Full house: Part 2

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Lamborghini
IF A Lambo can get any better in the looks department then it’s the Gallardo Spyder.

The convertible Gallardo has a fabric roof that takes just 20 seconds to raise or lower. With the same V10 underpinnings of the hardtop car the engine compartment is utilised to store the folded roof, covered by the carbon fibre engine bonnet that also functions as a hood cover.

Electric motors lock the catch at the front of the bonnet and release the bonnet catch, and a separate motor raises and lowers the rear window.

Apart from the Spyder, Lamborghini will add the Murcielago LP640 to the lineup, both of which debut at the Brisbane motor show next month.

The LP640 gains some changes in design and mechanicals. Its new name refers to its engine position – longitudinale posteriore – and to its power output of 640hp (477kW). Maximum torque is 660Nm. Engineers have not only focused on reworking the engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust, brakes and electronics, but also the interior and exterior.

The increased bore and longer stroke have boosted the displacement of the classic 60-degree V12 engine from 6.2 litres to 6.5 litres.

The characteristic scissor doors carry over in a union of sheet steel and honeycombed carbon fibre that are glued and riveted together. The car also gains new springs and stabilisers, and redesigned electronically controlled dampers.

Visually there are new 18-inch aluminium Hermera rims with 245/35 ZR18 Pirelli tyres at the front and 335/30 ZR18 Pirellis are the rear.

More on Gallardo Spyder Land Rover
HIGH demand in Europe and the United States for the new Freelander has pushed out the on-sale Australian date to May-June.

Freelander prices are expected to start around $40,000 for the 118kW/400Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel manual from Ford, rising to $55,000 for the six-speed auto 171kW/317Nm 3.2-litre six-cylinder VVT petrol offering, courtesy of Ford’s Volvo division.

Both will offer a full-time AWD system with Terrain Response as well as 210mm ground clearance and a wading depth of 500mm. The in-line six is said to hit 100km/h in 8.9 seconds and roll on to a top speed of 200km/h.

Freelander will be stronger, safer and better equipped. Importantly, it looks far better than the old model.

Other arrivals for ’07 are the 200kW/640Nm 3.6-litre TDV8 turbo-diesel for the Land Rover Sport and Range Rover capable of 11.1L/100km.

More on Land Rover Freelander 2 More on Range Rover TDV8 Lexus
THE LS range arrives in March and the 283kW/500Nm 4.6-litre direct-injection V8 LS460 has an eight-speed gearbox plus creature comforts like a heated steering wheel and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson stereo with a hard disc drive that can hold up to 2000 songs.

Buyers can expect the latest technology like intuitive braking, radar-cruise control, pre-collision system and air suspension. Expect to pay around $160,000 for the 4.6-litre, which will get you to 100km/h in less than 6.0 seconds.

The hybrid 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 LS600hL should arrive the same time as the LS460. The company says it will produce 330kW but there is no news on torque, but expect it to be prodigious.

Lexus claims the LS600hL is the world’s first production V8 hybrid that delivers the power of a V12 with the economy of a V8.

The LS600hL offers all-wheel drive and a CVT auto. It should be priced around $200,000.

More on Lexus LS600h Lotus
THE much-talked about Europa S sportscar arrives this month and Lotus executives are confident of luring away buyers from some other top-notch Euro sportscar brands.

The Europa is a more user-friendly two-seater than the Exige with an Opel-sourced turbocharged 147kW/272Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder sitting transversely mid-ships and an all up weight of just 995kg.

Importantly, the Europa is said to be easier to enter and exit and has the appropriate high-end luxury to match its $109,990 asking price.

More on Lotus Europa Mazda
THE new Mazda2 is set for a Geneva motor show debut in March and could hit our roads by the end of the year.

Gone is the dumpy bread-van styling of the current car, replaced with an edgy hatch design with European influences.

Reports also suggest that apart from the hatch, Mazda will offer a wagon-style Mazda2 model.

Mercedes-Benz
MAKE room for the big Benz. CL-class next month with prices around $500,000 for the lavishly equipped coupe.

The 5m-long four-seater uber-coupe shares its engines with the S-class sedan, so that means a 5.5-litre V8 with 285kW/530Nm in the CL500 and a bi-turbo 5.5-litre V12 with 380kW/830Nm in the CL600.

Both engines will be mated to seven-speed automatics. Mercedes-Benz claims the CL600 can hit 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. The CL500 does the same sprint in 5.4 seconds.

Equipment levels, like all top-end Mercs, will be luxurious, with full leather interior, automatic climate control, Comand voice activation, radar cruise control, keyless-go and a high-quality sound system.

Further down the price scale, the new C-class range arrives in June. Sedan and wagons will boast a range of new six, V8 and turbo-diesel powerplants while prices should start at $58,000.

