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Eleven for Eleven
Eleven for Eleven
We are in for a bumper year of new car launches as manufacturers emerge from the GFC with new models to tempt buyers. We’ve searched through all the P.R. releases to come up with what we think are the eleven most important releases for 2011. See if you agree.
The Locals
- Holden Cruze
This is not, strictly, a new car launch, yet it is probably the most important development for the industry in 2011. The Cruze is already a top ten seller, but is made in Korea – at least for a few weeks longer. Then production for Australia will be transferred to Adelaide, where it will be the only compact locally made car. Later this year the wholly Australian designed hatchback version will join the sedan to project the Cruze further up the popularity ladder.
2. Holden Barina
A brand new Barina will join the Holden line up in September. GM’s world small car, the Aveo will come to Australia as the Barina. Sharply styled with a motor cycle inspired instrument cluster, loads of storage space and an audio package that includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity, it is both longer and wider than the current model, but should still compete in the sub $20k category.
3. Ford Territory
A new Ford Territory, including a much needed diesel version will hit Australian roads in April. It looks different, has a new interior and rides better with new suspension and steering. This is the major new car initiative from Ford for 2011 although there will be a great deal of interest when it lunches the 2 litre turbo engine for the Falcon later in the year that boasts a frugal 8 litres/100kms fuel consumption.
The Europeans
4. Audi A6
An all new Audi A6 is expected late in the year. Continuing with the sleek, fast back tradition, it will be available as both a front wheel and all wheel drive petrol or diesel version featuring a range of luxury refinements. It will be slightly shorter and lower than the current model and will be easily identified by its LED daytime running lights curving around the all-new headlight design. Surprisingly for some it will not feature a weight-saving alloy body. Prices for the new range have not been revealed but are expected to start in the mid $70k’s.
5. VW Passat
VW is the only European brand featured in the top ten selling cars in Australia in 2010, and is keen to preserve its premier position. Spearheading their charge is the popular Passat. It has cleaner, softer lines (VWphiles call it a mini Phaeton, due to its similarity in frontal appearance), up to 18% improvement in fuel economy and a wide range of variants including an estate version. Prices are expected to be similar to the existing range, starting below $50K.
6. Land Rover Evoque
Land Rover is now owned by the Indian Tata group, and they are investing heavily in new designs, though Land Rovers will continue to be made in the UK. The latest addition to the range will be the very stylish yet most affordable Evoque. The youth market targeted Evoque will be sold with both three nad five door body styles, front and all wheel drive and three engine choices. The entry price is expected to be around $60K.
7. Saab 9-5
Like Lazarus, Saab is rising from the dead. It faced extinction under GM in 2010, but was finally rescued by a Dutch based consortium. Plans had already been laid down for new models and the first to make its appearance will be the all new 9-5 sedan, which is due in April, and a wagon version will follow later in the year. These cars will be powered by either an eco 85 petrol engine or diesel. The 9-5 marks the strong brand resurgence with at least three more models due to be launched into the Australian market in the near future.
The Asians
8. Lexus CT200h
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand. Its new small car ‘entry level’ is called the CT200h, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. It’s due here in a couple of months, and is a hybrid priced under $50K. It’s powered by the same petrol/electric combination used in the Toyota Prius and will come in three style versions. But it looks smart and will suit those buyers who have a firm eye on ecology, but still like a little bit of luxury, and some exclusivity.
9. Proton Exora
Malaysian car maker Proton is introducing a significant new member into the ‘people mover’ market segment called ‘The Exora’. The mail players in the market are the Kia Carnival, Toyota Tarago and the Honda Odyssey but Proton plan to threaten their superiority by boasting a starting price of around $25K. Look out for the first of these seven seater people movers around Sept/Oct 2011
10. Suzuki Swift
One of the first completely new cars in 2011 will be the Suzuki Swift. We are told it’s going to be bigger, heavier, better-equipped and safer than its predecessor. Yet it gets a smaller( but supposedly much more efficient) 1.4 litre motor. Despite its extra size and weight it will be able to claim a class leading fuel efficiency of 5.5L/100kms. With all these claims we wonder how it compares in the performance stakes against the current model.
But there’s one left…..
That’s our top ten, but we said ‘eleven’. The final spot is saved for the most interesting advent of 2011- the Chinese. The Great Wall motor company pioneered the Chinese imports over the last two years and now two other small car makers will be joining them in 2011, the Chery and the Geely. They are bound to be very price competitive, but whether they will get huge customer acceptance remains to be seen.
We’ve mentioned just a few of the many new car releases scheduled for 2011. If you think we’ve missed one that is deserved of the top eleven then let us know.
The New Jaguar XK with a torchlight!
It’s not often we get to sample ultra high performance, ultra expensive cars – but last week we did, courtesy of a Lucky Door Prize.
Our prize was “Your choice of any new Jaguar for a weekend with a full tank of petrol” supplied by Alto Jaguar in Sydney.
