Geoff Pickering has maintained his 100% record in the 2013 Finke Desert Race – round two Australian Off Road Championship – recording his 11th class victory

Townsville’s Geoff Pickering has maintained his 100% record on the tough Finke Desert Race, celebrating a record 11th consecutive finish and class win in the off road enduro, sealing victory in the Production 4WD class at the wheel of his Mitsubishi Pajero.

Pickering brought his production Pajero home in 40th outright, taking first in class from a field of 99 cars, beating home many more highly modified and purpose built off road race machines.

In what has been described as ‘one of the toughest races in its 38 year history’, Pickering and co-driver Dylan Watson, covered the bone rattling 452 kilometre desert course from Alice Springs to Finke and back in a time of 6hr21m47s.

It was a race of high attrition with just over half of the four wheel competitors failing to make the finish back in Alice Springs on Monday morning.

According to Geoff Pickering, taking his 11th straight finish from 11 starts at Finke is an achievement he is extremely proud of.

“When I first contested the Finke in 2002 I had no idea that more than a decade later we would be celebrating an 11th straight class victory in the race.”

“Our Pajero was extremely strong throughout the race and it felt fantastic, even with some of the roughest conditions we have encountered on the Finke, despite the welcome rain earlier in the week,”

“I have to thank and congratulate the team for the preparation and to Mitsubishi for engineering and manufacturing such a great vehicle that makes it a lot easier to take racing,” said Pickering.

“When we arrived in Finke on Sunday afternoon there was virtually nothing to be done to the car. We inspected everything and did a spanner check but apart from precautionary checks there was nothing to attend to before the race back to Alice Springs on Monday morning,” he said.

“The secret to success at the Finke is preparation, as well as applying a strategy and a race pace that is fast enough to beat the opposition while ensuring you get the car to the finish in one piece.”

“We just set our race pace and stuck with it. We ran our own race and didn’t push too hard. With the tough conditions we knew that our pace was right and we would pick up places as the faster buggies and trophy trucks broke axles and suffered driveline problems and crashes,” he added.

The Pickering Production Class Mitsubishi Pajero is powered by the standard 3.8 litre fuel injected V6 petrol engine with only limited modifications allowed for safety and durability in the testing conditions encountered in the Australian Off Road Championship.

Following the record 11th class victory in the Finke the team has already started preparation for round three of the Australian Off Road Championship at Baroota near Port Pirie in South Australia set down for 27-28 July, where Geoff will be aiming to score strong points as he bids for another Class 7 Australian Championship.

MMAL’s CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri congratulated Pickering and his team in their outstanding victory.

“Pajero owners are no doubt aware that they have one pretty tough vehicle. Despite being a comfortable and spacious family car, it’s one that’s also built with off-roading in mind and can cope with the roughest of conditions.”

“One man who has put that reputation to the test and vindicated it in emphatic style is off-road racer Geoff Pickering.  I congratulate Mr Pickering and his team on their outstanding 11th consecutive class victory at Finke.  All of us here at Mitsubishi are looking forward to seeing them continue that success into round three.” Oshikiri said

• Nissan Pulsar hatch now on sale in Australia, following Pulsar sedan launch in February
• Pulsar hatch available in four grades, including the return of SSS badge
• ST and ST-L grades feature 1.8L; ST-S and SSS powered by 1.6L DIG Turbo

MELBOURNE, Australia (11 June 2013) – The Pulsar’s comeback to the Australian market is now complete as Nissan launches the all-new Pulsar hatch today, including the return of the SSS performance variant.

The launch of the Pulsar hatch follows the re-introduction of the Pulsar sedan to the Australian market in February this year, which has already seen the much-loved nameplate return to the ‘best sellers’ list in the competitive Small Passenger Car segment.

“Nissan is excited to complete the comeback of the Pulsar today with the launch of the Pulsar hatch,” said Nissan Motor Company (Australia) Managing Director and CEO William F Peffer Jr.

“The Australian market has embraced the Pulsar sedan since its launch in February. Now we can offer an even more compelling case with the four grades of Pulsar hatch, including two turbocharged variants.

“The Nissan Pulsar hatch is an extremely competitive, value-rich proposition for Australian new car buyers. And for those looking for additional excitement, the return of the Pulsar SSS offers affordable excitement from a performance hatch, powered by Nissan’s well-renowned 1.6-litre DIG (Direct Injection Gasoline) Turbo engine.”

Nissan confirmed in May that the Pulsar hatch pricing will start from just $18,990 MSRP (estimated drive-away $21,878^), with the Pulsar SSS price starting from under $30,000 MSRP (estimated drive-away $32,433^).

The launch of the Pulsar hatch is the latest installment in Nissan Australia’s continued series of new-model introductions. The leading car maker will launch more innovative and exciting new vehicles by the end of the year, including the all-new Pathfinder SUV, funky Juke crossover and Altima mid-size sedan, all set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Australian sales of new Nissan vehicles have powered to new heights in the previous 14 months, fuelled in part by the introduction of a number of popular all-new models such as the Nissan Patrol V8 and the all-new Pulsar Sedan, both launched in February.

A number of Nissan models have also received a variety of updates this year, including the all-conquering GT-R supercar, the 370Z coupe and roadster ranges and the ever-popular DUALIS small SUV, now available with a diesel variant.

Model range

The all-new Pulsar hatch is available in four model grades: ST, ST-L, ST-S and SSS.

The Pulsar hatch ST and ST-L are powered by an efficient 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which has a peak power rating of 96kW and a maximum torque of 174Nm.

