC V6 – with which it shares

10 per cent of its parts – and using the Pajero

4WD wagon’s longitudinal-application 3.8-litre

V6 as its basis, the Japanese-built 380 engine

uses proven technology rather than cutting-edge

powertrain design.

For example, there is no variable valve timing,

no double overhead camshafts and no variable

intake manifold. Instead, the Euro3 emissions-

compliant 3.8-litre SOHC 24-valve V6 continues

to feature multi-point fuel-injection and roller

rockers with auto hydraulic valve lash adjusters,

but adds a number of Australian-developed

features like the Bosch “Torque Demand” engine

management system.

Compared to Magna’s outgoing 6G74 engine,

the Mitsubishi Australia-designed 6G75 offers

an all-new (but still cast-iron) cylinder block

with larger bore and stroke dimensions, a new

crankshaft, conrods, pistons and cylinder-heads

with larger valves, plus electronic throttle control

and higher compression (up from 9.0:1 to 10.0:1).

Its rev-limiter operates via torque management

rather than fuel cut-out and it also features a

one-piece main bearing cap, four-bolt crankshaft

fi xing, coil-on-plug ignition, cylinder selective

knock control, 12-hole fuel-injectors, platinum-

iridium sparkplugs, three close-coupled catalytic

converters and a variable speed cooling fan.

Also featuring 10 per cent higher valve lift and

eight degrees more overlap than the 3.6-litre Galant

engine – thanks to Ralliart Magna-based camshafts

and valve springs – the result is 175kW at 5250rpm

and 343Nm of torque at 4000rpm, with at least

300Nm available between 1500rpm and 5000rpm.

Other 380 advances include a strengthened chassis

to cope with harsh Australian road conditions,

resulting in particular concentration in the rear

bulkhead area behind the rear seat – the primary

reason for the lack of a split/fold rear seat.

The result is double the torsional and bending

stiffness of the aged Magna, which Mitsubishi

predicts will make it a “solid four-star” crash test

performer.

Claimed to improve stopping distances are larger

ventilated turbo-fi n brake discs all round, with twin-

piston front callipers up front (instead of single-

piston units) – making 380 the only Australian-made

car to feature ventilated rear discs.

The latest Bosch 8.0 ABS system is employed,

and is claimed to be 30 per cent more compact

and 25 per cent lighter than before.

Continued next page

Clean sheet

THE TECHNOLOGY…

Clean Clean sheetsheet

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As such, Mitsubishi claims brake pedal stroke

and 100-0km/h stopping distances are improved

by 14 per cent over Magna, the latter now quoted

at 43 metres, compared to 46 and 47 metres for

its nearest rivals in Falcon and Commodore

respectively. Mitsubishi claims the 380’s brake

pedal stroke is less than Falcon’s but more than

Camry’s, while pedal force is less than Falcon’s

but more than Commodore’s.

While the fi ve-speed manual’s gear ratios are

changed to suit the 3.8 V6’s higher torque output,

Mitsubishi’s fi ve-speed automatic with sequential-

manual shift control is now standard across the

range (Galant runs a four-speed).

Of course, Galant’s MacPherson strut front and

multi-link rear suspensions have been modifi ed

for Australian conditions, including wider bush

mountings to reduce bump steer.

It comprises two levels of tune, including the

fi rmer sports set-up found in VRX, LX and GT.

Optional in LS, it includes a front strut tower

brace.

A full-size spare wheel well was also added, as

Galant offers only a space-saver.

Features not seen on Magna include an anti-

theft alarm, VIN-encoded engine immobiliser

and an on-glass antenna like that introduced on

the BA Falcon. There is a 50 per cent or 3dB(A)

reduction in drive-by noise levels to 74dB(A).

A new lead and chromium-free “organic” steel

fuel tank is brazed together by four robots using

copper wire rather than soldered.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp recently gave the 380

the thumbs-up as the best-engineered version of

its global PS41 platform-based vehicles, and has

confi rmed some of it design elements will fi lter

across to the US version.

Fleet street – next page

Engine type: 3.828-litre 24-valve SOHC V6Location: Front, transverseDrive: Front-wheelPower: 175kW at 5250rpmTorque: 343Nm at 4000rpmBore x stroke: 95.0 x 90.0mmCompression ratio: 10.0:1Manual transmission: Five-speed (380 and VRX only)Automatic transmission: Five-speed INVECS II Smart Logic with Sports Mode (standard on LS, LX and GT; optional on 380 and VRX)Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel ventilated disc brakes; 294x28mm with twin-piston calliper (front); 302x18mm with single-piston calliper (rear); four-channel Bosch ABS, EBDSuspension: Independent by MacPherson strut with lower A-arm, coil springs, anti-roll bar (front); independent by low-mount multi-links with upper and lower control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Sports suspension and sports front strut tower brace: standard on VRX, LX and GT; optional on LSSpare wheel: 16x6.5-inch steel with 214/60 R16 tyreSteering type: Power-assisted rack-and-pinionTurning circle: 11.2 metresWarranty: Five-year/130,000km bumper-to-bumper, plus 10-year/160,000km non-transferable drivetrain and 12-year corrosion

THE DETAIL… THE MEASUREMENTS...Length: 4837mm (VRX/GT: 4855mm)Width: 1840mmHeight: 1480mmFront overhang: 984mm (VRX/GT: 989mm)Rear overhang: 1103mm (VRX/GT: 1116mm)Wheelbase: 2750mmFront/rear track: 1570mm/1570mmGround clearance: 162mmBoot capacity: 437 litresTowing capacity: 570kg unbraked (1600kg braked)Front/rear headroom: 1011mm/941mmFront/rear shoulder room: 1455mm/1446mmFront/rear legroom: 1083mm/955mm380 kerb weight: 1625kg (1665kg auto)LS kerb weight: 1660kg autoLX kerb weight: 1690kg autoVRX kerb weight: 1630kg (1670kg auto)GT kerb weight: 1700kg auto

Clean sheetClean Clean sheetsheet

VRX

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By MARTON PETTENDY

MITSUBISHI Australia management believes

the 380 will have more potential to attract private

buyers than Magna, but still anticipates 75 per

cent of sales will go to fl eet buyers.

