Scary Maze Game

scary games

 Scary Maze Game

Description Game:

Guide the dot through the maze without hitting the walls. It starts to get weird around the fourth level. Also known as the Exorcist Maze.

How to play Game:

Defend your Kingdom tower defense

tower defense games

 Defend your Kingdom tower defense

Description Game:

Defend your kingdom against creeps
(Visited 12 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Brainz

scary maze game

  Brainz

Description Game:

Swarming Zombies looking for brains? Kill zombies, buy bigger guns, kill more zombies! Try to survive my friends

How to play Game:

Get Off My Lawn

Kizi

 Get Off My Lawn

Game description: My lawn may be small, but I will defend it to the death! My mower starts with deadly steel blades. And every upgrade makes me stronger! Keep creeps at bay while you nourish your green patch.  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Blast Billiards 2008

free pool games

 Blast Billiards 2008

Description Game:

Shoot all the pool balls into the pockets before time runs out. Complete to reach the next level.
(Visited 16 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Mouse

Hitstick 5

gun games

 Hitstick 5

Description Game:

The excellent shooter game is back! Hitstick 5 lets you be the assassin. Choose to complete your objectives in stealth mode, using disguises and various weapons.
(Visited 11 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Aim and shoot with the mouse. Reload with spacebar.

Bomb Head Motocross

dirt bike game

 Bomb Head Motocross

Description Game:

Take your motocross bike all over the world! Show your skills by performing stunts and collecting as many stars as you can.

How to play Game:

Use the arrow keys to controll the bike. For more points you must collect as many stars you can, finish as fast as you can or make stunts.

Drifting Championships

disney games

 Drifting Championships

Description Game:

How hard can you push the turns? Test your skills on the word drifting championships track.
(Visited 17 times, 2 visits today)

How to play Game:

Naruto Wheels

happy wheels 2

 Naruto Wheels

Description Game:

Help Naruto to deliver Ramen for as fast as you can.

How to play Game:

Arrow Keys - Drive. A - Deliver.

Guess the Symbols

cool math 4 kids

 Guess the Symbols

Description Game:

Hi kids! Look at the given answer and other numbers in the question and guess the correct mathematical symbol to earn points.
(Visited 14 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

This game is played by mouse only.

Meet The Spy

fighting games

 Meet The Spy

Description Game:

This time the Spy will tell us what motivates him the most while fighting against the evil BLU’s.

How to play Game:

Night Sky Defender

batman games

•  Night Sky Defender

  Description Game:

  Batman has an urgent mission to accomplish but his Batmobile has been destroyed. The only way is to use the Bat wings. Help Batman to cross the town and avoid Penguin, building, controlfrezze, bombs, TNT. Collect on your way power up, they will give energy to your Bat wings.
  (Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)

  How to play Game:

  use arrow key to move batman.

Olympic Basketball

basketball games

 Olympic Basketball

Description Game:

Do you like playing basketball? What about a virtual Olympic basketball competition? Then this game is for you and you will have so much fun playing it. Choose the player you want to be then start shooting to the basket to get the highest score ever! Remember you are an Olympic player so you’ll have to do great! Try to find the right position of the basketball to be able to score. You have only three mistakes allowed and the time is limited too so do your best and Good Luck!
(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Use Space bar to play the game.

Megaman vs Metroid

Game Info - Another version of megaman game. Fight the enemies in this sidescrolling classic game.
Game controls - Left / Right Arrow Keys - Move.
Z - Jump.
X - Shoot.

Fairy 25

Game Info - What's not to love about fairies? They have the magic power that we dream for, the looks we envy and the wings that are not only accessories. So bring on the magic power and give this fairy the look she deserves.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Tomorrow - When The War Began

Game Info - Shoot all the incoming enemies from your gun tower. Upgrade weapons and defenses to stay safe.
Game controls - Use mouse to aim and shoot.
Space bar to reload.
G to throw grenade.
1-6 to switch guns.

Happy Tree Friends Valentine Smoochie

Game Info - 3 Valentine animations involving cartoon death.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Karma Tree

Game Info - Play with your mouse and get amazed at random events that you will see.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Mini Naruto Dress Up

Game Info - A mini naruto flash game where the model girls are hinata, temari and sakura. All the dressing stuffs are so cool and real as in the naruto anime. Try out this naruto dress game!
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Kit and Ellis

Game Info - Drag element from assembly belt line to game field.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Roiworld Rockstar Dressup

Game Info - Dress her up so she looks like a real rockstar!
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Wide Leather Fashion

Game Info - Try different kinds of leather boots, pants, and jackets.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Box10 BMX

Game Info - Pull off some awesome stunts to earn points and unlock new levels!
Game controls - Up Arrow Key - Accelerate.
Left / Right Arrow Keys - Lean.
Down Arrow Key - Brake.
Spacebar - Jump.
CTRL - Turn.
0-9 - Pull Tricks.

Jimmy and Timmy Power Hour 2: Co-Pilot Chaos

Game Info - First choose the game's difficulty level. Secondly, choose between Jimmy and Timmy, one pilots the rocket the other fires weapons from th back seat. Eliminate enemies to earn big stars and neutrons.
Game controls - Arrow Keys - Move.
B - Fire Punch Device.
Spacebar - Drop some heavy junk.

Kisses For Toto

Game Info - Help these adorable pooches pucker up for some secret kissing! Don't let their owners catch them though or its game over!
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Drawn Together: Soak It!

Game Info - Eliminate the other housemates in a no-holds barred watergun fight with this first-person shooter.
Game controls - Use mouse to aim and shoot.

Dancing Madeline Dress Up

Game Info - Get Madeline dolled up in some dancing gear!
Game controls - Use Mouse to interact.

Spider Man 3 - The Battle Within

Game Info - Spider Man 3!
Game controls - Follow the in-screen instructions

Kmillion

Game Info - A chameleon shows its true colors when its under attack!
Game controls - Left/Right arrow key - Move.
A - Shoot.
S - Use Slot Machine.

Shoot enemies of the same color to earn combo points. Collect the gems they drop to fill your slot machine meter.
Match 3 symbols on the slot machine to win a special attack.

Hint: Don't let the bugs reach you, and avoid the webs!

Burger Restaurant 2

Game Info - Return to Burger Restaurant! Go global, this time with 3 new restaurants, new clients, and new meals!
Game controls - Use mouse to:
- Click on the machines and ingredients to prepare people? orders.
- Serve the customers before they get upset to receive money.
- Meet the daily targets to complete a level.
- Made a mistake? Click on the trash can to throw an item away.
- Set an order aside on the silver plates to start working on another order.

Scooby Doo - Creepy Cave-In

Game Info - Keep your coolness until the end of the episode and collect inventory items to help you overcome obstacles. Guide Shaggy and Scooby through a series of interactive action and logic based puzzles. Good luck!
Game controls - Arrow Keys - Walk.
Spacebar - Action.
T - Exchange selected item.

