Flybrian

Big options for the 3.5 were chrome wheels, the moonroof, Bose, heated seats, and that's about it. Curious that it has no OnStar; must've been an early-build. I'll get back to you on the sticker, but I want to say the color is Dark Cherry Metallic.

60 months of not being the same dweeb in the same silver or black 328i is value enough. Through in a real trunk, real interior dimensions, and a real powerful engine and I'm sold.

English = world language. Period.

A Buick two-seater is ridiculous, IMO. The Reatta failed and that had trunk space. Four-seater - a true four-seater, SC430 - is the only acceptable vehicle for Buick. The 3's interior isn't anything to go nuts over and the Nav/Xenon options are meaningless since the vast, vast majority of these cars aren't built as such.

New Infinitis Keep Coming Upcoming products keep dealers happy By LINDSAY CHAPPELL | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek A year ago, Infiniti dealers were griping about a dearth of new products. Today, they are having their wishes fulfilled. New products have sales running about 10 percent ahead of 2006, thanks largely to the arrival of the G35 sedan. Plans now call for a new product every year. ****** G37: The coupe is redesigned for the 2008 model year. The chassis is more rigid than the previous generation; G37 models share the automaker's FM rear-drive vehicle platform with the Nissan 350Z. The 2008 coupe has a 3.7-liter V-6 that squeezes out 330 hp, compared with the sedan's 305-hp powerplant. EX35: The 2008 crossover draws on styling themes from the G35 sedan. The EX, scheduled to reach the market in December, is smaller than Infiniti's FX and will be priced lower. The EX is aiming for a slightly different demographic. The FX will become Infiniti's performance model, while the EX will stress a bit more luxury. M: The 2008 M adds all-wheel drive and lane-departure technology. A redesign is slated for the 2010 model year. Q: Infiniti quietly dropped its flagship sedan in 2006, but the sedan will return in a redesigned form for the 2009 or 2010 model year. FX: Infiniti will unveil the next-generation crossover in March at the Geneva motor show. Sales of the redesigned model begin later in 2008. A 3.7-liter V-6 engine will be standard, up from today's 3.5-liter V-6. QX: The 2008 Infiniti QX56 receives a freshening and upgraded interior. Infiniti's full-sized SUV will be redesigned for the 2010 model year.

Subaru Pitches Performance Future vehicles no longer positioned as premium vehicles By DIANA T. KURYLKO | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek Now that all-wheel drive is common, Subaru of America tries to lure new buyers by adding performance variants based on its rally cars. But it is also refining its styling, aiming for a clean and more upscale look, and has abandoned the effort to remake Subaru into a premium brand. It is all part of the effort to increase sales to 250,000 units by 2010 - a target Subaru originally had set for 2006. ****** Forester: Like other recent Subaru revamps, this SUV will get bigger and more conventional looking when it is redesigned for the 2009 model year. Impreza: Subaru wants to expand the buyer base for its redesigned 2008 Impreza and its two performance models, the WRX and the STi. The new Impreza and WRX went on sale Aug. 1 and have cleaner lines than their predecessors. For the first time, the four- and five-door models are different both in size and appearance. They were designed to appeal to buyers shopping for an economical Japanese car. The sedans are about 4.5 inches longer and 2 inches wider than their predecessors. The five-door models, targeted at a more youthful buyer, are 2 inches shorter than the previous versions. Outback, Legacy: The 2008 Legacy and Outback were freshened. To simplify the range and fine-tune the nameplates, the Outback sedan and the Legacy wagon were dropped. The Outback wagon has a sportier look than its predecessor, and the Legacy sedan is more refined. A redesign comes for the 2010 model year. Tribeca: Substantially lower-than-expected sales and a chorus of criticism led to a 2008 Tribeca restyling, rather than a minor freshening, just two years after its debut. Subaru is hoping its now conservative-looking crossover strikes a chord the second time around. Subaru also dropped the B9 part of the name, admitting no one knew what it stood for. The Tribeca's engine was upgraded to a 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer that can run on regular gasoline, unlike the previous 3.0-liter powerplant that ran only on premium. A redesign is expected in 2011.

Mitsubishi's Questionable Future Possible arrival of Pajero Pinin, dealers unimpressed by '09 Galant and Endeavor By KATHY JACKSON | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek The redesigned Outlander crossover and entry-level Lancer sedan have helped fuel a rebound in Mitsubishi's U.S. sales. But U.S. dealers were not impressed with sketches of the 2009 Galant sedan and Endeavor crossover at dealer meetings this year in Japan and the United States. "We all gave them the thumbs down," said one dealer. He said those models basically only get new bumpers. "It's like putting perfume on a pig," he said. "Like changing your fingernail color." Dealers were counting on radical changes for the Galant and Endeavor to help keep the brand's sales momentum. Mitsubishi sources say dealers saw freshened models, not the redesigns coming later. ****** Lancer: The Lancer has been redesigned for the 2008 model year, and sales began in the spring. The Lancer is the first Mitsubishi sold in this country with a continuously variable transmission. The redesigned high-performance Lancer Evolution is the big news. Sales begin next year. The 10th-generation Evo will have a new 300-plus-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A dual-clutch automated six-speed manual transmission will be offered, along with all-wheel drive. "The Lancer architecture will be the star for Mitsubishi in the coming years," a company source said. "There will be lots of flavors of Lancer." An optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine is expected for non-Evolution models. The company plans to add a Lancer hatchback for the 2009 model year. A diesel will be available in 2010. Eclipse: A freshening is scheduled for the 2011 model year. Plans include updated styling and a power boost. Galant: The mid-sized sedan will be reskinned for the 2009 model year. The date for the redesign is unclear. Sources say a stretched version of the automaker's C platform may be used. That platform is used for the Lancer and Outlander. Mitsubishi may follow Chrysler's path. Chrysler and Mitsubishi initially worked together to develop the C platform until DaimlerChrysler cut its stake in Mitsubishi. Then Chrysler went its separate way, developing two sizes of vehicles with its version of the platform: the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot and the larger Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger. Pajero Pinin: This is a smaller version of the Pajero SUV that is sold in Europe and Japan. Mitsubishi may export this small vehicle to the United States after it is redesigned around the 2011 model year. It will be bigger and more powerful than the current model. Outlander: For the 2008 model year, Mitsubishi will add its version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine it co-developed with DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai. Previously, only a 3.0-liter V-6 was offered. A diesel will be available for the 2010 model year. Endeavor: The crossover is scheduled for a freshening for the 2009 model year, but the Endeavor may be killed around the 2011 or 2012 model year. Montero: This SUV was killed at the end of the 2006 model year because Mitsubishi did not have the budget to meet U.S. regulations. The Montero may return as a 2011 model. Raider: The pickup, which is based on the Dodge Dakota, arrived in the 2006 model year but has been a bust for Mitsubishi. After the 2008 model year, when the three-year contract expires, sources say the Raider will fade away.

