Aussie Launch For Audi A3
Newcastle Herald
Saturday January 24, 2004
AUDI has chosen next month's Brisbane International Motor Show as the launch pad for its all-new A3 small car.
Due for its Australian launch in April or May, the new A3 will go on sale here in a four-model range running from mild to wild with everything from a diesel economy car to a stove-hot V6 all-wheel-drive.
Four models, four engines with A3 coming to market with an entry-level 1.6 litre petrol engine, a 2.0 litre petrol with direct fuel-injection, a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel and 3.2 litre V6.
Audi claims the 2.0 litre petrol engine is one of its most sophisticated with its common-rail injection system, direct petrol injection, single-piston, high pressure injection pump, low-friction roller cam followers and continuously adjustable intake camshaft.
The engine produces 110kilowatts (14kW more than the current 2.0 litre) and 200newton metres of torque at 3500rpm. Coupled with the standard six-speed manual transmission it does the 0-100kmh run in a claimed 9.1 seconds and has a 211kmh top speed.
EUROPEAN car sales dropped by a little over 1.3 per cent last year but Korean car maker Kia did not notice.
In fact Kia's European sales went through the roof, increasing by a massive 48.4 per cent to make it the fastest-growing car brand in Europe.
Figures released last week by Europe's Association des Constructeurs Europeens d' Automobiles showed Kia sales reaching 107,631 last year, well up on 2002's 72,529 vehicles.
And despite the general European sales downturn Kia is going into 2004 with a rosy glow on the expectation of increased sales on the backs of two new vehicle launches during the year.
The four-door Cerato was launched at last week's Brussels Motor Show and will be followed by a five-door hatchback (to be launched at the Geneva Show in March) to tackle the likes of Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Renault Megane.
It will be followed by the smaller Picanto rival for Peugeot 206, VW Polo and Citroen C3 later in the year.
RENAULT is making the most of the small car market sector with the release of a new Clio model, the 1.6litre, three-door Dynamique.
This latest addition to the model mix fits neatly between the entry-level five-door, 1.4 Expression and the five-door, 1.6litre Privilege.
Dynamique comes to market pretty well equipped, boasting climate-control air-conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM audio with single-disc CD player and steering wheel-mounted controls, dual front airbags, dual side airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, power windows, remote central locking, a trip computer and alloy wheels.
The car is powered by a 16-valve, 1.6 litre, four-cylinder engine developing 79 kilowatts at 5750rpm and 148 newton metres of torque at 3750rpm.
Equipped with a five-speed manual transmission only (there is no auto option) Dynamique has a starting price of $23,490.
CITROEN is set to double its Chinese production capacity with a new factory at Fukang in the Wuhan province.
Citroen expects to increase Chinese production from the present 150,000 cars annually to 300,000.
© 2004 Newcastle Herald
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