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Kia Sorento Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD: Review By Ewan Kennedy

Kia Sorento Platinum isn’t afraid to use chrome as part of its bling package.

Ewan Kennedy road test and reviews the Kia Sorento Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

Kia Sorento has a lot to offer, especially in the topline Platinum format. Sorento has seven seats, a slick six-speed automatic transmission and bling to burn, making the Sorento Platinum a great people mover with some off-road ability when needed. Oh, and it's also great to drive.

TECHNOLOGY
This vehicle tips the scales at almost two tonnes, yet the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel used just 7.7 litres per hundred kilometres over our test that saw a lot of suburban running as well as our usual highway and motorway testing.

This engine is a modern design and produces a strong 436 Nm of torque between 1800 and 2500 rpm. Acceleration, straight-line speed and highway passing ability are simply not an issue. Across the range, the Sorento has a towing rate of 2000 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked.

The six-speed auto is a nice match for the engine and is smooth across the board. This little diesel really is a great package. It is barely intrusive and simply gets the job done with a minimum of fuss. Vision is good overall, but the A-pillar can cause a slight blind spot.

DESIGN
Sorento AWD comes in three specification levels Si, SLi and Platinum. Splashes of chrome around the Platinum edition Sorento add a touch of exterior class. In particular we like the treatment around the headlamps, grille and fog lamps.

It is subtle and not overdone, yet recognising that chrome is back in fashion. Sorento's profile is fairly standard with a nice shoulder line, but has individuality thanks to a switch-back at the A-pillar. The rear end is dominated by large stop light lenses.

The Sorento is classified as a large SUV, but could easily be tagged as a people-mover for adventurous families. With the first two rows of seats up there is 1047 litres of usable cargo space – enough for a family of five to go on annual holidays. If you need more seats the 50/50 split third row rises up from the floor, although this reduces the cargo area to just 285 litres.

This third row of seats has a foot well, but there’s limited leg or knee space, strictly the kids domain only. Access to the third row is made possible by folding either side of the 60/40 split second row seat back, with the seat base then tumbling forward. Both the second and third rows of seats have their own air conditioning vents.

We love simplicity. You should not have to scratch around in a car to find the basics, as you do with some European brands. Kia Sorento excels in this area without compromising style but adding to practicality.

The seats are comfortable in a lounge-room kind of way, the driving position can be tailored to most drivers thanks to power height adjustment on the seat and height and reach on the steering wheel and there are oodles of storage spaces throughout the vehicle.

The key features we use - audio and air-conditioning - are user friendly and the steering wheel has remote audio as well as cruise control functions. What we would like to see is the computer functions button also located on the steering wheel instead of in the instrument binnacle.

SAFETY
Kia’s Sorento has a five-star ANCAP rating. For those who venture off-road there's hill descent control and hill start. The headlights have an automatic function and there's six airbags including full-length curtain.

DRIVING
In normal driving conditions Sorento is in front wheel drive mode and when slippage is detected torque is shared between the front and back wheels. When driving off-road or on slippery surfaces there's a push-button centre diff lock switch on the lower dash to ensure all four wheels are driven.

With no dual-range transmission and a moderate ground clearance of 184 mm, Kia Sorento comes clearly into the realm of large soft-roader. The fact that it has an AWD centre diff lock button means some off-roading is on the menu as long as it does not include serious rock-hopping or deep, rutted tracks or the like. Still, it probably does everything the adventurous family is likely to demand of it.

On road, the suspension is a little soft and there's a fair bit of body roll on sharp corners. As a family wagon these are minor issues that will not concern the majority of drivers. We are not fans of the parking brake being foot operated, particularly when it never seems to do the job at 100 per cent, no matter how hard you kick it.

The Platinum is fitted with 18-inch wheels which we think gives excessive feedback over uneven roads. It would be interesting to put an SLi Sorento over the same roads, with the SLi having 17 inch rims. What we do like is all variants have full-size matching spare wheels.

VERDICT
If you are looking for a vehicle in this segment Kia Sorento is a must try vehicle.

MODEL RANGE
Sorento 3.5-litre petrol 2WD five-door wagon: $36,990 (automatic)
Sorento Si 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon: $39,990 (manual)
Sorento SLi 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon: $46,190 (automatic)
Sorento Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon: $49,190 (automatic)

Kia Sorento Platinum 2.2-litre turbodiesel AWD

Price: From $49,190
Warranty: 5 years/100,000km
Safety rating: 5 star ANCAP
Spare: Full size alloy
Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl diesel 145kW/436Nm
Transmission: 6-speed sports automatic, four wheel drive
Body: 4685mm (L); 1885mm (W); 1710mm (H)
Weight: 2009kg
Thirst: 7.4/100km, 194g/km CO2

Review by Ewan Kennedy and appears courtesy of www.carsguide.com.au

Peugeot has revealed a new naming structure for its future vehicles that draws on its history and seeks to strengthen the recognition of its models around the world.

