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NEXT CAR'S NEWSLETTER
1st APRIL, 2005


WELCOME
to our newsletter #48




FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Friends,

It sure is a busy time keeping up with the latest news on the automotive front. And just to prove you never know what is going to happen next, Toyota drop the news that completely contradicts all the upbeat talk of last year. Where does that put anything else this company says? So the talk of last year about expanding the Daihatsu sales position was just talk. I don't recall hearing them say that there were conditions to staying in the Australian market.

Meanwhile, profitability is an issue elsewhere in the market. And when you look back, you must conclude it always has been and it always will be! The industry has a 'take no prisoners' outlook. Daihatsu is a casualty of its own making. Other companies have needed to re-invent themselves over the years and they have done just that.

But there is plenty of good news around and we're committed to bringing it to you!

Warm regards,
Stephen Walker

The Editor road testing the Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 at Ash Island, NSW

The Editor road testing the
Renault Clio Renaultsport 182

Location: Ash Island, NSW




In this issue:
  • The Editor's Desk
  • Contents
  • Looking Back - Renault 8 Gordini
  • Next Car Is First Again With The News
  • Road Test - Renault Clio Renaultsport 182
  • News summary
  • Editor's Pick Of The News - Mitsubishi Magna AWD converted by Sprintex
  • Car Club Corner
  • Looking Back - Upright single-cylinder Daimler engine of 1885
  • Housekeeping





LOOKING BACK

Renault 8 Gordini

The Renault 8 was released in France in 1962. This 1100cc car was a direct descendant of the 4CV and the Dauphine. But a version aimed at 20-25 year olds was desired. In July 1962, Renault asked Amédée Gordini, the racing car constructor and designer, to work over the engine so it had more bite. The result was the Renault 8 Gordini which was unveiled at the 1964 Paris Motor Show. This model went on to become an affordable dream car for young French folk.

The Gordini had its engine capacity increased to 1300cc in 1967 and was superseded by the Renault 12 Gordini in 1971.

1967 Renault 8 Gordini 1300

1967 Renault 8 Gordini 1300






Next Car Is First Again With The News

2005 Daihatsu Sirion


When the news broke that Toyota was tossing the towel in and dropping Daihatsu from its Australian model line-up, the Next Car team was the first media outlet in the nation to publish the story. With approximately 138,000 Daihatsu vehicles on Australian roads, the nameplate will fade into history. And this is in an environment of record vehicle sales in Australia. If you're a Daihatsu driver, you are probably thinking ..... "Not Happy, Toyota!"

Read our story on the Daihatsu demise ..... here





Renault Clio Renaultsport 182

Renault Clio Renaultsport 182

Click the image for the road test

Renault Clio Renaultsport 182
road test

This car is a thoroughly modern tiny hatch which performs excessively well and provides the driver with all the entertainment one could ever want. And it does so economically and subtly, in an atmosphere of 'anything you can do, I can do'. Best of all, it comes in Racing Blue!

Click here for the Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 road test.

Other road tests are here.





NEWS SUMMARY


  • The All-New Mazda MX-5
    1st March, 2005
    With the global debut of the all-new, third-generation Mazda MX-5 at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show later today, Mazda once again demonstrates that producing a simple, lightweight sports car is fundamental to the soul of the car maker — the result is the ultimate roadster and the purest expression yet of Zoom-Zoom ..... more

  • Audi S4 Cabriolet Makes its National Debut
    2nd March, 2005
    Audi's long-awaited S4 Cabriolet makes its national debut at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show ..... more

  • Mitsubishi Motors Commissions New Large Press
    2nd March, 2005
    Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited today provided additional evidence of the company's confidence in its future by celebrating the commissioning of its new  "AA" tandem press line at Tonsley Park in Adelaide ..... more

  • Alluring CLS-Class Set for Motor Show Debut
    2nd March, 2005
    Mercedes-Benz will use the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show to unveil a new and totally distinctive model series – the new CLS-Class four-door Coupé ..... more

  • Holden Crewman Police Van
    2nd March, 2005
    Holden and the Victoria Police have joined forces to develop Australia's newest divvi van ..... more

  • Aston Martin V8 Vantage
    2nd March, 2005
    Aston Martin unveiled the production version of its eagerly awaited V8 Vantage at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. Aston Martin now has three distinct models in their line-up, the flagship Vanquish S, the elegant DB9 and the new model, the agile V8 Vantage ..... more