Adding spice to the Pulsar hatch range are the Pulsar ST-S and Pulsar SSS, both powered by Nissan’s 140kW, 1.6-litre DIG (Direct Injection Gasoline) Turbo engine.

All Pulsar hatch grades come fitted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. Nissan’s Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is optionally available in all grades, with the addition of a manual mode in the turbocharged Pulsar Hatch ST-S and SSS.

With the all-new Pulsar hatch range Nissan has again delivered when it comes to customer value. The entry-grade Pulsar hatch ST comes equipped with a generous collection of standard features and its impressive value is underlined by its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $18,990 (estimated drive-away $21,878^). The same value-focused formula has been applied to the Pulsar Hatch ST-L, ST-S and SSS, with generous standard equipment lists matched to highly competitive prices. For details see Standard Equipment, below.

Exterior Styling
The all-new Nissan Pulsar hatch wears a sweeping, aerodynamic exterior design. Its excellent proportions are bolstered by sharp styling features such as the contoured design of its headlights and sloping waistline.

Body-coloured front and rear bumpers and exterior mirrors are fitted to all four grades of the Pulsar hatch range.

Filling the Pulsar hatch’s wheel arches are standard-fitment 16-inch alloy wheels (Pulsar hatch ST and ST-L) and sharp 17-inch sports alloy wheels add a performance-oriented edge to the styling of the turbocharged Pulsar hatch ST-S and SSS grades.

The top of the range Pulsar hatch SSS wears a fully integrated sports body kit, comprising front and rear spoilers and side skirts. Dusk-sensing Xenon headlights with auto levelling and washers finish the sporty frontal design of the Pulsar SSS.

The Nissan Pulsar hatch is 4295mm long (Pulsar hatch ST and ST-L; ST-S and SSS 4315mm), 1760mm wide (excluding exterior mirrors) and 1520mm high. Wheelbase is 2700mm and the car’s track width (front and rear) is 1540mm (Pulsar Hatch ST and ST-L; ST-S and SSS 1530mm).

A full-size spare wheel is fitted to all grades of the all-new Pulsar hatch (16-inch steel wheel in Pulsar hatch ST and ST-L; 17-inch steel wheel in Pulsar hatch ST-S and SSS).

Nissan DIG Turbo Engine (MR16DDT) – Pulsar SSS and ST-S
Sitting at the top of the Pulsar range in the SSS and ST-S variants is a 1.6-litre DIG Turbo engine that develops 140kW of power and 240Nm of torque.

Direct injection has a number of advantages over multi-point fuel injection for petrol engines. In a conventional engine, as engine speeds rise so valve opening and closing times get progressively shorter, meaning there is less time available to inject fuel.

This is not a problem in the DIG Turbo engine as the seven hole, high pressure injector is placed directly inside the combustion chamber: adopting this direct path means far greater control can be exerted over the combustion process. This, in turn, increases the engine’s fuel efficiency and helps raise power and torque outputs while emission levels can be more accurately controlled.

A low-friction and lightweight design, the 16-valve 1,618cc engine has a single scroll turbocharger and an intercooler to boost power while variable timing control for both intake and exhaust cycles (twin VTC) improves low-end engine response. A degree of overlap allows exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

The combustion pattern varies from a conventional engine, using stratified combustion when the engine is started and during the warm-up period, reverting to homogeneous combustion at other times. The optimisation of the shape of the combustion chamber port and fuel spray patterns significantly improves power output and torque.

The result is an engine that’s one of the most powerful in its class delivering the performance levels expected from a normally aspirated 2.5-litre engine but with the fuel economy of a 1.8-litre unit in a package that’s no larger or heavier than a conventional 1.6-litre unit. Nissan engineers estimate that the DIG Turbo engine develops about 20 per cent greater torque than a conventional turbo engine with multi-point fuel injection.

“Our turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine shows the way ahead,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company Ltd.

“Although displacing just 1.6-litres, it has the power of a much larger engine but with none of the drawbacks in terms of economy, emissions and weight.”

Refinement is boosted by the many low friction techniques used in the engine’s construction. These include the adoption of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating for the valve lifters and mirror finish camshafts. Low tension piston rings with a hard ceramic chromium nitride (CrN) coating are used along with low friction engine oil.

Sodium filled valves lower temperatures to reduce engine knock, while the valve springs themselves are of a novel ‘beehive’ design, fatter in the middle than at either end. The benefits of the beehive spring are lower weight, reduced friction and they permit the use of smaller lifters … a weight saving measure.

The turbocharged variants of the Pulsar Hatch come with a six-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) featuring M-Mode (Manual Mode) to allow seamless shifting – the luxury of an auto but the performance and control of a manual.

Fuel Consumption** and Emissions: Pulsar ST-S and SSS (1.6L DIG-T)
Transmission	Fuel Consumption (combined)	CO2 Output (combined)
Six-speed Manual	7.7 litres	185 g/km
Xtronic CVT	7.8 litres	187 g/km

Nissan MRA8DE Engine – Pulsar ST and ST-L

The Pulsar Hatch ST and ST-L feature the same engine that powers all three grades of the Pulsar sedan (ST, ST-L and Ti) launched in February earlier this year. The engine’s long-stroke 1,798cc four-cylinder engine is equipped with twin continuously variable valve timing control (C-VTC) that modulates the opening time of both the intake and exhaust valves. This engine develops a peak power level of 96kW and a maximum torque of 174Nm.