Image Disorder Jonas Brothers

Game Info - Re-order the images of the fanous brothers.
Game controls - Use ouse to interactc

Selena Gomez

Game Info - Dress up and put make up on Selena Gomez. Here at Wambie we think she's got a great future ahead of her.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Call Of Atlantis

Game Info - Set out on an exciting new quest around the ancient lands of the Mediterranean in this unique mix of Match-3, Hidden Object and Adventure genres. Collect seven mysterious crystals of power to appease Poseidon and save the legendary continent!
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Rollercoaster Rush

Game Info - 15 levels of controlling a rollercoaster. Don't go to fast or they fly off the track!
Game controls - Right Arrow Key - Speed Up.
Left Arrow Key - Brake.

Strategy Defense 2

Game Info - A cowardice attack has been carried out on your kingdom. Buildings are destroyed and a council member has been kidnapped.

This event has seriously pissed everybody off throughout the kingdom, but especially the king. Retaliation is inevitable, so the king has ordered some of his best forces, that includes you, to confront the enemy and rescue the hostage. Show no mercy!
Game controls - This is a turn based strategy game.
You control the main hero, but are able to give indirect commands to allied troops.

Left click the hero or an allied unit to open the options for the turn.
Give allied units their orders before your unit, or they will continue in default mode.

Destroy the enemy in as few turns as you can.
Spend the money you earn on new stuff from the shop.

Assault Part 4

Game Info - Jump in the submarine and take off escape from enemy hands before they destroy you.
Game controls - Use Mouse to interact.

Ashtons Family Resort

Game Info - Run your own holiday park and give your visitors a relaxed and well deserved vacation!
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Sort My Tiles Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Game description: Sort our heroes in the fairy tale.  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Sew Pucca

Game description: Sew a Pucca design, who may just be the funniest character on the Internet. She always has a little smile on her face!  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes

Game description: Follow Sherlock further into his investigation of Dr. Carstairs and the mummy Anan-thotep. Search the location for the items listed on the left, clicking on any you find. Click on the magnifying glass for a closer look, and on the pipe for a hint. You have 7 minutes.  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

US Traffic

Game description: More vehicles means more traffic risks. This funny traffic game will put this trusty job into your hand. All you have to do is control the US Traffic, but remember, drivers can be very impatient!. Game controls: Click on the vehicle to move fast and click again to stop.

Touchdown: American Football

Game description: You'll need some serious skills (or a miracle) to score the winning touchdown! Make it to the end zone before the opposing team takes you down!  
Game controls: Arrow keys - Move. Ctrl + Right arrow key - Jump. Space bar + Right arrow key - Tackle.

Stawberry Hide N Seek

Game description: The Stawberry Shortcake and her friends are playing Hide-N-seek. Can you find them all?  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Nice Korean Couple

Game description: A couple want to wear their clothes, can you help them to choose?.
 Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Lovele: Blouse Style

Game description: Try the latest blouses of the 2008.
 Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

School Bag Dressup

Game description: Dress her up in a student uniform with a lovely bag before she go to school.
 Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Scooby Doo Ghost in the Cellar

Game description: Scooby and Shaggy are hiding in the cellar. Dress them up to blend in when the ghost comes by.
Game controls: Use Mouse to interact. 

Birthday Cake Decor

Game description: Decor the cake for your birthday party. Make your wish design. Decor and enjoy!
Game controls: Mouse click 

123Go Motorcycle Racing

Game description: Race with other motorcycle in this cool motorcycle racing tournament.
Game controls: Use Arrow keys to steer your motorcycle. 

Sisi's Great Escape

Game description: Sisi invites you to a fun colorful maze that you have to escape from.  So try out the three tangled levels, collect the precious gems and find the key to Sisi's escape!
Game controls: Arrow Keys to move Sisi. 

Car Parking 2050

Game description: Travel in future and park your super futuristic car in different places without crashing! To pass the level and unlock the next one, you must park perfectly before you run out of time! So, drive the car correctly, show your parking skills and be aware, time is precious!
Game controls: Use the arrow keys to control the car and space for brake. 

New baby Holden SUV emerges

Holden could make Trax in Australia with Chevrolet’s all-new compact SUV
discount new cars games  » Get the best price on a new Holden

Chevrolet has revealed its iteration of General Motors’ all-new global compact SUV, which was previewed previously by the Buick Encore and Opel Mokka concepts, providing the best look yet at the version Holden is expected to release wearing Lion badges in Australia.

Now confirmed to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September before going on sale across Europe in the first half of next year, the Chevrolet Trax is essentially a revised version of the Encore that debuted at this year’s Detroit show and the Mokka that made its global debut at Geneva in March.

Opel will be launched as a separate sister brand to Holden in Australia in August and Opel Australia has all but confirmed the Mokka is odds-on to join the local Opel line-up here by the end of next year.

The Trax will debut in Paris alongside Opel’s all-new premium city-car, the Adam, which is also expected to eventually join this year’s Opel launch range comprising the Corsa, Astra and Insignia.

Similarly, Holden said the Encore was under consideration for Australian release when it was revealed in January, and has now reiterated its enthusiasm for the all-new city-crossover following the reveal of the Chevrolet version, which GM has now announced will be sold in more than 140 countries.

Revealed in a single image overnight, the Trax is essentially a rebadged version of the Encore and Mokka, featuring new headlights and a different front bumper punctuated by a Chevrolet grille and bow-tie logo.

GM Holden spokesperson Kate Lonsdale would not be drawn on which version Holden would potentially release here, but the Chevrolet version is more likely than the Buick – an upmarket US brand that is also GM’s biggest brand in China – given Chevrolet’s similar brand position to Holden.

“We’ve got no comment to make on Trax at the moment, but it’s something we’ll consider very carefully,” she said, adding that Holden’s next new SUV would be the seven-seat Colorado 7 wagon due on sale here early next year. The latter is based on Holden’s all-new Colorado ute, which is due in showrooms next month.

“It’s a pretty exciting product and it’s part of a growing market segment, but we’re really focussing on the Captiva5 and Captiva7, and the upcoming Colorado7.”

Chevrolet said the five-seat Trax will go on sale following the release of the mid-size Malibu sedan and five-door Cruze wagon, both of which are also due in Holden showrooms within 12 months.

“Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers require,” said Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe.

Chevrolet has released no new details, but said the Trax would offer class-leading cargo space, room for five adults and an interior “executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles”.

If the Mokka is any guide, the Trax will also boast up to 1372 litres of loading space, and up to 19 storage locations. Also available will be Opel's integrated rear Flex-Fix bicycle carrier Flex-Fix, which can accommodate up to three bicycles.

Like the Encore and Mokka, the Trax is based on the same new compact platform that underpins Holden’s new Barina and should therefore be offered with the same engine line-up, including 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel engines matched with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. All manual versions of the Mokka will be equipped with a fuel-saving idle-stop system.

Like the circa-$25,000 models with which it will compete – including the Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Dualis and Skoda Yeti, the Trax should become available in both price-leading front-wheel drive and more expensive all-wheel drive configurations.

