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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Continues Its Record Run.
Mercedes-Benz, one of the oldest vehicle makers on the planet, is rightly known for its broad range of passenger vehicles. Not unsurprisingly, in certain quarters, their commercial vehicles garner just as much acclaim. A well known nameplate for M-B Commercial Vehicles is the Sprinter, a vehicle I have great personal affection for as it’s one of the first vehicles I sold in my car sales career.
In its category, the large van market, the Sprinter has recently been named the number one seller for the seventeenth year in a row, for the Australia/Pacific region. There’d be very few, if any, passenger cars, that can say they’ve the same history. Sprinter first sold in Australia in 1998, with a then reasonable 369 units sold, with 2014 moving 2144 Sprinters, leaving its competitors some distance behind.
It’s not just here that Sprinter has made its mark, with an increase of 16%, worldwide the model has increased by 9%, moving over 294, 000 units worldwide. Sprinter’s variations and reliability have also solidly entrenched the model in the heart and souls of many, including one Australian.
Rewind to 1998, a year that saw Australia realising the new millenium was nearly upon us and businesses were worried about a possible worldwide computer failure called the Y2K bug. Robin Culkin-Lawrence no doubt had this in the back of his mind, thanks to his newly established olive grove and plant growing businesses. Robin was based in a small town in Victoria’s Otway Ranges, Birregurra, and needed a vehicle that was reliable and dependable. Robin purchased one of the 369 Sprinters sold in 1998 and now has a fleet of vehicles, including three Sprinters.
So taken with the three pointed star brand, Robin says: ” “I must admit I think Mercedes-Benz will be part our business for a long time to come.” And of the Sprinter? “”The Sprinter is also better on brakes and terrific on fuel. At the end of the year all this adds up to quite a few extra dollars in our pocket.” Robin’s grown his businesses to the point that Birregurra Olive Grove and Plants Direct Australia now have him not so hands on: “I leave that up to our team. They are up and down the highway at least once a day, doing many miles. As an incentive, staff are allowed to take the vehicles home on the proviso they are washed and cleaned.”
Sprinter continues to make its mark on the Australian market, with a 51% share of the van market in December 2014.
New York International Motor Show….And A Little More.
It’s car show season and one of the biggest is the New York International Motor Show. Just about every major brand uses this event for their big reveals.
Jaguar recently unveiled the new XF via a most spectacular method in London, however the official showing is at the NYIMS. The engine and transmission range will consist of: 132kW 2.0-litre diesel automatic; 177kW 2.0-litre petrol automatic; 221kW diesel automatic; 250kW and 280kW 3.0-litre petrol automatic. The designations will be: Prestige, R Sport, Portfolio and S. An extended wheelbase provided 15 mm more legroom, 24 mm kneeroom and up to 27 mm more headroom for the rear seat passengers, important with a medium sizer.
Cabin changes see a new 10.2 inch touchscreen, called InControl TouchPro. It will offer connectivity with Apple’s iOS and Android; power a 17 speaker 825 watt Meridian digital sound system and will work alongside a reconfigurable 12.3 inch dash display with four themes and full screen navigation.
FCA US (Fiat Chrysler Alfa Romeo) are also unveiling a raft of cars; chief of the Italian family is the Alfa Romeo 4C coupe, complete with 1.7L turbo four, 0-100 in a touch over four seconds, a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and killer looks. There’s the mini SUV Fiat 500X, based on the popular 500 series small car. From Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge come a new Renegade, updated 300C and the eagerly anticipated Challenger, complete with 392 cubic inch V8 plus the performance divisions Challenger and Charger, from SRT. Expect something on the region of 700 horsepower and buy some tissues as they won’t be coming to Australia…
It’s also been announced, seperately, that Dodge will be shipping their Ram trucks to Australia after reaching an agreement with Walkinshaw Engineering, known for working with Holden, to engineer the big beasts for right hand side drive. Current release dates and pricing are estimated to be year’s end and $120K in Aussie dollars.
Mitsubishi will be bringing a facelifted Outlander; there’s a reasonable amount of plastic surgery having been performed, both inside and out. Notable is what’s called the “Dynamic Shield” exterior, with the front and rear having a substantial makeover, with the nosecone looking somewhat more muscular. The interior has been given a freshen, with a new design for the steering wheel, higher grade materials for the seats and trim plus substantial, unseen, engineering work.
