Makes and Models
New Vehicles from Mainland Asia, A Growth Sector
Currently, mainland Asia is a big pool of innovation and design, particularly, in car manufacturing. Design teams beaver away at creating fun new designs, shapes and technologies. The result of all this activity is the production of sharp-looking new vehicles appearing from South Korea, Malaysia and China, and in Australia we are benefiting from these excellent new car products that are competitively priced, well designed and built to a high standard. Some Australian new-car buyers are recognising the value in buying a vehicle from South Korea, China and Malaysia, so it’s a great time to be a car buyer, not to mention a car enthusiast spoilt for choice.
Models from China
China is the biggest country in Asia, and we’re starting to get familiar with Chery, Great Wall Motors, Foton and Haval model names. Great Wall and Foton make a nice range of low cost utes and pick-up trucks that can be either 2WD or 4WD.
With a grunty 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that has been designed by Cummins, the Foton Tunland models impress with smooth power and efficiency. Inside, the Tunland is comfortable and well equipped. Foton Tunland Utes come with a 3 year/100,000 km warranty making the new buy even sweeter.
Foton Tunland
With an imposing stance, the new Great Wall Steed ute is a strong performer. Diesel, petrol, 2WD and 4WD options make this a versatile and useful addition to your working fleet. Equipped with all the modern safety features, the Great Wall Steed ute is set to impress.
Great Wall Steed
Low cost Chery cars are easy to live with, and are principally popular to those who are on a slight budget. Chery J1 offers a small car in a neat package. Chery J3 cars are a little larger and offer comfortable space in the form of a small hatchback. The Chery J11 SUV offers superior value for money and a full three year/100,000 kilometre warranty.
Chery J1
Chery J3
Chery J11
Little known in Australia, but hugely popular in other parts of the world, are vehicles from Haval. Haval is the newest SUV player in the Australian SUV market, coming to these shores after dominating the Chinese SUV market for the best part of 10 years. Haval is an offshoot of Great Wall, much in the same way that Lexus is an offshoot of Toyota, FPV is an offshoot of Ford and Arbarth is an offshoot of Mini. However, Haval specialises in SUVs only, and you won’t find any other type of vehicle wearing the Haval badge. They may come in different sizes, but they’re all SUVs. What’s more, Haval makes classy SUVs – vehicles that combine serious off-roading ability with precision engineering and style.
Haval H1
Haval H9
Haval H2
Haval H6
Haval H8
While parent company Great Wall tends towards producing reliable no-frills vehicles, Haval throws in a lot more bells and whistles, plus extra luxury – while still keeping the price towards the lower end. In creating these vehicles, the Haval design team has benefited from the knowledge and flair of the former head of the BMW design team, Pierre LeClerq. Haval vehicles are firstly practical and secondly beautiful.
Models from Malaysia
Proton is Malaysia’s national new-car producer. Having produced cars since the early eighties, Proton, in the last decade, has really kicked on to produce some excellent new models that are well-built and modern competing directly with the best low-cost models the world over.
Proton’s Suprima is a stylish small hatch with six airbags, reverse sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, steering wheel audio and telephone controls, and a sprightly 1.6-litre turbo engine. The car has five-star ANCAP safety and a five year warranty.
Proton Suprima
Proton’s new Preve is a saloon version of the Suprima and has a responsive naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine with 80 kW of power and 150 Nm of torque. A large boot, good legroom and comfortable seats make the Preve a great buy for those on a budget. Again five-star safety and a five-year warranty sets up an attractive package that asks well under $20k.
Proton Preve
Proton’s Exora is a well thought-out seven-seater wagon that has the family in mind with a DVD player available, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, cupholders, plenty of room and air vents for each row of seats. A four-star ANCAP safety test result with a five-year warranty sets this new model apart.
Proton Exora
Models from South Korea
Currently boasting the fifth largest automotive industry in the world, South Korea has some superb new models that have grown in popularity throughout the world almost as fast as PSY’s viral “Gangnam Style” video. The three main car manufacturing names we’ve all heard about are Kia, Ssangyong and Hyundai. Both Kia and Hyundai have some of the sharpest modern design teams in the business, and Ssangyong continues to offer some very good utility and SUV type vehicles.