As such, the base 380 auto is expected to be the

volume seller with 45 per cent of sales, followed

by the VRX auto (21 per cent), LS auto (10 per

cent), LX and GT auto (seven per cent), VRX

manual (six per cent) and 380 manual (four per

cent).

And despite claims it will capture buyers from

both the traditional (but shrinking) large-car segment

and the resurgent medium class, it is expected to

achieve only a 13.6 per cent share of the medium/

large sedan market during its model life.

That is down on the 14.1 per cent achieved

across the model lives of the past three Magna/

Verada models, but this time there is no station

wagon variant. Mitsubishi has forecast annual

sales of 30,200 for the 380, which at 2500 vehicles

per month would still make it more popular than

Toyota’s Camry.

The previous-generation Magna/Verada

(1999-2004) found an average of 20,971 homes

annually for a market share of just 10.4 per

cent – well down on its 1996-1998 predecessor

(30,310 units, 14.6 per cent).

The 1991-1995 Magna/Verada attracted an

average of 26,950 sales annually for a 14.6 per

cent market share, while the fi rst model (1985-

1990) attracted a 14.5 per cent share with 29,074

annual sales.

Mitsubishi argues that as well as targeting

buyers of large Australian-built sedans and

imported (Japanese) medium sedans, the 380

presents an opportunity to capture buyers

downsizing from large 4WDs.

BASED on the US Galant but offering a new

bonnet, front guards, lights, grilles, bumpers,

garnishes and badges, all 380 variants also come

with new wheels and wheel covers and seven new

paint colours. And the detail counts…

380:Body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door

handles, multi-parabola headlights with chrome

bezel and amber indicator lenses, red-lens tail-

lights, bootlid stop light, prestige grille with

chrome insert, black lower grille, round black

exhaust outlet and 16x6.5-inch steel wheels with

215/60 R16 95H Goodyear Ducaro GA tyres.

VRX:Sports bumpers with integrated airdams, dark

silver rear insert, dark silver headlight bezels,

clear-lens sports tail-lights with dark silver

bezels, black sports foglights, rear wing with stop

light, black sports mesh grille and lower grille,

oval chrome exhaust outlet and 17x7.0-inch six-

spoke alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 93V Dunlop

SP Sport 230 tyres.

LS:Chrome headlight bezels with clear indicator

lenses, red-lens (380) tail-lights, body-colour

luxury foglights, bootlid-mounted (380) stop

light, luxury grille with chrome fi ns, body-colour

lower grille with black fi ns, chrome/body colour

side mouldings, chrome bootlid trim, round

chrome exhaust outlet and 16x6.5-inch six-spoke

alloy wheels with 380 tyres.

LX:As per LS, plus 17x7.0-inch six-spoke alloy wheels

with 215/55 R17 93V Dunlop SP Sport 230 tyres.

GT:As per VRX with a body-colour rear bumper

insert, chrome/body-colour side mouldings from

LS/LX and 17x7.0-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels

with LX tyres.

Fleet street

THE MARKETING…

THE MODEL VARIANTS…

LX

VRX

Fleet Fleet streetstreet

Design for livingDesign for livingDesign for living




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THE list of standard equipment on the all-new

380 looks long – indeed, it is long. But will it be

enough?

380:Automatic climate-control (with rear-seat outlets),

power windows (with one-touch down function

for the driver), cruise control, six-speaker AM/

FM/CD/MP3 player (with on-glass antenna),

steering wheel audio controls, 10-function

trip computer, power mirrors, front map-

lights, twin front vanity mirrors, tilt-

adjustable steering wheel, tinted side and

rear glass, metallic interior highlights,

chrome air vent accents, cloth door trim,

white-on-black instruments (with blue LED

illumination), four-way power-adjustable

driver’s seat, driver’s lumbar adjustment, height-

adjustable front passenger seat, woven fabric seat

trim, through-loading system, folding rear armrest,

twin front and rear cup holders, sunglasses holder,

front seatback pockets, illuminated glovebox and

front door pockets.

Security issues: Remote central locking via a

new integrated and programmable key/fob with

panic button, two-stage unlocking, automatic

relocking, alarm, delayed headlights off.

VRX adds:Traction control, sports-tuned suspension

(including a sports front strut tower brace), eight-

speaker premium audio system with six-CD in-

dash stacker,

colour 4.9-inch TFT

screen (with climate-control, audio, door ajar

warning and outside temperature displays),

leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and

handbrake lever, chrome gearshift surround,

technical mesh interior highlights, white-on-silver

sport instruments, six-way power-adjustable

driver’s seat, sports front seats and mesh-knit

fabric seat trim with “high tech” woven insert.

LS adds:Twin front sun visors (with extension, and lidded

illuminated vanity mirrors), “cherry maple”

trim interior highlights, white-on-matt black

luxury instruments, front passenger seat lumbar

adjustment, soft-touch seat trim with “elegance”

woven insert and an electro-chromatic interior

mirror. Sports suspension remains optional.

LX adds:Sports-tuned suspension (including a sports front

strut tower brace), sunroof, leather-look door

trim, 10-way driver’s seat power adjustment (with

three memory settings), six-way power-adjustable

front passenger seat and leather seat trim.

GT adds:Sports front seats from VRX, leather seat trim

with embossed insert, “slate mahogany” interior

highlights, rear park assist and a Bluetooth mobile

phone kit.

THE PROTECTION… BUILT using Mitsubishi’s so-called “RISE” body construction, all 380s share the same high level of passive safety equipment.

All model variants get twin front and side airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and force-limiters, fi ve three-point seatbelts, height-adjustable front seatbelts, breakaway pedals, energy-absorbing headlining and pillar trim, an emergency door unlock function in front and side impacts, childproof rear doorlocks, three child restraint anchors, height-adjustable front head restraints, integrated outboard rear head restraints and a programmable rest reminder.

On the active safety front, traction control is standard across the range but remains optional on the base 380, while rear park assist is standard on GT and an accessory on the rest of the range and a electro-chromatic interior mirror is standard on LS, LX and GT.

There is no centre rear head restraint, no stability control and no curtain airbag option.

