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John Mellor's GoAuto news SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.mellor.net A PRIL 16, 2008 Page 22 Fiat, Citroen van attack Value-packed mid-size Scudo and Dispatch vans arrive Down Under By TERRY MARTIN THE distributor of Citroen and Fiat vehicles in Australia, Ateco Automotive, has made a signifi cant move in the lucrative medium-sized van market with the introduction of two new related light commercials for the French and Italian brands. The product of a wide-ranging joint-venture program between Fiat and the PSA Peugeot- Citroen Group, the French-built Citroen Dispatch and Fiat Scudo are mechanical twins but have minor differences in frontend design and, for Australia, some unique specifi cation details in order to minimise sales cannibalisation. The Peugeot version, the Expert, is under consideration for sale in Australia but would be imported and sold through a separate distributor and retail network. The Fiat-PSA collaboration will also see the emergence of at least two new Turkish-built ultra-compact vans, including the Fiat Fiorino and Citroen Nemo, both of which are now expected early in 2009. A third version, the Peugeot Bipper, remains under consideration by Peugeot Automobiles Australia. Known as the Jumpy in non-English-speaking countries, the Citroen Dispatch is positioned as a larger alternative to the Berlingo compact van, and, in an effort to minimise the transition from the compact to medium segment, is offered in Scudo both short- (3000mm) and long-wheelbase (3122mm) confi gurations. For the Scudo, Ateco has overlooked shortwheelbase variants and will stick with the longer version for the time being, which still enables it to stand as a smaller alternative to Fiat’s well-established Ducato range. Pricing starts from $34,990 for the SWB Dispatch, while the LWB version and the Scudo both kick off from $36,990 – a similar mark to the Hyundai iLoad (diesel) van range launched last month, which, like the Fiat and Citroen twins, will compete with a large number of entrenched European and Japanese competitors. Both the Dispatch and Scudo use a PSAderived 2.0-litre common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 88kW of power at 4000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 2000rpm. (A 100kW/320Nm version will be available on the long-wheelbase Dispatch in the coming months, with a higher-output Scudo still to be announced.) Frugal on fuel consumption and compliant with the Euro IV emissions standard, the engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The Dispatch takes an unimpressive 15.4 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h – the Scudo manages it in 12.8 seconds – while fuel consumption for the Citroen over the combined urban/extra urban theoretical benchmark is listed at 7.2L/100km. No fi gures on the latter have been released for the Scudo. Chassis hard points include MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam confi guration at the rear. Self-levelling pneumatic rear suspension with a deck-lowering feature is also available on both van ranges. The steering is a rack-and-pinion system with electro-hydraulic power assistance, enabling a turning circle of 12.2m on the SWB Citroen and 12.6m on LWB models across both brands. Disc brakes are used at either end of the vehicle, with 304mm diameter ventilated discs up front and 290mm solid rotors at the rear. ABS electronics (with electronic brake-force distribution) are also standard across both ranges. All models have 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60-section tyres. The tape measure shows the SWB van runs to 4805mm in overall length, 1942mm in height (or 1894mm with air suspension) and 1895mm in width. All models are designated low roof, meaning the height and width remain the same on LWB versions but the length extends to 5135mm. The payload is 988kg on the SWB Dispatch and 1188mm on the LWB version. Gross vehicle weight is 2702kg on the SWB, 2932kg for LWB, and the maximum braked towing capacity is 2000kg for all variants. FULL STORY: CLICK HERE Clearly see your market opportunity ERG International has extensive experience in collating complex business data into valuable and concise reports Customer Satisfaction Surveys - See inside the buyer’s mind Geographical Mapping Service - Visualise your market Call now on 03 9093 8766 or email sales@erginternational.com.au. www.erginternational.com.au Dispatch
John Mellor's GoAuto By DAVID HASSALL A WORLD plastics expert believes that Australian car-makers and parts manufacturers will need to embrace new technology in order to meet future fuel consumption and design requirements. Sabic Innovative Plastics, a Saudi Arabian company that last year took over GE Plastics, has developed a lightweight alternative to automotive glass as well as a plastic material that recycles plastic bottles but does not possess the reduced properties of regular recycled plastic. Sabic’s global technical manager for body panels and glazing Frank Mooijman has told GoAuto that these new developments would revolutionise the design and production of headlights, front fenders, rear quarter windows, tailgates and panoramic roofs in particular. A Dutch-based engineer, Mr Mooijman also previewed a new style of steering wheel made entirely without metal that could be moulded into any shape a designer desired. He expects such injection-moulded steering wheels will be in production within two years. Visiting Australia earlier this month, Mr Mooijman demonstrated Sabic’s latest developments to OEMs and suppliers, underscoring the benefits of plastic in terms of design flexibility and reduced weight. Half a century ago, GE invented Lexan, a bulletproof polycarbonate material that protects the eyes of racing drivers and motorcyclists around the world, and one of Sabic’s new products is Lexan glazing that Mr Mooijman said has “stormed the market”. Lexan glazing is half the weight of glass and, although also twice as expensive, would Green Green issues in the auto world SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.mellor.net Green A p r i l 16, 2008 Page 23 Custom Fleet Part of GE Commercial Finance GoAuto Green is brought to you by Custom Fleet Plastic fantastic New materials and technology are changing the automotive industry Custom Fleet Part of GE Commercial Finance save up to 5kg for a Holden Commodore rear window. In the case of a panoramic roof on an SUV or people-mover, as on the latest Europeanmarket Opel Zafira, the weight reduces from about 40kg to 20kg and greatly lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity. “I think fuel consumption pressure will come here (to Australia), and if that starts to become a pressure, then look at all the parts that can save you weight,” said Mr Mooijman. “Really, everyone should be looking at glazing. With the current technology, it’s a no-brainer. You should look at opportunities there to take your weight out.” Sabic has developed defroster technology to enable Lexan glazing to be used for rear windows, but it remains too flexible to be used on wind-up side windows and is not legally permitted for windscreens, which must be made of glass. However, Sabic hopes that legislation will change in the future and in the meantime is working on new hard-coating so that plastic windscreens of the future will be sufficiently “We listen to your needs. Then we create tailor-made solutions.” To find out more, call Custom Fleet, the fleet management experts on 1800 812 681. Opel Zafira uses lightweight Lexan material (left) in its modular roof scratch-resistant to wipers. Lexan rear glass is being used on four production models globally, including the innovative wraparound “extra window” that brings a unique styling element to the tail of the British-built Honda Civic hatchback, as seen on the local-market Civic Type R. The same material enabled Volkswagenowned Seat to make its five-door Leon hatchback look like a two-door coupe by having a non-glass rear quarter window with a built-in recessed hand-grip that provides access to the hidden door handles, so the rear doors do not have obtrusive handles. The complex shape exceeded the limitations of glass. “This is really new,” said Mr Mooijman. “Trains and trucks are a little further ahead because the requirements are different to automotive, where scratch resistance is really important. So there are only four (cars) on the market, but many more to come. “Traditionally, our contact is with engineers, but we do more and more with stylists because they drive new developments in the automotive industry. Continued next page
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