Ashburton Guardian | Motoring | January 31, 2020

Motoring January 31, 2020

Evora GT410 Sport While it still delivers an outstanding performanceoriented experience, this new Lotus creates a more compliant ride for improved real-world comfort.

DETAILS

P26

26 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, January 31, 2020

Lotus presents new Evora

L

otus has launched a new version of the Evora – the GT410.

As a second model in the range it sells alongside the Evora GT410 Sport, which also benefits from a revised specification.

The Evora GT410 features an enhanced standard spec over the GT410 Sport, providing owners with improved usability and a new level of driving comfort.

Numerous features have moved from the Evora options list to become part of its standard specification.

Costing £3000 less than the GT410 Sport, that means it delivers exceptional value for money.

The new Lotus Evora GT410 is designed to be a more usable ‘every day’ car.

It comes with Sparco sport seats and air-con to create a more comfortable environment for occupants, while a reversing camera improves safety during low-speed manoeuvres.

A premium infotainment system with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay is now standard and includes DAB digital radio for the first time.

Increased cabin sound insulation for reduced road noise and improved refinement will further improve the listening experience.

The GT410’s door trims now feature integrated arm rests and storage bins for greater comfort and practicality. Exterior paint colour choices have been revised to include new options, including some historic shades from Lotus’ past.

The car has a revised damper rate com-

pared with the GT410 Sport.

While it still delivers an outstanding performance-oriented experience, this creates a more compliant ride for improved real-world comfort.

The use of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all-weather tyres means better all-year usability, while a new rear tailgate features a large glass section for improved rear visibility.

The above upgrades are in addition to the Evora’s already high level of standard equipment.

These include a body-coloured roof, side sills, tailgate, front access panel and

mirror backs, red AP Racing brake callipers and silver or gloss black V-spoke cast alloy wheels, 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear.

Interior equipment includes cruise control, heated seats, rear parking sensors.

Amazingly, with a UK price of only £82,900, the GT410 is £3000 less than the GT410 Sport so delivers exceptional value for money.

The Evora GT410 Sport remains the most driver-focused and lightweight choice in the Lotus Evora range.

Its standard specification has also been revised; upgrades include the integration

OWN THE 1 FOR $99* A WEEK

Always wanted a BMW? We’ve got The 1 for you.

The all-new BMW 1 Series. Own it for $99* a week, with 3 years’ service, 5-year warranty and 5 years’ roadside assist, too. With its new sporty design, Digital Key smartphone lock, and voice-activated BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the BMW 1 Series is impressive on so many levels, the moment you drive it, you’ll know it’s the one.

Book your test drive today at Christchurch BMW. Christchurch BMW 104 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. (03) 363 7240 www.christchurchbmw.co.nz For full terms and conditions visit bmw.co.nz/OwnThe1

*

of Sparco sport seats, air-con, and a premium infotainment system including DAB digital radio, sat-nav and Apple CarPlay.

Lotus has also announced new ways for customers to enhance the specification of the Elise and Exige, including the reintroduction of the optional Touring and Sport packs.

Touring enables the customer to add in comfort and convenience options to create a more desirable ‘road spec’ car, while Sport is based on the more driver-focused features that appeal to those who want to drive in a more spirited way, such as at track days.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, January 31, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 27

The flightless swan

O

ne or two readers, including Ken Leadley, have mentioned that our motoring writers have been a little conspicuous by their absence from these

pages.

That was until last Friday, when Roger Hart gave us a great test report on the Peugeot 508GT lift-back.

We’re sure our writers will be flattered to know they’ve been missed.

So why haven’t you seen their by-lines?

Well short answer is we let them have a little break.

Although to be fair they have sneaked a few snippets through to us.

Anyway these questions prompted us to wonder what our two motoring writers – Roger and Bernard – got up to during their time off.

Confidential enquires made through reliable sources indicate Roger did the aforementioned road test, on one occasion the two of them – accompanied by their respective navigators – had a great time exploring the countryside around Lake Hood and taking in Ashton Beach, and each of them seems to have caught up on some reading.

No prizes for guessing the contents of many of the books and magazines they looked at.

Most, but not all, involved motoring!

We have no doubt this was done as research for the writing they have coming up.

Commendable isn’t it that even when taking time out their thoughts aren’t far away from their roles.