  • Range Rover Sport
    2nd March, 2005
    The Range Rover Sport, an all-new sports tourer SUV from Land Rover, is the best-performing and best-handling vehicle that the renowned sport-utility vehicle manufacturer has ever built ..... more

  • Renault's All-New Scénic II Arrives in Australia
    2nd March, 2005
    Following a successful national pre-release preview, Renault's all-new five-seat Scenic II has arrived in Australia ..... more

  • Smart Towers over Melbourne Motor Show
    2nd March, 2005
    Australia’s youngest automotive brand, Smart, will heighten awareness for the range of Smart cars at this year’s Melbourne Motor Show with the inclusion of the 12-metre high Smart tower on the Smart stand ..... more

  • BMW 116i
    2nd March, 2005
    BMW Group Australia broadens the appeal of the 1 Series even further in 2005 with the announcement of a new base model, the 116i ..... more

  • The New Maybach 57 S
    2nd March, 2005
    The all-new Maybach 57 S (the S stands for  "Special") will be celebrating its world premiere at the 75th Geneva Motor Show ..... more

  • Mitsubishi Sales Bounce Back in February
    2nd March, 2005
    Mitsubishi Motors’ sales bounced back to much better levels in February, and the Company recorded a 18% lift on February 2004 and a massive 27% increase on January 2005 ..... more

  • Australia Gets World-First Look at New Mazda MX-5
    2nd March, 2005
    Motor show visitors in Australia will be the first in the world to see the all-new Mazda MX-5 ..... more

  • Aussie Alfa Engine Revealed In Geneva
    3rd March, 2005
    The world has had its first glimpse of the Australian-made V6 engine that will be found in future Alfa Romeo models with the launch of the all-new Alfa Romeo 159 ..... more

  • Holden At the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show
    3rd March, 2005
    Holden debuts two new Astra body styles and the Tigra cabrio at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show with a display that demonstrates the strength and depth of its passenger, recreational and light commercial model line-up ..... more

  • New Focus on Small Cars
    3rd March, 2005
    The all-new German-engineered Ford Focus made its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show today, poised to deliver the best of European design and German engineering to the small car class ..... more

  • Mazda MX-5 – Evolution of an Icon
    3rd March, 2005
    Sixteen years after the original was unveiled, the wraps today come off the third generation Mazda MX-5 at the Geneva and Melbourne Motor Shows ..... more

  • The New Audi S4 Cabriolet – Oozing Style & Sportiness
    3rd March, 2005
    Another Audi sports model with a strong personality is about to leap from the starting grid in Australia. The Audi S4 Cabriolet made its debut at the Melbourne Motor Show today ..... more

  • All New Volkswagen Golf GTI
    3rd March, 2005
    The 'Red Hot' new Volkswagen Golf GTI has made its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show 2005 after already showing unprecedented sales success in both Europe and Great Britain ..... more

  • Race in for Limited Edition Falcon XR8
    3rd March, 2005
    Ford fans have been offered an opportunity to celebrate the Blue Oval dominance of V8 Supercar racing with a choice of two limited edition XR8 MkII Falcons ..... more

  • BMW 3-series - E90
    3rd March, 2005
    BMW confirmed it will launch the new 3 Series Sedan in June 2005, following the debut of the new model at the Melbourne Motor Show today ..... more

  • New European Trio From Holden
    4th March, 2005
    Holden has signalled its assault on the small car market with the preview of three super-smart European imports at the Melbourne International Motor Show ..... more

  • Ford Territory Begins South African Safari
    4th March, 2005
    Ford Australia President Tom Gorman yesterday announced at the Melbourne International Motor Show the award-winning Territory SUV would be exported to South Africa ..... more

  • Mazda 6 MPS to be Priced from $50,000
    4th March, 2005
    Mazda's new flagship sedan, the 190 kilowatt Mazda 6 MPS, will be priced about $50,000 when the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive model goes on sale about September 2005 ..... more

  • Honda Legend Breaks Cover at Melbourne
    4th March, 2005
    Honda is giving Australians a sneak peek of its new Legend at the 2005 Melbourne International Motor Show ..... more