The French manufacturer confirmed the fresh strategy while revealing its first all-new model under the new naming system, the Peugeot 301 – an entry-level left-hand-drive-only small sedan due to make its debut at the 2012 Paris motor show in September.

The updated naming structure will see all future models retain three- and four-numeral designations with either a single zero (0) or double zero (00) positioned in the centre. As it is today, the double-zero structure will be used for crossovers and SUVs (e.g. Peugeot 4008) while all other models will feature a single zero (e.g. Peugeot 208).

The first digit will represent the vehicle’s segment or size, with small numbers for smaller cars and large numbers for larger cars. This will not change regardless of the market in which the vehicles are sold.

The biggest change comes to the final digit, which will from now on be fixed as either a ‘1’ or an ‘8’. Vehicles ending in ‘1’ will represent the marque’s affordable entry-level models. Peugeot says its ‘1’ cars will be designed to conquest buyers from other brands, appealing to new customers with “dynamic handling … marked strength and practicality of use”.

The ‘1’ range will supplement Peugeot’s ‘8’ cars, which will be more upmarket offerings and the core of the brand’s global line-up. Vehicles like 208, 308, 3008 and 508 will keep their names when renewed in preference of the previous naming system that saw the final digit advance with each new model (e.g. 205, 206, 207, etc.).

Peugeot says permanently fixing the numbers will “simplify the understanding of the range and assist in establishing it”.

Peugeot’s current numerical naming structure was introduced in 1929 with the Peugeot 201.

Jaguar Land Rover employees at Halewood Operations in Merseyside have celebrated an important milestone achievement following the production of the 300,000th Land Rover Freelander 2.

Production of the Freelander 2 at Halewood Operations commenced in October 2006 and earlier this week the plant's 300,000th Freelander 2 was driven off the line. The vehicle is a 2.2 litre Diesel in Barolo Black and is destined for a customer in Brazil – one of the brand's fastest growing markets. Land Rover is the leading SUV brand in the country with around a 40% market share.

Halewood Operations Director Richard Else, said: "I'd like to congratulate the Halewood team for reaching this superb milestone and also sustaining the highest quality standards on Freelander 2, during the Range Rover Evoque launch period. Freelander was Land Rover's biggest selling model last year retailing around 52,000 units globally."

In Australia, the 2012 Freelander 2 is available with a choice of petrol or turbo diesel engines. There are two refined 2.2 litre diesel engines, either the 140kW SD4 or the 110kW TD4. There is also the option of the petrol Si6 which produces 171kW of power. With class-leading on and off-road performance, featuring Terrain Response^TM, Hill Descent Control, a premium cabin, improved fuel economy and an affordable cost of ownership. Freelander 2 is on-sale from $44,990 plus on road costs.

50 Years of Halewood:

Halewood Operations is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary of motor vehicle production and assembly. Between April 2012 and March 2013 Halewood is celebrating five decades of automotive manufacturing. Back in 1962 the plant was constructed and the first employees were already at work in a hangar near to the old Liverpool airport. The first car rolled off the production line in March 1963.

The V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of the Vantage range. It is also the latest expression of a successful creative collaboration that has given rise to a series of striking GT cars over the last half-century, the original and most iconic of which being the DB4GT Zagato. Not only does this masterpiece rank amongst the most desirable, collectable and valuable cars in history, its 50th anniversary provided the inspiration for the V12 Zagato.

Though commemorating a great Aston Martin of the past the V12 Zagato could be no mere pastiche of the original. Instead the project was seen as the perfect opportunity to take Aston Martin’s ethos of technology and tradition to a new and exciting level. To this end the V12 Zagato combines the modern ideas, materials, processes and technology pioneered on One-77, while remaining true to the purity and craftsmanship of its illustrious forebear.

For Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston Martin’s heritage and its future”. He continues: “Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars. The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”

Initial design concepts for the V12 Zagato were explored in early 2010. Inspired by Zagato’s bold and individual styling signatures Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman, and his Gaydon-based design team relished the challenge of shaping the V12 Zagato, creating a car that pushes the boundaries of Aston Martin’s design language, yet pays tribute to the DB4GT Zagato. Demonstrating Aston Martin’s ability to rapidly bring ideas to fruition the Zagato programme quickly gained momentum, the design team working hand-in-hand with engineers and artisans to complete the build of a pair of concept cars in the spring of 2011.

