Honda’s all-new Civic will feature advance technology, improved handling and has a new price range for the model.

Honda Australia Director Mr. Stephen Collins, said the all-new Civic features advanced technology, improved handling and value for money.

“The iconic Civic nameplate is an Australian favourite. This ninth-generation Civic has undergone significant engineering development, with increased fuel efficiency, smoother handling, improved driving dynamics, a smarter cockpit and Honda’s ECO assist system.

“We are confident our customers will agree that the Civic is a brilliant package and delivers exceptional value for money. The Civic will be in Honda dealerships in early March,” Mr. Collins said.

The ninth-generation Civic is available in three variants – VTi-L, Sport and Hybrid.

The VTi-L has a 1.8 litre i-VTEC engine delivering 104 kW and 174 Nm of torque while the Sport’s 2 litre i-VTEC engine delivers 114 kW and 190 Nm, with significantly improved fuel efficiency.

The Civic Hybrid now has a 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine coupled with Honda’s upgraded Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, delivering 82 kW and 172 Nm. The improved IMA system delivers more power under hard acceleration. It recharges the new lithium-ion battery through the engine as well as using regenerated brake energy.

Safety is paramount, with the Civic achieving a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest available. Civic has next-generation Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), six airbags, ABS with EBD, Honda’s G-Con technology and new for this ninth-generation, Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering.

Increased use of high tensile steel in the Civic’s body delivers exceptional ride and handling. The all-new Civic is a joy to drive, with standard features across the range including an intelligent multi-information display, automatic climate control, cruise control, Honda’s unique ECON Mode, integrated Bluetooth with audio streaming, iPod connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls.

The sleek and stylish Civic Sport gains leather appointed seats, an electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic front wipers.

Manufacturer’s List Price

* Excludes dealer deliver and statutory charges

Infiniti, the luxury performance brand from Japan, has announced its advanced sports car concept is to be called the INFINITI EMERG-E.

The electric car will be seen publicly for the first time at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show with the reveal taking place on March 6 at the Infiniti stand at 10:15am CET (8:30pm AEDST).

For those who can not attend the show but are still interested in seeing this concept unveiled, the brand will transmit the launch live on their European website, www.infiniti.eu .

The INFINITI EMERG-E will be the first car from the brand to have not only a range-extender drivetrain offering vivid performance with zero emissions capability but also one mounted in a mid-ship package for optimal handling.

The Pedders Racing Proton crew have a long and demanding year ahead of them with the Australian Manufacturers Championship now extended to 6 rounds including three in Victoria (Phillip Island x 2 and Sandown).

Aside from the teams on track activities, the Kangaroo Flat based team headed by Pedders Bendigo owner Grant Phillips, have several other off track commitments including official roles at Rally Calder the weekend before their first round race meeting at Sydney’s Eastern Creek.

The team is also working hard to put together a significant Motorsport Display on December 16^th. The promotion of motorsports is key in their minds at all levels of events.

“It is a life style and once you have sampled it, you find it difficult not wanting to be more involved” said Phillips.

“We have worked hard as a team to put together an Australian first right here in Kangaroo Flat with the Pedders Bendigo Motorsport Display”.

“The team has taken on a manager to bring them to the next level with their racing commitments, “Michael “Stig” Stiglitch comes to us from a significant rally team management role in New Zealand. He will ensure that the team is able to capitalize on our successful first year of national competition” said Phillips.

With four round wins in class E of the series and a 2^nd in class, the team was successful in taking out the title of 1^st place in Class E of the Australian Manufacturers Championship 2011, the Drivers Championship in Class E was a clean sweep for the team with Grant Phillips taking out 1^st, Daryl Martin taking out 2^nd and Andrew Turpie who was just 2 points behind Martin continued with the dominant display of the team by securing 3^rd. They also took out Best Presented Team in the Australian Manufacturers Championship 2011. No mean feat when the competition includes racing legends such as John Bowe, Glenn Seton and Jason Bright just to name a few.

For their first year at this level of competition they really have taken the pride of Bendigo and in particular, Kangaroo Flat and shown the big boys how it should be done.

2011 poses some interesting challenges as Daryl Martin of Lockwood South has taken on the role as category manager for the AUSCAR Invitational, a resurgence of the old Thunderdome cars being used on the flat tracks such as Winton Motor Raceway.

The team is also deep in discussions with further sponsors including a vehicle manufacturer and a race apparel dealer. Current sponsors Pedders Suspension, Whiteline, Valvoline, DBA, PBR, DNA Paints, Georgina’s Restaurant Benalla and Bosch have all expressed their genuine pleasure to be able to continue the relationship with the team and ongoing sponsorship.

Whiteline Australia CEO Steve Broad stated that in all of his years in business he has never had such fantastic feedback and support from any team or event his company had ever sponsored.