More on Mercedes-Benz CL-class More on Mercedes-Benz C-class Mini
ALTHOUGH it looks familiar, the Mini MkII is slightly bigger, lighter and has better handling as well as gaining new, more fuel efficient 1.6-litre engines.

The Cooper and turbo-charged Cooper S debut at the Melbourne motor show in March. The engines are courtesy of a joint BMW-Citroen-Peugeot deal.

With 1.6-litre capacity and Valvetronic the base car develops 88kW/160Nm and will hit 100km/h in a claimed 9.1 seconds.

The supercharger is gone, making way for a turbo-charged 1.6-litre four that develops 128kW/240Nm and takes 7.1 seconds to reach 100km/h. Six-speed manuals and an optional six-speed auto with paddle shifts will also be offered.

Mini MkII has a slightly higher bonnet line for improved crash performance and a more wedge-shaped look. Expect prices to be close to $30,000 for the Cooper and $39,000 for the Cooper S.

The much-talked rumoured Traveller with its rear swing out doors and suicide rear doors is due early 2008.

More on Mini Cooper Mitsubishi
THE Outlander 125kW/266Nm MIVEC 2.4-litre four cylinder will be joined this month by a six-speed 179kW/276Nm 3.0-litre V6.

The up-spec model will carry plenty of gear, including a high-end stereo, leather and, like the 2.4, switchable AWD. The V6 should be priced around $40,000.

Mitsubishi’s supercharged TMR Concept 380, show at last year’s Sydney motor show, is also expected late this year priced around $45,000. Mitsubishi’s Ralliart engineers will need to tame the concept car’s 230kW and 442Nm for torque through the front wheels.

Perhaps the most important car is the new 2.0-litre Lancer, due around in the second half of the year as both a sedan and hatch. The Evo X is due maybe by the end of the year or early in 2008.

More on Mitsubishi Lancer More on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X More on Mitsubishi 380 TMR Nissan
THE Micra is expected here for the Melbourne motor show in March. The five-door hatch should be priced under $16,000 for the entry 65kW/128Nm 1.4-litre petrol with a five-speed manual.

A four-speed auto will also be offered, along with an 81kW/153Nm 1.6-litre four.

Qashqai is expected by December with either a 104kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol or 112kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. The Qashqai is shorter than the X-Trail but sits on a similar wheelbase. Nissan cannot confirm pricing but expect it to start around $25,000.

The Qashqai offers an upright driving position, switchable all-wheel drive and car-like dynamics.

More on Nissan Micra More on Nissan Qashqai

From top: Land Rover Freelander 2, Mercedes-Benz CL-class, Nissan Qashqai, SsangYong Actyon, Suzuki SX4.

Peugeot
PEUGEOT has already shown the 207 at the Sydney show and public response was encouraging. The new 207 is bigger – about the same size as the venerable 306 - but safer, better built and with improved quality over the old 206 and prices should start from around $22,000.

On sale in March with a range of turbo-diesel HDi engines and new 1.4, 1.6 and range-topping 1.6-litre turbo petrol fours jointly developed with BMW. The 1.6 turbo is the headline act in the new GT, leaving space for a more powerful 130kW GTi to join the lineup later in the year along with the 207CC.

The 110kW/240Nm GT is tipped to be around $31,500 and equipped with panoramic glass roof, stability control, climate control, tyre pressure monitoring, leather/alcantara trim, parking sensors and 17-inch alloys. Entry 207s 1.6s develop 88kW/160Nm and 66kW/133Nm for the 1.4. The 1.6-litre turbo-diesel develops 80kW/240Nm and should cost about $25,000.

More on Peugeot 207CCMore on Peugeot 207 GT



Proton
THE Satria arrives in February and like the GenII, adopts a distinctly Euro-friendly design that looks similar to the Audi A3.

The Satria will be powered by an 82kW/148Nm 1.6-litre Campro twin-cam four-cylinder, gives the car a 0-100km/h sprint in 11.5 seconds.

The Satria’s standard equipment should include air-conditioning, electric windows, alarm, a rear roof spoiler and reverse-parking sensors. Pricing should be close to $17,500.

More on Proton Satria Renault
THE Laguna is back as a turbo-diesel so now it’s the Megane’s turn.

Around April, the Megane gets a new-generation Euro-IV compliant 96kW/300Nm 1.9-litre dCi with a particulate filter – joining the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol offerings, mated to either a six-speed manual or a sequential four-speed automatic.

The manual can deliver economy under 4.7L/100km. The diesels arrive with the Phase II update, featuring improved cabin quality and trim, facelifted grille and new tail lights. The diesels should be around $32,000.

The Scenic also benefits from the Phase II update and addition of the seven-seater Grand Scenic – a stretched version of the Scenic – also arriving in April. The much anticipated new Clio is not expect to arrive until late in the year.

More on Renault Smart
IN SEPTEMBER, the new ForTwo takes to the streets. The two-seater is brand new but looks similar to the popular model that launched Smart to the world.

