Keema News

At a Glance

New to the unique Nissan crossover family in Australia

• Longer and taller than DUALIS
• Seven seats always on board for permanent flexibility
• Stow away third row
• Sliding middle row
• Under floor storage in larger load area
• Standard silver roof rails
• VDC standard across range
• Choice of two trim levels
• CVT automatic transmission standard
• Front-wheel drive or ALL-MODE four-wheel drive options
• Designed in London, built in UK

Nissan - The Crossover Brand

On the crest of an all-new DUALIS design, Nissan Australia announces the arrival of

a 7-seat family wagon version, dubbed DUALIS +2.

Based on the innovative DUALIS hatch concept, the DUALIS +2 makes its showroom

debut next week.

Nissan moved the goalposts again, introducing the stylish family crossover, the

DUALIS+2, with more space and a flexible seven-seat configuration and adding even

more strongly to the appeal of the new DUALIS range.

DUALIS+2 combines the best of both three-row people movers and the family

hatchback with none of the drawbacks. So it enjoys the driving dynamics, ride comfort

and refinement of a finely tuned hatchback with the added benefit of the practical

interior of a bigger car. But what it has that MPVs and hatchbacks don't have is a

striking, attractive exterior and interior design. At the same time previous compact

SUV customers will appreciate the third row of seats.

The SUV-influenced styling, 'command' seating position and genuine driving

enjoyment are all carried over from the standard DUALIS, but the greater length is

aimed squarely at busy families seeking practicality without sacrificing style.

DUALIS+2 joins the original five-seat DUALIS and the exciting all-new Murano to

cement the company's status as the 'Crossover Brand'.

August 6, 2010

1.

More Seats - More Space

DUALIS+2 will be available in ST and Ti variants equipped with a CVT transmission.

A little longer and higher than the 5-seater DUALIS, DUALIS+2 is priced from $29,990

(for the ST 2WD) to $36,890 (for the AWD Ti model).

Design DNA

Although sharing clear family design DNA with its sibling, DUALIS+2 is nonetheless

subtly different from virtually every angle. Created by designers at Nissan Design

Europe in London's Paddington, the new model is essentially identical to DUALIS

from the A-pillar forward... but everything else behind has been changed.

Longer and taller, DUALIS+2 has been designed to provide greater interior space and

more practicality. External changes include new front and rear doors, side glass, a

new tailgate and new-look grille.

Panoramic Roof

Like its 5 seat sibling, DUALIS+2 Ti models come with a huge fixed panoramic glass

roof that opens up the cabin to create a sense of airiness - if the sun becomes too

intense, then a sunshade will glide into place at the touch of a button.

A 135 mm extended wheelbase and a 211 mm increase in length bring added space

for larger families and the ingenious third row of seats can be used by children or for

occasional use by adults. Their reclining backrests - with seven adjustment settings

- will fold completely flat without the need to remove the head restraints first, opening

up the luggage space to give 550 litres (VDA), an increase of 140 over DUALIS.

The standard full-depth roller-blind tonneau cover can be stored beneath the boot floor

when the third row seats are being used, while the under-floor storage lid can double

up as a cargo divider if you need to keep fragile items separated from heavier objects.

Second row passengers enjoy increased kneeroom and the 40/20/40 split backrest

reclines over a range of 15 degrees. Added versatility is provided by the centre '20'

portion which can be folded forward to act as a large multi-function armrest, complete

with two cup holders, a lidded storage box large enough to hold personal music

players and a power outlet.

The whole second row seat now slides (in a 60/40 split) fore and aft to improve

ingress and egress, whilst also offering the added benefit of more second row seat

legroom or conversely more cargo area.

Mechanically, DUALIS+2 follows the lead set by the original model with strut-type

front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear set-up.

Suspension settings have been revised to take account of the extra weight and

payload potential, while steering assistance has also been re-tuned.

Media Information

2.

Chassis and Transmission

Two versions of the chassis are available, offering the choice of front-wheel drive

(ST and Ti) or sure-footed ALL-MODE 4X4 (in Ti only). DUALIS+2 is powered by the

familiar, lightweight all-alloy MR20 2.0 litre engine.

