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Archive for February, 2016

Subaru Australia Shows Off Updated For 2016 Liberty/Outback/Forester

Subaru has shown off updates to the Liberty, Outback and Forester to members of the automotive media during a lightning visit to South Australia’s Mt Gambier. Prior to the drive sessions covering tarmac and gravel roads, a briefing was held at the Park Royal Hotel adjacent to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. Here, the media was given information on where Subaru sits globally and in Australia in regards to sales figures before covering off a list of updates and changes to the cars.

Overall, Subaru saw a 7.6% increase in sales, to 43600 units. This puts Subaru into a 3.8% market share position for Australia. The powerhouse WRX STi contributed strongly, selling over 1000 units for the first time, with the Outback rounding out 2015 in fourth place for its segment. For the 2016 models, in the Liberty range, it’s expected the 2.5L Premium will take 50% of sales for the range, while the 2.5i and 3.6R will account for 25% each. The Forester range was the big seller, with 38841 units moved in 2015.

Liberty.
Subaru’s Eyesight package is already well known and available on every model Liberty however Subaru has added what they call a “Vision Assist” package to the Liberty 2.5i Premium and 3.6R. It includes: Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist (automatically turns high beam on or off as required) and auto dimming rear vision mirror. Also available across the range is Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the brake lights under an emergency stop situation.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R

Subaru brought in engineers to further fettle the Liberty’s suspension. The end result has been a fine tuning of the shock absorbers, reducing the sharper edge of impacts and bumps while raising the level of roll, pitch, dive and float control. Although already a fantastic and stable performer on tarmac, the changes have enhanced the handling on coarse and harsh surfaces plus floor vibrations have been reduced.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R

There’s also some “less exciting” changes, such as folding wing mirrors to the entry level 2.5i Liberty and the Subaru Map Update Guarantee. This will ensure that any buyer will get the latest available maps for the navigation system plus will also qualify for the Three Year Map Update program, whereby the system will receive the latest maps for free for three years.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R interior.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R interior.

A new colour will be added, Dark Blue Pearl and all Subaru cars stay with a full sized spare wheel.

The Liberty range itself is increasing its niche market hold in Australia, with an impressive 4097 units sold in 2015, an improvement of just over 293% from the prior year. Prices for the Liberty range remain largely untouched in real terms, with the entry level 2.5i CVT starting at $29999 plus ORC. The Premium CVT increases by just $500 to $35990 plus ORC with the range topping 3.6R moving to $42490 plus ORC, again a small increase of just $500. All prices quaoted are manufacturers list price.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R interior.

MY16 Subaru Liberty 3.6R interior.

Outback.
The Outback range has proven to be very popular in 2015, with 10927 vehicles sold, a massive increase of 344%. Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, says: “Outback’s appeal has never been greater. But with the strategic addition of Eyesight to our diesel variants, plus Vision Assist features in premium versions across the range, we can only see more growth opportunities for Outback.”

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

The third generation Eyesight system is equipped with colour stereo cameras, allowing them to “read” brake lights, which works hand in hand with the Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre Collision Braking and Assist, Pre Collision Steering Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Front Vehicle Start Alert. Outback also has had the same suspension tweaks, designed to suit the offroad capabilities.

The Steering Assist combines with the VDC, Vehicle Dynamics Control, to do whatever is possible to assist the driver to avoid a crash. The 3D image processing program will work to recognise vehicles close by and at a distance of up to 100 metres. With a range of zero to 100 kilometres per hour, the Adaptive Cruise Control adds to the safety factor considerably, with the driver controlling the actual gap distance between the Outback and vehicle in front.

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

The colour recognition system will allow the Outback (and all other Subaru cars fitted) to see a brake light and provide the car with a smooth deceleration and will also work at intersections with the vehicle ahead performing a lane change. A new feature, the Forward Start Alert, will prevent the car from moving forward if the accelerator is accidently pressed and will sound an alarm.