May 2011 saw the V12 Zagato make its world debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este concours. Entered in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class, the V12 Zagato wowed the judges and the crowd, taking first place against impressive opposition. In June the Villa d’Este winner - along with the second prototype car – made the V12 Zagato’s world racing debut at the gruelling 24 hour endurance race held at the Nürburgring. Both cars completed the ultimate durability test, continuing Aston Martin’s 100 per cent finishing record in this notoriously tough race.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, the decision was made in July 2011 to build a strictly limited run of V12 Zagatos. Since then, Aston Martin’s design team have worked to refine the sports car’s detailing and aerodynamic performance while staying faithful to the original design concept. At the same time engineers based at Gaydon have been putting prototypes through the company’s rigorous development programme to ensure the V12 Zagato performs as well as it looks.

Every Aston Martin is a unique combination of advanced materials, technology and time-honoured craftsmanship. The V12 Zagato takes this philosophy to a level previously seen in the company’s exquisite One-77 supercar, which completes its build run this year. Built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, production of the V12 Zagato will be strictly limited to no more than 150 cars.

Creating each V12 Zagato is a painstaking process that takes approximately 2,000 man-hours to complete. Just like the One-77, the V12 Zagato is constructed from a combination of hand crafted aluminium and carbon fibre. The bonnet, signature ‘double-bubble’ roof and doors are hand-crafted aluminium, while the front and rear fenders, door sills and boot lid surround are made from carbon fibre.

The finished body is then painted in the same dedicated area as the One-77. Four unique colours have been created for the V12 Zagato: Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red. The painting process alone takes some 100 hours to complete and is followed by the marriage of the body and the drivetrain within the sports car production area. From there the V12 Zagato is transferred to the standalone facility originally built to house One-77 production, where the build is completed.

This serene, laboratory-like space is perfectly suited to the task of creating special cars such as the V12 Zagato. It is here that time is lavished upon the fitment and installation of an array of bespoke components, including the side glass and the distinctive rear window, which features a curved surface that continues the sculptural lines of the ‘double-bubble’ roof. All the exterior brightwork around the windows has a contemporary black finish to compliment the exposed carbon fibre components. Fitment of the hand-crafted interior and upholstery is also completed in this dedicated build area.

Like all Aston Martins when viewed as a whole the V12 Zagato is an artful composition of powerful lines and compelling proportions, but when viewed up close it reveals sophisticated, sculptural surfaces and jewel-like details. The exposed elements of carbon fibre on the front splitter, A-pillars, rear lamp pods, diffuser, door mirror cases and rear wing all display the same perfectly symmetrical weave and smooth resin finish. Likewise the bold new grille is formed in a unique three-dimensional composite material mesh that echoes Zagato’s famous ‘Z’ moniker.

More delights are found inside. Seven Bridge of Weir hides – in semi-aniline finish to offer durability while preserving the natural texture of the leather - are used to trim the V12 Zagato’s interior. Hand-stitched quilting of a unique design creates a flowing pattern that evokes a dynamic sense of movement across the seats and headlining, while ‘Z’ embroidery in the headrests and rear parcel shelf add a further flourish. Satin-finish carbon fibre on the dashboard and centre stack is perfectly complimented by piano black accents and satin black rotary switchgear. Carbon fibre sill plaques with ’V12 Zagato’ inlaid metal script provide a distinctive finishing touch.

A back-to-basics bobber is the latest Harley-Davidson cruiser.

The US-based company owns this section of the bike market with seven of the ten best-selling cruisers so far this year and the Softail Slim will only improve that.

The $26,995 machine is officially launched on September 1 but Harley dealers should already have a test bike on their showrooms. The Softail Slim fuses Harley's latest twin-cam engine in a classic, stripped down bobber frame styled from the 1940s.

The styling includes a horseshoe oil tank, retro half moon footboards, retro speedo face, Hollywood handlebars and black steel-laced wheels. "It's time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle," Harley-Davidson senior designer Casey Ketterhagen says, "so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check."

"I'd personally like to strip the bike down even further but this is as far as we can go on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940/50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era."

The beast is powered by the 1690cc TwinCam 103B V-twin engine cranking out 134Nm through a six-speed gearbox. To keep the rear of the motorcycle clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate.