New valve lifters and ‘beehive’ valve springs have been developed to reduce friction and inertial loss. These springs have a smaller diameter at the top to reduce the inertia weight of the valve-train system, improving fuel efficiency and resulting in smoother engine operation.

Temperature efficiency is enhanced by the smaller combustion chamber area afforded by the engine’s long stroke architecture, while by overlapping the open cycles of both intake and exhaust valves, exhaust gasses are recirculated into the cylinders, reducing pumping loss.

A hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon coating on top of the valve lifters reduces the level of friction of previous coatings by around 50 per cent.

Clever redesign of the Xtronic CVT results in less oil stirring for a 30 per cent reduction in friction and higher fuel efficiency. Smaller, more compact engine pulleys are 13 per cent lighter than those previously used – again for higher fuel efficiency.

Fuel Consumption** and Emissions: Pulsar ST and ST-L (1.8L)
Transmission	Fuel Consumption (combined)	CO2 Output (combined)
Six-speed Manual	7.2 litres	169 g/km
Xtronic CVT	6.7 litres	161 g/km

Standard Equipment
Example standard equipment inclusions for each grade of the Nissan Pulsar Hatch range are summarised below. A full specification sheet is also now available.

Pulsar Hatch ST:

• 1.8-litre petrol engine with 96kW of power and 174Nm of torque
• Six-speed manual transmission (Xtronic CVT optional)
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Air-conditioning
• Cruise control
• Four-speaker audio with MP3 capability and AUX-IN
• Bluetooth hands-free telephone system
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• Power windows
• Central locking with remote keyless entry
• Cloth seat trim
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA)

Pulsar Hatch ST-L:

All of the features of the Pulsar Hatch ST plus/or:

• Front fog lights
• Rear spoiler
• Six-speaker audio with MP3 capability, AUX-IN and USB/iPod connectivity
• 4.3-inch QVGA colour display
• Leather-accented steering wheel #
• Premium cloth seat trim
• Rear Centre armrest

Pulsar Hatch ST-S:

All of the features of the Pulsar Hatch ST-L plus/or:

• 1.6-litre DIG Turbo petrol engine
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• (Xtronic CVT with M-Mode optional)

Pulsar Hatch SSS:

All of the features of the Pulsar Hatch ST-S plus/or:

• Xenon headlights with automatic levelling and washers and dusk-sensing function
• Front spoiler, side skirts, rear lower spoiler
• 5.8-inch integrated colour display with touch screen and steering wheel-mounted controls
• Satellite navigation with 3D mapping, six-speaker audio with MP3 capability, AUX-IN, USB/iPod connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming
• Rear-view camera with distance guidelines
• Leather-accented seat trim #
• Dual-zone climate control
• Intelligent Key keyless entry system
• Push-button engine start function

Nissan Pulsar Hatch – Pricing

	MSRP*  (Manual / CVT)	Estimated Drive-Away Price^ (Manual / CVT)
Pulsar Hatch ST	$18,990 / $21,240	$21,878 / $24,196
Pulsar Hatch ST-L	$22,490 / $24,740	$25,481 / $27,799
Pulsar Hatch ST-S	$24,990 / $27,490	$28,010 / $30,585
Pulsar Hatch SSS	$29,240 / $31,740	$32,433 / $35,008

* Manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP)

^ Maximum recommended drive-away price for vehicle in Victoria including 12 months’ registration, 12 months’ CTP and other applicable statutory charges, dealer delivery and administration charges. Price is based on a private owner aged 40 with a good driving record and the vehicle being garaged in Victoria. Prices may differ depending on State purchased,individual’s personal circumstances and will vary from dealer to dealer. Metallic paint $495 extra. CVT transmission $2,250 (MSRP) extra on 1.8L models and $2,500 extra (MSRP) on 1.6L models.

** Fuel consumption figures have been calculated in accordance with ADR81/02. Actual fuel consumption will vary depending on driving conditions, driver behaviour, the condition of the vehicle and accessories fitted.

# Leather accented features and upholstery may contain synthetic materials.

About Nissan Motor Company
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 267,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

This week, the petrol/compressed Hybrid Air innovation received the “Technologies of the Future Award’’ from French Insurance company MAAF. The technology, developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen, debuted on the 2008 in March this year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Hybrid Air technology has also been recognised with the innovation award at the 2013 Fleet World Honours and the Engine Technology Development of the year award for Group partner Bosch.

These European awards from automobile journalists reflect the breakthrough provided by this innovation in the drive to deliver an environmentally friendly car. In particular, jury members were impressed by Hybrid Air’s ability to adapt to different driving styles, as the engine can select from one of three modes autonomously: air power (zero emission), petrol power or combined power.

“Hybrid Air technology is a breakthrough innovation in reducing fuel economy and emissions. Peugeot’s key focus is producing low emission cars that are practical and still fun to drive and the 2008 Hybrid Air is yet another example of this,’’ said Peugeot Automobiles Australia General Manager/Director Bill Gillespie.

Hybrid Air is a completely new petrol/compressed air technology for a battery less full-hybrid powertrain. The system comprises a petrol engine, a compressed air energy storage unit, a hydraulic pump/motor unit and an automatic transmission.

The specification for this technology set clear objectives: substantial reduction of fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, on all continents, by means of affordable technology which can be applied to vehicles and light commercial vehicles in the B and C segments.

More than eighty patents testify to the expertise mobilised for this important R&D (research and development) work.

The HYbrid Air combines two energies to achieve the highest efficiency in various situations. So, the compressed air will assist, or even take the place of, the petrol engine during the phases which consume the most energy: acceleration and moving off.

