Sommaire pour March 2019 de Wheels

1 RED BULL’S FIREWORKS Young gun Pierre Gasly replaces Danny Ricciardo at Red Bull, joining the Dutch wunderkid Max Verstappen. The duo have traded verbal barbs in the media before the season has even begun, with newcomer Gasly refusing to be relegated to support-driver status, and Verstappen attempting to assert dominance within the team. While the two drivers may have a clash of egos, the team’s engineers will be working to ensure their engines don’t explode every third lap. Red Bull has switched from Renault to Honda power for 2019. The gamble could backfire, with uncertainty surrounding Honda’s reliability. 2 THE GRID RESHUFFLE Of the 10 teams on the 2019 F1 grid, just two will have the same driver pairings from last year (Mercedes-AMG and Haas F1) when they line…

01 DUMB QUESTION DOESN’T EQUAL DUMMY “Typically at a drive day, you have some very talented drivers among the instructors. Getting that amount of talent in one room is a rare thing, let alone having them willing to help you. There is no such thing as a dumb question – the one you’re afraid to ask is the one the person next to you is also too afraid to ask – you may as well shoot.” 02 IT’S OKAY TO SUCK “Many people put unnecessary pressure on themselves. And because they love cars and won the office go-karting world championship, they expect they will be instantly good at it. Typically, the exercises we do will take you out of your comfort zone – we’re trying to find your breaking point.…

The contenders The fourth-generation BMW X5 squares off here against the incumbent large-luxo SUV champ, Volvo’s XC90. Both nameplates are represented in AWD diesel form, with an extra dash of sportiness via M Sport and R-Design styling packages. With a retail of $101,900 the Volvo establishes an early lead against the X5 xDrive30d and its $112,990 sticker, but it’s the elder statesman of this twin-test, having launched way back in 2015. The Swede oozes charisma and has long been a Wheels fave, but the BMW is now longer, broader and taller than before. The new G05-series X5 also rocks significant under-the-skin changes, all courtesy of its new CLAR architecture that also underpins the G11 7 Series and G30 5 Series. After the fairly lukewarm effort that was the F15 X5…

one INTERIOR Especially evident in upper-spec models is the move to better-quality materials; from the stitched dash top to the padded lid of the generous console box, as well as the uniform slickness and tactility of every button and switch. Even the warning chimes and the ticking sound of the indicators have been acoustically buffed for a more premium impression. FROM INSIDE THE CABIN, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH MAZDA HAS DOUBLED THE FIREWALL THICKNESS FOR THIS GENERATION two TECHNOLOGY Revised multi-media system on larger 8.8-inch (non-touch) screen delivers improved functionality. Head-up display for top-spec models ditches pop-up plastic reflector for superior projector system. Unconfirmed for Australia is a traffic-jam assistant that integrates the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to accelerate, brake and steer for you in heavy traffic. three…

THE CHIEF ENGINEER RECKONS FOCUS IV IS “THE BEST FORD IN HISTORY”. THAT’S A HUGE CALL, PARTICULARLY AS IT DITCHES IRS Launched in 1970, the original rear-drive Escort sedan hit the ground running with the racy GT and Twin Cam; subsequent small fast Fords included the Mk2 Escort RS2000, while the Mazda 323-based Laser front-driver that usurped the Euro sedan for 21 years from 1981 was offered in S, TX3 and Turbo guises. The LR Focus of 2002 brought Zetec and ST170 variants, followed by the 2005 LS’s XR5 Turbo and LV’s lairy RS, with the latter two reappearing from 2011’s LW-LZ series.…

IT’S 9:00AM on a stinking hot November day at Queensland Raceway and the historic first test of the new Ford Mustang Supercar is off to a slow start. In fact, it hasn’t started at all. Designated driver Fabian Coulthard has forgotten his helmet and had to go home to get it, while his DJR Team Penske team-mate Scott McLaughlin has only just this morning flown in from New Zealand. Not surprisingly, McLaughlin has been called to get to the track, pronto. The Mustang rumbles out around 9:10am, so not too much time lost. Straight away, there’s more drama. The front air dam – or splitter – that extends from the underside of the car like an engorged tongue is going limp under the pressure. As McLaughlin roars down the back…