  • New High-Performance Mercedes-SLK 55 AMG
    4th March, 2005
    Mercedes-AMG unveiled the new high-performance SLK 55 AMG at this year’s Melbourne Motor Show ..... more

  • Subaru Speaks New Language with B9 Tribeca
    4th March, 2005
    The first product of Subaru’s new international “design language” the B9 Tribeca, made its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show yesterday ..... more

  • HSV SV6000 Launched At Melbourne Motor Show
    4th March, 2005
    The limited edition HSV SV6000 was unveiled at the Melbourne International Motor Show yesterday ..... more

  • Ford Fairlane & LTD Pricing Announced
    5th March, 2005
    Ford Australia released pricing details of its new BA Fairlane MkII range at the Melbourne International Motor Show ..... more

  • Mitsubishi At The 2005 Melbourne Motor Show
    6th March, 2005
    Mitsubishi Motors’ stand at the Melbourne Motor Show shows off the marque’s recently released new model blitz. However, centre stage will be the CZ3 Tarmac Spyder concept car ..... more

  • Honda Sports Concept On Display In Melbourne
    6th March, 2005
    Honda is showing a sleek, high-tech sports concept at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show. There is no suggestion that this car will become the basis for a new NSX ..... more

  • Volkswagen Golf Diesel Line-up
    6th March, 2005
    Volkswagen launched the all-new Golf range with a choice of two turbo diesel engines, allowing Volkswagen to offer the most affordable diesel passenger vehicle in the Australian market to date ..... more

  • Mitsubishi Pajero Platinum Edition Debuts In Melbourne
    6th March, 2005
    Mitsubishi Motors’ latest limited edition – the Pajero Platinum Edition – made its first appearance at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show ..... more

  • Ford Focus Vignale Concept Car
    6th March, 2005
    A surprise star headlines the Focus collection at the Ford Australia 2005 Melbourne Motor Show stand – a concept car inspired by the all-new Ford Focus ..... more

  • BMW 530i Touring Prices Announced
    6th March, 2005
    BMW has announced pricing for the 530i Touring ..... more

  • Mitsubishi CZ3 Tarmac Spyder In Melbourne
    6th March, 2005
    Mitsubishi Motors’ brings in the CZ3 concept car as an attraction for the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show ..... more

  • Honda Jazz “Vibe” Hits the Market
    6th March, 2005
    The Jazz, Honda's smallest car in Australia, receives a limited edition model to compliment the existing local range ..... more

  • More Value in Falcon Range
    6th March, 2005
    Ford has dramatically increased the value equation of the BA Falcon MkII with the release of a special edition at the 2005 Melbourne International Motor Show ..... more

  • Mazda 6: A Great Car Gets Even Better
    6th March, 2005
    The launch of the Mazda 6 in 2002 was a milestone for Mazda Motor Corporation. And now the new Mazda 6 has been shown in Europe ..... more

  • Falcon Ute Adds More Value
    8th March, 2005
    Ford Australia has added more value to its line-up of Falcon Utes with the release of three special edition models at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show ..... more

  • Citroen C2 .... Sbarro Modified
    8th March, 2005
    Sbarro shows a wild Citroen C2 with a mid-mounted 165 kW 3.0 litre V6 engine and carbon fibre body at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show ..... more

  • Range Rover Vogue for 2006
    8th March, 2005
    The Range Rover for 2006 is the most refined, most luxurious and most powerful Range Rover ever. Two new petrol engines – including a powerful supercharged 4.2-litre – are complemented by fresh exterior design details, a quieter interior and a profusion of new technology ..... more

  • Alfa Romeo 157 GTA Monza
    8th March, 2005
    To mark the 80th anniversary of Alfa Romeo winning the very first Grand Prix Championship in 1925, Alfa Romeo has launched a limited edition of its high performance Alfa Romeo 147 GTA ..... more

  • FPV Super Pursuit ute
    8th March, 2005
    Ford Performance Vehicles will flex its muscles with an exciting new addition to its heroic range of high-performance vehicles, the Super Pursuit luxury high-performance utility ..... more

  • Holden Is The Market Leader In February
    8th March, 2005
    Holden has returned to market leadership with its best ever February sales result, driven by record sales of Astra and Rodeo ..... more