Our reliable source has informed us something interesting in fact we’d go as far as to say quite fascinating about a book which one of our writers has spent quite a lot of time browsing through.

The book was given to this particular writer by his niece Stephanie Dolphin, her husband David and their two children Alyssa and Keir, as a birthday present.

It was presented to him two months ahead of time, unwrapped, in a handy carry bag.

He was told he could probably guess what it was and should he choose to he was welcome to look at it before the significant day.

Our writer said no, he wouldn’t look – or open the bag – until our sub-editor Steve’s birthday.

Now understandably you may be wondering why he chose Steve’s birthday as good day to look at it.

Keep reading.

True to his word our writer resisted temptation and did not look, he didn’t even take a sneak peek, at the book until that day.

Just in case you hadn’t guessed it’s a book about cars.

Lots of cars.

And the more our writer browsed through, the more intriguing it became.

There are details of the origins of famous marques, and famous motoring personalities.

There are pictures of some great vehicles, but one in particular certainly caught our motoring writer’s eye.

The 1910 Brooke Swan Car was the brainchild of a wealthy British engineer, Robert Nicholl “Scotty” Matthewson, who lived at Swan Park, Calcutta, at that time capital of British India.

A bit of a character, in 1909 Matthewson travelled to England to commission a truly eccentric motor car from the Brooke Company of Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Its wooden body was apparently built

by Savage of Kings Lynn, Britain’s most fa-

Stars on wheels – both two and four

T

here was a great turnout for the Vintage Car Club’s 51st Annual Rally.

One motorcycle – Percy Ralston’s immaculate Douglas – and other vehicles of all ages, styles, shapes and colours.

All great.

A feast for the eyes of all who saw them.

David Montgomery was one of many fascinated spectators.

He couldn’t resist honking the horn on Gavin and Annette Hunt’s amazing 1903 Darracq (pictured right).

We caught him in the act, the look on his face says it all.

What a shame we can’t reproduce the sound, both of the Darracq’s horn and David’s exclamation.

mous maker of steam-powered fairground rides.

The swan’s head and body, carved to create the effect of feathers, concealed the radiator and bonnet.

Matthewson’s car arrived in Calcutta in April 1910.

It had amber eyes that glowed eerily in the dark, a multi-note Gabriel exhaust horn with a keyboard in the rear of the car so that Scotty could play chords and bugle calls, and a hot water spray in the swan’s beak that enabled the chauffeur to clear a passage through Calcutta’s crowded streets.

It was in the fashionable Maidan Park, where Calcutta’s elite promenaded in their carriages and cars every afternoon, that Scotty displayed the Swan Car’s most outrageous feature.

A dump valve inside the car dropped splats of whitewash on to the road from the Swan’s rear end – just to make it more lifelike.

History doesn’t seem to record what happened to the car.

Someone who our writer mentioned this amazing creation to wittingly suggested maybe it was the designer’s swan song.

There were many idiosyncrasies about British rule in India, and the Brooke Swan would have to be up there among the most puzzling.

So which of our writers was given the book and discover this truly weird car and why did he chose to refrain from opening it until sub-editor Steve’s birthday?

We are mindful of the confidential nature of the information received, but perhaps we can say the writer in question shares his birthdate in November with Steve.

Roger Hart’s birthday is not in November nor does he have a niece called Stephanie Dolphin.

But we’re sure he’ll be keen to see the book!

28 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, January 31, 2020

A

s well as potentially being the answer to a raft of global emission issues, the instant torque that electric vehicles generate make them extremely quick, and an absolute blast to drive.

Porsche’s very first EV comes in the form of the Taycan sedan, and is one of the fastest EVs in the world right now.

But just because it can go fast, it doesn’t mean that you should on public roads.

One young driver in the Netherlands obviously wanted to see just how fast a Taycan could go while on a test drive, and managed to get clocked by police while travelling at 214km/h.

If it was on the unrestricted Autobahn in Germany, this driver wouldn’t have any issues with the local officers, but because he was driving in a 100km/h zone, the officers weren’t too happy (understandably).

While we aren’t too clued up on Holland’s traffic laws, if they are anything like our own, 114km/h over the posted limit will leave you without a licence and a court date instead.

The Taycan in question is either a Turbo or a Turbo S model which both pack a massive 459kW. Considering the 259km/h claimed top speed of the Taycan, this driver was less than 50km/h off.