Every auto (CVT) equipped Outback will now receive the Eyesight system as will all diesel variants. The 2.5i, 2.0i Premium diesel and 3.6R variants will receive Vision Assist packages as listed in Liberty.
Also, the Outback 2.5i and 2.0 diesel will receive the folding mirrors, the 2.5i Premium and 3.6R have a refreshed grille and all Outbacks will be provided with halogen DRL integrated with the front fog lights.

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

MY16 Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium

Outback will also be given the new Dark Blue Pearl and the Subaru Map Program applies to the 2.5i petrol Premium, 2.0 diesel Premium and 3.6R.

The seven model Outback range also receives incremental price increases, with the entry level 2.5i CVT staying at $35990 plus ORC, 2.5i CVT is $41990 plus ORC ($500 increase), with the 2.0L diesel manual moving to $36490 plus ORC, an increase of $1000. The CVT auto rises to $38490 + ORC (also $1000), with the Premium manual and CVT at $42990 and $44990, an increase of $1500. The range topper, the 3.6R CVT is $48490 plus ORC, a small increase of $500.

Forester.
The Subaru Forester has received possibly the biggest range of changes, covering exterior, interior and chassis and engineering. All but the 2.0L XT have been given a refreshed front bumper, grille, head and tail lights plus the range toppers also receive new fog light surrounds. The 2.5i-S and 2.0 XT are provided with adaptive headlights, swivelling in response to steering wheel input and all but the 2.0L L spec receive new fog light surrounds.

MY16 Subaru Forester XT 2.0 Premium (front) with Forester 2.5i-S.

MY16 Subaru Forester XT 2.0 Premium (front) with Forester 2.5i-S.

Refreshed designs adorn the 17 and 18 inch alloy wheels fitted, plus a new colour, Sepia Bronze Metallic, will be made available. The headlights for the Forester 2.5i-S, XT and XT Premium are given a makeover, with C shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps and LED projector lit lamps, while the tail lights also get the C shaped LED lights. They are a red light only display.

MY16 Subaru Liberty

MY16 Subaru Forester

Unseen but important are the changes to the suspension, improving NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels and stability levels on and off road. Also inside with the Premium versions, there’s the addition of memory seating and Apple’s Siri compatibility. The instrument panel has new cushioning at either end along with extra sealer, to reduce NVH. Leather fitted Foresters will see quilting on the door arm rests and there’s more padding in the seat cushion. Interior comfort has been raised by virtue of thicker window glass (3.5 mm to 4.0 mm front, 3.1 to 3.5 rear)and better door sealing, with an estimated 5.0% reduction in NVH.

MY16 Subaru Liberty

MY16 Subaru Forester

The SI Drive system has also been tweaked, with the I and S drive programming providing a smoother driving experience whilst staying in CVT mode, with harder acceleration giving the feel of an eight speed auto. The S# system sees a more traditional stepped feel, with eight ratios programmed into the transmission under drivng consitions, with all autos providing manual control via paddle shifts.

An added safety feature comes in the form of a control logic program added to the EPS (electronic power steering) with manual control still available for a short time should power fail from the engine. Torque vectoring is on board, adding extra brake pressure to an inside wheel in the event of serious understeer, as a driver may find on rutted or gravel surfaces.

MY16 Subaru Forester XT 2.0 Premium.

MY16 Subaru Forester XT 2.0 Premium.

 

As the Forester is Subaru’s best seller, ride and handling changes would have to be taken seriously, and they were. Minor yet important changes to the suspension and chassis were undertaken, with shock abosorber rates changed slightly bhut noticeably, front cross member rigidity was improved while toe in and camber angles were revised for even better straight line performance. Even the steering rack ratio was revised, to 14.0:1 from 15.5:1.

