Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept

Just six months after the idea first surfaced, the Infiniti FX designed for reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel is unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. What began as a chat between the Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti's Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura, at the 2011 Geneva Show in March is revealed, in concept form, as Infiniti's fastest car yet and, probably, the most exclusive crossover ever made.

With its sophisticated technology, lightweight components and features such as Rear Active Steering for maximum agility, the V8 FX50S Premium - Infiniti's flagship as well as its best-selling model in some markets - provides the ideal starting point for the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version. Changes including increased power, lower weight, derestricted top speed, longer gearing, increased downforce and lowered and stiffer suspension turn what is already a sports car among crossovers into a crossover supercar - the 300km/h reality of the World Champion's vision.
Infiniti's Corporate Vice President Toru Saito said: "The FX Sebastian Vettel version is unique and very much Sebastian's car. But at the same time it is a concept car for Infiniti globally."
Sebastian Vettel, 2010 Formula One World Champion and Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador
"I have been driving an FX all this year and it is a car I love. It fits my lifestyle perfectly and is great fun to drive. But of course, it could go a little faster…

"I drive a lot in Germany on motorways that have no speed limits and have enjoyed my FX around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Driving at high speed where safe and legal is part of my life. As well as a higher top speed I wanted even better stability in my FX, and that meant work on the aerodynamics. It is a tribute to the excellence of the standard FX that achieving all my targets required so few changes.
"This is the first road car I have helped develop. Usually I have hundreds of engineers building one car just for me. So it is fantastic for me to contribute to the design of a car. The result is an Infiniti I am very proud to have my name on. It is all I hoped for: 300km/h, plenty of downforce - and I can still fit my mountain bike in the back. Plus it is totally exclusive - and as an Infiniti driver, that's important."
Design and aerodynamics
As Sebastian says, the first priority for his ultimate FX was to give it more performance. However, whether on the racetrack or the road, speed is just one part of the mix that goes to make a world-beater. All the car's systems, and in particular the aerodynamics, must be up to the task. In the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version they are.

The car's revised aerodynamics profile is the result of changes made by Infiniti designers and engineers after meetings involving Sebastian and Red Bull Racing personnel. A Red Bull Racing RB7 was even shipped to Japan to provide real life inspiration for the team bringing the World Champion's road car dream to life.
Riding 20mm lower than standard and featuring a more aerodynamic, as well as more distinctive, Essence-inspired grille, the most obvious change is the addition of a carbon rear wing. Tests show that it delivers everything that its looks promise - and Sebastian sought - in terms of increased downforce, and stability, at the 300km/h speeds of which the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version is capable.
As well as a 30 per cent improvement in the coefficient of lift (Cl), the special FX boasts a 5 per cent lower coefficient of drag (Cd). Boosting downforce while simultaneously cutting drag is one of the concept's major claims to fame. Even the door mirror housings have been shaped to increase downforce.
Carbon is used for the splitter, sills, front grille, mirror covers and rear diffuser, trimming the weight of what is already one of the lighter SUVs in its size class. Design of the splitter and diffuser is inspired by the F1 car, as is the central rear fog light - just like an F1 car's rain light.
The wheels are 21-inch black multispoke alloys with silver rims, designed exclusively for this car; they don't just look the part but also save weight over the standard 21-inch FX50 wheel. At 2049kg, the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version weighs 46kg less than a standard FX50S Premium.
Lower and even more distinctive with new LED daytime running lights set just below the front bumper section, the concept FX exudes dynamic power. The new look enhances the sports car-like proportions and makes the flowing profile even more seductive. Dark smoke lights back and front complete the look - along with Vettel logos on both sides and at the rear.
Shiro Nakamura, Infiniti Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer
"We are always keen to listen to what our customers have to say about our cars, whoever they are. Equally we are always keen to show how individual our cars are, and how personalization can subtly alter their character. Making the perfect FX for Sebastian was the ideal demonstration of this.
"It was at this year's Geneva Show that Sebastian first suggested to me that we collaborate on making his perfect FX. So we haven't had long, but with very clear objectives we have been able to realize his ideas in a very satisfying manner."
Mechanical changes
With an already potent 5.0-litre V8 under the bonnet, relatively little needed to be done to enable the world's most special FX to hit Sebastian Vettel's maximum speed target of 300km/h.
The first job was to free the car of its speed limiter which electronically restricts all other FXs to 250km/h. Even in standard form, with the VVEL V8 producing 390PS at 6500rpm, the car has plenty of performance beyond its artificial top speed, but even so more power had to be found to deliver 300km/h.
No radical engine reworking was necessary to gain the extra 30PS that takes the FX Vettel concept's power output to 420PS. A new exhaust system liberates some of the extra horsepower while a reprogrammed engine ECU takes care of the rest, with no discernible difference to the V8's response or efficiency. And it sounds better than ever.
In addition to the extra power is a longer final drive ratio to deliver 300km/h Autobahn speed without any detrimental effects on refinement. The longer overall gearing means the car is not as quick off the line as it could be - but at 5.6 seconds for 0-100km/h, two tenths of a second ahead of the standard car, no one is complaining. Least of all Sebastian Vettel.
Stiffer springs and re-rated dampers take the FX50's already highly focused sports chassis into a new area of precision control for the smooth-surface, high-speed driving for which the car exists. Essentially, however, making an FX to the World Champion's specification required no major changes. Like any FX in sporting S guise, the concept features dual-flow path (DFP) dampers with continuous damping control (CDC); the same wishbone front/multilink rear suspension, much of it constructed out of aluminium; opposed 4-piston (front), 2-piston (rear) calipers for the 355/350mm brake discs; and vehicle-speed variable rack and pinion steering.
Rear Active Steering, an important ingredient in any FX S's blend of agility with stability, plays a key role in ensuring handling fulfils the World Champion's requirements for a road car.
Interior
The bespoke carbon fibre exterior detailing is echoed in the FX's cabin by tailored panels of black carbon - real, not appliqué - on the doors and centre console. Highlights that would normally be silver chrome are treated to a special black chrome finish, while in true F1 style, Alcantara is used on the steering wheel and gearshift paddles. Special seats, with extra support, are covered in black quilted suede cloth finished with purple stitching and special "SV" logos. The material also features on the pillars, roof lining and sun visors.
A metal plate on the centre console featuring the World Champion's signature provides the unique finishing touch.
The luxury fittings, comprehensive features including Connectiviti+, one of the car world's most complete and easily understood infotainment systems, and the FX's award-winning range of safety technologies are all included. As standard of course. Infiniti believes that no one should be forced to pay for expensive extras - not even World Champions.

Mini Cooper S Cabrio

The driving pleasure and individual style that are MINI's signatures have been tapped to create the next-generation Convertible - MINI Cooper S Cabrio. With its evolutionary design and increased functionality, specially tuned suspension, powerful, efficient engines and enhanced safety technology, the latest version of the four-seat convertible raises the bar.
New color choices and equipment features add up to endless options for personalization. The premium materials and finishes enhance the MINI Convertible - the only open-air car in its class - even further.
The new MINI Convertible will make its worldwide debut in January at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Orders for the MINI Convertible are being taken now; the price for the MINI Cooper Convertible is $24,550 and for the MINI Cooper S Cabrio $27,450, including the $650 destination and handling charge. Delivery of the first MINI Convertibles will begin on March 28, 2009.

The new MINI Convertible's durable soft-top with integrated sliding roof function reliably protects driver and passengers from the elements when it is up. Allowing for spontaneous open-air motoring, the soft top lowers automatically in 15 seconds flat, even when the car is in motion up to 20 mph. The unique Openometer next to the tachometer challenges the driver to log as many top-down miles as possible by recording the hours spent open-air motoring.
The new MINI Convertible offers outstanding versatility with its Easy-Load Function, folding rear-seat backrests, and generously-sized loading between the luggage and passenger compartments, which increases the car's cargo space to 23.10 cu ft.
This level of versatility, unparalleled in the convertible segment is enabled by the innovative design and construction of the rollover protection bar. The new MINI Convertible comes with a single-piece rollover protection bar behind the rear seats that spans the entire interior width of the car, without obstructing the driver's visibility, and moves into position automatically in the event of a potential rollover.
The new MINI Convertible will be available in two engine variants. The MINI Cooper Convertible will come equipped with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine featuring fully variable valve management for maximum output of 118 hp at 6,000 rpm. The performance-oriented MINI Cooper S Cabrio will be powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection delivering 172 hp at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm.