The DUALIS+2 comes standard with the highly efficient, fuel-saving CVT auto

transmission, offering a choice between 'stepless' changes or a manual over-ride with

six fixed ratios.

The new DUALIS+2 ST is well-equipped featuring power windows with driver's

one touch operation, air conditioning, a drive computer, steering wheel mounted

Bluetooth handsfree phone, audio and cruise controls, plus a four speaker CD audio

system with MP3 connectivity.

A full safety package mirroring that of the five-star ANCAP rated five-seat DUALIS

includes VDC, six airbags plus front seat active headrests and seatbelt pretensioners.

In addition, the Ti model features an expansive panoramic glass roof, leather trim

seats and steering wheel, unique 18 inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, upgraded

in-dash six-disc changer with six speakers, intelligent key and dual zone auto climate

control air-conditioning.

The Marketplace

"Against rivals that tend to a

A chance chat with a fuel frugal fellow traveller was enough for Bittern boatie

While touring Tassies Great Lakes in autumn with wife Sue, he spotted another grey nomad parked in his very tidy looking D-MAX with a small caravan in tow.

Remembering the Isuzu Ute Max Run fuel economy guessing competition he saw on www.isuzuute.com.au, where entrants could win a D-MAX and a Haines five-metre power boat by correctly estimating how far a D-MAX LS would tow that boat without refuelling, he asked what fuel economy the D-MAX was getting towing the van. The answer was 12.72 km/litre, the D-MAX trip computers alternate readout mode which is friendlier to drivers still steeped in the miles-per-gallon of yore.

Mark then did the maths, arriving at a 966.72km range. He then got even luckier. He mistakenly thought he had to round that figure, and in doing so, he landed on the exact correct figure of 967.0. Then a third stroke of luck saw him drawn the winner from the handful of other correct entries.

Mark upgraded his prize D-MAX LS to a 4x4 LS-M automatic and fitted it out with a few accessories before he and Sue took delivery at Patterson Cheney Isuzu Ute in Dandenong recently.

"Isuzu Ute say the D-MAX is a real truck, just built compact, and thats exactly how it feels towing the boat, very smooth and effortless and a really great pleasure to drive, sitting beautifully on the highway at cruising speed," Mark Pitman said.

.../2. Isuzu UTE Australia Pty Ltd Marketing and Public Relations Richard Power - General Manager richard.power@iua.net.au Steven Henderson - Coordinator steven.henderson@iua.net.au t (07) 3113 5888 f (07) 3113 5877 NEWS RELEASE 921- 929 Kingsford Smith Drive, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009 PO Box 1128, Eagle Farm, Qld 4009 1300 1 ISUZU www.isuzuute.com.au abn 80 129 563 739

Real world economy

"This story demonstrates there are D-MAX drivers out there actually getting great fuel economy out of their utes, not just expert drivers in the Max Runs," said Isuzu Utes Richard Power.

Winner Mark, a semi-retired electrician and keen fisherman, and wife Sue will likely replace their 4.5m tinnie with the prize Haines cruiser with its 80hp four-stroke Suzuki outboard and use the D-MAX on their regular trips north to visit family in Brisbane.

In the 2010 Max Run, expert driver Hans Tholstrup in a D-MAX LS 4x2 manual towed

the over one-tonne prize five-metre fibreglass power boat 967km from south-west Queenslands Cunnamulla to Coolangatta then up to Cannon Hill in inner suburban Brisbane without refuelling, averaging an RACQ-verified 7.85 litres/100km despite battling stiff headwinds most of the way.

That tow test was a more real world economy test and again proved Isuzu Utes claim that D-MAX is the frugal freighter of the one-tonne conventional-cab ute class, whilst still packing the punch to tow or tote a load with ease and comfort.

Tholstrup had previously stretched an unhitched D-MAX SX 4x2 crew ute an amazing 1,716.3 kilometres on a single tank of diesel, driving from far north Queenslands gulf country down south past Innamincka in South Australia, averaging 4.428 litres/100km . which included 175 km of harsh gravel road.

Note: In these runs, Tholstrup, an expert in economy driving, drove for maximum economy at mostly less than posted speeds over mostly low-traffic roads. At all times during the Run, the full size spare wheel was carried and the door mirrors were in their normal position, not folded back.

