Keema News - Nov 2009

To help meet its goals of environmental leadership, Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the 2.4 Theta II GDI, its first petrol direct injection engine.

Representing the biggest advancement in fuel injection - a 1980's technology that replaced the carburettor - GDI puts Hyundai at the cutting edge of engine design and management by achieving three seemingly incompatible goals: lowering emissions while raising power output and improving fuel economy. Prior to GDI, a gain in one area came at the expense of one or the other two.

With a compression ratio of 11.3:1, the 2.4 Theta II GDI delivers 150kW at 6300rpm and 245Nm at 4250rpm.
"The Theta II GDI convincingly demonstrates our parent company's advanced powertrain engineering capabilities," said Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Sales and Marketing Director Kevin McCann.

Developed with a budget of AU$160 million, over a research period of almost four years, the new 2.4 Theta II will make its debut in the first half of 2010, initially in the all-new mid-sized sedan codenamed YF - beating the mid-size sedan competition with this exciting new technology - but will subsequently be expanded into other models

For the fourth time in five years, the Honda Odyssey has won the prestigious Fairfax Drive Car of the Year Award for the Best People Mover.

The third-generation Odyssey won the Drive award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and this fourth-generation model continues the winning tradition.

Toby Hagon, Drive Editor said, "The new Odyssey fits seven seats into a sensibly sized family package that now boasts world-class safety."

Honda Australia Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno is delighted with the result.

"We are very proud to win this award again for the fourth time. It really highlights the exceptional qualities of the Odyssey, which has been one of our most successful cars, winning several awards in Australia and Car of the Year (Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference) 1994 in Japan. I am delighted this new model has continued to be a favorite among the motoring critics - it is certainly a favorite among buyers.

"With superb driving enjoyment, advanced styling, comfort and comprehensive safety features, the 2009 Honda Odyssey is the ultimate family car," he added.

With the introduction of the fourth-generation version in April 2009, Honda aimed to improve the already successful Odyssey revealing a more stylish, spacious and powerful model that proves this car is more than just a people mover.

The 2009 Odyssey features a more powerful engine (132kW), improved safety, visibility, versatility and outstanding fuel economy (8.91/100km), along with all the quality aspects of the previous model.

The Odyssey has a 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold. With tilt and telescopic steering and double wishbone suspension, its drivability and handling are more car-like than ever.

The 2009 Odyssey also features the highest level of safety, with six airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) for the first time.

As with every Honda, passenger safety is an important consideration and the Odyssey is fitted with 3-point seatbelts in all seven positions and active front seat head restraints.

Featuring slim-line 'A' pillars, the 2009 Odyssey provides the driver with a panoramic front view and improved overall visibility.

Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (MAE) is also standard across the range.

Inside, the Odyssey sets a new standard in styling and comfort with the unique 'V' shape seating structure, providing all passengers with a clear view forward.

Contributing to its car-like appeal, the all-new Odyssey's advanced styling makes the fourth-generation model more masculine and sporty.

In recognition of Guide Dog Awareness Day today, November 24, Guide Dogs Victoria and The Honda Foundation would like to introduce its newest recruit, Bluey.

Bluey has already found a new home with Suzanne Gould after recently graduating from his intensive six month training course. Suzanne shared her thoughts recently on how Bluey is making a real difference to her life and the freedom he brings.

"So now

In recognition of Guide Dog Awareness Day today, November 24, Guide Dogs Victoria and The Honda Foundation would like to introduce its newest recruit, Bluey.

Bluey has already found a new home with Suzanne Gould after recently graduating from his intensive six month training course. Suzanne shared her thoughts recently on how Bluey is making a real difference to her life and the freedom he brings.

"So now I would like to convey my gratitude to The Honda Foundation and say thank you very much for sponsoring Bluey and supporting Guide Dogs Victoria. Please believe me when I say that you are making a difference, a real tangible difference in the lives of the clients of Guide Dogs Victoria," she said.