From the start, the MINI Cooper S Cabrio and the MINI Cooper Convertible will be equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard with optional six-speed automatic transmission. At the same time, the new MINI Convertible owes its nimble handling characteristics to suspension technology that has been significantly upgraded and improved over the former model. Its sophisticated wheel suspension, precise electromechanical power steering, powerful brake system and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) - all standard features - allow the MINI convertible to set a new standard for agility and safety.
Design: MINI all the way, open-air motoring without compromises, and unique proportions.
The design of the MINI Convertible is the result of an evolutionary development process. Compared with the former model, the new MINI Convertible's chiselled body panels impart a more powerful and dynamic look. The stretched side view - the rollover protection bar almost entirely concealed - gives a heightened sense of the cars sporting performance and reveals a profile clearly inspired by the classic roadster.
A chrome beltline molding encircling the entire car at shoulder-level visually connects the body with the roof and windows. The upright windscreen underscores the character and enhances the open-air experience.
The convertible model is unmistakably a MINI at very first sight. The distinct proportions, short, front- and rear- overhangs, larger wheel wells, high beltline, and other signature design cues clearly mark the car as part of the MINI family.
The front-end design features distinguish the MINI Cooper S Cabrio from the MINI Cooper Convertible. Both models come with a hexagon radiator grille and large round headlamps with integrated signal indicators in typical MINI style. The MINI Cooper S Cabrio is recognizable by its Powerdome, rising up almost 0.8", the stylized opening on the engine compartment lid, and the hexagonal grid pattern on the radiator grille as well as the extra-large, lower air intake scoop.
On the MINI Cooper Convertible, the radiator grille boasts a chrome frame and three horizontal, chrome-plated bars and a slightly upturned lower air intake scoop. Both the MINI Cooper S Cabrio and the MINI Cooper Convertible feature positioning light units on either side of the lower air intake, and also house the foglamps that are standard on the Cooper S model.
The rear view of the new MINI Convertible also offers an enhancement of the car's visual presence. The entire rear section is characterized by parallel horizontal that create the "steps" that emphasize the width of the car, a distinctive design cue it shares with the MINI Cooper Hardtop.
The innovative, rear deck lid of the new MINI Convertible opens from the top and is hinged at bottom, creating a generous loading area.
The vertical taillights, slightly larger than those on the former model, are set, jewel-like into chrome surrounds. The particularly sporting character of the MINI Cooper S Cabrio is emphasized further by the dual tailpipes, the large air intake in the rear dam, and the two-piece rear foglamp.
Optimized all-round visibility ensured by even larger side windows and the retractable rollover protection bar.
The soft roof of the new MINI Convertible stands out in particular through its unique design and practical functionality. With the top up the MINI Convertible's low roofline highlight its sporty appearance.
The high-quality, wind-tight and durable soft-top material stretches tautly across the aluminum and steel roof bars, and it resists significant changes in shape or bulging, even at high speeds.
All-round visibility with the top up is improved over the former model, thanks to slightly larger side windows and the newly conceived, retractable rollover protection bar. This single-piece rollover protection bar, moving up and down as required, runs across the entire width of the car just below the rear headrests, therefore offering the driver unrestricted visibility.
The rear window is connected to the soft top by interior seals, allowing it to close flush with the surface of the roof. Made of glass, the rear window may be heated electrically whenever required to avoid any misting or icing effect. Additionally, an optional heated front windscreen is available.
Soft roof with sliding roof function - also for convenient use while driving.
The soft roof opens and closes completely within just 15 seconds, operated by fully automatic, electrohydraulic controls. After the roof has opened, it folds down snugly into the rear end of the car. The precise folding pattern efficiently removes any moisture and avoids any pressure spots or friction which might otherwise cause excessive wear or discoloration of the material. And since the outer skin of the open roof faces upwards, there is no need for a protective tonneau cover.
A toggle switch on the front roof frame activates the opening and closing mechanism. To allow for the spontaneous pleasure of open-air motoring or respond quickly to a sudden downpour, the opening and closing process may be initiated at road speeds of up to 20 mph. Additionally, the driver can open the soft top before setting out via remote control function integrated in the ignition key. The window bars and side windows on the MINI Convertible are retracted automatically when the soft roof starts to open up. The closing process is reversed, and takes place in exactly the opposite order.
Both processes - opening and closing - are performed in a continuous flow, as long as the driver keeps the switch on the roof frame or the button on the remote control pressed down. This gives the driver the flexibility to interrupt the movement of the soft roof in any position. By briefly pressing a separate button, the driver is also able to lower the four side windows simultaneously while the roof remains closed.
The unique folding roof function on the new MINI Convertible is activated completely by electric power. Additionally, the front section of the soft top can be opened up just a bit, by up to 16 inches, again by pressing the switch on the front roof frame. Further, driver and occupants can enjoy open-air in a variety of driving conditions since the sliding roof function may be engaged at speeds of up to 75 mph.
Guarantee for unique driving pleasure: the latest generation of four-cylinder power units.
Muscular, fast-revving and extremely efficient - these are the strengths of the two four-cylinder gasoline engines that will be available in the new MINI Convertible models.
Both power plants are constructed of light alloy and come with a displacement of 1,598 cc, featuring exactly the same distance between cylinders, as well as the same bore and stroke. Further, they benefit from the BMW Group's engine development leadership and proven motorsport technology.
The four-cylinder engines are built at the BMW Group's Hams Hall Engine Plant in Great Britain, from where they go to the MINI Plant in Oxford, where the MINI Convertible is produced. Both engines are fitted into the engine bay of the MINI Convertible at an angle of 180°, with the exhaust side facing forward.
Additional features shared by both the turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines are the two-piece bedplate structure of the crankcase, a trendsetting technology carried over from motorsport, and the cylinder block and bearing housing made of a special aluminium alloy. An integrated chain box in the bearing housing saves weight, improves the car's acoustics, and reduces the number of components.
MINI Cooper S Cabrio: superior power and performance thanks to the Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection.
The new MINI Cooper S Cabrio offers a more intense and thrilling experience of performance than ever before. As the more powerful of the two new models, the MINI Cooper S Cabrio comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder delivering no less than 172 hp at 5,500 rpm with the help of a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection. In the range between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm, this unique power plant develops maximum torque of no less than 177 lb ft, that may be further increased briefly by the Overboost function to 192 lb ft.
The Twin-Scroll turbocharger effectively delivers a boost to the power and performance on the MINI Cooper S Cabrio. The ducts of two cylinders at a time are separated from one another in the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, serving to reduce exhaust gas counterpressure at low engine speeds in order to capitalize on the dynamic effect of the pulsating gas columns in the manifold. This enhances turbocharger's response and delivers a particularly spontaneous build-up of engine power.
As a result, the MINI Cooper S Cabrio is virtually free of the "turbo gap" when accelerating so typical of a conventional turbocharged engine. Acceleration to 60 mph comes in just 7.0 seconds with the manual gearbox and 7.2 seconds with the automatic. Engine flexibility and response is truly impressive also at high speeds, and the top speed of the car is an equally impressive 138 mph (135 mph for vehicles equipped with the optional automatic transmission.)
The turbocharged four-cylinder featured in the MINI Cooper S Cabrio benefits from the extra power of direct fuel injection applying the common-rail principle. The stainless-steel common rail linking all cylinders is filled with fuel by a high-pressure pump at the rear-end of the intake camshaft. Injection valves positioned at the side of the cylinder head then deliver fuel within fractions of a second and in an exact dose from the common rail directly to the combustion chamber. Four valve pockets and a combustion chamber trough positioned precisely in the middle of each piston help to provide optimum stratification of the homogeneous fuel/air mixture.
With this combination of a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, the new MINI Cooper S Cabrio offers remarkable performance data in several respects: Specific output of the engine is approximately 110 hp per liter with a CO2 rating of 153 grams per kilometer.
MINI Cooper Convertible: fully variable valve management for fresh performance.
Displacing 1.6 liters, the normal-aspiration power unit in the new MINI Cooper Convertible combines fresh and sporting performance with truly outstanding economy. In this case maximum output of 118 hp comes at 6,000 rpm, torque peaking at 114 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
The innovative technical features of this four-cylinder include fully variable valve management developed on the basis of the BMW Group's unique VALVETRONIC technology. The strengths of this valve control concept is that the intake valve lift and the valve opening period adjust to the driver's respective power and performance requirements, within fractions of a second. To achieve this superiority in engine control, the camshaft acts on the valves not directly via a follower arm, but rather through an additional intermediate lever where the pivot point is adjusted infinitely by an electrically driven eccentric shaft.
Changing over from minimum to maximum lift takes only about 300 milliseconds - and at the same time valve timing is varied on both the intake and exhaust side as a function of engine speed. This adjustment process is again infinite, with valve timing set to current driving conditions likewise within 300 milliseconds at the very most.
Interacting with one another, variable valve management and engine speed-related camshaft control serve to optimize both the torque curve and power output. As a result, at low speeds, the engine of the MINI Cooper Convertible delivers superior torque right from the start, while developing significantly more power than a conventional engine at high revs.
Light, innovative, efficient: most advanced drive technology for reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Both engines featured in the new MINI Convertible are fitted crosswise at the front and convey their superior power to the front wheels. Composite - instead of cast - camshafts and the crankshaft are optimized for weight and part of the lightweight concept boasted by these all-aluminum power units.
Fuel consumption is further optimized by an oil pump with volume flow control and an electronically activated water pump for the coolant circuit. And last but not least, both the MINI Cooper S Cabrio and the MINI Cooper Convertible come as standard with the latest innovations for reducing both fuel consumption and emissions.
Six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, six-speed automatic as an option.
Both the MINI Cooper S Cabrio and the MINI Cooper Convertible come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, however, both models are also available with an optional six-speed automatic transmission.
The use of six gears in both cases naturally enhances the agile and sporting character of the new MINI Convertible. With its short shift travel and precise gearshift, the manual gearbox provides ideal conditions for dynamic acceleration and driving pleasure.
Likewise, the automatic transmission - which features electronic management to shift gears with minimum interruption of power - allows sporting and dynamic driving maneuvers, combining the spontaneous and precise reactions of the automatic mode with supreme gearshift comfort.
As an alternative, the driver of the Cooper S is able to shift gears individually in the manual mode by means of paddles on the steering wheel, as in a Formula 1 racing car. This allows him to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, keeping the car under full control regardless of driving conditions.
The new MINI Convertible offers even more dynamic performance with the help of the optionally available Sports Button. Positioned in front of the gearshift or, respectively, gear selector lever on the center console, the Sports Button serves to control engine management, steering and where appropriate, the automatic transmission. Activating the sports mode at the touch of a button, the driver adjusts the gas pedal control map for a far higher standard of agility and even more direct steering response. And on cars featuring automatic transmission, finally, electronic management again helps to make the gearshift even faster.
