September 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV
Lotus is certainly working hard leading up to this year’s Paris Motor Show. The iconic marque will be releasing a new pair of Evoras and it will also be officially unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles. The new hybrids are in keeping with the automaker’s promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Apparently, one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.
Lotus first debuted a hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured). However, unlike most of Lotus’ mid-engine vehicles the two new concepts will be front-engine models utilising a 47-horsepower 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids.
More details will be revealed nearer to the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.
September 2nd, 2010 by Car and SUV
If you’re driving around Auckland City this weekend be prepared to face serious delays on and around the Newmarket motorway viaduct. The Newmarket viaduct will be shut down this weekend to all southbound cars. It’s not great news considering it’s Father’s Day this Sunday, so if you have a family visit to make – choose a new route carefully.
Transit New Zealand says that this Sunday’s closure is likely to hit 80,000 cars. Southbound lanes will be closed all weekend (September 4 and 5) as the first major step in the $215 million viaduct 
upgrade project.
This weekend’s road works action is all about keeping the southbound lanes shut for 36 hours while the newly built section is prepared for use from next Monday (6 September). Some on-ramps in the area will be closed too, including Hobson and Khyber Pass as motorway managers try to limit the traffic getting around.
So what’s in it for me, you might ask? Well, from Monday the Newmarket viaduct will have four southbound lanes meaning traffic should flow better through the area.
The Newmarket Viaduct replacement work has been frustrating Aucklanders since June of last year but will ultimately lead to the southbound section widened to four lanes and the northbound section stay the same with three. The entire project is scheduled for completion in 2012.
If you want to learn more about the changes to the Newmarket Viaduct, click here to visit the NZTA website.
September 2nd, 2010 by Car and SUV
Toyota has just announced its master plan to introduce several new models at this month’s Paris Motor Show.
The star of Toyota’s display is set to be the “small, spacious and smart” Verso-S. The Verso-S represents Toyota’s re-entry into the B-MPV segment and while details are scarce, the new model will have iQ-inspired styling and a flexible interior.
Toyota will also be focusing on its continued commitment to hybrid technology and fuel-efficient transportation. As part of this effort, the company will introduce the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the Auris HSD which uses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.
Toyota’s presentation at Paris will include the Hybrid Synergy Drive Gallery, an interactive exhibition which charts the company’s drive towards sustainable mobility through its development of HSD for use in Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV).
More information will be released later this month closer to the Paris Motor Show. Read the full story »
September 2nd, 2010 by Car and SUV
The internet has been ablaze recently with images and videos of new Ferarri 458s on fire. In a rather slow response Ferrari has officially issued a recall of the 458 Italia.
According to the automaker, an adhesive used to attach a heat shield under the rear guard can ignite with high temperatures which can start a larger fire in the nearby engine bay. There’s been five reported cases in total, a number verified by Ferrari directly to Car and SUV.
To combat the problem Ferrari has designed a new heat shield that attaches with rivets, negating the need for the adhesive. Ferrari 458 owners are urged to call a dealer to schedule an appointment for the free fix.
There are eight 458s in Australia, but New Zealand has yet to have one delivered.
September 1st, 2010 by Car and SUV
Holden Australia has just revealed its new Commodore VE Series II vehicle range which comes with various improvements, including an added E85 bio-fuel capability. It’s the first major update to the fourth-generation VE Commodore since its launch back in 2006.
The VE Series II introduces a new flex-fuel capability on its 3.0-litre V6 engine and 6.0-litre V8 mill which allows both to run on E85 bio-ethanol. Aside from the flex-fuel capability the mechanical package remains mostly unchanged. However, the Series II promises to offer improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions across the range.
There are a range of interior and exterior styling updates and a new 6.5-inch full colour touch-screen infotainment system called Holden-iQ. This new control system will be standard in all Commodore models (except Ute) and will include Bluetooth connectivity.
In terms of exterior design, it’s a subtle facelift with all models featuring various new front fascias, grilles and headlamps. There’s also an integrated aerodynamic lip and new wheel options.
Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said that the Series II VE Commodore reflects Holden’s focus on ongoing improvements for the top-selling model.
“Our customers have been telling us they want to see our models refreshed with greater functionality from Omega to Caprice,” Devereux said. “We have listened and responded in a way that continues to position Commodore as the smart choice for Australian motorists.”
Holden will reveal full pricing and availability for the 2011 VE Series Holden Commodore on September 10, when the model officially launches.
For more information on the Commodore Series II range, check out the detailed official press release below, and more images in the gallery. Read the full story »
September 1st, 2010 by Car and SUV
The very first example of Ford’s quickest selling performance car in the UK is set for a slower pace of life after joining the company’s heritage collection.
The Focus RS500 was unveiled as a limited-edition model of 500 retail units plus 12 models produced for demonstration and press purposes. Just 101 right-hand drive Focus RS500 models were made available in the UK and they sold out within days of being launched.
The first right-hand drive press unit in the UK, number PR001, has featured widely in motoring magazines and will now join the company’s Essex-based fleet of heritage vehicles. Sitting alongside such icons as the 1970 London to Mexico winning Ford Escort, the Ford RS200 and the 2005 Ford GT supercar, the Ford Focus RS500 will be put on public display at motor shows and Ford dealers.
UK Ford corporate affairs manager, Brian Bennett, said: “The heritage collection is the largest collection of roadworthy historic Ford vehicles in the UK and includes some of the industry’s most famous vehicles such as the Ford Model T and the Ford Cortina. Performance models feature strongly and the Ford Focus RS500 was an obvious choice to include as a future classic.” Read the full story »
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