Pricing wise, the Forester range remains excellent value, with the entry level 2.0-L manual kicking off at $29990. The 2.5-L auto is $32990, 2.5-S auto stays at $39490. The 2.0L diesel range starts at $33490 for the 2.0-L manual, while the corresponding auto is $35490. The -S manual and autos also stay at an unchanged price, with the manual seeing $39490 and $41490 for the CVT. The range topping XT versions are $40990 and $47990. All prices are manufacturers list prices and are not inclusive of on road costs.

Drive Notes.
A Wheel Thing was part of the twenty plus strong media contingent flown to Mt Gambier by Subaru Australia, where the new cars were put though their paces. Each drive section for each model, being Liberty/Outback/Forester, was chosen to highlight the specific ability of each model, with the Liberty solely tarmac based while Outback and Forester were taken over limestone tracks, mud, gravel and tarmac, with a Wednesday morning session in the rain adding to the test of the cars and changes. Due to time constraints, largely imposed by the weather, only limited time was available in a version of the three.MY16 Outback Premium diesel

The Outback especially impressed off road, with the diesel Premium being tested. A very late seen dip in a limestone gravel road resulted in a solid thump, yet with no discernable impedement to forward progress nor to the steering. All cars tracked straight and true, with some tight low low speed hairpins taken with no body roll or a feeling of losing grip. In the Liberty, set to I-Drive, a standing start saw the first gear change move directly to Third, not Second, and with a corresponding drop off in relative velocity.

The Forester tested, the XT 2.5 Premium, certainly drives well and as expected. However, the seats still lack a measure of side support in the bolsters, especially with the leather used to clad the seats, allowing more lateral movement than is desired.
In short, the changes mechanically to the three have made them even more approachable and user friendly while the exterior changes, although light, are enough to refresh the ranges, especially with the added aero efficiency of the Forester’s timely refresh.

For more information and driveaway pricing, please contact your Subaru dealer.
A Wheel Thing thanks Subaru Australia for the information and drive program. http://credit-n.ru/zaymi-nalichnymi-blog-single.html

Safety, Dollars, Speed versus Speed.

“It was more like extreme education. It happened about twenty years ago and I’ve never forgotten.”

“Because having the police personally means that I know I am PERSONALLY responsible for my actions. Getting something in the mail just feels like a rates notice or similar bill that just has to be paid (which I may or may not whinge about).”

“Personal interaction with a police officer is far more meaningful than merely receiving something through the mail like any other letter.”

“My young child was in the car with me. I felt like I had let them down.”

“It’s personal, it’s confronting, and it’s timely.”

NRMA Members talking about the effect of being pulled over by a police officer.

“Speeding”. It’s seen as one of the greatest sins a person driving a car can commit. It’s a subject that divides communities, raising ire and bringing forth strenuously opposing views.
But when is speeding speeding, when is it dangerous? In NSW there are freeways zoned at 110 kmh and one at 100 kmh. It’s not uncommon to see the majority of vehicles exceed, and comfortably, the 100 kmh mandated, but the flow seems to be fine at 110 kmh.

Residential roads are zoned as 50 kmh. Certain roads see traffic at no less, and often, 70 kmh.
What is speed? It’s distance over time, be it kilometres per hour or metres per second or thousands upon thousands of kilometres per year in the case of a space probe. It’s nothing more than simple physics but becomes a little more complicated when mass is involved. Why? Maybe this link will help: https://www.facebook.com/nswroadsafety/videos/954175617964007/

Speeding on a freeway or highway like the Hume that joins Melbourne and Sydney certainly has the potential to see excessive speed for the conditions (note the caveat) cause problems but what about the humble residential road?
At 50 kilometres per hour, it takes one second to cover 14 metres. At 70 kilometres per hour it takes one second to cover…wait for it…twenty metres. Think about that for (no pun intended) a second.

At 70 kilometres per hour, you cover an extra six metres per second than you do at fifty. On a long, open sighted highway, not so much of an issue but when it’s a residential road, with cars parked on the road, with the potential for a car or a dog or a ball or a child to suddenly appear in front of you, that six metres per second (coupled with the reaction time plus a probably more distracted or inattentive driver) will suddenly become very important and make a hell of a difference.

