Dualis SUV for under $30K
The new Nissan Dualis (QASHQAI in Europe) is effectively a 2-litre scale model of the Murano about to be built in Sunderland UK that straddles the line between the Subaru Impreza Hatchback and its SUV Forester spin-off. Because Nissan Australia intends to position it as a strong alternative to hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3 with the added benefits of extra cabin height and clearance, Nissan executives confirm that they want pricing below $30,000. As predicted by CarPoint/Carsales, the Dualis AWD, which is the Japanese name for the new model, slots in under the X-Trail in size and power and therefore plugs the gap between the Tiida and the X-Trail. Nissan anticipates that the extra hip height of the Dualis seating position and the large rear doors will be of particular interest to owners where ease of access is an issue. Rear headroom and crush zone are better than most small hatchbacks.
Micra mini for under $15K?
The Nissan Micra is also making a welcome return to the Australian market but there are no pricing indications yet, as Nissan hasn't confirmed whether Australia will get the UK or Japanese version. The current preference is for the Japanese version when the exchange rate is better but Nissan executives claim that the final decider will be which source can supply the specification best suited to the Australian market. As a 1.4-litre model, the Micra needs a sub-$14,990 entry price tag.
HSV, Elfin export drive to UK
HSV Managing Director Mr Phil Harding is currently dividing his time two weeks in the UK and two weeks in Australia before he takes up his full-time position as Director of Export Programs based in the Walkinshaw bunkers at Oxfordshire in the UK. A recent business trip involving Harding and Walkinshaw Performance and Elfin executive Mr Chris Payne to the Middle East confirm that the Elfin sports car range and the hot-up bits for HSV models will be an integral part of the export drive.
Pounds of upgrades
Hot on the heels of the news that HSV will be exporting the ClubSport R8 as the Vauxhall VXR8, it has been discovered that 80 per cent of Vauxhall VXR coupe (HSV's rebadged Monaro-based GTO coupe) buyers upgraded their vehicles immediately after purchase. Because the VXR8 will go on sale for around 35,000 pounds, this leaves a huge margin for upgrades before the price approaches European rivals. It is anticipated that the Walkinshaw Performance operation will be there to meet that demand in the UK with further export markets to follow.
Team Red in Red Square
HSV to Russia? Our spies tell us that Phil Harding's next big export trip is to the far reaches of Europe where he intends to establish an HSV network that can be serviced from the company's UK base. There is a very real chance that the deep HSV exhaust rumble familiar to most Australians could soon be heard cruising past the Kremlin.
No time for Monaro
Seen on the Lamborghini stand was former Holden design chief Mike Simcoe, now GM's head design honcho in Detroit and US Camaro Concept leader Mr Tom Peters. Mike was on a flying trip to monitor the wide range of US design work being undertaken by his former Holden colleagues. Mike confirmed an earlier CarPoint report that bigger volume projects are so banked-up there won't be time or the model life left in the VE series to complete a Monaro this time around. He was also highly complimentary of the Australian team who created the Pontiac G8 in record time.
Torana for GM's global RWD platform?
Simcoe also confirmed that completing a brand new compact rear-drive architecture is a high priority in the GM world right now so it will be ready to meet new fuel and space efficiency targets in a new-generation of rear-drive models. He commented that it was neither practical nor cost effective to cut and shut the existing VE architecture to the extent needed for this new model so it has to be built from the outset as an affordable, compact model. More than anyone in the Holden world, Simcoe is aware of the importance of the Torana in Holden's Australian heritage which is now looking more of a certainty than ever to make a return.
Classics in Detroit
Mike Simcoe also had another reason to be in Melbourne. He is the proud owner of an Aston Martin DB4 and a rare Lancia Aurelia Coupe, both of which are being restored in his absence here in Melbourne and his work visit was a chance to check their progress. As soon as they are complete, which is imminent, Simcoe intends to cut a classic figure around Detroit. Simcoe had hoped he could fit in the Phillip Island Classic Historic Races which has Monaro hero Norm Beechey as its 2007 patron next weekend, but he is due to fly out again this Thursday.
Showgoing US VIP
Trying hard not to look like secret service agents in the White House but not succeeding were three Federal police at the motor show preview. A quick scan revealed that their "client" was Melbourne's US Consul General, Mr Earl Michael Irving, who was taking a keen interest in Australia's export models. Irving was cited as an important player in Holden's recent announcement of the Pontiac G8 export program to the US.
Toyota Oz makes case for Corolla
Local Toyota executives fought hard to retain the Corolla name for the next-generation model when the badge has little currency in Europe and has been replaced by the Auris model name with its links to Yaris, Avensis and other European models. Around 18 months ago, Corolla sourcing for the local market was switched from South Africa to Japan with the new model to continue this supply line. Because the new Corolla sedan and hatch are more differentiated than before as for the latest Yaris sedan and hatch, Toyota is hopeful that this new Corolla sedan with its stand-alone looks could prove to be the ideal middle line for owners of the early Camry and other medium sedans from the early 1990s.
$50K for TRD Aurion
Toyota's new TRD Aurion which features a locally-engineered Harrop supercharger among other upgrades looks set to be a price leader on its August 2007 release. Toyota insiders suggest that value pricing was a key platform for the new high performance model which will come in two grades like the Sportivo SX6 and ZR6. The entry level TRD Aurion should come in just above the ZR6 in the $45-50,000 price range while the fully-equipped level will just top $50,000.
...and around $60K for TRD HiLux
The new TRD HiLux due at the close of 2007 is currently facing an intense pricing review as Toyota tries to define the sweet spot for a vehicle that has no precedent. Equipped with a Harrop supercharged version of the petrol 4.0-litre V6, the wild new HiLux twin cab is under pricing pressure when the top of the current range already peaks at over $50,000 before the TRD enhancements are added. Our Toyota sources believe that $60,000 or just over is around the drop dead limit as they juggle the final specification.
Morpheous is the new purple
Holden displayed a spectacular new shade of purple mica now available on the sporty versions of the VE Commodore. Holden was caught without a strong purple shade after Cadbury chocolates refused Holden permission to use the exclusive shade of purple featured on Cadbury's Holden company cars on the VZ Monaro. The new colour is called Morpheous and it is a more vibrant shade of purple than any before it.
Million dollar baby at Shannons
The Shannons MIMS Auction has a magnificent spread of automobilia and motor cycles. Our favourites include the late Robert Shannon's 1930 Invicta S-Type expected to fetch a million dollars, a tidy 1957 "oval window" VW Beetle, a lovely restored 1956 Holden FJ ute, a 1969 late series Mazda Cosmo 110B coupe, 1972 Bolwell Nagari, 1971 Charger R/T E38 in Hot Mustard and a rare 1960 Studebaker Hawk coupe.
Car mod squad on patrol
Also present at the motor show preview, a large squad of Victoria Police from the Crime Department under the supervision of Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Weller. Weller who is a keen early Falcon GT fan and owner, is expanding a police tradition of using the motor show preview each year to record key identification numbers and specifications of new models to assist in the solving of major crime as well as stolen vehicles. When thieves are cutting out whole body sections to avoid tampering with the latest numbering systems, the police are now having to record more detailed information about how the car is assembled. The motor show provides a cost-effective opportunity to do this on a grand scale.
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