Tag: australia

Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Australia

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Before your heart goes all aflutter at the thought of a factory Subaru Forester XTI, cool your jets a bit. It’s true that Subaru Australia has just pulled the sheets off of a more powerful Forester complete with nearly 260 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque, and yes, the high-rider packs a new five-speed automatic to replace the archaic four-speed slusher found on most Forester models. Drivers can even control shifts via a pair of paddles should the mood strike them. But this isn’t some slammed hardcore grocery getter. Instead, the Forester S-Edition, as it’s called, wears a slightly revised suspension cooked up from the minds at STI along with a few subtle aero tweaks outside.

Jump indoors and those from down under will enjoy a cabin trimmed in Alcantara bits, navigation and a rear view camera, all for a just a bit more than what you’d typically pay for a Forester XT in those parts.

Will we be getting anything similar? It certainly wouldn’t hurt our feelings, but we’d be surprised if Subaru suddenly decided to lay another model on top of its range-capping XT here in the land of the free. We’ve got our digits crossed for that five-speed transmission, though. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

[Source: Subaru Australia]

Continue reading Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Subaru, Australia

Subaru Outback Motor Trend road trip

Subaru Outback Motor Trend road trip – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Manufacturers can get pretty cocky when it comes to naming their products. We can say with near-certainty that a Chrysler Sebring never turned a tire in anger at the legendary Floridian track and that we’d be surprised if a Pontiac Le Mans ever went fender to fender in France. Motor Trend has set about putting the Subaru Outback up against its Australian namesake in a 30-minute long web special hosted by none other than Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. This isn’t your typical man-against-nature flick, though. Instead, Motor Trend has gone about creating an in-depth travel video that would be right at home on the Discovery Channel.

MacKenzie and his crew seem to trek across Australia’s wild bits with relative ease despite large mud holes and plenty of soft sand, and we’re left to enjoy the vast scenery of one of our planet’s most beautiful continents. The finished product is less about power figures and 0-60 times and more about the actual trip. It’s well worth taking some time during your lunch break for a quick watch. Hit the jump to take a look for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip

Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia

Filed under: Crossover, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

2011 Ford Territory

Ford Australia has released a preview of what customers from Down Under can expect from the next-generation Territory. The automaker is using the new crossover to launch a massive refresh program, with 85 percent of the company’s wares receiving a significant update over the next 18 months. Along with a more stylish front fascia and aggressively-flared front fenders, the Territory is expected to bring a new turbo-diesel engine to the fray. Unfortunately, the Blue Oval hasn’t released any details on power figures or fuel consumption for any of the available power units in the 2011 Territory.

FoMoCo’s Australian arm has plenty of big changes headed its way. The company just recently introduced the 2011 Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks, and both the new Focus and global Ranger will be landing on the country’s shores within a few months. Needless to say, it’s a good time to be a Ford fan in Australia. Something tells us that the suits over at rival Holden are going to be scrambling to keep up the pace over the next year and a half. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia

Ford marks out bold new Territory for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358 – Click above for high-res image gallery

You may not have guessed it on your own – we probably wouldn’t have, either – but Australia ranks as the fifth largest market worldwide for Mercedes-Benz. And yet all the exciting show cars are almost invariably unveiled at auto shows in the United States or Europe. You couldn’t blame the Aussies for feeling neglected, so Mercedes arrived this year at the Australian International Motor Show with two special AMGs.

The first is called Concept 358, and it’s essentially a tweaked C63 AMG sedan featuring the AMG Performance Plus package (which boosts the 6.3-liter V8’s output up to 480hp), 19-inch alloys, special leather interior and a unique Pearl Orange paint job.

The unique SLS AMG unveiled Down Under also features a special paint scheme: in this case a unique Night Black matte-finish with red accents. They’re not ground-breaking concepts, but interesting takes on some of Affalterbach’s best. Details are in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358 and matte-black SLS AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia

Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden Efijy Concept to be honored at Motorclassica Concours in Australia

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Holden, Australia, Specialty

Holden Efijy Concept

2005 Holden Efijy Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Holden Efijy Concept is set to have a little extra (and very well deserved, we may add) time in the spot light. The slinky machine has been chosen to headline Australia’s first international concours d’elegance at the end of this month, where it will be joined by classic and exotic vehicles from around the world. Holden first debuted the Efijy back in 2005, and the car immediately garnered praise from hot rod fans and designers alike thanks to its ’50s-inspired lines and otherworldly powertrain. You see, under that retro skin sits a thoroughly modern driveline, including a chassis borrowed from a Chevrolet Corvette.

This thing isn’t just a looker, either. Under that lead-sled coupe hood sits a fire-breathing, supercharged, 6.0-liter LS2 V8. Should you decide to open up both taps, there’s a full 645 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque at your beck and call.

The Australian International Concourse d’Elegance kicks off on October 22 and runs until the 24th. Hit the jump to see the full press release.

Gallery: Holden Efijy Concept

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Holden Efijy Concept to be honored at Motorclassica Concours in Australia

Holden Efijy Concept to be honored at Motorclassica Concours in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia

Filed under: Truck, Work, Mazda, Off-Road

2011 Mazda BT-50

2011 Mazda BT-50 – Click above for high-res image gallery


Now that the global Ford Ranger has received its debut, Mazda has taken the time to show off its take on the mid-sized pickup at the Australian International Motor Show. The Japanese automaker calls its version the BT-50, and it wears plenty of the company’s Nagare design language. Along with the swept nose and headlights, Mazda has thrown in similarly fluid taillights out back that remind us of the units on the CX-9 crossover. Mazda says that the company was going for a “sophisticated beast” look. We’ve certainly heard stranger marketing claims, but it the image of sasquatch in a suit does make us chuckle.