Unfortunately for Porsche, it seems that trying to better Tesla’s Model S performance numbers got in the way, and the Taycan Turbo S has been classed as the least efficient EV on the US market by EPA. New Zealand is yet to receive the new Porsche EV, but we’d expect it to go on sale mid-2020.

• • •

Latest facelift 15,000km 2.8L Turbo Diesel

HILUX STOCK CLEARANCE!!

FREE BONNET GUARD OR FLOOR MATS WITH ANY USED HILUX

SOLD 2010 TOYOTA Hilux SR5 4WD Manual • 3.0L Turbo Diesel • Cruise Control & Bluetooth • Nudge Bar & Tow Bar WAS $31,495

$

SOLD

2005 TOYOTA Hilux SR5 4WD Manual • 3.0L Turbo Diesel • Alloys & CD Player • Nudge Bar & Tow Bar

NOW ONLY

29,995

NOW ONLY

25,995

$

12 Month Mechanical Warranty FREE !!

2012 TOYOTA Hilux SR5 4WD Auto • 3.0L Turbo Diesel • Canopy & Nudge Bar • Super Tidy !!

2018 TOYTOTA HILUX SR Single Cab • 2.8L Turbo Diesel • Flat Deck & Tow Bar • Bullbar & Side Rails

WAS $28,995

NOW ONLY

27,995

$

NOW ONLY

42,995

$

SOLD 2016 TOYOTA Hilux SR 2WD Auto • 2.8L Turbo Diesel • Bluetooth & CD Player • Cruise Control & Reversing Camera WAS $30,995

$

NOW ONLY

29,995

$136 p/w - total repayable $35,433.36*

2016 TOYOTA Hilux SR 2WD Auto • 2.8L Turbo Diesel • Alloys & Reversing Camera • Tonneau Cover & Towbar WAS $30,995

2017 TOYOTA Hilux SR5 4WD Auto • 2.8L Turbo Diesel • Alloys & Reversing Camera • Tri-fold Lid & Towbar WAS $40,995

29,995

39,995

$

NOW ONLY

$136 p/w - total repayable $35,433.36*

$

NOW ONLY

$181 p/w - total repayable $47,068.74*

2018 TOYOTA Hilux SR5 4WD Auto • 2.8L Turbo Diesel • Facelift Model • 18” Alloys & Hard Lid WAS $49,995

$

*Terms & Conditions apply.

Andrew Rattray Parts Manager

Eddie Bakos Vehicle Consultant Cell No. 027 450 7544

Pam Mcllwrick Service

Robin McClimont Vehicle Consultant Cell No. 027 486 7546

48,495

New Vehicle Warranty For Another 20 Months

*Subject to Toyota Financial Services lending criteria. Weekly Classic Finance repayments calculated with a 10% deposit over a 60 month term at 10.75% p.a. with a $400 establishment fee and $9.20 PPRS fee.

Will Hayde Branch Manager

NOW ONLY

Ashburton Toyota www.ashburton.toyota.co.nz

OPEN MON-FRI 8AM-5PM SAT 9AM-1PM OR BY APPOINTMENT PHONE 0800 286 9682 | Cnr East St & Walnut Ave, Ashburton

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, January 31, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 29

S

o, when is it a classic?

“There’s no magic rule to say when a vehicle becomes a ‘classic’,” says Tiddo Bresters, president of FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles), “but reaching 30 years of age is one of FIVA’s clear criteria.

“So in 2020 we’re delighted to welcome a whole new raft of 1990 classics to the fold, as they celebrate their 30th birthday, thanks to their caring owners.

Historic vehicles don’t have to be hugely rare or valuable; the ‘new classics’ range from supercars to city cars to motorcycles – but all are important milestones in the story of our motoring heritage.”

Happy 30th birthday to …

The remarkable Honda NS-X, the first version of the much-admired V6 mid-engined two-seater, offering 160mph in a comfortable, practical, safe package but still a joy to drive.

Another sports car from Japan, the affordable and attractive Mazda MX-5, reached Europe in 1990 (Japan and the USA the year before) to become the best-selling two-seater convertible in history.

Again the first in a long line, the original Renault Clio supermini hit the streets in 1990 and rapidly became a familiar sight; small and unassuming, maybe, but a worthy classic.