THE MODEL VARIANTS…

LS

THE OPTIONS… Five-speed auto (380/VRX)Traction control (380)Sports suspension (LS)Sports front strut tower brace (LS)16x6.5-inch alloys (380)17x7.0-inch alloy wheels (LS)Leather-look door trim (VRX/LS)Electro-chromatic interior mirror (VRX)10-way power adjustable driver’s seat (LS)Six-way power adjustable passenger seat (LS)Leather seat trim (LS)Leather seat trim with embossed insert (VRX)Sunroof (380/VRX)

THE ACCESSORIES… Matching alloy spare wheel ($225.50)Fog lights (380 – $522.50)Satellite-navigation with DVD player ($3824.70)Rear park assist (380/VRX/LS/LX – $313.50)Bluetooth phone kit ($434.50)Rear spoiler kit (380/LS/LX – $294.80)1600kg tow hitch ($346.50)Ash cup and lighter ($66)Non-slip boot net ($30.25)Boot parcel net ($88)Black carpet mats (380 – $93.50)Matching carpet mats ($106.15)

THE VERDICT…Log on to www.goauto.com.au from this Thursday for our full drive impressions and the GoAuto verdict on Mitsubishi’s

new 380 sedan.LS

Standard bearersStandard bearersStandard bearers

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By JOHN MELLOR

HOLDEN fans should forget about ever seeing

another Australian-made Torana.

That is the view of outgoing GM Holden

executive director of sales and marketing, Ross

McKenzie.

Mr McKenzie, who will retire early next year

after 32 years with Holden, told GoAuto this

week that Holden’s future remained with making

large cars and that GM Daewoo Automotive and

Technology (GM-DAT) in South Korea was to

be the source of small and medium cars for the

brand.

“No matter how you look at it, there is not a

business case to be made for a (locally-made)

Torana,” he revealed to GoAuto.

“If you take the concept car the guys put

together, it is a fantastic looking thing. But the cost

of developing and building that car is the same

cost as a VE Commodore.

“There is maybe a little bit less steel in it, but if

you look at the engineering and design costs you

cannot make it cheaper (than a Commodore).

“Yet the market expectation would be that it (a

Torana) would be signifi cantly cheaper.”

Mr McKenzie said a Torana would, realistically,

have to be priced from $25,000.

“You cannot get it (a Torana) to market for that

price. It actually does not work (as a business case).

“We are looking to GM-DAT as (an) outsource

of future small and medium-sized cars. They are

doing some very interesting things developing

low-cost cars that will be a good alternative (to

a Torana).

“For us, the main game is still building six- and

eight-cylinder Commodores.”

He said Holden was looking at alternative fuels,

including diesel, and that its LPG Commodore

package was well timed.

“We will continue to chase markets like the

Middle East. Their guys were out here and their

number for next year looks like 30,000-plus

vehicles. It is not just Commodore, it is Caprice,

which is a huge hit over there,” he said.

Viva, Australia! Holden’s Daewoo car hits townHOLDEN dealers have started selling the GM Daewoo-sourced, South Korean-built JF Viva ahead of the car’s offi cial launch later this month.

A replacement of sorts for the Polish-built TS Astra Classic, the 1.8-litre Viva is a Holden-branded J200 Daewoo Lacetti and is priced from an ultra-competitive $17,990.

Standard equipment includes no less than four airbags, a CD stereo, air-conditioning, power steering and a rear spoiler. An option pack is also available. The price point and features list is certain to make a huge impact on the small-car segment. As a point of interest, the Lacetti retailed from $21,490 before the car was discontinued in December 2004.

Great concept - but too expensive: McKenzie

No Torana! No Torana!

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MARKETING CHIEF CALLS IT QUITS

ONE of Australia’s most experienced and successful sales and marketing chiefs, Ross McKenzie, has announced his retirement from GM Holden.

He will be replaced by one of General Motors’ international stars, Alan Batey, 42, who is currently vice-president of commercial operations (sales, marketing and aftermarket) at GM Daewoo Automotive and Technology (GM-DAT) in South Korea.

Mr Batey and GM-DAT chief Nick Riley were sent to Korea by General Motors to see if there was anything worth saving from the old collapsed Daewoo Motor.

They devised the strategy of selling Daewoos through GM’s worldwide brands as the only way of saving the company before the purchase was given the green light.

Mr Batey, who cut his teeth at Vauxhall in Luton, has also worked with Opel in Europe and was a regional director for GM operations in Holden’s biggest export market, the Middle East.

He will take over the reins from Mr McKenzie on November 1.

Mr McKenzie, 54, who started with General Motors Holden in the era of the HQ Holden, will continue to work at Holden on a range of special projects until the end of 2005. He will offi cially retire on February 1 next year.

During his watch, Mr McKenzie rescued the Commodore by driving sales up from 35,000 sales (VK) to more than 110,000 local sales of Commodore and derivatives, orchestrated the marketing case for getting Holden out of the United Australian

Automotive Industries (UAAI) joint venture with Toyota, elevated the Holden brand to the most trusted of all brands in Australia and presided over three years of market

leadership in the six years since he assumed

the top sales and marketing role at Fishermens Bend.

– JOHN MELLORTop cards shuffl ed at Ford - page 17

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By NEIL McDONALD

GENERAL Motors’ global product chief Bob

Lutz has outlined to GoAuto the anticipated

model line-up for Cadillac in Australia and

confi rmed that a future Monaro coupe is currently

under investigation.

After unveiling the production version of the

Cadillac BLS at the recent Frankfurt motor show,

Mr Lutz told GoAuto that General Motors would

not “let Australia be a white-spot on the global

Cadillac map” as it developed new right-hand

drive models, the fi rst of which is expected to

arrive Down Under in 2007.

“Right now in right-hand drive we have the

BLS, CTS and the successor to the next-generation

CTS, so at this point it is a somewhat limited

line to two saloons, and I think to get adequate

coverage of the Australian market we also want

to do the large saloons, the STS and probably the

SRX, neither of which are right-hand drive at this

point,” he said.

“The XLR? Probably never, or the next

generation.”

The BLS is part of GM’s $US6 billion ($A7.7

billion) investment to launch Cadillac well beyond

its home turf, the United States.

Based on the Saab 9-3, the

BLS gains a distinctive design,

more lush suspension settings

and additional sound insulation.

However, inside the car has a

distinct Saab feel, with trim and

switchgear diffi cult to distinguish

as uniquely Cadillac.

Visually, the car adopts a

similar styling theme to the larger

CTS and STS sedans with its

vertical headlights and dominant

LED centre rear brake light on the

boot lid.

