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MARCH 11 - 17, 2016
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A BEAUTY: Toyota called on Aussie skill and ingenuity to make Fortuner.
Toyota Fortuner brings home the Aussie bacon By DEREK OGDEN the company’s local engineers. “If Fortuner could speak,” he says, “it would have a strong Aussie accent.” “At a starting price of less than $50,000, Fortuner is the turbo-diesel alternative to the similar-sized petrolonly Kluger and offers an affordable choice for those who aspire to own a LandCruiser,” he says. Three grades are on offer - GX, GXL and Crusade - all powered by a hightorque 2.8-litre four-cylinder commonrail direct-injection turbo-diesel engine with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
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The Crusade automatic, at $59,990, plus on-road costs, was the test vehicle. The front end is right up there with the latest in SUV design with dominant grille and chrome running off to wrap around projector headlamps. A prominent front bumper with recessed foglamps helps to emphasise the vehicle’s width. Latest design cues are continued along the flanks with flared front and rear fenders, while a distinctive beltline does a kick up to the C-pillar Combination lamps give a sleek appearance out back, while a squaredoff rear end fails to fit in, harking back to the days when the boxy LandCruiser
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was all the go. A range of accessories was developed as the Fortuner, including airbag compatible bull bars and a new towbar and load distribution hitch. There is seating for up to seven in three rows upholstered in leather, while the premium character of the cabin is reinforced with soft-touch materials round the dashboard, windscreen pillars and door trims. Crusade occupants have the advantage of climate control airconditioning, a stack of storage space with cup and bottle holders, compartments, trays, pockets and consoles.
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TOYOTA may be parking its vehicle manufacturing in Australia but that does not mean Aussie input into the Japanese automotive industry is winding down. Take the new Fortuner seven-seat family SUV, for example. The wagon’s new body, wiring and key underpinnings were designed and developed by Australians, while the rugged frame, engine, all-coil suspension and strong upper body were proven Down Under in some of the world’s toughest testing. Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb says Fortuner is the biggest single development program undertaken by
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Mar 11 - 17 | 2016
Fiat 500X expands the range
By EWAN KENNEDY
AT the end of 2015 Fiat expanded its 500 range with the introduction of a crossover called the 500X. Significantly bigger than the standard Fiat 500 it has more interior space, utilised through the convenience of rear doors. The Fiat 500X was designed in conjunction with the new Jeep Renegade. Italian Fiat now controls Jeep after American company got into financial trouble during the GFC. There’s a nice combination of Italian style and American 4WD knowhow in this partnership. Fiat 500X as tested this week is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) Cross Plus, rather than a true 4WD in the manner of a Jeep. Should you not need AWD the Fiat 500X also comes with 2WD, through the front wheels, at a lower cost. Visually, the Fiat 500X is an expanded version of the 500 with a family resemblance to its baby brother at the front, in various details around the body, and in its funky interior. The latter has the pseudo metallic look that appeals to all Fiat lovers. Cross Plus is easily identified by the protection bars front and rear, with further body mouldings around its wheelarches and on the sills. Like its little brother the 500X is offered in a huge variety of colours and you can choose from a large range of accessories to permit personalisation. There are 12 body colours, 15 dressup decals, nine choices of door mirror covers, five door-sill inserts, five alloy wheel designs, fabrics and leather can be part of the pack. Even the key fob can be ordered in five different designs. Our test 500X was in glowing white with red door mirrors and stripes in the same bright hue on the lower areas of
FIAT: Big brother to the popular 500, the 500X moves in family wagon field. the doors, best of all is the red-andwhite ‘500X’ decal stretching most of the way along the roof. You have to be tall to see this feature - but it looked brilliant when viewed beneath our balcony at home particularly with a nice cappuccino in hand. The range starts at $28,000 for the 500X Pop with front-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual gearbox and rises to $39,000 for the all-wheel-drive 500X Cross Plus with automatic transmission. In between are the Pop Star (great name) at $33,000 and the Lounge for $38,000. The 500X Pop can be specified with a six-speed dual-clutch auto for an added $2000, the automatic is standard in the Pop Star.