Hybrid Air positions PSA Peugeot Citroën as the global leader in this technology, with an affordable core model offering that delivers lower fuel consumption and ease of use.
Each year, the Group allocates considerable sums to reducing the CO₂ emissions of the vehicles its sells with the goal of offering a clean car for every type of use. New advances in powertrain technology, combined with initiatives to reduce vehicle weight and enhance aerodynamics, have made PSA Peugeot Citroën the European leader in low-carbon vehicles with average emissions of 122.5 g/km.

Holden has today confirmed the model line-up and pricing for the all-new mid-size Holden Malibu.

Arriving in Australian car showrooms this month, Holden Malibu combines sharp exterior styling with a highly-specified interior and technology package with Holden’s innovative new MyLink infotainment system standard on all models.

Available in two trim levels, CD and CDX, with either a 2.4 litre DOHC petrol engine or optional 2.0 litre common rail turbo diesel, all Malibu models feature a standard six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Philip Brook, said Holden Malibu was entering the market at a crucial time for Holden.

“Today’s launch sees Holden deliver three fantastic new cars in the important small, medium and large car segments in the first half of this year,” he said.

“With our engineering and technology advances Cruze has been critically acclaimed and VF Commodore, the most technologically-advanced car ever created in Australia, will also hit showrooms this month.

“Both Cruze and Commodore are strong performers for Holden, but it’s been over 5 years since we had a new entrant in the medium size segment.

“When Malibu goes on sale, it completes the revitalisation of our sedan range and has us poised for real sales growth in the second half of the year.”

Malibu will be offered in two highly-specified trim levels, CD and CDX, with recommended retail price ranges from $28,490 for the petrol CD model to $35,990 for the premium CDX sedan with diesel engine.

“Consistent with the recent introduction of the updated Holden Cruze and VF Commodore models, Malibu offers a long list of premium and technology features as standard on both trim levels,” Mr Brook said.

“We know drivers are looking for more today, and Malibu delivers with standard features including a large seven-inch colour touchscreen with MyLink app-enabled infotainment system and driver assistance technologies including reverse camera, rear park assist, sensor key technology and push button start.”

In addition, Holden Malibu CD features 17-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, BluetoothTM, cruise control, auto headlamps, power height adjusted seats and electric park brake.

Malibu CDX steps up to 18-inch alloy wheels, adds leather appointed heated front seats with eight-way power adjustments, leather steering wheel, rain sensing wipers and dual zone climate control.

Exterior styling of the CDX is further enhanced with the addition of front foglamps, chrome exterior highlights and LED rear lamps. Seven exterior colour options are available for Holden Malibu:

• Summit White
• Moulin Rouge

·   Carbon Flash Black*
·   Ironite*
·   Snowflake White Pearl*
·   Smokey Eye Grey*
·   Nitrate Silver*                  *prestige paint at $550 premium

Malibu CD highlights

• 2.4L 4-cylinder petrol engine
• Optional 2.0L 4-cylinder common rail turbo diesel engine
• Six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select
• 6 airbags
• ESC, ABS and TCS
• 17” alloy wheels (4)
• Climate control
• Rear view camera
• Rear park assist
• Automatic release electric park brake
• ISOFIX child seat anchorage system
• Multi-function display
• Holden MyLink Infotainment System with 7” colour touch-screen display
• Embedded apps including Pandora® and Stitcher SmartRadio®
• AM/FM radio with RDS display
• Single CD player
• USB with iPod® connectivity
• BluetoothTM connectivity
• GracenoteTM music recognition
• Steering wheel audio controls
• Sensor key technology and push button start
• Jet black interior cloth trim with vinyl bolsters
• 9 speaker premium sound
• Dual cup holders in centre console and rear centre armrest
• Split fold 60/40 rear seat
• Auto-on/off headlights
• Lightweight independent MacPherson strut front suspension
• Power height adjustable sports sculpted seats
• Cruise control and trip computer
• Hidden storage behind MyLink touch-screen

Malibu CDX highlights over CD

• 18” alloy wheels (4)
• Jet black leather appointed seats
• Dual zone climate control
• Rain sensing wipers
• Fog lamps
• LED rear brake tail-lamps
• Leather steering wheel and gear selector
• 8-way adjustable power front heated seats

Holden Malibu Sedan Pricing

Recommended retail prices, excluding dealer delivery and government charges

Holden Malibu CD Petrol                    $28,490
Holden Malibu CD Diesel                   $32,490
Holden Malibu CDX Petrol                 $31,990
Holden Malibu CDX Diesel                 $35,990

About Holden MyLink
Holden MyLink is a premium infotainment system which is available on MY14 Holden Cruze, VF Commodore, Barina CDX and Holden Malibu.  Functionality of the system varies between cars and not all applications will be supported on all cars.

Connect with Holden
www.facebook.com/holdenaustralia
www.youtube.com/holdenaustralia
www.twitter.com/holdennews
www.holdenhq.com.au

• Quadrifoglio Verde, a symbol of Italian sport and part of Alfa Romeo’s heritage since 1923
• High-performance production Alfa Romeo’s have carried the QV emblem since 1960
• The legend continues with current Giulietta and MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde models

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ – green four leaf clover – the legendary symbol that has identified Alfa Romeo’s racing heritage, as well as some of its sportiest production models.

The origin of this symbol has been lost in legend, but it is interesting to note its correspondence with the flag that distinguished the aeroplanes of the ‘10th Caproni Bomber Squadron’ in the Great War.

