Automotive
The future face of Jeep revealed
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Saturday October 18, 2003: The Treo concept is a radical design approach from Jeep that utilises an all-new platform combining drive-by-wire technology, a zero-emission fuel cell and twin electric motors. Read More
New style, more power for classic Alfa Sports
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Sunday October 19, 2003: The new Alfa Romeo Spider and GTV have arrived in Australia with more power from two new engines, including the 3.2 litre powerhouse from the 147 and 156 GTA - making the new Alfa GTV, at 255 kmh, the fastest-ever road-going Alfa - and more style from Italian styling house Pininfarina, along with additional equipment and features. Read More
Mercedes F500 concept explores night-vision
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Friday October 17, 2003: Mercedes-Benz will present its new F 500 research vehicle at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show showcasing more than a dozen ideas for enhancing safety, drive technology and comfort. A the night vision system with infrared laser headlamps, two-way doors, a programmable multivision display... Read More
Honda's next-generation Fuel Cell
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Thursday October 16, 2003: Honda's latest example of rapidly advancing fuel cell technology employs a newly developed stack structure to deliver high performance, increased range and power generation at temperatures ranging from -20'C to +95'C. Read More
Versatile in-car communications suite
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Wednesday October 15, 2003: The in-car Multimedia Centre MC 5400 from VDO Dayton unites navigation, mobile-office, Internet and entertainment functionality in one module that gives road-warriors the option of listening to MP3 tracks as well as downloading e-mails or sending faxes. Read More
Home Energy Station to expand fuel cell applications
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Tuesday October 7, 2003: Honda has established an experimental Home Energy Station (HES) that generates hydrogen from natural gas for use in fuel cell vehicles and can also supply electricity and hot water to the home. Read More
Citro'n C3 voted 2003 World Car
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Tuesday October 7, 2003: The Citro'n C3 has been voted 2003 World Car - a prize awarded to the vehicle judged as the best design for use around the world by a jury of prominent motoring journalists based on environmental, technological and safety criteria. Read More
Limited edition Morgan Aero 8 GT Coupe
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Friday September 26, 2003: Morgan Motor Company has announced plans for a special limited edition GT Coup' version of the Aero8 - the ambitious aluminium two-seater that became the first completely new Morgan for 60 years when it went into production in late 2002. Read More
Auto Seats for comfort and speed
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Saturday September 27, 2003: We've come along way since the back-breaking bench seats of the 1960's, but manufacturers are continuing to develop automotive seating systems designed to maximise comfort and safety for the large number of drivers who spend many hours at the wheel each week. Read More
Jetcar 2.5 to enter limited production next year
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Tuesday September 23, 2003: In development since 1998, a running prototype of the fascinating Jetcar design emerged at the recent Frankfurt Auto Show. The name is a reference to the body shape and cockpit design rather than the means of propulsion - the two seats are positioned centrally in-line and expanded front and side shields communicate a sensation of flying... Read More
Henry Ford's Historic Race Car to Tour Australia
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Friday September 19, 2003: One of the most celebrated cars in automotive history is coming to Australia - the car which Henry Ford drove to victory in an important motor race in 1901 which reversed his flagging fortunes of the time and enabled him to go on and build Ford Motor Company. Read More
Peugeot 4002 looks to the Future of Automotive Design
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Sunday September 21, 2003: The award winning Peugeot 4002 by graphic designer Stefan Schulze made a return to its creator's country of origin at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Based on the Peugeot 402 with some components from the 204, the streamlined coupe provides a glimpse of the shape of things to come - and the future looks good! Read More
New turbocharged diesel C5 Estate arrives in Australia
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Saturday September 20, 2003: The Citro'n C5 Estate wagon has added a direct injection, common rail, turbocharged diesel HDI engine to its list of advanced features that include self-levelling suspension, the ability to "kneel" to aid loading or to lift its tail up to loading docks, plus automatic wipers, lights and emergency brakes. Read More
Twin Engine Hoggar on Show in Frankfurt
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Monday September 22, 2003: The twin engine Hoggar Dune Buggy concept from Peugeot was among the highlights at this month's Frankfurt International motor show. Recently featured in Gizmo 6, the low-slung, 2-seater unusual uses of two HDi engines - one at the front, and the other at the rear - to achieve the attributes of a four-wheel drive. Read More
Saab 'Sport-Hatch' crossover concept
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Tuesday September 16, 2003: Saab set-out to challenge the distinction between traditional hatchback and wagon bodystyles with its a new 'Sport-Hatch' concept unveiled on the eve of the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Read More
Opel reveal 344-hp Insignia
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Monday September 15, 2003: Designed to provide the architecture for a new global range of mid to full size sedans from parent company GM, the Opel Insignia includes an aluminium V8 engine producing 344hp and can achieve an electronically controlled top speed of 250 kmh with acceleration from zero to 100 kmh in under six seconds. Read More
Ford Visos concept transforms at 90kmh
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Saturday September 13, 2003: The Ford Visos Concept adds a futuristic element to previous European model designs with its blue oval shape and innovative use of technology such as door-mounted cameras that supplement rear-view mirrors, and "active surfacing" that hides the car's aerodynamic features until it reaches "sport" mode at 90 kmh. Read More
Kia Topless Concept in Germany
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Thursday September 11, 2003: Kia used the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 11 - 21) for the world launch of its latest concept car and first four seat coupe/convertible- the KCV-III. Showcasing new technologies and styling that will be part of Kia's future line-up including headlamps and windscreen wipers that switch-on automatically and an advanced cruise control system that incorporates radar... Read More
Jaguar's striking R-D6 Concept