Suspension technology on the new MINI Convertible: go-kart feeling of the highest standard.
To a large extent, the unique position of the new MINI Convertible in its segment is the result of the car's exceptional driving characteristics. The open-air MINI therefore also offers the go-kart feeling so typical of the brand, now raised to an even higher standard of excellence.
The car's suspension technology safely and smoothly converts the raw power of the new engines into enhanced agility and precise handling - offering even greater driving pleasure in dynamic bends, on winding country roads and in city traffic.
On the front axle, MacPherson spring struts ensure excellent wheel guidance at all times. The multi-arm axle at the rear - developed with all the know-how of the BMW Group - consistently guarantees optimum road contact through its elaborate kinematics, with aluminum longitudinal arms helping to keep weight to a minimum.
Likewise, anti-rollover protection bars reduce body sway to a very low level, again contributing to the agile and safe behavior of the car.
Compared with the MINI Cooper Convertible, the suspension of the MINI Cooper S Cabrio is even more sporting and dynamic. As an option, finally, both models are available with sports suspension for an even higher standard of driving pleasure.
Electrical Power Steering (EPS) makes a significant contribution to the agility of the MINI Convertible, enhancing it to an even higher standard. Power Assistance geared to road speed guarantees low steering forces when parking as well as a precise response at high speeds on the Autobahn. At the same time EPS also enhances the efficiency of the car by activating the electric motor and consuming energy only when power assistance is really required or desired by the driver.
Exclusive to MINI: DSC and DTC with electronic locking function on the differential in conjunction with front-wheel drive.
Apart from the sports-tuned suspension and powerful brakes, the new MINI Convertible also comes with the most sophisticated driving stability systems. Technologies featured as standard are ABS anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Hill Start-Off Assistance.
Whenever required, DSC intervenes individually in the car's brakes and reduces engine output to provide extra stability, thus preventing the car from swerving out of control either at the front or at the rear under particularly dynamic conditions and on slippery surfaces.
The Brake Assistant also included in the DSC package recognizes emergency application of the brakes and immediately builds up maximum brake power whenever necessary, keeping the car's stopping distance as short as possible.
As an option, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is able to increase the response thresholds of the car's driving stability control system and allow carefully controlled slip on the drive wheels. MINI is indeed the only car maker the world over to offer this function on a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
To activate DTC, all the driver has to do is press a button, then setting off in the MINI Convertible with the wheels slightly spinning - for example on a snowbound road or loose sand - or approaching the car's physical driving limits even more dynamically whenever required. Then, when reaching the limit, DSC will cut in as usual also in the DTC mode.
As an option the driver may completely deactivate DSC whenever desired. Then, in the DSC-Off mode, another function again absolutely unique on front-wheel-drive vehicles ensures optimum drive power and perfect traction in particularly dynamic bends. This is the electronically controlled locking function on the rear axle differential available as part of the DTC function on the new MINI Convertible. Referred to as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), this high-tech system serves to apply the brakes appropriately on a drive wheel spinning in a tight bend, thus promoting the car's drive power and traction without exerting a negative influence on the steering behavior of the MINI Convertible, which therefore takes bends even more smoothly and faster than before.
The MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Cabrio run on 16-inch light-alloy wheels and 195/55 R 16 runflat tires, enabling the driver to continue even after a complete puncture with full loss of pressure.
As an option both models are available with 17-inch rims in Black Star Bullet Design developed exclusively for the MINI Convertible.
Optimized occupant safety ensured by the new rollover safety system, four airbags and central safety electronics.
Sophisticated suspension technology and the most advanced driving stability systems in the new MINI Convertible significantly reduce the risk of an accident. Suitable precautions are also taken for situations the driver is not able to influence, including: an increase in passenger cell stiffness by ten percent over the former model, high load-resistant carrier structures and precisely defined deformation zones, which ensure appropriate diversion and absorption of impact energy in the event of a head-on, side or rear-end collision.
To meet the specific needs of an open-air car, the newly constructed floorpan, as well as A-pillars and side-sills, are reinforced to an even higher standard than on the hardtop MINI - providing additional strength and stability.
The new MINI Convertible comes as standard with frontal airbags and side head/torso airbags integrated in the outer flanks of the front seat backrest and protecting the head, the upper body and the hips of the occupants from injury in the event of a side-on collision. All four seats feature three-point inertia-reel seat belts with additional belt force limiters and optimized belt tensioners on the front seats.
All restraint systems are controlled by the car's central safety electronics and are activated as a function of the type and severity of a collision.
The safety system in the MINI Convertible also comprises a rollover sensor activating the newly developed rollover protection bar as well as the belt latch tensioners and the head/torso airbags in the event of a rollover. Interacting with the windscreen frame appropriately reinforced for the Convertible, the new rollover protection bar moving up electromechanically within 150 milliseconds whenever required acts as part of the passenger cell ensuring maximum occupant safety and protection.
In its all-round safety concept, the new MINI Convertible is designed to fulfill not only the legal requirements in all international car markets, but also to achieve outstanding results in all relevant crash tests and consumer safety inspections the world over.
The interior: spacious, variable, sophisticated.
Through its design and construction, the new rollover protection bar enhances not only occupant safety, but also the everyday driving qualities of the new MINI Convertible. Made of one single piece of aluminum, the rollover protection bar extends across the entire width of the interior behind the rear seats. The two ends of the rollover protection bars rest in holders that move up the entire safety unit electromechanically whenever required. In its basic position, on the other hand, the rollover protection bar is no higher than the rear headrests, thus remaining out of sight when the driver is in looking to the rear.
Designed as a single-piece element, the rollover protection bar further serves to integrate a large loading facility between the luggage and the passenger compartment, giving the new MINI Convertible additional variability.
Depending on requirements, the rear-seat backrest - split down the middle - folds down either in a 50:50 subdivision or completely from right to left. With the roof closed, this increases luggage compartment capacity to 23.10 cubic, feet, exceeding the capacity available in the former model by 1.93 cubic feet. Maximum load, in turn, is up by 66 lb to 948 lb.
Like its predecessor, the new MINI Convertible again comes with an Easy-Load system. With the rear lid swiveling down conveniently, the entire lid also serves as a storage tray able to carry a load of up to 176 lb.
A further important point is that the rear roof frame swivels up by approximately 35°, creating a generous luggage compartment opening for much easier loading of bulky objects.
With the roof open, in turn, the new MINI Convertible offers luggage capacity of 4.38 cubic feet. As long as the roof is closed, the parcel shelf - which rests on two guide rails and holds the roof when open - swivels up to the top, increasing luggage capacity to 5.95 cubic feet.
As an option, the MINI Convertible is also available with a new rear rack installation kit, with holders in the rear bumper serving to take up a bicycle carrier available as special equipment.
Again, this gives the new MINI Convertible a unique combination of driving pleasure and function. And even the influence of the wind rushing by with the roof open may be adjusted to individual requirements via the optionally available wind deflector, which serves to significantly reduce air swirl within the interior. Fitted in position behind the front seats, the wind deflector moves up quickly and easily in one simple operation.
Premium quality and diverse style within the interior.
Over and above the thrilling pleasure of driving the new MINI Convertible, the first impression the new MINI Convertible will leave on its beholder is determined by quality enhanced to an even higher level than before; modern controls and instruments design; top-quality materials; and attractive color combinations.
Even in standard trim, the MINI Convertible clearly expresses its exceptional position as the world's only premium convertible in its segment. The wide range of paintwork and roof colors, interior variants and special equipment simply begs the enthusiast to take a closer look at the car - especially because the new MINI Convertible comes with a complete choice of customization options so typical of the brand, making each and every car a personally configured one-off showpiece.
The body of the new MINI Convertible is available in no less than 12 paintwork colors, including Horizon Blue and Midnight Black metallic - featured for the first time, as well as Interchange Yellow, which is exclusive to this stunning car. The soft roof comes as standard either in Black or classic Hot Chocolate Brown. As an option there is also the Denim Blue roof color, characterized by a particularly sporting and robust flair of material, a silver effect generated by gloss threads woven into the roof, and Orange-colored seams.
In regular trim, the interior of the MINI Cooper Convertible comes with Black/Gray Leatherette, and when ordered with the Sport Seat option, there is no charge for Carbon Black cloth upholstery. The MINI Cooper S Cabrio, in turn, features sports seats standard in either Black/Gray Leatherette or Carbon Black Checkered cloth.
Furthermore, both the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Cabrio are available with three versions of leather in Carbon Black, Tuscan Beige and Hot Chocolate. Also, three other cloth/leather combination upholsteries are available: two-tone Cream White/Black, Rooster Red/Black and Interchange Yellow/Black.
The interior surfaces are also finished with specific features on each model: the MINI Cooper Convertible boasts trim surfaces on the dashboard, elliptic door rings and seven trim rings in Fine White Silver; while the MINI Cooper S Cabrio comes with Checkered trim at the same points, with the number of silver trim rings increased to sixteen.
As an option, the interior trim surfaces are also available in Fluid Silver, Piano Black, Brushed Alloy and English Oak, as well as Interchange Yellow and Horizon Blue - exclusive to the MINI Convertible and corresponding with the body color.
As yet another styling feature, the optional Color Line accentuates the lower section of the instrument panel and the armrests on the doors in Dark Grey, Cream White, Rooster Red, Pacific Blue or Hot Chocolate.
Likewise available as an option within the interior, the Chromeline Package provides a sophisticated glossy finish around the instrument panel and the center console, with chrome elements additionally highlighting the sophisticated character of the rollover protection bar system.
The interior illumination of the MINI Convertible featured as standard provides a harmonious, anti-dazzle light effect and allows the driver to use the controls and instruments safely and without problems at night. Over and above illumination of the glove box and luggage compartment, reading lights supplementing the interior illumination on the front roof frame also come as standard.
Additional footwell and exit lights as well as discreet light sources around the center console are standard. The ambient illumination function sets a particular highlight in the interior of the MINI Convertible, serving to provide a discreet "waterfall" light effect from above and indirectly illuminating the center console, the door pockets and door handle shells, as well as the side panels at the rear, to give the interior a truly unique ambience. At the touch of a button, the driver or passengers are able to vary the emotional mood generated by the ambient lights from warm orange to sporting blue.
Optional automatic air conditioning with a Convertible mode.
As an option the new MINI Convertible comes with either manual air conditioning (standard) or automatic climate control (optional). The automatic unit even comprises a special Convertible mode activated automatically as soon as the roof is opened. In the Convertible mode the temperature set by the driver and passengers is consistently maintained even under the influence of the wind rushing by.
Whenever the a/c compressor is not used it is automatically switched off in the interest of enhanced efficiency. And in low outside temperatures the heating in the footwells is automatically intensified to provide a pleasant climate inside the car as quickly as possible.