Today, the Quadrifoglio is part of the Italian Air Force’s coat of arms, while at the same time it remains the symbol of Alfa Romeo’s philosophy – based on the constant pursuit of excellence applied to competitions and then completely transferred to its production vehicles.

The first Alfa Romeo car to be adorned with the Quadrifoglio Verde was Ugo Sivocci’s ‘RL’, in which he won the 14th edition of the Targa Florio in 1923. Since then, all of Alfa’s racing cars were distinguished by this emblem and renowned lucky charm, while certain standard production Alfa Romeos from the 1960s onwards have also worn the QV badge.

The Giulietta and MiTo QV models carry the famous Quadrifoglio forward into a new era and assume a place in the tradition of the best Alfa Romeos, drawing on the heritage of dynamic performance, without compromising on efficiency, respect for the environment and convenience in everyday use.

The symbol recognised on race circuits and streets throughout the world
The ‘Quadrifoglio’ became an emblem indissolubly linked to Alfa Romeo in 1923, when Ugo Sivocci raced in the Targa Florio with this symbol painted on the bonnet of his ‘RL’, achieving the first of the brand’s ten victories in this prestigious competition.

Victory followed a perfect race – 432 kilometres of the Madonìe Circuit (4 laps of 108 km each) at an average of 59.040 km/h, a speed that was amazing at the time, especially considering the pitfalls and roughness of the course.

Alfa Romeo’s success was so clear that the other drivers of the Alfa Romeo team – including Enzo Ferrari, Antonio Ascari and Giulio Ramponi – decided to adopt the lucky ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ for all other races as well. From this moment on, the Quadrifoglio Verde became the symbol of Alfa Romeo race cars and was later also used on special series of production models, to demonstrate the continuity between Alfa’s ‘touring’ cars and those designed for competition.
It was the Quadrifoglio Verde that stood out against the dark red of Brilli Peri’s ‘P2’ when he won the first ‘World Car Racing Championship’ at Monza in 1925, the first of the five world titles that Alfa Romeo won.

At the end of the 1920s, it was the Quadrifoglio Verde that distinguished the Alfa Romeos built by the parent company, from the Alfa Romeos with the prancing horse, which were managed on the racetrack by Scuderia Ferrari.

In 1950 and 1951, Giuseppe “Nino” Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio drove the Alfa Romeo 158 and 159 – the celebrated ‘Alfettas’ – to victory in the first two Formula 1 World Championships. Then, in the 1960s, the Quadrifoglio Verde was the hallmark of the ‘ready-to-race’ version of the Giulia, called the TI Super, and then sat beside the blue Autodelta triangle for a number of decades, from the GTA to the 33 and up to the two World Championships of the 33 TT 12 (1975) and the 33 SC 12 (1977).

Alfa Romeo’s racing activity carried on in the 1980s: after it returned to F1 in 1980, the successes in racing for touring cars were repeated (GTV 6 2.5) up to the resounding victory in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Mesterschaft) with the 155 V6 Ti in 1993 and the long series of wins by the 156 Superturismo (1998–2004).

Production Alfa Romeos have also carried the Quadrifoglio Verde, particularly high-performance models built from the 1960s to the 1980s. Some feature the symbol on the body, without an appearance in the official name, such as the Giulia TI Super, Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, 1750 GT Veloce – which actually featured gold coloured Quadrifoglio badging – and the Alfasud Sprint.

From the 1980s onward, others have Quadrifoglio Verde as part of their official name, such as the Alfasud ti Quadrifoglio Verde, the Sprint Quadrifoglio Verde, the various versions of the 33 Quadrifoglio Verde, the 75 Quadrifoglio Verde, the Spider 2.0 Quadrifoglio Verde, the 164 Quadrifoglio Verde and the 145 Quadrifoglio Verde.

The ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ legend continues on current Giulietta and MiTo models

Distinguished by the legendary emblem, the Quadrifoglio Verde versions of the MiTo and Giulietta have assumed a place in the tradition of the best Alfa Romeos, drawing on the heritage of dynamic performance, without compromising on efficiency, respect for the environment and convenience in everyday use.
In particular, the exclusive 173 kW Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde 1750 TBi offers the most high-performance engine in the range and an authentic sports set-up that delivers driving pleasure with surprisingly limited consumption and emissions for this power rating.

The 1750 TBi boasts a specific torque output of 195 Nm/litre (the highest of all petrol engines in the category) and an outstanding 340 Nm peak torque achieved at just 1,900 rpm. The engine features some cutting-edge technological solutions, including direct petrol injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger and a revolutionary ‘scavenging’ control system that eliminates so called ‘turbo lag’.

The 125 kW MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde 1.4 MultiAir Turbo also ensures excellent performance, offering a specific power value (124 HP/litre) among the highest in the world. Moreover, the pièce de résistance of this engine version is its exceptional weight/power ratio (6.7 kg/HP), which has always been one of the key factors behind the success of Alfa Romeo cars on the road and the racetrack.

Thanks to their sports and safety characteristics, the Quadrifoglio Verde versions of the MiTo and Giulietta have played the role of Official Safety Car in various seasons of the SBK Superbike World Championship. Alfa Romeo has been its major sponsor since 2007, sharing the same values of sportsmanship, technology and safety at the highest levels.

Volkswagen Group Australia has announced a voluntary recall for 25,928 vehicles fitted with 7-speed DSG gearbox (DQ200).

Vehicles affected include Golf, Jetta, Polo, Passat and Caddy and were produced between June 2008 and September 2011.