THIRD-GEN TOUAREG ARRIVES WITH A NEW LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND DARE I SAY … BEAUTY? ON THE TOPIC of tourist taboos, the late British journalist A.A. Gill once noted that “every camel owner has heard every Lawrence of Arabia quote and none of them have seen the film.” So, despite temptation, I refrain. Because in Morocco this is likely true, with tourists flocking here to live out their Maghreb dreams of amber Saharan sunsets on the back of one-humped ungulates, many of which are Australian-born and exported here. Alas, our ride, despite sharing a name with one of the local nomad tribes, is not a native of this land. But if ever there was a proving ground to help shake off any sleepy suburban associations the Volkswagen Touareg might…

MERCEDES-AMG GT R GT R’s interior has remained largely unchanged since its 2014 debut, and the user interface is starting to look and feel dated. Raised centre console, high window line and deep sports seats cocoon occupants, creating a cabin feel that’s in keeping with the supercar exterior. PORSCHE 911 GT3 TOURING GT3 Touring would certainly be quicker with a PDK gearbox and no dawdling human operator, but the manual is something to savour. Rev-matching is done for you on downshifts in Sport mode, or you can DIY. Guards Red seatbelts come as $630 well spent.…

IF YOU were being offered custody of a long termer, the current Wheels Car of the Year is a damn good place to start. And this is not just any Volvo XC40 I’ve been granted, but the very T5 R-Design that appeared on stage at the Australian Motoring Awards to get drenched in gold confetti. The call for the car to be prepped for its star turn at the AMAs came suddenly and, to my embarrassment, it looked like a Dakar refugee, having been punted at triple figures up a dirt road earlier that morning. But let’s backtrack a little. You’re probably familiar with this car as it was Ryan Lewis’s long-termer before he upped sticks for a company that paid genuine Australian pesos. So V1927 is getting another chance…

PEAK OIL? Try peak stupid. As with acid rain, the Millennium Bug and, well, your guess what comes next, the outrage industry has been very silent on this issue that, not long ago, spelled the beginning of the end of civilisation. Around 10 years ago, several expert authorities predicted that the world’s oil reserves would be in terminal decline by around 2014-’15. The inconvenient truth is that 2017’s production of 92.65 million barrels per day marked a new world record, and the eighth consecutive year of increased production. Still, peak oil has been giving the panic-prone something to believe in at least since the OPEC oil crisis of 1973-’74. This political embargo put a sharp focus on oil dependence, especially in the US, where a quadrupling of petrol prices in…

FORD AUSTRALIA will help shape the next Volkswagen Amarok, as the popular German mid-sized ute series switches to an evolution of the existing T6 Ranger’s platform. Due out in 2021, design and engineering work for both are currently underway at Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north. It’s all part of the growing global collaboration between the two brands that also includes small and medium-sized vans to replace the VW Caddy and Transporter, plus Ford’s elaborate Transit family from 2022. That’s the good news. As is the prospect of the next Ranger ditching the ageing five-cylinder diesel (at last) for a development of the Amarok’s rousing V6 alternative. While both brands’ utes will most likely share the same T6 ‘Evo’ underpinnings, powertrains and body structure, it’s expected that their design will differ markedly.…

133 The power output in kilowatts of the new Mazda 3’s SkyActiv-X compression-ignition engine according to a document leaked by Mazda Slovakia. With less restrictive emissions regulations here in Australia, our models may well make even more grunt. GM TO SELL HOLDEN? UK-based company Inchcape could well become Australia’s second biggest importer after it was reported that it was in negotiation to take over the importation of Holden from its US parent, General Motors. Inchape already brings in brands such as Subaru, Citroen and Peugeot. The net result could be cheaper Holdens for Aussie buyers as a significant percentage of the purchase price of current stock is accounted for by GM back-office fees. “We are fully focused on supporting [Holden CEO] Dave [Buttner] in building a strong Holden for the…

