Fuel News | Car Advice

Mini Cooper D welcomes new Toyota Prius

July 1st, 2009 37 Comments

Recently Mini was quick to run a large advertising campaign across the country to showcase the Cooper D as Australia’s most fuel efficient car.

We can imagine Toyota’s marketing department wasn’t awfully happy with that, knowing the new Prius was only weeks away.

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In it’s first full month on sale, close to a quarter of new Mini buyers chose the Cooper D. Mini, which is owned by BMW, says local orders are almost twice the expected level.

2009 BMW 7 Series diesel – First Steer

June 27th, 2009 17 Comments

Conventional wisdom says that if you are wafting along in a large, luxurious sedan then it should be this quiet, the same conventional wisdom says that if it’s a diesel then it probably won’t be this quiet.

What is more I’d swear that the BMW 740i that I was driving a few days before had more mechanical, induction, engine noise than does this 730d sibling!

The first diesel powered 7 Series to be offered by BMW in Australia makes a strong argument, through its clean, powerful and frugal performance, to persuade even well heeled purchasers that there is a case for taking the diesel option.

Back in Europe just about every BMW, indeed every car, has a diesel badge on the back, and BMW has been a leader in the technology development, but here in Australia the German company only introduced its first diesel model five years ago.

In the intervening time diesels have risen to become one-third of local sales across the model range and now even the most prestigious BMW buyer has the option of making that choice, perhaps not driven by a innate desire to save money but rather to be seen to be ‘green’.

It’s interesting to note, however, that a 730d owner will save money anyway as the diesel powered car is actually priced at $198,800, some $4200 cheaper than the identically specified 740i, which uses a twin-turbo petrol engine.

What BMW believes will appeal more strongly to the 7 Series buyer is the fact that the 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine underscores all its major rivals on fuel consumption and emissions outputs.

The 730d engine generates 180kW of power at 4000rpm and 540Nm of torque between 1750-3000rpm. As a result, the BMW 730d accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds, yet uses just 7.2L/100km of fuel and emits only 192g/km of CO2, making it the most economical car in its class.

It also means the 730d is the first car in the upper luxury sedan segment to emit less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometre, by comparison the Lexus LS600hL, despite being hybrid powered, emits 219g/km, and consumes 9.3L/100km of petrol.

The new 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel, six-cylinder engine delivers performance akin to a V8 engine, but with the fuel economy of some four-cylinder engines housed in much smaller bodies.

Like all of the 7 Series models the BMW 730d is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with optimised gearshift dynamics that make for faster shifting, improved shift comfort and reduced fuel consumption.

There’s not a hint of all this frugal-ness on the road as the 730d delivers uncompromising performance and bursts into life without the slightest hint of a rattle or a wheeze, so typical of diesel engines from other manufacturers.

In fact, had somebody not spent an hour telling me how good this diesel engine was, and had I not already noted the ‘d’ badge on the rear, I’d have been more inclined to believe we were driving something with V8 power, once on the road.

Perhaps the only give away would be the tinge of turbo-lag that is evident on initial acceleration, but once underway there is abundant performance thanks to that massive torque figure and even on twisty country roads this very big, heavy car feels more like a sports car as it hauls itself out of corners.

That acceleration is so linear and progressive you can well believe the tales of those who have travelled on autobahns in this car and cruised for hundreds of kilometres, fully laden, with the speedo needle sitting steadily on 200km/h.

While we never saw figures even remotely approaching that, some spirited driving through the country lanes around Bowral in New South Wales saw the trip computer tell a ‘woeful tale’ of fuel consumption nudging 8.0L/100km, a figure Holden Caprice drivers can only dream of.

For the most part we actually recorded 5.8L/100km while cruising on the motorways and this generally nudged up into the region of 7.5L/100km when giving the throttle some vigorous use through the twisty bits.

While doing just that we observed that the steering weights-up nicely, although it can feel a bit remote mid-corner, and despite the alloy engine block the rear-wheel-drive 730d does get a bit nose-heavy under directional changes.

We can’t generally disagree with BMW’s claim that the all-new suspension optimises ride and handling with a particular accent on comfort.

The ambience inside the car is one of relatively serene quiet, there’s just no real noise from the engine, the run-flat tyres or the wind. Comfort is typical of the 7 Series although we are inclined to the view that taller rear seat passengers are a little cramped for legroom, when similar height people occupy the front seats.