The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders are left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose the tire and give it the pared-down look Ketterhagen was chasing.

"The bars are nice and low, too, so when you're riding you have an unobstructed view forward, which reinforces the idea that this is a very elemental motorcycle, a real back-to-basics ride," he says. An optional security package will add a proximity-based keyless start system and ABS brakes.

Story by Craig Duff and courtesy of www.carsguide.com.au

Bruce McMahon road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab.

VW's Amarok ute has been winning acclaim all around the place, in particular for the 4Motion versions, those with selectable or full-time four-wheel drive. These are most comfortable and competent machines on the roughest of bush tracks. These will find a range of very happy customers.

But back down the track there's the entry-level, two-wheel drive Amarok, the cheapest, but never the nastiest, of the bunch.
For now all the VWs arrive only as dual cabs with diesel engine and six-speed manual; the only differences are in drivetrains and equipment levels.

There is a single cab in the pipeline, other transmissions and a petrol engine also, but there's no timeframe on these. For now it's just these dual cabs. That won't hurt when the four-wheel drive market is strong in that area but a single cab Amarok and 2.2 metre tray would be a handy little truck to get more tradies into the brand.

VALUE

At $33,990 the base Amarok is a little dearer than Toyota's diesel SR5 dual cab HiLux at a listed $32,590. But the Amarok stacks up well when Toyota's ABS is a $400 option and airconditioning $2051, both are standard with the VW. Nissan's diesel dual cab Navara is $30,600, Mitsubishi's Triton is $32,590, both with ABS and air con.

So the Amarok, a newer design than all these and with a decent amount of gear, is on the money. Residual values remain an unknown but the marque in general holds up well. There's a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

DESIGN

The Amarok is a bit bigger and bolder than some. It is, for the most part, a sensible and slab-sided machine with handsome nose and grille. This pragmatic approach to style, as with other VW commercials, allows for a cabin with room for four big blokes plus one.

It allows for a cargo tray volume of 2.52 square metres, a tray width of 1.6m with a handy 1.222m between the wheel arches. It can handle a 1200mm x 800mm pallet sideways and carry just over a tonne.

The cabin may not sparkle as much as some rivals but it is well-sorted, comfortable and easy to navigate. Chief among comforts are the seats, front and back (which can be folded up); individual touches include a gear selection display above the tachometer and speedometer.

TECHNOLOGY

VW use a sophisticated, twin turbo diesel to keep the Amarok on the move. The radio antenna is built into the door mirrors. These mirrors are heated. Stability program, traction control, hill hold assist and ABS are standard. It is a very 21st century workhorse.

SAFETY

Here is the first ute with a five-star NCAP rating. There's the aforementioned ABS and ESP and Anti Slip Regulation, there's a driver and front passenger airbag plus head and thorax bags. The chassis bows out under the cabin, creating extra room and better crash protection for occupants. And, as important as all this, the Amarok also offers more confident ride and handling than most.

DRIVING

The two-wheel drive Amarok feels and drives with more authority than most ute rivals. There's that wider stance plus a clever rear leaf arrangement where the springs are mounted alongside the frame, there's the electronic driver aids and ergonomic interior.

Unladen there may be a little hop, skip and jump from the rear end if the ute is pushed through rough corners. For the most part the handling is exemplary for such a big and bold machine; it corners and stops with confidence, allowing for swift and smooth delivery times.

And the diesel engine is generally up to the job, running around 10 litres per 100km around the town. (The factory reckons it'll be 6.8 litres out on the highway.) It works well, pulls well, just past 2000rpm and through to a 5000rpm redline.

And it is only troubled when facing a hill or looking to overtake; fifth and sixth are overdrives so a driver is often looking for fourth gear. In this particular Amarok the gearshift wasn't too bad, gears not as hard to find compared with the recalcitrant shift in a four-wheel drive Amarok of late.

VERDICT

The Volkswagen Amarok has set new benchmarks in the ute market. Big, comfortable and easy to drive, it has a huge cargo tub for a dual cab in this class.

Volkswagen Amarok

Price: $33,990
Warranty: 3 year/unlimited km
Resale: n/a
Thirst: 7.7L/100km;203g/km
Safety Equipment: Six airbags, ABS, ESP, TC
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: twin turbocharged, two litre diesel, 120kW/400Nm
Trnasmission: Six-speed manual
Body: Four-door ute
Dimensions: 5181mm (L); 1944mm (W); 1834mm (H)
Tare Weight: 2000kg
Towing: 2800kg

Review by Bruce McMahon and courtesy of www.carsguide.com.au

2012 Kia Rio SLS three-door: review By Stuart Martin

The Rio three-door retains the same sharp looks and dimensions.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the 2012 Kia Rio SLi three-door hatch.