Kia has released its 2016 Optima, widely regarded as one of the prettiest cars to grace the roads. Featuring a slightly extended wheelbase and width (10 mm and 25 mm respectively), there’s also a couple of US specific models. For Australia, it’s not yet confirmed which specifications will be winging their way down under.
The exterior is evolution, not revolution, staying with the svelte, almost Jaguaresque profile but further refining and tightening the lines. We may see, at the front, the bi-functional headlights, allowing extra lighting coming into turns.
Holden will be selling an updated version of its small small car entry, the Barina Spark, by year’s end. It’s been dropped by 40 mm and the wheelbase has been extended, with the end result being a slightly more sleek design. Pillars have also been streamlined, adding to the fresh look but also providing more glasshouse for visibility. On the inside, the hip points, where a human’s hip would be situated, have also been relocated in order to keep the headroom the Spark is known for.
2015 will be a big for the Australian car market; there’s already rumours about a manufacturer changing their timeline in regards to a range they sell. Private Fleet will keep you up to date.
Private Fleet Car Review: 2015 Ford Falcon XR6
It’s slated to be wrapped up as being made in Australia in 2016 but Ford’s Falcon isn’t going down without a fight. An exterior redesign, a light freshen up for the interior, some integrated tech and, in the case of the sports model, the return of the XR8 nameplate. A step down from that is the XR6 with which A Wheel Thing spent a somewhat sad week with. Why? Soon there’ll be no more Aussie made cars…
Powersource.
The phrase “grandfather’s axe” has been levelled at the 4.0L engine that has existed in one form or another and in varying capacities (but not by much) for well over forty years. In the case of the 2015 XR6, it’s a modern, fuel injected, high torque, alloy headed beast.
Power is 195 kW at 6000 revs with torque an impressive 391 Nm at 3250 rpm. The transmission is a six speed auto with Sports mode whilst the combo drinks, not sips, from a 68 litre tank. Ford quotes, in an urban environment, its natural home, at close to 15.0/L per 100 kilometres. Dry weight is a hefty 1748 kilograms.
The Suit.
In profile it’s the BA based shell we had to have after the dingo ugly AU debacle. The major changes are the Jaguaresque tail lights and the bluff, upright front with the integrated LED’s surrounding the headlights. It’s a classier and more user friendly look than its opposition. From the front, it looks like no Falcon we’ve seen before, with the handover to the forthcoming American sourced metal evident.
The boot features a subtle spoiler, sitting atop the aforementioned iconic British tail light design; the overall effect is somewhat disquieting, with a sharp and aggressive front joined to a softly rounded rear by a centre a decade old.
On The Inside.
It’s here that the lack of spending is evident in one respect, yet hidden in plain sight in another. The dash features a font not unlike that seen in the Lethal Weapon movie titles yet the centre console touchscreen (sitting atop a layout almost unchanged for a decade) is a four quarter display for radio (including digital!) Bluetooth, navigation and aircon, which also flicks up on the monochrome (why?) centre of dash screen. It’s simple, intuitive and a hidden gem.
The system features Ford’s lauded Sync2 system, with voice activated hands free calling for your phone, phone book transfer and text messaging support.
It’s a key (not keyless) start, an anachronism nowadays. Seats are deep, supportive and reasonably easy to adjust however the steering column, adjustable for reach and rake doesn’t go up high enough for truly safe and comfortable driving.
The boot is massive, allowing 535L worth of cargo space to be utilised. It’s the stereotypical big boot for the Aussie family and it’ll be missed.
On The Road.
The XR6 feels heavy. It feels heavy and old. Although the steering rack ratio is quick, at around 3.5 turns lock to lock, the overall impression is of a tired, worn out and uninspired setup. It’s slow to get off the mark, feels a touch breathless getting under way and there’s the same sound from underneath that Australia has heard for over two decades.
The six speed auto whines and clunks, there’s moments of backlash through the drivetrain as it swaps from Reverse to Drive, the go pedal is prodded and there’s a moment of hesitation before the response comes.
