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The Road Ahead : October 2011
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WWW.roadahead.com.au 54 The road ahead OCT/NOV 2011 Ford uPS The aNTe WITh The NeW GeNeraTIoN oF ITS PoPuLar SmaLL car. Focus is the first new Ford model to be built on a global platform, which provides the opportunity to keep costs down while offering a greater range of features and equipment at an affordable price. The Voice Control System that controls audio functions, Torque Vectoring Control – designed to improve cornering – and Titanium’s Active Park Assist automated parking system are features not usually found in this segment. New Focus comes as either a sedan or hatch with three powertrains and four specification levels. The 1.6-litre petrol only, entry-level Ambiente starts at $21,990 for the five-speed manual variant, which is the same starting price as the outgoing entry-level model. Mid-spec Trend starts at $24,490 for the 2.0-litre petrol engine with five- speed manual transmission. Focus Sport is priced at $27,390 for the 2.0 -litre petrol engine with five-speed manual transmission – an increase of $900 – however, it includes more than $2400 of BLue oVaL COMES INTO FocuS additional equipment compared to the outgoing model. Top-of- the-line Titanium starts at $32,590 for 2.0-litre petrol engine and six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. All prices exclude delivery and on-road costs. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard on Titanium and all sedan and diesel models and a $2300 option on others. Ticking the diesel option box will set you back either $3500 or $3710 extra, depending on the model. All variants get a five star NCAP rating. falcon’s a gas The brief given to Ford engineers was to make LPG-powered Falcons drive just like a petrol version, which demanded the development of a very sophisticated LPG injection system called EcoLPi. The new system operates much like petrol injection, in that it delivers liquid LPG directly into the manifold. Power and torque are up 27 percent and 10 percent respectively over the previous model and fuel consumption is down by about 2.4 litres/100 km. A six-speed transmission is now standard. And the engineers have been successful, as on the road it’s unlikely that even an experienced Falcon driver would be able to pick a gas from petrol model. EcoLPi is available in most of the six-cylinder Falcon range and will set you back an additional $2500. However, there is a $2000 government rebate on gas vehicles and most buyers should recoup the remaining $500 in fuel savings within the first year. gti celebrates its 35th In September, to celebrate 35 years and almost two million units of the iconic Golf GTI, Volkswagen Australia released a very limited edition five-door version. The GTI Edition 35 has a 173 kW engine, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering and LED daytime running lights, glossy black mirror housings, side sill extensions in body colour and the ‘35’ edition badging. All Edition 35 cars are also equipped with smoked LED rear lights and rear windows. Inside, the gear shift grip is the classic golf ball look of the first generation GTI, trims have red stitching and floor mats are bordered in red. Edition 35 also gets 18- inch alloys with 225/40 R18 tyres.The ‘35’ will be available in traditional GTI colours of Candy White, Tornado Red, Carbon Steel Grey metallic and in pearl-effect Deep Black. Pricing starts at $43,490 for the six-speed manual transmission and from $45,990 for the six-speed DSG. a6 all high tech Audi’s new A6 is a showcase of the company’s advanced technology. At launch it comes with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine, all with Quattro all-wheel-drive technology, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s new fuel saving thermal management concept, engine start-stop and brake energy recovery system as standard. Watch for new lower cost 2.0-litre petrol and diesel front-wheel- drive variants later in the year. A hybrid version is on the drawing board as well. The entry level 150 kW 2.8-litre FSI model starts at $93,900. Next, at $116,500, is the 180 kW 3-litre TDI and top-of-the-range is the supercharged 3-litre TFSI at $121,500. All Australian spec models come standard with S-line exterior trim, which includes unique front and rear bumpers, side ventilation grills, side sills and diffuser inserts. moTorING IN THE SHOWROOM ^PRICES ARE MANUFACTURERS’ LIST PRICES AND DO NOT INCLUDE STATUTORY AND DELIVERY CHARGES. RA_October-November_2011 PG36-59_Motor.indd 54 20/09/11 10:14 AM
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