• MINI Cooper S Cabrio
  • Four-cylinder gasoline engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection
  • Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 172 hp at 5,500 rpm.
  • Max torque: 177 lb-ft from 1,600-5,000 rpm (192 lb-ft with Overboost).
  • Acceleration 0-60mph: 7.0 sec Manual, 7.2 Automatic
  • Top speed: 138 mph Manual, 135 mph Automatic
• MINI Cooper Convertible
  • Four-cylinder gasoline engine with VALVETRONIC technology
  • Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 118 hp at 6,000 rpm
  • Max torque: 114 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
  • Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.9 sec Manual, 10.2 Automatic
  • Top speed: 124 mph Manual, 119 mph Automatic

Holden Hurricane Concept

Holden has gone back to the future, restoring its very first concept car - the 1969 Holden Hurricane Concept.
The futuristic research vehicle described as an experiment "to study design trend, propulsion systems and other long range developments" has been restored to its former glory as a labour of love by a dedicated group of Holden designers and engineers.
Code named RD 001; the Holden Hurricane is a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-seater sports car which incorporates a remarkable array of innovative features and technology, much of it way ahead of its time.
Features such as electronic digital instrument displays, station-seeking radio, automatic temperature control air conditioning, rear vision camera and an automated route finder were all showcased in this ground-breaking vehicle 42 years ago. Many of these technologies have only recently made their way into mass production, demonstrating Holden's remarkable foresight into both design and engineering technology.

The Holden Hurricane stole headlines and dropped jaws nationwide when it debuted at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show.
Michael Simcoe, Executive Director GMIO Design, said it was fantastic to see such a significant vehicle restored.
"At Holden we have always prided ourselves on our ability to look into the future through our concept cars," Mr Simcoe said.
"It's amazing to think that the features we take for granted today were born out of creative minds over 40 years ago."

As its code name suggests, the RD 001 was the first product of the GMH Research and Development organisation, staffed by a small squad of engineers working in conjunction with the Advance Styling Group at the Fishermans Bend Technical Centre in the 1960s.
The team that designed and built the original Holden Hurricane employed some advanced technologies and techniques when it came to the powertrain. Powered by an experimental 4.2-litre (253 cubic inch) V8, this engine was a precursor to the Holden V8 engine program which entered production in late 1969.
The Holden Hurricane's V8 engine featured many advanced design components such as the four-barrel carburettor - a feature which wouldn't be seen on a production 253ci Holden V8 until the late 1970s. The end result was approximately 262hp (193kW), a towering power output in 1969 and one that ensured the Holden Hurricane had the go to match its show.
But perhaps the two most innovative features were the "Pathfinder" route guidance system and the rear-view camera.
The "Pathfinder", essentially a pre-GPS navigation system, relied on a system of magnets embedded at intersections along the road network to guide the driver along the desired route. A dash-mounted panel informed the driver of which turn to take by illuminating different arrows, as well as sounding a warning buzzer.
The rear-view camera was also a ground-breaking innovation.
Engineers using a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system with a camera mounted in the rear bumper feeding vision to a small black-and-white TV mounted in the centre console.
Former Holden Chief Studio Engineer Rick Martin led the modern-day Hurricane team in researching the vehicle's components, systems and history in order to restore it.
"There are some genuinely remarkable ideas and technology in the Hurricane," said Mr Martin.
"From the automatic air-conditioning and magnet-based guidance system, to the inertia-reel seat belts and metallic paint, this was a car that was genuinely ahead of its time.
"The hand-picked team of engineers and designers who built the original Holden Hurricane worked in strict secrecy and began Holden's now proud tradition of ground-breaking concept cars."
RD 001 stands just 990mm high and has no doors in the conventional sense. A hydraulically-powered canopy opens upwards and forward over the front wheels, combined with twin "astronaut type" power-elevating seats which rise up and pivot forward, along with the steering column for ease of access. Occupants are then lowered to a semi-reclining position before the roof closes over them.
The wind tunnel-tested fibreglass body consists of three segments; the canopy, the engine hood and body shell and was finished in an experimental aluminium flake-based metallic orange paint.
Safety innovations included a foam-lined fuel tank, integrated roll-over bar, digital instrument readouts, ignition safety locks, interior padding and a fire warning system.
The project to restore RD 001 began in 2006 and has been a genuine labour of love for some very dedicated Holden employees. The entire restoration process has been driven primarily by volunteer labour from Holden designers and engineers in their spare time.
But the Hurricane first entered Holden Design in less than immaculate condition. RD 001 had a residency in a trade school where apprentices practised their welding on the priceless concept.
After being returned to Holden in 2006, the Hurricane restoration project has taken many thousands of painstaking man hours to lovingly restore RD 001 to concourse condition.
Holden's Manager for Creative Hard Modelling, Paul Clarke, has been largely responsible for managing the restoration of RD 001. He ensured as many of the original parts as possible have been used or remade using modern techniques to 1969 specification, in order to preserve the authenticity of this hugely important Holden.
"The entire team has done a fantastic job in bringing this beautiful concept back to life," Mr Clarke said.
"The talent we have within the Holden organisation is simply outstanding. Every time we take on a project I'm constantly amazed by the passion and talent in this company, making it a genuine pleasure to work on these projects.
"The Hurricane plays a crucial role in Holden's story and the company has such a great sense of history and heritage that it was very important to bring RD 001 back to life. It's been a challenging but incredibly rewarding process."
Since the debut of the Holden Hurricane Concept in 1969, Holden has continued to build a global reputation for envisioning and executing world-class concept vehicles. Holden is recognised globally within General Motors as a centre of excellence for concept vehicle and show car development and is one of only three GM design studios that is capable to design and build concept cars.

Isuzu Rodeo 3.0 Denveri

Truly a pickup without compromise from the company that calls itself 'the pickup professionals', the 2011 Isuzu Rodeo range offers UK consumers the perfect blend of rugged ability with performance, comfort with style, and self-assured confidence with truck-like toughness.
Unlike other pickups, the Isuzu Rodeo doesn't just have bespoke parts, it's an entirely bespoke vehicle built from the ground up to take on a broad range of challenges in the widest variety of conditions.
Isuzu believes that a pickup isn't a pickup if it is not equally as good off-road as it is on the tarmac. Thanks to its commercial vehicle DNA and decades of Isuzu expertise, the Rodeo can make the toughest of jobs seem effortless and the inaccessible suddenly isn't.

In its latest form, the Isuzu Rodeo line-up presents UK consumers with a choice of eight models, single and double cab body styles, two diesel engines, two- or four-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmissions.
Prices for the 2011 Rodeo line-up range from £12,699 to £22,549 (commercial vehicle on the road), and because of their 1,000 kg-plus payloads, all Rodeos allow a VAT registered company to reclaim the VAT.
A choice of seven exterior colours is offered - with solid white as standard and two metallic and four mica colours available either as a £315 extra cost option (FOC on the two Max LE models).
Originally launched in the UK in November 2003, the Isuzu Rodeo underwent a substantial upgrade in 2007 with a plush new interior and world-beating new common-rail diesel engine joining the line-up to keep it a highly competitive vehicle in the hotly-contested UK market for 'lifestyle' one-tonne pickups.
The Rodeo was soon acknowledged as the most up-to-date and sophisticated vehicle in its class and quickly racked up numerous awards. These included: 'Best Double Cab Pickup' from Used Car Buyer magazine, 'Lifestyle Pickup Winner' from 4x4 magazine, the Caravan Club's '2005 Towcar of the Year / Utility Class' accolade and the 'Best-In-Class' title from WhatVan? magazine.