LETTER OF THE MONTH “THE FEBRUARY ISSUE “ WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL! YET, SOMEHOW, SOOTHINGLY FAMILIAR” MORE THAN JUST A FACELIFT Big kudos to you all for the new-look Wheels. A new design, not just a facelift. The February issue which introduced the new design was just beautiful: meaty, informative and yet, somehow, soothingly familiar. The standard of writing and photography assures that it is still Wheels. The quality of the design reminded me greatly of the new-look Car magazine that was introduced back in September 2006 in the UK. It too was stunning and classy. But so different in look and size, that after a half dozen or so issues, they gradually wound back the new look, even the book size, and went back to being ‘just’ a great motoring…

CARBONFIBRE is a composite material comprised of two key ingredients. Fine fibres provide enormous tensile strength and component stiffness, while a resin holds the fibres together and helps form the part’s shape. Since it was invented, manufacturers and material specialists have been increasing the strength of carbonfibre by improving the fibre volume fraction; the ratio of carbon to resin. The more fibres you can squeeze into the component, the stronger it becomes. It’s also more consistent. A void of resin within the material (or even worse – an air bubble) is a weakness, so filling more of the space with fibre also reduces the chance of component failure. That’s where Lamborghini’s ‘forged’ carbonfibre comes in. Instead of hand-laying many sheets of fibre mat into a mould, which is labour intensive…

Model Mercedes-AMG C63 S sedan Engine 3982cc V8 (90°), dohc, 32v, twin-turbo Max power 375kW @ 5500-6250rpm Max torque 700Nm @ 2000-4500rpm Transmission 9-speed automatic Weight 1680kg 0-100km/h 4.0sec (claimed) Fuel economy 10.4L/100km Price $160,900 On sale Now IDON’T EVEN have to leave the carpark to discover this updated Mercedes-AMG C63 S is an improvement in the one area it needed it most: ride quality. For all its goodness (bombastic V8 engine, absurdly talented chassis, a doddle to slide) the outgoing C205 C63 could be truculent to live with day-to-day. It was overly firm, even in its softest suspension setting, which is why I wince slightly as I approach a mean-looking, squared-off speed hump in this new car. But … hallelujah! No thumps, no nasty shockwaves, just a welcome dose…

Model Audi Q8 55 TFSI Engine 2995cc V6 (90°), dohc, 24v, turbo Max power 250kW @ 5500rpm Max torque 500Nm @ 2900 – 5300rpm Transmission 8-speed automatic Weight 2145kg 0-100km/h 5.9sec (claimed) Economy 9.2L/100km Price $128,900 On sale Now IT SHOULDN’T come as a dramatic surprise that, in an age of sliding sedan sales contrasted by an inverse boom in SUV registrations, Audi’s new halo model is an all-paw wagon on stilts. Naturally, it has pinched most of its A8 sibling’s toys – the four-ring flagship since 1994 – and swaps out the A for a Q. While a 50 TDI diesel and 500kW RS Q8 are inbound, for now the Q8 arrives with just a single petrol powertrain, a 55 TFSI boot badge and a $128,900 price. For that…

WHO knew, after all these years, that there was one easy explanation? Mazda just wasn’t trying hard enough. Okay, that’s a slightly simplistic and fairly uncharitable conclusion to draw when it comes to dissecting the NVH afflictions that have marred the company’s small car for three generations. But perhaps there is a kernel of truth there, despite its huge sales success. See, zesty performance and keen dynamics have always pushed the 3 to at least podium positions in our small-car rankings. It’s mostly been raucous road noise and a bit of upper-rev uncouthness that have tempered our enthusiasm for the 3, especially against the silken refinement of VW’s evergreen Golf. But for this fourth generation, due in Australia around May or June, all that has changed. By declaring all-out war…