Bluey was able to complete his graduation thanks to sponsorship from The Honda Foundation and Yarra Honda in Collingwood. He is one of nine puppies born to Guide Dog Jazz, also sponsored through The Honda Foundation.

"It was a very proud moment watching Bluey complete the final part of his long journey," said Chairman of The Honda Foundation, Mr. Lindsay Smalley, who attended Bluey's recent graduation. "It was an honour to be part of the day and I am sure Suzanne will benefit greatly from the world-class training Bluey has received."

The Honda Foundation aims to provide assistance to local communities and foster goodwill between Honda Australia, Honda Motor Vehicle Dealers and the public. It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia, who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car soldI would like to convey my gratitude to The Honda Foundation and say thank you very much for sponsoring Bluey and supporting Guide Dogs Victoria. Please believe me when I say that you are making a difference, a real tangible difference in the lives of the clients of Guide Dogs Victoria," she said.

Bluey was able to complete his graduation thanks to sponsorship from The Honda Foundation and Yarra Honda in Collingwood. He is one of nine puppies born to Guide Dog Jazz, also sponsored through The Honda Foundation.

"It was a very proud moment watching Bluey complete the final part of his long journey," said Chairman of The Honda Foundation, Mr. Lindsay Smalley, who attended Bluey's recent graduation. "It was an honour to be part of the day and I am sure Suzanne will benefit greatly from the world-class training Bluey has received."

The Honda Foundation aims to provide assistance to local communities and foster goodwill between Honda Australia, Honda Motor Vehicle Dealers and the public. It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia, who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car sold

The next-generation Kia Sorento with all-new R-series common rail turbo diesel engine will be taking on some fuel-sipping competitors this weekend when the 2009 Global Green Challenge kicks off in Darwin.

Kia Motors Australia is mounting a two-car Sorento CRDi entry in the Eco Challenge category of the Global Green Challenge, to be run over more than 3,000kms through the outback from Darwin to Adelaide from 24-31 October.

The two cars have been prepared for the event by the renowned Canberra-based Neal Bates Motorsport organisation, and will be piloted by driver pairings boasting both youth and experience. Sorento #1 will be driven by Geoff Forshaw and Brendan Reeves, while Sorento #2 will be driven by Glen Raymond and Anthony Caldwell.

The two new Kia Sorento SUVs are powered by Kia's all-new, high-tech R-series turbo diesel engine which punches out 145kW of power and an astounding 422Nm of maximum torque (436Nm with automatic transmission) from just 2.2 litres, with combined CO₂ emissions of just 177g/km.

This ultra-modern diesel engine will be teamed in the Challenge cars with a smooth, 6-speed manual transmission that will take full advantage of the engine's mountain of torque to deliver effortless and highly efficient progress throughout the seven-day event.

Watch out for the next-generation 7-seat Sorento CRDi with R-series diesel as it takes on the Eco Challenge in the Australian outback next week!

The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon may have sales on their side - between them they account for 77 per cent of the large car market - but they're not the best around. At least according to Drive's expert panel of Car of the Year judges.

In yet another controversial result, the locally-made large cars trailed an imported car for the second year running. This time around it was the new Nissan Maxima, which we tested in its most affordable form - the 250 ST-L.

The Maxima may be more vanilla than choc-chip, but it's loaded with enough sauce to overcome its flavour deficiencies.

Specifically, it is value - both features and pricing - that the Maxima has on its side and that had judges questioning whether this leather-clad sedan was really the base model or whether Nissan had accidentally delivered something more exotic to the DCOTY test HQ. From a sensor key that you can leave in your pocket and electric seats to dual zone air-conditioning and even xenon headlights, it's an extensive list of equipment.

As one judge commented: "The Maxima is the cheapest of the group, but it feels the most expensive."

The Maxima boasts the sort of features that could cost extra on cars costing twice as much as the $33,990 (plus on-road costs) price tag.