If sold here, the Trax would also compete with Ford’s upcoming EcoSport sub-compact crossover, which is due here in the second half of next year and will also undercut traditional compact SUV top-sellers like the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester in terms of both size and price.

The Mokka, meantime, would be priced and equipped to compete with high-end versions of existing compact SUV models including Volkswagen’s Tiguan and perhaps premium small crossovers like BMW’s X1 and the Audi Q3.

As we’ve reported, the Mokka will be available – at least in Europe – with a range of top-shelf technologies, some of which may also filter across to its Holden, Chevrolet and Buick siblings.

They include driver assistance systems based on the Opel Eye front camera system, in which the driver can access several functions including Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Traffic Sign Recognition, plus Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) – a bi-Xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA).

The 4.28-metre Mokka will come with electronic stability and traction control, as well as Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The new Trax is not to be confused with the last Chevrolet that emerged with the same name – the Barina Spark-previewing Trax concept that debuted at the 2007 New York show.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Nissan begins Almera countdown

Sedan sibling for Nissan’s Micra touches down as Nissan Australia prepares for Almera release

Nissan has commenced the countdown to the Australian release of its all-new Almera city sedan in August by staging a media preview of the Micra-based four-door today in Sydney.

No new information was revealed for the Almera , which made its global debut at the China International Automobile Exhibition in 2010 and will be the second of eight new or additional Nissan models to arrive Down Under within the next two years.

However, new Nissan Australia CEO Bill Peffer told motoring.com.au prior to the Sydney reveal that the Almera would play a small but significant role in the brand’s model portfolio, as the first of three new sedan offerings to be launched here by the end of next year.

Mr Peffer said the Almera sedan will be a key new model in Australia’s relatively small light-sized sedan segment, which accounts for only around 10 per cent of the total light-car games market.

“We’ll get out fair share – it will be double-digit (percentage) figures,” he said. “We haven’t played in that segment before, so it’s a big opportunity for Nissan. Almera will be a good complement to Micra.”

Last year Nissan sold more than 9500 Micras (up 14 per cent on 2010 figures) for a 7.3 per cent share of the light segment, making it Australia’s sixth best selling light-car behind the Mazda2 (13.5 per cent), Toyota Yaris (12.5 per cent), Suzuki Swift and Ford Fiesta (both 9.5 per cent) and Hyundai’s now-discontinued Getz (8.8 per cent).

The Almera will join only a handful of other sedans in the light segment, including the Yaris, Barina, Fiesta, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Proton S16.

Mr Peffer described the Almera’s arrival as the beginning of a “sedan renaissance” for Nissan, which will release two further four-door models next year - the small Pulsar (sedan and hatch) to replace the slow-selling Tiida in January and the large sedan-only Altima to succeed the Maxima.

“Almera won’t be our biggest selling sedan. By the end of next year Nissan will have three bona-fide new sedan offerings in the B, C and D segments,” he said.

The Almera is known as the Sunny in some markets and the Versa in North America. Confusingly, Almera was also the European export-market name applied to the previous Pulsar, which was replaced by the Tiida here in 2006.

Nissan says value for money, attractive exterior design and exceptional interior space will be key features of its all-new entry-level sedan, which will be produced in Thailand.

To be preceded by the Australian launch of the all-electric LEAF hatch in June, the Almera will play a key role in Nissan’s ambition to replace Mazda as Australia’s top-selling full-line importer.

“With Pulsar sedan and hatch and the all-new Altima set to reach Australia in 2013, Nissan is strengthening its passenger car range as we seek to reach our target of becoming the number one importer in the Australian car market,” said Mr Peffer, who replaced Dan Thompson as Nissan Australia CEO on April 1.

The Almera’s August release will be followed by the launch of the redesigned Patrol SUV in December, the Pulsar in January and the Altima in late 2013. Apart from introducing its Infiniti premium brand here in August, by the end of next year Nissan will also launch replacements for its volume-selling X-TRAIL compact SUV, Pathfinder medium SUV and Navara ute models.

The Almera is based on the new ‘V’ (for versatile) global front-drive compact platform developed by Nissan and its industrial ally Renault. The first V model to appear was the fourth-generation ‘K13’ Micra launched here in December last year.

Nissan is yet to announce Almera pricing, which may or may not represent a premium over the five-door Micra, but it is likely the sedan will be positioned as a more upmarket four-door alternative to the Micra by offering more standard equipment.

While the Almera’s interior resembles that of the Micra’s, it comes wrapped in a much larger and more conservative body design.

Overseas versions of the Almera, which rides on a 2535mm wheelbase, measure 4495mm long, 1695mm wide and 1445mm high. The Micra, meantime, rides on a shorter 2435mm wheelbase and measures 3780mm long, 1665mm wide and 1525mm high.

It remains to be seen which engines will be available in Australia’s Almera, but it is unlikely the entry-level Micra’s 1.2-litre mill will be offered in the more upmarket sedan, which should be made available here with either the Micra’s larger 1.5 or the 1.6-litre engine it employs in some overseas markets.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…

New insurer offers fair go for car enthusiasts

Enthusiast Underwriting's Limited Recreation policy gives Sunday drivers a better rate

Owners of 'Sunday cars' rejoice! Australia's newest specialist vehicle insurer, Enthusiast Underwriting, is offering its new Limited Recreation policy for cars games of any age that are driven on a limited basis.

Offering 60 days cover per year, the policy allows club-level premiums for owners of less frequently used vehicles, provided the vehicle is securely stored in a locked garage when it's not being driven.

The policy can save drivers of weekend cars up to 60 per cent on the everyday premium for the same vehicle.

"There are thousands of later-model cars all over Australia that are rarely used but owners are still paying full price for their registration and insurance," explained Enthusiast Underwriting's marketing manager, Cliff Chambers.

"Owners of pre-1980 models can access cheap registration and insurance through 'club' schemes, but there is no relief for those with newer cars

"Someone with a ten year-old performance car might be paying $1000 or more to insure it on full rates, but under a Limited Recreation policy it can be covered for less than half that amount."

Enthusiast also offer great savings of fully-registered older models which receive the added benefit of excess-free glass cover and automatic salvage retention at no extra charge.

Coverage is also offered to modified vehicles and show cars which are often declined by mainstream insurers.

For more details on Enthusiast Underwriting visit  www.enthusiast.com.au

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.

Next Focus gets real

New Focus launch in US to be preceded by real-time interactive rally
discount new cars  » Get the best price on a new Ford

Ford US will display its social media savvy with the launch of the next generation Focus early in 2011.

Hoping to emulate the huge US success of the interactive online pre-launch of the Fiesta model in 2009, the company has teamed up with the Emmy Award-winning creators of The Amazing Race – Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri – to create Focus Rally: America, an event in which six two-person teams swap the driver's seat of a single new Focus charging across the country in five weeks.

While all this is going on, online viewers will be able to not just follow their chosen team, but also help them along the way.