Boot space is the same as other 7 Series and is adequate for the job, while not being truly spectacular for such a big car.

The new 7 Series is the first BMW Sedan with a double-wishbone front axle and the exclusive BMW integral V rear axle, made largely of aluminium.

Hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering with an on-demand steering assistance pump joins the world debut of optional Integral Active Steering, a combination of Active Steering on the front axle and speed-related rear-wheel steering.

Extending the performance envelope are new driver assistance features such as Dynamic Damping Control including Dynamic Driving Control, which are standard.

The Dynamic Driving Control button on the centre console varies the dampers, gearshift dynamics, as well as the throttle and steering assistance map. This offers the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings.

In Australia, customers are offered the following features, directly aligned with the 740i, as standard on the new 730d: Head-Up Display, High Beam Assistant, Adaptive bi-Xenon headlights with daytime running function, variable headlight beam distribution for better illumination around bends, including automatic turning lights, Automatic Variable Light technology (beam throw control with country / highway lights), Rear View Camera, and Cruise Control with Brake function.

The new BMW 730d will go on sale this month with a manufacturer’s list price from $198,800*.

*Manufacturer List Price excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges, which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact a BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.

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BMW 7 Series sips fuel like small car

June 22nd, 2009 12 Comments

German importer BMW reckons its latest entrant into the luxury sedan market can challenge many small cars when it comes to fuel efficiency.

The company says that buyers of BMW’s new 730d luxury sedan, which goes on sale this month, will benefit from fuel consumption that is identical to many small four-cylinder sedans and hatchbacks.

In a pioneering breakthrough, the 730d also becomes the first, and only, car in the upper luxury sedan segment to emit less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometre, the actual figure is 192g/km.

BMW says this puts it ahead of hybrid and other diesel competitors in the segment, which all use more fuel and emit greater volumes of CO2.

“Buyers of large premium sedans can now make an even greater contribution to lowering CO2 emissions thanks to the arrival of the new 730d,” said BMW’s general manager of marketing, Tom Noble.

BMW says the new 730d consumes no more fuel, on the official combined cycle, than much smaller four-cylinder cars such as the manual, 1.8-litre, Holden Astra CD, the manual, 1.6-litre, Skoda Roomster, or the automatic, 1.8-litre, Honda Civic VTi.

The 730d’s official combined fuel usage, 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres, is also identical to smaller cars such as the 2.0-litre, Mercedes-Benz A200 and 1.8-litre, multitronic, Audi A4 1.8 TFSI.

“It’s not often a luxurious five-seater sedan is compared with smaller four-cylinder cars, but in terms of fuel consumption the 730d demonstrates the remarkable achievement of BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme,” said Mr Noble.

The diesel-powered 7 Series, the first ever offered in Australia, also delivers a credible alternative to less fuel-efficient hybrid-powered vehicles in the upper luxury segment, which BMW says consume almost 30 per cent more fuel than the 730d.

The brand new turbocharged all-alloy straight six-cylinder engine in the 730d produces 180kW of power and 540Nm of torque, accelerating the car from 0-100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds.

In addition it complies with the most stringent Euro5 European emissions legislation.

Standard equipment levels of the new BMW 730d are the same as the recently released 740i, including features such as Head Up Display, rear view camera, metallic paint, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, Dynamic Driving Control and Brake Energy Regeneration.

The 730d will be launched to the Australian motoring media later this week and CarAdvice will, naturally, be there to bring you our first impressions of this new vehicle.

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British hydrogen-powered urban car debuts

June 17th, 2009 13 Comments

A new lightweight hydrogen-powered car has been unveiled in London which promises up to 385km of travel without refuelling and could be put into production by as soon as 2013.

The two-seater Riversimple Urban Car weighs in at just 350 kilograms and a company spokesperson has said they expect it to achieve an average fuel consumption figure of just 0.78 litres per 100km.

Benz reveals more fuel efficient C-Class

June 8th, 2009 8 Comments

Mercedes-Benz has revealed three new fuel efficient engines for its C-Class sedan and Estate, although as they are BlueEFFICIENCY engines its not clear when we will see them in Australia.

Mercedes-Benz says the engines raise performance and driving enjoyment to a new level, while demonstrating exemplary economy and environmental compatibility.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV goes into production

June 5th, 2009 13 Comments

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has chosen today, World Environment Day, to unveil the production version of the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.”

