Ashburton Guardian | Guardian Motoring | June 19, 2020

Motoring June 19, 2020

elegance on wheels

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legant, sophisticated and refined, the Continental GT Convertible is the pinnacle of open-top luxury motoring, and 2020 marks the first summer that all of Bentley’s key global markets (The Americas, Europe, UK, China, Middle East and Asia Pacific) will receive deliveries of the newest V8 version of Bentley’s convertible Grand Tourer.

Beautiful with roof open or closed, the

Continental GT Convertible’s flowing, elegant exterior styling is accented with muscular proportions and sharp, sculptural lines.

The convertible roof sweeps open to reveal an exquisite handcrafted interior, making this the perfect car for the upcoming summer months. The convertible roof can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).

An entirely new combination of roof insulating materials and operating mechanism, combined with sealing system improvements and acoustic treatments, have created a Convertible Grand Tourer that is as quiet inside the cabin as the previous generation Continental GT Coupe, with a 50 per cent reduction in overall noise levels compared to its predecessor at typical cruising speeds.

Laminated acoustic glass for the

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windscreen and side windows gives a -9 dbA (88 per cent) improvement at an audio frequency of 3.15 Khz – the typical frequency of passing car noise, and a key part of the audio spectrum to be minimised for maximum comfort.

With its combination of new insulating materials and an elegant operating mechanism, the roof is the only example of its kind in the world to feature a full tonneau cover.

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Friday, June 19, 2020

23

Vespa, but not as we know it

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espa GTS goes down in history as one of the world’s best-loved two-wheelers, taking up the baton from the legendary Vespone, the name given to those Vespas with a large, strictly steel body.

Vespa can transport you around the city with style but it is also ready to travel and even adventure, thanks to increasingly generous engine capacity.

The big body of Vespa, in its modern shape with automatic transmission, was born in 2003, with the first arrival of the Vespa GT 125 and 200.

The family of large Vespas then evolved with the arrival of the GTS 250 version, followed by engine capacities of up to 300 cc. Later on, the Vespa GTS benefits from the family of I-get engines, offering 125 and 150 cc capacity.

After a heavy look update in 2019 of the whole GTS range, further advancement is made in 2020: Vespa GTS Super Sport 300cc has been equipped with the new engine HPE (High Performance Engine), fruit of the latest Piaggio Group engine technology research, which focuses on the creation of units that are increasingly advanced and efficient in terms of containing emissions and consumption.

Able to deliver power in excess of 23 HP, this is the most powerful engine ever seen on a Vespa.

The Vespa GTS has always evolved along the path of tradition, striking a balance between its history and modernity in the lines of its body, made strictly of steel.

The perfect ergonomics and natural seat position have always contributed to making every Vespa comfortable, pleasant to ride and accessible to all.

The under-saddle compartment makes optimum use of the available space and can accommodate two Vespa Visor 3.0 demi-jet helmets and more.

Also adding to the load capacity of the Vespa GTS is the glove box, inside which there is a USB port, useful for the charging of external devices.

Vespa GTS SuperSport is the ultimate in Vespa sportiness, boasting a dynamic acceleration and strong character that is emphasised by total black rims and two bold matte colours, namely White Innocenza, and two brand new looks: Yellow Sole and Black Opaco, both enhanced with

new dedicated graphics.

The GTS Super Sport also stands out for its double-upholstered saddle with clasp.

Black Opaco is a stunning color with a fascinating story.

Inspired by Italy’s unique black beaches – which is form by a remarkable phenomenon that is ashes from erupted volcanoes. yet also stands out, Black Opaco is the ideal color to match with the toughness, strength, and power of the GTS Super Sport.

With its definition in Italian means the sun – Yellow Sole represents the only one, unique, unsurpassed, matchless, the sole brilliance. A look that resembles lots of icons in motor racing, Yellow Sole was born to be the centerpiece of attention as it can be easily distinguished from far away or at high speed.

A highlight in the sporty range of any automotive brands, the GTS Super Sport Yellow Sole is at the top of its range in terms of performance and a true icon with unmistakable lines.

Indeed, the combination of yellow and sporty red/black touches truly brings a masculine and sporty look to the GTS Super Sport.

The new GTS Super Sport is equipped with the latest evolution of the 300 cc, 4-stroke, 4-valve single-cylinder engine, liquid-cooled and with electronic injection: the fruit of work by the Piaggio Group research and development centre and known as 300 HPE (High Performance Engine), the unit has benefited from numerous interventions aimed at increasing performance and rideability, while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and noise levels.

It is the most powerful engine ever mounted on a Vespa with optimised thermodynamic performance and reduced friction; all without

impacting on size or bulk, which remain the same as for the previous unit, at the top of its category.

The cylinder head is born out of a brandnew casting and is characterised by totally redesigned internal components: the ducts have a new geometry and diameter (now greater), as do the intake and exhaust valves, the diameter of which has been increased by 3 mm.

The adoption of a new-look piston, particularly in terms

of its head shape, has resulted in a highly efficient combustion chamber. The profile of the camshaft has been redesigned to obtain different valve lift profiles, more extreme but also able to reduce the noise generated by the timing: essentially, greater valve lift duration ensures better filling of the combustion chamber, which translates into greater efficiency.