“Phillips has helped to take this team of mates who raced casually at club level and turn us into a genuine professional race team” stated Martin.

“He has taken his business skills and knowledge and shown the team that to succeed in business is the same as to succeed in sport, total dedication to the cause and a real passion to make good things happen is what it takes to become champions in what we do” he continued.

Andrew Turpie stated, “I am amazed at how far we have come in such a short space of time and even more amazed at the level of support we are getting from the average person in the street”.

“It makes me proud to be a local and a part of this fantastic team”.

Competition Calendar

1.     Eastern Crk         March 9-11                 Shannons       2 x 1 Hour races

2.     Phillip Island      April 28-29                  APCEC             6 hour Endurance

3.     Phillip Island      May 26-27                  Shannons       2 x 1 Hour races

4.     Ipswich               August 10-12              Shannons       2 x 200km races

5.     Eastern Crk         Nov 2-4                       APCEC             8 hour Endurance

6.     Sandown                        Nov 24-25                   Shannons       2 x1 hour races

The team would like to take this opportunity to also thank the fantastic support they have received by many local businesses over the last year including; Moro and Dooly Accident Repair Centre, Fluidrive Kangaroo Flat, M & C Tyres, Atomik Motorsports Bendigo, Poppet Head Estate, Reliance Petroleum, Central Vic Bartercard, Mulchit ES and J & A Freight. It is local businesses like these that allow the success of the Pedders Team.

By Daryl Martin

With the Ferrari FF arriving in Australia and New Zealand, former World Rally Champion Markku Alen has been demonstrating another facet of the abilities offered by Ferrari’s latest supercar in the frozen north of Sweden.

Most four wheel drive systems, especially those in high performance cars, when confronted by tough road conditions, offer no more than the ability to traverse them slowly and safely. Of course the Ferrari FF offers this ability, with its unique four wheel drive system in its snow setting, however the remarkable Ferrari 4RM four wheel drive system working hand in hand with the F1 Trac system may also be put in its other settings allowing the driver to enjoy the road conditions while still staying in full control of the Ferrari FF.

With Markku Alen in action on Ferrari’s winter test track, it is clear that Ferrari FF remains an immensely enjoyable car to drive, despite conditions that bring most other supercars to a halt, let alone encourage enthusiastic driving.

At temperatures between -15° and -30° Celsius at the Arjeplog track, in Northern Sweden, about 100 km South of the Arctic Circle, the steep inclines and challenging corners of the 14 km “Forest” track, Markku Alen was able to test the FF to extremes, particularly the car’s traction on surfaces with extremely low grip.

Thanks to the perfect weight distribution and the car’s mechanical set up, the FF again demonstrated its safety, stability and performance, and, more crucially Markku commented that the FF is especially enjoyable to drive in these conditions, even for a former World Champion who was Finnish ice track specialist and winner of the World Rally Championship in 1978.

Australian car manufacture Holden has started the year strong with positive sales figres across a range of local and imported passenger and SUV models.

VFACTS figures show Holden’s sales increased 8.1 per cents compared to January 2011. The brand sold 9061 vehicles giving them an 11.8 per cent market share, up from 4.3 per cent same time last year.

The South Australian-built Cruze small car led Holden sales for the first time, with 2,445 sales for the month and 13.1 per cent share of the small car segment.

Cruze was closely followed by Commodore, which sold 2170 units in January for 49.7 per cent of the large car segment.

Holden’s seven-seat Captiva 7 kicked off 2012 as the second best-selling large SUV with 997 units and 13.8 per cent segment share.  Its Captiva 5 stablemate also put in a strong performance with 662 units sold.

In only its third month of sales, the new-generation Barina Hatch contributed to an outstanding Barina result of 1,318 units and a healthy 13.8 per cent share of the competitive light car segment.

Holden Director of Sales Philip Brook said although January was traditionally a quieter month, recently-introduced models like the Series II Captiva, Barina and Cruze Hatch were proving hot property.

“Holden’s product renaissance is really picking up pace and key models are notching up very pleasing performances in their respective segments,” he said.

“We’ve got more exciting and diverse products in the pipeline, beginning with a new Barina sedan, which goes on sale this month.  The sedan will add a new element of flexibility and choice to our Barina line-up, which is already a strong performer for Holden.

“As we speak, Holden experts are putting the finishing touches on the all-new Colorado light truck, and we expect it to be a serious challenger in the Australian light commercial market.

“And we’ve got a fantastic story to tell about our new mono-fuel LPG Commodore, which will offer customers large car practicality and reduced running costs, as we roll out the new LPG model line-up in the coming weeks.