Toyota's Future Gameplan Still more segments to conquer By MARK RECHTIN | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek Much of Toyota's volume growth over the past decade has come from vehicles that enter new segments, such as the Prius, FJ Cruiser and the trio of Scion nameplates. Toyota executives say there are no new segments to enter that will deliver continued volume spurts. But they are crying crocodile tears. Their segment-busting ACE crossover arrives in the fall of 2008, and a return to sports cars is in the works as well. Also, Toyota wants to make hybrid power available for nearly all its vehicles, simplifying the process so that a shopper merely makes a choice among a four-banger, V-6 and hybrid. That likely will take hybrids further into the mainstream. ****** Prius: The redesigned hybrid won't arrive until spring 2009 as a 2010 model because of delays in delivering a reliable lithium ion battery system. Instead, Toyota will offer a next-generation nickel-metal hydride battery pack. But Toyota engineers are working on packaging so that when lithium ion technology is ready, it will be merely a matter of substituting the battery. The company also is studying plug-in hybrid technology, but it has legal and infrastructure worries about doing it for a mass market. Yaris: A redesign is planned for the 2012 model year. Corolla: A redesigned Corolla will arrive this fall. The platform is identical to what Europe has seen as the Auris, except the U.S. version is a sedan, not a hatchback. The car is still on a 102.4-inch wheelbase but grows slightly in overall length. A new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, making about 130 hp, comes this fall. The upmarket Corolla has the Camry's 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-banger. That one also gets a five-speed automatic. A hybrid model could come in mid-2010 as a 2011 model. Matrix: The five-door hatchback is redesigned for the 2008 model year and adopts more macho styling. The 2008 Matrix and Corolla share the same platform and engine family. Sheet metal will be specific to North America; production will continue at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, Calif. It is unclear whether Toyota will keep the Matrix name. The company has taken out a trademark for the name "Blade," which the vehicle is called in Japan. Camry: A redesign is expected for the 2012 model year. But there is talk of going to a six-year cycle with a possible reskin for the 2009 model year. If on a six-year schedule, the new Camry would debut in spring 2012. Avalon: A redesign is scheduled for the 2011 model year, but Toyota may add an extra year to the vehicle cycle. A hybrid comes six to 12 months after the redesign. Solara: Dead after the 2007 model year; no replacement is expected. Supra: The FT-HS hybrid sports car concept from the 2007 Detroit show is the spiritual successor to the Supra, which arrives in summer 2009. The 3.5-liter V-6 will be teamed with a hybrid-electric motor, producing a combined 400 hp. Toyota's union with Subaru may provide the budget-conscious all-wheel-drive platform the Supra needs. ACE: The crossover arrives as a 2009 model, drawing on crossover and minivan characteristics. Toyota says ACE stands for "advanced concept for empty-nesters" and is derived from the FT-SX concept. ACE is merely the project code; the vehicle will be renamed before it reaches the market. Styling highlights are expected to include a low roofline with a high beltline and narrow greenhouse. Expect much component sharing with the Camry. A 3.5-liter V-6 will be the only engine, paired with a six-speed automatic. Awd will be optional. Highlander: The crossover is redesigned for the 2008 model year sharing the Avalon platform. Compared with the current model, the new one adds nearly 3 inches of wheelbase and is 4 inches longer and 3 inches wider and taller. A hybrid version will be offered. Tacoma: A redesign is scheduled for the 2012 model year. A hybrid may be offered in 2012. Tundra: The redesigned 2007 Tundra pickup arrived in February. Toyota is working with subsidiary Hino on a diesel version so that a promised heavy-duty model can arrive as a 2011 model. A hybrid version comes in mid-2011 as a 2012 model. FJ Cruiser: A redesign is likely for the 2012 model year, with lots of special editions and a reskin for the 2010 model year. It may be a one-generation boutique vehicle. 4Runner: A redesign is scheduled for the 2010 model year. Land Cruiser: Some thought Toyota would drop the Land Cruiser in the United States, but the redesigned 2008 model will debut this fall. Although smaller than the Sequoia, it will carry a 5.7-liter V-8 engine made in Japan. Hard-core off-roaders will mourn the lack of front and rear locking differentials, although the overall platform has been beefed up. Sequoia: A redesign off the new Tundra platform arrives this fall. Like the Tundra, the Sequoia grows considerably larger than its predecessor, making some within Toyota worry that it might be too big. Engine choices will be a 4.7-liter or 5.7-liter V-8. A hybrid comes in the 2010 model year. Sienna: A redesign is planned for the 2010 model year, but it could be pushed back a year. A hybrid will be available at launch. Toyota is walking a tightrope between the Sienna minivan and ACE in terms of positioning. In the eyes of some consumers, the vehicles will be similar in terms of purpose.

SPY SHOTS! 2009 Acura TL by Brenda Priddy | Link to Original Article @ TCC | (2007-08-22) Although this prototype is cloaked in camouflage, this is the first time Acura's next TL sedan has been photographed while testing during daylight hours. Although nearly everything is covered in vinyl, a closer look at the headlamps and especially the taillights, indicates that this sedan will carry over strong styling cues from Acura's Advanced Sedan Concept, which was first shown at the 2006 LA Auto Show. We still don't know too much about the 2009 TL other than these pictures, but if Honda's reluctance to build a V-8 engine still holds, we expect a V-6 engine with 300 horsepower in the next TL, along with a version of Acura's SH-AWD system. Click here for more hi-res shots!

Ford Verve Concept Link to Original Article @ Motor Authority Ford’s Verve Concept, set to be unveiled at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show gives us a preview of the new global design theme for all future Blue Oval small cars. The new Verve is also the first of three new concept cars representing a future hatch that will be sold in Europe, Asia and North America. The concept was penned by Ford’s design studios at Dunton in the UK with another team in Cologne, Germany, also influencing the final look. Following the theme of Ford’s ‘Kinetic Design’ previewed on the Iosis and Iosis X concept cars, the new Verve is said to be a good indication as to what the new Fiesta hatch will look like. The car features a sporty profile and is dominated by a large and aggressive grille up front and tapered back LED headlights. The new Fiesta, which fits in the B-car segment, is due to bow in late next year. The final production model will be toned down significantly from this concept but there will be some similarities. Sharing its platform with the recently launched Mazda2, the Fiesta will get a range of petrol engines including 1.3L, 1.6L and 1.8L units plus a new turbodiesel co-developed with PSA Peugeot Citroen. Image Gallery

I think my driveway is sufficiently full right now (though my dad, my girlfriend, and my best girl-friend would love it). But if you must part ways with it - and I hope you don't - I'll ask around here as well as post an ad up in the Newsreel on the frontpage for you.