The i-MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year, with a price tag that’s the equivalent of A$59,145, however buyers will be eligible for a government subsidy on that price equal to A$17,877.

The i-MiEV already has Australian Design Rule approval for sale in Australia and Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited spokesperson Lenore Fletcher told CarAdvice today; ” We are ready and raring to go as soon as we get approval from MMC in Japan.”

The vehicle will be sold to government bodies first, with individual sales to begin next year and Mitsubishi’s first year sales target for the vehicle is 1400 units, which is well ahead of any other full EV being offered for sale.

Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV represents the crystallisation of some 40 years of electric vehicle development at Mitsubishi Motors.

The company is presenting the production i-MiEV as the ultimate eco-car, a solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies.

The company will continue its extensive collaboration with both private and public sectors in Japan and overseas in developing infrastructure to promote ownership of EVs.

Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement that it expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease basis, some 1400 i-MiEV models in 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities.

The company plans to start sales of i-MiEV to individuals in April 2010 and will start taking orders in late July of this year.

The i-MiEV, a prototype version was driven by CarAdvice in Adelaide a few months ago and we were very impressed, makes maximum use of the long wheelbase that stems from its base model the “i” minicar’s rear-midship layout to install a large capacity lithium-ion drive battery under the floor and the power unit under the luggage compartment.

This provides a cruising range of up to 160 kilometres that is ample for everyday use without compromising the generous seating or luggage space of the “i.”

Mitsubishi makes the disclaimer that actual range will vary depending on weather conditions, road congestion and on how the driver operates his vehicle (use of accelerator, climate control system, etc.).

The production version of the car introduces the MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) – an advanced integrated vehicle management system into which the company has poured its wealth of know-how garnered from many years of EV research and development – has provided the kind of high performance and reliability that befits a new-generation EV.

The i-MiEV is a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV), which produces no CO2 emissions while being driven.

Even when the CO2 gas emitted at power generating stations is taken into consideration, the i-MiEV generates approximately one-third of the CO2 produced by the petrol “i” minicar (Calculated in-house based on the average of electric energy frameworks in Japan).

Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV delivers the quiet and comfortable motoring experience only possible from an internal combustion engine-less EV, and having driven the car we can only agree.

Maximising the excellent response and high low-end torque inherent to its electric motor i-MiEV enables a level of responsive and powerful performance that surpasses that of the petrol-powered turbo engine “i” minicar.

The i-MiEV produces 47kW between 3000-6000rpm and torque of 180Nm from 0-2000rpm, yes that is from zero rpm.

A nationwide survey in Japan indicates that on average 90% of car drivers cover less than 40 km/day on weekdays and that 80% cover less than 60 km/day at weekends and holidays (in-house research).

The i-MiEV uses a three-way charging system that allows the drive battery to be charged at home or when out and about.

For normal charging i-MiEV is connected to either a standard 100-volt or 200-volt domestic outlet using the charging cables supplied with the vehicle.

The i-MiEV’s battery can also be “quick charged” at quick-charge stations, which are currently being established throughout Japan.

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2009 Honda Civic Hybrid for FlexiCar

June 4th, 2009 1 Comment

Car sharing, already an acknowledged way of being green about your motoring, has just become a whole lot more environmentally friendly with the announcement today that major player FlexiCar has added two Honda Civic Hybrids to its fleet.

On the eve of World Environment Day, Honda Australia announced it is providing the two Civic Hybrids to Flexicar, as a contribution to sustainable driving.

The initiative is an Australian first for the car industry and Honda believes it will assist with the
growing demand for low emission vehicles on Australian roads.

Interestingly, although Flexicar does already have a strong corporate tie-up with Honda as it uses the Jazz extensively in its fleet of 70 cars, the Toyota Prius was evaluated but rejected as “too quirky and confronting” for Flexicar’s 2000-strong clientele.

Car sharing is a fast-growing international trend, which began in Europe in the 1980s and is now active in more than 900 cities across Europe, North America and Asia.

Founded in 2005, Flexicar says it identified the need to introduce a hybrid to its fleet in response to growing consumer concern about the environment, coupled with increased petrol prices.

Honda Australia Senior Director, Lindsay Smalley said this initiative epitomises Honda’s philosophy of leaving blue skies for our children, which was the vision of its founder Mr Soichiro Honda.

“Honda pioneered hybrid technology in Australia, launching the original Honda Insight in 2001,” Mr Smalley said.