The Maxima also doesn't skimp on safety, with the requisite stability control system featured on all four DCOTY large car finalists as well as the side curtain airbags that still cost extra on a Falcon (come on, Ford) as well as whiplash-reducing headrests that were just removed from the updated Commodore Berlina (disappointing for a car that prides itself on safety).

Like the Accord, the Maxima also gets adjustable headrests in all five seating positions, reinforcing the attention to detail that the fleet-oriented Australian made large cars don't match.

Under the bonnet, the Maxima is the least nourished of our quartet, with just a 2.5-litre engine good for a modest 134kW of power. That's two-thirds the output of the three contenders.

But its tricky CVT (continuously variable transmission) does a brilliant job of harnessing the modest power output, albeit with the quirky free-revving nature associated with CVTs. Only off the line was the CVT a hindrance by hesitating slightly. But once on the move the seamless progress and brisk response exceeded expectations.

In our independent performance testing the Maxima was the slowest of its peers, but judges deemed the Nissan to have more than enough in the way of large car performance.

And it makes up for it with impressive economy. The Nissan's claimed average fuel use of 9.5 litres per 100km (L/100km) was the second best of the duo, behind only the Commodore.

However, following independent drives, the Drive judges remain skeptical about the Commodore's consumption in everyday driving. During a mix of back-to-back drives with the Falcon, the Commodore consistently used more fuel in all but one run during our DCOTY testing week.

But it wasn't the consumption that let the Commodore down. While judges praised its rorty engine that delivers more than enough in the way of performance, they were less impressed with the six-speed automatic. On the flowing country road component of our drive loop it shuffled constantly from sixth to fifth gear, albeit smoothly. It was also slow to kick down and be in the right gear during our uphill climb.

Inside, too, the Commodore's plasticky finishes were described as a "cheap suit". "The Commodore is in desperate need of an update", said one judge, suggesting the engine-only 2010 upgrade falls short of 21st century expectations. The thick pillars on either side of the windscreen are a continuing bugbear of the Commodore's design, hindering frontal vision.

Thankfully the Commodore still drives competently and the addition of low rolling resistance tyres (chosen for improved fuel economy) hasn't detracted from the decent cornering grip and all round composure. A sharper feel to the brakes would be appreciated, but they work in an emergency and the linear steering feel and proficiency on country roads more than make up for it.

If performance is your thing, though, then the Falcon's mighty 4.0-litre six-cylinder is a masterful mix of simplicity and performance that also happens to be surprisingly economical when teamed with the thoroughly thoughtful six-cylinder auto that's an option on the entry-level XT. Judges also commented that anyone looking to tow - a large car specialty - then the Falcon is the weapon of choice. It's also handy for overtaking and climbing hills thanks to its effortless performance.

Other than the lack of curtain airbags and adjustable rear headrests, the base Falcon XT doesn't feel like the fleet model it could. Judges were unanimous that the XT's interior was a class above the Commodore Berlina's - and that's despite the fact the Berlina is more expensive and sold as a more upmarket proposition.

The Falcon is also comfortable and effortless to drive, although its tyres were again a cause for concern from the judges. "It's a case of 'it'll stop some time'," commented one judge about the Falcon's poor emergency stop performance and it's tendency to slide and squeal on the track-based testing disciplines.

Last year's winner, the Honda Accord V6 (it took out the overall Car of the Year crown) was shuffled out of the DCOTY Large Car crown, but it was a close runner up.

Judges still loved the Accord's 3.5-litre V6 engine, which delivers ample performance and is always eager to rev. Its cylinder deactivation system is also unique in the large six-cylinder family car class, helping deliver respectable economy for the size of vehicle.

The Accord is also well specified - including a full complement of safety gear - while its logical, stylish and user-friendly dash layout scored extra marks. Some judges weren't enamored with some of the hard plastics inside, while the intrusive gooseneck hinges in the boot aren't in keeping with the attention to detail on the rest of the Accord.

It's also a surprise dynamically, with its Michelin tyres aiding surefootedness on the track.

But the $39,990 price tag didn't help the Accord V6's cause against the sharply-priced Nissan.