That has nothing to do with modern cars but with state emissions requirements

I like this one better..

Again, its not the actual 'go' but the 'show,' more specifically the show these Neon ricers put on for everyone. Again, my experience speaking, but the attitudes of some of these people are just funny from a psychological standpoint. Their Neon can dust anything - Vettes, Saleens, time itself. Anything it can't dust, well, then it must've had something bolted on not stock or the Neon driver just wasn't trying, letting them win on purpose. They're incredibly defensive about Neons to the point of getting into verbal shouting matches with other people about Neons. Oh, and wait, its never a Neon; its an SRT-4. Calling it a Neon is an insult. Not so long ago, I had a picture of me sitting in a Saturn Sky RL on my MySpace page. Some completely random person send me a message - "Is that your SKY? I could waste that piece of GM $h! with my SRT-4." WTF? I don't even know you. And anytime anyone questions the validity of their wild stories, they do what you did and point to a myrid of amatuer YouTube videos of questionable stoplights races between Neons and other cars. I really don't even care if Neon SRTs are fast or can beat a speeding bullet because at the end of the day, you're still driving home a Dodge Neon, which wasn't the best car to begin with, but at least had some serious racing credentials in the SCCA. The Caliber has to *gasp* actually prove itself and cannot simply rely on whatever "street cred" the Neon built for itself because its a completely different vehicle. And regardless, its still a Caliber, earning the SRT-4 version the title of World's Fastest Dollar Weekend Airport Special.

GM May Make 60,000 `Volt' Electric Cars in First Year By Jeff Green | Link to Original Article @ Bloomberg Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. may build as many as 60,000 of its Volt electric cars for their inaugural year on the market, four times the sales of Toyota Motor Corp.'s hybrid Prius in its U.S. debut, people with knowledge of GM's plans said. Production at that level may allow GM to sell the plug-in Volt for less than $30,000, said the people, who didn't want to be identified because the plans are confidential. The discussions show the Detroit automaker, racked by losses and U.S. sales declines, believes an affordable electric car will help spur a revival, the people said. Toyota's Prius can be bought for $22,175. "If they were able to get 30,000 to 60,000 on the road in a year, it would be a huge leap in technology,'' said Brett Smith, an alternative-fuel analyst at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "It will be difficult, though, because there are so many barriers to making this happen.'' A high-volume debut for the Volt, designed to go 40 miles without recharging, would lend credence to GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner's strategy of using technological advances to gain ground on Toyota. The Japanese company has a decade-long lead with its Prius, a gasoline-electric car that is the world's best-selling hybrid. GM shares rose 25 cents to $31.33 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has added 2 percent this year. "If GM can make a Volt that costs less than $30,000, you really could start to see significant demand,'' Smith said. GM product chief Bob Lutz has said he wants to sell the first Volt by late 2010, and expects to have prototypes ready for testing early next year. GM spokesman Scott Fosgard declined to comment on plans for the Volt. Record Profit Sales of 60,000 units would vault the car past the Chevrolet Aveo as GM's best-selling high-mileage car. It took almost five years for the Prius to reach annual sales of 60,000. Toyota has sold more than 800,000 Priuses, and the hybrid helped the Toyota City, Japan-based automaker earn a record $14 billion in its last fiscal year. GM lost $1.98 billion in 2006. "We've got a technology that's established in the marketplace and has been reliable,'' said Irv Miller, Toyota's group vice president of U.S. communications. "If anyone thinks the Prius of today is going to be the Prius of 2011 or 2012, they underestimate Toyota.'' GM said this month that it will jointly develop the lithium-ion battery needed for the Volt with A123Systems Inc., a privately owned battery-technology company in Watertown, Massachusetts. Creating a high-volume, plug-in electric car with a lithium-ion battery within three years may be impossible, said Menahem Anderman, president of Advanced Automotive Batteries, an industry consultant in Oregon House, California. `Totally Ridiculous' A 60,000-unit target "is totally ridiculous at this point,'' Anderman said in an interview. "To reach that level by 2010, they'd need to be placing the orders right now.'' If GM proceeds with A123 as the main battery supplier, "they would be doing it with a company that has no experience in high-volume manufacturing on such a scale,'' Anderman said. To offer 40 miles of all-electric range, he estimates GM would need a battery pack that would weigh about 400 pounds. That would be seven times heavier than the nickel-metal-hydride pack in the current Prius. Added weight reduces fuel efficiency. Higher production would let GM get volume discounts from auto-parts suppliers and put the $30,000 goal within reach, the people familiar with GM's planning said. The average U.S. vehicle sold for $28,450 last year, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. The Prius, which doesn't come in a plug-in version and uses less-expensive batteries than those planned for the Volt, costs $22,175 to $23,070. Growing Demand Demand for cars less reliant on gasoline is growing as automakers face stricter emissions rules around the world and the U.S. tries to cut its dependence on imported oil. In addition to funding the Volt, Wagoner is spending more than $3 billion on cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells and gasoline- electric hybrids like the Prius. The Volt is charged at a household outlet and uses an on- board engine to generate electricity when the battery runs down during travel. The engine, powered by gasoline, diesel or a hydrogen fuel cell, only recharges the battery and doesn't drive the wheels. Its full range is about 640 miles on a tank of gasoline, about double the range of a typical car or truck. Existing gasoline-electric hybrids such as the Prius and GM's Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle use the electric motor only at start-up and lower speeds, and rely on engine power and friction from braking to charge the battery. Prius Sales Toyota sold 5,562 Prius models in 2000, when it was on the market for part of the year. Sales tripled the following year and topped 60,000 for the first time in 2005. They totaled 110,565 units this year through July, making the Prius the 12th- most popular vehicle in the U.S., according to Audodata Corp., a Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, company that monitors the industry. Toyota has sold more than 1 million gasoline-electric autos since the first Prius went on sale in Japan in late 1997. The company is the biggest seller of hybrids in the U.S., the biggest market for the vehicles. U.S. sales of hybrids this year through July rose 52 percent to 217,433, with the Prius accounting for more than half the total.

