Ashburton Guardian | Guardian Motoring | March 20, 2020

Motoring March 20, 2020

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Farming Motoring

Friday, March 20, 2020

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Remember MG? It’s back . . .

I t started with Japan, then Korea, and for seemingly the last decade the world has waited with bated breath for China to also stamp its authority on the mainstream western car market.

It seems a mere formality that the world’s second largest economy will get its head around the motoring world sooner rather than later, notwithstanding the current virus issues.

And yet, progress outside of its borders has been slow.

It’s been 10 years since Chinese firm Geely was introduced to little old New Zealand, but very little has changed in the time since.

But, now there’s the born-again brand MG. It returned to the Kiwi market last year, and aims to ramp things up in 2020 with the introduction of its MG ZS EV (which is set to be the cheapest electric car in New Zealand) and the pictured HS – its competitor against the mid-size Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5.

While the notion of a cheap EV is an interesting one, it’s the HS that probably holds more importance.

This is the brand’s aspiring volume seller.

It’s also, by a reasonably decent margin, the best Chinese vehicle I’ve driven to date.

The young, house-proud, two-wineswith-dinner type couple is where MG is hoping to see showroom success with the

HS, as well as with financially savvy older buyers.

The HS has been on offer in Australia for a few months now, where it’s been a very successful seller.

Dealers have been selling them as fast as they’ve been getting them, to the point that the vehicles designated as media cars originally had to be sold off.

And from the go it’s clear to see why it holds such attraction.

The HS’s pricing starts at a mere $31,990 for the entry-level Vibe, with the range-top-

ping Excite positioned at $34,990.

That means the top spec model is $1000 cheaper than the base Toyota RAV4, but comes packed with monstrous amounts of standard equipment.

The jewel in the HS’s equipment crown is the MG Pilot safety suite that’s standard across the board.

It includes radar cruise, active lane assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, automatic high-beams, a system that flags drivers of cyclists that are coming so that

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they don’t cause a danger by opening their doors.

It’s very comprehensive, and its complemented by a standard 10.1in touchscreen, a digital cluster, a chilled centre console compartment, and more.

Its build quality is very impressive, as is the level of practicality.

A boot capacity of 463L/1287L paired it nicely up against the opposition, as did all the well-executed patches of soft-touch surfaces, red stitching, and faux-brushed aluminium.

On paper, the HS’s turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol four seems adequate; bringing 124kW/250Nm to the party via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

And in practice it’s a combination that works well. Mostly.

The engine is loud when pinned, but settles into a surprisingly quiet and refined rhythm once it’s up to operating speed.

In fact the whole HS cabin is rather calm and silent, indicative of a decent amount of effort made on insulation.

The Excite adds paddles and a Super Sport mode (activated via the comedy big red button on the steering wheel, just like on a Ferrari).

Along with adding an extra element of control to the dual-clutch, the Excite’s transmission also feels like it might have a better tune given that it seemed happier most of the time in standard drive modes.

Gluyas Motor Group Chris Hart Vehicle Sales Manager Mob 027 439 0887

Ray McLaren Vehicle Sales Mob 027 602 3311

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Friday, March 20, 2020

25

Hybrids CAN be stylish

S

elf-charging hybrids are designed to be economical, more friendly to the environment than straight petrol/diesel models and easy to use, and they’re supposed to do all this with absolutely no concerns of range anxiety for the driver.

All of which this hybrid version of this decidedly contemporarily stylish-looking higher-riding compact four door SUV-like hatch showed it does very well.

And you certainly notice the C-HR’s curvy character lines and distinctive looks.

The swooping style of the rear doors with their abbreviated windows (some in the rear seats may feel they restrict the side view) and the high placed handles.

There’s two front-wheel-drive hybrid models available.

The Limited, as driven, which cost $38,490 (drive-away price) has additional features to those of its still well-equipped entry model, $35,490, sibling.

These extras include leather-like seats (heated at front with power lumbar support for the driver) a panoramic view camera and self-adjusting/dipping for the LED headlights.

There’s nice driving position, dash presentation and space for those in the front seats, while the rear is two adult friendly.

Then there’s the self-charging hybrid power system.

This consists of a 1.8-litre, four cylinder petrol engine producing 72kW and 142 Nm of torque.

Combined with the electric motor/battery pack the total system output is 90kW.

Roger Hart ROAD TEST

With the car’s compact size that means a suitably energetic performance and quick overtaking manoeuvres, but with a claimed overall fuel consumption of just 4.3L/100km and emissions of 97g of CO2/ km.

There’s little doubt that earlier hybrid cars were more suited to, and at their best, both economy and performance wise for doing lots of about the town/city driving and commuting, but now through the ever-continuing improvements to hybrid technology that’s all definitely changed.

For while they still show their best economy with about town driving when use of their pure electric power can be maximised and 3.8L/100km is possible, they are now also very good for open road driving.

That was mainly what I did during my recent 500km with the hybrid CH-R. During this I was keen to experience the driving experience rather than trying for best possible economy, so was impressed, given the roads driven, with the end result of 4.8L/100km shown on the trip computer.

As a comparison the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (85kW and 185Nm of torque) CH-R’s trip-computer, after driving similar roads showed 7.5L/100km.