The new car gets a better quality interior with a new Mitsubishi-joint developed 62kW 1.0-litre turbo-petrol as well as a rumoured 33kW CDi turbo-diesel.

The ForTwo has grown 200mm in length and is 90mm wider and work has been done on improving the car’s ride and handling. Prices should remain close to $23,000. Although unconfirmed, there are rumours of a pure electric 30kW ForTwo – with a touring range of 150km – arriving this year.

More on Smart ForTwo SsangYong
THE Actyon Sports hits the bitumen in March. From just under $30,000, this latest Ssangyong will complement the Actyon Coupe Sports Utility – which replaces the Musso – and arrives in June. The Actyon offers a 104kW/310Nm 2.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel in either 2WD or electronically controlled 4WD, with serious off-road capabilities.

The ute will be similar to the Musso, a four-door dual-cab affair, but the newcomer has a wider track, improved cabin and a 20 percent larger load tray than the Musso. Expect prices for the ute to start around $27,000 for the turbo-diesel.

More on SsangYong Actyon Subaru
IN OCTOBER at the Tokyo motor show Subaru will unveil the long-awaited new Impreza hatch, which will also spawn a new sedan.

Borrowing styling cues from the B5 concept, the hatch has already been spotted undergoing testing.

Along with the five-door hatch, Subaru is also expected to launch a WRX sedan. The Rex is said to pump out more power from its 2.5-litre turbo – around 230kW. Subaru claims the new Impreza will be safer, more stylish and have substantially upgraded cabin quality.

It should go on sale here close to Christmas with pricing starting around $24,000 for the entry 2.0i.

More on Subaru B5-TPH concept Suzuki
SUZUKI’s SX4 is the type of car to give Subaru some worry. The all-wheel drive SX4 arrives in March and is similar in size, and packaging to the Subaru Impreza. It will be powered by a 105kW/185Nm 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder.

The SX4’s electronic four-wheel drive system is called i-AWD and offers three modes of driving – 2WD, AWD auto and AWD lock.

Like the Swift, the SX4 will have a good equipment levels, with air-conditioning, 16-inch alloys, dual front and side airbags as standard and the choice of five-speed manual or four-speed auto.

The up-spec model will add ESP, keyless go, cruise control, climate control and better CD stereo system. Prices should start around $25,000, rising to $29,000.More on Suzuki SX4 Toyota
THE Corolla is Toyota’s star car. To be called the Auris in other markets, the 10th generation hatch and sedan are due around April and will stick with the proven Corolla name.

The car will gain a new 100kW 1.8-litre variable valve timing four cylinder, much more funkier interior and a higher quality, slightly roomier cabin.

At the other end of the Toyota scale is the new 200-Series LandCruiser, which arrives around November with a new V8 engine, petrol V6 and range-topping 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel with around 210kW/650Nm. LandCruisers will also gain new six-speed gearboxes and hydraulic suspension on up-spec models.

Visually, it will lose the squared-off look and adopt a smoother cabin and streamline grille.

The second-generation Kluger also arrives mid-year with a bigger cabin and borrows the Aurion’s V6 engine.

More on Toyota Auris Volkswagen
THE Eos cabrio-convertible, unveiled at the Sydney motor show, goes on sale in March from about $45,000.

Two engines are likely, a 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel and 2.0-litre TFSI turbo petrol four cylinder borrowed from the Golf. Like the Renault Megane cabrio, the Eos offers a folding roof – in five pieces in the VW – as well as a panoramic sliding glass sunroof.

A facelifted Touareg arrives around June with a slight makeover. However, it carries over the upgraded engines introduced in November, including the superb 3.0-litre V6 TDi.

A hot 208kW 3.6-litre R36 Passat all-wheel drive may also be part of the package for Oz this year but VW executives are not saying anything.

More on Volkswagen EosMore on Volkswagen Touareg More on Volkswagen Passat R36 Volvo
VOLVO is on a winner with the new C30 and S80. Initially, two C30 models will be offered from April, aimed directly at the VW Golf, Audi A3, Peugeot 307 and BMW 1 Series.

Two engines will be offered, a naturally aspirated 125kW/230Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder and a hot 162kW/320Nm 2.5-litre T5 model. A 134kW/350Nm 2.0-litre D5 turbo-diesel engine is also tipped.

The C30 is 220mm shorter than the S40 sedan, measuring 4250mm in overall length but offers similar levels of passive and active safety and interior packaging. The C30 should start around $35,000.

The sleek S80 arrives this month with prices starting from $71,950 for the six-speed manual D5 diesel and topping out at $95,950 for the AWD V8. The Yamaha-sourced V8 develops 235kW/440Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic.

The S80 V8 will hit 100km/h in 6.5 seconds. The 2.4-litre D5 diesel, also shared with the XC90, develops 136kW/400Nm in the S80.

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