Honestly, not surprised here. Local Cadillac dealership treated me in a similar fashion. Took four days to look at my car, no loaner, no nothing. A week and a day later, I picked up my car and it wasn't even rinsed. Disgusting film all over it. I left a message to complain, never recieved a return call, will never return to said dealer again. I guess if you don't buy a Cadillac - or Land Rover or SAAB or Lotus or one of their other foreign junk makes they sell - you don't get even Chevy treatment. By contrast, my local Goodyear/Gemini tire and oil change center let me use their little S10 so I could get lunch even though I was late for a $10 oil change and free rotate/balance and it would take them a whole extra 40 minutes to get to my car. Makes you think.

FRANKFURT: Opel Corsa Hybrid Concept Opel Presents Corsa Hybrid Concept Near future: Corsa Hybrid concept car and Vectra Flexpower show potential Good outlook for environment: ecoFLEX variants with lowest CO2 value in model line Clean debut: Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with 119 g CO2 per kilometer Ongoing advancement: Combination of intelligent fuel-saving technologies Rüsselsheim. Opel presents a range of especially economical and low-emission vehicles at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 13 – 23, 2007). The current models showcase how automotive technology will look in the near future: the Corsa Hybrid concept car uses innovative technology with starter generator and stop/start automatic transmission which contributes to an average consumption of about 3,75 liters of diesel per 100 km (99 g CO2/km). The Vectra Flexpower with a 2.0-liter turbo engine designed for operation with bioethanol/gasoline mix also makes its debut at the IAA. Opel will soon offer new ecoFLEX variants, which have the lowest CO2 emissions in their respective model line. The premiere variant – the 55 kW/75 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with diesel particulate filter – makes its European premiere at the IAA. Available to order from December, the well-equipped five-door version produces just 119 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which corresponds to an MVEG consumption of 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 km. ecoFLEX variants of other high-volume model lines will also be available at the end of the year: Meriva 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, as well as natural gas-powered Zafira and Combo CNG ecoFLEX versions. The current product portfolio highlights just how committed Opel is to the reduction of emissions and consumption. Numerous Opel models positioned around the ecoFLEX area at the IAA produce less than 140 g CO2 per kilometer. Corsa Hybrid concept car with just 99 grams CO2 per kilometer The Opel Corsa Hybrid concept car, which makes its world debut next month at the IAA in Frankfurt, is a result of General Motors' expanded efforts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Powered by the next-generation GM Hybrid system and diesel engine technology, the Corsa Hybrid concept car requires just 3,75 liters of diesel per 100 km and emits only 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Based on the 55 kW/75 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI, fuel savings are largely achieved by GM's next-generation belt-alternator starter technology debuting in this concept. The Corsa Hybrid uses a lithium-ion battery. The Corsa Hybrid concept car's hybrid technology combines the functions of a starter motor and electric generator. Its highly efficient diesel engine is also switched off by the hybrid system when the car is stopped, and restarted when the brake pedal is released. When extra power is required, such as when accelerating or overtaking, the motor provides significantly higher torque. This combination of 1.3-liter diesel engine and electric generator reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The lithium-ion battery provides the necessary electrical power for the belt-alternator starter, and the battery itself is recharged by the concept car's regenerative braking function: when decelerating, the fuel is shut off and the vehicle's kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy. The Corsa Hybrid concept car represents GM's global commitment to a comprehensive and cost-effective advanced technology strategy focused on producing commercially viable and sustainable cars and trucks. These include alternative fuel vehicles, ongoing improvements to conventional internal combustion engines and transmissions, hybrid-electric and electric vehicles, as well as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX signals the start At the IAA in Frankfurt, Opel begins the current phase of its long-term ecoFLEX environmental strategy. This includes offering an especially low carbon dioxide-emitting ecoFLEX variant in each high-volume model line. ecoFLEX versions combine low consumption and emissions with excellent economy and driving fun. The first car in this range is the Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, which only produces 119 grams of CO2 per kilometer and consumes an average of just 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. These excellent figures are a result of the world's smallest four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine. The 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC was named "Engine of the Year" in the 1.0 to 1.4-liter displacement class in 2004 by automotive journalists from 26 countries because of its refinement, responsiveness and superb economy. Optimization of the engine map helps the four-cylinder unit achieve an average consumption reduction. High-level fuel management is ensured by the up to five, 1400-bar fuel injection processes per cycle that create an extremely fine fuel atomization in the combustion chambers, which have a total displacement of 1248 cm3. The maximum torque of 170 Nm is available from 1750 - 2500 rpm and maximum output of 55 kW/75 hp at 4000 rpm. The Corsa ecoFLEX with additionally longer axle-drive ratio has a top speed of 163 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 14.5 seconds. This extremely economical engine predestines the Corsa, highly versatile Meriva and spacious Astra five-door model to be ecoFLEX variants. Natural gas propulsion with monovalentplus concept qualifies for ecoFLEX league Opel's natural gas-powered ecoFLEX vehicles also boast impressive environmental qualities. The Zafira and Combo CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) produce almost no soot particles, 20 percent less carbon dioxide than a comparable gasoline model and an up to 80 percent reduction in other harmful emissions. The two CNG variants' unrivaled low operating costs also qualify them for the ecoFLEX league. The 69 kW/94 hp 1.6-liter engine obtains the most from its fuel, regardless of whether it runs on natural gas, biogas or any mixture of the two. A 14-liter reserve gasoline tank ensures continued mobility on routes without a natural gas filling station. Thanks to economical consumption and ample natural gas tank capacities, a total operating range of over 500 kilometers is available. The natural gas vehicles' excellent efficiency and unrestricted everyday suitability is ensured by the innovative monovalentplus concept. This concept made Opel the first automaker to successfully optimize an engine for natural gas operation and still enable the use of conventional gasoline. The unit has special pistons, valves and valve-seat inserts, as well as separate injection banks for natural gas and gasoline. ecoFLEX variants show their colors Opel emphasizes the special importance of the ecoFLEX versions with functional and design refinements. The hallmark of the premiere vehicles in Frankfurt is the "Green spirit" exterior lacquer. The bright turquoise color also trims the seat center strips. Distinctive elements of all ecoFLEX variants include the ecoFLEX signet on the rear and the green segment on the rpm counter. The latter shows the ideal rpm range to get the most from the engine's high fuel-saving potential. The driver then knows when to change gears for improved fuel economy. Green stitching on the leather steering wheel, gear stick sleeve and the green gearshift guide on the gear stick are all eye-catching details. Portfolio-wide application of environmental technologies In addition to the ecoFLEX variants, Opel offers a wide range of vehicles that lead the way in their classes for fuel consumption and emissions. The engine concept is called "Eco-Turbo" and forms the basis for Opel's state-of-the-art diesel and gasoline engines. Eco-Turbo engines follow the downsizing principle – turbocharged units with relatively small cylinder volumes – and successively replace units with larger displacements. Reduced engine friction and higher thermal efficiency are the results. Eco-Turbo engines run at more economical operating points, which significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.Take the Astra as an example: the 1.6 turbo ECOTEC (132 kW/180 hp) replaced the 2.0 turbo (125 kW/170 hp) in spring 2007. The smaller engine uses 14 percent less fuel than the two-liter unit, and therefore also produces less CO2 emissions. The new 1.7 CDTI turbo-diesel (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp) consumes seven percent less fuel than the 1.9-liter unit (74 kW/100 hp and 88 kW/120 hp). These Eco-Turbo engines also achieve better driving performances. Gasoline engines with large displacements are being successively replaced by units with gasoline direct injection. Opel's current direct injection engine range consists of a 2.2 DIRECT ECOTEC and a 2.0 turbo ECOTEC high-tech unit. The 2.0-liter turbo engine from the Opel GT produces an impressive power output per liter of 132 hp and features "Cam-Phase" – variable camshaft phasing –, which together with other measures reduce consumption by an extra three percent. Cam-Phase technology is also used in the 1.6 ECOTEC and 1.8 ECOTEC engines in the Astra, Zafira, Vectra and Signum. Opel also wants to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption further with a range of optimizations to the engine's periphery. This includes introducing Electric Power Steering (EPS) – familiar from the Corsa – across all variants, as it only draws exactly as much energy as it needs from the generator. The variable oil pump operates in a similar way, only moving as much lubricant around the engine as is actually required in the prevailing driving situation. Other fuel-reduction measures include low-resistance tires and detail improvements to the vehicle's aerodynamics. Vectra Flexpower runs on bioenergy In the mid-term, Opel is committed to offering more variants that can operate on alternative fuels. At this year's IAA, Opel displays the Flexpower, a Vectra sedan which appears unchanged from the outside, yet has a two-liter turbo engine that can run on E85 bioethanol fuel, conventional gasoline or any mixture of the two. The Flexpower's engine management adjusts throttle position, air volume, injection and ignition point depending on the fuel mixture. The result of this continuous calibration is reliable, high performance. Despite the differences between gasoline and bioethanol when it comes to knocking resistance and energy density, the Vectra Flexpower's 2.0t engine produces 129 kW/175 hp and 265 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm. As bioethanol is produced from renewable crops, the Flexpower's propulsion delivers a balanced carbon dioxide level. This is because the amount of CO2 released from E85 during combustion is practically identical to the level of carbon dioxide the plants absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis when they were growing.