  • Leaper on the Prowl
    8th March, 2005
    Jaguar’s famous Leaper is back where it belongs – on the bonnet of Jaguar saloons in Australia ..... more

  • Jack Brabham to appear at Melbourne Motor Show
    8th March, 2005
    Triple world champion Sir Jack Brabham will make a special guest appearance at the Melbourne International Motor Show ..... more

  • Mercedes-Benz Museum
    8th March, 2005
    With 435 days before the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Museum ..... more

  • Subaru Impreza WRX Clubspec Evo 8
    8th March, 2005
    Subaru has added a new limited edition to its range with the launch of the Subaru Impreza WRX Clubspec Evo 8 ..... more

  • Citroën C4
    8th March, 2005
    The all-new Citroën C4 burst into life at the Melbourne International Motor Show last Thursday ..... more

  • Chrysler 300C SRT-8
    8th March, 2005
    An export version of the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 has been shown in Geneva. Will it come to Australia in 2006? We predict "YES" ..... more

  • The Peugeot 206 is Now Even Better Value for Money
    9th March, 2005
    The Peugeot 206 – one of Europe's best ever selling cars - is set to become even more sought after in Australia thanks to a price reduction of its XR and XT model lines ..... more

  • VW Golf is Once Again Europe's Top Seller
    9th March, 2005
    The Volkswagen Golf is once again the most popular car in Europe ..... more

  • Successful 2004 Sales for Suzuki
    9th March, 2005
    Suzuki Motor Corporation has revealed an impressive increase in global production and sales with final results now available for 2004 ..... more

  • Second Batch of Evo VIIIs Arrive in Australia
    9th March, 2005
    The second batch of 100 Lancer Evolution VIIIs to be imported by Mitsubishi Motors under SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) has just arrived in Australia ..... more

  • Mazda Tops 6,000 Sales
    9th March, 2005
    Mazda Australia has for the first time sold more than 6,000 vehicles in a month. This made February 2005 the company’s best retail performance on record ..... more

  • A New Month, Another Record for Honda
    9th March, 2005
    Honda has continued its record-breaking start to the year by posting another all-time sales record in February ..... more

  • Saab To Be Built In Germany, Cadillac To Be Built In Sweden!
    10th March, 2005
    The 1st of April is still weeks away! But in support of the theory we should never be surprised what happens next .... along comes the story that GM will build a new Cadillac model in Sweden and a new Saab model in Germany! ..... more

  • Volkswagen Responds to Market
    11th March, 2005
    As the competitiveness of the Australian vehicle market continues to grow, Volkswagen has re-focused on the light, small and medium market segments and responded with adjusted pricing for Polo, Beetle and Bora ..... more

  • Audi A6 Wins European  "Auto1" Award
    11th March, 2005
    The Audi A6 now has another feather in its cap following the recent announcement that the luxury executive saloon has won Europe’s  "Auto1" 2005 title ..... more

  • Peugeot 1007 Reinvents Small Car Safety Standards
    11th March, 2005
    Euro NCAP Five star awards and maximum front impact scores used to be the preserve of larger vehicles, but now the Peugeot 1007 has rewritten this rule ..... more

  • Mitsubishi's Rugged Triton One-Tonne Ute Upgraded
    11th March, 2005
    Mitsubishi's rugged and reliable one tonne ute, Triton, has just received an upgrade, along with the release of a new sporty model designed to capture a share in one of the fastest growing segments in today’s ute market ..... more

  • Sprintex Supercharge the Mitsubishi Magna AWD
    11th March, 2005
    Thanks to the combined talents of Perth-based Sprintex Superchargers and Adelaide-based Mitsubishi, the Magna AWD promises to be a special treat ..... more

  • Mitsubishi's Rugged Triton One-Tonne Ute Upgraded
    14th March, 2005
    Mitsubishi's rugged and reliable one tonne workhorse, Triton, has just received an upgrade, along with the release of a new sporty model designed to capture a share in one of the fastest growing segments in today’s ute market ..... more

  • Sprintex Supercharge the MG ZT V8
    14th March, 2005
    Sprintex will show a supercharged MG sedan at the 2005 Adelaide Motor Show. The MG ZT 360 is a supercharged V8 developed by Sprintex Superchargers for sale in Australia ..... more

