Alfa brings back GTA badge:

ALFA Romeo has released the first official pictures of its barnstorming 156 GTA sedan and Sportwagon. European sources suggest the reappearance of the venerable GTA badge is an indication Alfa plans to take on BMW's M division Audi's S with its own high-performance variants of mainstream models.

BMW 3 Series takes on German rivals:
Revamped: A new face and a host of under-skin upgrades differentiate the revised 3 Series sedan from the current model. BMW has pulled the wraps off its facelifted 3 Series sedan line-up.

THESE are the first images of the updated BMW 3 Series sedan due to supersede the existing model by the end of the year.

It is the first comprehensive update for the sedan since the E46 range made its international debut in 1997 (we didn't get it until September, 1998).

BMW Australia corporate communications general manager John Kananghinis says the revised 3 Series sedan is likely to make its first local appearance at October's Sydney motor show - but deliveries will not start until December.

The car's new-look face is complemented by a range of under-skin modifications claimed to sharpen its dynamics.

But perhaps the most significant upgrade is the introduction of a much more potent engine in the volume-selling 318i.

The new 2.0-litre engine features BMW's Valvetronic technology and delivers 105kW and 200Nm - a useful improvement on the current 1.9-litre unit's outputs of 87kW and 180Nm.

The powerplant is claimed to produce far lower emission levels and BMW quotes fuel consumption figures of 7.2 litres/100km for the EU combined test cycle.

As for pricing, Mr Kananghinis suggests the new line-up is likely to retain a sub-$50,000 entry point.

"We haven't determined pricing but our intention is to stay in the same competitive market position," he said.

Pricing currently starts at $48,975 for the 318i manual, rising to $90,700 for the range-topping 330i. The gap is filled in by the 320i (from $61,400) and 325i (from $67,405).

External changes to the 3 Series sedan endow it with a look not too dissimilar to its larger 5 Series sibling.

The new-look face features a slim-line headlight cluster and a wider, more squared-off twin-kidney grille. In addition, the front spoiler has a smoother, simpler design than the intricate item used currently.

There is also a new bonnet with creases that branch out towards the A-pillars rather than straight back, as is the case now.

Mr Kananghinis said the new look was part of "a deliberate policy to create more differentiation between the sedan, coupe and convertible models".

"This (new) look is for the sedan only," he said.

Under-skin changes include tweaks to the steering and suspension to bring the car in line with the 3 Series compact launched in Europe earlier this year.

The 3 Series has been a strong sales performer for BMW, regularly placing at the top of the prestige and luxury car segments.

The updated model will be a timely arrival for BMW given that its German counterparts have stocked their arsenals with fresh rivals - Mercedes-Benz's all-new C-class has fared well since its launch last November while Audi's revamped A4 joins the fray next month.

Jaguar will also weigh into the battle with its X-Type in October.

BMW has completed its break-up of the Rover group with the disposal of its engine business, Powertrain, which will now supply MG Rover, and third party customers.

Lotus has stopped work on its M250 with the aim of adding appeal for US buyers. As a result eager punters may now have to wait four years for the sub-1000 kg mid-engined two-seater, with its V6 engines and under 5.0 second 0-100 km/h times.

Michelin North America is cranking up production in its tyre manufacturing plants - which could soon operate round the clock, seven days a week - as a direct result of Ford and Firestone severing relations.

Ford will launch the world's first hybrid petrol-electric SUV in 2003.

VW is working on a seven seater mini-MPV based on the Golf platform. It is more likely to be out in two or three years than the next year some Euro mags are predicting.

The Holden Maloo GTS pick-up is to go on sale in the UK soon.

Toyota and Hyundai, each top-sellers in their own markets, both moved into the other's territory last year. Toyota, targeting large and luxury sedans as well as mainstream cars, sold 265 to April, but Hyundai sold less than 100 in Japan, well short of target. Unlike Toyota in Korea, Hyundai's offerings have direct locally-produced competition.

The new Mini will get its first public New Zealand outing at Auckland's Big Boys Toys show on November 16-18. The car, to go on sale here next year, will arrive especially for the event. Big Boys Toys will also hit Christchurch October 26 -28.

