Monthly Archives: October 2007

The future of motoring – concept cars at the Motor Show

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The concept cars at this year’s Australian International Motor Show say a lot about where motoring is headed. Innovative designs and a continuing interest in established fuel alternatives featured heavily, but there was a noticeable emphasis on ‘crossover vehicles’, with many of the concept cars being a combination of two different vehicle categories and able to perform more than one function.

Innovative car design

Lexus, market leaders in design and technology, unveiled the 600hL to Australian audiences at the Motor Show. The car has reclining rear seats with fold-out ottomans and is the first vehicle to have in-seat airbags. But the most impressive feature of the 600hL is its ability to self-park.

Pending real-world results, the 600hL may be the first in a long line of cars that will take the stress out of parking and make it as easy as pushing a button.

BMW’s Concept CS is billed as a design study, but BMW’s Managing Director guaranteed it is a clear indication of the manufacturer’s design philosophy of the future. The four door coupe has a wide and long body and sits quite low on the road, being both larger and lower than the 7 Series.

Hyundai are in the process of forging a new reputation as makers of stylish, European-influenced vehicles, doing away with their conservative designs. Their concept car, the Veloster, is a two door coupe aimed at first-time buyers and further emphasises Hyundai’s creative potential. The futuristic 2.0 L Veloster (an amalgamation of ‘velocity’ and ‘roadster’) goes in a “bold new direction” for Hyundai. A unique U-shaped glass roof and futuristic interior combine to make an ultra-modern-looking vehicle.

Crossover vehicles

BMW also unveiled the Concept X6, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe. It’s a combination of coupe styling with the high-seating position and AWD from the X5, aimed at what they hope will be a new market segment.

Similarly, Kia’s Rondo is an Urban Recreational Vehicle aimed at what Kia call ‘transitionals’. These are people entering a new stage in their lives, particularly new, expecting or older couples, who don’t want to drive a big SUV but still want a high-seated, all-wheel drive vehicle. Part SUV, part MPV, part wagon and part hatch, the Rondo has good fuel efficiency and is flexible, while also having plenty of space. It is on sale next year.

Skoda, a new brand to Australia whose regional launch was at the Motor Show, unveiled their concept car, the Yeti. The compact SUV is a small, rectangular vehicle with unorthodox styling and is “the antithesis of a big, aggressive off-roader.” It’s aimed at those who want to use their vehicle to transport them, and their lifestyle accessories like scuba gear or mountain bikes, back to nature, as well traverse the urban terrain.

Alternative fuels

Also noticeable amongst this year’s concept cars was an emphasis on alternative, although established, fuels. The self-parking Lexus 600hl is a V8 hybrid and Mercedes-Benz unveiled their new 3.0 L V6 turbo-diesels, the C320 CDi (7.4 L/100 km) and the S320 CDi (8.8 L/100 km). Both these vehicles will be available next year and are an indication that Mercedes-Benz has a continuing interest in developing economical turbo-diesel variants.

So while it does seem like fuel alternatives are on manufacturers’ minds, none of the marquee cars were fuelled by innovative alternatives. Petrol, it seems, is with us to stay – for a while longer, at least.

What do you want to see in the cars of the near-future?

The benefits of car pooling

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It may sound like a thing of the past, but car pooling is a great way of saving money, meeting neighbours and colleagues, and helping the environment.

Our energy consumption

Transport accounts for 41 per cent of Australia’s energy consumption and is responsible for 14 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Within this, cars and light vehicles account for 79 per cent of transport fuel consumption and are responsible for 80 per cent of the segment’s GHG emissions.

Transport energy demand is forecast to grow at about 2.3 per cent p.a., implying an increase in demand of 50 per cent to 2020 (ABARE 2001).

Road transport is currently serviced by petroleum-based fuels. Passenger vehicles account for 65 per cent of the energy demand in this segment (35 per cent freight). Road freight, which is fuelled mainly by diesel, is forecast to grow the fastest at 2.9 per cent p.a. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles accounts for 20 per cent of energy demand. There is currently limited activity with compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen and ethanol.

The price of ever-increasing fuel, tolls and the need for an extra vehicle makes trying to stretch your budget seem impossible.

Why not share?

Bearing all of this in mind, have you ever thought about car pooling?

It is a cost effective way of getting to work and a great way of minimising your impact on the environment.

Other benefits of car pooling:

  • T2 lanes will be available to you
  • Meeting colleagues and neighbours you otherwise might not have
  • Your trip to and from work will be broken up by giving you someone to talk to
  • The safety factor if you work late at night

There are car pooling services on the internet such as TheCarPool.com.au which will help you search for car pooling partners in your areas, help you calculate your savings and teach you about car pooling etiquette.

There are, of course, risks involved. The person you are car pooling with may have to leave earlier than usual or work back some days, leaving you to make alternative arrangements at the last-minute, you might have a falling out with one of your ever-late workmates, or maybe you’ll get trapped in a car with someone you discovered you didn’t really get along with. But car pooling has the potential to make commuting to and from work fun.

To be effective your company needs to support the idea, but you may be surprised – there are many ways they could help out. They’ll also find there are a few extra parking spaces.

Tell us about you car pooling experiences.

Cars we’ll be seeing on the road

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Much is made of the Motor Show’s marquee cars, like the BMW Concept CS, Maserati’s GranTurismo and Lamborghini’s Gallardo Superleggera. But what about the new every-day cars, the ones we’ll actually see parked every few blocks or sit behind in traffic, and maybe even buy?

i30

Hyundai’s new i30 is an impressive German-designed hatch, and is indicative of the type of styling we can expect to see from the South Korean brand in their next range of models. The i30 is the result of a collaboration between Australian and Korean engineers. It’s available in three variants, the SX, SLX and SR, with the SX and SLX models available in turbo-diesel variants. Pricing starts at $18,990 and Hyundai boast they have the best value turbo-diesel on the market in the SX CRDi, priced at $21,490. Electronic stability program and traction control are standard on the i30 SR. We’re likely to see plenty of i30s on the road very soon.