For the diesel-oriented

European market, the front-wheel

drive BLS will be offered with

a 1.9-litre, four-cylinder direct injection turbo-

diesel, a fi rst for the luxury marque.

Two petrol engines will also be offered – a

2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and Holden-

sourced 190kW Alloytec 2.8-litre twin-turbo

V6. The 2.0-litre is expected to be offered in two

states of tune – at 129kW and 155kW.

GM hopes the newcomer will help boost

its European sales to 20,000 cars by 2010, up

from a previous forecast of 10,000. Last year,

Cadillac sold 245,000 cars globally, still behind

the established luxury giants Mercedes-Benz and

BMW.

The other nagging question on many Holden

enthusiasts’ lips is the status of the future Monaro,

given that the last of the breed, the CV8-Z is now

on sale with a production run of 1200 coupes

before the Monaro name bites the dust.

Mr Lutz was reluctant to go on the record

about the car, or whether it would piggyback off

a future GTO model out of the US.

However, he did confi rm: “That’s in the process

of being fi gured out.”

He also said it was too early to speculate on

whether the Zeta platform would serve as a

replacement for the GTO, underpinning the new

car’s design.

Chinese lanterns – next page

BLS in detail: CLICK HERE

Bring Bring it onit onLutz outlines the Oz Cadillac line-up - and the latest on a new Monaro

Bob Lutz

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Ford Australia is growing its database of potential prospects interested in buying a Ford Dealership in a Metropolitan or Rural location. There are often prospective purchase opportunities available and Ford is interested in talking to people who want to be considered for these exciting opportunities or alternatively are willing to sponsor a suitably talented individual in their organisation.

If you have good automotive industry management experience, access to funds and aspire to become part of the Ford Family, please make confidential contact with the Ford Australia Dealer Development Manager: Gerard Crockford on (03) 9359 7475 or email [email protected] with your details.

Join the Ford Australia Dealership Prospect List

By NEIL McDONALD

ASIA is most likely to feel the impact of low-cost

Chinese vehicles before Europe or the United

States, according to General Motors chairman

Rick Wagoner.

The three main Chinese car manufacturers

– Geely, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings

and the Jiangling Motors Group – all exhibited

their international wares at the recent Frankfurt

motor show, marking a coming of age for the

infant Communist car industry.

However, Mr Wagoner told GoAuto that 99

per cent of China’s automotive output would

be absorbed in China before any serious export

markets were pursued.

“I think that’s going to be the case for a signifi cant

period of time,” he said. “Having said it: Will there

be some exports? Yes I expect there will be.

“Asia is a more natural market than Europe

and the US for a variety of reasons. The Asian

economies are growing, I think probably some of

the product fi t is going to be a little more natural

there.”

Despite his casual acceptance of China as a

global player, Mr Wagoner said it posed a huge

threat to Western markets, including the United

States.

“A while ago someone announced a plan to sell

250,000 units from Chery in the US by 2007,”

he said. “That’s highly ambitious. I don’t think

that’s going to happen over that timeframe. But

I think that we should expect that over time the

Chinese industry will develop in a way that’s

pretty competitive.”

Mr Wagoner also believes Australia is in

the front line to receive Chinese-built cars.

Volkswagen has already tested the waters with

the Chinese-built Polo sedan, which has had a

lukewarm reception here. Build quality is among

the key issues.

Mr Wagoner conceded there might be a day

when GM vehicles are built in China and sold in

Australia.

“I don’t rule it out – but it’s not something that

we currently have on the mainline agenda,” he

said. “We are going to be bringing in some more

products into Australia from Korea and I think it’s

not a big step from there to think about China.

But as we’re working on it today we don’t have

anything that I can cite for you.”

Chrysler Group marketing chief Joe Eberhardt

told The Car Connection website that he

anticipated the Chinese manufacturers to quickly

spread throughout the world.

It took the Japanese more than 20 years to

become serious competitors in Western markets,

and the South Koreans “half that time”, he said.

With the assistance of foreign partners, Chinese

manufacturers could move even faster, once they

venture outside their own borders.

“It’s just the trend to globalisation in every

segment in every market,” he said.

The Chinese manufacturers were tucked away

from the mainstream offerings at Frankfurt,

however their mere presence sent a chill through

European manufacturers, most of whom consider

them a serious threat.

Continued next page

Chinese lanternsChinese lanterns

China poses a massive threat to Western markets: WagonerGeely CD

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The Chinese trio exhibited about 10 vehicles,

most of which still require homologation for

European regulations. However, manufacturers

and importers of these vehicles told GoAuto they

were close to earning European Union approval.

Of the three, refrigerator maker Geely, which

was founded in 1986 and built its fi rst car in 1998,

had the biggest presence with fi ve cars.

Geely builds a range of 1.0-litre, 1.3-litre and

1.5-litre small sedans and hatches priced from as

low as $US4000 ($A5220).

At Frankfurt, it unveiled its new $US12,000

($A15,600) 1.5-litre CD (China Dragon) coupe,

which boasts electric windows/mirrors, central

locking, leather, park distance radar and a CD/

DVD stereo. The four-cylinder engine develops

69kW at 6000rpm and 128Nm at

3400rpm.

Company spokesman Li Shufu told GoAuto he

was buoyed by the positive response to the cars,

saying the brand had not yet looked at Australia

but was keen to look at all possible markets.

Geely is already exporting to Africa, the

Middle East, Central and South America and has

just established import relationships in the United

States, Europe and South-East Asia.

Its European partner is Portuguese

importer Hipolito Pires, which

will receive the fi rst cars

this month

and is assisting in getting EU-type approval for

three sedans.

GoAuto found that the Geely cars on show at

Frankfurt and Jiangling’s Isuzu Frontera-look-

a-like Landwind four-wheel drive – the only

Chinese-built (Nanchang) vehicle currently sold

in Europe – were all distinguished by low-rent

interiors, coarse plastics, poor panel fi t and below

average paint fi nishes.

The Brilliance Zhonghua 2.0-litre mid-size

sedan was the most polished vehicle on offer.

About the size of a Holden Vectra, the Zhonghua

is highly equipped and expected to go on sale in

Europe in November with a pricetag of about

$US21,000 ($A27,500).

The Gibraltar-based Euro Motors is the private

importer for the Brilliance Zhonghua.