Growing fast and making headway in the Australian market is fast becoming a habit with Kia, which launched a number of new models last year.

The Korean brand promised additional Rio variants and we're coming to grips with the SLS - the three-door that has the top-spec 1.6-litre engine teamed to the six-speed auto.

VALUE
The Rio 3-door SLS sits at the top of the pricelist - $19,990 with a clutch pedal or $21,990 with the auto - which is not bargain basement for a little car, in fact it's VW Polo money.

That said, the SLS has the same features list as the top-spec SLi five-door - climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB and aux-input for the six-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the phone, sound and cruise control, power mirrors, trip computer, LED daytime running lights, 17in alloy wheels with Continental rubber, and automatic headlights.

Add to that rain-sensing wipers, a keyless start system and leather seats and the SLS starts looking like value for money.

TECHNOLOGY
A 1.6-litre direct-injection, variable-valve engine is shared with SLi five-door, providing 103kW and 167Nm - the powerplant isn't cutting edge technology but it's a solid little engine.

The six-speed auto - which has a "manual" shift that won't hold a driver-selected gear - is smaller and lighter than the previous transmission and when left to its own devices has a predilection for fuel economy.

DESIGN
The Rio three-door retains the same sharp looks and dimensions (although the front doors are longer than those of the five door), which means it has the stance and solid proportions of the debut model.

The SLS sits on the same 17in alloys but gets a dual chrome-tipped exhaust for a sporty look at the rear - no prizes for guessing where the inspiration for that came from .... VW exhaust pipes anyone?

Inside, there's an Essendon-esque black and red colour scheme and a surprising amount of space - at 191cm I can get well set-up behind the wheel without eroding all rear leg-room. The boot is unchanged over the five-door hatch at 288 litres, which isn't bad for the light-car class.

SAFETY
When the Rio was re-launched the expectation was five stars and ANCAP didn't contradict the Korean brand's staffers - the SLS has just inherited the 5 star rating of its sibling, with six airbags, stability and traction control among the safety features on its list.

DRIVING
Even in the mocha-brown colour the little Korean is a striking machine - there's no shortage of brattish stance and it's presence was not lost on many pedestrians. From within, it's a black-and-red bonanza, but it's comfortable and has decent space front and rear, to the point where I can sit behind myself, although the headroom feels a little less than the five-door.

The rear and three-quarter rear vision aren't great - form has won out over function so rear sensors and a camera would not be out of place for safety's sake.

The little hatch is well-planted on the road, with good body control but when sitting on the 17s the ride is too firm - maybe if it had a two-litre turbo and a GTI badge then the ride quality might be justified.

The locally-developed suspension does the job in the corners but it's a little jittery if the surface is less than pristine. The six-speed automatic needs a solid shove to kick down and cover ground at pace, having economy foremost in its mind; even shifting gears yourself is not beyond the reach of the transmission's electronic reach, over-ruling the manual mode.

The light-car market is fast becoming a feast of fashion, with feisty and attractive models on offer from French, Italian and German marques - the little Kia can sit comfortably among the choices and make it even more difficult for them to make a choice.

Kia Rio SLS 3-dr

Price: from $19,990 ($21,990 auto)
Warranty: 5 years/ unlimited km
Resale: 45 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety rating: 5 star
Spare: Full-size
Engine: 1.6-litre direct-injection variable valve, 103kW/167Nm
Transmission: 6-speed auto; FWD
Body: 4m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.5m (h)
Weight: 1203kg
Thirst: 6.1l/100km, on test 8.7; tank 43 litres; 145g/km CO2

Review by Stuart Martin and courtesy of www.carsguide.com.au

Approaching this luxurious Rolls-Royce and opening its coach doors immediately ignites the senses for sight, taste, touch, sound and aroma. And the sense of surprise and delight continues as guests encounter the lavish use of soft, sumptuous leathers, finest veneer detailing and special bespoke enhancements.

“The Ghost Six Senses concept is a luxurious environment designed for the most discerning of individuals,” commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. “It delights the senses and draws you into somewhere that transcends the interior of a car. Relax for a few moments and you will experience something that is hard to define, but which our customers understand so well.