“We now sell the country’s most affordable hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid and we are set to launch the world’s most affordable hybrid, the second-generation Honda Insight, in Australia in 2010.”

Sharing a mutual commitment to sustainability, Flexicar CEO and founder, Monique Conheady said Honda is the perfect partner for this initiative.

“Honda’s industry leading position in hybrid technology made it the preferred choice. The majority of our fleet is made up of the Honda Jazz, due to its fuel efficiency and low emissions, so to now add a hybrid to our fleet is a huge step forward for us,” Ms Conheady said.

She told CarAdvice that the Toyota Prius had also been evaluated for the fleet but was considered too confronting and quirky for the Flexicar user, who wanted a stylish vehicle that fitted their lifestyle.

The uniquely branded Honda Civic Hybrid was unveiled today in Melbourne by renowned fashion designer and Civic Hybrid driver, Akira Isogawa.

Akira took the first drive of the Melbourne-based vehicle, which will be located outside Flagstaff Gardens for the next two months, before moving to another inner city location.

Victorians are not the only ones set to benefit from the initiative, the second Honda Civic Hybrid will be located in Surry Hills, Sydney, with both vehicles available to Flexicar customers for the next 12 months.

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New Toyota Prius First Look

June 4th, 2009 55 Comments

“More power, more efficient and even greener, the third generation Prius has definitely got our attention”

Call me ignorant or uninformed but I’ve never heard of a five-seat production car with a co-efficient of drag as low as 0.25.

Take it from me, this is a staggeringly low figure (Hummer H2 – 0.57, Ferrari F40 – 0.34, Chevrolet Volt – 0.30) and just one of the many reasons why Toyota’s latest generation Prius is said to consume a miserly 3.9 litres for every 100 kilometres travelled.

Earlier this week, CarAdvice was given a first look and brief drive of the latest Prius, and its hard not to be impressed by the evolution of this hybrid, especially one with 20 per cent more power and 10 per cent less fuel consumption.

Even better and worthy of three green stars, is its remarkably low CO2 emissions of just 89 grams per kilometre.

To put that into proper perspective, a Bentley Brooklands Coupe puts out a whopping 465 grams per kilometre, while the toy like smart fortwo (it can only seat two people with next to no luggage) just pips the new Prius by one gram only at 88 grams per kilometre.

At first glance, the new car looks much the same as the Prius it replaces. But as I do the usual walk around with the product planning guy, you realise that the new model is a vastly improved version of the car it will replace in July this year.

For starters, there’s a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle petrol engine under the bonnet replacing the 1.5-litre powerplant in the current Prius. That means 73kW and 142Nm of torque, which is more than a 20 per cent increase, while the electric motor now produces 60kW, up from 56kW.

I punched the throttle once or twice and certainly felt the increased power and substantially quieter engine note. The current generation car is downright noisy under load.

The really interesting thing about this new Hybrid Synergy Drive is the complete and utter elimination of belts and pulleys under the bonnet. None, zilch, no belts to be seen in a thorough inspection of the engine bay.

That’s no crankshaft pulley (well there is for balance but no belt attached) and the water pump is electric, which means less moving parts and less maintenance, together as a further contributor to the new Prius’ ultra low fuel consumption.

And for all those scaremongers who have said the batteries in the Prius take up half the boot, you couldn’t be more wrong. It takes up less room than a full size Kookaburra cricket bat.

You don’t need to worry about the battery life either, there’s a fleet of second generation Prius taxis operating in Cairns in far from ideal conditions, some of which have done over 600,000 kilometres and still going.

In fact, out of the 12,000 or so Prius’ sold in Australia, there has been only 17 batteries sent back to Japan for analysis, and only three of those were distance related.

I’m told none of the owners have had to pay the current price of more than $3000 for a replacement battery.

Initially you’ll be hard pressed to pick the differences between the exterior of the current model and new Prius, they’re very subtle although, the overall shape is now wedge like and looks sportier.

Under the newly designed headlight covers you’ll find high-tech LED lamps for low beams and well as the tail and stop lights. They use far less energy than Halogens or Xenons.

The rear spoiler has also been extended as part of an overall aerodynamics package, which helps make this car so slippery when it comes to drag.

But inside the cabin is where you’ll find plenty of new technology and the most change.

New Prius drivers will be better able to focus on the road ahead with a head up display, which can also be raised or lowered at the touch of a button.

