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By EWAN KENNEDY
19 April 2010
A few weeks ago we said we anticipated some special new models
from Ford Australia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
Falcon. At the time Ford Oz refused to confirm or deny this might
happen. Now, without saying ‘we told you so’ too loudly we are
pleased to bring details of the just announced 50th Anniversary
Falcon models.
The hot XR Falcon models and the standard G Series cars will be
improved in different, but distinctive ways.
Let's begin with our favourites, the high-performance XRs. These
will feature a ‘stealth’ look gained by dark paint on the
front grilles and foglight surrounds as well as the rear bumper
inserts. The stealth look will also be carried onto the alloy
wheels, but in a slightly lighter shade.
The tail of the XR50 models will be distinguished by having
topline G6 lights. Another feature borrowed from the G6 will be
the door mirrors. These differ from the standard units in having
integrated blinker repeater lights.
Inside, the 50th Anniversary XRs will use partial leather trim,
including a leather sports steering wheel. There will be a special
finish to the upper and lower sections of the centre console, as
well as on the instrument panel.
The XR6 Turbo will get 19-inch alloy wheels, Ford's premium audio
system and the added safety of reversing sensors.
It wouldn't be a special edition without specifically designed
badges and Ford has come up with some excellent badges to proclaim
what the cars are all about. Ford Australia has come up with a
design that's part retro and part modern, a fitting way of
designing a celebration of 50 years.
Ford is modifying the XR ute as well as the sedan to 50th
Anniversary specifications. But it misses out on the rear bumper
inserts, taillights, and reversing sensors.
The standard G Series Falcons also benefit from the stealth look
that's such a feature of the XR models. However, this is done in a
more muted manner in what Ford Oz calls ‘medium stealth’ and
‘light stealth’ depending on the area covered. Nineteen-inch
alloy wheels to a special design are installed.
Inside, there are leather details on the trim with embroidered
50th Anniversary insets. Satellite navigation is standard and it
uses the Suna Traffic Control system.
That's the good news from Ford Australia. The bad news is that
production of the XR 50th Anniversary Falcons won't begin until
June, with the special G Series models a month beyond that. May we
suggest that smart buyers get in touch with their favourite Ford
dealer asap so that they are one of first kids on the block with
the new toys?
Prices of the special edition 50th Anniversary Falcons are yet to
be announced, but Ford Australia has suggested they will be more
than competitive.
NEWS
SEDAN ADDED TO MAZDA2 RANGE
By EWAN KENNEDY
CAPTION: Booted Mazda2 looks
altogether different to the hatch. Both benefit from the latest
facelift to this popular model
BODY COPY
Mazda is now importing a four-door sedan version of its popular
Mazda2 to Australia to complement the existing five-door
hatchback. At the same time it has facelifted the 2010 model hatch
to give it even more striking styling, and has added extra safety
equipment to some models.
The booted Mazda2 has an altogether different appearance to the
hatch, being more sedate in its shape in order to suit the
anticipated older buyers. But we aren’t so sure that the typical
60+ car buyer is as sedate as the marketing people believe. After
all, this is the rock ’n’ roll generation we are talking
about.
To counterbalance the more refined look, Mazda Australia is
offering the sedans, as well as the hatches, in some striking
colours should buyers want to stand out from the motoring crowd.
Talking of paint, Mazda loves to point out that it offers metallic
colours at no extra charge, whereas its competitors typically
charge $400 to $600 for theirs.
This sedan is a very practical car, with almost twice the boot
capacity of the hatchback – 450 litres versus 250. This big boot
means the Mazda has similar luggage space to that of a car in the
next size category up. The boot opening is reasonable, though in
the manner of most modern body styles the bootlid is relatively
short. The load area is well shaped and very useable.
There is good space in the back seat and the Mazda2 has everything
a family with pre-teen children needs for transport.
Power for the sedan is provided by the same 1.5-litre
four-cylinder 76 kilowatt engine as is used in the hatch. During
our initial test drive as part of the launch program organised by
Mazda in south-east Queensland and the northern end of NSW we
found the engine has good performance and is able to hold onto
gears pretty well on the hilly territory we encountered.
That's chiefly due to the engine having been retuned to fatten out
its torque. Top torque of 135 Nm isn't reached until 4000 rpm, but
we found it really starting to kick in from 2500 upwards.