In addition to the Rodeo's competitive fuel economy, running costs are driven down by 12,000 miles or 12 months service intervals. Isuzu's legendary reliability is endorsed by a three-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper mechanical warranty, along with three-years' recovery and assistance cover. Extra underbody and box section rust proofing allows Isuzu Rodeo owners to also benefit from a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.
Outside the UK, the Isuzu Rodeo pickup is a remarkable global phenomenon. Known as the Isuzu D-Max in certain countries, it was launched in Thailand, where it is manufactured, in May 2002. Its remarkable combination of attributes quickly established this model as a global leader, with Isuzu exporting vehicles to more than 80 countries worldwide - including Australia where it wears a 'Holden' badge.
Selling in vast volumes, the Rodeo has been the world's Number One best-seller in the one-tonne pickup market since 1983.

STYLING
Famed for its understated yet purposeful appeal, the super-tough appearance of the Rodeo range combines car-like detailing with a strong road presence.
Completely upgraded in 2007, the Isuzu Rodeo double-cab features a whole new look, with a new grille, projector-type headlamps, new bumper within inset foglamps and a new bonnet with intercooler intake.
The pickup's wide track is accentuated by clearly-defined wheelarch swage lines - further enhanced by chunky-looking extensions. The cab design itself is especially well integrated with the load bed - avoiding the boxy, add-on look of many vehicles in this segment. Smoother rear side panels behind the cab have contours which are complemented by a new tailgate and rear lamps.
Sophisticated, car-like detailing extends to the multi-element headlamps, turn indicator 'repeaters' set in the door mirrors and tight panel-gaps throughout the body. The flowing surface treatment can be further enhanced by the choice of high-gloss mica or metallic paint.
The overall sensation of high quality is endorsed by the grab-type exterior door handles which have a substantial feel, but also an especially light movement, and the large wrap-round rear lights.
Spacious, comfortable and ergonomic interior
The neat sophistication of the Rodeo's exterior design is carried over into the interior styling, with a one-piece fascia, car-like soft-touch surfaces across the doors and fascia, plus efficient control ergonomics with all major controls readily at hand and a standard of seat comfort previously unheard of in a pickup.
Generously proportioned, the Rodeo seats are trimmed in a plush Moquette cloth which is also featured on the door trims. Featuring crisp, clear graphics, the three instrument dials are electro-luminescent. Large circular, adjustable air vents in the centre and outboard on the fascia, compliment the chunky, four-spoke steering wheel with a bold 'ISUZU' logo encircled inside a chrome ring. All Rodeos benefit from extensive cabin sound-proofing with insulation placed in critical areas of the bodyshell to heighten refinement.
The attractive centre stack houses easy-to-use rotary controls for the ventilation and air-conditioning, the audio and (where fitted) sat-nav systems, and below the top air vents, a digital clock and three selector buttons for the 'shift-on-the fly' drivetrain, allowing 2WD (2H) and 4WD (4H) to be engaged on the move at speeds up to 60 mph. For low ratio (4L) selection, the vehicle must be stationary but operation is equally simple.
Cabin space is generous with 1,004 mm of headroom and 1,450 mm of shoulder room, up front. To ensure that the majority of users can find a comfortable driving position, the driver's seat has 200 mm of fore/aft travel and the steering wheel is height-adjustable.
Rear seat passengers are also well looked after. Access is easy as the rear doors are much wider than most competitors and can be opened up to 68.5 degrees allowing easy entry and exit. The rear seat backrest is reclined to a greater angle (than many rivals) for improved comfort and rear legroom is also ample.
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
The 2011 line-up of Isuzu Rodeo models encompasses four versions of the Double Cab 4x4 so customers can tailor their chosen vehicle to their specific needs and budget.
The entry-level Denver has a generous specification that includes as standard: air-conditioning, four electric windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless-entry central-locking, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-disc radio/CD player with MP3 capability and iPod connectivity. This model is priced from £16,049 (Commercial OTR).
Expected to be the biggest seller, the Denver Max costs just £1,000 more (from £17,049) and comes with additional features such as soft-type front bumper A-bar, stainless steel side-steps, an under (or over) -rail load bed liner, stainless steel door scuff plates, a 'double-DIN' radio with CD player and MP3 capability, plus Bluetooth hands-free kit and chrome-finish rear lamp protectors.
Priced from £19,299, the Denver Max Plus adds a two-tone leather interior, cruise control and a touch-screen colour sat-nav system to its standard specification.
The range-topping Denver Max LE benefits from 18-inch 'Shadow Chrome' alloy wheels with 255/60 R18 tyres, stainless steel mesh front grille, chrome finish bonnet garnish, and a body-colour hard top with locking tailgate. Pricing is from £21,549.
With its focus on hard work, rather than a work/leisure mix, the Rodeo Single Cab 4x2, which carries a £12,699 price tag, is equipped with tinted glass, ABS, front airbags, seatbelts with pre-tensioners, single disc radio/CD player with two speakers and an anti-theft alarm.
ENGINES & PERFORMANCE
Isuzu is the world's biggest manufacturer of diesel engines and appropriately, its four cylinder power units for the Isuzu Rodeo pickup range deliver best-in-class combinations of fuel-economy, emissions, performance and refinement.
Available in two capacities (2.5 and 3.0 litres), the Isuzu diesel for Rodeo is fitted with a top mounted intercooler and five-speed manual gearbox as standard. It features twin overhead camshafts with 16 valves, a stainless steel timing chain, and an advanced common-rail system operating at a high-pressure (180 MPa), with an electronically-controlled injection pump for precise and constant 'just-in-time' fuel supply. A variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) - with turbine blades that vary their pitch according to engine speed - provides strong pulling power throughout the rev-range.
For excellent pulling power, a large percentage of maximum torque is available from both engines at just 1,000 rpm - 60 percent (2.5) and more than 70 percent (3.0).
Featuring a 95.4 mm bore and short 87.4 mm stroke, the 2,499 cc engine is especially smooth, quiet and free-revving and runs on an 18.3:1 compression ratio. Maximum power is 136 ps at 3,600 rpm, with 294 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 3,200 rpm.
This engine complies with Euro4 emission standards and delivers class-leading fuel economy - 28.8, 39.8 and 34.9 mpg on the Urban, Extra Urban and Combined cycles - with a CO2 rating of 213 g/km.
The Isuzu Rodeo's 2.5-litre engine generates more power and torque than the previous generation 3-litre power unit, throughout the entire rev-range and delivers an especially strong performance between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm with much improved throttle response. With this engine, Rodeo accelerates to 62 mph in just 12.8 seconds - a 38 percent improvement on the previous model.
3-litre delivers 20 percent more power and torque
The 3-litre engine has the same cylinder bore, with a significantly longer stroke (104.9 mm) for a capacity of 2,999 cc. Its power output is up 20 percent to 163 ps and torque rises to 360 Nm for the manual transmission Rodeo - a 22 percent hike. Acceleration time to 62 mph is cut by 2.1 seconds to 10.7. Fuel economy figures are 26.9, 39.2 and 33.6 mpg (Urban, Extra Urban and Combined cycles), with CO2 emissions of 222 g/km.
When mated to the optional four-speed automatic transmission, the 3-litre engine is re-tuned to deliver a little less torque (333 Nm) but over a wider rev-band, from 1,600 to 3,200 rpm. This engine/gearbox combination returns fuel economy of 25.9, 35.8 and 31.4 mpg (Urban, Extra Urban and Combined cycles), with CO2 emissions of 237 g/km.
Standard transmission for Isuzu Rodeo is a five-speed manual gearbox with a high top gear ratio - 0.745:1 (2.5) and 0.790:1 (3.0) - for quieter and more fuel-efficient motoring at higher cruising speeds. Fifth gear, for example, now delivers a relaxed 27.9 mph/1,000 rpm in the 3-litre model.
Class-leading 'hauling' and 'towing' performances
The Rodeo's Double-Cab and Single-Cab cargo dimensions, payload capacity and towing weights are among the very best available in the UK's pickup marketplace.
The Double-Cab's cargo bay measures 1,360 x 1,340 mm and can accommodate a highly competitive 1,075 kg payload. This is comfortably over the tax-critical 1,000 kg threshold which allows companies to reclaim VAT. Towing weight is equally impressive at a class-leading 3,000 kg.
Off-road, the Rodeo Double-Cab's credentials promise an amazing capability. Ground clearance is a generous 205 mm while approach, departure and ramp angles are 34, 21 and 21 degrees. The maximum transverse angle is a remarkable 49 degrees and Isuzu's pickup can wade through 600 mm deep water at 5 mph. The rear axle even has a snorkel to enable the Rodeo to 'breathe' under water.
Optimised for a hard working life, the Single-Cab's cargo area is a massive 2,280 mm long and 1,520 wide, while the maximum payload is 1,235 kg. Ground clearance is 195 mm, wading depth 400 mm and towing capacity 2,500 kg.
CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR
Decades of experience manufacturing some of the world's best-selling trucks and commercial vehicles, are incorporated into Isuzu's Rodeo pickup range which is 'built tough' from the ground up.
Maximising the attributes of a traditional ladder frame and separate bodyshell structure, the Isuzu Rodeo features the largest and widest chassis of any pickup with eight cross members and a reinforced cargo bed support. Highlighting this model's truck DNA, the heavy-duty rear axle has dual-taper wheel bearings, while the front suspension's upper control arms and stub axles are engineered for immense strength and longevity.
Rugged yet refined, the Rodeo's suspension is designed to deliver a smoother ride than most competitors, with an unusual degree of steering precision for this class. It features power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering rather than the less precise recirculating ball system still used by many one-tonne pickups.
Front suspension is fully independent employing double wishbones and torsion bars, with an anti-roll bar as standard. Rear suspension features a live axle suspended by semi-elliptic steel leaf springs for maximum simplicity and durability, plus the ability to absorb punishing payloads. The rear springs are carefully tuned to work in harmony with the front suspension to reduce the unladen ride choppiness displayed by many rival models. Ride comfort is further enhanced by the fitting of gas-filled double-acting shock absorbers, front and rear.
The Rodeo has a braking system especially designed for demanding commercial use when fully laden. It features large 280 mm ventilated front discs with twin-piston calipers which enhance braking performance and ensure even brake pad wear. The 295 mm rear drums are fitted with improved, fade-resistant pad material. The dual-circuit braking system has a large 230 mm (9.0 ins) tandem servo. In addition, all Rodeos have a sophisticated three-channel, four-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).
Alloy wheels are standard on all Isuzu Rodeo Double Cab derivatives in the UK - 16 x 7 inch with 245/70 R16 tyres on most models, with 18 x 8.5 inch alloys and 255/60 R18 tyres for the Rodeo Denver Max LE.
SAFETY & SECURITY
The Rodeo's standard 'active' and 'passive' safety features are truly outstanding for a pickup - the result of Isuzu taking care of its product users bearing in mind that in many countries, such as in the Far East or on the Greek peninsular, this vehicle is chosen as the primary family car, as well as an everyday work mate.
The Isuzu Rodeo has built-in strengths that also deliver benefits in terms of safety. The separate ladder-frame chassis is 60 percent stiffer longitudinally and 50 percent stronger laterally - compared to the previous generation model. A special cross member at the rear of the chassis greatly increases torsional rigidity and spreads the weight of the payload more evenly.
Helping safety, refinement and durability is a single-piece cabin side panel. This is formed from galvanized steel, for maximum corrosion-protection, as are the cabin rear bulkhead, inner and outer door skins, bonnet, wings, wheel arch housings, load bay floor and sides, plus the tailgate. For maximum longevity as well as impact resistance, the fuel tank is made of polyethylene.
To help Rodeo drivers cope with everyday motoring hazards, 'active' safety features fitted as standard include a three-channel, four-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). This latter feature is especially important on a pickup which has to cope with a wide variation between laden and unladen weight. The Rodeo's EBD compensates for the front and rear load differences during braking - before the ABS intervenes - preventing rear wheel lock-up which can affect some pickups.
'Passive' safety kit fitted to all Rodeos includes twin front airbags and impact-resistant side protection beams for all doors. The front and rear of the bodyshell have special crush zones designed to provide maximum absorption of impact forces, while the centre section and chassis are specially reinforced.
Every Isuzu Rodeo occupant benefits from a three-point seatbelt - even for the rear centre passenger in double-cab models. The front seatbelts have pretensioners with load-limiters and are height-adjustable as are the two outer rear seatbelts. An ISOFIX child seat mounting is fitted to the two outer rear seats - making the Rodeo ideally suited for use as a 'lifestyle' family vehicle.
Passenger car-like security features include an engine immobiliser for all models plus a warning reminder should the ignition key be left in the vehicle inadvertently. An anti-theft alarm is standard, together with central door locking with a keyless entry facility featuring a rolling code for even greater security. This works by changing the code between the key and the vehicle every time the Isuzu Rodeo is locked and unlocked.