  • VW Polo: We Show First Pictures!
    15th March, 2005
    The new Volkswagen Polo has been unveiled, ahead of its world debut at the Leipzig Motor Show ..... more

  • Chryslers on the Murray
    16th March, 2005
    The largest gathering of Chryslers in the Southern Hemisphere will take place in Albury, New South Wales, this coming weekend ..... more

  • Holden Welcomes UAE-Australia Free Trade Negotiations
    17th March, 2005
    Holden has welcomed the announcement by Australia and the United Arab Emirates to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two markets ..... more

  • Subaru Liberty Production Reaches Three Million
    17th March, 2005
    This week, the cumulative worldwide production of the Subaru Liberty has reached three million units ..... more

  • Renault Megane Renault Sport Trophy Edition
    17th March, 2005
    Renault Sport Technologies is going to offer a more sporting version of the Mégane Renault Sport ..... more

  • Mazda MX-5 Limited to Debut at New York Motor Show
    17th March, 2005
    Mazda wants to add some bite to the Big Apple. The company will use the 2005 New York International Motor Show to reveal the MX-5 Limited, a unique, launch edition of the all-new MX-5 roadster ..... more

  • Suzuki Swift Receives Top Marks in Safety
    17th March, 2005
    The all new Suzuki Swift has scored an impressive safety rating from independent assessment body Euro NCAP, placing the popular light passenger vehicle amongst the top of its class in safety performance ..... more

  • Ford Increases Mustang Production
    18th March, 2005
    What’s a car company to do when demand for a hot model exceeds supply? Give the customers what they want ..... more

  • Aston Martin V8 Commemorative Collection For Sale
    19th March, 2005
    Bonhams is about to offer at auction, in England, a single-owner collection of nine commemorative hand-built Aston Martin V8 models ..... more

  • Nissan Sport Concept Car
    19th March, 2005
    The Nissan Sport Concept, which will make its world debut at the 2005 New York International Motor Show, is the latest in a series of dynamic performance/youth concept vehicles ..... more

  • 2005 Euroclassic To Tour Scandinavia
    19th March, 2005
    A vintage Bentley looks likely to lead the assault on Scandinavia in this year’s Euroclassic car tour ..... more

  • Chrysler Confirms Crossfire SRT-6 for Australia
    21st March, 2005
    Chrysler today confirmed that the high performance Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 will be sold in Australia later this year, in both Coupe and Roadster versions ..... more

  • Renault Establishes A Joint Venture In India
    21st March, 2005
    Mahindra and Renault, in a joint venture, will manufacture up to 50,000 Logans per annum in India ..... more

  • German Driving Experts Prefer MG
    21st March, 2005
    Specialist driver training centres in Germany will teach advanced handling skills using MG cars ..... more

  • Mazda B Series Bulks Up
    22nd March, 2005
    Mazda’s 4x4 B Series diesel range now looks tougher and performs better having received a number of upgrades including wider wheels and auto-locking hubs ..... more

  • Ford’s Historic Thunderbird Fades Away
    22nd March, 2005
    Ford Motor Company will put the legendary Thunderbird nameplate back into the company's future-product vault after this model year ..... more

  • Mercedes-Benz B-Class
    23rd March, 2005
    Production of a second model line, the B-Class has began at the Rastatt plant. The new B-Class is expected in Australia in mid-2006 ..... more

  • Alfa Romeo Readies For WTCC
    23rd March, 2005
    Yesterday, Alfa Romeo launched its bid to win the inaugural World Touring Car Championship at Monza race track near Milan ..... more

  • GT500 Returns As A Modern Thoroughbred
    23rd March, 2005
    The most powerful factory-built Ford Mustang in history takes to the street next year, following a unique collaboration between performance car legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team ..... more

  • MX-5 3rd Generation To Race
    23rd March, 2005
    On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle – and the Mazda Miata is the vehicle of choice ..... more

  • 2006 Ford GT Kicks Off Anniversary Celebration
    24th March, 2005
    Here they come, lights blazing through the rain that darkens the late afternoon French sky this 19th day of June in 1966 ..... more

    Aston Martin Racing's DBR9 Triumphs In Sebring Debut
    25th March, 2005
    Aston Martin Racing’s all-new DBR9 took a surprise GT1 class victory and fourth place overall in its debut race in the gruelling 53rd Annual 12 Hours of Sebring ..... more

