feeds from automotiveradiator.com.au http://automotiveradiator.com.au/rss/ en-au http://automotiveradiator.com.au/rss/ http://automotiveradiator.com.au/static/campfire/layouts/images/omg-logo-small.png http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2008/10/25/mercedes-model-makeover/ Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST news You can bet your bottom dollar that while updates to Mercedes-Benz models will be discreet, says BRENT DAVISON after sampling some of the '09 crop, the overall differences will be palpable.Think of it as giving the automotive alphabet soup a stir. Mercedes-Benz takes its A, B and M models, gives them a cosmetic and equipment rework, throws in a small capacity diesel for the little A-Class and has a trio ready to hit the market as 2009 models.The big news for the A-Class is, of ...

You can bet your bottom dollar that while updates to Mercedes-Benz models will be discreet, says BRENT DAVISON after sampling some of the '09 crop, the overall differences will be palpable. Think of it as giving the automotive alphabet soup a stir.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2007/9/29/caught-in-spiders-web/ Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST news ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 2.2 JTSIts styling is stunning, its engine willing and its animal magnetism undeniable but why, asks BRENT DAVISON, does Alfa Romeo's all-new Spider have such a flexible chassis?When it comes to automotive styling no-one is going to give the Italians the flick. Pininfarina, Michelotti, Bertone and co can make even the most modest of city commuter cars look all silk scarf and sunglasses and when they are given free rein with their pencils at the more upmarket s ...

ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 2.2 JTS Its styling is stunning, its engine willing and its animal magnetism undeniable but why, asks BRENT DAVISON, does Alfa Romeo's all-new Spider have such a flexible chassis? When it comes to automotive styling no-one is going to give the Italians the flick.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2006/2/25/small-car-big-city/ Sat, 25 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST news PRELOVED wheels DAEWOO MATIZ, 1999-2001IN OUR big, wide world of automotive horse trading one of the ongoing questions is whether to buy new or second-hand.Do buyers opt for a $15,000 used car with plenty of equipment but a largely unknown history or do they choose a smaller, possibly lesser-equipped new car with a full warranty and zero kilometres on the clock?Back in the late 1990s two car makers, Daihatsu and Daewoo, stoked the flames of that particular fire by releasin ...

IN OUR big, wide world of automotive horse trading one of the ongoing questions is whether to buy new or second-hand.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2006/1/28/one-for-the-road/ Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST news Delhi was the setting for an automotive affair to remember for Hamish McDonald.This is the story of an infatuation in India. Like a lot of Indian love stories, it involves a certain amount of heat and dust. She was French and I found her slumped under a tree at the back of Khan Market in New Delhi. She'd stayed on too long. Now she was years, even decades, past her best, though the quirkily elegant bodywork showed through. There was no way she could make it back home.The question wa ...

Delhi was the setting for an automotive affair to remember for Hamish McDonald.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2006/1/21/please-consider-a-new-hero/ Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST news YOU all know the story: Mitsubishi's Magna was well past its use-by date and the company desperately needed a saviour, a hero car to galvanise buyer interest and push it back to its rightful position on the national sales charts (fourth spot behind Ford, not fifth and almost 5000 units behind Mazda in total 2005 sales).The three diamonds needed an ace and that ace was 380, Magna replacement and all-new Aussie big car launched publicly to great fanfare late last year and starting its wo ...

Brent Davison drives Australia's latest automotive superhero with a company to save, the red-caped and lycra-clad Mitsubishi 380.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2005/8/6/fiat-has-a-punt-at-relaunching-brand/ Sat, 06 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EST news ? It may have escaped your attention but Australian Fiat importer Ateco Automotive has been discussing the rebirth of the brand here for, well, let's just say "a very long time" now.The commercial side of the operation is doing quite well with a solid range of Ducato low and high-roof vans and cab-chassis trucks, but the reintroduction of a passenger car line has had more false starts than the Adelaide to Darwin rail link.That could change next year though, according to Ateco, and w ...

? It may have escaped your attention but Australian Fiat importer Ateco Automotive has been discussing the rebirth of the brand here for, well, let's just say "a very long time" now.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2004/2/1/get-yourself-some-air/ Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 EST news This year's fashion will be to go topless in the automotive sense, that is. Bob Jennings reports on the magnificent seven convertibles that are on their way here. WITH record numbers of cars being sold in Australia, many buyers are striving more and more for individuality. Over the years one of the ways to do this has been to travel in a convertible. A convertible gives the impression the occupant is somehow more liberated, more carefree and more fun-loving than those enclosed in t ...