"There are two key elements to this series: first, the interactive element, which is designed to engage viewers throughout the rally and encourage them to participate in the challenges; and second, the real-time twist where consumers have the ability to follow their favourite team in the digital space” says  Elise Doganieri .

Amazing Race co-creator van Munster says "Not only will viewers be able to follow along in real time, but followers will have the ability to impact the outcome of the game."

Followers of the event will be able to keep track in three ways: watching the show as it is streamed on Hulu, becoming fans and followers of the rally teams on Facebook, and actively playing along in challenges to support their favourite team.

Long- and short-form webisodes will stream on Hulu five times a week. Additional content will be generated by participants, giving fans and supporters a glimpse of what is going on behind the scenes in real time across various social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Content also will be posted at www.focusrally.com.

Players will use the car's new technology – such as Ford SYNC®, MyFord Touch™ and the Navigation System – to complete tasks and challenges.

The winning team will walk away with US$100,000 prize money, while 10 new Focuses will go to their supporters.

Naturally, the higher profile of the competitors, the better Ford's chances of maximising exposure. Ford US is in the process of making a nationwide casting call for potential participants.

The base qualifications?

Ford says it is looking for "adventurous, socially connected people - who want to have a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure - people who are highly connected through social media and have a built-in group of fans and supporters. They also need to have a big personality and be entertaining on camera."

Sound like you? Pity it's happening in the USA.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.

Ford feels the difference

Ford's new slogan echoes an earlier one, but in an imperative tense
discount new cars  » Get the best price on a new Ford

Remember 'Have you driven a Ford lately?' Many people do, it seems. It also seems like Ford has been struggling to find a slogan since that can achieve a similar level of recognition and acceptance. Perhaps that slogan is now here...

Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of Asia/Pacific and Africa, introduced the company's new slogan ('Feel the difference') at the media preview for the T6 Ranger earlier this week. While it doesn't sound like an invitation as the earlier slogan was, it's more assertive and arguably more positive too.

With evangelical enthusiasm Hinrichs launched into an explanation that 'Feel the difference' is not just about driving a Ford and establishing that it's competitive or even superior. The new slogan covers the entire gamut of Ford's engagement with customers.

"We are transforming the Ford brand; not just here, not just in the United States, but everywhere," said Hinrichs. "The change is noticeable already. The momentum is growing and there is much more to come.

"In fact, you can 'feel the difference' -- a difference that comes from listening to customers, making them feel truly involved with us and building our business around delivering for them.

"We are approaching the world a bit differently and we believe the customers have the point of view. When you are in a Ford, you are immediately feeling the difference. It's a difference you need to feel for yourself and that is a concept we're using increasingly to communicate to our customers. 'Feel the difference' means Ford stands for something distinctly special; it's for people who don't necessarily follow all the others, who are not afraid to stand out in a crowd, and reject the notion that all products are basically the same.

"'Feel the difference' is not about telling consumers what to believe, instead it's an invitation to be exploratory and open-minded. It leaves the final judgment, the ultimate assessment with the customer. And it speaks volumes about where the Ford brand is going."

Ford Australia president, Marin Burela, informed the Carsales Network during the industry day at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney that the new slogan will be adopted globally and has already been rolled out in Europe. Australia, as part of the Asia/Pacific and Africa region in the Ford world is next and the Americas follow. Burela doesn't accept that the new slogan was influenced by 'Have you driven a Ford lately?', but did explain that Ford Australia's most recent slogan ('Who's most likely?') was developed about two years ago, in the knowledge that 'Feel the Difference' was going to be rolled out across the globe. According to Burela, the Aussie slogan was created in advance as a stop-gap to maximise the effect of the new slogan for when it was launched here.

We'll have to wait for the Gruen Transfer professionals to analyse the new slogan, but it seems like a good move. Can it overcome long-standing marketplace perceptions of the Ford dealership experience however, or the set-in-concrete view that all Fords are taxis?

For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.

New power for your popcorn...

US researchers have presented their first findings on battery packs the size of... a grain of salt

The quest for ever smaller batteries is no news in the auto industry, now that EVs and assorted hybrids loom inevitably on the not-too-distant horizon. But courtesy of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a giant leap for the industry and perhaps mankind is on the way in the form of batteries smaller than a grain of salt, according to a report from Gizmag. That's what they're gunning for, anyway and why DARPA is stumping up the funds for the research work undertaken by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

At a symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico last week, UCLA engineer Jane Chang presented a work in progress in the form of an electrolyte designed to facilitate the flow of charge between electrodes in such confined spaces. The aim, she told her audience, is to achieve energy densities similar to lithium ion batteries, but with a much smaller footprint.

In fact, lithium forms a key part of her formula, which entails coating a matrix of micro-pillars with the electrolyte lithium aluminosilicate. The lithium is suspended in a substance capable of being sprayed on to these nano-wires in layers just one atom thick. Energy density is dependent on surface-to-volume ratio, so the trick lies in structuring these nano-wires in a relationship that maximises that.

While Chang and her colleagues have also come up with appropriate materials and structures for the electrodes, she says it will be a while before they present a fully functional microbattery of any kind, let alone for automotive applications. The UCLA/DARPA project represents the makings of a holy grail for battery electric vehicle development; the smaller the package, the easier it is to incorporate in a vehicle without conceding interior space or weight distribution.

Read the latest Cars games ales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Fiat opens up Euro markets for Chrysler

Chrysler brands enter UK, Spain, Switzerland and Poland, while Italian saviour ponders a larger slice of Pentastar pie

Fiat is making money hand over fist. The automotive giant last week reported a two million euro increase in profit, year on year, for Fiat Group Automobiles and two supercar makers -- Ferrari and Maserati.

It seems that Fiat, under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne, can do no wrong currently. In addition to posting an improved profit -- at a time when some companies are struggling to post a profit at all -- the company's American property, Chrysler Group LLC is also looking forward to better prospects. As of this (third) quarter, Chrysler has launched or relaunched in four significant European markets: UK, Spain, Switzerland and Poland.

In a report published by American website Auto Remarketing Today, Marchionne is also considering taking a larger share in Chrysler -- up to 35 per cent of the value of the company. That is something that was always on the cards from the time the US government and former Chrysler management commenced negotiations with Fiat to acquire a share in the company after the American government had bailed Chrysler out of debt. Chrysler's finances are gaining ground and Marchionne has now confirmed Fiat will increase its share in Chrysler, with the transaction to be finalised by the end of next year.

Its involvement with Chrysler has laid the groundwork for Fiat to launch its tiny 500 in the US from January of next year. Irrespective of how the American consumers will greet the 500, Fiat anticipates strong global earnings for the full year, 2010. The company's forecast predicts revenue of €55 billion, €2 billion in trading profits and almost €400 million in net profit.

