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NEXT CAR'S NEWSLETTER
1st FEBRUARY, 2006


WELCOME
to our newsletter #62




FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Friends,

The Geneva Motor Show is just weeks away and the news is on free-flow. Numerous new models of significance are scheduled to debut at Geneva and you can be sure we'll have all the news of value on these new models.

In the meantime, Melbourne will have their Motor Show. What surprises will Ford and Holden spring? Stay tuned for that news too!

Believe it or not, we are introducing, with this newsletter, a new segment which we'll name "Believe It Or Not". We'll feature images of sights which need to be seen to be believed. This segment will alternate with our "Silly Suburban Signs" segment.

Warm regards,
Stephen Walker

The Editor road testing an 
Audi A3 2.0 FSI

The Editor road testing an
Audi A3 2.0 FSI

Location: Cooranbong NSW

Click the image for a clearer view





In this issue:

  • The Editor's Desk
  • Contents
  • Looking Back - 1946 Volkswagen Beetle
  • Announcement - Rhema On The Road
  • Road Test - Peugeot 307 HDi
  • News summary
  • Editor's Pick Of The News
  • Coming Events - Australia and Overseas
  • Road Test - Audi A3 2.0 FSI
  • Advertising
  • Believe It Or Not
  • Advertise with Next Car
  • Car Club Corner
  • Looking Back - 1932 Ford V8 coupe
  • Road Test - Holden One-Tonner Cross 6
  • Housekeeping





LOOKING BACK

1946 Volkswagen Beetle

1946 Volkswagen Beetle

1946 Volkswagen Beetle

Production numbers were tiny by comparison when the incredible story of Volkswagen’s success began 60 years ago. In the midst of the ruins of war and the most difficult of ambient circumstances, a staff of 6,033 at Volkswagenwerk GmbH set out to get the assembly lines rolling. The car to be manufactured would later become known as the 'Beetle'. The origins of the car's design date back to the late 1930s.

...... more.





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'Rhema on the Road'

HEAR MOTORING NEWS ON RADIO

presented by Chris Goodsell, each Saturday on

94.3 Rhema FM Dubbo at 10 AM
99.9 Rhema FM Port Macquarie at 12 noon,
89.7 Rhema FM Tamworth at 2 PM and
106.5 Rhema FM Taree at 10AM

and in Queensland
each Friday at 4PM on Rhema FM 105.7 Mount Isa

Rhema On The Road





Peugeot 307 XS HDi

Click the image for the road test

Peugeot 307 XS HDi
road test

The Peugeot 307 HDi gains our confidence as a very capable and satisfying drive. With miserly fuel consumption, very comfortable interior, excellent ride qualities, attractive styling and a reasonable price tag the 307 HDi demonstrates that today's European diesel compact cars are a particularly pleasing package.

Read our Peugeot 307 XS HDi road test here.


Other road tests are here.





NEWS SUMMARY


    Aston Martin Rapide Concept Car
    10th January, 2006
    The Aston Martin Rapide concept is a four-door, high performance coupé of remarkable grace and poise. Based on Aston Martin's unique VH (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture, the Rapide combines the company's commitment to power, beauty and soul with space and practicality for every eventuality ..... more

    Mazda Kabura Concept Car
    10th January, 2006
    At this year’s Detroit Motor Show, Mazda is presenting Kabura, a compact sports coupe, to explore several fresh ideas that could appear in future production models ..... more

    Audi Reveals New Roadjet Concept
    10th January, 2006
    Audi has taken the wraps off a brand new study car, called the Audi Roadjet Concept, at the North American International Automobile Show in Detroit ..... more

    Morgan 4-seater To Return
    11th January, 2006
    The Morgan 4-seater is coming back! The new model is due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006. The new and significantly revised 4-seater ..... more

    Jeep Reveals Two New Vehicles For Australia
    11th January, 2006
    Jeep has unveiled two brand new production cars at the Detroit Motor Show aimed at younger customers, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Wrangler – and both will be coming to Australia within the next 18 months ..... more

