From this month Mazda adds a state-of-the-art, ultra-clean, diesel powered Mazda6 hatch and wagon to its range. This makes Mazda the only Japanese car maker offering a diesel passenger car in the recently fuel-sensitive Aussie car market. With the Mazda6 Diesel hatch and wagon consuming on average just 5.9L/100km - according to government fuel economy tests - the diesel Mazda6 models can travel more than 1000km on a tank of fuel. Even bearing in mind that diesel fuel is more expensive here this is an incredible economy figure for a car that will seat your whole family.

Fuel economy is even more impressive on the highway with consumption for the hatch and wagon falling to just 5.0L/100km, giving a potential cruising range of more than 1250km from the 64 litre tank. Combining with a six-speed manual transmission, the Mazda6’s engine features the latest diesel technology and backs up its impressive fuel economy with strong performance and clean exhaust emissions. The direct injection and turbocharged Mazda6 diesel also promises a sporty drive with the Mazda designed, engineered and manufactured 2.0L, direct injection engine producing a massive 360 Newton metres of torque (pulling power). The engine also develops a 105kW - about 17kW less than the petrol version, but this is made up with 153Nm more in torque.

The Mazda6 hatch diesel accelerates from 0-100kmh in 9.5 seconds - not quick, but certainly “enough” performance. Mazda is offering buyers not only two body styles but the choice of different trim levels. The Mazda6 Diesel wagon, which is priced at $35,205 comes with climate control air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer, six-stack CD, wheel-mounted audio and cruise control switches and more luxurious trim, remote central locking with deadlock function, power windows and mirrors, driver’s seat height adjustment and telescopic and height adjustable steering.

The diesel-powered hatch, which is priced at $38,090, also gains a number of upmarket appointments usually found on Luxury versions of the Mazda6. These include leather seats, Bose sound system with seven speakers and a power-operated driver’s seat with three position memory.

Following the outstanding success of its 300C large sedan, Chrysler today announced it will take its award-winning formula of design and engineering to the mid-size sedan segment, confirming that the all-new Chrysler Sebring will arrive in Australia for sale mid 2007.

The Chrysler Sebring combines stunning design and interior craftsmanship with high-levels of safety and reliability, performance and fuel efficiency. “The Chrysler Sebring will sustain the momentum started by the blockbuster hit Chrysler 300C,” said Gerry Jenkins, managing director, Chrysler Group Australia. “Just as the 300C redefined the large-car segment and signalled the return of the great American car, the Chrysler Sebring combines the levels of reliability and durability that mid-size buyers demand with the standout design that sets all Chrysler’s apart.

“Sebring’s elegant styling provides a clear alternative to European and Japanese competition,” he said. The new Chrysler Sebring will offer a choice of three engines in Australia. Standard is a 2.4-litre petrol engine with dual variable valve timing (VVT). Also available will be a state-of-the-art 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, and at a later stage a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine.

The Chrysler Sebring includes a host of new technology and features, ranging from a cutting-edge information, entertainment and communication navigation audio system to a heated/cooled front cupholder for keeping hot beverages hot and cool beverages cool. A long list of safety systems includes an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), advanced multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain airbags and front-seat-mounted side airbags. Pricing and model line-up for the Chrysler Sebring will be confirmed closer to launch.

The Subaru range is taking on a new dimension with the introduction of the brand’s largest vehicle, the symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Tribeca. It adds an extra element of agility and fun driving performance to the SUV market. Available with five and seven-seat cabins, the versatile Tribeca expands Subaru’s model range to five. It has undergone extensive local testing, tailoring it to Australia’s unique roads and climate.

Subaru’s commitment to safety is underlined by Tribeca’s achievement of a five star occupant safety crashworthiness rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This means every Subaru Tribeca, Forester, Liberty and Outback now has a five-star rating – the highest achievable. The 3.0 litre six-cylinder Tribeca offers greater cabin width and length than any previous Subaru and is available from November in limited numbers, starting from $53,990 recommended retail price for the 3.0R five seat.

The range-topping Tribeca 3.0R Premium seven-seat is $60,990 rrp. For this price, it has a comprehensive specification list that includes standard rear view camera, Vehicle Dynamics Control and satellite navigation. A DVD entertainment system, electric sunroof, leather trim and heated front seats feature on Premium variants.

Highlights include:

* Five-star independent crashworthiness rating for occupant safety
* Rollover sensor system
* Satellite navigation system
* Rear vision camera
* Dual zone climate control air conditioning
* 2000 kg braked towing capacity
* Pricing from just $53,990 rrp
* Newly developed double wishbone rear suspension
* Vehicie Dynamics Control with Traction Control System
* Choice of five or seven-seat cabins
* MP3 compatible six-stack nine-speaker in-dash CD stereo system

Citroën is unveiling C-Métisse at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Through this concept car, inspired by passion and reason, the Marque is exploring new paths dedicated to automotive pleasure. C-Métisse is a coupé of character, boasting a high level of on-board comfort and performance, while also respecting the environment.

With its elegant proportions, flamboyant bodywork, spectacular door design and extensive chrome, this elegant 4-seater 4-door coupe revives a passion for the most prestigious Grand Touring vehicles.

