Holden’s all-new Colorado crew cab range has become the latest Holden to be awarded a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Launched last month, the new light commercial vehicle has a comprehensive list of active and passive safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger airbags and full length curtain airbags standard across the range. Colorado benefits from a robust frame and body structure constructed from high-strength steel and a technically advanced chassis system which delivers enhanced accident avoidance capabilities.  Full length side impact protection beams reinforce the passenger safety cell and offers optimum protection in the event of a collision. Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said the crew cab range accounted for approximately 80 per cent of Colorado sales therefore it was great to get this important third party endorsement for this popular range. “Today’s LCVs serve a dual purpose – they are a weekday work horse but often perform the duties of an SUV at the weekend so it was imperative that Colorado included increased standard passenger comfort and safety,” said Mr Elsworth. “Colorado has earned a well-deserved reputation as a hardworking, solid, safe and reliable light commercial vehicle and this announcement will further enhance that status. “We’ve been thrilled with the response to Colorado, it’s generated genuine excitement across our dealer network and in the marketplace and this announcement cements what a great addition the all-new Colorado is to the Holden portfolio.” ANCAP Chairman, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh congratulated Holden on the stellar achievements saying it was satisfying to see manufacturers lifting the safety of light commercial vehicles.

Lexus has launched the new-look RX range, featuring greater driving dynamics, a new model, greater drive train choice, bold styling and increased value. The new-look RX range has benefitted from chassis revisions and improvements across the range to increase steering response and driving enjoyment. RX F Sport models leverage these improvements further by adding unique suspension calibration, performance dampers, paddle shift (RX 350) and F Sport-specific wheels, along with unique exterior and interior styling that befits the F Sport designation. Available for the first time in Australia and joining the new-look RX 350 and 450h hybrid range is the new RX 270. The addition of RX 270 increases the available drivetrain options to three – with RX range now offering a 2.7-litre four cylinder, a 3.5-litre alloy quad cam V6 and a highly efficient 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid. RX 270 provides further choice for customers in the growing small SUV segment – offering the ideal amount of power and space for the city. Complementing the range’s new dynamics and variants is a new look for RX, including the new Lexus corporate identity and signature spindle grille. Exterior changes include new headlamps with daytime running lamps, spindle grille, model-specific bumpers and revised wheels. Interior revisions extend to a new-look steering wheel, redesigned centre console, greater choice of interior colours, all-new audio interface, new push-to-enter remote touch controller and the adoption of digital radio (DAB+) as standard. Lexus has increased the value across the range with RX 270 entering the market under $70,000 RRP – $12,000 less than the previous entry point. Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb said that the new-look RX Line is a continuation of the full-scale change that is occurring at Lexus. “With its improved dynamics, bolder styling, expanded range and improved value – the new-look RX Line brings to life the renewed focus of Lexus and our product-led revolution,” Mr Cramb said. “The addition of new RX 270 and F Sport models only adds further credibility to a model range that has always been recognised for outstanding value, reliability and practicality. “New-look RX, with its choice of petrol or hybrid engines, will offer a range of vehicles for a range of tastes,” he said.

The SUV market in Australia is the one of the most saturated classes as buyers are spoilt for choice. Kia’s hugely successful Sorento SUV is to receive a number of improvements when the new upgraded model goes on sale later this year in most markets. Significant changes include a re-engineered bodyshell, enhanced powertrains for best-in-class fuel economy with lower emissions, improved ride, handling and refinement, additional convenience and safety features, plus a fresh, new look for the exterior. “Since its introduction in 2009, the second-generation Kia Sorento has achieved more than 620,000 sales around the world”, commented Thomas Oh, Kia’s Executive Vice-President & COO of the International Business Division. “Today, it is manufactured in Korea and the USA, attracting over 130,000 US customers last year to rank as the best-selling Kia model in the States for the second year in a row. “We have given very careful attention to owners’ feedback, and the upgraded Sorento is not just a cosmetic exercise but a major step forward for our popular SUV.” Kia’s designers have created new headlamps with LED positioning lights, a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps, new bumpers (front and rear) with vertical-axis fog lights and a larger area of body-colour surface, and an expanded choice of wheels to include larger diameter (19-inch) alloys. Inside the five or seven-seater cabin, there are more soft-touch surfaces plus a new LCD instrument cluster, new centre stack with 8-inch display screen, and a new console featuring a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever on automatic transmission models – reinforcing the vehicle’s more luxurious character. Offered in black or beige cloth or leather, the interior can be bathed in natural light through a larger optional panoramic sunroof with no centre cross beam and a powered blind. The 2013 Sorento will be launched in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year. Futher details will be announced closer to the launch date.