The really tricky stuff is in the form of the Touch Tracer system on the steering wheel. These are in the form of two touch pads, which allow the driver to access any and all information via the large display zone mounted on top of the dashboard.

Just move your fingers over the pad and the various information modes will appear on the screen ahead, very cool.

There’s a new centre console, which looks particularly futuristic and a new blue coloured drive mode shifter, which is far quicker to access than in the current model.

More headroom in the rear was obviously a concern for some buyers, so Toyota has addressed this by moving the highest point of the roofline backwards.

No matter where you sit in the new Prius, there is plenty of space. The car is a little wider and longer while retaining the same wheelbase as the current generation car.

No longer might you have to climb into a boiling hot car on one of those stinking summer’s days either. The car we drove had an ingenious solar-powered ventilation system that removes hot air from the car when it is parked.

And that’s not all, on your way back to the car, you can engage the air-conditioning system via battery power alone, to run for three minutes so that the car will actually be cool when you enter the cabin.

Provided the car has enough battery power, you can drive in EV mode or on electric power alone, but punch the throttle and the petrol engine will immediately kick in.

You can also select Power mode, Eco mode or just leave it in the default Hybrid Synergy Drive, as I tended to do.

That said, I have it on good authority that normal commuter driving in a current generation Prius can return up to 900 kilometres from the 45-litre tank, which I find remarkable.

Along with all the usual safety features such as airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control, the new Prius will offer a Pre-Crash safety system that uses wave radar to scan the road ahead for obstacles.

If the system detects a high probability of a collision, the driver will be alerted and braking assistance will supplement the drivers own braking.

If there is no avoiding a collision, it will automatically apply the brakes even if the driver fails to do so.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which also uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, will also be available.

And if you opt for the Navigation system, a rear-view camera will assist you in those tight parking spots or you can go for Toyota’s latest Intelligent Parking Assist, which if you can be bothered, will virtually park the car by itself (some assistance from the driver is required).

While I have no doubt the new Prius will do everything it promises, the expected on road staring price of more than $40,000 will put it well out of reach of the average family, who may also want to help save the planet by driving one of these super green machines.

At least, that was the problem I put to the Toyota guys and their answer was that their goal was to have a Hybrid powered car across every model range in the not too distant future.

That process will start with the launch of the locally manufactured Hybrid Camry in 2010.

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2009 Mini Diesel – First Steer

May 20th, 2009 14 Comments

2009 Mini D – First Steer

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- by Nadine Armstrong

To take a marketing stance that claims position as ‘Australia’s most fun and fuel efficient car’, well, you’re just crying out for attention. And you’re bound to get it – the good, the bad and the ugly.

In the case of the 2009 Mini D, the first diesel powered Mini to enter the Australian market, the claims don’t stop there.

3.9 litres per 100 kilometres, combined cycle fuel consumption
104 grams of CO2 per kilometre
0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, the fastest accelerating diesel model in its capacity class
a maximum range of 1025 kilometres from one tank

At the Australian launch of the Mini D in Melbourne this week the message was all about good clean fun. Apparently it still exists.

Better still, it’s the type your mother would approve of, your environmentally conscious children would applaud, your Prius driving neighbour would envy and your wallet would notice.

The Mini D is on a mission to prove that ‘clean’ and ‘fun’ can produce a vehicle without compromise.

While the Mini D looks almost identical to its petrol siblings, runs the same capacity engine as the standard Mini Cooper and offers a similar range of options, with its diesel power it now hopes to set a new benchmark for fuel efficient cars.

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The usual Mini dynamics and drive attributes remain. Steering is direct and worthy of its go-kart handling comparison. The brakes bite quick and sharp and overall handling is confident and obedient.

The interior is modern retro and offers a range of customisation options. Cabin space is snug, at best. A large flat windscreen and big side windows open up the small cabin and visibility is good.

Storage capacity is tight, but average for its class. Safety is well covered with features that include six airbags as standard, ABS with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution control.

Basic creature comforts include a multi-function three-spoke leather steering wheel, cruise control, in-dash CD and six speaker sound system. More advanced technology whims like Bluetooth and navigation systems are dealt with as options.

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In a casual launch atmosphere where there was ample time allowed for Prius bagging, everyone was keen to hit the road to see just how far from reality these claims really were. The fuel consumption being the prime target – and the only one we could put to any test to be honest.

Over a test route that involved three stages, my co-driver and I produced a range of fuel consumption figures.

