Is the Mercedes C-Class Really Worth the Cost of...

Motor Authority - blog Tag: Australia

  • Audi and Lamborghini predicting market turnaround

    Audi and Lamborghini predicting market turnaround July 22nd, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 22nd, 2009 Kenneth Hall 1 Comment

    Audi and Lamborghini predicting market turnaround Accurate crystal balls were in short supply a year ago, but this year predictions of recovery are flying. The latest to join the side of the optimists are Audi and Lamborghini, predicting the market to reach its lowest point this year and start recovery in 2010.

    The Volkswagen Group's luxury and super-luxury brands aren't saying all is well, however. "Global markets will bottom out this year," Audi chief financial officer Axel Strotbek said in an interview with Bloomberg. “By and large, we expect a slight recovery in 2010.”

    The uptick is already being seen in Germany, where Audi scored a record 27,700 sales in June. The larger... Accurate crystal balls were in short supply a year ago, but this year predictions of recovery are flying. The latest to join the side of the optimists are Audi and Lamborghini, predicting the market to reach its lowest point this year and start recovery in 2010. The Volkswagen Group's luxury and super-luxury brands aren't saying all is well, however. "Global markets will bottom out this year," Audi chief financial officer Axel Strotbek said in an interview with Bloomberg. “By and large, we expect a slight recovery in 2010.” The uptick is already being seen in Germany, where Audi scored a record 27,700 sales in June. The larger U.S. market will take longer to respond, and is the basis for the 2010 recovery statement. Interestingly, it may be luxury brands that lead the way out of the slumped economy. China, Australia and India are also helping to boost things back up, especially for Lamborghini. China in particular is a strong market for the Raging Bull according to the report. What does this mean for the present? If you're in the market to buy a car and you can afford one now, it may be time to take advantage of low interest rates, cash-back incentives and dealer willingness to bargain, because once the market is back on its feet, such deals won't likely stick around. Read More

  • HSV working on high-performance LPG system

    HSV working on high-performance LPG system June 12th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 12th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    HSV working on high-performance LPG system Even V8 performance groups like Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) cannot afford to ignore the new spate of environmental consciousness that’s sweeping the globe. Whether it’s a case of consumers griping about how much they have to pay for fuel, or a genuine desire for greener performance cars, HSV is listening to the people and is currently working on several major developments in the area.

    We’ve already reported about the Holden go-fast division’s plans to introduce smaller non-V8 models, as well as a renewed interest at the company for alternative fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel.

    HSV has now... Even V8 performance groups like Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) cannot afford to ignore the new spate of environmental consciousness that’s sweeping the globe. Whether it’s a case of consumers griping about how much they have to pay for fuel, or a genuine desire for greener performance cars, HSV is listening to the people and is currently working on several major developments in the area. We’ve already reported about the Holden go-fast division’s plans to introduce smaller non-V8 models, as well as a renewed interest at the company for alternative fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel. HSV has now confirmed to Australia’s Drive that it is working on an advanced LPG system that promises to deliver similar performance to petrol. With LPG costing half as much as petrol in many parts of the globe, it’s easy to see how beneficial this system could potentially be – especially if the technology is loaned to General Motors branches outside of Australia. The new LPG system is called liquid propane injection (LPi) and is essentially an extra eight injectors fitted to the inlet manifold near a V8 engine’s inlet ports. A pump inside the LPG tank pressurizes the fuel and sends it to the injectors where it enters the engine still in its liquid form. In liquid form, air-fuel mixtures can be calculated more accurately, which in turn increases efficiency and boosts power. Current LPG systems inject the fuel in a gaseous state, making it much more difficult to mix with air in the correct ratio. There are other benefits to using LPG as well - the fuel releases less carbon-dioxide emissions when burning and it has a higher octane rating than petrol. On the other hand, LPG doesn't have the same calorific (energy) value of petrol, which means mileage is usually worse. LPG can also be difficult to find as many fuel stations don’t serve it, but any LPG model will be dual-fuel capable.2008 Holden HSV range Read More

  • Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets

    Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets June 3rd, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, June 3rd, 2009 Jeremy Weber 8 Comments

    Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets From the onset Chevrolet’s new Cruze compact sedan was designed as a global model. Today it’s already on sale in Asia, Europe and Australia and eventually it will be gracing showrooms here in the U.S., though there is still a wait of more than a year until that happens. As a global model, any variations of the car could also be sold in global markets and that is exactly what will happen with a new hatchback version currently in the works at Holden.