Peugeot Australia has released the all-new 4008 SUV with a rear camera standard across the range and this new compact SUV going on sale next month, priced from $28,990 for the 2WD manual. “Peugeot Australia has made a decision to make safety a priority with the new 4008 given the issues that surround SUV’s and, in particular, child safety,” said Peugeot Australia General Manager Bill Gillespie. “With many families opting for the practicality and versatility of SUV’s, we decided to fit all 4008 models with a rear camera and ensure that safety is not an optional extra on the new 4008. This is an Australia-specific decision for Peugeot as our model and equipment line-up is different to that of other markets around the world.’’ The new 4008 comes in both two and four-wheel drive and the choice of two model grades – Active and Allure. Active models are available with either a five-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT for $2500. Active models are also available in 2WD or AWD. The high grade Allure is available in AWD with a CVT only. Allure models are priced from $38,490. “With sharp pricing and a high level of equipment the 4008 represents excellent value in the premium Small SUV market.  All 4008 models are also covered by the Peugeot Assured Service Plan (ASP) giving customers peace of mind when it comes to servicing their new 4008,” Mr. Gillespie said. The 4008 is the latest model in Peugeot’s line-up to be covered by the Assured Service Plan which already applies to the 308 and 508.  Under the ASP, servicing costs are capped at just $330 a year for three years. As part of Peugeot’s dedication to Customer service, the ASP also includes a valet service.  And, unlike some other capped price servicing plans, the ASP covers all Business fleet categories and government sales. Born out of the PSA Group and Mitsubishi partnership, the 4008 still has a strong personality firmly rooted in the world of the Peugeot Marque. Peugeot designers wanted not only to emphasize the company’s DNA in the design of the car but to also emphasise the car’s off-road character by adopting a vertical grille design, the inclusion of body sill protectors and prominent wheel arch protection trims, to accommodate large wheels enhanced by the sophisticated design of the wheel rims. The interior ambiance is enhanced by the choice of materials, like the soft texture fascia, piano black trim and chrome highlights. *PEUGEOT 4008 PRICING: 2.0 Active 2WD manual: $28,990 2.0 Active 2WD CVT: $31,490 2.0 Active AWD manual: $30,990 2.0 Active AWD CVT: $33,490 2.0 Allure AWD CVT: $38,490 *Prices quoted are the Manufacturer’s List Prices (MLP), inclusive of Luxury Car Tax (LCT) at the rate of 33%, and excluding dealer delivery charges. LCT is payable on all vehicles with a total purchase price, including the price of factory & dealer fitted optional extras & dealer delivery charges, above $57,466. This is a manufacturer’s list and new vehicles must be purchased from dealers. Specifications and pricing are as planned for Model Year 2012 and subject to change without notice or obligation.

Electric vehicles are the new black in the auto industry and right now every manufacture is trying to produce the best they can. Toyota is one company that is leading the way with electric car and has now revealed the all-new RAV4 electric vehicle at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. The RAV4 EV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 160km and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the petrol-powered RAV4 V6. Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota in the United States, said the RAV4 EV did not compromise on performance, comfort or versatility. “It’s all about blending the best of two worlds,” Mr Carter said. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.” The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing the vehicle to market. The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s popular SUV. The front-wheel-drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 60 mph (96.6 km/h) in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of about 137 km/h (85mph). Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 115kW @ 2,800 rpm. RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low centre of gravity. At 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with the petrol-powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grille, side mirrors, rear spoiler and under body design to provide optimum air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV’s battery pack is mounted low and to the centre of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride. The vehicle will go on sale in the United States late in the northern hemisphere summer. There are no plans to sell it in Australia. “We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius,” Mr Carter said. “It’s designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance.” In July 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors jointly announced an agreement to develop an all-electric version of the RAV4, with the intent to bring the vehicle to market in 2012. Tesla contributed its EV technology expertise, daring spirit, quick decision making and flexibility. Toyota contributed design, engineering, manufacturing and production expertise. In an industry where development cycles are typically five years, Toyota and Tesla brought a dynamic product to market in less than half that time.