Belying this is the ride quality; Ford’s suspension has been applauded for its suppleness and, even riding on licorice thin 245/35/19 Dunlop tyres, there’s a feeling of confidence, safety, grip and fluidity. The variable ratio steering is responsive, imparting an almost F1 sensation as the nose moves left and right with barely a touch.
Damping is sensational, with the crash bang of shopping centre carpark speedbumps ignored and flattened.
The Wrap.
It’s an odd mix of new tech, smart thinking and old school Aussie sounds from the XR6. Much like its main competitor, Holden’s SV6, it’s a base model car given a little bit of dress up and some up to date electronics. It’s a hefty thing to move yet lightning quick in driving style. It’s comfortable to be in but has elements of the 20th century holding it back visually.
But it is ours, the Ford Falcon XR6 and its imminent passing will be mourned.
For details, go here: http://www.ford.com.au/cars/ultimate-falcon/specifications/spec-options
New Releases: New Cars for 2015 and Beyond
Jaguar, that quintessential and iconic English brand, unveiled the new XF in a somewhat unusual way in London. Jaguar is proud and rightfully so of its aluminuim architecture and engineering. It’s quoting 80 kilograms lighter than its nearest competitor in its segment and reduced CO2 emissions along with a mooted 70 miles per gallon (diesel engine).
The way that Jaguar showed off its new car certainly is an eyebrow raiser; we watch humans walk along thin wires and marvel at how they stay on. Jag went further and ran the XF across two wires, crossing the Thames at Canary Wharf.
There’s been some tweaking of the design as well; to the eye it looks the same length but there’s a difference, with wheelbase extended by by 51 mm whilst the car is actually 7 mm shorter and 3 mm lower. Headlights have been trimmed and the taillights now have the same look as the popular F-Type. Transmissions will be eithe a six speed manual or eight speed auto, with powerplants ranging from a 132 kW diesel to 280 kW supercharged V6, with drag now reduced to 0.26cD.
The F-Type, available in convertible and hardtop, has donated its blood to Jaguar’s first SUV, the F-Pace.
The concept car, the C-X17, gave a clear indication of its heritage when unveiled; sales of the XF are scheduled for spring 2015 in the UK and, no doubt, sometime in early 2016, as will the F-Pace.
Mitsubishi’s Outlander has been popular since its launch in the early 2000’s; there’s been some teasing of the new model which indicates a freshening of the front whilst the rear has been tickled a little. Interior updates have not yet been seen.
Coming soon from VW owned, Czech car maker, Skoda, is a refreshed Octavia Scout complete with grunty diesels (110 kW and six speed manual) or 135 kW (and 132 kW petrol) with six speed dual clutch autos. It’s a 4×4 configuration, with styling for the exterior reflecting its off road capability and showcasing a 32 mm ride height increase.
Citroen, famed for its sometimes quirky designs, says Australia will see the C4 based Cactus in early 2016; it will bring with it a bold design and innovative features including Airbump technology, magic wash and a roof mounted airbag. Unique Airbump® technology provides style with substance to absorb minor impacts, this flexible skin protects the vehicle from minor scrapes and bumps. Consisting of a multitude of air capsules under a flexible skin TPU (Thermo Plastic Urethane), the soft treatment absorbs small bumps and provides better resistance to scratches. They require no special maintenance, and directly involved in the reduction of operating costs of the vehicle.
Airbump technology will also be joined by an innovative ‘Magic Wash’ system whereby windscreen-washer jets are fitted in the tips of the wipers to provide a bead of liquid rather than a spray.
The system results in no loss of visibility during washing, while removing overspray and reducing consumption of washer fluid by half.
Australia gets a guernsey with the designed and engineered here Ranger slated for release in the second half of 2015. There’s an American influence to the front with a more assertive, masculine design. A trapezoidal grille is flanked by new projector headlights 
and there’s plenty to like under the skin. Electrically assisted steering, uprated diesels with Stop/Start with potential fuel savings of 22%, Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, updated interior and handling packages spell big positives for the blue oval.
Also due soon is Kia’s revamped Optima, a new Range Rover Sport, Peugeot’s updated 3008 SUV and Mazda’s baby SUV, the CX-3, is available now.
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