C2 THE FOCUS’ FUTURE Electrification-ready, 88kg lighter and 20 percent more rigid, Focus’s all-new C2 architecture includes a 53mm wheelbase stretch, lower floor, 50 percent greater rigidity of suspension-attachment points, 30 percent boron steel boost, column (not rack) mounted electric steering, rubber bushes in suspension subframes to quell NVH, and segment-best aerodynamics. On torsion-beam models, the patented ‘force vectoring springs’ help exceed previous IRS performance. Optimum wheel/tyre package is 17 inches “because of best steering/handling performance compromise, along with comfort, rolling noises and so on,” Ford tells us. ST-LINE WAGON A first for Australia is the more Euro-friendly ST-Line wagon from $30,990. When C519 Focus development commenced during 2013, Ford determined that the wagon would score its own multi-link rear end that’s unique to the other IRS hatch models (which…

IT’S DIFFICULT TO reconcile the fact that when a car makes its debut on a show stand or an official website, it’s actually been in existence for five years at the very least – and perhaps even longer. From sketch concept to viability studies, from studio comps to scale models, from hard-point sign-off to customer research, a typical vehicle has already lived many lives before it’s even born. Add to that the frightening pace of advancements in the digital space, and it seems like a crapshoot to ensure the chosen path turns out not to be a tech dead end at the conclusion of a long – and expensive – development cycle. A Betamax, or LaserDisc, on wheels, essentially. Imagine, then, the job of Sajjad Khan, the man responsible for…

In desert-dune conditions, automotive engineers in the UAE reckon conventional power and torque measurements are largely redundant. Instead, the boffins have come up with ‘camel power’, which factors in velocity over a steeply inclined sandy surface. These engineers are serious about establishing camel power as an official measurement in the Middle East. Fine, as long as it never catches on here.…

I COULD TELL you that I have the keys of the Corolla SX long termer because I’m eager to see if Toyota’s punt on a sportier, less-practical volume seller is likely to pay dividends for the world’s second-largest car company. Or, I might claim I needed a break from the highly modified V8s that form my automotive diet as editor of muscle-car bible Street Machine. Neither suggestion would be true. Rather, I was on the bludge for sorely needed support vehicles for our annual Drag Challenge event. Kirby offered me the Corolla, on the condition that I’d document the experience. Drag Challenge sees more than 200 of Australia’s quickest street-registered cars do battle over five days on five tracks. The road course exceeds 1500km, much of it on rural Victorian…

THE HUME Highway may not be regarded as much of a driver’s road these days, but when it comes to charting a direct route from Melbourne to Sydney, there’s no better option. There are probably also few better ways to get to know our new long-termer than to pack it to the rafters and point its nose north for some R&R. Questions are asked by the Good Wife as to why we aren’t taking the LandCruiser 200 Series that’s also parked in the driveway, which she believes will offer more luggage space and superior comfort. She’s right about the first bit, but at 547 litres, I’m confident the Hyundai SUV can swallow our four large suitcases, plus assorted summer holiday necessities. I also back the comfort of the Hyundai’s shapely,…

Ford and VW have jumped into bed before, beginning with AutoLatina, a joint venture involving the Argentinian and Brazilian arms of both companies. Created in 1987, it involved a number of models spun off the 1981 Volkswagen B2 Passat, 1980 Ford Mk3 Escort and 1990 Ford Mk5 Escort/Orion platforms, resulting in the lightly-made-over Ford Versailles, Volkswagen Apollo and Volkswagen Pointer respectively. Of wider global import was the European VW Sharan (1995-2010), Seat Alhambra (1996-2010) and Ford Galaxy (1995-2006) people movers (pictured) manufactured in Portugal.…

THE EAGERLY anticipated 992 911 GT3 RS will come with the largest engine ever fitted to a 911 and produce around 400kW. Speaking to Wheels at the launch of the 992 Carrera S – the car that will provide the basic architecture for the next track-focused GT3 and RS – soon-to-retire 911 product line chief August Achleitner confirmed one of the most desirable Porsches ever created would not mess with a successful formula: rear-wheel drive, lightweight body and a naturally aspirated engine revving to 9000rpm, or beyond. Achleitner said the ‘regular’ GT3 will stick with an evolution of the 3996cc engine in the current car – one developed to incorporate a gasoline particulate filter for European markets – that is expected to yield around 385kW, a minor increase on the…