Lexus GS 350 F Sport

Lexus will reveal the all-new 2013 GS 350 F Sport package at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Building on the excitement of the fourth-generation GS 350 which was revealed at Pebble Beach in August 2011, the Lexus GS 350 F Sport package was designed to engage driving enthusiasts with factory engineering and the ability to take performance to an entirely new level. Unique to the F Sport package will be aggressive 19-inch wheels, F Sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), thicker anti-roll bars, bushing changes, and new larger front brakes with high friction pads. In addition, rear-wheel drive (RWD) models will be equipped with 19-inch staggered width wheels and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). Inside, the all-new package also features a sporty attitude with a new 16-way power driver's sport seat, unique interior design treatment and available F Sport exclusive Cabernet Red leather interior.

"The all-new GS 350 with F Sport package will offer our customers more agility and a sportier appearance," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The racing-inspired F Sport components were precision engineered for this vehicle, providing quality performance without compromise."
Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance
As with the GS 350, the GS 350 F Sport package is powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6, with four cams, and four valves per cylinder and dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. At 306 horsepower, it is one of the most powerful base engines in the segment, as well as the only one with both port and direct injection. It propels the car from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and at the same time, fuel economy has been improved.
Acceleration from 30 to 50 mph can take just 3.0 seconds, and improved engine sound characteristics complement the bolder, more energetic personality of the new GS. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission has paddle shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment.
The transmission incorporates many features adopted from the Lexus IS F high-performance sedan — including faster shifts, and downshift throttle blips — to support four driving modes that can be operated by toggling the Lexus Drive Mode selector. In addition to the Normal mode, the driver can customize the driving experience using ECO, Sport S and Sport S+ modes.
An optional electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is designed to enhance traction in a variety of driving conditions. The system can vary front-to-rear torque balance from 50/50 to as much as 30/70, depending on driving conditions, for exceptional control.

Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
To provide a more engaging driving experience, including a new aerodynamic body, a completely new platform with a wider stance and stiffer structure, a transmission with quicker shifts, distinctive engine sound and exhaust notes, and better seat support, Lexus engineers looked to the Lexus LFA supercar for inspiration.

The new platform has been designed to be more rigid. Engineers conducted extensive platform testing, ultimately increasing the number of spot welds and adding laser welds in very specific locations. The track, wider by almost two inches, works in combination with a revised suspension design to help ensure a more solid stance and superior cornering performance.
The new suspension system is designed to help guide the 2013 GS through corners with precision. In the front, upper and lower control arms are made from aluminum and employ larger bushings. The rear subframe has been completely redesigned to accommodate an all-new multi-link rear suspension, using improved suspension geometry that helps retain tire cornering force and enhances rear control. With the stiffer platform and lighter components, the shocks can use lighter-viscosity oil, so they move easily and respond to small inputs more quickly.
The use of front and rear aluminum control arms helps reduce unsprung weight and results in significant improvements in agility, roll damping, ride comfort, body control and steering precision. Overall, the suspension is lighter and stronger, allowing it to react to driver input readily, and ride quietly without harshness.
The Lexus GS 350 F Sport package will offer an optional newly developed Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system with Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) for those seeking more agility. This leading edge platform technology offers Lexus' first integration of DRS; Electric Power Steering; and Variable Gear Ratio Steering. Monitoring vehicle speed, steering direction and driver inputs, the system calculates the optimum angle for all four wheels. LDH helps to optimize the vehicle slip angle. Using VGRS in the front and DRS in the rear, the system can independently manage both front and rear wheel steering angles to help improve turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle control and overall agility when cornering.

The latest generation of Lexus' unique Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system coordinates Lexus Dynamic Handling; the Anti-lock Braking System; Traction Control; Vehicle Stability Control; and Adaptive Variable Suspension. Adaptive Variable Suspension helps front and rear wheel control and provides agile, sharp and confident driving behavior with a more direct response to the driver's actions. The LDH system monitors vehicle speed and yaw rate, steering angle and speed, and lateral G to calculate the required rear wheel steering input, to a maximum DRS angle of 2.0 degrees. At most speeds below 50 mph the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions. In certain conditions at speeds over 50 mph the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction.
Further coordinating DRS with VGRS and AVS, the Lexus Dynamic Handling system will automatically customize the adaptive suspension tuning and active safety systems to suit road conditions, vehicle speed and driving style, giving drivers the confidence to fully utilize the exceptional driving performance of the GS with F Sport package.
The GS 350 RWD with F Sport package will be exclusively equipped with 19-inch staggered width wheels paired with 235/40/19 front and 265/35/19 rear tires, the widest rear tires ever on a Lexus sedan. The wider width wheels allow for a sportier look, and will also help provide added traction. All-wheel drive (AWD) models will be paired with 235/40/19 all-season tires in the front and rear.
Safety/Security Features
As with the GS 350, the GS 350 F Sport package will be standard equipped with 10 airbags, including a knee airbag for both front driver and passenger. Rear seat occupants have seat-mounted side airbags, and all four outboard occupants are equipped with side curtain airbags. Also standard are new Whiplash Injury Lessening front seats designed to help limit excessive head movement, and help decrease the severity of whiplash-type injuries in certain types of rear-end collisions. Standard seatbelts with pretensioners with force limiters used for front and outboard rear seats further assist occupant protection.
Available options to help further enhance occupant safety include a Pre-Collision System, which uses the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System to provide early warning of certain objects traveling directly ahead that might result in a front-end collision. The system also uses a Lexus-first infrared camera with new scanning technology to monitor the driver's eyes. In the event that the driver does not appear to be looking forward when a collision appears imminent, the system will initiate the warning at an earlier threshold. If the driver still does not respond and make the appropriate maneuver, the system will initiate braking intervention up to 1.2 seconds prior to impact, helping to lessen the severity of the collision. With available Lexus Dynamic Handling, PCS will help further mitigate the occurrence of a collision.
Other available safety systems include a Night Vision System that enhances driver visibility at night; Heads Up Display; a Blind Spot Monitor that helps detect vehicles in rear/side blind spots; and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW). GS is the first in its segment to offer LKA with active steering torque to provide a small amount to assist in maintaining course, while the LDW feature alerts the driver if the system detects that the vehicle is beginning to drift out of the lane.