Mazda Motor Corp has reported its first loss in three years. The loss reflected a one-off cost to plug a hole in pension reserves, and the fact more staff than expected opted for early retirement.

A Ford management team is pushing through a restructuring plan at Mazda, trimming the work force and cutting capacity at Japan's third largest manufacturer.

Meanwhile Nissan Motor Company reported a consolidated net profit, with "the best financial performance in the company's history as far as we can reliably trace it," according to Nissan's president, Carlos Ghosn.

UK Mercedes dealers, given notice the dealer network was to be scrapped, have gained a partial reprieve with the original 12 months notice on their contracts extended to 24.

OnStar, a US company, is testing software which tries to deliberately distract a driver during a virtual drive. Able to imitate anything from incoming mobile calls to annoying passengers, it highlights the difficulties passengers will face as in-car computing, sat-nav and the like become more common.

A recent Taylor Nelson Sofres survey of European car buyers showed 70 per cent negotiate on price, 39 per cent on equipment and 32 per cent on trade-in price. However, it varied by country; only 60 per cent of Spaniards negotiated by purchase price, while 88 per cent of Germans did so. Some 53 per cent of Spaniards negotiated on equipment and accessories, while only 19 per cent of the English did.

For 92 per cent car purchase was a calculated decision. Some 75 per cent said it's a special moment of pleasure but 25 per cent said it was an unpleasant experience.

If fuel economy is important to you, look out for the annual Shell Mileage Marathon, in Britain. French technology companies and Japanese car makers are among groups racing for the most economical car. Those with millions to spend already average better than 0.03138 litres/100 km (9000 mpg), while one school team, funded by parents and friends, achieved 0.0718 l/100 km with a vehicle based on a 22 cc Honda strimmer engine with home-made fuel injection.

Vehicle production year-to-date in the US, Canada and Mexico is 15.1 per cent down on the same period last year. Topping the production tables in the US are GM and Ford.

Comments by VW chief exec Ferdinand Piech suggest the company may sell off shares in Audi. VW AG denies the claim, but reports suggest VW is positioning to ward off a take-over bid. Selling Audi wouldn't make production sense, as both lines are intertwined.

For 40 years Germany's so-called 'Volkswagen law' has prevented any investor holding more than 20 per cent of the company's voting rights, but EU officials have objected to provisions which hinder take-overs. Piech is quoted as saying, "I see it as my task to see to it that with or without the statutes, no-one can swallow our group without choking on it."

Ford led the NZ car sales wars on April. After the first four months, only 33 vehicles separate the top three, Holden, Toyota and Ford.

Daewoo Motors, Korea, posted a monthly operating profit for April, its first in nearly three years. The profit, which came some two months earlier than predicted, comes as negotiations for the company's purchase by GM reach their final stages.

Christian Peruzzi, head of Fiat Germany, died during qualifying for a 24-hour endurance race at Nrburgring. The 38-year-old's Alfa 147 turned over several times, and he died at the scene.

Ford is working on an external airbag designed to protect pedestrians, while Jaguar is patenting a bonnet which will pop up, to provide a crumple zone for people's heads, if it senses a pedestrian collision.

Mitsubishi NZ's marketing department is on a roll, with a company backed Mitsubishi Ralliart team contesting the New Zealand rally championships in an Evo VII; Ralliart Galant and Pajero GLS models hitting showroom floors; a range of Mitsubishi-branded finance products; and a limited time five year warranty deal.

Local NZ rules going through in Christchurch will make it illegal to deliberately spin your tyres in the city. Brian Cowan may have to move.

Toyota has agreed to supply BMW with 1.4 litre diesel engines by the end of the year. The engines, destined for the Yaris, would be built in Europe and may appear in the 3 Series hatch and the 1 Series currently under development.

Five participating suppliers traded parts in the largest on-line auction ever. Conducted by DaimlerChrysler, the internet-based bidding process decided the prices of parts for future products.

A US motorcyclist has been ticketed at 256 km/h. Concerned their equipment might have been faulty, police called Honda to see if a CBR600 could reach that speed. Police who stopped the 32-year-old rider said it was the fastest speed they could recall.