    The CEO of GM’s Aussie division Mark Reuss has confirmed to Drive that a small hatch based on the Cruze is set to enter production in the third quarter of next year. Reuss also... From the onset Chevrolet’s new Cruze compact sedan was designed as a global model. Today it’s already on sale in Asia, Europe and Australia and eventually it will be gracing showrooms here in the U.S., though there is still a wait of more than a year until that happens. As a global model, any variations of the car could also be sold in global markets and that is exactly what will happen with a new hatchback version currently in the works at Holden. The CEO of GM’s Aussie division Mark Reuss has confirmed to Drive that a small hatch based on the Cruze is set to enter production in the third quarter of next year. Reuss also revealed that the car will be designed and engineered fully in Australia, which means that it should be significantly different from the Cruze sedan on which it will be based. The hatch is expected to be positioned as a more upmarket model compared to the Cruze. Some of the differences will be sportier steering and suspension adjustments, and styling influences taken from the larger Commodore. The hatch could also feature more premium engines like the new 2010 Opel Astra’s 1.4L turbocharged unit as opposed to the Cruze’s naturally aspirated 1.8L mill. Reuss wasn’t willing to reveal which export markets the hatch may be sold in but insisted the company was “aggressively pursuing” an export deal to replace the $1 billion U.S. Pontiac G8 export program recently axed by GM.2010 Chevrolet Cruze2009 Holden Cruze Read More

  • Holden engineering lighter and more fuel-efficient RWD Zeta platform

    Holden engineering lighter and more fuel-efficient RWD Zeta platform May 21st, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, May 21st, 2009 Jeremy Weber 4 Comments

    Holden engineering lighter and more fuel-efficient RWD Zeta platform General Motors’ RWD Zeta platform was pioneered in Australia for the locally built Holden Commodore sedan but right from the start Detroit had global intentions for the design. Today, Zeta running gear can be found in models sold in China, South Korea, the UK, and in North America, but GM has much more ambitious plans for the platform, going right up until 2020.

    Back in March we reported that the platform would be modified to be smaller and more fuel-efficient, and that the first car to ride on this ‘Zeta II’ design would be the next-generation Holden Commodore due in 2013. A new report published by GoAuto confirms that... General Motors’ RWD Zeta platform was pioneered in Australia for the locally built Holden Commodore sedan but right from the start Detroit had global intentions for the design. Today, Zeta running gear can be found in models sold in China, South Korea, the UK, and in North America, but GM has much more ambitious plans for the platform, going right up until 2020. Back in March we reported that the platform would be modified to be smaller and more fuel-efficient, and that the first car to ride on this ‘Zeta II’ design would be the next-generation Holden Commodore due in 2013. A new report published by GoAuto confirms that Holden is developing a lighter and more highly-evolved version of the three-year old Zeta platform. Holden insiders have revealed that cutting weight is one of the primary goals for engineers, but also to eventually use Zeta for medium RWD cars as well as large ones. One key element will be the increased use of lighter materials in its construction, including the possibility of advanced composites. Other issues affecting the design process include the use of more fuel-efficient powertrains, such as diesel and hybrid options, as well as increased global production. Some of the recipients for the updated platform include Cadillac and Chevrolet in the U.S., Buick in China, and Holden in Australia. One thing is for certain, GM will keep its premium Sigma RWD platform, currently used by Cadillac, as well as the relatively low-cost Zeta for its future models. Where this leaves rumored development plans for a smaller ‘Alpha’ RWD platform and a premium Cadillac architecture is anyone’s guess, however, given GM’s financial woes it’s unlikely that such an expensive undertaking is high on the company’s priorities. Read More

  • New company aims to make supercar clubs affordable

    New company aims to make supercar clubs affordable May 13th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, May 13th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 5 Comments

    New company aims to make supercar clubs affordable The idea of pooling resources to get access to a wide range of the most exotic four-wheeled machinery available isn't new, though it is still rather exclusive. Groups like P1 International in the UK and The Supercar Club in Australia have built the genre over the past few years, while newcomers like RS Academy have helped expand it.