    Volvo C30 Concept At Detroit Motor Show
    11th January, 2006
    Volvo has revealed a two-door concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, which gives a strong indication of the design of a new smaller Volvo C30 model which will be launched later this year ..... more

    Mini's Growth Prompts Bigger Model Range
    11th January, 2006
    Mini brand will grow to three distinct models within three years as the Mini Concept Detroit is confirmed for future production ..... more

    Chrysler Imperial Concept
    11th January, 2006
    Attractive or unattractive? You decide! But the Editor asserts this is one of the most unattractive cars at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show ..... more

    Jaguar Posts Strong Finish to 2005
    11th January, 2006
    Jaguar Australia's December sales result was the strongest for three years. According to VFACTS, Jaguar delivered 104 vehicles in December 2005, thus putting a positive spin on the year's sales results ..... more

    Audi Hits All-Time Record in Australia
    12th January, 2006
    Audi has recorded an impressive 30 percent growth in sales during 2005, selling more than 4,800 units in Australia ..... more

    Dodge Caliber For Global Markets
    12th January, 2006
    Dodge has revealed a production version of the Dodge Caliber at the Detroit Motor Show, the vehicle that will launch the brand in Australia in the third quarter of 2006 ..... more

    Mitsubishi Concept CT at NAIAS
    12th January, 2006
    Mitsubishi has unveiled, at the Detroit Motor Show, the Concept-CT, a groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car that may influence development of future “Driven to Thrill” Mitsubishi models ..... more

    Another Record Year For Citroen
    12th January, 2006
    Citroen set another record in 2005 with over 1.3 million products finding new owners, boosting Citroen's European market share to 6.7 per cent ..... more

    Liberty 2.0R Limited Edition Sparks Interest
    12th January, 2006
    A limited edition Double Overhead Camshaft 2.0 litre Subaru Liberty is now on sale in Australia, sporting a unique spark yellow colour scheme ..... more

    Passat "Individual" – Enhanced aesthetics edition
    12th January, 2006
    Europe's Volkswagen Passat "Individual" combines outstanding design and an exclusive equipment specification. From the outside the special edition already catches the eye with luxury chrome trim and 18-inch alloy wheels ..... more

    Chevrolet Camaro Concept Car
    13th January, 2006
    Combining dramatic design and exciting performance, the Chevrolet Camaro Concept recaptures the spirit of one of the most popular sport coupes of all time and redefines the Camaro for new generations of fans ..... more

    2005: 10th Successive Record Year for Audi
    13th January, 2006
    Audi was able to set a new record for vehicle sales in 2005 for the tenth year in succession: 829,100 vehicles (2004: 779,441)* were handed over to customers worldwide ..... more

    Ford Shelby GT500: Most Powerful Mustang Ever
    13th January, 2006
    After 40 years, racing legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford Mustang are back together with the introduction of America's 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 ..... more

    Peugeot 207 – The Next Generation
    13th January, 2006
    Peugeot announces the Peugeot 207, the newest member of the legendary 2 series dynasty. When the Peugeot 206 replaced the legendary Peugeot 205, nobody could have known what a success it was going to be. With over 5.4 million Peugeot 206s produced, it has become the best selling Peugeot ever ..... more

    Alfa 159 Awarded a 5-Star Euro NCAP Rating
    14th January, 2006
    Alfa's 159 has been awarded a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It is an important achievement, which underlines the attention that Fiat Auto pays to the protection of its drivers and passengers ..... more

    Ford Transit Gets Better
    14th January, 2006
    The most successful commercial vehicle range in Europe – the Ford Transit – enters a new era in its long and successful life, with a series of extensive improvements to keep it modern and relevant ..... more