And what, pray tell, is under that shapely hood? Mazda isn’t saying at the moment, but we’d be surprised if the company didn’t plan to share power plants with the 2011 Ranger. If that’s the case, buyers can expect to choose between a thrifty 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 150 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque and larger displacement diesel and gasoline options backed by six-speed gearboxes.

Sadly, it looks like you can forget about seeing the BT-50 in the States. Just like the Ranger, this pickup won’t be gracing our shores in any official capacity. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda BT-50

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia

Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia

Filed under: GM, Holden, Australia

Holden Series II family

2011 Holden Series II family – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ll admit it – we miss the Pontiac G8. A lot. General Motors’ Americanized version of the rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore met its death with the demise of Pontiac last year, and of all the GM products that we’ve lost in the past twelve months, the G8 is the one we’d immediately rebirth if we could (especially the GXP). Holden, however, is still alive and well in its native Australia, and the automaker has just released its Series II family, which offers up a host of small changes to nearly the full line of products.

There isn’t anything drastically different about the Series II versions of the Commodore, Calais, Caprice, Berlina or Omega – just the typical new model year additions. Most notably, the 3.0-liter V6 and 6.0-liter V8 engines are now capable of running on bio-ethanol fuel, and slight improvements to fuel economy have been made across the range. In addition, small visual tweaks have been made to the fascias of all models and new paint colors have been added.

A similar story can be told about these cars’ interiors – minute tweaks to fit and finish have been made, though the big news is the addition of GM’s new Holden-iQ infotainment system, available on all Series II models. Holden-iQ incorporates audio, Bluetooth and navigation functions into one 6.5-inch touchscreen interface, as well as a back-up camera (not available on the Ute).

For the full list of changes, browse through Holden’s press release, available after the jump, and see the full 2011 Series II range for yourself in the high-res image gallery below. Hat tip to Neil!

Gallery: 2011 Holden Series II Family

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia

GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Opel expanding outside of Europe, headed for China, Australia

Filed under: China, Opel, Australia, South America

According to the latest reports, Opel will be taking its name, not just its cars, to at least four new markets around the world. Standard practice has been to rebadge Opels as one of General Motor’s other brands in countries outside of Europe, but company heads believe it’s time to market Opel’s European roots, especially in China.

The German automaker sold 4,000 cars in China last year, and to that end, Opel spokesman Andres Kroemer says “We will market Opel as a European designed car in the premium segment. There are a growing number of Chinese who like European cars and have the money to afford them.” By comparison, Audi, a luxury darling in China with local production facilities, sold more than 130,000 cars, and it’s clear that Opel’s launch will eventually be followed up by local production in China for better competitive footing.

In addition to joining the world’s largest auto market, the Opel brand will head to Australia and South America in the near-term, as well as other Asian markets after that.

[Source: Deutsche Welle]

Report: Opel expanding outside of Europe, headed for China, Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V8 Supercar champ in Australia wants kids to learn to drive at age 12. How about you? [w/poll]

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Australia

Albert Einstein has commonly been quoted as saying that stupidity (or insanity, depending on your source) is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Which begs the question, with over 100 years of traffic enforcement behind us, why are we still relying on the same methods of catch and punish to modify driver behavior? If it hasn’t worked over the last century, chances are it won’t work over the next. But Australian V8 Supercar champ Jamie Whincup has come up with a zany idea that just might cut down on his country’s driving death toll – education.

In a move likely to draw some knee-jerk guffaws, Whincup is calling for driver’s education to begin at 12 years-old. The tweens in question wouldn’t actually be behind the wheel, but would begin to receive lessons on the components of a car, the effect of drugs and alcohol on your ability to operate a vehicle and the consequences of excess speed. We’re not entirely sure the average pre-teen is going to be able to wrangle enough synapses away from Hanna Montana to make a difference, but we’re all for improved driver education as a means of improving road safety.

Have a look at the story below, then chime in with your own opinion by taking our poll and leaving your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

[Source: Drive | Image: Matchbox]

V8 Supercar champ in Australia wants kids to learn to drive at age 12. How about you? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia launching ‘Cash For Clunkers’ modeled on U.S. program?

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Australia

Australia’s recently seated prime minister, Julia Gillard, is just now talking about a “cash for clunkers’ program when most other countries ended theirs ages ago. Yet for Gillard, the program isn’t about stimulating car sales but rather about stimulating the Earth: Gillard wants to get about ten percent of Oz’s two million pre-1995 vehicles off the roads.

The mechanics of the program are largely the same as they were in the States, the new stipulation being that purchasers need to buy an “extra-efficient vehicle” like a Holden Cruze, Hyundai Getz or Toyota Camry Hybrid. The rebate is $AUS 2,000 – $1,790 Yankee bucks – and the program has been funded with $AUS 394 million (around $356M USD) and runs from January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2014.

[Source: The Australian]

Australia launching ‘Cash For Clunkers’ modeled on U.S. program? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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