The Zhonghua is built by the Shenyang

Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Co in Shenyang,

which also has a joint venture deal with BMW.

Chinese lanterns

China Brilliance Zhonghua

Jiangling Landwind

Chinese Chinese lanternslanterns

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Skoda to launch Down Under next June

By MARTON PETTENDY

YET another new coupe-convertible will grace

Australian roads from October, this time offering

plenty of substance, refi nement and a quality driving

experience – as well as a smart set of clothes, a sub-

$35,000 price tag and Holden badges.

More than a forecourt gimmick, Holden’s taut

new Tigra – its fi rst hardtop convertible – will

draw an entirely new type of car buyer to the Lion

brand, but will also carry the light car can within

the company’s dwindling European-sourced

model range.

The Barina-based, Opel-engineered and

French-built two-seater follows last month’s

new Astra Coupe as the latest convincing Euro-

Holden to arrive here (and there is an Astra SRi

turbo to come in January), but goes on sale the

same month the XC Barina hatch and AH Astra

Classic are replaced by “Australianised” versions

of the Daewoo Kalos and Lacetti respectively.

A four-seater hardtop convertible version of

the popular TS Astra will eventually join Tigra –

and succeed the successful AH Astra convertible

– in Holden’s cabrio line-up, but by then the

Zafi ra people-mover and mid-size Vectra are also

likely to have been discontinued and/or replaced

by South Korean-built General Motors

models.

Of course, this is irrelevant to those

in the market for a Tigra,

which was launched

12 months ago in

Europe as the second-generation Opel (Vauxhall

in the UK) Tigra TwinTop to replace the successful

original that attracted more than 240,000 sales

since 1994.

Very much a niche model with valuable image-

building potential for Holden, Tigra is forecast to

fi nd just 1000 homes annually – or around 11 per

cent of a local convertible market that has grown

from just over 2700 in 1993 to around 9500 last

year and now comprises 19 brands, 40 models and

sticker prices ranging from Daihatsu’s soon-to-

be-discontinued $30,000 Copen to Lamborghini’s

$669,000 Mucielago Roadster and even the $1.4

million Pagani Zonda Roadster.

As in Europe, where 30,000 examples have

been sold in its fi rst eight months on sale, Tigra

will compete directly with Peugeot’s 206CC,

which is available with an 80kW 1.6-litre engine

for $32,990 and a 100kW 2.0-litre for $39,990.

Like its $34,990 price, Tigra’s

90kW/165Nm (92kW with 95-

octane PULP)

1.8-litre Ecotec

four-cylinder

engine – the

same as

that found

in Barina

SRi – falls

between the

two Pugs

in terms

of both

performance and displacement. The Ecotec four

is Euro4 emissions-compliant and consumes

a claimed average of 7.8 litres per 100km of

premium unleaded. Fuel capacity is 45 litres.

Hindering its sales here will be the lack of an

automatic transmission, which was unavailable

to Holden, leaving Tigra as a single fi ve-speed

manual proposition, albeit a highly specifi ed one.

Measuring just 1370mm high, 3921mm long

and with 1433mm front and 1424mm rear wheel

tracks, Tigra rides on a 2491mm wheelbase

but affords a relatively generous 936mm of

headroom.

There is just 147 litres of boot space available

with the electrically operated folding steel roof

down (a process that takes around 18 seconds),

extending to 308 litres with it up and totalling

378 litres if you include the handy 70-litre

compartment behind the seats.

Holden makes a big deal about Tigra’s body

stiffness, even quoting a sturdy 8859Nm/

degree torsional rigidity fi gure, which is aided

by substantial underfl oor and rear bulkhead

reinforcing plus bolted – not welded – body

joints. All this increases the open-topped Barina’s

kerb weight to a still-light 1248kg.

The smallest Opel backs this up with an

extensive standard safety kit. Primary rollover

protection is provided by beefed-up A-pillars,

with decorative wave-shaped fi xed hoops behind

the seats playing a secondary role.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Flicker of light still left in Holden’s European compact stable

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By MARTON PETTENDY

MAZDA’S much-anticipated turbocharged all-

wheel drive sedan has been launched in Australia

and will be priced from just $48,600 when it goes

on sale in October.

Dubbed “the sophisticated Executive express”,

the Mazda6 MPS will be a direct rival for Subaru’s

Liberty GT, which retails from $52,990.

Mazda claims that as its most technically

advanced high-performance sedan, MPS is the

best-handling and best-braking sedan the Japanese

marque has ever built.

Of course, it calls its fl agship sports car – the

$55,000 rotary-powered, rear-drive four-door

RX-8 – a coupe.

However, the resurgent brand, which has just

launched its third-generation MX-5 and before

long will back up the hottest Mazda6 with a

Mazda Performance Series version of its Mazda3,

insists the fi rst MPS also offers sophistication,

refi nement and everyday practicality.

The sedan-only Mazda6 MPS delivers the same

190kW (at 5500rpm) of peak power as the manual

Liberty GT (the GT auto offers 180kW) and a

class-leading 380Nm of torque from 3000rpm,

courtesy of Mazda’s new direct-injection, spark

ignition (DISI) 2.3-litre 16-valve DOHC turbo four.

Euro4 emissions-compliant and featuring a

high (for a turbo) compression ratio of 9.5:1, it

produces 90 per cent of its torque output at just

over 2000rpm.

With a kerb weight of 1612kg in base guise,

the result is 0-100km/h acceleration in a claimed

6.6 seconds.

Along with an Active Torque

Split AWD system to match

the Subaru’s ‘symmetrical’ all-

paw drivetrain, MPS’s standard

safety kit will comprise DSC stability control, ABS

and brake assist, plus twin front, front side and side

curtain airbags.

Also standard is a full bodykit, xenon

headlights, 18 x 7.0-inch wheels, 215/45-section

tyres, cruise control, a six-speaker/six-CD sound

system, trip computer, alloy pedals and climate-

control air-conditioning.

A leather pack model, still priced

under the luxury tax threshold at

$54,600 and expected to fetch 70

per cent of buyers, adds leather

seat trim, power driver’s seat

adjustment (with three-position

memory), a seven-speaker 200-

watt Bose sound system and a

glass sunroof.

