Whether it's from the www, the latest motor show or the back doors of a carmaker near you, Carsales Network Confidential features the good oil other sources either won't publish, don't care about or don't know. Heard an automotive rumour or new model tip? Then let us know at editor@carpoint.com.au
>> BIG SHOES TO FILL
This week's landmark Mahindra Pik-Up launch was a big event held in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Among the guests were Mahindra's most senior management from India including Dr Pawan Goenka, President of the Automotive Sector of Mahindra and Mahindra; and India's Consul-General Mr Sujan Chinoy from Sydney. Mr Chinoy had played a key role in getting the Mahindra Pik-Up on display at several important field days in rural NSW at the evaluation stage to provide feedback to Mahindra's engineers.
Hosting the lavish event was no less than motoring journalist and broadcaster, Will Hagon, who is more often known for his always irreverent, sometimes boisterous presence at such functions. This time Hagon conducted affairs with an unusually tight rein just in case anyone had any ideas about filling the large hole that was left on the media side of the fence.
>> AUSSIE CONNECTIONS
The on-again, off-again arrival Down Under of the Mahindra Pik-Up was generated by the brand's Australian connections not accepting anything less than what it believed was required for the Australian market.
When a big local retail dealer group like the Tynan Motor Group gets behind a new (or perhaps, returning) marque like Mahindra and not just the factory, it should be a big plus for local buyers.
From a number of informal comments made during the launch, it was clear that the detailed improvements driven by TMG staff who knew exactly what would and would not be accepted in Australian showrooms has generated a new perspective and understanding of what's required for first world markets within Mahindra, hence the heavy duty presence at the launch.
>> M5 WAGON THE NEXT RANGE EXTENSION?
The 40 per cent take-up rate of the "through-load" facility (splitfold rear seat) on local BMW M5 deliveries and the number of Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini trade-ins the 507ps four-door is now attracting has prompted BMW to take a closer look at what is happening in that rarified world of fast cars.
It turned out that most Aussie M5 buyers have an SUV for family use. However if this vehicle is tied-up on 'taxi' duties, the buyers found they needed their 'other' car to be flexible enough to carry passengers or sporting equipment.
As more executive drivers turn to cycling, surfing and the like, some of the two-door choices of old are falling by the wayside. As they don't want racks on their roofs or bootlids either, the M5 is doubling as a lifestyle choice as well as a sportscar purchase. Perhaps BMW will now coin the term SSUV -- supersport utility vehicle?
Makes you wonder also if BMW Oz may re-look at offering an M5 Touring Down Under?
The 60 per cent local take-up of the M-Sport package across the whole 5 Series range is perhaps reflecting a similar trend. It makes Holden's decision not to include a splitfold rear seat in the VE series look a little behind the times, especially at HSV level when the company is openly declaring its attack on premium European models.
>> SEVEN UP
The current BMW 7 Series is due to be replaced by late 2008 but is facing a resurgence in sales almost to the same levels as at its release, say BMW insiders. This is most unlike previous top-shelf BMW models which tended to die an agonisingly slow death.
The main reason appears to be the avant-garde styling of the E65 series which attracted plenty of down to earth self-employed business owners on its January 2002 release who wanted something different, but left more cautious corporate buyers out of the mix.
CN Confidential has been told that the wild new Bangle-approved look for the model did not go into production exactly as he wanted when the flat surface area of the boot lid had to be increased at the last moment to provide extra downforce. Then the technology was not yet ready to stamp a lip spoiler in such a complex panel. For the model's mid-life facelift, stamping technology had caught up with the original styling so the surface area of the bootlid could be reduced thanks to the lip spoiler.
The update has provided a cleaner profile which has caused the model to be seen in a new light, most unusual for a car about to enter its seventh year with such detailed tweaks.
Big corporate buyers including hotel chains and limousine services are now attracted to the model boosting sales – thanks also to generous corporate discounts.
As the 7 Series styling is only just being picked-up by the mainstream, it also doesn't look like a 2002 model. Fortune follows the brave it seems when no one really knew how the E65 series would be received in 2002.
>> FUEL PRESSURE ISSUES
BMW's local Managing Director, Mr Guenther Seemann, refused to be drawn on questions this week relating to whether the company was pressuring the Australian Government to improve the quality of Australian petrol.
BMW has been talking up the quality issues of Australian unleaded petrol with the automotive media of late -- in particular the sulphur content of the fuel.
If the marque is to be able to capitalise on its latest generation high-pressure direct-injection petrol engines (just released in the facelifted 5 and 1 series in Europe) the sulphur content of our local fuel will need to be reduced by a factor of about 10.
The new BMW engines claim increased power and substantially reduced fuel consumption.
In reference to the European models moving on to the new-tech engines, Seemann did say that the company did not want to have to offer second-class products to Australians, a comment that would resonate with long-term BMW owners.
It wasn't that long ago that BMW had to offer the dreadful 325e/525e models to cope with Australia's low grade 91 RON unleaded fuel. They were a shadow of the models that returned with the local arrival of premium unleaded 95 RON fuel.
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