Importdriver News No.3

Bouncing Baby

Shown at the Detroit motorshow, the Hummer H2 sport utility truck (SUT), is smaller and more civilian friendly than the original, but will still be one of the biggest shopping trolleys around.

Big brother's image has been retained, while trimming down it's truck-o-negger dimensions. Boxy styling, vertical grille and a flat roof are inherited family traits, but in reality the new Hummer is more closely related to the Chevrolet/Holden Suburban, sharing the same platform. While the exterior is smaller, the lower floor allows a more spacious interior seating five instead of four.
In case you get off road, the H2 has some handy features, short overhangs allow for extreme approach and departure angles. The 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front and multi-link rear suspension add to its handling credentials, on and off road. You won't be short on pulling power either; the H2 is driven by a 6 litre, 325bhp Vortec V8 with a heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission and full-time four wheel drive.
The SUT has practical features too, a folding bulkhead at the rear of the passenger compartment that allowing you to carry passengers or copious amounts of cargo. It's concept only 'wow factor' features include a roof-mounted, 360-degree infrared night vision system.
Closer to a production model is the recently glimpsed SVT version. The SVT has a covered load bay instead of the SUT's short ute tray and is likely to be the first version off the production line.
The new Hummers are expected to go on sale in the US and Middle Eastern markets in 2003. Will we see Holden Hummers roaming our roads? Not likely, buyers will have to rely on importers to get into the drivers seat of one of these babies.

GT-R Is Born!

Finally the speculation is put to rest. The unexpected star of last week's Tokyo Motor Show was the 21st Century GT-R concept.

Nissan, cagey about its new supercar, refused to confirm it's presence before the show's opening. However, hours later Nissan president Carlos Ghosn unveiled the concept flagship.
Drawing heavily on cues from the new 350Z, the look of the new GT-R has caught many off-guard. However, as with previous generations, the latest model is distinguished by its muscular flared guards, gaping air intakes, and 'afterburner' tail lights. Less attractive features include the beady triangular headlights, sourced from directly from the Z car. Mechanical details are scarce, but rumours have emerged that Nissan plans an electrically assisted power system. Powerful, lightweight, electric motors in the wheel hubs would provide increases power and traction, as well as a way of dodging the 208kW Japanese power limit. Sources have also suggested that, as anticipated, the current 2.6 litre straight-six RB will go... in its place either a tuned, twin-turboed, version of the Z's 3.5 litre V6 or the previously dismissed 4.5L V8 twin turbo. Since a sport version of the Z will use the V6 with twin turbos, Nissan may want to differentiate the Z and GT-R with different engines. Whichever engine is chosen, it will reportedly bolt up to a continuously variable transmission or CVT.
Interestingly, it seems that this GT-R is no airy concept either. Nissan has confirmed will continue building GT-Rs into the 21st Century. Minor alterations aside, the indications are that this is the car that will be produced, possibly as soon as late 2003. It will however drop its long-standing prefix, the new machine will simply be badged 'GT-R'. The 'Skyline' name being reserved for the current four-door V35s.
In its final surprise, Nissan says that it is looking at taking the next generation GT-R beyond the borders of Japan and into markets worldwide. Their aim? To place Nissan 'in the spotlight of the global stage'.
Will we see a return to Aussie delivered GT-Rs?
One way or other, expect to see the reborn Godzilla on our stage in the near future.

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