    Dodge Challenger Concept Flexes Some Muscle
    15th January, 2006
    In developing the new Dodge Challenger concept car the designers at Chrysler Group’s West Coast Pacifica Studio knew they had a rich heritage to draw upon ..... more

    Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Sixth Successive Dakar Rally Win
    16th January, 2006
    Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Luc Alphand and co-driver Gilles Picard clinched victory in the 28th Dakar Rally yesterday (Sunday). The feat marked a record-breaking 11th win for the Japanese automotive manufacturer ..... more

    IIHS Ranks Volvo XC90 at Top in Whiplash Test
    16th January, 2006
    In an American test of whiplash protection systems in SUVs and light trucks (utes), the Volvo XC90 is one of few models to achieve the top rating ..... more

    Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sport Edition + Expands
    16th January, 2006
    Following the success of the limited edition C 200 KOMPRESSOR Sport Edition, Mercedes-Benz announced today an enhanced version of the limited edition package can now be ordered across the entire C-Class Saloon and Estate model range ..... more

    25 new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Cars Arrive
    16th January, 2006
    Carrera Cup racing in Australia will shoot for a world record for the most number of brand new race cars of the same type ever to line up on a starting grid when 25 of the new 997-based Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars take to the track in Adelaide in March ..... more

    Subaru Forester X Luxury
    17th January, 2006
    Celebrating its success as the best selling Compact Sports Utility Vehicle in 2005, Subaru has launched a special edition Forester X Luxury ..... more

    America's new Chrysler Aspen
    17th January, 2006
    “The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen offers customers guilt-free indulgence,” said a wishful thinking Jeff Bell, Vice President – Chrysler, Chrysler Group ..... more

    The new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
    17th January, 2006
    Mercedes-Benz has shown its new entrant in the luxury Sports Utility Vehicle market segment at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show: the GL-Class ..... more

    Porsche: Exchange of exhaust tailpipes
    17th January, 2006
    Porsche AG, is having the exhaust tailpipes exchanged worldwide on 18,627 units of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S ..... more

    More Go For Holden's Performance Heroes
    17th January, 2006
    The most powerful standard engine ever offered by Holden will be installed in all 2006 model year Holden V8 vehicles. A new 6.0-litre alloy engine will deliver 260kW ..... more

    Mazda to Add Second Vehicle Test Track in Japan
    18th January, 2006
    In early March 2006, Mazda Motor Corporation will establish its second vehicle test track in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to complement its Miyoshi Proving Ground facility ..... more

    Ford Ready For WRC
    18th January, 2006
    The opening of the FIA World Rally Championship season on the Rallye Monte Carlo (19th - 22nd January) heralds a new era for Ford ..... more

    Daewoo's New AWD To Debut At Geneva Motor Show
    18th January, 2006
    GM has issued the first details of its all-new compact SUV, the Chevrolet Captiva, which makes its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March ..... more

    Europe's Mitsubishi Colt CZC coupé-cabriolet
    19th January, 2006
    Two years after the launch of the Colt hatchback and a year after the introduction of the Colt coupé, Mitsubishi will unveil the third variant of the European Colt family at the 76th Geneva Motor Show: the sporty Colt CZC coupé-cabriolet ..... more

    Audi Unveils Three Firsts in Detroit
    19th January, 2006
    Audi treated visitors to the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with its presentation of three world firsts ..... more

    New Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
    19th January, 2006
    Four years on from its launch, the successful Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has undergone a number of enhancements ..... more

    Learn To Drive The Maserati Way
    20th January, 2006
    Maserati has launched its 2006 Master GT driving course programme which provides a unique opportunity to hone existing driving ability and learn new skills under the tuition of an ex-Formula One driver whilst behind the wheel of a Maserati ..... more

    Dodge Re-introduces Performance Nameplate
    20th January, 2006
    A pair of names familiar to many automotive enthusiasts are again part of the Dodge performance line-up with the return of the Super Bee nameplate for the 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 and the "TorRed" exterior colour for the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T ..... more

