NISSAN has finally given the Dualis the break it deserves with the new and far-more cost competitive front-wheel drive models.
Marketed as a ‘Hatch Plus’, the competent European-built small-car crossover ticks every single box needed for it to become a formidable challenger against the likes of the mid-range Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and VW Golf.
Priced from $24,990, there is every chance that Nissan in Australia may finally see the success that the Dualis – as the Qashqai – has enjoyed overseas.
THE first affordable A-segment car – as well as the first Indian-built passenger car – has landed in Australia in the form of Suzuki’s all-new Alto hatchback.
Priced from a bargain-basement $12,490 plus on-road costs (plus $2000 for an automatic transmission), the base Alto GL comes standard with six airbags, ABS brakes, four seats and air-conditioning, while the premium Alto GLX adds electronic stability control, alloy wheels and a range of extra features.
Both models return average fuel consumption of 4.8L/100km, increasing to 5.5L/100km for the automatic version, leading Suzuki to claim the Alto offers hybrid-like fuel economy for about a third the price - without compromising safety, style or driving dynamics.
HONDA must seem crazy pitching a mainstream five-door hatchback against long-established chi-chi small-car luminaries such as the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and up-spec VW Golf.
And the Civic Si hatch – for all its striking design and packaging solutions – does seem expensive against the premium Europeans.
But Honda has always engineered its evergreen Civic to a standard that has always felt a cut above the everyday runabout, and the English-built Si – from $38,990 – does have plenty of standard features included.
Vauxhall's Insignia range will get a powerful flagship model when the VXR version goes on sale this autumn.
With a 2.8-litre V6 engine generating a thumping 321bhp, along with four-wheel drive and a muscular makeover, the VXR is a match for premium rivals such as the Audi S4. There's plenty of power, too, thanks to a 321bhp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The VXR delivers 64bhp more than the standard Insignia V6: Vauxhall claims a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds with a top speed limited to 155mph.
Company Ford plans to stop release of sedans Ford Crown Victoria which are now made exclusively under the order of the American police since 2012.
As writes Detnews.com, prospects of transition of police departments of the USA on more modern models were discussed at a meeting between representatives of police and concern Ford in June, however the definitive decision on further destiny Crown Victoria is not made yet.
According to police, concern Ford has offered them as replacement new sedan Ford Taurus. However operating police garages are not ready to declare unequivocally yet — they are ready to updating of own motor-vehicle pool or not. As the head of division of motor transport of Department of police of Los Angeles (LAPD) has declared, at Ford Crown Victoria there are some important advantages, before newer models.
First, these cars have a frame design that gives to cars reliability and durability it it is important for "maneuvers" during detention of criminals. Secondly, for 17 years of possession similar cars, the majority of police garages have so got used to service of this model, that occurrence of new cars will demand not only conversion training of all personnel, but also will cause purchase of new, more expensive equipment for repair. At last, at Crown Victoria a back drive and spacious salon which allows to place all necessary police equipment with ease.
"We agree that at Ford Taurus more powerful and economic engine, but the new car is closer also the check point lever is located not on a steering column as at Crown Victoria, that will complicate equipment placing in salon", — the head of division LAPD has declared.
Now, the police of the USA annually gets about 75,000 new cars from which 85% are necessary on Ford Crown Victoria. As experts consider, it not such big figure for "Ford", however, in their opinion, manufacture of the given model is still profitable. "They do not need to be spent for marketing, and investments into manufacture of this model have paid off many years back", — an analyst of the company 2953 Analytics LLP.
According to representatives Ford, the present contract on release Crown Victoria of this model is valid till 2012, and the decision on destiny of this model will be accepted only after additional consultations of police.
Having shown in the beginning of this year the following generation of crossover Jeep Grand Cherokee, management Chrysler has hastened to inform, that within the next months in the market should appear and sports updating of model, but financial crisis has corrected plans of North American concern.
Because of developed economic conditions management Chrysler has decided to refuse plans on release of sports version Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to the edition 4wheelsnews, earlier it was expected, that crossover Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 begins to be completed with the V-shaped engine power more than 500HP however, present realities are that, that is far not each buyer will want to get not the cheapest novelty Chrysler. Probably, similar reasons also have deprived of motorists of acquaintance with "charged" Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.