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Lambo rolls out lightweight Gallardo Spyder

Raging bull puts its weight-saving expertise to good use on the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante

The full extent of Lamborghini's fat-busting trickery was recently showcased on the Sesto Elemento, but the Bologna-based carmaker has now revealed a vehicle with a little more significance in the short term.

Pictured alongside is the Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, essentially a drop-top version of the Superleggera, and therefore touted as being more agile and dynamic than the standard roadster.

Lamborghini claims it's managed to trim 65kg from the Gallardo Spyder's girth by ditching many of the standard interior and exterior parts and replacing them with carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (referred to by the acronym CFRP) components.

Carbonfibre is used in the underbody, door panels, seat shells and transmission tunnel, as well as in the retractable roof assembly, diffuser and rear spoiler.

According to the company, the Spyder Performante tips the scales at no more than 1485kg (dry weight), which Lambo claims is a new benchmark for the supercar roadster segment.

As per the Superleggera, motive power comes from a direct-injection 5.2-litre V10 that kicks out 419kW and 540Nm, enabling the roadster to bolt from 0-100 km/h in 3.9sec and achieve a v-max of 324km/h.

Befitting its high-po orientation, the Gallardo Spyder Performante sits on 19-inch alloy wheels that are 13kg lighter than the stock rims, and wrapped around these hoops are Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Stopping power is also uprated via 365mm brake discs at the front and 356mm discs at the rear.

The Spyder Performante is distinguishable from the stock roadster via its more aggressive bumper/spoiler assembly and bespoke rear diffuser -- and these mods are said to boost cooling and aero efficiency.

Lamborghini claims the Gallardo Spyder Performante is also cleaner-running than the standard roadster, although it hasn't revealed fuel consumption or CO2 emission figures. The company is also yet to announce details regarding pricing and availability.

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Mazda offers savings on core range

2010 plated passenger and commercial vehicles see impressive price adjustment
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Mazda Australia has announced new promotional pricing across its Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 passenger range, as well as significant discounts on all BT-50 commercial utility models.

Starting at the small end, Mazda2 Neo receives a $500 discount, the city-savvy hatch now priced from just $16,490 driveaway.

Next up, Australia's best-selling small car, the Mazda3, receives a $1000 discount across the entire hatch and sedan range. The saving now sees Mazda3 priced from as little as $21,990.

Mazda6 also offers better value with buyers saving an additional $1000 across all models. As Australia's top selling imported family car, the Mazda6 is now priced from $33,990 for the Mazda6 Classic sedan with manual transmission.

Finally, Mazda's commercial utility range also sees significant discounts, the 4x2 BT-50 Single Cab Chassis DX reduced by $1000. The promotional driveaway price for this model, including an alloy tray is now $21,990.

"Mazda is the number one import brand in Australia with record sales this year," said Mazda Australia Managing Director, Doug Dickson. "These new promotional price points in our 2010 Total Stock Clearance will ensure that we finish the year on a high."

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Nissan confirms light commercial offering

After 20 years Nissan Australia will again add a light commercial van to its lineup
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A light commercial van from Nissan will again be offered to local buyers. A hauler option hasn't been available from the brand since the Urvan, around 1990 but Nissan Australia is aiming to become number one importer by 2013 and plans include expansion in all gaps including the LCV market.

The NV200 van earmarked for Australia is referred to as a 'car-derived-van', using Nissan's B-platform for small vehicles including the previous (K12) Micra and current Tiida and Juke models. Modifying the compact underpinnings has allowed for goods-carrying and people-moving accommodation: length is 4400mm, height 1860mm tall and width 1690mm.

In Europe a Combi version of the NV200 is available, with three-row seating for seven passengers. Head of Corporate Communications for Nissan Australia, Jeffrey Fisher says both the peoplemover and light commercial van are under study for potential local sales.

Australians are offered only a 'standard' range of peoplemovers. Notable absences include the Mazda 5 or Premacy as it was sold here, and mini peoplemover options like the stylish Citroen C3 Picasso.

The NV200 was judged the 2010 International Van of the Year by a panel of commercial vehicle reviewers because it "sets new standards in terms of internal space in relation to the external dimensions". It is produced in Japan and Spain.

Nissan claims the NV200 has class-leading cargo space. The load bed is 2004mm long and up to 2800mm with the front passenger seat folded. Narrowest space between the wheelarches is 1220mm. Load height is also claimed as best (lowest from ground level) in its class, at 524mm. Maximum payload is 783kg.

The NV200 is currently offered in Europe with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, rated at 81kW/153Nm and using 7.4L/100km, or super-frugal, Renault-sourced 1.5-litre diesel at 63kW/200Nm and 5.2L/100km. Both engines are matched to a five-speed manual.

According to Nissan the diesel's service intervals run to 20,000km (or every 12 months) while the petrol model can stretch to 30,0000km.

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MOTORSPORT: Rally Oz takes shape but chairman in storm

Stages for relocated Rally Australia to be known soon, but the event's chairman makes headlines for other reasons; Warwick Farm remembered; an audit on NZ's V8 cost blowout; and a new push for an extra F1 Ferrari

WRC planning in top gear but Fountain ousted from day job
Australia will have a World Rally Championship round at a new NSW location next year, Coffs Harbour, and preparations are stepping up now -- but the event's chairman has been at the centre of a storm this week.

While meetings have been held with many authorities lately, property owners along the proposed route are being contacted and the stages should be finalised early in the new year, Rally Australia chairman Graham Fountain has been forced to quit his regular job.

Fountain, who for three years was the chief executive of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, (CAMS), yesterday quit as the chief of Melbourne's Metropolitan Fire Brigade after allegations of unfair treatment by a colleague. Fountain had only been in the MFB post since April.

Fountain became chairman of Rally Australia recently and a statement on its website says: "good governance, community engagement, public safety and logistics form part of his day-to-day priorities and he will use this experience in his Rally Australia role", see here.

Meanwhile, meetings with authorities and community officials in the Coffs Harbour area were held midweek -- led by the NSW Premier's Department and the Homebush Motor Racing Authority, whose other responsibility obviously is the Sydney Telstra 500 V8 Super car games event.

Australia's WRC round was held in and around Perth, WA, for almost 20 years but last year it was resurrected in NSW's Northern Rivers region and run amid considerable community opposition.

It was announced several months ago that Rally Australia, which now rotates on the WRC calendar with New Zealand, would move to the Coffs Harbour region and be held next year on September 8-11.

The area has previously hosted Australian Rally Championship rounds and the old international Southern Cross Rally.

Homebush Motor Racing Authority chief executive Bryan Hardman said this week stages for the 360km of competition would be held in four shires -- Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca.

Rally Australia operations manager Ben Raggatt said the stages should be made known in January or February. The service park will be at the Coffs Harbour airport, without any effect on flight schedules.

Hardman said 300 letters had been sent by Rally Australia to property owners near the proposed routes.

"So far all the feedback we have received has been 100 per cent positive, with no objections," he said. "Given there was a groundswell of opposition to the rally in the Northern Rivers last year we don't want to see rumour and innuendo impact on the Coffs Coast event, so we're hoping to meet with concerned environmental groups, if there are any, sooner rather than later."