    Land Rover G4 Challenge UK Finalists
    20th January, 2006
    Counting down to one of the world's toughest driving and multi-sport adventure challenges, Scotsman and 2003 Land Rover G4 Challenge veteran, Tim Pickering, last week visited the Land Rover Experience in Dunkeld, Perthshire to administer some gruelling training on the three 2006 UK finalists ..... more

    Suzuki Grand Vitara Catches A Wave
    20th January, 2006
    Suzuki unveiled its Suzuki Wave concept, a specially modified version of the new Suzuki Grand Vitara at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show ..... more

    Renault's Limited Edition Mégane Coupe-Cabriolet
    20th January, 2006
    Renault has released a limited edition version of the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet LX packed with over $1,500 of additional features ..... more

    Jaguar XJ Wins UK's First Award Of 2006
    20th January, 2006
    The Jaguar XJ has already collected its first award of 2006, topping the Luxury Car category at the Fleet Excellence Awards, voted for by readers of Fleet Week and Fleet Management magazines ..... more

    Extra Statesman Luxury Now Standard
    20th January, 2006
    Statesman buyers receive even more luxury features as standard with the WL series 2006 Statesman International, on sale from this month ..... more

    Pontiac Adds A CC
    21st January, 2006
    After closing 2005 with brisker sales than the rest of the mid-size car segment, the Pontiac G6 family of vehicles is expected to continue its growth in 2006 with a game-changing new entry - a G6 retractable hardtop convertible ..... more

    Volkswagen Passat is Germany's Favourite Car
    21st January, 2006
    It was a clear-cut decision: more than 320,000 votes were counted in the ADAC (General German Automobile Association) reader's choice awards for the "Gelber Engel 2006" prize. There were 54 models to choose from in the "Cars" category. In the end, the winner was the Volkswagen Passat ..... more

    Four Millionth Ford Focus Produced In Europe
    22nd January, 2006
    The Ford Focus, one of Europe's most popular cars, reached another milestone last week when the four millionth example produced in Europe, a Colorado red, 136 PS TDCi Ford Focus 4-door, was driven off the line at Ford's assembly plant in Valencia, Spain on Thursday ..... more

    C4 Yourself What The Citroen C4 Can Deliver!
    22nd January, 2006
    The Citroën C4 HDi, the turbo diesel variant of Citroën's mid-size hatchback, is now on sale in Australia, delivering a unique combination of economy, performance and safety ..... more

    Honda Achieves Record European Sales
    23rd January, 2006
    Honda achieved record automobile sales in Europe, reaching a high of 285,924** units during 2005 against a downturn of 0.7%* ..... more

    Peugeot 206 Shaping Up For 2006
    23rd January, 2006
    The year 2006 is shaping up as a great year for the Peugeot 206. With increased specification and lower prices across the range ..... more

    Mercedes Confirms May Arrival For R-Class
    23rd January, 2006
    Mercedes-Benz today confirmed the new R-Class Grand Sports Tourer will be available in Australia from May this year. Starting from approximately $85,000 ..... more

    Ford Wins 2006 Monte Carlo Rally
    23rd January, 2006
    Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen claimed a masterful victory on their debut in the new Ford Focus RS World Rally Car on the Rallye Monte Carlo over the weekend ..... more

    Porsche Achieves Record in Germany
    24th January, 2006
    Porsche AG, Stuttgart, posted another new record for registrations in Germany in 2005. A total of 16,565 Porsche vehicles were registered ..... more

    Citroen C4 Adds Personal Security
    24th January, 2006
    The Citroen C4 has matched its occupant and pedestrian safety performance with class-leading personal safety and security, according to independent test results ..... more

    BMW Z4 Coupes to Arrive In H2 2006
    25th January, 2006
    The new two-seater Z4 Coupe and Z4 M Coupe are destined for Australia, with a release due in the second-half of 2006 ..... more