The suspension has been reworked as part of the mid model upgrade
of the Mazda2 and we were impressed with the driving pleasure
offered from a car in a class that's seldom renowned for bringing
a smile to drivers’ faces.
Changes to the appearance of the Mazda2 hatch, and of course also
seen in the sedan, centre around the front, where the five-point
grille is larger than before and features a bolder shape. The
latter is achieved by giving it a deeper, more 3D look. The bumper
has been reshaped and the bezels around the foglights also benefit
from a bolder look.
Safety upgrades see ESP (Electronic Stability Program) become
standard on all models, it was previously an extra cost option on
the cheaper variants.
The complete new Mazda2 model range, with prices (excluding
on-road costs) is:
Neo five-door hatch: $16,500 (manual), $18,150 (automatic)
Maxx five-door hatch: $19,090 (manual), $20,740 (automatic)
Genki five-door hatch: $20,940 (manual), $22,590 (automatic)
Maxx four-door sedan: $19,090 (manual), $20,740 (automatic)
For an indeterminate introductory period Mazda Australia will sell
the outgoing Neo manual hatch for just $16,990 driveway.
NEWS
MERCEDES INTRODUCES A LOW-COST ROADSTER
By MURRAY HUBBARD
CAPTION: The neat shape of
the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster has long been admired.
BODY COPY
Mercedes-Benz has added a new string to its SLK bow with the
launch of the SLK 300. The new variant has a 3.0-litre V6
producing 170 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque run through a
seven-speed automatic transmission.
This engine is down on power, and price, compared with the
existing SLK 350. The SLK 350 will set you back $118,000 before
on-roads, while the SLK 300 breaks the six figure barrier at
$98,600, at least before on-roads. Making it a real bargain in
this market segment.
The SLK 300 is the fourth variant of the SLK sold here and joins
the SLK 200 K, SKL 350 as well as the fire-breathing SLK 55 AMG
V8. The SLK comes well-equipped with satellite navigation, single
CD player, a new design of 18-inch alloys, seven-speed 7G-Tronic
transmission, an AMG sports pack with interior and exterior
enhancements, powered seats, steering wheel and memory, paddle
shifters on the steering wheel and metallic paint.
Mercedes-Benz SLK underwent a major facelift in 2008 and remains a
striking sports car with the ability to transform to an open
roadster in 22 seconds thanks to a folding hardtop. Top up or
down, it's a head turner and a car for all seasons, provided there
are no more than two passengers and not too much luggage.
The SLK is all about style, something that hasn't changed since
being introduced back in 1996. Pigeon hole it as a fashion item to
be seen on the streets of the Sydney’s North Shore, Melbourne's
South Yarra or the Gold Coast's Main Beach. However, there's a
contradiction between style and ride with the SLK presenting as a
fairly raw sports-car in handling, steering and comfort levels.
The SLK 300 is no exception.
Mercedes launched the new variant with a road test program from
Mount Macedon to Tullamarine Airport on a variety of country
roads, highway driving and cruising through quaint Victorian
towns.
We feel the engine lacks grunt at the lower and seems a little
breathless as the revs climb above 5000 rpm. Maximum torque is
available between 2500 and 5000 rpm.
The SLK 300 reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and returns economy of
9.1 litres/100 km, depending on driving style and road conditions.
The seven-speed transmission assists to get the best out of the
3.0-litre engine and the paddle shifters are certainly fun and
functional for those who like to keep their hands on the wheel.
Inside, the SLK's cabin is a delight and the powered seats and AMG
sports package add to the already rich ambiance.
The exterior also looks the part with AMG touches here and there
including a neat boot spoiler.
This is the last upgrade of the Mercedes-Benz SLK before an
all-new model arrives in late 2010 in Europe and early to mid 2011
in Australia. The small V6 gives SLK buyers a second choice
between the 1.8 litre supercharged four cylinder and the AMG V8.
Our first drive of the SLK 300 reveals a car that fails to excite
like the SLK 350 and SLK 55 AMG.
The Mercedes-Benz SLK range, with prices (excluding government and
dealer charges) is:
SLK 200 K 1.8-litre supercharged: $90,100 (manual)
SLK 300 3.0-litre V6: $98,600 (automatic)
SLK 350 3.5-litre V6: $118,000 (manual)
SLK 55 AMG 5.5-litre V8: $175,000 (automatic)
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Marque Publishing Company
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