New Zealand Transport Minister, Mark Gosche, should be a safer - and brisker - driver since his recent driving lesson from TraNZam champion, Ash Stichbury.

President Bush has revealed a plan offering tax credits to people who buy hybrid vehicles. The tax credit already applies to the purchase of electric cars.

Nearly 700,000 owners of fire-prone GM pick-up trucks in the US may miss out on cash gained as a result of a class action settlement, thanks to privacy regulations. Many owners didn't receive their mail-out within the time frame allowed as owner registration data was protected by strict privacy laws.

US cities have been issued with a safe driving grade. Boston earned an F - 66 per cent of Bostonians think the city is unsafe to drive in, against 37 per cent nationally. Detroit gained an A grade. Some 54 per cent of those surveyed thought talking on a cell phone while driving was dangerous, yet 39 per cent said they had done so in the previous month.

Toyota has topped the latest JD Power and Associates 2001 quality survey. Asian car makers top the study, but Euro brands are closing the gap. Lexus dominated in product quality, as well as consistent quality levels across a platform while Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus and VW each improved by 20 per cent or more reduction in problems over last year.

GM is developing a low energy radar sensor to detect motion in a car and alert passers by to children left in closed, hot vehicles. At least 120 children in the US, most under the age of 3, have died in cars since 1996.

According to JD Powers, of the cars received in NZ, Toyota's Corolla topped the compact car class; Lexus' ES 300 the entry luxury car class; Honda's CR-V the entry sport utility; the Saab 9-5 the mid-luxury car; Nissan's Pathfinder the midsize sport utility; and Toyota's Avalon premium midsize car.

The Hummer must be one of the least politically correct vehicles around. But not for long - UQM technologies is developing a hybrid electric version.

Toyota is opening operations in Mexico, as a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.

Hyundai's Santa Fe earned a good overall rating in a 64 km/h frontal offset crash test conducted by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Toyota's RAV4 also did well, and was measurably better than the previous version. The Santa Fe and Subaru's Forester topped the ratings, with Jeep's Wrangler, Suzuki's Vitara and Toyota's RAV4 a grade down.

DaimlerChrysler is voluntarily recalling 2000 and 2001 Neons to replace a brake booster hose. The problem was discovered through analysis of returned parts, and affects 515,000 of the cars world-wide.

Mercedes reveals A-class pricing, specifications:
Freshened up: The revised A-class gains a new look thanks to a revised grille, bumpers, clear-lens headlights and integrated rub strips.

Mercedes-Benz has treated its A-class line-up to a host of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades

MERCEDES-Benz Australia has announced pricing and specification for its updated A-class line-up that goes on sale today.

The new entry level model is the A160 Classic, which now comes standard with 15-inch alloy wheels. It is priced at $34,900, which represents a $200 increase over the outgoing model.

Unlike the existing range, there is no A140 model in the updated line-up, but such a variant may be added at a later stage, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski.

The new range is topped by the $40,900 A190 Elegance that replaces the outgoing A190 Avantgarde, which was priced from $41,230.

The Elegance trim level is also available on the A160 at a cost of $3000. Explaining the decision to discontinue the A140 - at least for now - Mr Adreevski said Mercedes-Benz was opting to concentrate more on the volume-selling A160, which has accounted for almost half of A-class sales to date this year.

The A-class line-up will be supplemented in November with a long-wheelbase version, which will be offered with 1.6 and 1.9-litre engines.

Meanwhile, the revised short wheelbase A-class is distinguishable from its predecessor by its redesigned front and rear bumpers, four-vane radiator (previously three vanes) and integrated rub strips.

It also gains contemporary touches such as clear-lens headlights and "high-brilliance" tail lights. Elegance models also score colour-coded door handles. Interior upgrades include a new instrument panel, centre console, interior door panels and steering wheel - now adjustable for height as standard.

Safety levels benefit from the latest generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with hydraulic Brake Assist.

New options include window airbags, rain-sensing wipers and an automatically dimming interior mirror.