Exterior Design
The 2013 GS expresses a new generation of Lexus' design philosophy with its precisely sculpted exterior and will lead the rest of the lineup in an entirely new direction. When designers shaped the GS they visualized the flow of air around it and, like the LFA supercar, maximized aerodynamic efficiency for low coefficient of drag.
Following the inspirational design cues of the IS line-up and CT 200h, the F Sport package separates itself from the GS line-up with distinctive exterior details. To display its aggressive attitude, the Lexus GS 350 F Sport package will be outfitted with a sport front bumper and rear lower valence, rear lip spoiler, unique F Sport mesh grille inserts and F Sport badging.
The GS fuses distinctive style with engineering functionality. The signature spindle grille with its trapezoidal contours fully integrates into the aggressive front bumper allowing for efficient airflow. Air inlets located on the outer edges of the lower grille serve as cooling ducts. This distinctive Lexus design feature combined with the deep-set, high-tech headlamps and L-shaped LED daytime running lamps further express the vehicle's confident and dynamic character. The headlamps use a projector beam design, adding a strong, chiseled appearance and excellent illumination. Fins incorporated into the side of the tail lamps and the design of the trunk area all help direct air over and past the car. The rear bumper underbody area was designed for reduced wind resistance to help keep the car firmly planted on the ground.
From the side, the GS projects the image of a spacious sport sedan with a road-hugging wider stance. The tapered lower rocker panel and the short front overhang give the vehicle a sense of motion. Width-enhancing front and rear wheel arches add an athletic stance-enhancing the vehicle's dynamic presence.
The rear bumper features a distinctive exhaust diffuser and centered aero fins to help control underbody airflow. Combined with the L-shaped LED tail lamps, a Lexus design cue, these rear bumper features lend a high-performance appearance. Overall, the new GS sheet metal represents a significant extension of the Lexus L-finesse philosophy that is the core of all Lexus product design.
The Lexus GS 350 F Sport package will feature two new colors: Riviera Red and Liquid Platinum, and also be available in Starfire Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl and Obsidian. Vehicles in Riviera Red will benefit from glass flakes incorporated into the coating that adds a high level of brilliance to the paint. Lexus engineers developed a new advanced coating process for Liquid Platinum exteriors. The GS 350 will be the first Lexus to adopt this new coating technology. Vehicles with the Liquid Platinum exterior will appear more radiant as an additional metallic texture gives both strong shading and defined, sharp highlights. This metallic effect makes subtle and defined bodylines more noticeable and the surface appears finely polished.
Interior Design
To complement the aggressive-looking exterior of the F Sport package, the interior will feature an exclusive design treatment with smooth striated aluminum trim, unique perforated leather trim, black headliner and aluminum pedals. Distinctive F Sport badging will be showcased on the steering wheel. Focusing on the driver, the F Sport package will feature a new 16-way power sport seat for increased lateral support. The driver's seat will include a Lexus-first with power side bolsters, thigh support, adjustable seatback and four-way lumbar. To complete the uniqueness of the F Sport package, a striking Cabernet Red leather interior will also be available.
Painstaking attention to detail was applied to the GS cabin as well, to create a balance of luxurious and technological amenities and emotional design. The new layout of the long, sculpted dash gives the driver and front passenger a sense of roominess through its clean center stack and new, large high-resolution center control display placed deep near the front windshield. Most of the comfort and convenience controls, such as audio and climate, were relocated to provide a cleaner and more sophisticated dash layout.
The interior includes a number of embedded premium upgrades as standard equipment. A new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow uses the occupant-detection system to focus airflow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated, a first-in-class technology. A next-generation Remote Touch with one-push confirmation is standard on all models and enables smooth, intuitive operations control.
The Remote Touch allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls, optional navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with the controller, eliminating the need to reach out. Remote Touch also reduces eye movement and helps users operate functions with reduced effort and distraction. A standard rear back-up camera helps add convenience.
The finely crafted cabin detail is complemented further by ambient lighting that unobtrusively welcomes and guides the user into the vehicle, providing a carefully designed experience. New white LED lights are sequentially lit to illuminate the areas around the doors, center console and footwells. A new analog clock with LED indicators, carved from an ingot, adds a unique touch, at once both modern and traditional.
"The GS 350 with F Sport Package will be a distinctive offering of luxury and excitement," said Templin. "With its dynamic handling, stopping power and true sporty feel this F Sport package will be sure to please our enthusiasts."

Subaru Forester

The 2011 Forester is Subaru's third generation of crossover SUV. Based on the Impreza platform, the Subaru Forester features a multi-link rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering and Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control.
All Forester vehicles feature Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, and customers can choose the new-for-summer-2011 2.0-litre Boxer petrol engine - returning 37.7mpg (combined) and a low CO2 emission figure of 173g/km - or the new, even more frugal Boxer diesel engine (47.9mpg, combined) which also offers an impressive between-fills range of 625 miles (1,000km).
Boasting exceptional agility, improved fuel economy, impressive load space and car-like characteristics, the Subaru Forester SUV is great value, priced from just £21,370 (OTR).

EQUIPMENT AND DESIGN
The Subaru Forester boasts a clean, chiselled appearance with multi-grooved wheel-arches, hawk-eye headlamps and muscular bumpers. Thought has even been given to the chunky exterior door handles, which have deep recesses to allow winter glove-wearers an easier grip.
The instruments have a sporty appearance thanks to their clear design and subtle lighting while the extensive vehicle information display includes an instantaneous fuel consumption indicator, highlighting the Subaru Forester's excellent efficiency.
Other premium touches shared by all Foresters include a gas strut-assisted bonnet, flowing fascia design, double-stitched seat cloth, metallic interior decoration, padded armrest cushions and a premium audio system that includes USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.
The diesel Subaru Forester offers outstanding equipment levels with even the base Forester 2.0D X featuring Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, self-levelling rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering, front, side and curtain airbags and 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels with 215 / 65 tyres.
Other features include electric windows fore and aft, 60/40-split rear seats with reclining back-rests, climate control air-conditioning, radio/CD player, front fog lamps, vehicle information display, height and reach-adjustment steering wheel, leather-covered steering wheel, handbrake and gearlever, heated front seats, mirrors and windscreen wipers and cruise control.
The Subaru Forester 2.0D XC adds roof-rails, larger, 17 x 7.0inch alloy wheels with 225 / 55 tyres, electrically folding door mirrors, one-touch folding rear seats, HID headlamps, a large, electrically-powered sun-roof and a premium audio system featuring a built-in rear reversing camera and a large display screen for ease-of-use
Topping the diesel range, the Forester 2.0D XS NavPlus, adds satellite navigation with single disc DVD / CD / radio, leather seats, electrically powered driver's seat and keyless Smart-entry with push-button start.
The petrol Subaru Forester line-up starts with the entry-level Forester 2.0 X. It features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, self-levelling rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering, front, side and curtain airbags, four electric windows, 60 / 40-split rear seats with reclining back-rests, climate-control air-conditioning, radio / CD player, front fog lamps, vehicle information display, height and reach-adjustment steering wheel, heated front seats, mirrors and windscreen wipers plus cruise-control and 16-inch alloy wheels. Manual models feature a dual-range transmission.
Finally, the higher-spec Forester 2.0 XS petrol offers 17-inch alloy wheels; leather seats, steering wheel, gear-lever and handbrake; premium audio system featuring a built-in rear reversing camera and a large display screen for ease-of-use; HID headlamps; sun-roof, electrically powered driver's seat; electrically folding door mirrors; retractable rear seat tray with cup-holder; engine starter button and keyless 'smart' entry.
NEW BOXER DIESEL IN DETAIL
Dedicated to the horizontally opposed Boxer engine layout for over 40 years, Subaru engineers were determined to use this proven format for their first diesel engine and for the new, improved version of this powerplant introduced in spring 2011.
The desire was to create a light, compact, strong unit with reduced vibration, noise and internal friction, as well as an ultra-low centre of gravity, compared to an in-line engine. This configuration enhances handling agility and road holding - especially when combined with Subaru's renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
The diesel engine and transmission are not only mounted very low down but also within the vehicle's wheelbase, which further boosts chassis dynamics. The horizontally opposed pistons effectively cancel out any secondary harmonic vibration (vibration with twice the frequency of the engine speed). The crankshaft is short and highly rigid, minimising the vibration noise often present in many other diesel engines.
And the superior balance of the horizontally opposed engine means internal rotational inertia and friction are drastically reduced compared with an in-line engine. Reduced internal friction means throttle response is also exceptionally lively and in keeping with Subaru's sporty heritage.
The cylinder block is of a rigid semi-closed deck design, while all five main bearings in the alloy block use metal composite supports for added strength and durability. It also enhances refinement, providing a similar thermal expansion to that of the crankshaft.