GM to cut production at six pickup, SUV plants Sharon Terlep | Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News General Motors Corp. will cut production of large trucks and sport utility vehicles to avoid overstocking as demand for vehicles slips, the automaker said today. The company has canceled planned overtime for the rest of the year at six North American plants, including one in Flint, spokesman Tom Wickham said. The automaker wants to clear dealer lots and avoid a surplus that would force deep discounts on vehicles such as the Suburban SUV and new full-size pickups, he said. Volatile fuel prices and a crashing housing market have driven down demand for the large vehicle across the industry. "We're in a position now where we need to manage the inventory as tightly as possible," Wickham said. Besides the Flint plant, the other factories affected are in Arlington, Texas; Janesville, Wis.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Oshawa, Ontario, in Canada; and Silao, Mexico. GM already announced a 17 percent production cut at the Pontiac plant that builds versions of the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. Earlier plans also call for shutting the Hamtramck plant, which makes Buick and Cadillac sedans, for a week each in October, November and December. The automaker said in June that it would increase North American output in the third quarter by 2 percent. Any change to those plans won't be announced until Sept. 4, when the company announces August sales, Wickham said.

Chery produces 1 millionth car Chery's Wuhu factory Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews BEIJING -- Chery, China's biggest automaker, said today it had produced its 1 millionth car, becoming the first domestic automaker to reach that mark. Chery said in a statement that it took about six years to make its first 500,000 cars, and another 18 months to reach the 1 million mark. The 1 millionth car was an A3, a four-door hatchback that made its debut at last year's Beijing auto show. China's small but ambitious automakers have been eager to expand. Chery, based in the eastern city of Wuhu, signed a deal earlier this year with Chrysler Group to make cars for export to the United States and other markets. It has also signed a deal with the Fiat Group to produce Fiat and Alfa Romeo models for sale in China. The state-run Xinhua News Agency said Chery is currently able to produce 400,000 cars a year, and plans to open a new plant in October that will boost output by 300,000 cars a year. China currently has 30 sedan manufacturers, nine of which produce more than 200,000 units a year. China overtook Japan last year to become the world's No. 2 vehicle market after the United States. Xinhua said Chery had a 7.2 percent share in the domestic market last year, up from 6.7 percent the previous years.

Yet its still a Neon, making it the World's Fastest Pizza Delivery Car. I've encountered numerous Neon fanboys in real life and these people are true characters, almost like your traditional rice on meth, sharing exaggerated kill stories about beating Corvettes, wasting M5s, dusting Gallardos, and blowing the occasional AAMRAM missile into the weeds.

Manufacturing Validation Videos Via Carpoint.au Validation Testing Footage Interview - Peter Huges, Senior Designer Interview - Warrek Leach, Exterior Designer Interview - Aaron Deneweth, Interior Designer

2007 Holden VE Ute Concept to Production 2007 Holden Ute - Press Release & Specifications Full Range Image Galleries (Omega | SV6 | SS | SS-V) In Motion Image & Video Gallery Holden Ute History, 1951-2007 Design Engineering