An object of both ridicule and great affection, the 1990 Trabant 1.1 was the fourth, final and rarest version of the East German car, now with a four-stroke instead of its infamous two-stroke engine.

The iconic VW Transporter/Bus/Kombi dates back to 1950, but 1990 saw the introduction of the VW Transporter T4, the first with the engine in the front.

At the other end of the performance spectrum, the Lamborghini Diablo – with its mid-mounted V12 and top speed close to 200mph – went on sale in January 1990.

The Lotus Carlton looked like an ordinary saloon with a hefty bodykit but, thanks to Lotus, it drove like a sports car up to 177mph.

Fancy it in red?

You’re out of luck; they were all dark green.

On two wheels rather than four, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy went into production from 1990, a V-twin cruiser motorcycle with solid disc wheels.

Or what about the Norton F1, the road-going, race-derived motorcycle that came only in black, gold and grey, in keeping with Norton’s John Player sponsorship?

Meanwhile, 30th birthday wishes also to go the Aston Martin Virage Volante, BMW E36, Ford Fiesta RS Turbo, Nissan Primera, Fiat Tempra, Toyota Previa, Land Rover Discovery five-door, Maserati Shamal, Suzuki VX800 motorcycle and a great many more.

What makes a vehicle ‘historic’?

According to FIVA, a historic vehicle is ‘a mechanically propelled road vehicle’ that is: • at least 30 years old preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition • not used as a means of daily transport • part of our technical and cultural heritage

From the top: Norton’s stunning race-based F1 came out in 1990, as did Honda’s futuristic NS-X. Mazda’s MX-5 (left) continues to live on in very much the same guise as the original, while the Lamborghini Diablo V12 was simply a 200mph beast.

MOTORING SERVICES Quality used parts (most Japanese cars) Tyres, Batteries and Accessories

THE NAME IN COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Your local authorised Mitsubishi Parts and Service We service and repair all makes and models Book your service at Malcom Lovett Automotive today

Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Park Telephone 03 308 8634

MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD

299 Havelock St, Ashburton 03 308 9109 mitsubishiadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz

GLUYAS MOTOR GROUP • • • • •

• Automotive servicing, repairs and diagnostics • Latest scan tools and service data • Cars, 4WDs, campervans • European, Japanese and everything in between

• • • • • •

• Vehicle transport and recovery Call Dave and the team in the Big Blue Shed, cnr McLean and John St Phone 03 308 6646

Warrant of Fitness (WoF) Vehicle Servicing and Repairs Airconditioning Battery Town Courtesy Vehicles Available Auto Electrical Repairs

187 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton P 307 2696 E autosparks@xtra.co.nz

Insurance work Insurance Work Insurance Work

Call 307 5800 79 Kermode Street

ies Think Brakes... Think Robb ies Think Clutch... Think Robb bbies Think Specialist... Think Ro

PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE PANEL BEATING

PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE

MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD

299 Havelock Str, Ashburton 03299 308Havelock 9109 Str, Ashburton 03 308 9109 hondaadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz

hondaadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz

Specialing in

$

&

SPRAY PAINTING

of Cars, Trucks, Buses, Horse Floats & Motorhomes, Caravans, Trailers, Farm Machinery, Jet Boats, Light Engineering and Aluminium Welding 17 Range Street, Ashburton Phone: 307 0378 Mobile: 0274 274 007 busandtruckbodywork@xtra.co.nz

34,990 +GST +ORC

1.9% FINANCE OVER 36 MONT

Pricing indicated for D23WM & D23VM. Finance ooer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services only and exclu only. The 1.9% p.a. xed interest rate is available with zero deposit and 36 month term. $375 establishment fee, $8.05 PPSR fee, a last. Nissan reserves the right to vary, withdraw or extend this ooer.

YOUR LOCAL HONDA

YOUR LOCAL HONDA

DE

NISSAN NAVARA ST 2WD

Book a service today with us and experience what service should be.

If it doesn’t go, let us know! Call 307 2696

AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS & SERVICING

Full servicing, Genuine parts, Loan cars (T’s & C’s apply) Vehicle Report cards Ask about our Map care & Extended Roadside assistance

SPRIN

Being the experts in their field Robbies can give you professional, efficient service when repairing or replacing your brakes or clutch at a competitive price.

ROBBIE’S

undercar specialists

Cnr Cass & South Streets Phone 308 9984 Mob 027 499 9565