VIDEO: Aussie Honda Jazz Spots Poke Some Fun at Bodybuilders, Rappers and Others

Here are some amusing TV ads from Honda's creative Australian division. The spots were made to show off how practical, roomy and versatile the Honda Jazz is (known as the Fit in North America and Japan). So if you want to learn the answer to questions such as "How much Massive can you pack in a Honda Jazz?" and "How much Rap can you pack in a Jazz?", and don't mind watching 'iron boy' here in very tight speedos, hit the jump to check out the videos.

Via: USA Today

Holden's 2011 Commodore Series II updated; Where's Bob Lutz to reassure us that America is getting this?

The Zeta-based Holden Commodore lineup is getting a "Series II" refresh to keep up with the times. Highlights include a new "iQ" touchscreen interface for the usual suspects (Bluetooth, USB, iPod, backup camera, etc.), improved fuel economy/reduced emissions, and 3.0-liter and 6.0-liter engines that are E85-compatible. This "[allows] them to run on bio-ethanol, E10, Unleaded, Premium or any combination in between."

That being said, how is it that the Commodore has been Australia's best-seller for 14 years IN A ROW and America's one true taste came - and very quickly went - in the form of Pontiac's G8? Is there a real reason, other than conventional wisdom (which is a poor excuse), that these bigger, RWD cars wouldn't work Stateside?

Hell, the tooling is ALREADY THERE. On with the Caprice and big Caddy, already! According to GM, the available 3.0-liter V6 petrol returns almost 26 mpg. The more potent 3.6-liter V6s and 6.0-liter V8s get slightly revised to provide a 2.8% and 6% boost in economy, respectively. There's also a drop in emissions, but no final numbers are available yet.

These improvements come thanks to low-resistance tires (Omega/Berlina) and improved aerodynamics as well as a "clutched" A/C compressor that does not run when it isn't on (which should have been though up years ago); all V6 models get a reduced idle speed as well as 4 stars from the Aussie Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide.

Interested in all the extensive and minute detail changes? Scroll down for the full shebang.

By Phil Alex

2011MY Holden Commodore Series II interior and exterior design enhancements across the range include:

Omega

· Entirely new front fascia with a bolder, squarer appearance and new lower outboard inserts
· New larger grille, with a bright chrome detail surround and new hexagonal mesh inner
· Revised headlamp shape with new lens and bright bezel
· Decklid with integrated aero lip detailing
· New IP centre stack with 6.5-inch full colour touch screen
· New centre console surround
· New full width decorative appliqué
· New HVAC controls

Berlina
Builds on Omega features with –
· New grille with prominent bright chrome crossbar
· New unique fog lamp surrounds
· New 17-inch, ten-spoke machine-faced alloy wheels
· New interior trim with woven fabric seat inserts and Sportec bolsters

Calais
Builds on Berlina features with –
· New front fascia and unique grille with prominent chrome header (attached to engine hood)
· New larger grille has full chrome surround, hexagonal mesh inner
· Lower fascia has full width bright detail
· Revised shape projector headlamps feature new black and bright bezel
· Full length bright chrome moulding on lower doors
· New 18-inch ten-spoke machined alloy wheels

Calais V-Series
Builds on Calais features with –
· New bigger 19-inch twin five spoke machined alloy wheels

Commodore SV6 and SS
· Exclusive sports front fascia, set apart by a new, larger grille
· Bolder, more muscular look accentuated by aggressive lower air intake
· Revised headlamp shape with new black bezel detail
· Integrated aero decklid lip detailing complements sports rear spoiler
· New 18-inch twin five-spoke machined alloy wheels
· New SS-style sports front seats for SV6 with deep bolsters and body-hugging contours
· High-mounted circular interior air vents.
· New sports centre stack with 6.5-inch full colour touch screen
· New sports IP decorative appliqué
· New 'white on Razor Grey' instrument cluster illumination for improved readability on SV6
· New 'white on red' instrument cluster illumination for improved readability on SS
· Gloss black instrument cluster surround
· Razor grey finish 'wrap-around' linear treatment on lower IP. Extends from IP into the door handle surround and through the console

Commodore SS V-Series
Builds on SV6 and SS features with –
· Revised shape projector headlamps feature new black and bright bezel (same as Calais)
· New twin five-spoke 19-inch machined alloy wheels
· Red finish 'wrap-around' linear treatment on lower IP. Extends from the IP into door handle surround and through the console.