THE HOLDEN UTE HISTORY 1951-2007 2007 Holden Ute - Press Release & Specifications Full Range Image Galleries (Omega | SV6 | SS | SS-V) In Motion Image & Video Gallery Concept to Production Image & Video Gallery Holden continues the long-running tradition of a genuine Aussie automotive icon with the new Holden VE Ute range. While our society has changed dramatically since it first hit the road in 1951, the Holden Ute remains an enduring symbol of hard work and a laidback lifestyle; a definition of the essential Australia. Its development reflects the changing social history of this country from the practical vehicle of the early years to the more performance focused two-door sports car for a work-hard play-hard generation. The utility concept is an Australian original and it's been with us in one form or another for more than 80 years. Our romance with the coupe utility, which is based on a sedan equivalent and has a load bed integral with the cabin, began in the mid-1930s, when several manufacturers made their own versions. General Motors-Holden's built coupe ute bodies for Bedford, Chevrolet and Vauxhall. It also constructed Chevrolet utes to Army specifications as part of a mammoth World War II manufacturing effort. When the war ended, GMH turned its attention to producing an all-Australian car, and the famous first Holden, the 48-215 (FX) sedan, was launched in 1948. With primary industry prospering and demand for the coupe utility expanding, it was only a matter of time before the first Holden Ute, derived directly from Australia's Own Car, made its entrance in January 1951. They called it the 50-2106 Coupe Utility - and it was destined to blow all of its rivals, Chevrolets and Vauxhalls included, into the weeds. The formula was right from the word go: affordable, versatile, good-looking, rugged and durable. Just like the 48-215, the new Holden Ute could cruise all day at 65mph (105 km/h), take steep hills in its stride and return remarkable overall fuel economy figures of 30 miles per gallon (9.4l/100km). Not only that, buyers discovered, you could use it to round up the sheep. Successive models, from the much-loved FJ onwards, went on to make their own colourful and character-filled contributions to the enduring legend that is the Holden Ute. After nearly 60 years of evolution - from workhorse to thoroughbred, from tradesman's transport to sports machine - today's Holden Ute remains linked to its heritage by the lion emblem it proudly displays and by the same attributes of versatility, reliability and great driveability. How the Holden Ute legend unfolded .... 1951 - 50-2106 (FX) Holden Ute A go-anywhere workhorse, the first Holden Ute (universally nicknamed FX) was light, strong and surprisingly fast, thanks to a modern OHV 6-cylinder engine. Cheaper than any of its rivals, it was the answer to a farmer's prayer - and an urban businessman's as well. So many people lusted after it that the waiting list grew to 70,000 before the end of the first year. Although the FX Ute's strengthened load floor supported an official payload of 7cwt, this limit was blithely exceeded by many owners. Like the sedan, it featured a fully integral 'Aerobilt' all-steel welded body. The original brochure pointed out that its high power-to-weight ratio meant that drivers could 'feel the punch and power of that 6-cyl., 21h.p. engine that carries your loads over the toughest hills...gives you performance challenging anything on the road...' The clincher? 'Holden is designed for Australia and built in Australia... The result is a vehicle you will be proud to own.' Telescopic front shock absorbers and wider rear springs were introduced late in this model's life. 1953 - FJ Holden Ute Now beloved of restorers, modifiers and street machiners, the FJ Ute was a face-lifted version of the 50-1206. Mechanically almost identical - a panel van variant was added in late '53, new design differential and axles in '54 - it sported that unmistakable, era-defining, chrome grille and stylish monogrammed hubcaps. There was a bigger choice of exterior colours and the luxury of a pull-down sunvisor on the passenger side. Proud owners chose from an expanding accessories list which included rear wheel spats and chrome door handle protectors. The FJ Ute also benefited from the introduction of tubeless tyres in early '56. It continued in production after the launch of the FE sedan and from mid-1956 was fitted with the FE's more powerful engine. 1957 - FE Holden Ute Released just before the first Holden wagon in February 1957, the 'new look' FE Ute had a lower and sleeker Australian-designed body, although its engine, gearbox and differential were basically unchanged. It was equipped with wrap-around tail/stop lights, rear 'bumperettes' and spare tyre accessible via a fold-down rear flap. Like the sedan, it featured the first one-piece curved windscreen, all-new dashboard, improved steering, better ride and handling, 13" wheels, upgraded brakes and a 12-volt electrical system. Panel van variants were now based on the station wagon. 1958 - FC Holden Ute A part of the golden Holden era when domestic sales topped 50 per cent of the market, the FC Ute continued to deliver the winning formula of performance, durability and unbeatable value for money. A minor facelift and upgrade with largely identical specifications - distinguished by the letters H-O-L-D-E-N across the front of the bonnet, replacing the FE's winged emblem - the FC delivered a smoother and more refined level of performance. 1960 - FB Holden Ute At a time when Johnny O'Keefe (She's My Baby) competed on the charts with Jimmy Darren (Gidget), Frank Sinatra (High Hopes) and Guy Mitchell (Heartaches by the Number), the American-influenced FB ushered in a fresh new body design matched to the FE/FC floorpan and mechanicals. It had a wraparound windscreen, full width grille, lowered bonnet line and lower load height, more headroom and a deep-dished steering wheel, but missed out on the FB sedan's finned, classically chrome tail light assembly as it retained the previous model Ute's rear end styling. Mechanical improvements included an engine upgrade that delivered more power and torque. The high-roofed FB panel van was again based on the Ute. 1961 - EK Holden Ute While EK Special sedans and wagons introduced Holden's first automatic transmission and electric wipers, commercial versions like the basically unchanged EK Ute and its panel van variant remained steadfastly three-speed manual (column shift, no synchro on first). Parking lights were incorporated in the top grille bar, a new ventilation air intake located forward of the windscreen. Total sales of the Holden Coupe Utility climbed past 150,000 in this era and Holden operated five vehicle assembly, three body assembly, and two major fabrication plants Australia-wide. 1962 - EJ Holden Ute The first of Holden's streamlined sixties favourites, the 'clean sheet' EJ body was completely new - well-integrated and more low profile, with a flatter bonnet, squared-off rear end and smaller tail light clusters. The EJ Ute was released six months after the passenger models and advertised as the "Holden Half Ton Utility. Right out ahead in good looks ...the only utility specifically designed for Australia .. full headroom in the cabin for three six-footers...". It was the first Holden Ute to offer automatic transmission and standard seat belt anchorages. While the original grey engine and drivetrain were carried over, overall performance benefited from a major brake upgrade and significantly improved ride and handling. 1963 - EH Holden Ute While the Ute variant of the fastest-ever selling Holden retained the EJ rear end and did not feature 'Power Swept' rear styling, it was powered by a completely new six-cylinder engine, available in two versions. The standard 149 'red' engine and bigger 179 were 33 per cent and 53 per cent more powerful respectively and more fuel efficient than ever. Buyers could order their Ute with the 179 engine and manual transmission from early 1964. From early 1965, EH Utes were fitted with upgraded HD model brakes and HD wheel trims. For the same price as the EJ, the EH was cheaper than mid-50s Holdens and unbeatable value for money. 