10 December 2013

Where next for the Comcar fleet?

| johnboy
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Government News is indulging in some speculation on what the next generation of comcars will be if Holden closes down Australian manufacturing.

In particular what will the treasured Prime Ministerial C-1 be?

If the “buy Australian” imperative goes where would the value for money proposition lie for the lordlings on the hill?

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c_c™ said :

Pork Hunt said :

Froogle – a cross between someone who is a froot loop and frugal.

ha, oops. Was thinking of the Google price comparison service by accident, meant frugal of course.

JC said :

54-11 said :

IAnd the Camry’s boots are too small for all the pollies luggage.

Not true at all. The current model Camry(same basic body since around 2006) has a boot capacity of 515l. The Caprice is 535 and the Commodore Sedan is 496l, so actually smaller. Inside the difference is also bugger all, though I reckon the Camry feels bigger than the Comode.

Can’t say I’ve seen the boot of the current Camry or or Caprice, but certainly the usable boot space in the Camry model introduced in 2006 (XV40) was a lot less than the quoted capacity. Toyota’s large dove neck hinges really limit the usable space.

All the Camrys in the Comcar fleet are Hybrids, where some of the boot space is taken up with batteries and electronics. Therefore the actual space is much less than quoted, and significantly less than that of the Caprices and G6Es.

JC said :

c_c™ said :

Can’t say I’ve seen the boot of the current Camry or or Caprice, but certainly the usable boot space in the Camry model introduced in 2006 (XV40) was a lot less than the quoted capacity. Toyota’s large dove neck hinges really limit the usable space.

I own one, and whilst the hinges can be a bugger, I have no problem fitting in three large suitcases. Two flat and one one top between the hinges, with still plenty of room for 3 or 4 hand luggage type bags. Only thing I don’t like is the lack of a 60/40 rear seat in the model I have as it has strengthening braces behind the back seats.

Yeah, it won’t always be an issue. Where it caught me out was earlier in the year, having to cart 5 plastic storage boxes full of glass wear (same boxes you often see used for files and stuff).

You’re def right about the fixed seats.

c_c™ said :

Can’t say I’ve seen the boot of the current Camry or or Caprice, but certainly the usable boot space in the Camry model introduced in 2006 (XV40) was a lot less than the quoted capacity. Toyota’s large dove neck hinges really limit the usable space.

I own one, and whilst the hinges can be a bugger, I have no problem fitting in three large suitcases. Two flat and one one top between the hinges, with still plenty of room for 3 or 4 hand luggage type bags. Only thing I don’t like is the lack of a 60/40 rear seat in the model I have as it has strengthening braces behind the back seats.

MERC600 said :

Certainly not this PM

A bloke a few years ago went for german built

” The Commonwealth car service reflected the break with the past after Whitlam chose
to dispose of the black Bentley C*1, acquired in 1963, that had
served his predecessors, and chose instead to use a white
Mercedes Benz 450 SEL, one of three acquired at the time.”

The story talks about the comcar fleet as a whole. Now whilst correct the PM doesn’t use one there are heaps of Camrys in the Comcar fleet. Most if not all hybrid.

The answer for the protected vehicle fleet btw is BMW http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/bombproof-bmws-will-replace-the-prime-ministers-holden-fleet-of-limousines/story-fni6ulvf-1226780185117

Apparently they only received four bids, a smaller list than I’d assumed, must mean the project price was tiny.

Benson’s report also says an armoured Caprice retrofitted by British Aerospace costs over $800,000.

Pork Hunt said :

Froogle – a cross between someone who is a froot loop and frugal.

ha, oops. Was thinking of the Google price comparison service by accident, meant frugal of course.

JC said :

54-11 said :

IAnd the Camry’s boots are too small for all the pollies luggage.

Not true at all. The current model Camry(same basic body since around 2006) has a boot capacity of 515l. The Caprice is 535 and the Commodore Sedan is 496l, so actually smaller. Inside the difference is also bugger all, though I reckon the Camry feels bigger than the Comode.

Can’t say I’ve seen the boot of the current Camry or or Caprice, but certainly the usable boot space in the Camry model introduced in 2006 (XV40) was a lot less than the quoted capacity. Toyota’s large dove neck hinges really limit the usable space.

MERC600 said :

A lot of people may not have heard of the reliant robin.