Kia produces some nicely designed cars for the small-to-large car buyer. People movers are available, while the Sorento and Sportage are really popular SUV models. High-end models are very well equipped, safe and capable vehicles with loads of style. Watch out for the new Kia Stinger with its fastback styling and sleek lines. Longer and wider than a BMW 4 Gran Coupe and boasting a longer wheelbase than the Lexus GS, the Stinger means business and ensures you will have a commanding presence on the road. A twin-turbo V6 motor puts out around 270 kW and is matched to a slick eight-speed auto gearbox. The RWD chassis delivers exhilarating road holding and will be a delight to drive. There will be a 2.0-litre turbo performance model available as well.
Kia Stinger
Hyundai, like Kia, offer very stylish vehicles that cater for all shapes and sizes, purposes and performance. Hyundai are pushing the boundaries in the fields of styling and safety, and with solid engines and drivetrains these are a sound new-car buy. Hyundai’s latest Genesis is a luxury car that competes very well with the best of European luxury cars. Tucson and Santa Fe models are exceptionally popular SUVs, while Hyundai know how to make a stylish and practical large work van or people mover – known as the iLoad and iMax respectively. Watch out for the latest i30, promising clean lines and even more performance.
Hyundai i30
Sadly, Ssangyong has declined in sales across Australia, though the fashionable brand of SUVs and utes are sure to make a come-back in late 2017 with SsangYong marketing the new Y400 large SUV, based on the LIV-2 concept revealed at the recent Paris motor show, and the Tivoli compact crossover. The Tivoli is a compact SUV with nice lines and excellent features. With around 95 kW of power, the 1.6-litre petrol engine is powerful and efficient, while torque peaks at 160 Nm. Korean crash testing has given the new Tivoli a five-star rating.
Ssangyong Tivoli
The new Y400 is a big Ssangyong Rexton SUV replacement that offers strong diesel turbo power and efficiency with loads of seating comfort and space. And, if you need a stylish new ute for work and recreation, the Actyon Sport ute is a tough unit with good looks and plenty of power.
Ssangyong Rexton Y400
Here in Australia we’re going to see more cars from Mainland Asia driving on our roads. Embracing the changing automotive landscape includes accepting the attractive Hyundai, Kia and Ssangyong drives. They’re great cars that are really well designed and competitively priced
Toyota Funds Flying Car Project
Artist’s impression of the Skydrive. Image courtesy of Cartivator.
“Where are all the flying cars?” Those who are either old enough to remember the old movies or retro buffs raise this question from time to time when they look at the technology of the early 21st century (i.e. now). The rest of us shrug our shoulders and may have the attitude that smartphones and the internet – something barely imagined by the majority of sci-fi writers of the 1950s–1970s* – are a fair substitute.
However, not all of us have been shrugging. Earlier today, Toyota announced that it would be backing a project that aims to develop a flying car. The team working on the flying car project, known as Cartivator, is made up of about 30 people who have been working on it for fun with a bit of crowdsourcing help so far. These 30 include several of Toyota’s up-and-coming employees, plus experts in the area of drones and video games. Click Here To Read More
Italy's Finest
What do Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Fiat have in common? Cars from these manufacturers come from Italy, of course. Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini are the exotic sports cars from Italy. Italians are capable of producing some really eye-catching cars that ooze style and performance. What are some new cars on offer from these Italian manufacturers (just in case you’re wanting one of these) and what’s on the near horizon? Let’s take a look.
Abarth is Fiat’s sporty wing that produces exciting and affordable Italian cars. These guys could get you into a brand new 124 Spider – a really fun and exciting roadster. The Abarth 124 Spider is Italian’s version of a Mazda MX-5. Amazing road holding, lovely lines and a small Turbo engine means that this little open-top sports car can fly, and fly efficiently.
Abarth 124 Spider
Want to go as small as possible and still be able to keep up with the big boys? The new and cute Abarth 595 and 595C get power from a 1.4-litre Turbo T-Jet engine with a peak power of 103 kW and a maximum torque of 206 Nm. With a top speed of 204 km/h and an acceleration of 7.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill are sensational for such a cute little sports car.
Abarth 595C
Fiat also provides some great everyday drives. One of the new standout cars is the cleverly packaged Fiat 500X. The raised ride height and bigger curves of the new 500X make the standard 500 somewhat dwarfed. AWD traction, Multijet Turbo performance and modern, unique interiors enable you to travel in style and tackle some of the less travelled back roads or city curbs.