The AWD models, the Lounge and Cross Plus, have a nine-speed automatic. Equipment levels are high to justify the prices. Even the entry level 500X Pop has 16-inch alloy wheels, a 3.5-inch TFT instrument display, cruise control, paddle shifts on the automatic, Fiat’s Uconnect system with a 5.0inch touchscreen, steering wheelmounted audio controls and Bluetooth connectivity. The 500X Pop Star has 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights and wipers, three driving modes (Auto, Sport, and Traction plus), keyless entry and start, and a reversing camera. The Uconnect system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen and GPS navigation. Fiat 500X Lounge also receives 18-
inch alloy wheels, a 3.5-inch colour TFT instrument cluster display, automatichigh-beam, a BeatsAudio Premium sound system with subwoofer and eight speakers, dual zone automatic air conditioning, interior ambient lighting and two-tone premium interior trim. Cross Plus has steeper ramp angles, xenon headlights, and a different finish on the dashboard. Power in all models is from a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol in 500X all models. It produces 103 kW and 230 Nm in the front-drive models and 125 kW and 250 Nm in the AWDs. Fiat is very strong in the safety field and the 500X has more than 60 standard or available items that include a reversing camera, forward collision warning; LaneSense Warning; lane departure warning; blind-spot monitoring and rear cross path detection. The ESC system has integrated electronic roll mitigation, and seven air bags are installed in all models. Ride comfort is very good and it’s obvious a lot of work has gone into noise and vibration suppression. Indeed, the Fiat 500X is as quiet, or quieter as many SUVs from the next class up. Interior space is good and four adults can be carried, though tall travellers may have to compromise on legroom at times. A family with three children will find it just right. Handling isn’t exactly Italian sporty, but the 500X is neutral in the way it feels until you’re well above the cornering speeds likely to be attempted by the average owner. Outward visibility is very good thanks to the relatively upright greenhouse. The new Fiat 500X offers Italian style, the ability to be personalised in thousands of different ways - yet is very practical. What more could you ask?
Toyota Fortuner brings home the Aussie bacon
An airconditioned compartment above the glovebox can be used to cool or warm items with the capacity for two 600ml bottles and bag hooks can be found attached to the front seat backs. All Fortuners have seven-inch touchscreen display audio systems with six speakers, auxiliary/USB port, AM/FM radio and a CD player. The screen also displays the reversing camera image and provides access to Toyota Link, which can give access to Pandora internet radio and help find fuel, a destination, weather and other assistance. Top-of-the-range Crusade has DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation, which expands the capability of the Toyota Link system. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, steeringwheel audio and telephone controls, and power door locks, windows and mirrors. Maximum power from the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine is 130 kW and peak torque is 450 Nm for the automatic. Braked towing capacity is 2800 kg. According to the maker, Fortuner uses just 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual and 8.6 the auto. The Fortuner is designed for the maximum five-star safety rating as all
At a Glance
From page 1
NOTE: THESE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OR DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR DRIVEAWAY PRICES.
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GX: $47,990 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GXL: $52,990 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 Crusade: $59,990 variants are equipped with stability and active traction control, seven airbags, reversing camera, trailer sway control, hill-start assist control and rake-and-reach adjustments for the steering column. It includes three top-tether anchors and two ISOFIX child-seat mounts. The Fortuner is a hefty vehicle, so it was a pleasant surprise to find how manoeuvrable it was in heavy street traffic and while parking in tight spots. And fuel consumption, at 6 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway and twice that in town, likewise was unexpected. Sharing of tough underpinnings with
Toyota’s ‘unbreakable’ HiLux, the Fortuner shows prodigious off-road ability, while delivering a compliant ride expected of a premium SUV on bitumen. The six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission features blipping downshift in sequential mode, capable of bringing a smile to many a face, as does a ‘Power’ drive mode or ‘Eco’ mode depending on your environmental bent. Fortuner’s seven seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. The 60/40 split-fold second-row seat has a one-touch slide and tumble feature while the 50/50 third-row seats are
FEATURES (Crusade)
Projector-style LED headlamps, daytime running lamps LED tail-lamps Airconditioned cool box Bluetooth connectivity Colour multi-information display 18in alloy wheels Keyless smart entry and start Roof rails Reverse parking sensors Fog lamps Downhill assist Leather-accented interior Satellite navigation Power tailgate Climate-control airconditioning Bi-LED headlamps Power driver’s seat
stowable up against the side of the cargo compartment. Unfortunately, it’s the old story with seven-seaters. With all positions taken there is room for only 200 litres of luggage, not exactly totally accommodating. However, with the rear rows folded there is 1080 litres when packed to the top of the seat backs. At $60,000, while some might see the Fortuner as a poor man’s LandCruiser, the Crusade variant carries enough kit and delivers convenience and comfort to match the Cruiser and its high-end rivals.