This year's fashion will be to go topless in the automotive sense, that is. Bob Jennings reports on the magnificent seven convertibles that are on their way here.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2000/7/28/ss2200-may-the-phwoars-be-with-you/ Fri, 28 Jul 2000 00:00:00 EST news Honda's backroom boys tinker with Formula One engines by day - and turn out Star Wars fantasies like the Speed Star by night. Peter Lyon reports. A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, an R&D team had a dream: to surge beyond the bounds of current automotive design and devise a vehicle that would give the likes of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon a real run for its money. The Speed Star 2200, or SS2200, is just such a car, and comes from one of Japan's top performance t ...

Honda's backroom boys tinker with Formula One engines by day - and turn out Star Wars fantasies like the Speed Star by night. Peter Lyon reports. A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, an R&D team had a dream: to surge beyond the bounds of current automotive design and devise a vehicle tha

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/2000/5/6/limited-run-for-new-olympic-ute/ Sat, 06 May 2000 00:00:00 EST news AS THE excitement of the Olympic build-up continues, Holden has launched a number of special edition models, the latest being a value-packed ute with a performance flavour suited to the world's most prestigious sporting event. Holden is, of course, the official automotive partner for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and will supply vehicles, including numerous utes, for the occasion. Only 1100 of the special-build utilities are on offer and they carry up to $4500 worth of extra eq ...

AS THE excitement of the Olympic build-up continues, Holden has launched a number of special edition models, the latest being a value-packed ute with a performance flavour suited to the world's most prestigious sporting event. Holden is, of course, the official automotive partner for the Sydney

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1999/12/27/motor-industry-retailers-feel-the-brakes-are-coming-on/ Mon, 27 Dec 1999 00:00:00 EST news Business operators in the Victorian retail automotive industry are gloomy about the economic outlook for the next year, according to a new survey. With the election of a new State Government in September, expectations have declined for the performance of the Victorian economy in general, and the retail automotive industry in particular, over the next 12 months. The impending GST and a drought in country Victoria have contributed to the poor expectations. However, the ind ...

Business operators in the Victorian retail automotive industry are gloomy about the economic outlook for the next year, according to a new survey. With the election of a new State Government in September, expectations have declined for the performance of the Victorian economy in general, and the

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1999/5/22/stylish-beast/ Sat, 22 May 1999 00:00:00 EST news WHEN Mercedes-Benz builds a car, the automotive world sits up and takes notice. The reason is simple: for decades products from the German car maker have been industry benchmarks. That might not quite be the case now, of course, because rivals BMW and Lexus (and to a lesser degree Jaguar) have established their own technological boundaries but a new Benz is still a new Benz and people take notice. With that in mind we spent a few days with what is essentially the middle-of-the- ...

WHEN Mercedes-Benz builds a car, the automotive world sits up and takes notice. The reason is simple: for decades products from the German car maker have been industry benchmarks. That might not quite be the case now, of course, because rivals BMW and Lexus (and to a lesser degree Jaguar) have e

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1999/1/16/perry-out-in-force/ Sat, 16 Jan 1999 00:00:00 EST news BROADMEADOW trainer Paul Perry has a strong hand in the eight-event card at his home track this afternoon. Perry has six runners at the meeting and the majority have strong claims. The best looks to be King Artaius in the Nelson Bay Radiator and Automotive Services/Granny Mays Garden City Plate (1600m). He turned in a good effort when Lord Of Mont Vue beat him into second place by only a neck at Broadmeadow last Saturday. `He probably should have won last start and ...

BROADMEADOW trainer Paul Perry has a strong hand in the eight-event card at his home track this afternoon. Perry has six runners at the meeting and the majority have strong claims. The best looks to be King Artaius in the Nelson Bay Radiator and Automotive Services/Granny Mays Garden City Plat

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1998/6/30/austrim-gets-stronger/ Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:00:00 EST news The ever-acquisitive Mr Alan Jackson has added another unit to his stable of automotive-related businesses at Austrim with the purchase of Air Radiators. Austrim's recently acquired National Consolidated division has acquired all issued shares in Air Radiators for $7.3 million. The move further consolidates Austrim's position as a significant and growing supplier to Australia's $13.6 billion automotive industry. Air Radiators makes and distributes industrial radiators, ...

The ever-acquisitive Mr Alan Jackson has added another unit to his stable of automotive-related businesses at Austrim with the purchase of Air Radiators. Austrim's recently acquired National Consolidated division has acquired all issued shares in Air Radiators for $7.3 million. The move furth

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1997/5/28/for-excitement-hillman-was-unstoppable/ Wed, 28 May 1997 00:00:00 EST news OUR Engineering Hall of Folly continues to grow as response readers dig deep and just keep on giving. Have you ever owned a car that was so fiendishly put together it refused to be worked on? Do crazy examples of automotive design remain to haunt you? If so, we want to hear about them and, judging by the response we've had, so do Auto Age readers. Don't hold back, share your grief. From Peter Freeland, South Yarra: My first car surely combined all that was amazing, uncertain and entert ...