Fiat 500X
Fiats new Doblo and Ducato vans are really efficient and practical load carriers.
Fiat Doblo
Fiat Ducato
New Alfa Romeo cars are some of my favourites. Who wants a practical car with loads of style and performance? The Giulia is a direct rival for the BMW 3, 4 and 5 Series models. The Giulietta is the hatch with style and practicality, while the brand new Stelvio is Italy’s answer to the sporty SUV.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Rare in Australia are the Maserati range of cars. If you’re on the lookout for something really special, the Maserati range is truly exotic and covers sporty coupes, sedans, SUVs and cabriolets. A choice of two twin turbo V6 petrol engines and a 3 litre V6 Turbo diesel engine are available for the new Ghibli. Gorgeous lines are matched with the car’s sport leather interior.
Maserati Ghibli
If you’re in the know, Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars scare the pants off the Germans! They are very good at going very fast, and look the goods time-and -time again.
The new Ferrari FF with 495 kW and 683 Nm is an AWD V12 powerhouse.
Ferrari FF
The new Lamborghini Huracan with V10 power and 600 Nm.
Lamborghini Huracan
Italy is a cool country not just because of its ability to make gorgeous cars but also the country’s land mass is shaped like a boot. Little wonder that Italians are excellent shoe designers, too!
Mitsubishi Fast Charges The Outlander PHEV.
Mitsubishi Motors’ new Outlander PHEV has arrived in Australia with a revised design, new technology, increased refinement and additional fast charging flexibility.
In a comprehensive update to the best-selling EV in the Australian market, the new Outlander PHEV has adopted the styling changes from the Model Year 2017 Outlander range while introducing new technology and increased convenience.
The Outlander PHEV was developed from the ground up to be driven by either an internal combustion engine or hybrid technology and as a result there are no compromises in terms of packaging, practicality or driving dynamics.
Available in two specification grades, LS and Exceed, both come with new features such as; Mitsubishi’s Smartphone Link Display Audio with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto2 integration, and Digital Radio (DAB+), electric folding and heated exterior mirrors, LED headlamps with auto levelling and an electronically controlled park brake with Auto Hold function and a DC fast charging socket.
New safety features available as standard on Exceed include, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation with human detection, Multi Around Monitor, Auto High Beam, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and an Ultrasonic Mis-acceleration Mitigation System.
For 2017 Mitsubishi introduces a new EV Priority Mode across all variants. The new EV switch is located below the 4WD button and once activated, it allows the driver to operate the vehicle in EV mode without the engine starting, provided there is sufficient charge in the batteries.
The electronic parking brake’s auto hold button function which, when activated, holds the vehicle in traffic or on an incline the same way a handbrake would, allows the driver to release the footbrake.
Its stylish and functional interior includes a redesigned steering wheel, new accent trim, improved seating comfort with premium finishes and materials to give the cabin a more sophisticated feel.
The new Outlander PHEV delivers a smooth, more responsive on-road performance with improvements to noise levels, ride, handling and throttle response.
Ride quality and comfort have been enhanced with increased structural rigidity in the body, revised suspension design, new Electric Power Steering calibration and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) throughout the vehicle.
The new Outlander PHEV retains its predecessor’s outstanding safety and environmental performance through the use of cutting-edge four-wheel drive, passive safety technology as well as fuel-efficient engine technology.
Pure EV range extends up to a maximum of 54km, while overall fuel economy has been reduced to 1.7-litre per 100km based on the ADR 81/02 fuel economy cycle.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Executive Director of Marketing Tony Principe said the new Outlander PHEV builds on the model success in this market.
“The Outlander PHEV is now more stylish, refined and has increased practicality with the addition of a DC fast charge socket capable of recharging the battery to 80% capacity in around 25 minutes,” said Mr Principe.
“Of course, if owners can’t find a recharging station, they don’t have to change their plans as the Outlander PHEV is not limited by the availability of recharging infrastructure.”
Exterior
‘Dynamic Shield’ front design including dark chrome and silver plated grille, silver skid plate, LED headlamps, Day time Running Lamps (DRL) and fog lamps with chrome bezel complete the front design of the new Outlander PHEV.
The sharper rear styling features a new design bumper and silver skid plate. The shark fin antenna, chrome tailgate garnish with LED rear combination lamps and rear fog lamp to complement the front design.