Sydney drivers are now used to seeing high visibility police cars in locations that aren’t readily visible to on coming drivers, yet: Seven out of ten (69 per cent) NRMA Members believe that a visible presence of police cars is the most effective way of tackling bad driver behaviour than other methods such as speed cameras.

But: As part of ‘Operation Slowdown’ in NSW, a single Traffic and Highway Patrol vehicle operating on the F3 was able to issue 16 infringement notices in one hour to drivers of unregistered vehicles using automatic numberplate recognition units.

Invariably, it’s presumed by the public that these are the cars that AREN’T highly visible, but the aforementioned non visible locations. It’s also an example that’s completely at odds with the wishes of members to have a more highly visible presence but also clashes with the statements presented by members that an interaction with the police has a higher and more longer lasting effect.

Another statement: It remains vital that education campaigns are followed up with police enforcement to cement the experience. Advertising alone without police enforcement does not change behaviour. The fear of getting caught is dramatically reduced when a person has not experienced being pulled over and randomly breath tested, an activity that can be done whenever anyone is pulled over by a police car.

Again, that interaction with the police is seen as more important. Consider a road that has a high school, a dead end road at that. Car and buses taking students to that school have to enter and they have to leave. Consider that a high percentage of drivers will travel at 70 kmh, not 50. It would appear that the logical thing to do is to place police vehicles in a position to monitor the speeds and enforce the laws pertaining to speed.

The conundrum here is simple: high visibility policing without booking or low visibility with direct interaction? The former will slow the cars but only for the time the car is on site. The second will penalise the drivers and, according to the members feedback, have a more direct and longer lasting effect.

It also begs the question of what is more effective for the mooted objective of the police and government, to reduce the road toll. Speed cameras are not seen as a popular alternative and the point to point cameras also. This statement possibly says a lot more than is realised about this objective: Only a limited portion of the NSW Police Force budget is focused on addressing road safety, so it is important that the money is used effectively.

We’re told that speeding is dangerous. The caveat is excessive speed for the conditions. A long, flat, open highway is as safe as it can be until it becomes wet, fogged in, smoked in from a bushfire or has drivers travelling, under ideal conditions, below the limit for no apparent reason.
A highway can be zoned at 110 kmh, with that velocity mandated to be utilised under the aforementioned ideal conditions. Some sections of road are signposted to warn of ice or snow and you’re warned to drive appropriately.
But on a residential road there’s no such warning system, no such reinforcement of the law, apart from the 40 kmh school zone locations. Inexplicably, drivers are still being penalised for speeding in school zones. Unfortunately there’s no readily available information as to whether there are repeat offenders.

And: The study showed that non-camera based methods were preferred by respondents and had higher self-reported compliance rates

(Soole, Lennon, & Watson, 2008)
.
Support for camera based methods relied on overt operation and whilst they were recognised as having an important road safety benefit, there was a high degree of scepticism about revenue raising. Some respondents reported no change in speeding behaviour as a result of the use of cameras and others reported more limited site-specific obedience.

To sum up: it seems that people have a longer lasting effect after being physically dealt with by the police, that a higher visible presence from the police will in likelihood change driver behaviour but it doesn’t seem as if the two will meet and work together. It’s expected to see police on a highway but not so on a residential road when there’s a higher proportion, kilometre for kilometre, of excess speed. People would seem to equate a high visibility but non interactive police presence with a speed camera, and very quickly ignored.

And an extra twenty kilometres per hour over the residential limit, six metres per second, has an increased stopping distance that could be vital if a child suddenly appears in front of you on a congested road. But this isn’t apparently seen to be nearly as dangerous as doing 120 in a 110 zone on a road and in an area that’s been specifically mandated to be that velocity.

Why? http://credit-n.ru/zaymyi-next.html

Geneva Motor Show: What's New From Switzerland.