VE Commodore Sportwagon

Holden revealed their much-anticipated VE Commodore Sportwagon concept car, where “practical becomes practi-cool.” Stylish and sporty, the wagon will have stability and traction control as standard and will be priced close to the others in the VE range. The final model is expected in the first half of next year.

Lancer

The new Mitsubishi Lancer is here and has a strong emphasis on safety. Active Stability and Traction Control, as well as ABS brakes, are standard across the range, and the availability of seven airbags on each model is unprecedented in the small car segment. The Lancer comes in three variants and pricing starts at $20,990.

Focus Coupe Cabriolet and Mondeo

Ford unveiled two cars this year, the Focus Coupe Cabriolet and the Mondeo. The Focus Coupe Cabriolet, a distinctive addition to an already successful model range, is on sale next month – just in time for summer.

Making its Australian debut was the new, German-engineered Mondeo range. The Mondeo comes in 4 models, the LX, Zetec, TDCi and the XR5 Turbo, with prices starting at $29,990. All models have Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist and full length side curtain and driver’s knee airbags as standard.

LandCruiser 200

Toyota’s ‘King of the road’ made its world premiere at this year’s show and given the popularity of the LandCruiser in the past, it’s definitely a vehicle we’ll be seeing more of. It features a new twin-turbocharged diesel V8 and Australian-developed Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The petrol model also features a first in its ‘crawl control’, a system for driving on unstable surfaces like rocks, sand or steep hills.

Skoda

Skoda, a new brand to Australia, unveiled its Octavia and Roomster. The Octavia is a conventionally-styled mid-size, available in two models with five different engine types, including turbo-diesel, with the option of AWD.

The Roomster, on the other hand, is an unusually-styled, flexible five-seater that comes standard with ESP and has a five star safety rating. Its strengths, and name, however, lie in its ability to be transformed into a spacious two-seater, with 1780 L of cargo area thanks to the removable rear seats. The Roomster can be quickly transformed from a five-seater, to a four, three or two-seater, comes in petrol and diesel options, and has a full size spare. So, being priced from $26,990, it’ll be interesting to see how it goes in the Australian market.

Did any cars catch your eye as a future purchase at this year’s Motor Show?

Cars to drive before you die

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During my time testing vehicles I have had the privilege of driving just about every sports, prestige and vintage car model on Australian roads. So I’m often asked the question, “Which have been the most memorable?”

My top five vehicles are as follows:

1. 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo

2006 Lamborghini GallardoMy number one car would have to be the Lamborghini Gallardo. Few of us will ever get the chance to take one for a spin through the streets of Sydney, so as a car-lover I was just happy to be sitting behind the wheel. Aside from the excitement-factor, the looks and the handling were everything I expected from the Lamborghini stable. It’s a thoroughly impressive car.

2. 2006 Aston Martin DB9

Next in line is the Aston Martin DB9. As a James Bond fan this was always a dream car for me. I’d previously driven a 1971 model DBS but the finish on the 2006 DB9 can’t be matched; no expense has been spared with any aspect of its fit out.

3. 2005 Ferrari 360

Everybody loves a Ferrari and I had the privilege to drive several models including the F355, 360 Spider, 512 TR and even the 550 Barchett. But the 360 Modena, with the glass bonnet, was my favourite. The distinctive Ferrari look, the power and the sound of the exhaust puts it in my top five.

4. 2006 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The GT3 RS was a standout among the Porsches I’ve driven. It’s basically a street-registrable race car. It was equipped with fully adjustable suspension, racing seats, harness, roll cage and Ceramic Composite Brakes – everything needed to race it on the track or in a Targa rally.

5. 1930 Cadillac V16 Series 452 ‘Madam X’ 7 seater Limousine

1930 Cadillac V16 Series 452 'Madam X' 7 seater Limousine As you can see I love testing and driving late model sports cars, but I have to include a very rare 1930 Cadillac in my top five. It has a great history being one of only five right-hand-drive versions produced for use in the US Diplomatic core in London during WWII. It remained in service until the early post-war period, spent time in storage before being shipped back to America and eventually it found its way to Australia. We can only imagine what was discussed in the rear of the limousine on the way to and from parliament during the height of the war.

Although pleasurable, the Cadillac was also one of the most difficult vehicles I have ever driven, not helped by the fact that the road test was completed in North Sydney during peak hour. Trying to turn the Cadillac around in tight, traffic filled streets was a nerve-racking experience. Added to this was the challenge of working out the pattern for the 3 speed gearbox plus the controls on the dash and steering wheel. Despite this it will always remain in my top 5.

What are the vehicles you’d like to sit behind the wheel of, however unlikely, before you die?

Using Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Have you ever used Premium Unleaded petrol in your vehicle instead of Regular Unleaded? Did it seem to go further, dollar for dollar? Did it have any noticeable effect at all?

If your car is optimised to run on Regular Unleaded 91 RON (Research Octane Number), then using PULP may have a marginal effect on the fuel consumption and cost saving.

So if, hypothetically, a vehicle was designed to operate on any octane (which is never the case), using 98 RON would give a seven per cent increase in power or a seven per cent decrease in fuel consumption compared with using 91 RON. Cars that are designed to run on PULP 98 RON may still run on 95 RON but you may lose around three per cent of power, or increase fuel consumption by this amount.

Therefore, if ultra premium fuel costs more than seven per cent more than 91 RON, is it economically unwise to use it?

Have you used Premium Unleaded and noticed any improvements in your vehicle’s fuel economy or performance?