Outlander’s new exterior design is unified overall through the use of wheel arch mouldings, silver roof rails and chrome door sill garnish. New look 18-inch black and polished alloy wheel design complete the modern exterior.
Interior
The new Outlander PHEV gets a fresh design update to the interior space incorporating stylish yet functional features.
The interior is embellished with soft touch features and premium grade materials at every contact point. A new design four spoke steering wheel features gloss black bezel and new accent trim has been applied to the doors, dash and centre console. New material headlining, subtle stitching highlights on the instrument panel and a soft centre armrest enhance the sophisticated feel of the cabin.
Seating comfort has been greatly enhanced with improved lateral support and an increase in side bolster stiffness. The LS seats feature black Sports cloth trim with leather look bolsters, while the Exceed’s new style leather facings complement the new interior look.
Performance
The new Outlander PHEV boasts improved handling dynamics and greatly reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) along with increased body and structural rigidity for a super quiet and composed ride.
NVH improvements have been developed in part from the application of extensive sound insulation and isolation damping materials throughout the vehicle. Engine noise, cabin boom, road and wind noise are all reduced due to noise-isolating windscreen glass, improved weather stripping, new tyres, damper tuning and modified suspension mounts.
Its low centre of gravity and excellent weight distribution make for exceptional driving dynamics, further enhanced with suspension updates. The Outlander PHEV offers an ultra-smooth driving experience, with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a seamless transition between three driving modes (EV, series hybrid, parallel hybrid), which combine to deliver optimum performance regardless of driving conditions.
Outlander PHEV’s dynamic performance continues to be refined with a number of suspension changes to enhance overall ride comfort and stability. New shock valves advance linearity and body control, while new rear toe link bushes provide improved lateral rigidity. Lower friction front struts and larger rear shock absorbers with new damping contribute to improved steering linearity, while rear shocks have been tweaked to boost stability and ride comfort.
The Outlander PHEV is unique in offering adaptive four-wheel drive with twin electric motors driving the wheels. The front and rear axles are each equipped with their own high-output motor to deliver powerful acceleration when needed, while maintaining an incredibly responsive 4WD performance.
The Outlander PHEV maintains its five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to its combination of active and passive safety features.
The Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body structure is further bolstered with a suite of active safety features.
Like all models in the Mitsubishi range, the Outlander PHEV is backed by a 5 year/100,000km warranty.
Product overview:
Layout:
At the front: Electric motor + inverter (60 kW – 137 Nm), Electric generator 2.0 litre MIVEC DOHC petrol engine (89 kW – 190 Nm). Power Drive Unit In the middle, under the floor: 12 kWh, 80 cells, 300 V Lithium-Ion air-cooled battery pack plus 45 l fuel tank. At the rear: Electric motor + inverter (60 kW – 195 Nm) and Rear Motor Control Unit.
Multiple charging choice :
Automatic “on-the-go” charging, in – Series Hybrid and Parallel Hybrid Modes
Standard on-board dual plug-in charger for : Normal charging (approx 6.5 hours for 100% charge – 230V – 10 A or 3h30 with 16 A). Quick charging (approx 25 min for 80% charge )
Battery Charge Mode:Driver-activated (switch on centre console), Autonomous self-charging through ICE
Can also be activated when the vehicle is stationary and can recover 80% charge in approx 40 min.
Regenerative Braking (cannot be controlled when Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active.
Activated either when lifting off accelerator pedal or when braking
Degree of regeneration controlled by driver : « B » position on shifter with two selectable levels
Six incremental steps through steering wheel-mounted paddles
Additional EV features :« Battery Save Mode » :Driver-selected meant to switch automatically to « Series Hybrid Mode » or « Parallel Hybrid Mode » to save on electricity, allowing to later enter CO2-restricted city centers or quiet residential areas, or simply to enjoy nature in full silence.
Remote monitoring through dedicated WiFi smartphone app, « Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to warn pedestrians. Electric hot water-powered heater. Illuminated twin charge port (regular and quick) recess behind lid – with charging indicator (on/off lamp) and energy level gauge show charging status and level. 5 m standard charging cable with heat insulation, GND OPEN detector features and safety gauge. PHEV system designed to support long-term Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) smart grid protocol and EV Priority switch – to prevent the PHEV system to switch to hybrid mode and therefore retain the full electric driving on demand.
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