International car shows overseas can be a mixed bag, with some great design concepts and some odd ones. But they’re fantastic for the lovers and dreamers as companies like Pagani release updates or new models. With the Geneva show happening in the first week of March, there’s already been some teasers from a few makers…

Pagani have released an all new model of the tongue twistingingly named Huayra. Said to share no panels with the current model, the Huayra BC (BC coming from Pagani’s first ever customer, Benny Caiola), there’s very familiar styling to this road oriented supercar. With previous Pagani cars already garnering a reputation for performance and almost ostentatious interiors, the BC goes further in enhancing the performance record.

Let’s start with the engine. Never shy on power, the twin turbo 6.0L V12 from AMG has been further fettled, including a new exhasut to provide less back pressure. Power has been upped by 66 kW to an astounding 588 kW and torque moved to a truly amazing 1000 Newton metres. With a diet, work on the aero and active driving aids plus recalibrating the shift points of the seven speed auto, it’s expected the 1218 kilogram machine will see 100 kilometres an hour in under three seconds.

Pagai have also emphasised that the Huayra BC is more of road car without losing the predominantly track based aspect. Weight savings work has been performed on the suspension, which will add to the balance and handling of the already extremely competent chassis. It’s expected the new set up will weigh 25% less than the original Huarya’s suspension. Pagani-Huayra-BC1Even the brake callipers from Italian masters Brembo to bite into the carbon ceramic discs and the wheels (20 and 21 inch diameter) have been lightened. Plus, Pagani will offer 19 and 20 inch diameter wheels, lightened Pirelli P Zero tyres and the ability to hit 2G in corners for buyers. To cope with those that have more expectations of their talent than reality actually has gifted them, Pagani will fit a track mode for the stability control system.

Finally, the opulence level has been turned down from 11 in order to provide even further weight savings…not to mention the “oh my eyes, my eyes” sensation. Final figures will be released at the show.

Fans of the now defunct Top Gear UK with JC, RH and JM, will be familiar with another odd name, Gumpert. As exotic as the car seemed to be, it wasn’t enough to save the Gumpert name. However, the company was salvaged and renamed Apollo, in a nod to the former Gumpert Apollo vehicle (yes, my head is being done in too). The Apollo car set records at both Germany’s Nurburgring and at the TG test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.Gumpert Apollo

The revitalised car is now named the Apollo Arrow and is said to also pack in excess of 550 killerwatts. The original Apollo would see 200 kmh in just 9 seconds from the Audi sourced 4.2L V8, complete with twin turbos as well. Weight was just 1200 kilos.

Czech brand and VW owned offshoot, Skoda, is said to be offering something a little different for their forthcoming Octavia and Superb. Wireless smart phone charging is still not common place in the office or home however Skoda will be providing that as an option from April, for the European market. Wireless charging works by an induction process (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging ) with brands such as Samsung, Motorola and LG, amongst others, able to do so. Apple handsets apparently require a special casing, at this stage.

Ford has unveiled a refreshed Kuga; sporting a facelift not unlike Hyundai’s Tucson with an elongated hexagonal grille and redesigned lower front bumper, Ford will also lob the Kuga the updated Sync3 infotainment system, new 17/18/19 inch wheels, a slightly redesigned rear diffuser, a power operated retractable towbar (!) and slimline headlights. A new 1.5L diesel powerplant will also be offered, replacing the older 2.0L, but will provide the same 88kW while offering 4.4L/100 kilometres. 2017 Ford KugaInside, there’ll be a new steering wheel, new aircon controls, a heated tiller for northern hemisphere clients, paddle shifts for the auto gearbox and will add in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The more powerful 110kW and 132kW versions of the old 2.0-litre diesel live on, with the latter available with Ford’s new ‘Intelligent’ four-wheel drive that adds torque vectoring and curve control, which are said to help drivers who enter a bend too fast.