Also its the car that continually falls victim to Mr Bean in the TV series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1U-85lzkQ

JC said :

Comcar already has a whole heap of Camry’s, though clearly the news today says the 8 or so C-1 cars will be BMW, presumably series 7. Guess a Silver tail PM wouldn’t want to be seen in a glorified Commodore, so no surprise really.

Certainly not this PM

A bloke a few years ago went for german built

” The Commonwealth car service reflected the break with the past after Whitlam chose
to dispose of the black Bentley C*1, acquired in 1963, that had
served his predecessors, and chose instead to use a white
Mercedes Benz 450 SEL, one of three acquired at the time.”

Comcar already has a whole heap of Camry’s, though clearly the news today says the 8 or so C-1 cars will be BMW, presumably series 7. Guess a Silver tail PM wouldn’t want to be seen in a glorified Commodore, so no surprise really.

54-11 said :

IAnd the Camry’s boots are too small for all the pollies luggage.

Not true at all. The current model Camry(same basic body since around 2006) has a boot capacity of 515l. The Caprice is 535 and the Commodore Sedan is 496l, so actually smaller. Inside the difference is also bugger all, though I reckon the Camry feels bigger than the Comode.

switch said :

c_c™ said :

I may suggest a Reliant Robin. It’s so light, and Abbott like pedalling so much, they could even cut a hole in the floor pan so he can Flintstone it – zero emissions vehicle!

If we’re going to talk about joke cars for the PM, he needs one with grunt and poke. A P76.

A lot of people may not have heard of the reliant robin. The top gear mob have a report on it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X8

Primal said :

goggles13 said :

but if they were in the market for a new Aussie built car, they could always downsize and get a Camry or Cruze

Her Maj gets a stonking big Range Rover, the PM should at least get a dual-cab ute with a nice donk.

That. Or bicycles.

Its BMW and Holden didnt even bid for the contract.

c_c™ said :

I may suggest a Reliant Robin. It’s so light, and Abbott like pedalling so much, they could even cut a hole in the floor pan so he can Flintstone it – zero emissions vehicle!

If we’re going to talk about joke cars for the PM, he needs one with grunt and poke. A P76.

c_c™ said :

Not a long list to choose from for C1; it has to be a V8 and a long wheel base for practical reasons.

That said, if Abbott is serious about running the country on the straight and narrow, carefully and without sudden turns. And if he was serious about the existence of a fiscal emergency and the need to be froogle with the public purse, I may suggest a Reliant Robin. It’s so light, and Abbott like pedalling so much, they could even cut a hole in the floor pan so he can Flintstone it – zero emissions vehicle!

Froogle – a cross between someone who is a froot loop and frugal.

Not a long list to choose from for C1; it has to be a V8 and a long wheel base for practical reasons.

That said, if Abbott is serious about running the country on the straight and narrow, carefully and without sudden turns. And if he was serious about the existence of a fiscal emergency and the need to be froogle with the public purse, I may suggest a Reliant Robin. It’s so light, and Abbott like pedalling so much, they could even cut a hole in the floor pan so he can Flintstone it – zero emissions vehicle!

Here’s an idea… Why can’t the pollies drive themselves to work like the rest of us?
Surely it would pump some funds back into the budget. If they’re coming from interstate, take a cab or bus… again like the rest of us.
If they do need a vehicle, why do they have to be the most luxurious cars? What’s wrong with a bog standard base model?

goggles13 said :

but if they were in the market for a new Aussie built car, they could always downsize and get a Camry or Cruze

Her Maj gets a stonking big Range Rover, the PM should at least get a dual-cab ute with a nice donk.

Why Korean cars of course! Now that the FTA is sorted!

Its striking back against the erosion of their self entitlement.
No more car industry, could mean a Rolls Royce for the PM.
No more Qantas, leaves them free to chose airlines.
Politicians deserve the best, in their eyes at least.

Puts childcare pay into context.

given the age of C1 and the cost to do a one off hardened car I can’t see them doing it again. Considering several manufacturers do differing degrees of toughening from the factory I’m willing to bet the next C1 will be a BMW

I want the Beemer 7-series to replace the Holdens and Falcons. And the Camry’s boots are too small for all the pollies luggage.

FWIW – the Prime Ministerial C-1 car is a WL Caprice which could be up to nine years old. I’m sure it could last a few years more.

but if they were in the market for a new Aussie built car, they could always downsize and get a Camry or Cruze

HiddenDragon12:22 pm 10 Dec 13

I suppose this is too much to hope for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=153hBzKPnGc

Or a Lightburn Zeta, to win the SA vote.

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