Standard features in the A160 Classic include Active Service System (ASSYST - displays distance to next service), air-conditioning with dust and pollen filter, six-speaker CD stereo, central locking and power mirrors and front windows.

The Elegance package adds 16-inch light-alloy wheels, colour-coded radiator grille and side mirrors, and doorsill panels with stainless steel inserts.

Elegance models also gain a leather-bound steering wheel and gear shift lever, folding front armrest with storage compartment, luggage nets on front seat backs, storage compartment below front seats, keyless entry, power rear windows and wood trim panels on the doors and console.

Mercedes-Benz Australia's passenger car chief Matthias Luehrs said the updated A-class was a timely arrival.

"We've sold over 3000 A-Class in Australia since its local launch in 1998, so the update provided the perfect opportunity to revise and enhance our model line-up," he said.

"The styling enhancements in both internal and external appearance, and the decision to offer the Elegance design and equipment package - which gives the car a very upmarket appeal - will boost the attraction of the A-class range."

Australia's Best Cars - 2000

For the first time, all state-based motoring organisations combined in 2000 to decide the winners of the first national consumer-focused car awards, Australia's Best Cars.

RACV Chief Judge of Australia's Best Cars, Ernest Litera, said RACV, NRMA, RAASA, RACQ, RACT, RANT and RACWA combined their annual motoring awards to provide consumers with a guide to the nation's best cars in 10 popular categories.

The winners of the inaugural Australia's Best Cars Awards are:

Best Small Car
Hyundai Accent three door

Best Mid-size Car < $25,000
Holden Astra

Best Mid-size Car > $25,000
Subaru Liberty RX

Best Family Car
Holden VX Commodore Acclaim sedan

Best People Mover
Mitsubishi Nimbus

Best Sports Car
Honda S2000

Best Luxury Car < $56,000
Volkswagen Passat V6 sedan

Best Luxury Car >$56,000
Mercedes-Benz E320 Elegance

Best Recreational Vehicle
Subaru Forester Limited

Best Four Wheel Drive
Mitsubishi Pajero3.5 litre V6 GLS


For the first time, RACV, NRMA, RAASA, RACQ, RACT, RANT and RACWA combined their annual motoring awards to provide consumers with a guide to the nation's best cars.

"The establishment of Australia's Best Cars follows the successful merger in 1999 of RACV and NRMA's car award programs," Mr Litera said.

"By combining all the State-based motoring awards, we believe that Australia's Best Cars will become the nation's most comprehensive consumer-focused guide to the best cars on the market."

"The judging panel for the awards consisted of well known and respected motoring experts from RACV, NRMA, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA and RACT," said Mr Litera.

"Our respective organisations receive thousands of calls each week from members looking for advice on which car to purchase.

"The judging for Australia's Best Cars was based on the purchasing criteria identified from consumer calls, from new car buyer survey results and the motoring clubs' year-round extensive road testing programs.

"Australia's Best Cars contenders were scored on the areas buyers identified as important to them. These include safety, price, running costs, comfort, performance, security and retained value," Mr Litera said.

Mr Litera said Australia's Best Cars will set the standard for motoring awards in Australia.

"Australia's motoring organisations have a combined total of nearly seven million members and hold a unique position with the motoring public. The national award program is an example of how working together improves the quality of information we collect, which benefits our members," he said.

"The initiative is a huge step forward in the provision of independent, consumer information for new car buyers and will establish Australia's Best Cars as Australia's pre-eminent new car award."

Rover 75 - UK model

Although no one will actually be able to take delivery of a 75 until mid-June, the car that must succeed if Rover really is to have a future is now officially in the public domain.

Rover's sales and marketing director Tom Purves - ex-boss of BMW in the UK - explained that although the car was first revealed at the Birmingham Motor Show last October, and the press launch got under way at the beginning of February, it will not go into showrooms until June.
"That was always the intention," said Mr Purves at the press launch in Seville, Spain. "For a marketing point of view we thought we had the opportunity to bring the launch forward, but we decided to put it back to its original date to make sure we have the product exactly right." Rover's director of design engineering Nick Stephenson describes the new 75 as the company's most significant product for 20 years - the first all-British car since before Honda's involvement in the Eighties.