Our first leg involved a busy city loop and a leisurely stint along Melbourne’s Kew Boulevard before arriving at our first stop in the Yarra Valley – around 70kms from start, where we reached an average fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100kms with an average speed of 42.8 km/h. It wasn’t quite the claimed 3.9 litres quoted, but very close.

The second and third legs of the drive route covered around 105kms of winding country roads and mind-numbing freeways before we returned to the CBD with an average fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100kms at an average speed of 63.8 km/h. At one stage during the drive route we were averaging 4.1 litres per 100kms.

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The Mini D houses a 1.6-litre, turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder engine that delivers 80kW at 4000rpm. Maximum torque is 240Nm at 1750rpm. By comparison, the petrol Mini Cooper engine delivers 88kW at 6000rpm and 160Nm at 4250rpm.

The Mini diesel engine performed without fault. Not once did it shows signs of drag, lag or fatigue – from stand still or under acceleration.

Gear ratios were smooth and power was constant – even up hill. The 15-inch light alloys fitted to our test vehicle, and which come as standard, were the perfect choice for the stiff ride of the Mini D.

Travelling on a variety of road surfaces the Mini D delivered a surprisingly smooth ride – no jolts, bumps or clunks – which made for a reasonably effortless drive.

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In its standard form the Mini D offers the same level finish as the current Mini Cooper and two transmissions will be on offer – a six-speed manual starting at $33,750 and a six-speed automatic with Steptronic and steering wheel gear shift paddles starting at $36,100.

A Mini D Chilli is also available priced from $37,350 (manual) and $39,700 (automatic).

The Mini D comes standard with Shift Point Display which prompts gear changes via a digital display, brake-energy regeneration which draws on the kinetic energy to charge the battery and automatic start-stop (manual transmission only) as standard.

Our test vehicles were manual, so we spent some time getting acquainted with the start-stop function. When the car comes to a standstill and neutral is engaged, the engine automatically cuts out – with the grace of an inexperienced teenage learner driver. When you engage the clutch the engine resumes.

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There are several variables that determine whether or not this start-stop feature kicks in, with engine temperature being top of the list.

After a day of driving I was still not comfortable with this feature. Economical and clever, yes. Enjoyable, no. Not surprising, there’s a button located just in front of the gear shift which allows you to switch off the start-stop function.

As any enthusiast will agree, the credentials of the Mini go far beyond facts and figures – there’s a type of modern day retro street-cred that accompanies this iconic model.

So will this heart-felt nod to the environmentally conscious prove to be the tipping point in attracting a new breed of Mini drivers?

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Albeit a brief guided tour in the Mini D, our First Steer impressions were positive. CarAdvice will put the car through a more detailed review in the coming weeks.

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Obama to propose better fuel efficiency

May 19th, 2009 8 Comments

Even though the threat of $2.0 a litre for a petrol seems to have subsided, U. President Barack Obama, who is currently responsible for keeping some US manufacturers in business, will propose the biggest increase in US fuel efficiency in the countries history.

The new policy would also directly regulate emissions for the first time. Obama intends to force all manufacturers to produce passenger cars and light trucks that are capable of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2012-16, equal to 6.625L/100km in real terms. Not exactly a hard figure to achieve, you would think?

2009 Ford Territory – First Steer

May 13th, 2009 84 Comments

It’s hard to know what to say about the 2009 Ford SY Territory Mark II, sure it looks a bit different and its got some more features as standard but beyond that, nothing has changed.

There’s one glaring omission and that’s the fact that while the vehicle has an excellent, and even slightly more fuel efficient, six-cylinder petrol engine, it has no diesel power plant.

So we were left wondering after the media launch this week as to why Ford took a couple of dozen automotive writers all the way to Coffs Harbor to show us a car that had changed little from its predecessor.

The secret it seems lies in the words “could” and “would”.

You see about six weeks ago at a briefing with Ford Australia President and CEO Marin Burela the big man told those present that he’s be able to “share some exciting powertrain news in regard to Territory” with us in about six weeks.

So putting two-and-two together quite a few of those present deduced that news would be the long-awaited and often discussed – even photographed by CarAdvice spy photographers at the Ford Proving Ground – a diesel-engined Territory.

So come yesterday where was this variant that could seriously save Ford’s sales of Territory in the medium SV market, well nowhere to be seen.

The explanation, according to Ford PR Manager Sinead McAlary lay in the fact that Mr Burela had said he “could share” not he “would share” that powertrain excitement with us.