  • Alfa Romeo Sets The Best Time In The Monza Tests
    25th March, 2005
    Two days of tests took place at Monza in preparation for the first round in the World Touring Car Championship, which will get underway on 10th April ..... more

  • Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio
    26th March, 2005
    Jaguar has confirmed it will introduce an exclusive new model to top its XJ luxury sedan range ..... more

  • Ford Enter The 2005 Focus In The WTCC
    26th March, 2005
    Thomas Klenke and Thomas Jäger have been named by Team Ford Hotfiel Sport to drive the new Ford Focus in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship ..... more

  • Irmscher Styling Pack For The Vauxhall Tigra
    28th March, 2005
    The Tigra may be one of the snappiest lookers around, but that has not stopped the specialists at Irmscher from developing a styling pack to give this coupé/convertible even more appeal ..... more

  • Toyota Dumps Daihatsu
    31st March, 2005
    Next Car is the first Australian media outlet to break the news ..... Toyota is tossing in the towel and dropping Daihatsu from the Australian market ..... more

  • Enhanced Standard Equipment for Mercedes-Benz
    31st March, 2005
    Mercedes-Benz has announced it is enhancing standard equipment levels across three of its popular model classes ..... more

  • Volvo Enhances XC70 and XC90 All-Wheel-Drive Range
    31st March, 2005
    Volvo Car Australia is improving the value equation of its popular XC70 wagon and seven-seat XC90 within the luxury SUV market segment ..... more

  • Suzuki Previews New APV at Adelaide Motor Show
    31st March, 2005
    Suzuki Australia has today previewed its all new All Purpose Vehicle aptly named 'APV' at the 2005 Adelaide Motor Show ..... more



All these stories and the previous news stories can be accessed
from our NEWS PAGE.
Simply click on the link above.




The Editor's Pick Of The News

After reading the news, which story did you enjoy the most?

Of all the Australian built cars, the AWD Magna and Verada models offer the very best in driver satisfaction for everyday motoring. The feel of the wheel, due to the superb traction of the AWD system, coupled to the excellent steering, suspension, handling and the general dynamics associated with driving this car in everyday driving conditions makes it the pick of the Aussie cars. However, to compete with the numerous stylish and sporty models on offer in Australia, more performance for the Magna and Verada is desirable due to the perception that high performance is required if true driver satisfaction is to be achieved. Hence, in the case of Magna and Verada, additional performance is a good thing. Therefore the Sprintex supercharged Magna, which was shown at the Melbourne and Adelaide Motor Shows, is an easy pick as wonderful news amongst some great stories in our most recent news ..... read about the Sprintex supercharged Magna ..... here.

Stephen Walker

Mitsubishi Magna AWD converted by Sprintex
Click the image for the story




Car Club Corner

Here's a listing of some of the nation's car clubs.


Rickshaws On The Foreshore 2004
Click the image for a larger view



And some photographic pages

26/01/05 Motorfest 2005 (Sydney)

Gallery #1 #2 #3 #4

14/11/04 Rickshaws On The Foreshore ...

Gallery #1   #2

26/09/04 Central Coast British Car Club Run ... here

06/06/04 Great Lakes Historic Car Club Run ... here

07/03/04 Bay City Chrysler Car Club Expo ... here

26/01/04 Motorfest 2004 (Sydney) ... here




LOOKING BACK

120 years ago – 3rd April, 1885

Gottlieb Daimler is granted a patent
on his internal-combustion engine

Gottlieb Daimler had filed a patent application for his internal-combustion engine with upright cylinder (“Grandfather Clock”). Together with Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler had developed this engine, which was protected by patent no. 34926, from the horizontal test engine of 1883, and come up with a fundamentally new configuration in that crank assembly and flywheel were for the first time encapsulated in an oil- and dust-tight crankcase. In the same year, the engine was installed in a two-wheeler, the so-called riding car (patent no. 36423, issued on August 11, 1886). The 0.5 hp test vehicle was the world’s first motorcycle. In November, Gottlieb Daimler’s younger son Adolf set out on the first trial run from Cannstatt to Untertürkheim, reaching speeds of up to 12 km/h.

Upright single-cylinder Daimler engine of 1885

Upright single-cylinder Daimler engine of 1885,
called 'grandfather clock' because of its looks.





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