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Lexus Expands Owners' Program.
Lexus has announced an expansion of its Encore Owner Benefits program. Capped price servicing has been added, further complementing the award-winning Lexus customer care services. The addition of this will assist in peace-of-mind transactions for Lexus owners, knowing ahead of booking the pricing structure in a transparent manner. There’s some nice added extras as standard too, including complimentary pick-up and return of the vehicle from home or work, a loan car, plus an exterior wash and interior vacuum.
The new program started on January 1 and will be included in all deliveries from that date. There is no up-front service plan charge as a result and provides the flexibility to individually select each service over three years for the same price at any dealership nationwide.
Pricing is model dependent. The Lexus CT, UX, IS, NX, ES, GS, and RC models start from $495 for each of the first three annual/15,000km standard logbook services. The RX, RC F, GS F, LC, and LS are $595. LX owners have a slightly different schedule and pricing. The first six bi-annual or 10,000km services will be $495.
For existing members, and those that will purchase a Lexus in 2020, the Lexus Encore program has some wonderful incentives and additions. Areas such as dining experiences, hotel stays, and luxury tastes of lifestyles, and even access for buyers of pre-owned Lexus vehicles are involved. A Lexus Encore membership for 12 months will be available to those that purchase an approved pre-owned Lexus through a Lexus dealership. A caveat is that it does involve excluding capped-price servicing for vehicles outside original three-year membership period.
The guidelines here are simple: the vehicles must be no older than eight years or have covered no more than 120,000 kilometres, a complete Lexus service history must be available, and a 120-point check will be performed. A new Lexus app will debut in April, 2020, permitting Encore members to access events and offers in real time and book via the smartphone app at their leisure.
When it comes to luxury stays, members have a great range of options. Encore Members are invited to indulge in some of Australia’s most exclusive hotels thanks to an evolving list of hotel partners around the country. One option is the Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, an ultra-luxury resort located in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage-listed region. Items such as a glass of wine from the region on arrival, a Signature Wildlife and Sundowners tour for two and more will be available. Oh, late check out? Absolutely.
There is now also a luxury wellness experience. Two nights at Jackalope Hotel on the spectacular Morninton Peninsular and the ability to participate in meditation sessions, yoga, spas, and access to a Lexus via the Hotel itself to sample the local region. 
Other events such as golf days, high end dinners, and bespoke drive days are also part of the Lexus Encore package. Lexus Chief Executive Scott Thompson said the Encore Owner Benefits program will be expanded throughout 2020, ensuring that Lexus delivers a new standard as the leader in luxury experience for a greater number of owners. “Lexus owners have given us both their unwavering loyalty and outstanding feedback about Lexus ownership, and our aim this year is to give back with more amazing experiences than ever before.” Mr Thompson added: “Lexus understands there is no greater privilege for its owners than time, so whether it be the ease of servicing, or the enjoyment of track days, dining nights and getaways, Lexus Encore will speed up or slow down time for our owners.”
Contact your Lexus dealership for details.
Seat Yourself Even More Comfortably, Says JLR.
Jaguar Land Rover’s “Body Interiors Research division” is working on a morphable seat. Constant micro adjustments in the foam section of the seats thanks to a set of actuators mimic a sensation said to make a passenger feel as if they’re walking. Memory settings allow a tailoring to suit individuals.
Research indicates that a figure of around 1.4 billion are having a lifestyle which involves less and less exercise, and is leading to muscle atrophe in the back, sides, and gluteus areas. This can lead to increased damage in a fall. The rhythm of walking is known as pelvic oscillation, and the simulation of it is said to mitigate the potential of health risks from such a sedentary lifestyle.
UK research figures on a driver covering an average of 146 miles or 234km every week, meaning the technology offers huge potential to overcome the lack of pelvic oscillations.
Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “The wellbeing of our customers and employees is at the heart of all our technological research projects. We are using our engineering expertise to develop the seat of the future using innovative technologies not seen before in the automotive industry to help tackle an issue that affects people across the globe.” JLR are seen as a world leader already in this field, featuring multi-directional adjustments, massage functions and climate control fitted across the range. Jaguar Land Rover have a video that illustrates how a driving position to suit can be achieved, with areas of attention such as thigh support and spinal support, even to removing items in pockets.
Destination Zero is Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner, and projects such as research into reducing the effects of motion sickness and the implementation of ultraviolet light technology to stop the spread of colds and flu are part of Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to continually improving customer wellbeing through technological innovation.
2020 Audi Q3 Sportback Ready To Roll.
Audi’s vast range of vehicles is about to expand. The Q3 Sportback, a small-medium SUV that features a strong coupe styling, is on its way. Pricing is sharp and it will be, to start, a two model range. The Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI S line with a 1.4L turbo four that produces 110kW and 250Nm will kick off at $49,900, whilst the Launch Edition will start from $56,450. These are manufacturers list price and do not include dealer or government charges.