DUE APRIL GENESIS G70 It’s been a long wait for Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, but come April, the multi-million-dollar Melbourne and Sydney CBD ‘studios’ will be bursting with the new G70 and G80. Two sedans may seem an odd starting pitch in the SUV-mad climate, but Genesis is confident the sporty G70 has the goods to tackle the C-Class and 3 Series. EARLY 2020 FORD FOCUS ST Yes, it’s still around 11 months away, but this one has us salivating. Australia will receive the ST as a five-door only, but, for the first time here, it will be offered as both a six-speed manual and seven-speed auto. Outputs from the 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four are 206kW/420Nm, channelled to the front treads via an eLSD. Throw in Recaros, IRS, adaptive dampers ...…

FULL FACE OFF CLASSIC F1 REPLICA HELMETS Who had the best helmet design in F1? Coming to a decision is a lot more fun when perusing CM Helmets’ site. They offer 1:1 replica helmets with proper polycarbonate visors, like the 1981 Nelson Piquet item, the iconic 1992 Ayrton Senna lid and the 2001 Mika Hakkinen bone dome pictured here. Priced at USD$699 with free worldwide Fedex shipping, the company has a 25 year track record and supplies to customers such as the Jaguar Museum. www.cmhelmets.com WATCHES TAG HEUER CARRERA CALIBRE 02T TOURBILLON NANOGRAPH The TAG’s bezel is made from forged carbonfibre and instead of a boggo silicon balance spring, the THCC02TTN uses a carbon version more resistant to changes in temperature, gravity and magnetism for unparalleled accuracy. $34,955 SWATCH ‘THE…

Model Suzuki Jimny Engine 1462cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v Max power 75kW @ 6000rpm Max torque 130Nm @ 4000rpm Transmission 5-speed manual Weight 1075kg 0-100km/h 14.0sec (estimated) Fuel economy 6.4L/100km (claimed) Price $23,990 On sale Now FOLLOWING up a much-loved classic is a tough act, and while the third-generation Jimny was properly ragged after racking up a full 20 years in production, there was still no shortage of aspiring members for the Jimny fan club. But the ingredients were long past their use-by date. A successor was needed, but would the Jimny’s reinvention be Suzuki’s ‘New Coke’ moment? In short, no. Hell no. An upright two-box silhouette, retrotastic cues and a five-slot grille flanked by two cheerful round headlamps got car fans salivating – the new Jimny oozes old-school cool. What’s…

Model Ford Endura Titanium AWD Engine 1995cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo diesel Max power 140kW @ 3500rpm Max torque 400Nm @ 2000-3000rpm Transmission 8-speed automatic Weight 2077kg 0-100km/h 8.2sec (claimed) Economy 6.7L/100km Price $67,990 On sale Now ONVEYING the appropriate message to the target market is crucial when branding a model. Hence the Endura isn’t being marketed as a replacement for the COTYwinning, home-grown Territory. No, Ford has gone to a self-proclaimed upper class with the model that now fills the ‘large’ quotient of its SUV lineup. Three trim levels (Trend, ST-Line and Titanium) are offered with the choice of front or all-wheel drive – the latter a $4000 premium. Prices start at $44,990 and rise to $67,990, which isn’t pocket money. Somewhat justifying the outlay is the fact that…

1 PORSCHE MACAN The best-selling model in Porsche’s range has been updated for 2019. Exterior changes are relatively subtle; most obvious is the full-width rear LED tail-light treatment. Of more interest is the revised engine line-up, and overhauled interior with larger screen and added tech. 2 AUDI RS5 SPORTBACK Packs the same 331kW/600Nm wallop as the RS5 coupe, but the new Sportback sprouts an additional set of doors while still wearing the same $157,700 price tag. Apparently the design is inspired by the unhinged Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO racer from the ’80s. We don’t see the resemblance, but appreciate the reference. 3 BMW 3 SERIES A pair of four-cylinder models will spearhead the 3 Series line-up locally. The first of the seventh-gen 3 Series models will be arriving Down…