A special surface treatment to withstand the diesel engine's high combustion pressures is applied to the high-strength crankshaft, while the uprated cylinder heads have roller rocker arms. In addition, the cam-drive is via a chain system that is better able to handle the variations in torque of the diesel engine.
The new version of the Boxer diesel employs an advanced common-rail fuel-injection system with the fuel highly pressurised before being fed into the common rail. This maximises efficiency, both in terms of power, fuel consumption and emissions.
The development of the revised diesel engine focuses on nine key improvements. These include enhanced turbo-charger efficiency with reduced pumping losses, new exhaust-camshaft timing, increased EGR cooling, optimised flow-rate in the cooling circuit, fitting 4 per cent lighter connecting rods, eliminating the mini-PTC heater and switching to a smaller capacity 150-A alternator.
The new Boxer diesel meets Euro5 emission standards thanks to oxidation catalytic converters and a DPF (diesel particulate filter). This minimises particulate matter - the cause of black smoke.
Performance is improved while fuel economy and emissions are significantly improved. Maximum power is still 147ps at an ultra-low 3,600rpm and the substantial 350Nm (258lb.ft) of torque is now even more accessible, from 1,600 to 2,400rpm - 200rpm lower than previously.
Diesel Subaru Forester's top speed and 0-60mph figure are among the best in the compact SUV class. Top speed is 115.5mph and the sprint to 60mph is dispatched in 10.3 seconds. Even more importantly, in-gear flexibility leaves most competitors trailing thanks to strong mid-range torque and the carefully chosen ratios of the new six-speed manual gearbox.
Fuel economy in the Subaru Forester 2.0D X is improved by an average of 7.2 per cent, to an outstanding 39.8 (urban), 54.3 (extra urban) and 47.9mpg (combined). The Forester 2.0D XC and XS NavPlus derivatives, with their wider tyres, are not far behind at 39.2 (urban), 53.3 (extra urban) and 47.1mpg (combined). The new CO2 emission figures are especially impressive, down from 167 and 170g/km, respectively to just 155 and 158g/km.
To maximise the benefits of this new-found frugality, the Boxer diesel's fuel tank is larger - 64 litres compared to the petrol model's 60 litres, giving it a range of 625miles / 1,000km.
2.0-LITRE PETROL IN DETAIL
The latest Subaru Boxer petrol engine delivers improved environmental credentials compared to its predecessor, while also affording smooth acceleration. The new FB-A engine (found in the 2.0 X and XS Forester models) offers stronger low and mid-range pulling power, enhanced flexibility and improved fuel economy, as well as lower exhaust emissions.
The 2.0-litre four-cam configuration remains the same, featuring twin overhead camshafts per bank (DOHC), four valves per cylinder and an Active Valve Control System (AVCS) - a form of variable valve timing. The stroke has been increased by an additional 8mm to 92mm, offering an improvement in torque in the low- and mid-speed ranges, in addition to reduced emissions. Capacity is now 1,995cc.
The cylinder head, cylinder block and valve train have been re-designed, while the intake and exhaust systems have been extensively re-worked to optimise efficiency through increased air flow. Modifications to the cooling system channels now allow the engine to reach operating temperature quicker, with faster increases in oil temperature, reducing friction and improving fuel economy.
For this third-generation Boxer petrol engine, Subaru also employs a chain-type camshaft drive, as found on Subaru's six-cylinder engines and the brand's Boxer diesel engines. A more compact design and maintenance-free setup are two important benefits of this alteration.
Urban / extra urban / combined fuel consumption figures are now 29.1 / 44.8 / 37.7mpg for the Subaru Forester 2.0 X and XS automatic models, with an improved CO2 figure of 174g/km. This compares favourably with the petrol automatic competition.
The four-speed automatic achieves the 0-60mph dash in 12.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 115mph, while improved torque allows higher gearing for improved refinement and economy, with no sacrifice in engine response.
Manual versions of the Forester show similar improvements with urban / extra urban / combined figures of 30.1 / 44.1 / 37.7mpg, and a low CO2 rating of 173g/km. Top speed for the manual Subaru Forester is 114mph with a 0-60mph time of 10.6 seconds.
TRANSMISSION
The Forester diesel boasts a six-speed manual gearbox with optimised ratios for quiet, refined high-speed cruising and flexible low-speed manoeuvres. For example, sixth gear is slightly higher than fifth on the Legacy and Outback boxer diesels, with a ratio of 0.557:1, delivering 31.5mph / 1,000rpm for the Subaru Forester 2.0D X, while first gear is lower at 3.454:1.
The six-speed manual gearbox employs a cable change. Apart from giving a consistent feel, cables isolate transmission and engine vibration, enhancing refinement.
Petrol models are also available with a four-speed automatic transmission. This provides smoother changes with greater sensitivity to the driver's wishes. It is more efficient, saving fuel, because a slip lock-up device reduces wasted engine revs. In addition, advanced electronics - linked to an electronic throttle - match engine speed with the best gear for any given situation.
A new feature is 'Sports Shift' which allows drivers to select from 'normal', 'sports' or 'manual' modes, allowing them to 'tap-shift' between the gears at will.
As with previous models, the full-time All-Wheel-Drive transmission features a 60 / 40 Active Torque-Split on the automatic. However, the split varies according to changing road surface and weather conditions.
SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE
All Forester models enjoy the benefits of Subaru's acclaimed full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, as well as Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, as standard. The latter system uses sophisticated sensors to detect side-to-side and front-to- rear slip, plus sudden steering movements. It controls oversteer / understeer and potential loss of control by braking individual wheels and cutting engine revs - all in a matter of milliseconds.
The Subaru Forester's quick-thinking full-time Symmetrical AWD system splits power 50 / 50 per cent front / rear as its default setting. However, as soon as slip is detected, the centre differential with its viscous-coupling distributes torque to the axle with the most grip.
RIDE AND HANDLING
A sophisticated Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, low-friction, long-travel four-wheel independent suspension and low-centre-of-gravity Boxer engine, all contribute to the Subaru Forester's reputation for outstanding chassis dynamics.
It offers a highly absorbent ride with precise geometry control for accurate straight-line running over uneven road surfaces backed by extremely responsive steering and handling.
The rear multi-link, double-wishbone suspension liberates more luggage space thanks to its compactness compared to the previous rear-strut arrangement. And because it is attached to a sub-frame via bushes, with the mounting section moved to under the floor itself, road noise is reduced, too.
To boost ride comfort, the rear springs and shock-absorbers are mounted behind the centre-line of the rear wheels, with the wheel stroke itself moving rearwards. A rear anti-roll bar is standard.
Like all previous Subaru Forester incarnations, the rear suspension features self-levelling which aids stability when laden and ensures a constant ground clearance - now a substantial 215mm - 10mm greater than before.
At the front, the previous sub-frame has been eliminated, saving 20kg in weight. However, a new box-section for the front cross-member provides the same level of structural rigidity.
The MacPherson strut suspension and anti-roll bar layout is based on that used by the highly acclaimed Legacy and Impreza. It offers high lateral rigidity which improves steering response and cornering stability.
This is further enhanced by an especially rigid mounting for the steering rack and the positioning of the steering gearbox and electric motor below the rack for a more consistent feel. Furthermore, special suspension bushes and attachment points reduce road shock.
A more linear feel to the steering has been achieved, while the steering gear ratio has been changed for a sportier feel and the rack diameter is increased from 23 to 26mm.
For the Boxer diesel Subaru Forester, the front damping has been firmed up together with the steering to sharpen handling and compensate for the 45kg increase in engine weight.
Wheel and tyre sizes have been optimised for the new Subaru Forester's chassis and anticipated all-terrain use.
The Subaru Forester X models feature 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 R 16 tyres, while Forester XC, XS and XS NavPlus have 17 x 7.0-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R 17 tyres.
PASSENGER AND PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION
Both occupants and pedestrians are well protected by the Subaru Forester thanks to a whole series of safety measures aimed at achieving the highest standards.
Curtain and side airbags are now fitted to all models together with driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags. The front seatbelts have pre-tensioners, anti-whiplash front head restraints are standard and the front seats have energy-absorbing backs.
The brake pedal is energy-absorbing, being designed to snap away under severe impact, protecting the driver's lower limbs. In the rear seat, two ISOFIX-compatible child seat mountings are fitted.
Also fitted as standard, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) comes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). This system juggles the braking force between front and rear wheels according to weight transfer during deceleration. Unlike the previous model, the new Forester has ventilated front disc brakes.
High-tensile steel is used extensively throughout the bodyshell, providing good 'crushability' where needed for protecting the passenger area. Not only does the elimination of the previous Subaru Forester's front sub-frame reduce weight by 20kg, but the new structure better dissipates front impact forces.
Pedestrian protection is also greatly enhanced. Because the Subaru Forester is higher than a car, more space has been made between the bonnet and catch, while the bonnet itself has been designed to spread impact load over its entire surface. The back of the bonnet compresses easily and the cowl ahead of the windscreen is designed to dissipate collision energy.
A shock-absorbing plate has been installed ahead of the front bumper beam to reduce pedestrian leg injuries. This design meets European pedestrian safety regulations while retaining the Subaru Forester's off-road approach angle, as expected of an SUV.
WARRANTY
All Foresters come with the reassurance of a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty plus 12-year anti-corrosion cover and three-year paintwork warranty.
This is in addition to three years membership of Subaru Assistance - a comprehensive home and roadside repair and recovery package throughout the UK and Europe, administered by Mondial Assistance.
Service intervals are 12,000 miles or one year - whichever arrives first.
Insurance ratings are also extremely competitive at Group 9E for the Subaru Forester 2.0D X and XC and Group 10E for the Subaru Forester 2.0D XS NavPlus.