“Our focus remains on building and selling the cars Australians want to buy and with a raft of new models due in the coming months, we’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

Holden’s latest Barina has been boosted by the introduction of an all-new sedan variant to sit alongside the existing hatch model, expanding the appeal of the popular small car.

The Barina sedan mirrors its hatch sibling in boasting strong, sporty Holden design language, must-have technology and five-star safety, all wrapped in a city-friendly light car package.

Both the Barina 4-door sedan and the 5-door hatch deliver excellent ride and handling characteristics, sporty and sophisticated design, as well as roominess and an impressive list of standard features.

Holden’s Executive Director for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth, said the Barina sedan will be an excellent addition to the range.

“The Barina hatch has been a great success for Holden since it launched in November last year, recording very strong sales,” Mr Elsworth said.

“Now the addition of the sedan variant adds a new dimension of practicality and flexibility to the Barina range. Offering 502 litres of boot space, while maintaining the excellent driving characteristics, style and standard equipment of the hatch, I’m sure the sedan will continue to build on the Barina’s popularity.”

With sporty and contemporary styling, the Barina sedan is not merely a stretched version of the hatch. The painstaking design process has delivered a number of characteristics that contribute to a more upscale and sleek presence than many 4-door vehicles in this category.

Its short, compact deck lid is matched to the car’s overall proportions, while the taillamps on the Barina sedan carry a dual-element lens, with white and red highlights. The result is a more upscale aesthetic expected of a sedan.

The extra practicality of the sedan is highlighted by the spacious boot, offering a storage capacity of 502 litres which is among the best in the segment.

Like the hatch, Barina sedan features a level of standard equipment that is rare in the light car segment, including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB input and iPod connectivity, steering wheel controls, cruise control and ‘follow me home’ headlights, as well as clever interior storage options.

Boasting the same lively 85 kW, 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine as the hatch, the Barina sedan has one of the largest engines in the segment and blends spirited performance with competitive fuel economy. Barina sedan is equipped with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Barina sedan shares impressive safety credentials with its Barina hatch, Commodore and Cruze siblings, receiving the maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Safety features on the all-new Barina sedan include driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags, dual front seatbelt pretensioners, front seatbelt reminders, Electronic Stability Control, a collapsible pedal release system and head restraints for all seats.

Holden Barina sedan is launching with an RRP of just $500 more than the equivalent hatch and is on sale now.

Barina Hatch and Sedan Recommended Retail Pricing

Barina Hatch with 5-speed manual transmission – $15,990
Barina Hatch with 6-speed automatic transmission – $17,990
Barina Sedan with 5-speed manual transmission – $16,490
Barina Sedan with 6-speed automatic transmission – $18,490

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) announced crash test ratings for the Honda Civic and Hyundai Veloster. Both vehicles achieved 5 stars under the second year of the new ANCAP Road Map.

The Honda Civic was awarded ANCAP’s maximum 5 star rating for occupant protection as well as the highest possible rating of “Good” for pedestrian protection.

“With the inclusion of pedestrian protection ratings into the overall rating from 2012, Honda should be congratulated on achieving ANCAP’s highest result in that aspect of the testing,” said ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh.

“Pedestrian protection is an area that has not been well addressed amongst the current fleet so Honda has thrown out a challenge to other vehicle manufacturers,” he said.

A new model onto the Australasian market, the Hyundai Veloster sports car also achieved 5 stars.

“This new model now increases Hyundai’s range of 5 star rated vehicles and offers consumers better and safer choices in this sometimes overlooked vehicle category.”

Remarking on the achievements of both models, Mr McIntosh said he was pleased to see both cars had achieved the new higher safety standards set out in ANCAP’s Road Map.

“It is important that ANCAP continues to raise the bar when it comes to vehicle safety. The Road Map does that and these results confirm that car manufacturers are willing to lead the way.”

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, all Australian state governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

When first looking at getting into motor sport, the decision of which club to join becomes a rather important question. The right club can help define what sort of racing you want to get into and help you to get what you want out of your racing career.

If racing interests you and you don’t have a race car, then using your road car would be the best step to take as a first one. As there is a lot of racing on offer all over the country that does not require a roll cage, then using the everyday driver is a cheap and easy start.

The HSCCQ is one club that runs a number of race events that all you need to do is have a roadworthy car and you can get started.

HSCCQ runs tarmac Motorkhana’s and both tarmac and dirt Khanacross’s in the South-East Queensland region. These events are fun, fast and the best way to get the skills needed to make the next step in racing and not to mention some of the cheapest events to enter.

A Motorkhana puts a driver and their machine against the clock in a course lined by markers. The objective is to go as fast as you can in the correct direction and have fun doing it. With courses that can involve tight hairpin corners where a hand brake might be used or a reverse slalom to mix it up, the event makes you think as well as teach car control.

