New Ford Fiesta Makes ASEAN Debut at Thailand Motor Expo

Coinciding with its U.S. launch at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford's new Fiesta will also make its ASEAN (Southeastern Asian nations) debut at the Thailand International Motor Expo that runs from December 2 to 13. FoMoCo's supermini will go on sale in Thailand in early 2010 as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan.

It will be locally produced at AutoAlliance Thailand's new $500 million plant, which will supply the entire ASEAN region, as well as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

"The ASEAN launch will write the next chapter in our global Ford Fiesta success story and continue to highlight Ford's leadership in small car design and development," said David Alden, president, Ford ASEAN.

"Stylish Thai and other ASEAN consumers will appreciate the uniqueness and undeniable appeal of the Fiesta to express their individuality, style and sophistication."

According to the Detroit automaker, the new Fiesta has already sold more than a half million units since its introduction a year ago.

Right-Hand Drive 2010 Chevy Camaro on Sale in Australia for... $128,500 USD!

The good news for our fellow Aussie readers is that, while GM has not revived plans to introduce a right-hand drive (RHD) version of its new 2010 Camaro, Queensland-based Performax International, an Australian importer and converter of new US-made passenger vehicles, has announced the domestic market launch of what it supports to be, the world's first RHD version of the muscle car. The bad news is that those interested will have to be willing to dig really, really deep into their pockets...

To be precise, the Camaro SS with the 426HP 6.2-liter V8 and a six-speed manual transmission will be priced from $139,000 AUD ($128,500 USD at the current exchange rates) or more than twice the cost of the HSV Clubsport R8, a high-performance version of the Holden Commodore / Pontiac G8 sports saloon equipped with a 425HP LS3 V8 that retails for $65,990 AUD.

In the U.S., the V8-powered Camaro SS costs a mere $33,745 USD or $36,500 AUD meaning that an Aussie can basically come to the U.S., buy a Camaro and live fairly comfortably off the price difference for a couple of years without having to work...

Despite the overly-hefty price tag, Performax claims that it has already received half a dozen orders and expects more now that the RHD Camaro has been released.

"For something that will be an absolute standout on Australian roads - and drive as good as it looks - it's great value for money," Performax General Manager Nicholas Vandenberg said.

"The Camaro SS drives just like it does it does from the factory, meaning it has the same outstanding handling, tactile steering and powerful V8 performance noted by American reviewers".

"The driving position, including the relationship between steering wheel, pedals and seat, is perfect. Thanks to our industry-leading computer-aided-design and plastic injection moulding technology, we have been able to re-create the fascia, door panels, centre console, ventilation ducts, wiper cowl and other parts with total accuracy of fit and finish," Vandenberg concluded.

Performax said that it is also readying other RHD versions of the Camaro including a base model with the 3.6-litre V6 priced from $129,000 AUD or about $119,200 USD. According to the company, first customer deliveries of the RHD 2010 Camaro are expected to start in December or January, following formal ADR certification.

The Camaro SS package includes an LS3 V8 engine matched to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, high-performance Brembo brakes with four-piston aluminum calipers, leather heated seats with driver's six-way power adjustment, cruise control, Bluetooth, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, Boston Acoustic 245 Watt stereo system with nine speakers and auxiliary/USB input jacks, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and front, side and head-curtain airbags.

2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car Revealed: Based on Australian Holden Caprice, LWB Version of Pontiac G8

Looks like Bob Lutz was right after all when back in July he said that the Pontiac G8 would live on as the Chevrolet Caprice - even though shortly after he hastily took his words back. Apparently, what Lutz meant to say was that the G8 would live on as a law enforcement car as GM revealed the all-new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado.

Set to join the ranks of law enforcement departments across North America in 2011, the new Caprice is essentially a remasked version of the Australian Holden Caprice and Statesman models which in turn are more luxurious, long wheelbase versions of the Holden Commodore and its American counterpart, the Pontiac G8 that will soon be discontinued.

And just to confuse you a bit more, the Holden Caprice and its Statesman twin are already sold in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice.

As with the Commodore and the G8, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV is based on GM's Zeta RWD platform that also underpins the new Chevy Camaro. It uses the longest wheelbase of the architecture that measures 118.5 inches (3,010 mm) in length along with a four-wheel independent suspension

At launch, the Chevy Caprice PPV will be offered exclusively with a GM 6.0-liter V8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability but GM said that in the 2012 model year, a smaller displacement V6 engine will also be offered.

The Caprice PPV's V8 churns out an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) and 384 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that is specially calibrated for police duty. The Detroit automaker said that the Caprice V8 can sprint from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in under 6.0 seconds.

Additional police car-specific powertrain and vehicle system features include: a high-output alternator, engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers, 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps, larger four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads, heavy-duty suspension components, police-calibrated stability control system and driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

According to GM, the Caprice PPV can also be equipped with special equipment packages such as spotlights; lockouts for the power windows and locks; and an "undercover" street-appearance package (9C3).

"The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement," said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. "We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas."

General Motors pointed out that the new Caprice PPV will not replace the Chevy Impala that will continue to offered in police outfit along with the Tahoe.

Aussie Debut for 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander EVO...lution

For some reason, Mitsubishi has decided to launch its updated 2010 Outlander SUV, which is inspired from the 2009 NY Show Outlander GT concept, first in markets such as China and now, Australia, before Europe, the USA and even its own home market in Japan. The big news for the 2010 model year is the adoption of the Lance EVO-like front fascia with the company's trademark "jet fighter" grille complemented by the reshaped front bumper and headlamps, side mirrors, fenders and bonnet. A new rear bumper and side sills complete the styling upgrades on the outside.

Other improvements for the Australian-spec Outlander include the addition of a Hill Start Control to automatic transmission models and Super All Wheel Control system, which uses a front limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled four-wheel drive coupling to prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side, to the V6 models.

In Australia, the 2010 model year Outlander continues to be offered with two gasoline engine choices. The base 2.4-litre 4-cylinder unit produces 125kW / 168HP and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Drivers that want more power can opt for the 3.0-liter V6 that generates 169kW / 227HP, or 7kW more than the previous unit thanks to various improvements including a reduction in intake restriction plus optimized camshaft timing and compression ratio. The V6 is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode sequential style gear shift change.

Via: Autoblog.com

2010 Toyota Aurion: Australia's Version of the Camry Receives Mid-Life Facelift

Toyota's proposition in the large sedan segment in Australia, the Aurion, which is essentially a Camry with a different nose job and rear end, has received a nip and tuck for the 2010 model year. Exterior styling changes for the Japanese firm's front-wheel drive sedan that competes against the Holden Commodore (Pontiac G8) and Ford Falcon include a new front mask, LED stop and tail lamps, and new wheel designs across the range, including ten-spoke alloy wheels on the entry-level AT-X model.

All three versions of the Aurion (Prodigy, Sportivo and Presara) get new grade-specific bumpers, radiator grilles, lower aperture grilles, headlamps and fog-lamp surrounds while Toyota's designers also eliminated the sedan's body-side moldings for a cleaner look.

In the cabin, the new model year Aurions benefit from upgraded instrument panels, audio systems, lighting and in-cabin storage as well as additional standard equipment across the range.

There are no changes under the hood with the new-look Aurion retaining the 3.5-litre Dual VVT-i V6 engine that delivers an output of 200kW / 268HP to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission. The sedan returns an average fuel consumption of 9.9lt/100km that comes to about 23.8mpg US.