The quickest 6 comes

exclusively with a short-throw six-

speed manual transmission, with an

overdrive sixth gear contributing

to an impressively low average

fuel fi gure of just 10.5L/100km on

the ADR 81/01 test cycle.

Mazda explains that its ATC AWD system

features aggressive torque transfer, with up to 100

per cent of torque automatically directed to the

front wheels in normal conditions, and up to 50

per cent sent to the rear wheels in sports or take-

off ATC modes.

MPS is claimed to have 50

per cent more torsional rigidity

than the standard 6, larger

brake discs all round and

revised double wishbone front

and multi-link rear suspensions.

Along with retuned dampers, spring rates are

increased 25 per cent up front and 37 per cent at

the rear, while the ventilated front brake discs are

21mm larger at 320mm and the solid 314mm rear

discs are 34mm larger.

The MPS look comprises a deeper bonnet, a

new front bumper with lower grille and a sports

rear bumper with built-in diffuser, integrated

exhaust outlet and a discreet lip spoiler.

Based on the recently upgraded Mazda6

interior, the MPS cabin includes a titanium-look

facia with piano black audio controls, plus a

280km/h speedo.

Mazda Australia expects to sell about 80 examples

per month, but initial demand is hoped to boost the

fi rst year’s average sales to 120 per month.

Like all Mazdas, MPS comes with free metallic

paint and a three-year/unlimited-kilometre

warranty, as well as (like MX-5 and RX-8) 24-

hour roadside assistance for the warranty period

and an advanced driving course.

For drive impressions, go to www.goauto.com.au in the coming days.

Mazda aims its MPS at suits who spend life in the express lane

Checkout chic

PRICING:Mazda6 MPS $48,500 Mazda6 MPS Leather $54,600

Checkout chicCheckout chic

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By NEIL McDONALD

SUBARU Australia’s halo WRX and STi models

have gained the lion’s share of improvements to

the MY06 Impreza range, with both now featuring

2.5-litre turbocharged engines and the marque’s

controversial new corporate face.

The niche Japanese brand has also dropped the

2.5-litre RS model in favour of a variant called

the 2.0R, which features a 2.0-litre DOHC engine

with Subaru’s Active Valve Control

System.

The line-up now comprises 2.0i

sedan and hatchback, RV hatch, 2.0R

sedan and hatch, WRX sedan and hatch

and the STi sedan.

The STi produces 206kW at 5600rpm – up

from 195kW – while torque is up 14 per cent from

343Nm to 392Nm at 4000rpm.

Subaru claims the STi’s power and torque

delivery has improved right across the engine’s

operating range.

In the WRX, power is up marginally to 169kW

at 5600rpm, while torque is up 6.6 per cent to

320Nm at 3600rpm. The WRX is now only

available as a fi ve-speed manual while the six-

speed unit in the STi carries over.

Gear ratios remain the same but Subaru claims

the engine improvements offer a better spread of

torque and in-gear acceleration.

The 2.0R unit offers a wider torque band,

producing 118kW at 6400rpm and 186Nm of

torque at 3200rpm compared to the RS’s 112kW at

5600rpm and (much higher) 223Nm at 3600rpm.

Prices have risen in some cases. The starting

price for the WRX has increased $1000 to $40,990,

although in addition to the engine the model

features high-intensity discharge headlights, a

larger-diameter exhaust and new alloy wheels.

STi pricing has also increased on the back of a

raft of technical changes, up $360

to start from $56,990.

Impreza 2.0i remains the same

as superseded GX at $23,990,

while the $29,990 2.0R

matches the previous

RS model and the RV

remains at a $26,940

price point.

Standard features across

the range include all-wheel drive,

climate-control air conditioning,

anti-lock brakes with electronic

brake-force distribution,

aluminium bonnet, four-speaker

CD stereo, cruise control, microdot vehicle

identifi cation, dual-range transmission (manual

hatch), foglights, four-wheel disc brakes and a

height adjustable driver’s seat.

All Imprezas except the STi introduce side

airbags for the fi rst time, supplementing the dual

front airbags.

Visually, the entire range adopts the latest

Subaru design philosophy penned by head designer

Andreas Zapatinas, which means a controversial,

aviation-inspired three-part mesh grille.

The bonnet is extended, with more effi cient air

inlets used on the high-performance models. For

added aerodynamic performance, the STi has an

aluminium roof vane. A rear under-body diffuser

also improves the coeffi cient of lift by 0.03.

There are new fi ve-spoke 16-inch alloys on

the 2.0R and seven-spoke 17-inch alloys on the

WRX. All models bar the STi – which has unique

fog-light covers – gain a re-profi led front bumper

incorporating new compact

foglights.

The WRX and STi now have

smaller, more aerodynamically

effi cient letterbox bonnet scoops

while the driver control centre

differential (DCCD) on the STi

has been further refi ned.

The torque-sensitive gear-

type LSD operates ahead of

the electromagnetic clutch,

allowing more linear and

responsive torque distribution

to front and rear wheels as

required, for improved stability.

Subaru claims this helps maintain agility, steering

stability, traction and control, particularly when

cornering.

The WRX’s gearshift mechanism has also been

refi ned while the 2.0R, WRX and STi now have

“drive-by-wire” electronic throttle control.

The STi’s gearshift improvements offer

smoother and more direct changing by virtue of

carbon on fourth, fi fth and sixth gear synchroniser

rings. First and third gear synchronisers are now

double-coned in all fi ve-speed manual Imprezas,

producing a lighter shift feel.

For drive impressions, go to www.goauto.com.au in the coming days.

PRICING:2.0i sedan $23,9902.0i sedan (a) $25,9902.0i hatch $24,4402.0i hatch (a) $26,4402.0R sedan $29,9902.0R sedan (a) $31,9902.0R hatch $30,4402.0R hatch (a) $32,440RV hatch $26,940RV hatch (a) $28,940WRX sedan $40,990WRX hatch $41,440WRX STi sedan $56,990

Face Face offoffMore power lies behind Impreza’s radical new complexion

www.goauto.com.au

www.carsales.com.au




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By NEIL McDONALD

KOREAN vehicle manufacturer SsangYong has

unveiled its compact four-wheel drive wagon,

known as the Actyon, which will rival the likes of

Toyota’s RAV4 when it goes on sale in Australia

late next year.