Drivers as young as 12 are eligible to compete with an accompanying adult, and it doesn’t matter whether the car is front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive, as long as it is roadworthy, but not necessarily registered, you can race it.

The other event the HSCCQ run is a Khanacross. These events are like an extended Motorkhana. The speed is a little faster and can be run on the dirt just to make it interesting. The idea is the same, pitting the driver against the clock in a set course with only you to push as hard or soft as you like.

The best thing about this club is that all the members are friendly and willing to help anyone that wants it. Although they are competing against you on the track, they will offer advice on how to go faster which may help you to beat them.

So now you have no reason to stay home on a Sunday watching racing on TV and wishing you were the next Craig Lowndes. For more information on the HSCCQ, visit the link provided and tell them Australian Driver Magazine sent you.

Link – HSCCQ

With the second month of the year now upon us so is the revised Volkswagen Polo range. The Polo now comes with enhanced standard equipment levels and a rather low starting price.

The five-door Polo Trendline is the entry level Polo but with a starting price of $16,990* it is not one to be over looked.  The next in line is the Polo 77TSI Comfortline with its starting price of $18,990*.

The Polo 66TDI Comfortline’s starting price has also been reduced to $21,490*. Across all models – except the Polo GTI – the 7-speed DSG is a $2,500 option.

The Volkswagen Polo range has redefined its market segment since its introduction to the Australian market and the new price points make it even more attractive.

Standard equipment levels have also been enhanced for the entire Polo range.  With the addition of popular features such as Bluetooth phone connectivity and Media Device Interface (MDI) as well as daytime driving lights, the Polo will continue to outshine its competitors.

The sporty Polo GTI has also received additional standard comfort and convenience equipment befitting the top model in the range. The RCD510 touchscreen audio system, automatic climate control air conditioning, rain sensing wipers and automatically dimming rear-view mirror are all now included, adding even more value to an already well equipped model.

Volkswagen Polo range pricing:
Polo Trendline 5-speed manual                                     $16,990*
Polo Trendline 7-speed DSG                                         $19,490*
Polo 77TSI Comfortline 6-speed manual                      $18,990*
Polo 77TSI Comfortline 7-speed DSG                          $21,490*
Polo 66TDI Comfortline 5-speed manual                      $21,490*
Polo 66TDI Comfortline 7-speed DSG                          $23,990*
Polo GTI 3-door 7-speed DSG                                      $27,790*
Polo GTI 5-door 7-speed DSG                                      $28,990*

* Prices are manufacturer list prices only, for the drive away price please contact your local authorise Volkswagen dealer

Ford’s new Falcon EcoBoost which goes on sales in Australia in the second quarter of 2012 offers a new standard in large car fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, performance and affordability.

EcoBoost uses direct injection and turbocharging to deliver more power and performance from a lower displacement powerplant, yet with impressive fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions.

The Falcon is the first RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) application in Ford’s global EcoBoost technology and is said to deliver an 18 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency for the Falcon XT, compared to the standard inline six-cylinder engine.

Achieving 8.1L/100km¹, the Falcon XT will also deliver just 192g/km of CO₂. Both the Falcon EcoBoost and Ford’s state-of-the-art, liquid phase injection, dedicated LPG powerplant in the Falcon EcoLPi are the only two Australian-built large sedans to deliver sub-200g/km CO₂ emissions.

The G6 and G6E will also receive significant fuel economy and emissions improvements with the introduction of the EcoBoost engine. Fuel economy will improve to 8.5L/100km¹ – a 14 per cent improvement; while CO₂ emissions will improve by 14.8 per cent to just 201g/km.

Despite achieving new fuel efficiency and emissions targets, the Falcon EcoBoost engine will continue to provide performance that is expected in a large car. Power and torque figures are 179kW @ 5500 rpm and 353Nm @ 2000 rpm, showcasing the outstanding performance on offer.

“Ford’s EcoBoost technology really is the best way to achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions at a price consumers can afford,” said Ford Australia President & CEO Bob Graziano.

“Our goal has been to find the sweet spot for Australian consumers – to give them the fuel efficiency they need, combined with the power they want. Ford’s global EcoBoost technology does just that – without any price premium.”

EcoBoost engines are already on sale in a number of Ford vehicles around the world and by 2013, will be available in 80 per cent of the company’s global nameplates.

“Ford customers have embraced EcoBoost technology because of its ability to deliver power and performance with uncompromised fuel economy,” Graziano added.

“With its introduction to Falcon, we’re expanding its reach to more customers so they can enjoy its unique blend of power, performance and fuel economy.”

¹ Figures obtained from controlled tests using ADR 81/02. Actual fuel consumption will depend on many factors including driving habits, prevailing conditions and the vehicles equipment, condition and use.