Styling tweaks see the Sportback longer and lower than the standard Q3. Audi quietly nods to its Quattro heritage with the body having larger wheel arch “blisters”. The S Line and Launch Edition will roll on 19 inch alloys. The powerplant itself pairs up with a slick six speed S-Tronic auto, putting drive to the front wjheels in the S Line. It’s not a rocket ship though, with a 0-100 time of 9.3 seconds. Economy is quoted as 7.3 litres per 100km whilst emissions are 167 grams per km. A bigger engine and an extra cog will feature in the Q3 40 S-Line model. 132kW will come from a 2.0L engine, driving all four corners via a seven speed S-Tronic.
The Launch Edition is will include additional features, such as metallic paint as standard, privacy glass, and a black exterior styling package. The folding wing mirrors are heated too. Inside there’s a bespoke sound system, auto dimming rear vision mirror, plus LED colour lighting, heated front pews with powered lumbar support, and a 360 degree camera system. Safety features will include Adaptive Cruise Assist, along with active lane assist and emergency assist.
ANCAP have awarded the Q3 Sportback a five star rating, as Autonomous Emergency Braking or AEB, with cyclist and pedestrian detection is on board, as are lane departure warning, lane change warning, rear cross-traffic assist, tyre pressure monitors, and hill descent control. Six airbags will be fitted with no driver’s kneebag as part of the package. Naturally technology is a major part of the Q3 Sportback, just like its sibling. The Audi “Virtual Cockpit” will star for the driver, as will MMI navigation and MMI touchscreen. DAB audio provides the sounds and Audi’s voice control is tuned to be a natural language style for better usage.
Both USB-A and USB-C ports will feature for front and rear seats, and connectivity in the form of wireless Apple CarPlay, a smartphone charge pad and a handy dual Bluetooth connectivity is standard. Audi Connect Plus provides real time traffic info, petrol station fuel pricing, parking space availability at listed stations, and even weather updates.
Drivers with a sporting bent will be well pleased thanks to a fettling of the steering plus selected driving modes for a variety of driving situations. Audi drive select allows driving characteristics to be altered with a selection of various modes through the MMI controls.
Although it’s of a coupe styling, rear room isn’t compromised. The 530 litres of cargo space is the same as the non-coupe Q3. 40:20:40 split fold and sliding second row seats allow up to 1400L as required.
Paul Sansom, Managing Director of Audi Australia, says: “The very first Q3 Sportback expands Audi’s presence in the premium compact SUV segment. In a single generation, the Audi Q3 established itself as the benchmark in its class, underlined by its enduring popularity throughout its lifetime. The new model is stronger in every conceivable area, and the very first Q3 Sportback offers an even more expressive alternative for buyers. The growing share of the premium compact SUV segment shows no sign of slowing down, and so the Q3 Sportback is absolutely the right car at the right time for the Australian market.”
Deliveries for Australia are expected to start in March of 2020.
Welcome To The Club: Fiat 500 Gets Update.
Fiat Australia has released details of a reinvigorated Fiat 500 line-up, with the unveiling of the new Lounge and Club variants.
The Italian city car remains true to its iconic design, refreshed with refined features and an option pack for the Club that takes the new line-up to an enhanced level of comfort across both the Lounge model and exciting new variant, the Fiat 500 Club.
Featuring the capable 51kW 1.2L powertrain, the Fiat 500 Lounge is offered in both Manual and Dualogic transmission and features 15 inch Glossy Silver Alloy Wheels as standard. Guillaume Drelon, Director, Brand & Product Strategy for Fiat, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer additional features in the new Fiat 500 line-up that deliver a new level of sophistication. The Fiat 500 is truly a fun expression of its owner and with new technology and aesthetic refinements, it’s never looked better.”
The pair share the same 1.2L engine. The Fiat 500 Club comes with Dualogic transmission and is packed with additional standard features including a Fixed Glass Sunroof, Automatic Climate Control, DAB+ and Rear Bumper with Chrome Moulding. There are some extra niceties too, with the Club also gaining 16 inch Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, and Dusk and Rain Sensors. The Club also offers two different interior options with black fabric seats with white inserts and eye-catching bordeaux stitching, or white fabric with black inserts and white stitching. Leather can also be specified.
Standard equipment for the pair is high. This includes the seven inch Uconnect Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven inch TFT Instrument Cluster Display, Voice Command with Bluetooth, Rear Parking Sensors, Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, Automatic Climate Control, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, and Daytime Running Lights with 15” Alloy Wheels on the Lounge.
The updated Fiat 500 range is on sale with the five speed manual Lounge starting from $19,250 (MSRP) through Fiat dealerships across Australia. The Club Auto starts from $23,250 (MSRP), with the Lounge and Club soft-tops starting from $25,250 and $27,250 respectively. The Fiat website can provide more information.
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