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Sunday September 14, 2003: The Frankfurt International Motor Show is one very difficult show to steal, but the R-D6 concept from Jaguar, with its distinctive grille, rear-hinging doors, lightweight aluminium and composite structure and twin turbocharged 2.7-litre diesel V6 engine, must come very close. Read More
Mercedes premiere Vision CLS coupe study at Frankfurt
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Wednesday September 17, 2003: Mercedes' Vision CLS concept - a unique synthesis between a coup' and a saloon that incorporates the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars - is making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the supercharged "gullwing" SLR McLaren high-performance sports car. Read More
Audi reveals 'Le Mans quattro' concept
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Friday September 12, 2003: Audi have unveiled the stunning Le Mans Quattro sports car concept study at the 60th International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Described as having inherited the genes of the Audi R8 - three-times winner of the Le Mans 24-Hours race - the high-performance mid-engined two-seater is powered by a longitudinally installed V10 'biturbo' engine, developing 449 kW (610 bhp) at 6,800 rpm and making 0 to 100 kmh in 3.7 seconds. Read More
Hyundai CCS Convertible Hardtop Concept
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Monday September 15, 2003: Hyundai's CCS Convertible study features a unique three-phase slide and fold glass roof that enables the driver to change from glass roof, to open roof to complete top-down convertible at the touch of a button. Read More
Chrysler Touring wagon concept joins 300C sedan
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Thursday October 2, 2003: The new Chrysler 300C Touring concept is the wagon version of the Chrysler 300C sedan revealed earlier this year at the New York International Auto Show. The touring version shares most of the design, powertrain, chassis, equipment, interior appointments and technical specifications of the sedan concept with the addition of all-wheel drive. Read More
Alfa Romeo's new 300kmh Supercar
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Sunday September 14, 2003: Alfa Romeo has revealed its plans for a new 300 kmh super car that will reach 100 kmh in just 4.5 seconds at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. The carbon fibre, two-seater Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is powered by a 4.2litre V8 delivering over 400 bhp at 7000 rpm that together with a 6-speed manual rear transmission, takes the prototype to a top speed above 300 kmh. Read More
Latest StreetPilot adds touch-screen interface
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The StreetPilot 2610 portable GPS automotive navigation system features voice prompting, high-resolution touch-screen, remote control, ultra-fast map drawing and a compact design for simple transfer between vehicles. Read More
Amphibious sportscar transforms in six seconds
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Friday October 3, 2003: The Gibbs aquada high-speed amphibian (HSA) is capable of speeds up to 100mph (160kmh) on land and 30mph (48kmh) over water, taking just six seconds to transform from road-going sportscar to a jet-powered marine vessel. What better vehicle could be conceived for a waterside lifestyle in a place like Sydney? Read More
Alfa Romeo 166 Debut at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show
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Friday August 29, 2003: The new Alfa Romeo 166 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show before arriving in Australia at the end of the year. The production version of the Alfa Romeo GT, the new Alfa Romeo 156 and a racing diesel Alfa 147 that dominated its class in the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring will join the 166 when the Show opens on Tuesday 9 September. Read More
Peugeot to unveil 307 WRC
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Sunday August 31, 2003: Earmarked to replace the triple World Rally Championship winning 206 WRC, Peugeot will launch the 307 WRC at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the top-of-the-range version of the 307CC fitted with an engine developing 130 kW, the 307 WRC includes an innovative 5 speed Hewland gearbox located at the rear of the engine... Read More
BMW's Electric-Booster Research Engine
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Wednesday August 13, 2003: BMW researchers have recorded fuel savings as high as 15 % and produced 1,000 Nm of torque at low revs by using a high-power electric booster motor positioned between the combustion engine and gearbox of an experimental BMW X5. Read More
Citro'n Panoramique C3
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Monday August 11, 2003: Citro'n have released a new version of the C3 - the 'Panoramique' incorporates a twin panel glass sun-roof that promises to deliver the pleasures of open air motoring to both front and back seat occupants. The Panoramique's glass sun-roof runs almost from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear hatch. Read More
Another first for Honda's Fuel Cell Car
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Monday August 4, 2003: Honda Motor Co has become the first automaker to supply a fuel cell vehicle to a private corporation with the delivery of a Honda FCX to the Iwatani International Corporation in Tokyo. While six FCX vehicles have been supplied to the public sector since its initial release in December 2002... Read More
Rinspeed Bedouin - collapsible car concept heads off-road
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Saturday August 2, 2003: Based on the Porsche 996 turbo, the Bedouin is the latest concept from Rinspeed Design, the Swiss company that introduced the Presto collapsible concept car in 2002. The all-wheel-drive Bedouin can automatically be transformed from a two-seater pick-up into a four-seater sports wagon in less than 10 seconds. Read More
Formula One star revs-up for Terminator 3 premiere
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Thursday July 24, 2003: Rising Australia F1 star Mark Webber joined Arnold Schwarzenegger at the London premiere of "Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines" yesterday in spectacular fashion, driving his Jaguar F1 car through Leicester Square in front of 8,000 fans. "There wasn't the space to go too fast but I couldn't resist spinning the wheels... " Read More
Hidden sensor offers protection from parking accidents
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Sunday July 20, 2003: The Taurus T123 is an electro-magnetic reversing sensor that operates along the full length of the bumper and alerts the driver when any object is 0.8 metres from the rear of the vehicle. Developed in Europe and now available in Australia - where more than 12,000 "at-fault" collisions from avoidable reversing incidents occurred in 2001... Read More
Bentley Motors launch all new Continental GT
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Saturday July 19, 2003: Bentley Motors have delivered on the promise of true supercar performance with the launch of the new Continental GT. Powered by a 6-litre, twin-turbocharged, W12 engine developing over 550bhp with a top speed of 318km/h and 0-100 km/h in under five seconds, the Continental GT is the world's fastest four seat coupe. Read More