The VE Series II colour palette features 12 choices, including four new colours. The new colours are:
· Alto Grey –
new mid-toned grey with silver highlights
· Hazard –
head turning bright solid yellow
· Mirage Glow –
a light, soft and luxurious beige
· Sizzle
– bright metallic red

Carryover colors include:
· Heron – solid white
· Karma – an architectural blue with metallic highlights
· Nitrate – a classic silver metallic
· Phantom – metallic black with silver highlights
· Poison Ivy – a sports green metallic with blue highlights
· Red Hot – highly chromatic solid red
· Voodoo – solid electric sports blue
· Wildfire – metallic sports orange

More equipment, more features

Bluetooth and iPod integration is standard in all Series II vehicles, controlled through the Holden-iQ system.

Across the range each Series II model also receives dual-zone climate control and an outside temperature readout.

VIDEOS: Mazda's All-New 2011 BT-50 Pickup Truck

At the end of last week, Mazda lifted the covers off its all-new BT-50 pickup truck at the Australian Motor Show in Sydney. Now, the Japanese automaker has released three videos with static shots as well as footage from the motor show reveal. As a reminder, the BT-50 was co-developed with Ford, which also presented its proposal in Sydney, the new Ranger. The BT-50 shares its powertrains, including four- and five-cylinder diesel units and new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, with Ford's pickup truck. Follow the break to watch the videos.

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Walkinshaw Performance Series II Commodore eats Ferraris for Breakfast

For the Australian car buff, Tom Walkinshaw needs no introduction. Here is the man who founded HSV and was responsible for the epic VL Commodore based HSV SS Group A in late '80s. Though no longer working for Holden, 'Walky' continues to turn out some of the most powerful and ballsiest vehicles Australia has ever seen through the performance company named after him.

At the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Walkinshaw Performance took the wraps off its latest model: the WP Series II Supercar. The Holden Commodore Series II SS derived super saloon is fitted with an Edelbrock WP 230 supercharger, boosting power to 617-horsepower (460 kw) and torque to 780 Nm (575 lb ft).

To reign in this beast, six piston brake rotors have been added along with a upgraded and recalibrated suspension package co-developed with Bilstein. The final touch is a unique audio system upgrade by Rockford Fosgate.

Walkinshaw Performance CEO Craig Wilson is extremely satisfied with the Series II Supercar:

"We're celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original 'Walky' when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago". he said.

The whole package, including the AU$47,790 (US$46,930) manual Commodore SS base car, will start from AU$99,990 (US$98,810). This means the Walkinshaw modifications alone cost around AU$52,200 (US$51,880), including parts and labor.

By Tristan Hankins

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Sydney Show Subaru Forester S-Edition Study Hints at Sportier Production Model

At the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Subaru unveiled the Forester S-Edition, a concept study that points to a new Forester variant for 2011. Built on the existing turbocharged Forester XT, the S-Edition produces an additional 32 hp and 20 lb ft (24 kw and 27 Nm) over the Australian market XT's 227 hp and 236 lb ft (169 kw and 320 Nm) lifting the 2.5-liter boxer engine's output to 259-horsepower.

A flappy-paddle 5sp automatic gearbox, revised sports suspension and Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive round out the mechanical package, whilst new styling and comfort features including STI sourced 17-inch alloys, Alcantara interior trim and drilled alloy pedals help further differentiate the S-Edition from the XT.

Subaru Australia's Managing Director is quite pleased with the Forester S-Edition concept: "We're delighted and honoured that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have chosen Sydney for the worldwide unveil of this Forester concept. It points towards an exciting development in our Forester range early next year." he said.

At the time of writing, the Forester is Australia's best selling compact sports utility vehicle, with its major rival - Toyota's RAV4 - trailing close behind. Carscoop will have more information on the possible production model variant of the S-Edition study as we get it.

By Tristan Hankins

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