He said the next major meeting planned in the area would be on January 19 to allow any specific concerns about the event to be aired.

>> Golden memories of Warwick Farm
Tomorrow (Saturday, December 18) will be the 50th anniversary of the opening of Warwick Farm in Sydney as a race car circuit.

The Farm's motorsport days ended in 1973, with the venue exclusively for horse racing and training since then.

A big "Memories of The Farm" lunch is being held today (Friday) at the Austrian Club in Frenchs Forest, remembering a golden era for the sport in Australia's major city and the circuit run by the energetic Geoff Sykes and the hard-working members of the Australian Automobile Racing Co.

Audit on NZ's huge V8 Supercar costs
An external audit is to be done in Hamilton, New Zealand, of the cost blowouts on the staging of the V8 Supercar Championship round in the provincial city the past three years.

A move to have NZ's auditor-general do the review was overruled -- the local Waikato Times newspaper reported "by other councillors who thought it might reflect badly on the city, council and former staff".

Hamilton mayor Julie Hardaker confirmed this week that the cost of the event to date had been $27.4 million -- almost three times the amount councillors said they had been told earlier.

That figure comprised $17.98 million in set-up, $2.9 million for "related costs", $5.1 million on operations and $3.5 million to "transition" the event from the failed local promoters to V8 Supercars Australia for the next seven years.

>> Ferrari plays third-car card again
Ferrari has started a fresh push for top Formula One teams to be allowed to run three cars.

The Italian manufacturer and F1 centrepiece says that would be better than having allowed new teams into the sport this year -- none of which scored a world championship points, and which recently were labeled "cripples" by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo said it would be "better to have a third car with a competitive team than teams that would struggle even in GP2".

He told Autosprint the possibility of third cars for 2013 was being discussed with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

"It would be nice to see a third Ferrari fielded perhaps by a private American team -- I'm thinking of a team like Ganassi or Penske, with an American driver," Montezemolo said, claiming that Williams team principal Sir Frank Williams had dropped his previous opposition to the idea.

Montezemolo also wants testing allowed again during the season.

"F1 is the only sport in which there is no chance to train," he said. "It is like asking Real Madrid, Milan or Inter to play with smooth-soled boots in the rain or not to warm-up before a Champions League game."

And Montezemolo echoed FIA president -- and former Ferrari F1 chief -- Jean Todt's call for more emphasis on overtaking in new grand prix circuits.

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Stability control for new BT-50

Mazda announces DSC availability for its upcoming workhorse range
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Mazda has today announced that Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) will be available on its new BT-50 utility range, raising the bar for commercial vehicle safety standards.

Already offered on every Mazda passenger car, the decision to fit stability control to its commercial range highlights the Japanese brand's efforts to bring the potentially lifesaving technology to its entire range.

Local testing will ensure the all-new BT-50's stability control system is calibrated for the many varied driving conditions faced on and off Australian roads, as Mazda Australia Engineering and Compliance Manager, Wayne Watson explains.

"If you consider how the All-New BT-50 is likely to be used, it becomes clear just how many situations have to be taken into account to ensure that the Dynamic Stability Control system meets the needs of each and every driver," he said

"Mazda engineers have spent months calibrating and fine tuning the Dynamic Stability Control system to ensure maximum safety and durability."

Mazda Australia Marketing Manager, Alastair Doak says the addition of stability control to the all-new BT-50 will be well received by segment buyers.

"DSC systems are much more sophisticated now. So Mazda has worked hard to ensure that we offer a new standard of active safety for ute buyers," he said

"We've already shown that the All-New BT-50 will be more comfortable than ever before. So why shouldn't there also be the expectation that the All-New BT-50 will also offer better safety than ever before?"

The all-new Mazda BT-50 will arrive in local showrooms late next year.

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Hybrid testbed for Indian technologies

Suzuki's Indian Maruti arm is driving forward with its own green technologies
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A Delhi Commonwealth Games sponsored green car technology program could provide the building blocks for more fuel-efficient Suzuki models for both India and Australia.

Suzuki's burgeoning Indian offshoot, Maruti-Suzuki, has begun development of its own 'green' technologies after a trial of 12 SX4 hybrid sedans at this year's Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Maruti-Suzuki is based in Delhi and this year will produce over 1.0m cars across a range of models from its two plants near the Indian capital. Of around 150,000 vehicles exported by Maruti, Australia accounts for 6000 -- all Altos. Known as A-Star in India, Alto (pictured) is one of the models that could benefit from native Indian technologies in the future.

The SX4 Hybrids were built in conjunction with an unnamed German components manufacturer. Featuring a four-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine (based on the Alto's K Series 1000cc triple) they were part of an Indian government technology project that included both hybrid and pure electric cars and light commercials as fleet vehicle during the games.

According to Maruti's head of Research and Development, Managing Executive Officer Engineering, IV Rao, the hybrids were not built as production-ready vehicles, but rather showcased technology the carmaker is working on to incorporate into its range of locally produced vehicles.

"It is unlikely Indian consumers would be able to afford the cost of a full hybrid powertrain.    If we were to apply to a small car it would double the cost... But the project generated a number of byproducts that we are exploring," Rao told the Carsales Network during a visit to Maruti's R&D headquarters in Gurgaon near Delhi this week.

"We are working on these byproducts... We are working on idle stop-start; we are working on regenerative braking; we are working on an automated manual gearbox."

According to Rao the hybrid powertrain yielded a 25 per cent improvement over the conventional 1.6-litre engined Indian market SX4. He says a proportion of Maruti's 1000-strong Indian based engineering team is already working on applying the new technologies to current and future models.

"We will draw on SMC (Suzuki Motor Corporation) experience on how to carry forward these technologies as total products... They will likely be applied to export products first [but they will have local applications]."

But he warns there is significant development time ahead of his team. For instance, senior Maruti execs confirmed the company had not filed patents on any of the systems.

Rao says fuel efficiency is the key driver of new car choice in India. He said that 2012 would see the Indian government mandate a 'corporate average' minimum fuel economy limit to help limit CO2 emissions.

In April 2010 the country, which is expected to increase from around 2.6 million new car sales per annum this year to more than 4.0m by 2015, introduced an emission standard that effectively mirrors Euro 4. Euro 5 is planned for 2015 introduction.

"Fuel economy is already a very important parameter in new car choice. Our focus is consistently on improving fuel economy," Rao explained. "But we must consider whether, for example, idle stop-start works with Indian driving patterns and traffic... [Defining] The logic that powers the stop start system is then in itself a major exercise."

Though Rao is confident Maruti will incorporate some or all of the systems in future models, he says there are no firm implementation targets.

"They are not in the product road map yet," he explained.

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Next-gen baby Kia good to go

Picanto pocket hatch revived and ready for Geneva Motor Show
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Kia has released its first official photos of the next-generation Picanto hatch. Kia says the compact city car offers bolder, more mature and more self confident styling.