“It can be likened to an aura, a sense that the stunning hand-made interior embodies something of the heart and soul of each proud craftsperson involved in its creation. That’s a uniquely Rolls-Royce sixth sense that this car presents so elegantly.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is the world’s leading luxury goods manufacturer. And while the world of luxury presents many objects of desire that captivate one or more senses, it takes one of these hand-built cars to awaken all five.

Sight

Beautiful and elegant, a Rolls-Royce Ghost is a sign of impeccable taste, a luxury car that is instantly pleasing to the eye. Ghost Six Senses’ pearlescent Carrara White finish complements new forged alloy wheels while eyes are immediately drawn to rich interior detailing upon entry through its coach doors. The deep lustre of the Walnut Burr veneer complete with diagonally-oriented, brown oak cross-banding, are designed to hint at the extraordinary power at the driver’s disposal.

Sound

For more than 100 years the sound of silence has driven the Rolls-Royce brand. But 21st century Ghost and Phantom models also present an auditorium in which the most advanced systems can deliver music in the most impressive fashion. The concept audio system in Ghost Six Senses richly fills the spacious rear cabin thanks to its upgraded amplifier and the inclusion of ‘exciter’ speakers housed in the leather headlining that help raise the centre of sound closer to a passenger’s ear.

Aroma

The finest interior materials create scents that are unique to Rolls-Royce. The rich aroma greeting Ghost Six Senses’ occupants comes from the most supple natural soft grain leather in enveloping, hand-crafted seats, as well as in the car’s leather headlining, with added hints of the woody spice in the walnut veneer.

Taste

Bathed in light from a panoramic sunroof, the rear cabin urges occupants to relax in style. For the ultimate taste experience the most refreshing chilled drinks or vintage champagne can be served from Ghost Six Senses’ coolbox, in flutes featuring a delightful sound-wave etching.

Touch

From cool chrome and sumptuous leather to the finest veneers, a Rolls-Royce is the most tactile way to travel in ultra-luxury. Ghost Six Senses takes this concept further with the inclusion of natural grain leather for the first time. Deep pile lambswool rugs encourage occupants to submerge feet, while opening the boot effortlessly with remote opener, reveals a further lambswool lining to cosset luxury bespoke luggage.

“Ghost Six Senses redefines a simple truth,” added Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “A Rolls-Royce is always so much more than the sum of its beautiful parts.”

Bentley is offering a vision of the future with a dramatic new Sport Utility Vehicle concept, EXP 9 F, at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The Company’s designers and engineers have created a compelling new take on the Grand Touring Bentley – a vehicle that feels equally at home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking lane of the autobahn.

Unmistakably a Bentley – yet a Bentley like none before it – the EXP 9 F could herald a third Bentley model-line alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and the high performance Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur.

Today a global luxury brand with a network of 160 dealers from Shanghai to Beverly Hills, Bentley has an increasingly diverse customer base spanning every continent. For many customers, a dramatically styled, Bentley all-wheel drive SUV which combines a spacious, versatile cabin and commanding driving position, with Bentley’s hallmark power, performance, advanced technology and hand crafted luxury, would be a natural choice both on and off-road.

The new pinnacle-luxury Bentley would offer exhilarating performance, setting new benchmarks for the SUV sector. The EXP 9 F concept on display in Beijing is based around the Bentley 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine, developing 600bhp and 800 Nm of torque coupled with an 8-speed close-ratio transmission.

A range of other powertrain options are also under consideration. This includes Bentley’s recently launched 500bhp, 4.0 litre petrol V8 as well as a groundbreaking powertrain for the luxury SUV segment – a V6 plug-in hybrid. With a potential 30km range in full electric mode and CO2 emissions of 130g/km, the V6 hybrid would still be capable of a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of less than 5 seconds.

“We are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury Bentley SUV. Since we first showed EXP 9 F at Geneva, the response has been overwhelming. Everyone seems to agree that an SUV is a natural fit for Bentley. An exciting range of drivetrain options including a hybrid V6 are under active consideration but one thing is for sure, any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance for which the marque is renowned.” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.

BOLD, DYNAMIC, SPORTY DESIGN

• Key Bentley styling cues re-interpreted for EXP 9 F with innovative detailing
• Sculptured flowing surfaces emphasise power, muscularity and robustness

From a designer’s perspective, EXP 9 F was a dream project, the chance to create a completely new type of Bentley. From the very beginning, the design team had a clear vision for the new Bentley SUV, as Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design, explains:

“EXP 9 F had to represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport utility sector, setting a new benchmark for this type of vehicle. The style had to reflect Bentley’s sporting character despite its radically different package and purpose together with sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping with the Bentley tradition.”