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Mar 11 - 17 | 2016
Subaru updates its fleet for 2016
By MURRAY HUBBARD
TAKEN in isolation the year 2015 is one where it’s easy to ponder that Subaru Australia was the mouse that roared. The facts are Subaru has been growling for 16 years out of the past 18 years – that’s how many years it has increased volume sales. The two years it failed to exceed the previous year were due to factors outside their control namely the GFC and the Japanese tsunami. In 2015 Subaru models Outback SUV and Liberty sedan roared up the sales charts after all-new models were released in January. With sales of 10,927 Outback boasted a 344 per cent increase. Liberty found the mark with 4097 sales – up 293 per cent over the previous year in about the toughest segment going – large cars, that includes local favourites Commodore and Falcon. While the Australian car market grew by 3.8 per cent in 2015, Subaru grew by double that amount at 7.6 per cent. Worldwide in 2015 Subaru sold more cars than it could produce, building 978,000 vehicles and this year is hoping to crack the million-mark. Subaru is a smallish division of the large Japanese corporation, Fuji Heavy Industries, and does battle mainly with Japanese heavyweight competitors such as Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Mitsubishi. However Subaru differs from the rest by offering all-wheel-drive vehicles across the range – apart from the BRZ sports car – and
Subaru Forester.
Subaru Liberty.
in the past couple of years has led the way with safety technology that complements the AWD safety and torque vectoring systems in use in many models. However, it’s the EyeSight that is starting to drive Subaru sales. It’s a driver assist technology that greatly reduces the chance of having a nose to tail collision – one of the most common road crashes. Subaru has just launched upgrades to three key models: Outback, Liberty and Forester. When the new model Outback was released in January last year Subaru was unable to offer EyeSight on diesel models. This upgrade sees that rectified in all automatic versions and will be a stimulus for further growth in Outback sales with the diesel variants attracting rural buyers. EyeSight uses cameras to detect potential collisions – and now detects and reads brake
lights on cars in front – and if you don’t look like braking, EyeSight will intervene and do it for you. And, if you don’t brake hard enough, it will again intervene and use the hard braking via brake assist. In addition to EyeSight Outback also gained Vision Assist technology on three top of the line models with the technology including blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, auto dimming rear view mirror, high beam assist and rear cross traffic alert that detects passing vehicles when reversing. Subaru also added the Vision Assist package to premium variants of the Liberty range, Liberty 2.5i and 3.6R. All Liberty models now also have Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), where under urgent braking the hazard light flash to warn following vehicles. Engineers also tweaked the shock
Subaru Outback. absorbers on Liberty to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and reduce impact harshness on sharp bumps. The popular Forester gained a suspension upgrade to improve stability and NVH. It is also wearing a fresh front end with a new bumper (Excluding 2.0XT) grille, headlights plus new fog light surrounds to premium variants. There was no change to Forester pricing which starts from $29,990 while Liberty premium models 2.5i Premium and Liberty 3.6R have increased by $500 to $35,990 and $42,490 respectively while the entry level remains at $29,990. Outback pricing increases between $500 and $1500 with the entry level Outback 2.5i CVT unchanged at $35,990 and six premium models starting at $41,990 topped off by the Outback 3.6R at $48,490.