1965 - HD Holden Ute Released six months after the sedan, the HD Ute had a completely new body and was the largest yet. Its load compartment was longer and broader, the rear tailgate opening appreciably wider. Like the sedans, it had curved side glass, wider seating and a new dash facia design and it used the new sedan tail lamps and wraparound rear fenders. It offered a choice of three engines, including the powerful twin carburettor X2 version of the 179, new two-speed Powerglide auto transmissions, an alternator, new balljoint front suspension and optional front disc brakes - Holden's first. 1966 - HR Holden Ute One of the most popular 60s models, the HR featured softer front end styling than the controversial HD, with parking lights now located in the grille and new 'Magic Mirror' colour range. The Ute's rear styling was unchanged, except for a new nameplate scripted on the tailgate. Engine capacities increased to 161 and 186 cubic inches, the smoother 186S replaced the X2; a four-speed, all-synchro manual and limited slip differential were optional. The Ute also offered soft-feel seating finished in durable new Sadlon vinyl upholstery, optional power steering and power disc brakes. A safety upgrade delivered standard front seat belts, padded sunvisors, exterior mirror, shatterproof interior rear view mirror, reversing lights and windscreen washers. 1968 - HK Holden Ute Advertised as 'Bigger all round!' and 'Stronger all through!, the New Generation HK Ute offered more load capacity than before and a longer, wider, deeper load area. Available in standard Belmont and up-spec Kingswood versions, it had a longer wheel base, wider track, bigger brakes, 14" wheels, stronger suspension and 'toughest in the business Double Life construction'. Safety items included dual circuit brakes and energy-absorbing steering; buyers could choose between three six-cylinder engines and an imported 5-litre V8. The remarkable array of factory-fitted options also included contoured bucket seats, air conditioning, deluxe heater/demister, 'Superlift' rear shock absorbers, limited slip differential, heavy duty radiator, battery and air cleaner. 1969 - HT Holden Ute The facelifted HT Belmont and Kingswood Utes boasted '48 big changes for the better'. They were distinguished by a new plastic grille, revised tail light cluster, new instrument panel with built in tachometer option. Improved ride and handling and a quieter ride came courtesy of a wider track, new rubber suspension bushings, new sub frame suspension and engine mounting and lighter steering. Engines now included the Australian-designed and built 253 and 308 V8s. Manual models featured synchromesh on all forward gears and a new articulated windscreen wiper with a wider sweep improved visibility. 1970 - HG Holden Ute The third and final version of the big-selling HK/HT body style, the HG Ute featured a finer mesh grille (chrome for the Kingswood) with a centrally mounted Holden lion symbol and was the last with quarter vents on the side windows. It offered a selection of five Australian-built engines and the option of a new locally built Trimatic 3-speed automatic. V8 models were fitted with improved disc brakes. From early 1971, a motorised heater/demister became standard. HG Utes produced after July 1971 used the more powerful HQ-type 173 and 202 engines. 1971 - HQ Holden Ute & One Tonner Cab-Chassis The totally new HQ Belmont and Kingswood Utes were built on the longer (114") wagon and Statesman wheelbase and were the first to have a full length chassis frame and steel load floor. They delivered lower-profile styling, more load capacity and the full raft of HQ engineering innovations, while retaining rugged leaf spring rear suspension. Among new features were upper level flow-through ventilation, an anti-theft ignition lock, improved seating and floor-mounted handbrake. A Sandman Ute, with mainly SS-derived interior and exterior features, was introduced in January 1974. Named for its payload capacity, the 'tradesman's favourite' one ton cab-chassis model was the first of its type to be fully designed and developed in Australia. More a truck or pickup than the traditional sedan-based ute with an integral load area, the one-tonner had a sedan-derived front half and a 120" wheelbase. It took a wide range of rear body styles to suit all kinds of factory and after-market specialist applications from tray model and taxi truck through to baker's van and camper van bodies. 1974 - HJ Holden Ute The HJ range - Holden Ute (the Belmont name was dropped), Sandman Ute, Kingswood Ute and Kingswood Sandman Ute, represented a major refinement of the long-running HQ series. Front end styling was totally new, the grille (with new Holden lion logo) more pronounced, bumpers more protruding. Rear styling was carried over. Upgraded interiors featured full foam seating, a new dash with revised two-outlet ventilation system and strip-style speedo. All engines now had cable-type throttle control and 10cwt passenger ride suspension was available as an option. 1976 - HX Holden Ute A major change to this series was the introduction of low-emission versions of each Holden engine to meet the government's new Australian Design Rule 27A. For the first time, drivers had the advantage of fingertip control of wipers, washers, indicators and headlight beam via a stalk mounted on the steering column. The Sandman 'recreational' Ute and its panel van variant, well promoted and with plenty of appeal for younger Holden buyers, sold very well. 1977 - HZ Holden Ute The fourth revision of the body style that began with HQ, this range was distinguished mainly by its 'egg crate' grille with headlights separate, new badging and hubcaps. The HZ introduced an important advancement in Holden suspension development, Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS), which brought advancements in handling safety and better brakes. These combined with other modifications - such as uprated springs and shock absorbers, rear anti-rollbars and upgraded front bars - to give it a sportier feel. The Sandman Ute was equipped with a 4.2 litre V8, power steering and trip meter as standard. 1980 - WB Holden Ute The last of this line, the WB series Holden Ute and Kingswood Ute featured new front panels, grille, headlight treatment and distinctive large tail light clusters. The one-tonner shared the same front grille and sheetmetal. Initially, the Kingswood had a unique grille and headlamps, but later in 1980 all commercials shared it. Dash fascias were black, GTS-type instruments were optional following the demise of Sandman; new-style bucket seats were standard on the Kingswood. The Utes were powered by the standard 3.3 litre six and optional 4.2 litre V8 'Blue' engines introduced earlier with the VB Commodore, with specific sumps and accessory mountings. The WB Utes were phased out of production late in 1984. 1990 - VG Holden Ute Product of a $10 million budget and three years of development by a small team of dedicated Holden designers and engineers, the VN Commodore-based VG Ute was given a hero's welcome. It was billed as 'the largest Holden Ute ever built' and 'the most comfortable and powerful on the market, with more load capacity (720kg) and passenger room than its Falcon competition'. Smart styling, mechanicals and wagon wheelbase were derived from the all-new VN Commodore and it was available in two levels: the 3.8 litre V6 Holden Ute and more highly specified Ute S, both of which had a new load-sensing valve for improved braking performance under varying loads. Ute features included a versatile bucket/bench seat, four-wheel disc brakes, coil springs all round, and power steering. The S model delivered bucket seats and sporty extras like a limited slip differential, tachometer, 15" wheels, custom tonneau cover, optional 5.0 litre EFI V8. The striking, high-performance HSV Maloo Ute also made its first appearance in 1990. 