Plugs & Points
The Age
Saturday August 28, 1999
NO RAGE AT KIA CAMPAIGN
Anyone who's seen Kia's latest advertising campaign for its recently upgraded Sportage small four-wheel drive was probably fairly impressed with the punishment dished out to the little Korean machine. Nope, not everyone. It seems the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland considered the ad, in which a Sportage uses its four-wheel drive prowess to beat another car to a parking spot, effectively glamorises road rage. When heard by the Advertising Standards Board, it was promptly dismissed and decided that the advertisement contained nothing that posed a threat to the safety of the community. Kia Australia's general manager, David Hughes, said: ``What the RACQ seems to have missed is that the advertisement is funny. This is a situation every driver has faced and can identify with." While on the subject of TV ads, Holden wasn't so lucky. It stopped airing one of the ads for its Commodore utility in which the car drifts across a double yellow line.
LEGROOM FOR AUDI A8
Those shopping in the luxury limo class may have found Audi's A8 lacking in rear legroom when compared with its long wheelbase rivals from BMW (like the L7 model above) and Benz. All that is about to change with Audi poised to launch a stretched version of the A8 complete with the 40-valve V8. But European reports suggest Audi will eventually slip a new V12 engine under its big bonnet. The car's wheelbase has been extended by 130mm, providing an additional 70mm of rear legroom. The car will be seen at Frankfurt next month.
NEW PAJERO ON THE WAY
It's been a long time coming but according to Autocar magazine, Mitsubishi is gearing up to launch an all-new and bigger Pajero within a couple of months in Japan. It is said to be longer than the present model (above) with its car-like monocoque rather than ladder frame chassis stretched by 55mm over the existing machine. The chassis switch should improve ride and handling, refinement and crash protection. It is also expected to help reduce kerb weight. Outside the wagon is likely to follow an evolutionary styling theme. Power is expected to be provided by a revised version of the 3.5-litre V6 found in the present model. It is expected to go on sale here next year.
RENAULT TO RELEASE 4WD
Renault has just facelifted its trend-setting Megane Scenic, the small people mover-cum-hatchback that has sold like hot cakes in Europe and has created a new market segment and a host of competitors. And to lift its appeal a four-wheel drive version is due soon. Dubbed the RX4, it features a light-duty 4WD system and 180mm of ground clearance. Outside it has chunky bumpers and plastic cladding on the lower part of its body to give it that macho look. It is possible that the RX4 and standard Scenic could be sold here now that Nissan is considering importing the French brand. The marque could be relaunched here by 2001.
GO RACING WITH LANOS
Any wannabe racers, there's another one-make racing series ready to roll, with Daewoo Lanos with sponsorship form GT Radial tyres. Unlike the recently launched Mitsubishi Mirage series, the Lanos series relies more on road-going bits and pieces. So they will be significantly slower, but they're also a lot cheaper. For $15,000 you get use of a Daewoo Lanos and all fuel, tyres and entry fees paid for. The only extras are for repairs and maintenance. Daewoo has nothing to do with the organisers, but the cars will be built to CAMS production car standards and will include all the necessary safety gear. The eight-round series kicked off at Wakefield Park, near Goulburn, on 8 August with 11 entries. Each round offers $4000 prize money.
© 1999 The Age
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