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The Road Ahead : December January 2008
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DEC 07/JAN 08 57 MOTORING Hyundai has launched the sophisticated i30 hatch, complete with a clever MP3 player or USB compatible common-rail turbo-diesel that undercuts rivals by up to $6500 (SX $21,490 and SLX $25,990). Fuel economy is 4.7 litres/100 km. It's manual at this stage, but an auto is due soon. The car has a five-year warranty and plenty of gear. The 2.0-litre, petrol models range from $18,990 to $26,490. Options include electronic stability control. Autos for petrol versions add $2000. Hyundai steps up IN THE SHOWROOM audio system which lets occupants use the car's audio controls. This new hatch is based on the Elantra sedan, but has stiffer ension, tuned for tions. As a bonus, Hyundai has made it easier to access a mid-sized diesel car, with a refined and power ful 1.6-litre, Slimmer Hummer The Hummer name for many is associated with the Humvee militar y vehicle and the civilian Hummer H1. GM Australia has now launched the Hummer H3, priced from $51,990. This medium size SUV retains unmistakeable links with the original Hummer and is available in three specifications. All are powered by a 180 kW, 3.7-litre, five-cylinder, petrol engine and provide dual front airbags, cur tain airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), traction control, alloys, two-speed transfer case and airconditioning. combination in these models is a 2.3- litre, 118 kW, four-cylinder petrol engine and a six-speed, sequential automatic. Diesel buyers will be drawn to the TDCi sedan or hatch variants, both $37,990 and offering similar equipment to the Zetec. The 2.0-litre, common-rail turbo-diesel has outputs of 96 kW and 320 Nm. The range topper is the hatch-only XR5Turbo ($41,990). It has a five- cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and a Ger trag six-speed manual gearbox. All Mondeo models get the safety benefits of seven airbags and electronic stability. Lancer lot With safety becoming increasingly impor tant to small car buyers, Mitsubishi has beefed up the safety credentials of its new Lancer. Built on a platform it shares with Outlander, the new Lancer is larger, heavier and much better equipped than the previous model. Models range from the entr y level, manual ES ($20 990) to the flagship manual ES ($20,990) to the flagship XR-X ($28,990). The new all-alloy, 2.0- litre engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission or optional CVT automatic ($2300-$2500). Stability and traction control, dual stage driver and passenger airbags, a driver's knee bag, ABS, EBD and brake assist are standard across the range. Side and cur tain bags are standard on mid and upper spec models and an $850 option on the ES. Harley heaven They were all there: Rocker, Fat Bob and Rocker C amongst others. All ready to per form and please their fans that had collected like a 'baby boomers' convention. The base H3 of fers a five-speed The base H3 of fers a five speed manual or four-speed auto, while the Luxur y has more equipment and a four- speed auto. The Adventure is equipped like the Luxur y but offers a super-low- range transfer case. Euro Chic Ford Ford's new mid size car, the Mondeo, is designed in Germany and built in Belgium. There are four specifications and two body styles (sedan or five-door hatch). The entr y-level LX sedan costs $29,990. Next is the better equipped Zetec, in sedan or hatch (both $34,990). Engine and transmission This was the recent unveiling of new Harley-Davidson models at the Australian Motorcycle Expo in Brisbane. As usual, the strong Harley lines were visible, as was the masculine appeal that these models have on the market. They are power ful and the 1584cc of engine power means these machines are not for commuters. The appeal to the older, experienced and cashed-up owner was evident, as orders were taken from 'baby boomer' riders who were par ting with $25,000 upwards to get machines from local distributor Morgan and Wacker. H dih l hdt h o T o b s suspe A Australian condit Ab H
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