    Nissan Tiida Arrives Next Week
    27th January, 2006
    Nissan’s Pulsar replacement, the all-new Tiida compact sedan and hatch, arrives in Australia on 1st February, 2006 ..... more

    Caterham Wins Prestigious MIA Award
    28th January, 2006
    British sports car manufacturer, Caterham Cars, has received the prestigious Export Achievement Award at the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) Business Excellence Awards 2005 ..... more

    Audi R10 Proves To Be A Sensation At Sebring
    28th January, 2006
    The impressive Audi R10 with a V12 bi-turbo TDI engine, has proven to be a huge sensation at Sebring’s “Winter Test” of the American Le Mans Series ..... more

    Škoda Roomster To Debut At Geneva Motor Show
    28th January, 2006
    Škoda Auto has revealed the first pictures of the new Škoda Roomster, the brand’s fourth model line. Not only does the Roomster represent Škoda’s move into a new market segment, but also a new development stage as the century-old brand starts on its next hundred years ..... more

    GM Sells More Than 9 Million Vehicles
    27th January, 2006
    General Motors sold 9.17 million cars and trucks around the world in 2005, up 2 percent from the 8.99 million vehicles sold in 2004 ..... more

    Nissan Maxima For 2006
    29th January, 2006
    The 2006 model year Nissan Maxima will be available with a new continuously variable transmission and an updated exterior and interior design ..... more

    Prize-giving ceremony Renault Clio III
    30th January, 2006
    On Friday, 27th January, 2006, Renault President and CEO Carlos Ghosn was officially handed the Car of the Year 2006 award for Clio III by the President of the Car of the Year Jury, Ray Hutton ..... more

    35th success for the Porsche 911 at Daytona
    30th January, 2006
    With the GT class victory in their TPC Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car, Ian Baas, Randy Pobst, Spencer Pumpelly and Michael Levitas (all USA) secured a record 35th win for the Porsche 911 at the traditional 24 hour race at Daytona ..... more

    The 75 Most Significant ’32 Ford Hot Rods
    30th January, 2006
    After nominating 474 individual cars and completing 3 rounds of balloting, a blue ribbon panel of hot rod authorities has selected America's 75 most significant ’32 Ford hot rods ..... more

    Ferrari Superamerica For Melbourne
    30th January, 2006
    Australian deliveries of the Ferrari Superamerica may now be underway, but the Melbourne International Motor Show may be most people's only opportunity to see this car ..... more

    Two Historic Support Races At Le Mans 2006
    30th January, 2006
    The support race at the Le Mans 24 Hours has become an jewel in the crown of this endurance event – and one of the world’s greatest historic races ..... more

    Fiat Australia Sales Up 76.4%
    31st January, 2006
    The Fiat Ducato has continued to drive sales upwards in 2005 with a sales increase for Fiat's van range of 76.4 per cent and this is predicted to continue in 2006 ..... more

    Phantom Cements Market Leadership In 2005
    31st January, 2006
    Another strong year of sales has confirmed the position of the Rolls-Royce Phantom as the world’s leading super-luxury car ..... more

    Nissan X-Trail For 2006
    31st January, 2006
    Nissan will release a special edition X-Trail to celebrate 40 years of Nissan in Australia ..... more

    Ferrari 599 GTB To Debut In Geneva
    31st January, 2006
    With the release of the 599 GTB, Ferrari is presenting its most powerful V12-engined production car of all time ..... more

    WRC Leader Ford Heads To Snowy Sweden
    31st January, 2006
    Rallye Monte Carlo winner Ford takes its FIA World Rally Championship lead to the Swedish Rally with an opportunity to build on its victorious start to the season ..... more

    Alfa Romeo's New Spider and 159 Wagon
    31st January, 2006
    The forthcoming Geneva Motor Show will see the world debut of the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon and the Spider, thus completing the range set to take Alfa Romeo into the future ..... more



All these stories and the previous news stories can be accessed
from our NEWS PAGE.
Simply click on the link above.