So we chose the all new Jaguar XJ luxury saloon, and they gave us just that, but with an added bonus – equipped with the supercharged 346 kw 5 litre engine! That means it can accelerate from 0-100kph in around 5 seconds, making it the fastest standard four door large luxury saloon you can buy, and it’s mighty quick!
Prices for the XJ start with a 3 litre diesel at around $230,000, but ‘ours’ was well in to the $300k’s territory, so it had to be jam-packed with goodies, and it was.
We should all be familiar now with sat/nav systems, but how about a screen where the driver can read his route instructions, whilst the passenger can watch a movie from exactly the same screen? Or a ‘virtual dash’, resplendent in personal colour-coded computer simulated instruments that can be personally tailored to your preferences?…….or the ‘torchlight effect’ speed and rev dials? These need a bit of explaining.
When the torchlight effect is turned on the major instruments change light intensity to highlight the parts of the screen that the needle pointer is aiming at, which makes it much easier to read current speed and rev levels. Sounds simple, but it’s a much better option than a digital read out that some cars have.
Another big plus is the ‘blind spot monitor’, a real safety boost. How often have you changed lanes only to be greeted with a loud hooting from a disgruntled driver in your ‘blind spot’? No longer….this Jag has a small symbol on both external rear vision mirrors that illuminate when it senses a car in the blind spot – very clever and very valuable. Hopefully it won’t be too long before this excellent safety aid filters its way down to more affordable cars.
Any dislikes? That’s a very rude question when dealing with such a magnificent car as this. However there are a couple of things…the dynamic fast back shape looks terrific, but it does restrict the rear vision from the internal mirror ( but then it’s got a rear vision camera and those terrific wing mirrors). It’s also a daunting prospect to park, not because it’s at all unwieldy, but because it attracts so much attention, both from admirers and from the envious, so, sadly, you need to park it in a safe place..
So, to sum up , an absolutely brilliant car in every way, a very high speed luxury saloon that has NO equals – or none that we’ve driven, anyway. Thank you Alto!
What Price Publicity?
We’ve told you about the World’s Fastest Lawnmower, and we’ve seen the film clips on jet powered roller skates.
Well, move over PR powerhouses! Oz V8 Supercars have announced a V8 skateboard.
Don’t believe it exists?
Oh, yes it does…. and it’s going to be rolled(?) out this weekend at Homebush for the controversial street race.
The State government has come in for a lot of stick for the amount of money it has given for the street race, so I guess that any prank that can lift attendances is a good thing for them, so they won’t be skating on thin ice (groan).
Sydney's Cycle Lanes
Clover Moore’s attempt at alleviating congestion in the City of Sydney is fraught with obstacles such as…the city itself! Tall buildings, constant works and thin streets all contribute to the disaster that is the bike lanes of Sydney’s CBD.
For $70,000,000 you would think there would be a maze of paths raised slightly over the heads of the pedestrians branching off in four or five directions to get our city clean and fit. But alas no, the network that is under construction has dangerous obstacles, odd diversions, sharp turns, large blind corners, huge gaps in sections that even the most dare devilish cyclist avoid. The bike lanes in some places are combined with the bus lanes. That is an accident waiting to happen.
Don’t forget to add to this the expense of the engineering to make it ‘look serious’ like traffic lights with pictures of cycles, granite flooring and sandstone gutters.
If you are a motorist watch out, the streets are even more unsafe particularly if you have a large 4×4. You may have to jump the curb to turn some corners that should have cyclists on them. The lanes have removes some traffic lanes and parking places all together. Not to mention that choking traffic with confused drivers leads to another mess altogether – road rage!
For business people in these new areas, we have been told of the loss of business they are facing due to the fact that their regular customers can no longer park close enough to visit their stores any longer. Many of these business people ‘set-up-shop’ in these areas because of the passing trade and now there is no parking nearby so that people can drop in. You have to feel for all of them trying to continue their business with this massive impost. Also try standing around for an hour and see how many bikes actually go by…you will have enough fingers, certainly outside peak hour!
The bike paths are lovely to look at though. It seems no expense was spared, and the builders took great advantage of that. They have lavished some of the new paths with granite; you know the stuff that most of us can’t afford on our kitchen benches. But the removal of trees in the path of oncoming cyclists (at speed) has not happened, obviously green is better than safe. This is most noticeable on the exit off the Harbour Bridge down to King Street.
We mustn’t complain, the Lord Mayor had a lovely function to open this 200mtr stretch of path!
If this need to cycle up our city (which I am in great favour of) the city needs to employ someone who straps on the lycra each day and rides to work to get a better insight to the problem. At the moment it looks like my 9 year old took crayon to city map and handed it to ‘Aunty Clover’ and she thought – ‘what a great idea for a bike path.’
Just remember not to blame the 9 year old!!
In just about every other City where cycle ways have been tried, they have failed. In my opinion it is a total waste of taxpayers money and time will tell whether the next Lord Mayor rips them up and starts again.
Easing traffic congestion? What were they thinking?!?
Level 2, 9 Help Street