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Not content to end up in a punky post-apocalyptic world because of an energy shortage, a la the great Australian film The Road Warrior , the Australian version of AAA is requesting the government implement some sort of average fuel limits similar to our CAFE standards. The NRMA thinks the move could save the country 1.4 billion gallons of fuel a year, as well as drop costs for the consumer. Lacking these standards, the Australians have produced vehicles such as the V8-powered FPV Super Pursuit Ute and HSV Tourer . As an alternative they could just stop driving with Koalas in their grilles . Said the NRMA president, "For too long, Australia's automotive industry has been allowed to play by its own rules, setting paltry voluntary targets and consistently building and importing cars that consume more fuel than their overseas counterparts." That's ridiculous; voluntary standards always work ... [ Drive.com.au ]
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It's not even Australia Day, but we're hearing GM's giving their high-performance team down under a gift of power. Holden's Special Vehicles team announced last night they'll be fitting the US-built LS3 engine across their range of E-Series and WM Grange vehicles. That's the same engine found in the base model of the new Corvette as well as the one found in the Australian-built Pontiac G8 GXP. So that means the new ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature, Maloo R8 and WM Granges will see a power boost from the current 307 kW (412 HP) and 399 lb-ft of torque provided by the ol' and busted 6.0-liter LS2 to 317 kW (425 HP) and 406 lb-ft of torque with GM's new 6.2-liter hotness under the hood. More cost-savings on the high-end across GM's global business? Check. More hooning power? Check. Greater potential for said hooning power to drop in price stateside? One would hope. Full press release after the jump. galleryPost('HSVLS3', 3, 'In Australia...
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We hear this AM that Ford's taking a page directly from GM's Aussie-loving playbook. Bryce Hoffman of the Detroit News , who's never met a job he couldn't hand-le when it comes to Ford, is reporting they're looking at bringing the rear-wheel-drive Falcon platform up from down under to provide the basis for the next Ford Mustang. In addition to the muscular two-door, it'll also be used for new sedans from the Ford and Lincoln brands -- replacements for the Crown Vic and Lincoln Town Car -- both scheduled to meet their demise come 2011. The only problem is, Auto Week reported this same thing like umm, in January . So we've got a more important question that Bryce has seemingly left unasked. galleryPost('interceptorFord', 3, 'Ford Interceptor Concept'); So what about Mercury? Good question -- we've no clue, but we haven't seen any new product from the brand all about the heat in quite some time (wait, sorry, we mustn't forget the refreshed...
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Given recent gains that Cadillac has been making in quality and perception, GM has decided to start expanding into new markets, including selling the CTS in Australia around the fourth quarter of 2008. Much to the disappointment of the Aussies, the new CTS will be sporting the 3.6-liter direct injection V6. While the capable engine puts out 304 hp and 273 lb.-ft of torque, this is the land of RWD V8s and GM's Holden brand currently squeezes the 6.0-liter V8 into their luxury offerings. Maybe we can make a trade? Three CTS's for every one SS V-Series Ute that they'll import back to us? Press release below the jump: Cadillac brand to enter the Australian market in 2008 DETROIT- Cadillac announced today that the all-new CTS will be the first Cadillac sold in Australia when the luxury brand makes it debut there in the fourth quarter of 2008. Cadillac is in the midst of a global expansion, with a growing portfolio of luxury vehicles that aim to compete at the highest levels in markets...
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Given recent gains that Cadillac has been making in quality and perception, GM has decided to start expanding into new markets, including selling the CTS in Australia around the fourth quarter of 2008. Much to the disappointment of the Aussies, the new CTS will be sporting the 3.6-liter direct injection V6. While the capable engine puts out 304 hp and 273 lb.-ft of torque, this is the land of RWD V8s and GM's Holden brand currently squeezes the 6.0-liter V8 into their luxury offerings. Maybe we can make a trade? Three CTS's for every one SS V-Series Ute that they'll import back to us? Press release below the jump: *UPDATE, Motor Authority reporting a V12 is in the works for a new Aussie Cadillac based on the Holden Statesman platform. The new engine will take two of the 3.6-liter V6 mills and mate them together via a single crankshaft for an estimated 520+ horsepower and 7.2 liters of displacement. Cadillac brand to enter the Australian market in 2008 DETROIT- Cadillac announced...
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It would seem that although GM product czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz may be the #2 man at GM and the #1 man in our hearts, it appears he may have lost the battle for making a new GM ute a GMC . While we're disappointed we won't be able to continue hearing his excited desire for a " Caballero ," we're excited about news this morning from Automotive News that is quite possibly the most important piece of news we'll see on these pages this year. Here's the scoop -- as we've already reported -- we won't be getting a new Chevy El Camino . However, we will be getting a ute stateside based on the Holden and it'll be branded with the badge all about driving excitement. That's right kids, it'll be a Pontiac -- but not just any Pontiac. It'll be a Pontiac G8. But wait, there's more. We're also told we'll be getting a RWD wagon based on the Commodore -- and it'll also be a Pontiac G8. So basically the G8's going to become...
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Toyota single-handidly bested the combined efforts of Australia-based Holden and Ford in new car sales in October, a first for the Japanese automaker (though we're guessing not a last). Toyota has been the market leader in Australia for the last four years, but the 20,212 vehicles it sold in October just eclipsed the 19,621 vehicles sold by Holden and Ford combined. Even worse for the homeboys, Holden and Ford were part of only 7 out of 42 brands that didn't post sales increases in October. Toyota execs continued to be annoyingly polite, suggesting that their competitors would bounce back when they updated their lineups later that year. Sales of light cars are up 9.2%, but four-wheel-drives are leading the market with a 15% increase year-over-year. The best-selling car is still Holden's Commodore sedan, but Ford's older Falcon was down 22% through October compared to last year. Ford is pinning its hopes on a refreshed Falcon to turn things around next year. [Sydney Morning Herald]
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