Completely redesigned and re-engineered, Picanto grows slightly in overall length and wheelbase and will employ styling cues now familiar elsewhere in the Kia lineup, including the wonted Schreyer grille.

"In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line," explains Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. "The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car  games a more sure-footed stance."

Similar in proportions to the Suzuki Alto, Kia's sub-Rio sized Picanto has never been sold in Australia. But the local team says the likelihood of the pint-size city car landing in our showrooms has not yet entirely been ruled out.

"While there are no immediate plans to bring Picanto to Australia we have been, and will continue, to look at opportunities in areas in which we do not currently compete," said Kia Motors Australia COO, Tony Barlow. "The Picanto now has the advantage of being an all-new car and if it makes sense as a business case then it is certainly not off the agenda."

Currently, Picanto is available overseas exclusively in five-door guise, though Kia says it plans to offer a sportier three-door model in Europe when the new generation version goes on sale.

The new Picanto will be powered by a choice of four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-litre displacements, all boasting class leading CO2 emissions levels. In addition to petrol engines, LPG dual-fuel and flex fuel variations will also be offered depending on market.

The next generation Picanto will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March when further technical specifications will be available.

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Porsche 918 Coupe possible for Detroit

Hard top track car set to surprise supercar fans at US' biggest motor show
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After a four year hiatus from the Detroit Motor Show, online speculation is rife that Porsche will wow its US audience with a race-ready coupe version of the 918 Spyder Concept.

A number of sources have now stated that the track-only coupe is likely to tip the scales just shy of 1500kg and will be powered by a 373kW 3.4-litre V8 petrol engine (borrowed from Porsche's RS Spyder race cars) coupled to 162kW of electric propulsion. If the tales are true, the hard top model could be the next piece of the puzzle in the marque's hybrid racing strategy.

The news comes as Porsche continues to ready its 918 Spyder for general production, the car built after an unprecedented response to a concept first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in (March) 2010. Originally code-named XG10, the 918 Spyder's underpinnings were always designed to support multiple variants, lending credence to the hardtop buzz.

Porsche will take the wraps off its latest concept bright and early on Monday morning with a press conference scheduled for 6:30am US time.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our news coverage from this year's North American International Auto Show.

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Ferrari shafts its Australian engineer

Formula One's most famous team has blamed Aussie Chris Dyer for its failure to win last year's world title with Fernando Alonso

Australian engineer Chris Dyer has paid the price for Spanish dual Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso not winning a third title in his first season with Ferrari last year.

Dyer, who began his career at Holden Racing Team and first worked in F1 for the late Tom Walkinshaw's Arrows team before its collapse, had been Ferrari's chief engineer at F1 tracks.

Ferrari announced this week that Pat Fry, its deputy to technical director Aldo Costa and formerly of McLaren, would assume what has been Dyer's position.

It said Dyer's "role within the company will be redefined in the next few days".

Dyer was Michael Schumacher's last race engineer in Ferrari's halycon days but he has paid the price for a strategy error at last year's final grand prix in Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari called Alonso in for an early pitstop as it mirrored Australian Mark Webber's strategy and to keep him ahead of the Aussie, minimising Webber's chances of becoming world champion.

The move backfired badly for Ferrari though - and Dyer has been blamed for it.

Alonso - and Webber - found themselves trapped behind the Renault of Russian Vitaly Petrov for most of the race and unable to overtake him as Webber's young German teammate Sebastian Vettel roared to victory and the title.

Alonso, who had gone to Abu Dhabi leading the championship, finished seventh in the race and four points behind Vettel in the final standings, with Webber relegated to third in the championship a further 10 points away.

In acting against Dyer, Ferrari has bowed to the pressure of the Italian press and public, as it invariably does.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said he considered quitting over the blunder but "reached the conclusion that to resign would have been an error".

Meanwhile, Ferrari is resisting the switch to 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engines as part of a "greener" and cheaper F1 from 2013.

It agreed in December to the change from the existing 2.4-litre V8s -- perhaps as a trade-off for the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) dropping the written rule forbidding team orders -- but Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has now come out strongly against the proposed engines, calling them puny.

"We won't be building any four-cylinder engines for our street cars," Montezemolo said. "A four-cylinder engine, it sounds, for the top tier of motorsport, a bit puny. Why could we not agree on a V6 turbo? We should not confuse affordable with cheap."

Montezemolo hopes other F1 engine manufacturers, particularly Mercedes, will back him in having the change scrapped.

"If there is the slightest possibility to delay the four-cylinder [regulations], I'll try. I perceive a chance, but we need unity," he said.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Austrian triple world champion Niki Lauda are concerned that the new motors will not have an appropriate engine note for F1.

"I am worried about the sound, which in F1 has been so unique ...hopefully there will be more than a faint hum," Lauda said.

Ecclestone said losing the growl for which F1 engines are known would be devastating for the sport.

"I don't care whether it's 1.6 or 1.8 litre engines - I'm worried about the sound," he said. "If we lose the sound of F1 we will be losing a great deal."

However, FIA president Jean Todt insisted the 2013 cars would be "very exciting" and "produce a great sound".

"With the new rules, the FIA wants to send a strong message about F1 - it's the pinnacle of motorsport and the smaller engine is very important for the manufacturers," said Todt, who was the Ferrari team principal during the Schumacher days.

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VFACTS victors

Which car companies outstripped market growth last year? New names and some not so new were among the big winners

2010 was a strong year in sales for the local automotive industry. Private and corporate buyers alike were caught up in the rush to score a new vehicle -- often at substantially lower prices than even the (already discounted) advertised figures.

Despite the bargain-savvy buyers twisting arms in dealer showrooms, the added sales don't appear to have come at the expense of profit. If anything, added sales have boosted the overall profit for some of the industry's key players, despite the discounting required to push cars out the door.

"We'll see the figures on profitability for 2010 emerge during the course of coming months," said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Chief Executive, Andrew McKellar (pictured) last week.

"I think the anecdotal reports that we are receiving is that the market has been more profitable in 2010... There is a sense that [senior finance directors and managers in the industry] have achieved far better outcomes in that regard."

We'll have to wait for companies to issue their financial reports for this year, but rumour is that both Ford and Holden expect to post a profit.

In the meantime, we can bring you our list of "winners" for 2010, based on sales growth alone. It works like this: the whole market expanded by 10.5 per cent overall, compared with the figure for 2009. Any car company recording sales growth exceeding 10.5 per cent has really kicked goals -- not just broken even or enjoyed moderate sales growth.

Leaving aside the low-volume superexotics, the list is arranged in descending order of growth expressed as a percentage, with the actual number of sales for the year listed alongside, in brackets.

Great Wall 250.8% (6690)
The Chinese brand has gained by being the new kid on the block. 2010 was the company's first full year on sale in Australia, so the percentages were always bound to be way out there. The SA220 has not sold significantly better than it did in 2009, but that's more than offset by the V240, which more than doubled its sales during its second year. But it's the X240 SUV that is on fire. It has accounted for nearly half all Great Wall sales for 2010, proving that Aussies love SUVs and an unknown quantity is no hurdle when the price is that good.