An amalgam of “action” and “young”, Actyon

will sit below the larger Kyron 4WD and is

expected to be sold in Australia with a 2.0-litre

turbo-diesel engine, as seen in the Korean version

scheduled to be launched next month.

Details of the fi ve-door Actyon are scant,

however the vehicle closely resembles the XCT

concept car previewed at the Seoul motor show

earlier this year.

It was described in somewhat fl owery terms

as having a front end that resembles a shark

and delivers a symbolic meaning of “power and

challenge”.

“The wide radiator grille reveals the fi guration

of shark’s mouth in a hunting situation and the

sharply designed headlamps represent the image

of shark’s eyes to encapsulate the design in

a harmonious way,” the

literature proclaimed.

“The side view also fi gures the speedy and

smooth image of a shark. The wide wheel arch

fi guration simulates a shark’s fi n.”

Unveiled at this month’s Frankfurt motor show,

the Kyron is due to go on sale here next March,

priced from around $30,000 and with three

engines on offer: the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, a 2.7-

litre CDi diesel and a high-end 3.2-litre V6.

Further down the track, it could also be

powered by a diesel-electric hybrid engine, which

the company is known to be developing.

Speaking to GoAuto in Frankfurt, SsangYong’s

executive vice president of sales, Moon-Suk

Kang, said the marque had ambitious plans to

push ahead with alternative-powered 4WDs.

He was reluctant to talk about power outputs,

but said the diesel-electric hybrid made

better sense than a petrol-

electric engine in larger

vehicles and that

it would offer a

signifi cant lift

in power and

torque over a

c o n v e n t i o n a l

turbo-diesel.

The Korean

manufacturer is

also known to be

testing a bio-

diesel engine

in the Musso in New Zealand with the hope of

eventually selling it in Australia.

In Australia, SsangYong currently sells the

Rexton and Korando 4WDs, the Stavic people

mover, the Musso Sport utility and the Mercedes-

Benz-based Chairman luxury sedan.

“Once we introduce the Kyron and also the

smaller SUV, then we will have three major

(4WD) competitors,” Mr Kang said.

SsangYong has forecast sales of 35,000

vehicles in Europe next year, mostly stemming

from the Kyron, and although Mr Kang would

like to sell 50,000 vehicles in Australia he is

aware that building the brand image is vital to

sales success.

“We are a relatively smaller company,” he said.

“We are not like the giants like Toyota and Honda,

just a specialised company for SUVs. We want to

keep that our specialty,” he said.

Mr Kang said building brand image could only

be achieved through exposure.

“The easy thing is more exposure on the

street and people then come to understand who

SsangYong is and what products we have,” he

said.

Its value-for-money equation and quality would

also be important, he said.

The Kyron is expected to be fi tted standard

with leather upholstery, a sunroof, traction control

and hill descent control.

SsangYong’s new compact 4WD is modelled on a white pointer

Shark Shark attack!attack!

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BLOODY GOOD MOVETHE man responsible for

the controversial “Bloody

Volvo Driver” campaign in

Australia, Steve Blyth, has

been promoted to president

and chief executive offi cer

of Volvo Car Canada and

Volvo Car Mexico.

Relocating to Toronto,

Canada, next month, the

42-year-old Australian – who

has led the Swedish brand Down Under since

June 2003 – will also become a member of the

Volvo Car North America executive operating

team.

The general sales manager for Volvo Cars

Australia, Alan Desselss, will replace Mr Blyth

as general manager of the company.

GM DESIGN WATCHDOGGENERAL Motors has created a new role of

global design co-ordinator to keep outposts in

far-fl ung regions – Australia included – in check

when working on global vehicles.

Automotive News reports that GM has

appointed Liz Wetzel, a 19-year GM veteran in

design and engineering – and most recently the

director of international joint-venture programs,

which included exterior design on GM’s Zeta

(VE Holden-related) architecture – as the chief

of a new Global Design Brands department.

Ms Wetzel will liaise between the auto giant’s

marketing and advanced product development

divisions and the relevant GM regions around

the world. In effect, she will be a “window”

for GM design boss Ed Welburn to monitor

the development of products and to harmonise

vehicle and brand development.

THOMAS GOES WESTMITSUBISHI Motors

Australia’s corporate

c o m m u n i c a t i o n s

manager, Jill Thomas,

left her post last week

after three years with

the company.

No replacement

has been named for

the Canadian-born

PR practitioner, who

intends to take up

residence in Perth.

TOP CARDS SHUFFLED AT FORD AUSTRALIAFORD Australia has “redeployed” its vice- president of marketing and sales, Bruce McDonald.

Mr McDonald, who has held the position since 2000, will not lose his rank as vice-president but in effect will exchange portfolios at the end of this week with the general manager of Ford’s customer service division (FCSD), Mark Winslow.

Mr McDonald will take on a new role as FCSD vice-president, while Mr Winslow will become vice-president of marketing and sales.

Ford Australia spokesperson Sinead McAlary said the move was not a demotion for Mr McDonald, despite suggestions his position was under pressure – in particular after the lacklustre sales performance of the Falcon in recent times and of the Fiesta and Focus small cars.

Disgruntled dealers are also believed to be displeased with the Focus and Fiesta’s poor marketing performance relative to a booming small-car market, as both are considered among the class leaders in their segments.

Ford Australia president Tom Gorman admitted after the Focus’ launch that the company did “undercall” the rapid growth of the small-car segment, which meant Ford had under-ordered enough cars through the launch phase.

The Fiesta launch last year – only months before the $500 million Territory 4WD launch – was smothered by interest in its larger stable-mate.

“Technically, it’s a promotion for Mark, and for Bruce it’s a

redeployment in FCSD,” said Ms McAlary. “The role that Mark had previously wasn’t a vice-president level, but now FCSD will be run as its own business.

“Bruce is still on the operating committee of the company, still a vice-president. It’s really about growing the FCSD business.”

Prior to being FCSD general manager, Mr Winslow was responsible for Lincoln product marketing in the United States. He has also had experience as regional manager for Ford’s tough eastern Australia region, which includes Sydney.

“Mark has been instrumental in driving the success of our FCSD operations over

the last three years,” Mr Gorman said in a statement. “Mark has a very strong understanding of our dealers and their requirements to achieve improved sales success. His sales experience in the Australian market will be instrumental as we face an increasingly competitive automotive landscape.”