Mark Pitman to win a new Isuzu D-MAX ute and a sizeable power boat.

2011 Kia Sportage named "2010 Top Safety Pick" by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in U.S.

• - All-New compact CUV receives highest recognition from IIHS
• - Sportage receives top ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear impact protection
• - CUV is fourth new generation Kia vehicle to be named "Top Safety Pick"

(SEOUL) August 18, 2010 -- Joining the 2010 Forte compact sedan (Cerato in Australia), 2010 Souland 2011 Sorento, the all-new 2011 Sportage CUV has been recognized as a "Top Safety Pick" by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the small SUV category.

The Sportage, which was launched in Australia earlier this month, received the organization's top honor by earning "Good" ratings - the highest achievable - in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests.

The Sedona minivan (badged as Carnival in Australia) was the first Kia vehicle to receive the IIHS "Top Safety Pick," along with the "Safest Minivan Ever Tested" distinction from IIHS, shortly after its launch in 2006, and again in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

"The Kia brand is committed to providing consumers with the highest levels of passenger safety by providing a comprehensive list of cutting-edge technologies and features for increased crash protection," said Michael Sprague, vice-president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA).

"The 2011 Sportage's sleek and modern appearance continues Kia's design-led transformation while staying true to the company's core philosophy of providing consumers with exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles with high levels of value, quality and safety."

Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and for 2010 a good performance in a roof strength test - to measure protection in a rollover - also was required to win. Each vehicle's overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic stability control available to be eligible.

Like all Kia vehicles, the 2011 Sportage is equipped with a long list of standard safety equipment. Driver and passenger front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with rol-over sensor, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and a Brake Assist System (BAS), which recognizes an emergency stop and delivers significant braking power. Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter locks the vehicle at a slow speed down steep grades so the driver can focus their attention on steering.

To assist drivers when the vehicle is in reverse, an available back-up warning sensor helps the driver avoid contact with certain objects in the vehicle's path by triggering an audible warning when the vehicle approaches an obstruction, while an available rear-view back-up camera enables drivers to view behind the vehicle.

Suzuki's outstanding Alto has blitzed the field to win the title of Australia's most economical car to own. The Alto came out on top after NRMA analysed the ownership costs of 620 new car models. And it didn't just scrape in-the Alto won by a margin of almost 10 percent.

Not only that, but Suzuki four-wheel-drives dominated the SUV results. The Suzuki Jimny beat every other SUV on the market and the Suzuki Grand Vitara was near thetop of the list as well.

European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported recently that Kia, together with its parent Hyundai Motor Company, outsold Toyota in Europe in the first half of the year. In addition to that, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group also beat its main Japanese rival in the fast growing China market!

According to the report, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was the best-selling Asian automaker in Europe during the first six months of the fiscal year. The South Korean auto giant sold nearly 3,000 automobiles more than Toyota, which saw its sales plummeting 11 percent, compared to a year ago. Speaking of decreasing Toyota sales,sales of other Japanese carmakers, such as Honda and Suzuki, also fell sharply. Their sales plunged by 21 and 20 percent, respectively.

During the first six months, Kia Motors sold 138,357 vehicles, while Hyundai Motor Company sold 191,338 vehicles in the European market. According to European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, the combined total of 329,695 units is 2,904 more than Toyota's sales of 326,791.

Both South Korean carmakers also managed to increase their market shares. Hyundai's market share rose 0,3 percent to 2,6 percent, while Kia's market share soared 0,2 percent to 1,8 percent.

Hyundai-Kia sales in China

As mentioned above, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group -HKAG also beat Toyota in China. During the first six months of 2010, HKAG sold a total of 489,500 vehicles in China, where sales have grown 39 percent compared to a year ago! In June alone, combined sales of Hyundai-Kia cars soared 16.2 percent year on year to 79.086 units.

Combined sales of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in China are expected to top 1 million units this year. To achieve the 1 million sales, both automakers plan to introduce several new models to Chinese consumers. According to some automobile media reports, Kia is going to introduce a modified Cerato model, slightly updated Forte sedan and new Sportage crossover by the year's end in China, while Hyundai is all set to roll-out new Sonata sedan and Accent sub-compact sedan