Isuzu Ute 43.4% (5114)
The importer is selling well above its 4000-unit forecast originally announced during the brand's launch back near the end of 2008. That's with what is generally regarded as an old product -- a new model something like 12 months or more in the future. This is a true success story, with the 4x4 D-MAX really hitting its stride last year. Sales of the offroad variants lifted from 2555 in 2009 to 4029 in 2010. With a small dealer network, that's a strong showing.

Jeep 42.5% (5975)
Of the three Chrysler brands in Australia, Jeep has gained most by being the offroad/SUV marque. In percentage terms Jeep sales have picked up as much as they have because Chrysler factories supplying the product for the Australian market are now in production again -- after a mandated shut-down for two months during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. This left Chrysler Australia without stock and, along with the time required to ship vehicles to Australia, there was some delay in filling local customers' orders. These problems have been overcome since and Patriot has nearly doubled its sales, to use one example. Wrangler sales are up over 40 per cent and the Cherokee is running 60 per cent better than in 2009.

Skoda 31.9% (1652)
Still not selling huge numbers, Skoda has gained ground and there are signs that the brand is establishing itself properly. Octavia remains a handy seller, 21.7 per cent improved on 2009, and the Superb has produced a fairly amazing jump in sales from 123 in 2009 to 355 in 2010 -- possibly helped by the wagon variant.

Hyundai 26.6% (80,038)
A few new models fleshed out the volume importer's sales to set a new record in 2010, but the performance of existing models was no less impressive. Key models in the Hyundai line-up built substantial sales on the previous year's numbers; including the iLoad (up 60 per cent), iMAX (up 133.6 per cent!), i30 (up 39 per cent) and Santa Fe (up 100 per cent). The i20 didn't detract from sales of the aging Getz, still 1904 units ahead of 2009. Not on sale for the full year, the ix35's 7202 sales in 2010 bode well for the future.

Volkswagen 26.4% (38,016)
Golf VI has done wonders for VW, as have Polo and Tiguan. Cumulatively, the three popular models have added 6589 units to Volkswagen's total for 2010 -- a new record for the company in the local market.

Land Rover% 25.6 (4789)
While all Land Rover models saw an overall sales increase in 2010 (even the Defender), it was the Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport that did the real damage. The two SUVs contributed extra sales worth between 300 and 400 units each for the year.

Porsche 23.5% (1266)
In total, the German prestige brand barely made it into four figures during 2009 (1025), so an extra 241 vehicles sold in 2010 makes a major difference in percentage terms. Mostly, Porsche appears to found buyers with more discretionary capital at their disposal in 2010. The Cayenne was the only new model introduced during 2010, but sales were only marginally ahead of 2009 (562 sold) in 2010 (598). Sales principally grew from the Panamera (a low base, being introduced late in 2009) and the 911.

Kia 22.9% (23,848)
It appears that Kia can do little wrong. Only the Rondo went backwards in 2010. Practically every other model has gone from strength to strength, with the Sportage's performance being exemplary. Even though the new model was only on sale near the end of 2010, Sportage sales for the year (3073) were 1162 ahead of 2009. That was roughly a quarter of Kia's total sales upswing for the year. Other vehicles that contributed were the updated Carnival, the new Cerato hatch, Cerato Koup, the recently updated Rio and the Sorento SUV.

Suzuki 22.1% (24,789)
Yet another record set by the importer, despite Suzuki actually watching some models lose ground in 2010. Overall sales rose by nearly 4500, thanks to the Alto, the Swift and the new Kizashi. The Kizashi contributed over 1400 units and the Alto, which had its equipment remixed after launch, sold 4077 for the full year. For the latter half of 2009 that it was available, the Alto sold 814.

Nissan 18.5% (62,676)
2010 was a very good year for Nissan. The percentage increase shows it, as do the additional 9775 units sold. Dualis was the big mover, up 4277 units to 6592 for the year. Maxima was on the rise, but providing the real support for Dualis were the new Micra (up 3234 units to 8341), revised Navara 4x4 (up 2969 to 19,424) and the X-TRAIL (rising 1917 units to 9792 for the year). Some models slid, with Tiida falling ever lower.

Mercedes-Benz 17.5% (21,748)
After reworking the model mix, pricing and equipment, Benz watched its B-Class model run away in 2010, with sales well ahead of the combined A-Class and B-Class sales for 2009. E-Class sedan added nearly 500 extra sales and the M-Class SUV grew by 839 units to 2589 sales for 2010.

Proton 16.1% (1898)
Most models in the Proton range have either held steady (Gen.2), but more likely lost sales in the transition from 2009 to 2010. The one car that has helped the importer raise its total sales volumes in 2010 was the S16, which accounted for something like 47 per cent of the brand's total sales in Australia (892). Being the entry-level model in the range, the S16's sales volumes grew by nearly 188 per cent, due to the car not being on sale for the full year, 2009.

Audi 14.1% (12,900)
No other brand in the market has enjoyed the continuous sales growth with each passing year that Audi has. 2010 was yet another new record for sales in the local market. For the year, the prestige brand added 1590 vehicles to its 2010 sales tally, the A5 Sportback and the Q5 primarily compensating for other models that had lost ground during the year. The former contributed a handy 1034 extra units and the Q5 came up with an extra 784. Sales of A3, A5 (coupe/convertible) and new A8 bolstered the sales growth also, but other models all dropped back a little. The A4, which lost 310 sales, may have been 'cannibalised' by the A5 Sportback.

Lexus 11.8% (6526)
The most popular model in the Lexus range during 2010 was the IS. Whether it was the new IS 350 (228 cars sold for the year), the IS 250 C (an extra 255 sold), the IS 250 sedan (267 additional units) or even the high-spec IS F (nine more than in 2009), it was the compact range that jumped through hoops in 2010. Most other models did not hold up so well.

MINI 11.7% (2267)
In 2009 MINI sold 2030 vehicles in Australia, so the extra 237 in 2010 helped the niche-market brand outperform the market in percentage terms. Of the extra vehicles sold, 60 were Cabrios and the rest were MINI Coopers, according to VFACTS.

Holden 11.2% (132,923)
When the company is the second-most popular brand in the market, an 11.2 per cent increase in sales is not to be sneezed at. That percentage gain amounts to 13,355 additional vehicles sold in 2010. Cruze has been a real player for Holden. The small car, soon to be built here, found an extra 15,744 homes in 2010 -- more than compensating for the loss of the 6266 Astras sold in 2009. Commodore and Caprice sales remain ahead of 2009's, Barina picked up an extra 2393 sales, Barina Spark has added a further 1113 to that and Captiva 5 has pumped up the total with over 4000 more units.

Honourable mentions: Mazda (9.1% growth), Mitsubishi and Subaru (both 9.6% growth).

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