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MTC Tomahawk
A large executive car, the bread and butter of the Australian automotive industry, intended to compete with the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Very popular as a police car and among bureaucrats and government officials.
2014
The Trailmaster shown in the picture comes standard with an updated version of the third generation 5.0 TerraSix with all forged internals, VVT, and a ball bearing turbocharger, producing 471 hp at 5000 rpm and a colossal 577 lb ft at 3000 rpm. It comes standard with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission coupled to an electronic LSD, sending power to all four wheels at a 40/60 F/R split as well as a sophisticated launch control feature coupled to the ESC. As you might imagine, the performance is exemplary for a nearly 3 ton vehicle, dashing to 100 km/h in a mere 4.7 seconds and reaching a top speed of 184 mph.
Nontheless, the Tomahawk is still a very luxurious vehicle and more than makes up for its 60k price tag, with advanced 10 safety, luxury interior and infotainment, a semi-active progressive suspension with offroad sway bars, and standard P255/45R20 tires. Unfortunately, the light truck monocoque, treated steel panels, galvinized steel chassis, and solid rear axle do all take their toll on the behemouth’s weight, with the Tomahawk wagon coming out to 5900 lbs.
However, the car is incredibly tough and tuned for offroad purposes. It can handle just about any trail that a dedicated offroad SUV can, as demonstrated in this video of it conquering the Utah Dead Man’s Loop trail. MTC Tomahawk Trailmaster Estate Dead Man's Loop Run - YouTube
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MTC Shaman
An agreeable, middle of the road family car, which in certain specs can turn into a very competitive premium sports sedan on par with comparable Audis and BMWs in every way other than price: its retail price is more in line with a well equipped family sedan from a non-premium brand. MTC believes that with this approach, they ate killing two birds with one stone, and I’m bound to agree.
2012
The 2012 incarnation of the Shaman is an especially important one, as it comes during a time period at which sports sedans were arguably at their peak position in the market. This incarnation, in an attempt to avoid an instabin in the CSR which it is competing in, utilizies a traditional monocoque chassis rather than a loadder frame or light truck monoque chassis common in MTC’s vehicles.
The XR trim of the Shaman gtves much more expensive sports sedans a run for its money. Its second generation DuraSix 4.0 SOHC inline six utilizes a ball bearing turbocharger, VVT, VVL, forged internals,and direct injection to produce a healthy 366 hp @5100 RPM and 466 hp@2800 RPM. Transmission options include a 6 speed manual or a 6 speed dual clutch. A viscous LSD is standard and the AWD system utilizes a 40/60 F/R power distribution. 0-60 occurs in 5.2 seconds and top speed is clocked at 173 mph.
With standard 10’s safety giving it a safety score of 71.3, and with a premium interior, it’s not hard to figure out why the car does well in the Family Sport Premium, Family Premium, Utility Sport Premium, and Premium markets. The XR starts at 34990, with the version sent to CSR including an optional dual clutch and MTC’s Premium Infotainment PAckage, taking on an extra $5000 to the price. Suspension is adaptive progressive with offroad sway bars,and tires are medium compound 245/55R18. Together with the offroad underway, 11 inch ground clearance, softer springs, and AWD system, this makes the Shaman XR exceptional offroad for a non SUV, being able to manage completing the East Coast offroad trail, a daunting task that is typically only possible with hardcore 4x4s and trucks.
The one downside to the Shaman XR coming in at such a low price for a premium sports sedan is its 4800 lb weight. Treated steel panels, galvinized steel chassis, and a solid rear axle are all cost cutting measures which do unfortantely have a direct correlation to the Shaman XR’s obesity. However, the car’s driving experience is helped rather than hindered by its weight, with high speed cruising being the Shaman XR’s strong suit due to how sturdy it feels on the road. Handling is surprisingly responsive and the Shaman is deceptively nimble around corners. Gas mileage is also solid, with an EPA estimated 19 city and 28 highway, or 23.6 mpg combined.
Overall, the Shaman XR makes for a competitive entry into the premium sports sedan market.
The Shaman also has a base LX trim, with a de-bored DuraSix 3.5 turbo inline six making 256 hp@5100 rpm and 343 lb ft@2500 rpm. The engine variant uses cast internals and baffled mufflers to cut costs, and is designed to run on regular 87AKI/91RON fuel. Transmission options are a 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic, with the LSD being sacrificed in favor of an open diff. Hard long life tires with P215/60R17 specs are standard. The base trim uses a standard interior and infotainment, non variable electric steering, standard 2000’s safety, and a twin-tube standard suspension with passive sway bars. The LX lacks ESC, and with all these cost cutting measures in place you can see why the base price is only $26700.
MTC Villager
A sensible, affordable compact car with some trademark offroad capability and rally heritage.
2001
Rugby player AJ Dimpson’s great escape , chased by police through the Australian Outback in his Grand Navajo after being suspected in the murder of his wife
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MTC Blackhawk
An affordable and economical subcompact offroader, primarily aimed at developing markets.
2011
Powered by a 2.0 straight six turbo making 197 hp@5400 rpm and 250 lb ft torque@3000 rpm, the fully loaded Blackhawk TrailMaster trim has an automaton offroad score of 83 due to some extensive suspension tuning and other rugged offroad focused parts. Despite this, it costs merely $22700, making it affordable for even families in developing markets.
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MTC Chief
A no-nonsense heavy duty cheap offroader, available in pickup or 9 seat SUV form, targeted at the American and Australian market. Powered by a 4.0L pushrod boxer 6
MTC Sachem
A medium duty spartan offroad utility for third world and eastern bloc countries. Also makes for a great beach truck, surprisingly. Powered by a 3.0L pushrod boxer 6.
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MTC Workhorse
An incredibly basic and affordable light duty offroader intended for third world countries, starting at 10k. Powered by a 2.0L pushrod boxer 4 making only 60 hp.Based upon TwinTurbro’s Bravo offroader build.
On a regular full-sized passenger car, this kind of construction would not make much sense in reality - most (all?) manufacturers use a full unibody construction for such cars nowadays, although Ford’s Panther platform (which underpinned the Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car) used a traditional ladder frame instead. In that sense, the Tomahawk Trailmaster is part Crown Vic, part Falcon FG/Commodore VE. However, the combination of a light truck monocoque and live rear axle makes it more durable than Euro and Asian equivalents when driven off-road.
As for the rest of your range so far, here are some of my thoughts:
- The Shaman really is a bargain, regardless of trim level - in LX trim it’s a decent family workhorse, and in XR trim it’s a premium sports sedan at mass-market mid-sizer prices. I understand the ethos behind it, which sacrifices sophistication for ruggedness, and as such it occupies its own little niche in the marketplace.
*A jacked-up version of the Prairie, with an extra pair of doors, may well serve as MTC’s entry into the (sub)compact SUV segment, as the smallest SUV in their range. As a matter of fact, with an AWD system packed a small body, it could easily be converted into a rally car for use by amateur teams - and this applies equally to both generations. - The Koala’s rear end looks okay, but the front is… Odd, quite frankly. Then again, it’s rather fitting for such a quirky car, and besides, there are not many compact sports cars out there with off-road capabilities, which the Koala has in spades - and that ought to give it a USP in a crowded marketplace.
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