As best we can establish, the move away from IRS was essential for the packaging requirements needed for the lithium-ion battery pack fitted to the mild-hybrid version – (for now, at least) a not-for-Oz model which uses a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (ISG) set-up to boost torque by a claimed 12Nm. Boot space in the hatch (pictured right) has actually dropped slightly (was 308 litres; now 295L), so no, the new model is not exactly a masterclass in packaging genius. Prices? Yet to be confirmed by Mazda Australia. We expect them to rise, but even the base model will include sat-nav and radar cruise. The range will start at around $25,000 (plus ORC) for an entry-level manual hatch, and peak at circa $37,000 for a top-spec auto.…

WORDS BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS AUSTRALIANS, it’s often said, live for their sport. From the backyards, suburban streets and local parks across the nation to our 100,000-strong MCG stadium, sport is woven into our social and cultural fabric. Maybe this explains why it’s also a word that’s long been stuck to the backside of our most popular models, represented by badges as evocative as S, GS, GT and SS. Consider that – right to the end – the SV6 and XR6 were the local Commodore and Falcon ranges’ best sellers. Little wonder, then, that Ford hopes the ST-Line will resonate most with buyers of the latest Focus, released only last December. While it’s a German concoction, ‘ST-Line’ might as well translate to ‘XR5-Lite’, positioned above the base Trend but below the coming…

FORD FOCUS Dash is a mix of two competing design proposals, and it shows. Jaguar-esque gear selector contrasts with Fiesta-class presentation levels, but beyond that, there’s space, practicality, comfort, functionality, refinement and even some German build quality to enjoy. And the available tech is modern and easy to access. Familiarisation reaps rewards. Family-friendly cargo capacity is 341L (ISO standard). Spare is a space saver. HYUNDAI i30 N-LINE Astute N-Line detailing lifts the i30’s user-friendly and high-quality (if dull and derivative) dash, enhancing an already versatile package. Front seats also score top marks, although rear backrest may be a tad too upright for some. No shortage of storage, effortless connectivity and firm but quiet ride further bolster our admiration. Space saver spare means boot volume is 395L (VDA). KIA CERATO GT…

View from the top Daimler’s head of group research and development, Ola Källenius, is earmarked to replace Dieter Zetsche as the company’s CEO. He’s also the former head of AMG and is at pains to point out that there are still plenty of performance options within the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, with more to come thanks to Formula One-style hybrid technology. “Let’s not talk cylinders so much,” he says. “I mean, the V8 will be there for many years to come, and the V12 is still there as well. What the customer wants is a level of performance. If you buy an AMG, depending on which one you get, you’re expecting a certain performance experience.” Källenius goes on to say that how that performance is delivered is becoming less relevant for the…

IT’S GETTING harder to be a car enthusiast by the day. Soaring levels of congestion, declining levels of courtesy, rising fuel prices, ever more oppressive enforcement of regulations, punitive car taxes and a negative public image are constantly working against us. It’s no wonder getting a driver’s licence is no longer an automatic choice for many young people. But in the right car, on the right road, there’s something about driving that’s a special kind of therapy. What constitutes the ultimate driver’s car is the subject for pub banter to keep groups of car nerds out all night. But there is no question that every great driver’s car should compel its owner to do one thing: grab the keys and drive. For a lot of people, the Porsche 911 is…

WHAT I HATE most about Hugh Jackman is that there’s nothing to hate about Hugh Jackman. He’s just too much of a good bloke to be hated in any way. That’s pretty much how I’m feeling about the 6 Atenza wagon, which, after five months as its happy custodian, I’m begrudgingly returning to Mazda. It’s not perfect by any means, and there are things I dislike. The A-pillars are overly thick, the infotainment screen is small compared to almost any new release and the sunroof seems minuscule when competitors have vast panoramic offerings. The low-slung wagon style also might not agree with families with small children. My two kids are old enough to clamber up individually and the youngest just needs help with the booster-seat straps. Had I been driving…