In isolated cases, an electronic malfunction in the control unit inside the gearbox mechatronics may result in a power interruption. Other important vehicle systems, such as steering and braking, along with other relevant systems, will continue to be fully functional. If, in rare cases, the car loses power while driving, the driver can remain in control to safely manoeuvre the car to a stop.

Volkswagen vehicles currently being produced and sold are not affected by this issue. Australian customers can have trust, peace of mind and confidence when purchasing a new Volkswagen vehicle.

Volkswagen Group Australia will replace the gearbox mechatronic unit on all potentially affected vehicles at no cost to the customer. At the same time, we will also update customers’ vehicles with the latest software version.

Starting from July, owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted directly by Volkswagen Group Australia about the voluntary recall.

The invitation letters to schedule appointments for inspection and replacement of affected parts will be sent out in batches to the owners according to car model, production date and the supply of the necessary parts. Owners can continue to drive their vehicles as usual before the replacement.

Volkswagen owners are invited to call the Customer Service Centre hotline on 1800 504 076 for this and all other technical inquiries Customer satisfaction is Volkswagen’s highest priority

Let’s take a moment to do a quick walk round the stunning Kia Sportage. It’s yet another Kia that managed to look almost exactly like the concept drawing. It’s the sort of thing a proud schoolboy would doodle on his pad when he is meant to be doing biology, or maybe that was just me.

The chunky body sits slanting forward on big chunky 18”wheels, schoolboy-style. The range starts at $26,990 but we had the top model at around $40k which was simply stuffed full of goodies. The front end sweeps down low as does the rear roof which together disguise how tall she is. The rear door has a nice low loading lip, but because of the low top edge of the rear window, you have a slightly limited view out back. That’s ok though, don’t look backwards unless you’re reversing where the camera and sensors will help out!

The headlights, running lights and fog lights are all integrated into the bumper in an angry aggressive design meant to impress. I say bumper, but there really isn’t one, not at either end. It has the affect looking like being chiselled from a lump of molten lava then some shiny bits glued on. Our red test car looked particularly ravishing and very, very fast, even at rest. Apart from fast, it also looked very sexy. This is just the look that appeals to savvy young buyers with pockets full IT industry cash. They’ve been buying up SUV’s at an Olympic pace where the market has grown hugely. Kia have sold 1,423 Sportages so far this year out of a total of 106,989 SUV’s to the end of April. Have you noticed the ever increasing number of SUV’s? Well you aren’t alone and the reason is a simple one, 29.9% of all vehicles sold are SUV’s. So that means either a hard-core 4WD, or one of these new fangled soft-roader things, like the fab Sportage make up nearly a third of new vehicle sales.

The low opening rear hatch allows a sporty bloke to throw a wet suit in the back without getting the rest of the car soggy. The height means very tall things can be hauled about as well as providing a nice high driving position. You can add a couple of bike racks to the inbuilt roof rails, and if you’re heading on a road trip, the roof-pod can be attached to the same rails for extra storage. It really is terribly clever.

Within the voluptuous cocoon, a comfy cabin is accessed via the keyless entry/start system. As you approach the Kia, it senses that you’ve got the key fob secreted about your person, and gets ready to unlock the doors by illuminating the cabin lighting if it’s dark. You can press the button with your thumb and pull the door handle open in a single move once you become adept at it. The doors are huge with plenty of space for a beefy bloke to jump in.

The interior feels spacious and care has been taken to make sure everything is within easy reach. There is quite a lot of plastic exposed which does feel a bit low rent at times but there is plenty to compensate for it. It’s nice to see a bit of leather but it’s the inclusions that are most welcome.

The roof is two sections of tinted glass with retractable internal sunshades. The front panel can tilt and slide backwards at the push of a button. Pushing a button will also adjust the leather-clad driver’s seat, tilt the rear-view mirrors and scroll through the driver info on the instrument panel LCD. Finally, for those days when even the pluckiest driver gets a little bit lost, the Satnav can programmed by touching the screen. The reasonably fast response means you can directly input addresses without having to use a silly knob to scroll through letters. Some Satnav systems allow you to search for streets if you don’t know the suburb but I couldn’t get the one on the Sportage to play ball. Annoyingly, it gives you street by street instructions without the handy street names. If you’re approaching a complex set of roads it helps to have the name of the street you are wanting. Also, I wasn’t able to get the instructions repeated despite consulting the paper manual. Mind you, isn’t it about time that the complex systems in a car had an electronic help option? I’m surprised all car makers haven’t put the manuals into a phone app? The satnav screen also displays the reversing camera which should be in all cars as a matter of safety. When you’re bored you can stream music from your phone through the excellent 7 speakers system with sub-woofer.

So, we have killer looks and a comfy interior. I’d describe the Sportage as tasteful without being OTT but the proof of the pudding is in the driving and I have to say the Sportage drives very well. The brakes are responsive without putting you through the windscreen and the acceleration from the 2.4L petrol engine is peppy and responsive. Honestly, there isn’t a huge amount in reserve for overtaking but this just means a little extra planning is needed on trips. We’ve seen this power plant before in the Optima and liked it very much. It isn’t hugely powerful at 130kw, but at 1588kg’s it’s not hugely heavy either, at least for an SUV. At first the steering felt a little heavy but as I got used to it I realised it was a goldilocks-amount of assistance. It’s called MDPS (motor driven power steering) meaning a little electric motor helps you turn the wheels, but that’s what all electric steering is isn’t it? In tandem with parking sensors, that’s how self parking is done, but sadly that option isn’t available in the Sportage as yet. Let’s write to the blokes round at Kia and ask them nicely to pop it on for us. The computer used to gather info from the sensors and turn the steering wheel is very cheap now.