    But now a new player has entered the field, and they're playing by a different set of rules. Gone are the tens of thousands of dollars in annual dues and per-use fees. Instead, Supercar Sensation brings a handful of supercars to a designated site, the drivers meet up and drive them around for 1-4 hours,... The idea of pooling resources to get access to a wide range of the most exotic four-wheeled machinery available isn't new, though it is still rather exclusive. Groups like P1 International in the UK and The Supercar Club in Australia have built the genre over the past few years, while newcomers like RS Academy have helped expand it. But now a new player has entered the field, and they're playing by a different set of rules. Gone are the tens of thousands of dollars in annual dues and per-use fees. Instead, Supercar Sensation brings a handful of supercars to a designated site, the drivers meet up and drive them around for 1-4 hours, depending on the package they buy, and drive up to three of the cars in a single day. All for a single flat fee. Starting at $199 for a 'one hour test drive' as the folks at Sensation call it, the driver gets a a shot behind the wheel of three supercars, one from each of the following groups: 1) Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Gallardo; 2) Porsche 911 Turbo or Aston Martin Vantage Roadster; and 3) Nissan GT-R, BMW M3 or Mercedes C63 AMG. Also included in the package price is a set of digital photos of the driver with the car. The driving itself is a one-hour open-road 'lead-follow' trek on a pre-planned route. For more time behind the wheel, you can step up to the 'tour', which comes in two or four-hour variations, but is essentially just a longer version of the test drive scenario. For those that would like a bit more speed and sensation, the company also offers a 'track' package from $250. This includes one orientation lap plus eight runs on a closed autocross-style (pylons on pavement) course in the M3, C63 AMG GT-R or 911 Turbo, plus another three runs in a F430 or Gallardo. There are variations on this package starting as low as $40, which will get you one orientation lap and a single autocross run. All in all, it's a comprehensive set of offerings for a price that really can't be beat - especially when compared to the competition. P1, for example, charges an annual fee of £12,250 to £15,500 ($18,580 to $23500) plus a one-time joining fee of £2,450 ($3,700). By comparison, there's no competition at all. Of course, even P1 is still a bargain compared to ownership of even a single supercar. And the very best part: Supercar Sensation is based in North Carolina - so it won't require a passport and an overseas vacation to enjoy the experience. Read More

  • Better Place shows off its automated EV battery switching station

    Better Place shows off its automated EV battery switching station May 13th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 13th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Better Place shows off its automated EV battery switching station Shai Agassi's ambitious Better Place project has been rolling out plans for test-market EVs around the world for over a year now, and today the project took a huge leap forward with the demonstration of its first automated battery swapping station. The proof-of-concept facility was demonstrated in Yokohama, Japan.

    Using a modified Nissan Dualis (Qashqai) to demonstrate the battery swap, Better Place showed how electric car owners can quickly and easily fill up with a full charge - without ever leaving their cars. It takes about a minute in all, shuttling a new battery up into the vehicle and returning the depleted one for charging and... Shai Agassi's ambitious Better Place project has been rolling out plans for test-market EVs around the world for over a year now, and today the project took a huge leap forward with the demonstration of its first automated battery swapping station. The proof-of-concept facility was demonstrated in Yokohama, Japan. Using a modified Nissan Dualis (Qashqai) to demonstrate the battery swap, Better Place showed how electric car owners can quickly and easily fill up with a full charge - without ever leaving their cars. It takes about a minute in all, shuttling a new battery up into the vehicle and returning the depleted one for charging and reuse. “Today marks a major milestone for the automotive industry as well as for Better Place,” said Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place. “For nearly a century, the automotive industry has been inextricably tied to oil. Today, we’re demonstrating a new path forward where the future of transportation and energy is driven by our desire for a clean planet and a robust economic recovery fueled by investments in clean technology, and one in which the well-being of the automotive industry is intrinsically coupled with the well-being of the environment.” Looking past the rhetoric, Agassi's words do highlight the importance of the battery switch station: bringing the possibility of EVs to a much wider audience. Currently only urban dwellers that can afford a second car are really potential EV owners due to their limited range. But with the possibility of a network of battery swap stations, the electric car's range becomes effectively limitless. And that marks the next step in the project's development, building that network of stations. That will entail developing the Yokohama station's technology into a full production solution. The first places to get the swap stations will be Better Place's existing test markets, including Israel, Denmark, Hawaii and Melbourne. Don't expect to see the stations until 2011 or 2012, however, as that's when Better Place is planning its roll-out in its select markets.Shai Agassi's Better Place automated EV battery switch station Read More

More Headlines


  1. 1
  2. 2