After spending quite a few years in the shadows of Holden and its popular range of Commodore family cars, Ford has struck back with an exciting new range of locally produced Falcon models. The BA model Falcon represents an investment by Ford in the order of $500 million. The new models offer comprehensive styling, powertrain, suspension, interior and safety related changes, and look set to challenge Holden for sales supremacy in the family car class.
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In 2002, when Nissan finally brought to market an all-new Z-car worthy of its name and heritage, it quickly made our 10Best list. We loved the new Z’s great design, performance, and outstanding value. Last year, Nissan made us more happy with a brilliant new 350Z roadster. For 2005, there’s a 35th-anniversary edition to mark the debut of the original 240Z in 1970. Otherwise, there are only some refinements that make this good car better, such as downshift rev matching for the five-speed automatic transmission that makes better use of the spirited 287-hp, 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 engine. To maximize performance, go with the close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox-and no more trembling left legs, as clutch-pedal effort has been reduced. Other upgrades include a quicker nav system, heated outside mirrors, and a standard tire-pressure monitoring system.
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Optimum Resource is proud to present the newest version of its award-winning program, Car Builder Deluxe. Sophisticated, yet easy to use, Car Builder Deluxe appeals to children ages 8 and up, teenagers and adults who are fascinated by cars. As “design engineers,” users build cars on screen, specifying chassis length, wheelbase, engine type, transmission, fuel tank size, suspension, steering, wheels, tires and brakes. All functional choices are interrelated and will affect the performance of the final design.
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When the Volvo Duett arrived in 1953, there was nothing like it. It created a category all its own; the multi-purpose estate. Improved and refined year after year, this is the 10th generation of our Swedish herrgårdsvagn (estate car) and it defies comparison yet again. There’s more luxury here, more onboard intelligence, more practical space and more of what we’re known for and proudest of – safety. What’s more, our dedication to safety is what promotes a joy of driving found in no other car. This is original thinking at its best.
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When you choose a Peugeot, you’re buying more than an elegant piece of design or a superb piece of engineering, you’re buying a vision – our dream of a marque that embodies your desires and meets your expectations in every way. A vehicle that is the very personification of the Peugeot spirit. This spirit, or essence, of our marque can be summed up in four words. Style, quality, dynamism and innovation – the values that every Peugeot is created around. So what does that mean to you? It means beauty. Stunning design, pure Peugeot lines, the very quintessence of aesthetics as seen by top Peugeot designers. Or roughly translated, a car that makes your heart beat faster every time you look at it. It means a car that you can trust. Every new Peugeot is built to the very highest standards, ensuring technical excellence, superb handling plus peace of mind, and is engineered to achieve optimum active and passive safety. It also means passion. Our passion for creating cars with real poise and precision, cars that communicate with the road and connect with you, lifting your spirits on every journey.
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The constant determination which has transcended every period of Renault’s existence, guiding our options and governing the directions in which we have developed, is now helping to establish our reputation. At the dawn of this third millennium, our dedication to innovation is not just central to our own concerns but also to those of the individual motorist who is now entitled to expect not only that a vehicle will provide safety, performance and respect for the environment, but also intelligence. Creation means bringing together intuition and expertise. At a time when performance and individualism were in fashion we were the first to break with established thinking by imagining an MPV. To launch the audacious elegance of the Vel Satis and the innovative but winning lines of the New Mégane, we again had to dare to be different.
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Volkswagen says that the new bodyshell has best-in-class torsional rigidity, with significantly enhanced safety qualities. The new Polo scored four stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. Everything about the body spells high quality; from the excellent paint and trim finish, to the solid feel of the doors and rear hatch when closing, and to the small panel gaps that are achieved through laser welding processes. The body, which is made from high-strength galvanized steel, carries a 12 year anti-corrosion perforation warranty. However, the Polo isn’t quite as ‘concentrated’ as it used to be. The new body, with its stylish looks, is longer, wider and taller. This has brought some welcome improvements to interior space, both for occupants and their luggage. Polo buyers can choose between three model types. There’s a base (price leader) Polo 3door, and there are S and SE variants in three and five door versions. Automatic or manual transmission is available on all models. Prices start at $19,800 for the base three-door, the S 3-door costs $20,800 and the SE 3-door is $22,500. Prices for the five-door models are $21,800 (the S) and $23,500 (the SE). Automatic transmission costs an extra $2,000. The base model comes with dual front airbags, five lap-sash seat belts and five head restraints, electro-hydraulic power steering, engine immobiliser, heated and power adjustable exterior mirrors, steering column adjustable for tilt and reach, a single CD audio system and a 60/40 split fold rear seat.
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Scoresheets Around the Car Interaction Between Owners and Judges Rejudging Chapter 4 Judging the Car Exterior Paint Finish Body Panels Glass and Exterior Mirrors Lights and Lenses Convertible Top and Boot Cover Exterior Brightwork Dirt, Water Spots, and Wax Residue Wheels and Hubcaps Tires Rubber Gaskets Fuel Filler Compartment Interior Headliner Door Panels, Kick Panels, and Arm Rests Dashboard, Steering Wheel, and Instruments Seats and Belts Carpet and Rubber Mats Hardware Engine Compartment General Appearance and Cleanliness Firewall, Inner Fenders, Inside of Hood, and Other Painted Sheetmetal Engine Block, Head & Carburetors or Fuel Injection Exhaust System (manifolds, downpipes and emissions equipment) Wiring, Battery, Hoses, Tubing & Clamps Trunk Paint, Side Panels, Mat or Carpet Tool Kit and Jack Owner’s Manual and Other Paperwork Spare Tire and Wheel Suspension, Wheelwells, and Undercarriage General Condition and Cleanliness Mechanical and Safety Operation of Basic Safety Items
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