Honda Australia has extended its partnership with one of Australia’s favourite doctors, reappointing Dr Andrew Rochford as a brand ambassador. The Project co-host has received Australia’s very first all-new CR-V, hot off the docks. A long-time Honda owner and advocate, Dr. Rochford was excited to get behind the wheel of the highly anticipated all-new CR-V. “I’ve enjoyed working with Honda Australia over the past year and it’s great to be one of the first people to experience the new CR-V. “The CR-V has loads of space for my family and fits perfectly with our busy life. The fact it has a five-star ANCAP rating means we can get out on the road in style and comfort and safety,” Dr. Rochford said. Honda Australia’s Director and General Manager Sales and Marketing, Mr. Stephen Collins said; “We are really looking forward to another year with Dr. Rochford. He’s the right fit for our brand and the all-new CR-V.” The all-new CR-V is now available in Honda dealerships across the country. With more than five and a half million sold worldwide, the fourth-generation CR-V has raised the bar even higher, with standard features including the one-touch motion folding rear seats, integrated Bluetooth, reversing camera and huge cargo area. For the first time in Australia, the CR-V is available in both two and four-wheel drive, with the two-wheel drive available in two variants and the four-wheel drive available in three.  

The effectiveness of airbags in protecting vehicle occupants from death and serious injury has again been validated following an evaluation conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). Supporting the position taken by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to mandate Head Protecting Technology (HPT) as part of its forward-looking Rating Road Map, research by MUARC has found combination airbags reduced the risk of death and injury by 61 per cent in struck side crashes. The report concluded that “combination airbags designed to protect the head, neck, face and thorax are highly effective in reducing injury due to side struck crashes.” Combination airbags were associated with statistically significant reductions in the odds of death and injury of: 51 per cent to all body regions; 61 per cent to the head, neck, face and thorax; and 53 per cent to the head, neck and face. “As part of ANCAP safety rating assessments, side impact tests and pole tests are conducted to assess the effectiveness of Head Protecting Technology. It is a mandatory requirement that a vehicle be fitted with HPT to driver and front passenger seats in order to achieve the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. From 2014 this will also apply to second row seats,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nicholas Clarke.

ANCAP have been crashing them again with some new models being put to the test, the crash test. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program announced a 5 star safety rating for Kia’s Picanto, while the Jeep Wrangler has scored 4 stars. The New Zealand-sold Kia Picanto small car has achieved the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating with dual front, side and head-protecting side curtains airbags; antilock brakes (ABS); electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD); and electronic stability control (ESC) all standard. The pedestrian protection rating of the Picanto is ‘Marginal’. “The 5 star ANCAP safety rating achieved by the Kia Picanto provides New Zealand motorists with yet another safe model to choose from,” said ANCAP Chairman, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh. The popular Jeep Wrangler (2 door 3.6L V6) Sports Utility Vehicle, introduced into Australia in 2007, has achieved a 4 star ANCAP safety rating. The Wrangler provides dual front airbags however chest and head-protecting side airbags are optional at added cost. Head-protecting side airbags are required to achieve a 5 star ANCAP safety rating. The level of protection provided to pedestrians by the Wrangler is rated as ‘Poor’. Mr McIntosh said, “There are now many SUVs which have been awarded the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. Consumers should make sure they make a 5 star choice when buying their next car and they can do that by checking the ANCAP website or on their smartphone.”

Star ratings on new vehicles are all the rage at the moment but have ANCAP and the RAC WA gone too far with this next move. The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia have announced they will only insure or finance cars which have been rated by Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and awarded an ANCAP safety rating of either 4 or 5 stars. This announcement by RAC WA – one of ANCAP’s 22 member organisations – applies to cars manufactured in 2012 and beyond as part of the RAC WA’s Safer Cars Program. ANCAP commends the announcement and believe the campaign aims to encourage consumers to check the ANCAP safety rating before purchasing a new car. “This innovative initiative by the RAC WA is yet another way we can make consumers aware of the importance of safer vehicles,” said ANCAP Chairman, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh. “There are many fleets, leasing companies and businesses employing policies which require minimum ANCAP safety ratings. Initiatives such as these will have a significant effect on the road toll.” “The road toll in Western Australia for the year to date stands at 133 – 13.53% of the national toll so far in 2012 – and through the introduction of the RAC’s Safer Cars Program, the unnecessary loss of life across WA will no doubt be reduced as a result.” “This presents an opportunity for all other motor vehicle insurers and financiers to implement similar policies with the common goal being to get consumers into safer cars,” said Mr McIntosh. ANCAP has published the results of 35 new 4 and 5 star cars so far in 2012 andfor a full list of ANCAP safety ratings and model specifications, and vehicle safety information visit www.ancap.com.au. Is limiting the finance and insurance to these cars taken the control of what is driven too far? Although the aim of ANCAP is to ensure less road fatalities, the aim is really directed in the wrong way. The effort should be put into driver programs to ensure people can handle a vehicle to prevent the crash in the first place. Governments around Australia are always working on culling road crashes by making getting a license harder and adding more Police to the streets, but driver education to prevent the crash in the first place really should take precedent no matter the cost because a loved one is priceless.  

The years have flown by for Toyota and the Corolla has passed 1.2 million sales in Australia since first coming here in November of 1966. Then, Australia was the first country to sell this model outside of Japan and in the past 45 years the Corolla has improved to be what it is today. The 11^th generation is a great improvement over its predecessor and not just in styling. The Australian International Motor Show in Sydney was the first time this car has been seen in the southern hemisphere after first being seen in Japan and Europe. Although a very Japanese company, the new generation has had its fair share of influences from Europe. The Corolla has an edgier style and has a lower centre of gravity to help improve the on road performance. The exterior design is European-inspired and has long smooth lines and a pointed front given the sense of more agility then previous Corolla’s. The new front gives the Corolla a more powerful road presence and there is no mistaking this model from the old. The front is dominated by a large, trapezoidal lower grille that has become a feature of Toyota’s latest models, including Yaris and Prius. The bonnet sweeps down to a rather large Toyota badge which stands out with pride. Looking side on, the body is more defined and streamlined and although the roof is lower the cabin space has not been compromised. What helps to give the streamlined appearance is the ride height reduction which lessens the gaps between the body and wheels and the road. A fresh approach has been taking with the interior and Toyota concentrated on lighting, font, colour and the quality of the finish. The dash is more designed for the driver and the layout of switches reflects this. The steering wheel design is more ergonomic and gives a more engaging feel when seated behind the wheel. The electric power-steering is said to be more direct and give a greater feel and feedback. One of the best parts of the interior is the improved leg room for rear passengers. Although not much in total, the feel when sitting in the back is defiantly not so squishy. Toyota has also added more soundproofing to help reduce road noise. The new Corolla is to be powered by a revised 1.8-litre which develops three per cent more power while still retaining fuel efficiency. The torque of the engine is said to arrive earlier in the rev range to give it a sportier feel. As with almost all Toyota’s, the new Corolla was given a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. The new Corolla will be hitting the streets this week as it went on sale on Monday 22^nd. Photos by Rudi Khoury