He said: "The Rover 75 is a renaissance of the brand heritage and presents the brand in a radically different way. Our products now form part of BMW's brand strategy rather than being the result of compromise of joint ventures and development resources - although without these Rover would not have survived. "I can honestly say that I have not been ashamed by any of the models we have produced over the past ten years but we now have the resources and support facilities of BMW to add to the commitment and imagination of our own engineers." BMW, he said, believes in British design engineering and know how and had allowed Rover to continue development of the 75 which had started before the take-over.

"BMW approved the styling from the moment they saw it and Richard Wooley's design is virtually unchanged from the first clay model. The 75 recalls Rovers of the past, with elegant styling but a modern aesthetic. We have been able to call on BMW technology however." (Most of this is with the electronics and the 75 also uses BMW's all-new common rail diesel. Rover's UK sales and marketing director Jim Lynch said: "People have been going on about the retro-styling but we did not intentionally set out to produce a postcard of middle England, but something very unique for discerning customers, trading on the Rover values of comfort and style."

Launch prices for the Rover 75 will start at £19,525 on the road for the 1.8-litre Club version and the 16-model range will extend through to £25,625 for the 2.5-litre, V6-engined Connoisseur. The new model will ultimately be available in three trim levels, Classic, Club and Connoisseur, the entry level Classic, which starts at £18,250, will not be available until the end of the year.

Four engine versions will be available, 1.8-litre, 2-litre V6 and 2.5-litre V6 plus a 2-litre diesel with two gearbox configurations, a five-speed manual or a new five-speed electronic automatic transmission. Base level models will include electric front windows, full-width wooden dashboard, leather trim and six-speaker stereo system as well as safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger front and side airbags and electronic brake distribution.

Rover is not saying how many new 75 models it plans to build, or even how many it plans to sell, but every one will be made to order. The plan is to get the waiting time from showroom order to delivery to just two weeks. Capacity at Rover Oxford (as Cowley is now known for reasons best known to Rover) is 140,000 vehicles a year.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Quality has been the watchword throughout the 75's development and this was one area where BMW research has boosted Rover. The new 75 has the same body stiffness as the latest 3 series.[Privately Rover admits that the problem with the Honda Accord-based 600 was that it looked great but dynamically never lived up to those looks. "We did the best we could with the resources available," said 75 project director Peter Morgan.[The 75, which replaces both 600 and 800 in the price list, is smaller than a 5 series, bigger than a 3 and therefore competes across various traditional sectors - Audi A4, Alfa Romeo 156 and Vauxhall Omega are all targets. At 475 cm it is 10 cm longer than the 600 and 13 cm shorter than the 800 while being slightly wider than both.[The retro styling has caused some divided opinions. Since I am still the right side of 50, I am probably not the target buyer - but its looks did grow on me during the couple of days spent with the car last week.


The pick of the engines is the 2.5 litre V6 and the all-new BMW 2.0 common rail direct injection turbodiesel - a derivation of the highly-acclaimed six cylinder 3.0 litre unit in the new BMW 530d with two cylinders lopped off and various other modifications to allow a transverse installation.


Rover's target was to build "the best front-wheel drive saloon in the world". It's not, but it is the best car Rover has produced in at least a generation. For the enthusiast, Alfa Romeo probably holds that title while Audi is still the quality benchmark. But the 75 is not far off the pace and is a world apart from the cars it replaces.


It is very difficult to categorise the 75 - the closest is probably the Volvo S70, at least in character the 75 is very quiet, absorbs bumps and undulations well and takes fast curves with great aplomb. The body rolls and then stays put where it is capable of soaking up even more that some of Spain's poorer roads could throw at us. [The cabin is highly praised for both looks and comfort - the seats might recall a bygone era with their pipes and fluting but are very supportive. There is an attention to detail that lifts the car above the norm - the way the cupholders operate is a small example, the feel of the controls is a more important one. The instrumentation, attractive ovals with cream backing but rather overdone-retro numbers, is first class and set off by pleasant wood veneer.