A more generous intake line, equipped with a duct of optimised length, improves the torque delivered at low revs and ensures exceptionally smooth shifting at any speed.

The many modifications made to the engine have also boosted the already legendary Vespa GTS reliability, as demonstrated by the significant maintenance intervals, now extended to 10,000 km.

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24 2

Farming Motoring

Friday, June 19, 2020

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This one’s for the driver Roger Hart MOTORING

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mongst the now many excellent engine/gearbox pairings available from the various car manufacturers, Hyundai’s 1.6-litre four cylinder turbo-petrol and 7-speed dual-clutch auto combination continues to stand out.

This combo is an option for the Kona, Tucson, i-30 and Veloster, albeit with slightly different power outputs for some of them.

My first drive experience happened to be a return trip to Queenstown in a then-recently released and very new 1.6T Kona Elite.

During the drive the Kona impressed, not only with its performance (especially as the 130kW/265Nm version of this engine freed up) but also with its comfort, surefooted all-wheel-drive grip and cornering ability.

With regard to the latter, 1.6T Konas have a sportier multi-link rear suspension setup in place of the torsion beam rear of the 2litre, non-turbo models.

Then for this slightly quirky, sportily low sitting, three-door (yes that’s a rear lefthand-side-only passenger door) Veloster, the 1.6T engine produces 150kW, an extra 20kW to that in the Kona.

While the torque figure is the same 265Nm from 1500 to 4500rpm, both the Veloster and the similarly powered i 30 N-Line have over-boost functions for peak performance.

Once again the slick 7-speed dual clutch auto so readily does its job.

Even in the Smart setting of the selectable four mode system, the performance is as enjoyable and satisfying as you wish or want it to be.

Response is immediate and there’s the

ability to dispatch 0 to 100kmh in 7.1 seconds.

But then the Veloster just as easily slots into cruising sedately at 100kmh on the open road at 2000rpm.

Doing this on a drive from home to Christchurch saw 6.4L/100km on the trip computer. Hyundai quote an overall figure of 7.1L/100Km. The Veloster sits on the same platform as the latest i30 and has a new independent, multi-link rear suspension setup, together with a torque vectoring control system.

Plus it has been tuned to be an engaging companion for ANZAC driving conditions.

It turns-in nicely and corners with appreciated verve and lots of grip, courtesy of the wide Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

Expectedly, the ride is on the firmer side, but is still more than acceptably comfortable over most of the road surfaces that you’ll likely ever be driving on, and that’s either your daily stuff about town, or that favoured “therapeutic” drive on some nicely winding road.

The well-presented cabin has a quality feel with its abundance of

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soft-touch materials on the dash and door trims.

It also has red highlights and stitching in keeping with the Veloster’s sporty nature.

You sit low and comfortable in the heated/ventilated, leather-covered front seats, with a glazed sun roof above.

Access is easy via the large, wide opening doors, but care is needed with these in car-parks.

There’s of course a touchscreen for the infotainment system in the easy-to-read and use dash, plus a head-up display, wireless phone charging and an 8-speaker Infinity sound system.

Hyundai’s SmartSense comprehensive array of active safety and driver aids is of course both reassuring and helpful.

This includes, brake-force distribution/ assist, stability/traction control, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, highbeam assist, and driver attention.

Using the adaptive cruise control is a necessity, for the Veloster certainly has the ability of inviting you to go faster!

The two seats in the rear are accessed by the single rear door, so it’s pretty easy to get in to sit in the left hand seat.

i30 N-Line

VELOSTER 1.6T LIMITED ■■ Pricing - as driven $52,990 + ORCs. ■■ Engine: 1.6-litre, four cylinder turbo-petrol 150kW @ 6000rpm and 265Nm from 1500 to 4500 rpm.

■■ Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto.

Front-wheel-drive.

■■ Quoted Economy: 7.1L/100km.

■■ Safety: 5 star NCAP expected. SmartSense driver assist and safety systems.

■■ Size: Length-4240mm, width 1800mm, height 1409mm and wheelbase 2650mm ■■ Turning Circle: 10.2 metres ■■ Warranty: 3-year/100,000km. (also for roadside assistance).

Then, even at my vintage, getting in and out of the right hand seat wasn’t too difficult, although head space means that for other than shorter drives these seats will be likely reserved for smaller folk. with the rear seats up there’s a usable 303 litres of luggage space, while these seats quickly fold for even more space and easy loading via the rear hatch or the third door.

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Friday, June 19, 2020

25

Hyundai Veloster 1.6T Limited

FINALE This rather enticing Veloster 1.6T not only looks decidedly interesting, but then justifies this with driver involvement, performance, sharp handling and comfort. But if its four doors and four-adult capability that’s on your agenda, the i 30 N-Line that shares most of the Veloster’s goodies, and also looks the part with neat red cabin highlights, costs $43,990 (+ORCs).

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

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Adam Banks Vehicle Sales Mob 027 312 0028

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