A new class of Bentley allowed the styling team to adopt a more progressive design approach. The exterior is a bold, dynamic statement, combining clean, muscular surfaces with signature character lines, while retaining the qualities of luxury and power – a pure Bentley.

Key Bentley cues such as the matrix grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each flank are reinterpreted for EXP 9 F. The ‘hewn from solid’ design language and innovative detailing, emphasise the robust character of this high-luxury SUV.

The designers were inspired not only by the more functional nature of EXP 9 F but by the ‘visible engineering’ of the famous Blower Bentleys. For example, the day-time running lamp apertures also act as the charge cooler air intakes for the twin-turbo W12 engine, each with a dramatic, mesh-covered turbine fan design and ‘rifled’ inner surface finish.

The turbine theme continues with the stunning 23-inch alloy wheels, the design of which complements the sculptured coachwork. The multiple spokes are reminiscent of the shape of turbine fan blades while the centrally mounted wheel nut is a visual reference both to Bentley’s Le Mans racers of the 1920s with centre-lock spinner and to the single nut found on the modern-day Speed 8’s high-tech racing alloys.

At the rear, the swooping lines of the tailgate avoid utilitarian overtones in favour of a distinctly sporting profile, while the ultra-wide, two-part split tailgate offers a high level of versatility when grand touring. The bold design language of EXP 9 F is complemented by twin exhaust tailpipes with ‘rifled’ inner surfaces, their elliptical shapes echoing those of the rear light clusters.

The rear lights are inspired by the forms and details of fighter jet engines, uniquely designed so that they glow from within, spreading their light outwards.

INTERIOR – A FUSION OF INNOVATION, LUXURY AND UTILITY

• Light, airy, contemporary cabin design with exquisite British ‘sporting’ luxury craft detailing
• Contemporary use of touchscreen and tailored interface technologies
• Fresh interpretation of traditional handcrafted materials with highly durable surfaces
• High degree of practicality including versatile rear cabin layout and full-width, two-piece tailgate

Bentley is renowned for its fusion of extremes – technology and craftsmanship, luxury and performance – and the interior of EXP 9 F expresses the resolution of apparent opposites in its use of materials, techniques and technology, as Dirk van Braeckel explains:

“The challenge for the interior design team was to create a cabin which provides a blend of luxury and utility. The result is a light and airy environment with a commanding view of the road and a versatile layout which showcases Bentley’s craft and design language in an innovative and contemporary way.”

Traditional handcrafted elements such as wood, leather and polished metals such as aluminium, bronze and gunmetal are used to create a sense of British luxury, yet the way they are used sets a fresh and contemporary interior ambience. Soft-touch leather contrasts with highly durable surfaces with the concept car design experimenting with the use of saddle leather for the seat backs, top roll and loadspace – while analogue bezels and dials are paired with TFT ‘virtual’ instrumentation.

Even the luxurious silk wool floormats are reversible – with one side finished in durable, ribbed saddle leather for use when the driver and passengers are dressed for the great outdoors.

The upright dashboard design features a full-width, one-piece wood veneer with a subtly negative surface and instruments with a configurable display. The fluid waist rail design shows pinnacle craftsmanship with chequered, lacquered and oiled finishes. Veneers are sculpted to reveal their solid wood construction. The highly distinctive, carved checkering design on the steering wheel rim, inspired by a shot-gun’s stock, also offers additional grip.

Traditional Bentley ‘bulls eye’ vents have a ‘rifled’ gunmetal inner surface for a more contemporary and functional appearance. The centre console is a blend of functionality and supreme ergonomics with dynamic, architectural layers which help to create a central spine to the cabin. The frame of the console is also a structural component with integrated, sculpted grab handles. The high-gloss black touch-screen surround seamlessly blends into a lacquered veneered surface, emulating the decorative surfaces of a Stratocaster guitar.

The flowing roof design with a panoramic glass panel is inspired by the roll cages of rally cars, expressing both strength and lightness. The innovative, four-zone electro-chromatic ‘sunroof’ allows individual passengers to select their preferred level of light screening

Rear seat passengers can chose between business mode, with generous legroom complete with fold-down keyboard and full internet connectivity via an iPad or tablet or a more reclined position with powered footrest, drinks table and an infotainment screen for movies. A removable Touch Pad located on the centre console manages the rear cabin climate control system and entertainment functions. When the rear seats are not in use, they can be powered forward to create a larger loadspace for sports equipment or luggage.

