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| Arrowtown's Hadley MacKay is competing in the Westland Rally this weekend in his Citroen Saxo VTS. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery. |
One of the glaring gaps in the current Holden Cruze range is set to be plugged early next year when a diesel automatic variant is added to the line-up.
At present, the diesel Cruze is only available as a manual, in entry-level CD form.
The diesel-auto will be offered in the premium CDX form as an alternative to the 1.8-litre petrol-auto CDX.
Ford's inflatable belts
Rear-seat passengers in the next-generation Ford Explorer are set to be protected by inflatable seatbelts.
The innovative new belts, which like airbags inflate in an accident situation, spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts.
This helps reduce pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck motion in an accident situation.
Mitsubishi warranty tops
Mitsubishi has introduced a new-car warranty that sets a new standard for the New Zealand motor industry.
Called Diamond Advantage, the warranty _ which applies to all new Mitsubishi cars and light commercials sold from this month - provides a comprehensive five-year (or 130,000km) mechanical warranty and roadside assistance, and a 10-year or 160,000km warranty on each vehicle's
powertrain.
Otago attracts Aussies
The top Australian finishers in this year's Otago Classic Rally have all signalled their intention to return for the 2010 event.
Brad Goldsbrough, Jeff David and Ross Dunkerton - who finished second, third and fourth this year - are expected to lead a strong contingent of transtasman visitors for the April 9-11 Dunedin-based event.
Plans are also afoot to attract a big-name European driver to the rally, to follow in the footsteps of stars such as Juha Kankkunen, Michelle Mouton, Bjorn Waldegard and Hannu Mikkola.
Corolla powers ahead
The Toyota Corolla consolidated its position as the country's best-selling new car of the year thanks to very strong deliveries to rental car firms last month.
Outselling the second-placed Holden Commodore at 1111 units to 394 for the month, the Corolla has now record year-to-date sales of 4145 to the Commodore's 2539.
The Ford Falcon came in third last month, ahead of the Toyota Yaris, Mazda3 and Suzuki Swift.
Year-to-date, though, the Swift still holds third from the Falcon, Mazda3 and Yaris.
Total new-car sales last month were 24% down on October 2008.
Coming to an end
This weekend will see two series wrap up - the New Zealand Motocross championships and the Mainland Rally Series.
Competing in New Plymouth, Scott Columb, of Queenstown, will be hoping to chase down the lead in the MX2 class on his new fuel-injected RM-Z 250 (see the story here [3]).
Over in Greymouth, the Westland Rally began last night with some tarmac stages and continues today with a mixture of tarmac and gravel tests.
The Lawrence Rally has two spots left if anyone wants to enter for the November 21 event. See the website www.lawrencerally.co.nz [4] for details.
Drivers at the Flagstaff Hillclimb last Sunday
Top Five
1. Bruce Saxton - Evo 6 RS, 1hr 7min 48sec
2. Mike Wellington - Evo 6 RS, 1hr 8min 68sec
3. Murray Laws - Cyborg, 1hr 15min 04sec
4. Peter Jackson - Xsara, 1hr 16min 11sec
5. Robert Elliott - Corolla DX, 1hr 18min 12sec
* See a slideshow of photos on www.drivesouth.co.nz [5], keywords "Dust and dents at the Flagstaff Hillclimb''.
They said it
"I don't know all of what happened; the car was just off on its own ride out there, I saw sky and grass and then just dust. My back is pretty tender. The ambos reckon it will be worse tomorrow, but I'm OK." - Whangarei racer Scott Harrison saw his Suzuki Swift Sport Cup aspirations derailed in the esses, his car rolling spectacularly across the infield at Pukekohe.
For the full story go to www.drivesouth.co.nz [6], keywords "Young Bamber takes Suzuki honours''.
Roadtest archive
The last three years of Otago Daily Times new car and motorbike road tests are now available online.
Head to www.drivesouth.co.nz/news/vehicle-roadtests [7] for our verdicts on everything from the bold alternative take on the modern small family car, the Nissan Qashqai, to the sophisticated Kia Sorento R.
Events
Saturday: Westland Rally, Greymouth.
Saturday: Dunedin Kart Club final round of the Mainland Series, Silverstream Raceway, Milners Road.
Sunday: Dunedin Kart Club Thomson Memorial. Racing from 11am both days.
Sunday: OSCC v SCCC Circuit Challenge, Levels Raceway.
* If you would like to submit an event for a free listing on Drivesouth then phone motoring reporter Catherine Pattison on 03 443 1307 or email catherine.pattison@odt.co.nz [8].