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Wheel Fever - by Paladin

Suzuki Alto Hatch

February 27th 2009 14:58
Suzuki Australia has unveiled the all-new Alto hatch at the opening of the Melbourne Motor Show this morning.

The fifth and smallest member of the Suzuki family is already on sale in Europe and hits local dealers late this year.

Although prices have not been set, the Alto is expected to come in under the $16,490 Swift hatch.

Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says the Alto will represent “outstanding value for money”.

However, Suzuki spokesman, Andrew Ellis, says exchange rates will play a big part in determining the car's pricepoint.

Suzuki Alto Hatch
Suzuki Alto Hatch


The Alto will be available in two specifications.

The entry level gets six airbags, air conditioning, CD stereo system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, anti-skid brakes and six airbags.

The top specification Alto adds alloy wheels, foglights, a tachometer and electronic stability control.

At 3500mm long, the Alto is almost 200mm shorter than a Mini Cooper.

It is slightly narrower than a Mini but 63mm higher and has a wheelbase of 2360mm, 107mm shorter than the Mini.

Powering the Alto is a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 50kW and 90Nm mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

A four-speed automatic will be optional.

The Euro IV-compliant engine delivers fuel consumption of just 4.5L/100km and produces only 103g/km of CO2 emissions.

Manufactured in Suzuki's Manesar plant in India, the Alto was designed by Suzuki engineers and tuned for European customers based on an extensive test drive program.

Already on sale in Europe, the little hatch has returned fuel economy figures of just 4.4 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 103 grams a kilometre.

“Alto is the answer for people wanting a quality vehicle offering great performance, high levels of safety and outstanding fuel economy,” Devers says.

The front suspension is a MacPherson strut type while the rear is a three-link rigid axle.

Herald Sun

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Mazda3 MPS

February 4th 2009 09:45
Apart from the fact that it’s bright red, Mazda is saving some crucial details about its new MPS until next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

Although it has confirmed the hot turbocharged hatch, performance details are scarce.

The company is saving the best for the car's first official airing at the Geneva show, which opens on March 3.

But Mazda Australia spokesman, Glenn Butler, has confirmed the MPS will hit local showrooms around September.

If exchange rates hold, pricing is expected to be close to the current car, around $40,000.

The MPS makes up a small but important portion of sales of the 3000 Mazda3s sold locally each month but Butler says it has a strong following.

Mazda3 MPS


“It's reason for existence is more than just sales,” he says.

“It's the halo car for the Mazda3 and for the brand.”

Visually the new MPS gets the go-fast bits that so characterise the current car, but the letterbox bonnet air intake for the turbo is new.

It gives the car and edgier, more aggressive look that is obviously designed to go head-to-head with its key rivals, the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

Apart from the air intake there is low-profile performance rubber, dual exhausts, rear diffuser and sports body kit and a rear roof-mounted spoiler.

Inside buyers can expect comfy sports seats and sports instruments.

Power comes from the carry over turbo-charged direct injection 2.3-litre four cylinder engine, shared with the CX7, mated to six-speed manual gearbox.

The company isn't revealing performance figures but power could be as high as 200kW, just enough to eclipse the WRX and Ralliart.

The current car develops 190kW/380Nm.

Butler says there was no need to upgrade the 2.3-litre to a normally aspirated 2.5-litre, which will power the new Mazda3 SP25.

Apart from power and torque figures, Mazda isn’t telling us whether the car will stick with front-wheel drive or opt for all-wheel drive.

There is also some speculation it could borrow the new “Revoknuckle” front-wheel drive suspension from the Ford Focus RS, as the new Mazda shares much underneath with the Ford.

The Revoknuckle suspension is designed to eliminate torque steer and provide a more connected steering response.

According to the Mazda3 program manager, Yoshiyuki Maeda, the MPS is “is the ultimate sporting expression of our new-generation Mazda3 range”.

“It builds on the already capable new-generation Mazda3 hatch with higher levels of ferocity and exhilaration, and like all new Mazda models with an eye to environmental concerns, powering responsibly into the motoring future.”

Herald Sun
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