The EXP 9 F seating is 4+1, with a rear armrest sitting between the two electrically operated ‘Captain’s chairs’. Seats feature a diamond-quilted ‘shoulder line’ in soft-touch leather, echoing the traditional appearance of a British field sport jacket. A sliding drawer between the seats reveals a cooled compartment for champagne and glasses.

Micro leather piping accentuates the lines of the dashboard, centre console and seats and is colour-matched to the coachwork.

At the rear, the lower section of the two-piece tailgate may be used as a viewing bench or picnic table with the upper section providing a canopy to provide protection against the elements. Bespoke picnic hampers are stowed neatly to either side of the load space when not in use, but are located on rails for easy access. An awning extends over the tailgate to protect those seated there; two umbrellas fit into stowage compartments in the rear luggage area for when the rain clouds sweep in. These compartments are heated for rapid drying of wet umbrellas.

COMMANDING DRIVING POSITION AND CONTROL ARCHITECTURE

• Inspired blend of traditional analogue and TFT touchscreen technology
• Bespoke interface engineering – tailored to the individual with driver-selectable instrumentation modes

As befits a Bentley, the EXP 9 F design concept features a near-infinite choice of driver information and entertainment options. However the design and electrical engineering teams sought to avoid creating a cluttered or confusing driver and passenger environment, presenting only the information that each user needs, when they need it.

As a result, EXP 9 F places key driver information such as 3D navigation in a central TFT panel directly in the driver’s line of sight, where it is flanked by two analogue reverse-read dials. Meanwhile, controls that are shared between driver and front seat passenger, such as cabin temperature, air vents and entertainment, are presented in the central touchscreen and console. The TFT screen deploys from the full-width metal trim to provide a fully integrated extension to the glass surface of the centre console.

Three different driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Off-Road – are selectable according to the road environment and type of journey. Thus the driver information TFT panel would be able to switch between satellite navigation on the motorway to a ‘sump cam’ when negotiating a bumpy track. For sand-dune driving, the speedometer is automatically replaced by a compass while, for high altitude driving, the rev counter is replaced by an altimeter.

EVALUATION, REFINEMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING

When the first generation Continental GT was unveiled in 2003 it represented the renaissance of Bentley as a global luxury icon, subsequent launches such as Mulsanne, Continental Flying Spur saloon and the new Continental GT have seen the Bentley brand growing from strength to strength.

EXP 9 F represents the chance to take Bentley values of design, craftsmanship and engineering excellence into what would be – literally – new terrain for the brand. Bentley’s experience with the all-wheel drive Continental range makes the concept of a Bentley SUV a natural progression for the company.

Customer and public reaction will be analysed following the unveiling of EXP 9 F at Geneva 2012, with the aim of refining the concept further. Above all, Bentley will be listening carefully to the reaction of customers and potential customers throughout the world, prior to making any definitive commitment to production.

“A Bentley Grand Tourer doesn’t necessarily have to be a coupé, a convertible or a saloon – it could equally well be an SUV. What’s important is that it should be true to Bentley’s brand values and in line with the desires and needs of our customers.” – Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.

ENDS

Volkswagen has added the accolade of Australia’s most secure new vehicles to its growing list of honours, after sweeping top awards in four of six classes in an event held by the country’s expert body on vehicle crime, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC).

Volkswagen’s Polo, Golf and Tiguan all earned the title of most secure vehicle in their respective classes, while the Volkswagen Passat finished joint-first in the Medium Car group, as part of a test that included over 70 current models.

The New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon. Michael Gallacher, MLC joined the NMVTRC to present the Secure by Design 2012 awards to a Volkswagen Group Australia representative.

NMVTRC Chairman, David Morgan, said: “While there are some luxury vehicles amongst the winners, the inclusion of the many affordable cars, with the Polo starting at around $20,000 clearly demonstrates that good security is within reach of everyday motorists and that other manufacturers should be aspiring to matching these levels of design.

Each of the winning vehicles were expertly assessed against leading market competitors, earning credit for the security of its entry systems, engine immobiliser and vehicle identification. Doors, ignition locks, alarms, boot access, glazing, body stamping and micro dotting were among the many considerations which helped the Volkswagens distinguish themselves as the most secure cars in their class.

Managing Director, Ms Anke Koeckler, commented: “We’re delighted to accept not one, but four awards for the most secure cars in Australia. These awards further demonstrate our commitment to offer cars with class-leading security as well as unparalleled drivability, at a price to suite every motorist.”

Courtesy of www.volkswagen.com.au

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