1992 - VP Holden Ute This Ute shared the VP 'family' model coding and was launched in February 1992. It had headlights and larger turn lenses wrapping into the front guards, a full-width acrylic grille with low air intake, a central circular badge on the bonnet's leading edge and small blinker repeaters on the front guards. Handling and ride quality were improved and the 127kW 3.8 litre V6 engine benefited from a series of refinements that made it smoother and quieter. Power steering came standard and the Ute and Ute S featured a smaller steering wheel for better visibility and control. 1993 - VR Holden Ute A major upgrade, the VR Ute looked dramatically different from its predecessor, with new front end design, twin port grille, new headlights and tail lights, a large central air intake and flared wheel arches. The soft-form dash fascia and instrument cluster were all-new, a high-tech electronics package controlled mechanical, comfort and security features such as a locally-designed electronic door/ignition key and remote central locking. V6 power output was lifted to 130kW, two V8 engine options (165kW and 185kW) were offered, electronic automatic transmission featured power and economy modes. Extensive front suspension revisions and a wider track gave the VR Ute an improved road feel and better turn-in, front brakes were upgraded. The S Ute featured cruise control and a driver airbag was optional. 1995 - VS Holden Ute Very similar in appearance to the VR - identified by a silver-highlighted grille surround - the long-running VS Ute (Series I, II and III) heralded a major engine upgrade. Among new components of the 3.8 litre V6 engine (which carried the ECOTEC name for the first time) were the cylinder block, heads and manifolding and an all-alloy cast sump. Supplemented by the use of low friction technology, these improvements delivered a 13 per cent increase in power (up to 147kW @ 5,000rpm) while reducing fuel consumption by five per cent. Brakes and auto transmission were improved, 15" wheels were made standard, driver and passenger airbags were optional. The first Holden Ute SS made its appearance as a limited edition special (300 units) in May 1998 and another was offered in March 1999. 2000 - VU Holden Ute The first completely new Holden Ute in ten years, the VU combined class-leading driving dynamics with the flexibility of a working vehicle. Its fully integrated sports utility styling was highlighted by flowing, rounded lines and a 'snap lock' flush-fitting tonneau cover. The all-new VU body structure shared the VX Commodore wagon wheelbase. Uniquely, the three-model range, Ute, S and SS, was equipped with independent rear suspension, endowing it with sedan-like ride and handling qualities. This was complemented by passenger car levels of performance, comfort, safety and refinement that were to become a trademark. Stronger-bodied and bigger inside and out than its predecessor, the VU offered greater cargo carrying capacity than before - a maximum of 830kg on the auto Ute. A dual fuel petrol/LPG option was available on V6 auto models. A 152kW 3.8 litre V6 was standard on Ute and Ute S with the SS Ute powered by a 225kW 5.7 litre GEN III V8. 2001 - VU Series II Holden Ute Subtle stying changes and interior refinements characterised Series II models. SS Ute introduced the option of striking coloured leather interior trims designed to complement two new exterior colours Red Hot and Hyper Yellow, while black leather trim joined the option list. An alarm system was fitted for the first time, operated via remote control Power Key which sounded the vehicle's horn when triggered. New stalk controls were fitted for indicator, wiper and more intuitive twist switch cruise control functions. ABS was available on the entry level Ute for the first time. 2002 - VY Holden Ute The VY Ute range adopted a stronger 'face' and more angular lines when it was launched in September 2002. The smart interior treatments and instrument panel with binnacle-style cluster featuring multi-function digital displays, centre console and steering wheel were all new. Chassis dynamics were better than ever, while revised steering systems provided a precise feel and more driver feedback. The range gained all new hardware such as 'twilight sentinel' automatic headlamp control, headlamps off programmable time delay, high feature Blaupunkt audio systems and road-speed sensitive intermittent wipers. Passenger airbags were introduced on SS Ute, while its Gen III V8 engine was boosted to 235kW with a specially tuned twin exhaust system. Meanwhile, Holden's brawny One Tonner Ute workhorse was revived in VY guise in June 2003 after an 18-year absence from the marketplace. 2003 - VY Crewman Holden introduced the crossover four-dour Crewman Ute in 2003, paving the way for a raft of new niche models. Crewman was the first passenger-derivative crew cab - seating three people in the back seat - to hit Australia. Engineers used modular design techniques, adapting the existing V-car architecture to achieve the best balance between passenger space and rear load area. Crewman was the longest Holden vehicle ever to be produced, measuring 5305mm tip to tail. Half monocoque, half chassis frame, the Crewman employed a torque arm system from One Tonner to ensure its durability and strength. A longer, wider AWD version called the Crewman Cross 8 followed in October the same year, using the permanent AWD Cross Trac system launched earlier in the Adventra crossover wagon. 2004 - VZ Holden Ute When the VZ series Ute was introduced in August 2004, the Holden Ute range was enjoying a record-breaking sales run. A host of performance upgrades, including new generation 175kW Alloytec V6 engines and a power upgrade to the 5.7 litre Gen III V8, built on an already successful package. V6 powered utes came with a new, premium application six-speed manual transmission, increasing the towing range by 30 per cent. Four-speed automatics gained an electronic upgrade, ABS-equipped models offered improved braking performance and all models gained power windows, cruise control and 'drive by wire' electronic throttle control. VZ styling cues were adopted from sedan accentuating width across the front, giving Ute, Crewman and One Tonner an even more assertive road presence. Each model had unique air intake openings inserts, bumper facias and contrasting headlamp bezels. For example, SS versions of the Crewman and Ute featured fender vents, twin horizontal 'optic fibre' parking lamp treatments and fog lamps. 2005 - Holden VZ Crewman Cross 8, Cross 6 and One Tonner Cross 6 Dubbed the tradie's dream, the All Wheel Drive (AWD) One Tonner was introduced alongside two new AWD Crewman models in February 2005. The AWD One Tonner Cross 6 was an Australian first, capable of carrying a load and heading offroad. It differed from its RWD One Tonner sibling with a higher ground clearance and Cross Trac system, while still retaining its car-like attributes. Also made available for the first time was a V6 version of the AWD Crewman called Crewman Cross 6. In VZ form, Crewman Cross 8 gained a power and brake upgrade, electronic throttle control, climate control and revised four-speed auto. Major visual changes to VZ AWD utes included new front fascia design, twin spear sculpted hood and flared black wheel arches. 2007 - VE Holden Ute Taking the legend to a new level, Holden's VE Ute is the first all-new Holden Ute since 2000. Its design is set to reignite the passion for Aussie-built performance utes and build upon the legendary ute icon. Considerable energy was directed into the safety and performance attributes of the new ute range, with ride and handling, braking performance and feel all significantly improved. The award-winning VE Commodore forms the basis of the new Ute, with the acclaimed front cabin styling, increased cabin space, world-class ergonomics and passenger comfort carried across to the ute. Its workhorse credentials are undiminished with practical load carrying capability and tray functionality remaining a cornerstone of the Holden Ute's iconic status.

SS-V