C-Métisse is not only a car to stir the soul of the onlooker. It also boasts real driving sensations with a driving position featuring the latest technologies, and a specially designed high-performance diesel hybrid drivetrain.
C-Métisse is based on the same future-oriented solution as the C4 HDi hybrid demonstration vehicle presented by Citroën at the start of the year apart from one key difference: the electric motors are installed in the rear wheels. This configuration is coherent with vehicle performance and optimises traction. Perfectly suited to the character of C-Métisse, the design reflects Citroën’s expertise in the various hybrid architectures, as well as demonstrating its commitment to cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

A high-spec vehicle, C-Métisse also places considerable emphasis on passenger comfort. The vast cabin features three exceptionally comfy seats upholstered in white leather.

Sheer sportiness, a genuine driving experience plus high power reserves – cue the new TT Roadster from Audi. The open-top sports car retains the distinctive lines of its tremendously successful predecessor, but instils them with even greater emotion, performance and dynamism.

Audi offers a choice of two engines for its new TT Roadster. The 3.2-litre V6 power unit generates 184 kW (250 bhp) and is coupled to the quattro drive system as standard. The 2.0 TFSI engine, which blends turbocharging with petrol direct injection technology, delivers 147 kW (200 bhp) to the front wheels. Both model variants can be ordered with the innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual shift.

The chassis of the new Roadster is also built for impressive sporty performance. Its highlight is Audi magnetic ride, the optional suspension damping technology that allows drivers to choose between an uncompromisingly dynamic ride or more comfort-orientated characteristics.

To mirror the puristic character of open-top motoring, the boldly styled body is crowned by a lightweight cloth hood. The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with a quick-action, fully automatic softtop which is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI.

The TT Roadster in Australia

The new Audi TT Roadster is expected to arrive in Australia around the middle of 2007. Two models will be available including a 2.0 TFSI S tronic version and a 3.2 V6 S tronic with quattro all-wheel drive. Pricing and specification is not yet available for Australian vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz has completed the new S-Class range by introducing an armoured special-protection model. Thanks to its factory-integrated protective features, the new S-Guard provides a unique level of protection against attacks and threats posed by violent crime. The new model is initially available in Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard guise, with a twelve-cylinder engine and a long wheelbase.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Guard is the logical continuation of an almost 80-year unbroken tradition in the development of special-protection vehicles. This new top-of-the-range Guard model is produced in Sindelfingen, Germany by vastly experienced specialists working on the principle of integrated special protection. In effect this means that, rather than retrofitting the protective elements in the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining and firewall etc. of an already finished vehicle, they fully integrate them into the bodyshell on a dedicated production line. All the body-structure reinforcements required due to the extra weight of the protective elements can therefore be incorporated right from the start. The resulting vehicles offer hallmark Mercedes-Benz build quality combined with comprehensive Highest Protection, including in those areas where post-production access would be all but impossible.

Mazda will add the CX-9, a three-row, seven-seat, crossover SUV, to its Australian line-up from early 2008.

The CX-9 will boost Mazda’s SUV range to three distinct models with the 186 kilowatt V6-powered CX-9 joining the recently updated Tribute and the crossover CX-7.

Like the Mazda CX-7, which goes on sale from November, the CX-9 is a clean break from the traditional boxy SUV. Engineered with Mazda’s “Soul of a Sportscar” signature, CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality.

The Mazda CX-9 is the insightful solution not only to the modern family’s complex needs but also to the enthusiast driver’s desires. And of course Zoom-Zoom is standard.

“CX-9 will be an exciting addition to our Australian range as it gives us a third model in the important SUV segment and a dynamic entrant into the seven seat market,” says Doug Dickson, managing director of Mazda Australia.

“That Mazda has agreed to re-engineer the CX-9 for right-hand-drive production just for Australia further emphases the importance of this market to the company”.

Mazda Australia is the country’s top-selling full-line importer and in 2006 has a market share of 6.7 per cent Y-T-D.

“The CX-9 represents everything a Mazda SUV should be, offering ample power, striking appearance, fun-to-drive vitality, precision build quality and unexpected versatility. While other vehicles in this category focus only on what’s behind the driver’s seat for the family, Mazda has engineered a unique solution that is equally as exciting for the driver”.

Read more after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »

The star of the Hyundai stand at this year’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney is the stunning-looking Arnejs concept hatchback, direct from its Paris Auto Salon world debut.

Created in Hyundai’s European Design Studio in Germany, its “design sculpture” uses interplay between convex and concave surfaces to create intriguing reflections.

Led by Chief Designer Thomas Bürkle, the Hyundai Motor Europe design team in Rüsselsheim, Germany, penned the Arnejs as a concept preview of Elantra’s designer-look five-door model due here late next year.

Its form language is a continuity of design elements first introduced with the Genus crossover concept car unveiled in the Geneva Auto Salon in March and marks another milestone in Hyundai’s development of a stronger brand identity.

The athletically defined Arnejs has a broad stance on 19” alloys and 35 section tyres and a sleek profile with its roof tapering to the rear.

The windscreen sweeps up and over the roof, and together with the pillarless side windows which all lower fully out of sight, creates an ambience more like a cabriolet.

Along the sides, the wave-like shoulder line evokes the new Elantra sedan.

The convex rear glass and bumper are intersected by a concave centre panel and the large taillight lens follow these complex contours.

Inside, the wave pattern theme continues, with the dash flowing around into the doors, which use the lack of pillars to execute a continuous sculpture along the whole length of the cabin sides.

Arnejs’ engine is a 2.0-litre hi-tech turbo-diesel. Hyundai is currently looking at the feasibility of diesel in Elantra but no decision has been made yet.