On the petrol side, the 1.5-litre turbo Ecoboost engine with either 88kW, 110kW or 134kW outputs carries over, with the 178kW 2.0-litre EcoBoost dropped from the range. Australia should find out more towards the end of 2016.

Private Fleet will bring you more once the show has been started and new info is at hand.

 

 

 

  http://credit-n.ru

Car Safety Trivia

This is the closest the Hybrid III crash test dummy family gets to smiling.

The Hybrid III crash test dummy family portrait.

I don’t know why trivia books are so popular, but they are. We could spend a bit of time pondering what it is about humanity that makes collecting obscure and quirky facts interesting or amusing. However, that wouldn’t be half as much fun as actually sharing a bit of trivia, taking the topic of car safety this time.

Not that car safety is a trivial issue, by any means. These days, a new car review is just as likely to emphasise all the safety features, active and passive, as it is to list the power and torque stats. And no wonder: in the state of Victoria last year, there were 248 fatal road accidents; NSW had 302. Some of these were drivers, some were passengers, some were cyclists and some were pedestrians. This is why safety features exist, everybody. There are a lot of lives that could be saved. When you think about the number of people who do idiot things like not wearing seatbelts, drinking too much and driving at speeds that are just plain too fast for the conditions, “facepalm” and “head-desk” just don’t quite cover it.

Right, enough depressing stuff and on with the trivia…

  • Top-level crash testing facilities such as MIRA in the UK don’t just crash-test cars. They also test other vehicles like heavy trucks, and “roadside furniture” such as lamp posts and traffic lights. Yes, they now crash-test lamp-posts to make them safer so wrapping your car around a pole is less likely. Don’t hold your breath for them to make it over to Australia for a while yet, though, so drive safely!
  • The first crash test dummy was called “Sierra Sam”.  Sam was invented in the late 1940s and was used for testing ejector seats in aircraft. It wasn’t until later that someone realised that using crash test dummies would be a good idea for new car models.
  • The average crash test dummy is 1.78 metres tall.
  • Airbags were first invented in 1952 by US inventor John W Hetrick. However, it wasn’t until 1971 that Ford  first actually put them in.
  • The three-point seatbelt that we all know today was invented in 1959 by a guy working for Volvo named Nils Ivar Bohlin. According to Volvo , during the inventor’s lifetime, about 1 million lives were saved by the three-point seatbelt. Let’s all make his name known more widely, because he certainly deserves it.
  • The state of Victoria was the first place in the world to enact seat belt legislation in 1970 when they made it compulsory for drivers and front seat passengers to wear some sort of seat belt. That’s over 40 years ago and some people still haven’t managed to get it.
  • Crash test dummies aren’t the only things strapped into the seats of cars and propelled at speed into an obstacle. Over the years, testers have used human cadavers and, rather nastily, live pigs under anaesthesia. Testing with live anaesthetised animals wasn’t banned until 1993. Cadaver testing sounds pretty macabre and probably is, but is considered to be the absolute best way to test new passive safety features. When you think about it, it’s no worse than donating organs for transplants or donating your body to medical colleges for research purposes and it does help save lives. It certainly beats using the poor old piggies.
  • Airbags inflate at 320 km/h, which is faster than the top speed of most cars they’re installed in.
  • The most common type of crash test dummy is the Hybrid III. To be more accurate, the Hybrid III family is used. This crash test dummy family consists of Mr Hybrid III (five foot nine inches), his big brother Uncle Hybrid III (six foot two), Mrs Hybrid III (five foot no inches) and two kids aged six and three. Mr Hybrid represents the 50th percentile for adults, Uncle is the 95th percentile and Mrs Hybrid is the 5th percentile.
  • Those percentiles mentioned in the snippet above are now out of date. Thanks to galloping obesity (or, more appropriately, not galloping), there’s a chance that crash testing facilities are going to need big fat dummies.

Safe (very safe) and happy driving,

Megan http://credit-n.ru/potreb-kredit.html