The Editor's Pick Of The News

After reading the news, which story did you enjoy the most?

The Peugeot 206 is a very successful small car. The new 207 seems to have what it takes to be equally successful. When it arrives in Australia late this year, I'll be keen to check it out. Hence the story on the new 207 is my pick of the news!

Read the story ..... here.

Stephen Walker


Peugeot 207


Click the image for the story





COMING EVENTS

AUSTRALIA

  • Melbourne International Motor Show
    Melbourne Victoria
    Friday 10th February to
    Sunday 19th February, 2006
    Melbourne Exhibition Centre

  • Brisbane International Motor Show
    Brisbane Queensland
    Friday 3rd March to
    Sunday 12th March, 2006
    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

  • 5th HD/HR Nationals
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Saturday 10th June to
    Sunday 11th June, 2006
    Various Mentone, Melbourne and Point Cook locations

OVERSEAS

  • Geneva Motor Show
    Geneva, Switzerland
    Thursday 2nd March to
    Sunday 12th March, 2006
    Palais des Expositions (GENEVA PALEXPO)
  • Vancouver International Motor Show
    Vancouver, Canada
    Friday 31st March to
    Sunday 9th April, 2006
    BC Place Stadium
  • British International Motor Show
    London, England
    Thursday 20th July to
    Sunday 30th July, 2006
    ExCeL in London's Docklands

All events and dates are subject to change without notice.





Audi A3 2.0 FSI

Click the image for the road test

Audi A3 2.0 FSI
road test

To be successful in this segment of the marketplace, an attractively styled car is important. And the car needs to be seen as a lifestyle choice. The quality needs to be inherent. The standard equipment list needs to be inclusive of the features sought by successful young professionals.

Read our Audi A3 2.0 FSI road test here.


    Other road tests are here.





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contact lenses • lenses • frames •  sunglasses •  hearing aids


Click here to shop on-line at Optical and Hearing





Believe It Or Not


Harbord, NSW

Location: Harbord, NSW


Click the image for a clearer view

Some-one coined the phrase .... "let's roll"!

But it is possible to avoid the grief!

Simply engage the handbrake and position the gear selector in a forward gear (manuals) or in 'park' (automatics).





Advertise with Next Car

To advertise with Next Car, contact us by e-mail from here.





Car Club Corner

Here's a listing of some of the nation's car clubs.


1959 Borgward Isabella TS 
Motorfest 2006 - Sydney

Click the image for a larger view



And some photographic pages


26/01/06 Motorfest 2006 - Sydney ... coming soon

07/08/05 All Holden Day - NSW ... here

29/05/05 Great Lakes Historic Automobile Club Church Parade ... here

26/01/05 Motorfest 2005 (Sydney)
Gallery 1   2   3   4   5

26/09/04 Central Coast British Car Club Run ... here

06/06/04 Great Lakes Historic Car Club Run ... here

07/03/04 Bay City Chrysler Car Club Expo ... here

26/01/04 Motorfest 2004 (Sydney) ... here





LOOKING BACK

1932 Ford V8 coupe

    The V-8 engine was the hallmark of luxury automobiles until Henry Ford introduced his revolutionary flathead V-8 in 1932. Light, powerful and easily modified, the flathead Ford was a favourite of America's early hot-rodders in the '30s, '40s and '50s. By the 1960s, the V-8-powered '32 Ford gained a place in American culture when 'The Beach Boys' sang their song "Little Deuce Coupe."

1932 Ford V8 coupe

1932 Ford V8 coupe





Holden One-Tonner Cross 6

Click the image for the road test

Holden One-Tonner Cross 6
road test

When driving the Holden One-Tonner Cross 6 one gets to enjoy the feeling of a spacious cab which features very comfortable bucket seats, power steering, auto transmission and low wind noise

Read our Holden One-Tonner Cross 6 road test here.


Other road tests are here.





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