Now to the AWD bit: Just think, AWD only became possible thanks to Audi and their brilliant Quattro. They wanted all the wheels driving their rally cars but 4WD systems just didn’t cut the mustard. The advent of modern electronics means all sorts of whizbangery control every aspect of motoring, including the AWD systems. There are sensors telling the wheels to drive at different amounts of power to give grip. It is supposed to help you stay on the road, but also to assist on less favourable muddy tracks. That’s handy for drivers of a less adept nature. There is the usual ABS, downhill braking control and Hill Assist that we’ve come to expect in Soft Roaders. Even though we know well that none of these beauties are likely to venture too far from tarmac, the AWD system helps in wet, icy conditions too. One particular Sunday afternoon storm felt like Armageddon. Leaves and branches were being blown across the road along with anything else not tied down. The heavens opened, lightening flashed and thunder could be felt even inside the cabin. It was so dark that most drivers had their lights on. The Kia had sensed disaster and switched its own lights on in preparation for the end of the world. It’s hard to tell on some roads when water is laying across it and we hit a deep mini-lake at 50kph and it has to be said that the Sportage held its ground. It didn’t spear off into the shrubbery but as you would expect slowed as if the anchors had been thrown out back. The auto wipers worked extremely well and there wasn’t a single leak despite the torrential mini-cyclone outside. We got home in one piece no thanks to climate change.

She was even better on the open road:

The Sportage felt wafty and smooth on the highway. The mark of a well-designed car is one in which you feel you could keep going even after hours in the saddle. We used the Satnav extensively on the open road just to give it a through workout. We took a run to the NSW Southern Highlands and the picture postcard autumn hues we love at this time of year. It’s here where the quick response to the inputs was most appreciated. We searched for some points of interest to gather a list because blokes just hate to ask for directions.

The driving position is very good. You sit nice and high but not so high so as to feel like you’re driving around in a tower. The cushioning is comfy without being soggy and the is plenty of support without being intrusive. In short, it’s a very nice place to be.

The USB connection was particularly effective and among the best I’ve used. It was easy to go from menu item to the next and to find and play exactly what you want. Surely a good system allows a driver to do this with as little distraction as possible. Regardless of the simplicity of the system, I’m old fashioned enough to recommend stopping for anything more than volume, next or stop. I’ve had many a hairy scare after being distracted by an audio system and my need for Kylie.

One thing highlighted by a trip at speed was the noise from the sunroof when open. The full length glass roof means the front panel slides up and over the rear panel rather than down into the cabin. The wind noise is marked and not something which can be ignored. Even the trailing edge raised slightly elicits a cacophony of epic proportions so keep it closed and turn on the air con. The system keeps the temperature inside as perfectly as if being tended by Mother Nature herself.

The fuel consumption is neither here nor there because all cars of this ilk are not particularly fuel efficient. They are bulky and you simply can’t have it both ways. We were above the claimed figures. They claim 9.2l/100k but it’s more like 12 or 13 in real life. The “combined” figure depends entirely on how much time you spend on toll roads and freeways. If you catch a bus to work and only go shopping and a Sunday drive, you are going to be worse off.

It doesn’t drive like a BMW X3, nor does the interior have the same top draw feel, but then it costs 1/3 as much. You have to make up your own mind about how you want to spend your money, cars or cocktails.

The conclusion is simple: Would I have one? Yes I would. Why? Because it looks good, drives well and doesn’t cost a huge amount to buy. On top of that there is the 5 year warranty to consider. The exterior is as sexy as hell and the cabin has all the comforts of home. Except for the more frivolous claims, the Kia is exactly what it says in the bumph.

Price $26,990-$36,990

Engine: 2.4L petrol, 130kw/227Nm, combined 9.2L/100k

• Limited edition 500 by Gucci – a collaboration between two of Italy’s most iconic brands
• 500 by Gucci version released as part of an expanded Fiat 500 model range
• Restricted run of just 101 vehicles for the Australian market

Fiat Chrysler Group has added a stunning limited edition Fiat 500 model, customised by the famed Gucci fashion brand, to be sold alongside the expanded new 500 range.

Called 500 by Gucci, the special edition 500 version will be available in both hatch and cabrio bodystyles for a limited time.

The Fiat 500 by Gucci has been customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat’s Centro Stile. This unique collaboration between two of Italy’s most respected brands represents the perfect combination of craftsmanship and style.

Limited to just 101 units for the Australian market, the stunning 500 by Gucci models feature an eye catching glossy pearl glass paint treatment, which incorporates glass beads to make the paintwork shine like a gem.

Available in either black or white, these two distinct colours complement one another: black with detailing in shiny chrome paired with an interior that contrasts sharp black and white for a contemporary and racy attitude; white with satin chrome detailing paired with an ivory and black interior for a softer, sophisticated look.

The alloy wheel centre caps feature the interlocking ‘GG’ symbol (founder Guccio Gucci’s iconic initials) in the same color as the bodywork, while the cursive Gucci signature appears on the hatchback as well on the door pillar. In keeping with the traditional Gucci colours, the rear brake calipers are painted green. 

The vehicle’s silhouette is outlined by Gucci’s signature green-red-green stripe, which runs around the vehicle on the hatch models, linking the exterior to the interior.  On the cabrio models, on both black and white versions, the soft top is black with the characteristic green-red-green Gucci web pattern printed lengthways across the roof.