Seems we, and the rest of the SUV buying motoring public will have to wait a little longer to be excited by a diesel powered Territory, or any other form of fuel for that matter, as the latest iteration of this vehicle also doesn’t include factory fitted LPG either.

At the same time Ford product development guru Russell Christophers told CarAdvice that no changes to the Territory power train were planned for quite some time, and intimated that there would not be a diesel powered Territory until an all-new vehicle emerges, probably some time next year.

At the same time Mr Chrishopers has conceded that about 50 per cent of sales in Territory’s market are diesel powered.

Ford has been suggesting a diesel powered Territory has been coming for more than two years, yet during that time it has sat and watched the sales of its once-class-leading SUV slip from the number one spot to number four.

Territory is currently struggling to make sales numbers and the once darling of the medium SUV market is now running fourth in the sales race, behind Toyota’s Prado and Kluger, and Holden’s Korean-sourced Captiva.

The Territory was a Ford Australia success story after its 2004 introduction, with its not overtly bush-bashing styling and urban friendly functionality, which included a highly successful RWD model.

From a peak of 23,454 sales in 2005 its sales have slowly declined to a total of 12,882 units in 2008.

Ford’s fight back is mild if nothing else, with no major mechanical changes, although some powertrain revisions have yielded slight fuel consumption savings.

Mr Christophers says the fuel economy on rear-wheel drive Territory models has been improved by 4.9 per cent or 0.6 litres per 100km. The Ghia and all seven-seat models had a 1.6 per cent or 0.2L/100km economy improvement.

“This is a fairly minor change that just freshens the product,” he said. “We will do something more dramatic when we do the new Territory model.”

A revised model line-up for the SY Territory MkII range consists of the TX, TS and Ghia models, in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, along with the Ghia Turbo AWD, the Territory Turbo model will no longer be offered.

These model changes mean the Territory now has the 190kW/383Nm, 4.0-litre, six-cylinder and the 245kW/480Nm turbocharged, 4.0-litre, six-cylinder engines, mated to either a four-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed ZF auto gearbox.

Major design changes include an all-new bonnet, with a complementary new front bumper, upper and lower grilles, new headlamps and a new fog lamp bezel.

Body coloured bumpers and door cladding, new body coloured door handles, new chrome belt moulding, revised tail lamps and body coloured exterior mirrors are also part of the new exterior package.

The interior of the new Territory has also received a significant freshening, with new seat materials, colour finishes and trim highlights on all models, along with the choice of two new interior environments on TS and Ghia.

Additional equipment and features are now fitted as standard on the new look SY Territory MkII range, further improving its competitiveness in the hotly contested medium SUV segment, as well as delivering a compelling value-for-money proposition for customers.

Territory TX now comes standard with side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a full body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors.

Territory TS is also fitted with the full body colour package, along with a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat as standard.

Ghia models also gain a third row seat as standard equipment, along with an Alpine rear DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Ghia Turbo picks up the same list of additions and a new alloy wheel design (18-inch wheels are already standard fitment on the top-of-the-line Territory model).

The TX costs $1000 more and all other models an extra $500, while Ford claimed the extra standard equipment was valued at between $3600 and $6600, depending on the model.

So how does it drive, well just like the old Territory, because as we’ve already said, except for some engine calibration change, nothing in the mechanical package has changed, but having said that it is still a cut above its main opposition in refinement and overall quality, offering something closer to BMW’s X5, rather than its Japanes and Korean opposition .

The Territory is still a quiet, refined way to eat up vast kilometres of Australia, or a great way to lug the family, and all their bits and pieces around.

Yes, despite the cosmetic changes it is looking a little dated with some of the interior a lot more utilitarian and austere than the latest crop of 2009 offerings. The new interior trims are pleasant enough and make a change from the past but do little else for the Territory.

As before there’s a choice between four-speed and six-speed auto ‘boxes with the ZF six-speed being the obvious choice, although that’s not available to buyers of the RWD version.

The four-speed is adequate for the job but works a bit hard on twisty, hilly roads and when you are really pushing it.

The engines are strong and torquey and more than up to the job of hauling a two-tonne vehicle with as many as seven people on board.

Brakes remain as effective as ever and overall handling is very car-like for such a big vehicle.

This revision will simply keep the Territory humming along in the sales figures, but provides buyers will little incentive to change over before the arrival of a new Territory, maybe as soon as mid 2010.