OUR Engineering Hall of Folly continues to grow as response readers dig deep and just keep on giving. Have you ever owned a car that was so fiendishly put together it refused to be worked on? Do crazy examples of automotive design remain to haunt you? If so, we want to hear about them and, judging b

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1996/11/14/big-bentley-packs-a-performance-punch/ Thu, 14 Nov 1996 00:00:00 EST news Rolls-Royces and their Bentley cousins may no longer be the undisputed champions of the automotive world but, writes FREDDIE CHEAH , there's still something awe-inspiring about the way they do the things they do. ROLLS-ROYCE. The name alone brings up the image of excellence, an image of the best. Just think of the many times you've heard the expression: "That's the Rolls-Royce of such and such industry." Over the years, the image has grown to the extent that Rollers ar ...

Rolls-Royces and their Bentley cousins may no longer be the undisputed champions of the automotive world but, writes FREDDIE CHEAH , there's still something awe-inspiring about the way they do the things they do. ROLLS-ROYCE. The name alone brings up the image of excellence, an image of the best.

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1996/1/19/a-chance-to-learn-skills/ Fri, 19 Jan 1996 00:00:00 EST news FOR YOUNG people without specific skills who are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job, automotive traineeships offer valuable training and experience. These packages of industry-specific entry level vocational training generally lasts 12 months. They should not be confused with apprenticeships, which are trade-based, although time spent in a traineeship can be worth partial credit towards an apprenticeship. During their period of on- and off-the-job training, trainees ...

FOR YOUNG people without specific skills who are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job, automotive traineeships offer valuable training and experience. These packages of industry-specific entry level vocational training generally lasts 12 months. They should not be confused with apprent

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1995/8/10/new-gun-in-war-on-smog/ Thu, 10 Aug 1995 00:00:00 EST news SOME of the developments in the battle to reduce the motor vehicle's effects on the environment are driving us into the realm of science fiction. As reported in the US publication Automotive Cooling Journal (June, 1995), it is even possible that radiator repair businesses will soon be making a major contribution to reducing air pollution. They will do this by applying a catalytic coating to the exterior of a vehicle's radiator and air-conditioning condenser that will reduce gro ...

SOME of the developments in the battle to reduce the motor vehicle's effects on the environment are driving us into the realm of science fiction. As reported in the US publication Automotive Cooling Journal (June, 1995), it is even possible that radiator repair businesses will soon be making a m

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1994/5/6/robbed-of-the-targa-by-a-stone/ Fri, 06 May 1994 00:00:00 EST news CRUEL luck robbed Neal Bates and Coral Taylor of victory in the third annual Targa Tasmania which ended after 2,000 km of unpredictability last Sunday. A stone from a slower car zinged through the radiator of the Bates/Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four just three special stages from the finish of the five-day grind. Bates and Taylor were deeply disappointed. Targa first-timers both, the Australian rally champions had controlled the event right from the start, and were headi ...

CRUEL luck robbed Neal Bates and Coral Taylor of victory in the third annual Targa Tasmania which ended after 2,000 km of unpredictability last Sunday. A stone from a slower car zinged through the radiator of the Bates/Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four just three special stages from the finish

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1994/2/11/the-traineeship-alternative/ Fri, 11 Feb 1994 00:00:00 EST news THE automotive industry is a major employer of young people, many of whom begin their careers as apprentices. Less well known is an alternative to apprenticeships that still enables 15-to 19-year-olds to enter the automotive industry and receive the high-quality training that will prepare them for a rewarding career. Twelve-month traineeships have been designed for those areas of the automotive industry that cannot offer apprenticeships yet can offer specific training ...

THE automotive industry is a major employer of young people, many of whom begin their careers as apprentices. Less well known is an alternative to apprenticeships that still enables 15-to 19-year-olds to enter the automotive industry and receive the high-quality training that will prepare

http://www.automotiveradiator.com.au/automotive-radiator-articles/1993/3/25/futuris-china-move/ Thu, 25 Mar 1993 00:00:00 EST news Futuris China move The manufacturing conglomerate Futuris Corporation announced yesterday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Air International Pty Ltd, had entered a deal to establish a automotive heating and air-conditioning manufacturing joint venture in China. The joint venture with China's Radiator Corporation will supply components and services to the First Automobile Works-Volkswagen joint venture recently established in Changchun, China, which will produce Volkswagens and Audis. Chines ...

Futuris China move The manufacturing conglomerate Futuris Corporation announced yesterday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Air International Pty Ltd, had entered a deal to establish a automotive heating and air-conditioning manufacturing joint venture in China. The joint venture with China's Radia