So in real terms the hybrid used 2.7 litres less per 100km, but then of course had it been all around town driving the difference in the hybrid’s favour would be even greater.

While there’s three selectable drive modes, Normal rather than Eco or Sport was best as in this it quickly and silently slots into its electric power supply as soon as circumstances allow.

In keeping with their looks, the C-HRs both handled very nicely, with excellent levels of grip from the wide Michelins and poise.

In fact – and particularly so with the lighter turbo-petrol – there was a GT86-like feel over Gebbies Pass.

Not that that hybrid is too different in this respect, for it carries its extra weight mounted nice and low with the battery under the back seat.

But how about the boot?

Well, a decent 377 litres can be stowed via the good-sized hatch.

Plus there’s space for smaller items next to the space-saver spare.

It goes without saying that Toyota’s Safety Sense active safety features come as standard to help you avoid accidents, and do everything possible to save your life if you do have one.

This system includes a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, an excellent all speed radar cruise

control, lane departure alert with steering assist, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

FINALE With the current obsession for SUV-like vehicles and higher seating, there’s plenty of opportunities for creating stylish, niche models.

That’s exactly what Toyota have done with their quite stunning-looking C-HR multi-purpose compact range, even more so with the arrival of the very nice-to-drive and very economical hybrid versions.

TOYOTA C-HR HYBRID ■■ Driveaway Pricing: $38,490 - (entry model $35,490). Turbo-petrol models from $32,990.

■■ Engine: 1.8-litre four cylinder petrol hybrid - 90kW (total system output)/142Nm. ■■ Transmission: e-CVT, front-wheel drive ■■ Claimed overall fuel use: 4.3L/100km ■■ Turning circle: 10.4 m.

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Toyota C-HR Hybrid Limited

26 2

Farming Motoring

C

lassic Investments, a UK-based restoration specialist, has completed the ultimate restoration of an awesome 1969 Dodge Charger and is looking for a buyer that wants a no-holds barred piece of American muscle with the added benefit of modern-day reliability.

Highly desirable, this iconic model was made famous through the 60s classic film Bullitt as well as the 70s TV show Dukes of Hazzard.

This particular example has been upgraded with high-performance components and is ready to be enjoyed in modern traffic.

This original R/T car was fully stripped and had all rust removed, before being rebuilt to better than new condition.

The original suspension is improved to include adjustable Koni dampers, while steering feel is sharp thanks to polyurethane bushes.

The brakes have been upgraded with a new Servo unit, 11-inch discs and rotors at the front and 11-inch uprated drums at the rear.

The 440ci Magnum V8 engine is now-fully balanced and running a performance camshaft, a Holley 770 Street Avenger series 4-barrel carburettor and stainless-steel exhaust.

Friday, March 20, 2020

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The engine has already been run in, so the car is ready to be enjoyed to the maximum from the moment of purchase.

The interior has been comprehensively retrimmed. The structure was soundproofed for comfort on long journeys. All original components are rebuilt including radio, gauges, speedometer, switches and centre console.

Editor in Chief at Magneto magazine, David Lillywhite, said: “The Charger looks really good, exactly the right spec (engine, seats etc) and right colour for the car.

“It’s obviously up with the Mustang as the most iconic muscle car out there.”

Classic Investments carried out the entire restoration in-house, including re-chroming of all parts, reupholstering and restoring seats and interior trim in order to guarantee perfection.

Agris Alksnis of Classic Investments said: “More than 3000 hours have been put into making this the ultimate Dodge Charger R/T. For anyone who wants a classic muscle car, but without the fear of unreliability, this is the car for an enthusiast who cannot get enough of iconic cars such as this.”

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Friday, March 20, 2020

27

and

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he global sports car brand APEX, has taken the covers off its stunning new all-electric AP-0 sports car at its global launch event in London.

The brand brings a new philosophy to the sports car market, embracing the emotional connection between driver and machine, craftsmanship and pioneering, and design and engineering as cornerstones of its first in-house designed model, the fully electric AP-0.

Bringing full electric performance

and complete driver enjoyment, the AP-0 is a celebration of the feeling of being behind the wheel.

The design of the AP-0 features, at its core, an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre tub with modular spaceframes and a centre spine for maximum rigidity.

Costing from £150,000, the AP-0 goes into production in Q4 2022.

The AP-0 is a triumph of how form and function can be combined in one harmonious package. This begins with the front aerodynamic bodywork,

which channels air underneath the car and behind the front wheels, along the body and out below the large rear diffuser. The flat floor helps pin the car to the ground for tremendous cornering ability.

This is aided by the low centre of gravity provided by the 90kW floor-mounted battery pack. Together, these features enable the AP-0 to achieve a kerb weight of just 1200kg.

By virtue of its cutting-edge powertrain engineering and astonishingly

light weight, the rear-wheel drive AP-0 is capable of 0-100km/h in 2.3 seconds.

This rapid acceleration is backed up by an impressive maximum speed of 190mph, underlining the vehicle’s track credentials.

Efficiency and a fast charging time are imperative in delivering a luxury, performance electric vehicle for the modern driver. The resultant battery technology at the heart of the vehicle is capable of delivering enough charge to cover up to 320 miles (515km) (WLTP).

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