New Audi: worth the wait By PETER ANDERSON
AUDI’S A4 has just entered its fourth generation but if you poke around you’ll see that it’s known as the B9 – the ninthgeneration of the four rings’ B-segment offering, stretching back to the early 1970s starting with the first Audi 80, sold here as the Fox. The old car, released way back in 2008 was still selling strongly right up to the death, owing much to its understated good looks and value proposition, helping Audi to a record year in 2015. But underneath it was getting on a bit and the cabin was lacking many of the toys of not only other Audis but - crucially - its competitors. The B9 is also spun off the VW Group’s MLB Evo platform which has already produced the acclaimed second generation Q7. The new range debuts with three petrol engines – a 1.4-litre and two 2.0-litres – and a sole 2.0-litre turbodiesel. The 1.4 is included in the Australian A4 range for the first time. There’s also a huge list of new goodies to part you and your cash. Pricing starts at $55,500 for the 110kW/250Nm 1.4 litre TFSI front-wheel drive. The first of the 2.0 litre petrols is frontwheel drive as well and produces 140kW and 320Nm and kicks off at $60,900. The 140kW/400Nm 2.0 TDI is Quattroonly for $66,900 and the second 2.0 petrol, the Quattro 185kW, is $69,990. The new entry level 1.4 is $1500 cheaper than the outgoing entry level 1.8. Audi says the equipment level is higher to offset the performance penalty. The old A4 range had a big gap to the 2.0 TFSI Quattro which is now filled by the 2.0 front-wheel drive model.
AUDI A4: The latest model is a huge step forward. The two Quattro models (Audi expects the petrol Quattro to be the big seller) are both slightly more than their predecessors, but have a lot more gear as standard, most obviously safety-related. There wasn’t any pricing available for the wagon Avant, which is expected here before the middle of the year. All A4s feature adaptive LED headlights, 8.3-inch MMI screen with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, sport front seats, partial leather trim, Audi Connect internet functionality (requires a data SIM card), three-zone climate control and (finally) not one but two USB ports to go with Bluetooth. The 1.4 rolls on 18-inch alloys. The new 2.0 TFSI front-drive adds DAB+, hands-free boot opening and electric passenger seat. The TDI and TFSI Quattro Sports are identically-specced, with 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, upgraded sound system, memory driver’s seat and
folding/heated exterior mirrors. There are tons of options from which to choose, but as ever, Audi helpfully groups them together into packages. The $1900 Assistance Package adds Active Lane Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and traffic jam assistant, distance indicator and pre-sense front (helps you to avoid having a crash and prepares the car for one if it’s inevitable), turn assist (tries to stop you turning in front of oncoming traffic), collision avoidance and high beam assist. The Technik Package adds Audi’s sensational virtual cockpit and heads-up display. The Virtual Cockpit is lifted from the TT and Q7, a 12.3-inch fully digital display run by a powerful NVIDIA graphics card. The S-Line Sports package is almost completely cosmetic with leather/alcantara trim, S-Line 19-inch alloys, sport suspension (if it’s not already fitted), S-Line exterior and
interior bits and bobs and a few other extras. The price differs across the range, starting at $5200 on the 1.4, $5000 for the 2.0 140kW and $3200 for the TDI and TFSI Sport. There’s also the Parking Assistance Package with plenty of auto-parking tech ($950) and S-Line which adds lots of styling aggro and varies in price depending on the wheel size you choose. Individual options include matrix LED headlights for $1700, metallic paint for $1420, adaptive suspension ($1100 on quattro/$1700 on front-wheel drive in Sport or Comfort flavours), B&O 3D stereo ($1500), the list goes on. The two adaptive suspension options differ in both the aggressiveness of the dampers and in ride height. Comfort lops 10mm off the steel suspension’s ride height while being biased towards a comfortable ride experience while the sport version drops the car 23mm and is more aggressive on the damper settings. On the safety front, all cars have eight airbags, with the last two being side airbags for the rear passengers. All A4s also have exit warning, a nifty feature to warn you of cars and cyclists approaching from behind. Also standard across the range is city emergency braking, pre-sense (closes windows and tightens belts if a collision is anticipated), cross-traffic assist, blind spot monitoring, pre-sense rear (warns other cars approaching too fast) and rear-view camera. The new car looks quite similar to the preceding B8, but is considerably sharper and, like the TT, has some terrific detailing. It’s noticeably tougher looking from the front with a lower, wider grille and lots of horizontal design elements to widen and lower the look. The new B9 A4 is a huge leap forward, as it should be for such an important car that has been such a long time coming.
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Mar 11 - 17 | 2016
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