Mr McDonald has undertaken assignments with Ford in Detroit and New York, and previously ran Ford Australia’s southern region and vehicle marketing operations.

“Our goal is to further develop our FCSD operations, providing improved parts and service support for our dealers and customers,” Mr Gorman said. “Over the past fi ve years, Bruce has been a key driver of Ford Australia’s success.”

Mr Gorman said both men would bring “fresh points of view to their new challenges and will continue to contribute to our overall performance”. – NEIL McDONALD

Mark Winslow Bruce McDonald

Steve Blyth

Jill Thomas

If you have any car industry personnel announcements, please email them to

[email protected].

www.motorstaff.com.au

www.motorstaff.com.au

mailto:[email protected]




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IT is an old maxim, but does the Astra Coupe ooze style at the expense of substance? From any angle it is certainly pleasing to the eye but do the sporty looks match

the performance? After a week tooling around in the sleek machine we’d suggest this well-equipped entrant’s 1.8-litre four needs more

oomph to live up to its sporty pretensions. However, that in no way diminishes the overall driving experience, which like the rest of the AH Astra range, remains solid, comfortable and safe. The car’s quality levels also impress. If only Holden would throw in more power for the people... ROAD TEST: CLICK HERE

GoAuto latest road test

Holden Astra CDX Coupe

LAUNCH PADLAUNCH PADSEPTEMBER:Holden Tigra TwinTop convertible

Mazda MX-5 roadster redesign

Mazda6 MPS AWD turbo sedan variant

Mercedes-Benz M-class 4WD redesign

Mitsubishi 380 sedan

Subaru Impreza sedan/hatch facelift

New model diary: CLICK HERE

FEEL THE HEATRENAULT Australia has introduced the Megane

Renault Sport Cup, which adds a bit more heat

to the Sport 225 hot-hatch in the form of beefi er

brakes, revised suspension and electric power

steering.

Priced from $42,990, the Cup rides on ultra-

lightweight 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/40

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres. The front and

rear disc brakes are ventilated, spring rates have

increased 25 per cent at the front and 77 per cent

at the rear, the traction control is recalibrated for

more enthusiastic driving and the new electric

power-assisted steering is claimed to provide a

more positive steering response.

No changes were made to the Megane Sport’s

165kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine, which

remains paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

300C UNDER $44KCHRYSLER’S 300C prestige sedan will be

priced from $53,990 when it goes on sale from

November 1.

Two models will be offered - a baseline entrant

using a 3.5-litre V6 and a higher-performance

$59,990 model featuring a 5.7-litre HEMI V8.

Standard features will include six airbags,

leather upholstery, traction and stability control,

18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and rear

parking radars.

OZ-JAPAN FTA STUDYAUSTRALIA and Japan last week fi nalised the

details of a forthcoming free trade “feasibility

study” which will form the foundation of a free

trade agreement between the two countries.

Trade minister Mark Vaile said in a statement

that an FTA was still a long way off but that

both countries had now “agreed on detailed

terms of reference to examine the feasibility of

a comprehensive FTA covering a number of

issues including the trade in goods and services,

investment and intellectual property rights”.

Japan is Australia’s largest trading partner.

UPGRADE FOR CRUISER…TOYOTA’S LandCruiser 100 Series wagon has

received a number of detail changes, including

the standard fi tment of air-conditioning (with rear

controls) and 17-inch alloy wheels to its V8 petrol

and turbo-diesel models.

Exterior enhancements include a revised grille,

new “twin pocket” halogen headlamps (with

clearance lamps built into the low-beam pocket)

and faster-illuminating LED tail-lamps and

stoplight.

All models get a new driver’s seat, which now

has manual vertical height adjustment and power-

operated lumbar support. Pricing, which holds

fi rm, starts from $52,600 for the Standard Diesel

model.

…AND FOR KLUGERTHE Toyota Kluger 4WD wagon has also emerged

from the pits with a series of changes.

The 3.3-litre engine powering the vehicle now

meets Euro3 emission regulations, the climate-

control system now has “defogger logic”, cruise

control retains a pre-set memory below 40km/h

and, on the range-topping Grande (and mid-

range CVX, where specifi ed), a viscous-coupled

limited-slip centre differential is included.

Cosmetic work includes the addition of six-

spoke alloy wheels and roof rails on the CV grade

(with seven-seat option only), and a rear spoiler

on CVX.

CONTINENTAL RAGTOPBENTLEY has announced it will build a 2+2

convertible version of the Continental GT.

The third Continental in the model range after the

GT coupe and Flying Spur four-door, the GTC – as

the ragtop is known – will go on sale late in 2006.

“We set out to achieve a style that is both

contemporary and elegant but with the sporting

stance of a true performance car,” said Bentley

design director, Dirk van Braeckel. “In keeping with

the Bentley tradition, the new Continental GTC has

a soft fabric roof and heated glass rear screen.”

The GTC follows the recently announced

return of the Azure nameplate for Bentley’s

Arnage-derived four-seat convertible, which also

goes on sale next year.

VOYAGER’S CLEAR VISIONCHRYSLER has introduced a limited-issue Vision

series of its Voyager people-mover, which the

company claims adds up to $4000 of extra value

with no increase to the standard retail price.

Priced from $55,990, the SE Vision model

adds a six-stack DVD system and Infi nity sound

system, a power-operated driver’s seat, tinted

windows, rear parking radars and roof rails. The

$59,990 LX Vision adds similar gear to its features

list and the top-spec $69,990 Limited version gets

a DVD system with a 10-inch screen.

OUTSIDE THE SQUARETHE doors have closed at Frankfurt, but the show

cars are still rolling out with Chrysler releasing

sketches last week of a new concept car to be

unveiled at the Tokyo motor show next month.

Called the Akino, the one-box, fi ve-seat

hatchback is the work of 37-year-old California-

based DaimlerChrysler designer Akino Tsuchiya.

Of particular interest is

the interior, which

features bamboo f l o o r i n g , a throw rug, mood lighting and even throw

pillows.

Kluger

Megane RS Cup

Continental GTC

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John Mellor's GoAuto -news · GoAuto -newse SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 Page 2 Phone: (03) 9598 6477 E-mail:...

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Transcript of John Mellor's GoAuto -news · GoAuto -newse SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 Page 2 Phone: (03) 9598 6477 E-mail:...