The stripe also appears inside on the seats, key-cover and in an innovative finish on the seatbelts. The interior of the 500 by Gucci is an elegant and functional space, where attention has been lavished on the tiniest details. 

Brimming with fashion references and embellished by exclusive materials, the interior showcases chic embroidery, glossy or satin chrome elements, a sophisticated velvet-effect treatment on the dashboard and two-tone seats in Frau leather with the unmistakable ‘Guccissima’ graphics – a bona fide status symbol that is a byword for glamour and contemporary appeal.

The 500 by Gucci models are powered by the 74 kW 1.4-litre 16-valve FIRE petrol engine mated to the Dualogic clutchless manual shift transmission with selectable fully automatic mode.

Interscope Sound System Hi-Fi
The 500 by Gucci models are fitted with the Interscope Sound System as standard equipment.

Designed and calibrated specifically for the Fiat 500’s passenger compartment, the Interscope Sound System combines a 30-watt amplifier, six speakers and a 100-watt subwoofer with three different methods of processing both the signal and the related acoustic effects simultaneously.

The first method, Trubass, extends the perceived bass frequency field without the aid of a subwoofer to produce very deep, extended bass notes.

The second method, Focus, raises the apparent position of the sound sources to ear level, giving the sensation of listening to speakers positioned higher than they actually are and producing clear ‘colour’ free sound across the frequency spectrum.

The third method, 3D, spatially equalises stereo reproduction, correcting any errors resultant from speaker positioning and improving spatial perception.  The result is a more embracing sound, which recreates an accurate stereophonic reproduction, even for listeners positioned away from the symmetrical axes of the speakers.

The limited edition 500 by Gucci will go on sale in Fiat dealerships around Australia during June.

Volvo Cars Roadshow is up and running once again, rolling into regional towns across Australia over the coming months.

This annual event gives rural-based customers an opportunity to test drive a comprehensive range of the latest models in the Volvo Cars range – including the All-New Volvo V40, which recorded the highest-ever safety score in the stringent EuroNCAP crash tests, and was called the “stand-out performer” by ANCAP.

“We are delighted to be able to support our dealer network throughout Australia by offering a range of cars for its customers to test drive at their leisure – on local roads and under local conditions,” said Matt Braid, managing director, Volvo Car Australia.

“Being able to experience and compare cars back-to-back – including the All-New Volvo V40 with its raft of world-first safety innovations – is the perfect way to sample the latest product offering from Volvo Cars,” he added.

Volvo model range
From the award-winning All-New Volvo V40 to Australia’s most popular seven-seat luxury SUV, the XC90, rural customers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which Volvo model to test drive.

Driving enthusiasts will appreciate the sporty S60 T5 R-Design, with engine optimisation from Polestar, Volvo’s performance and motorsport partner. They are joined by Volvo Cars’ top-selling model, the XC60 SUV, and the fuel-efficient and practical V60 D4 wagon, which returns just 6.0 litres per 100km.

City Safety
Standard on the Volvo XC60, S60, V60 and All-New V40, our class-leading City Safety feature is a low-speed braking system that is designed to prevent or reduce the impact of low speed, rear-end collisions.

Now operating at speeds of up to 50km/h, the City Safety system automatically brakes the car if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if the car is approaching a stationary object too fast.

A recent report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US has found Volvo’s City Safety system has reduced collision frequency by up to 22 percent and lowered vehicle repair costs by more than 20 percent.

Locally, insurance companies operating under the Insurance Australia Group recognise the benefits of City Safety and can offer a reduction in insurance premiums by up to 20 percent.

Pedestrian Airbag technology – a world first
In order to mitigate the consequences if a collision with a pedestrian is unavoidable, the All-New Volvo V40 features newly-developed Pedestrian Airbag technology as standard.

Sensors in the front bumper register the physical contact between the car and the pedestrian. The rear end of the bonnet is released and at the same time elevated by the deploying airbag.

The inflated airbag covers the area under the raised bonnet, plus approximately one third of the windscreen area and the lower part of the A-pillar. The raised bonnet and airbag will help reduce the severity of pedestrian injuries.

Volvo Rural Roadshow schedule

Bellbowrie Motors Volvo, Coffs Harbour, NSW
• 1-11 June

Sunshine Volvo, Southport, QLD
• 1-13 June

Woodley’s Volvo, Tamworth, NSW
• 15-25 June

Performance Autos, Hobart, TAS
• 9-31 July

To celebrate the arrival of Honda’s all-new Accord, a new advertising campaign is now on air.

The campaign brings to life the notion that people often save for a lifetime before they can afford to purchase their dream car, at which point, it’s often too late to enjoy it. It features a number of characters in their twilight years struggling with low-set seats, counter intuitive technology and the powerfully intimidating performance of the prestige sports cars they’ve waited all their life to purchase.

These scenarios are juxtaposed against the new Honda Accord, a cleverly designed vehicle that evokes all-round pleasure courtesy of its easy to use technologically advanced features, spacious and luxurious interior, dynamic exterior design and outstanding performance. The all-new Accord is the total package that has it all. 

Kevin Lillie, Senior Marketing Manager at Honda Australia said; “This launch is very significant for Honda. In many ways, Accord is the epitome of what Honda represents to car buyers in this country. Our new launch campaign captures the Accord story in a fresh and relevant way, whilst providing us with an opportunity to entertain and connect with Australians. We are absolutely delighted with the result.”