Motoring | September 28

Motoring September 28, 2018

Evolving for over 70 years and a real challenger in the 4 x 4 Ute market

MAHINDRA

PIKUP Single$24,608 Cab 4x4 S6 FROM

+ GST DRIVE3AWAY 4x4 S/C NEW MODEL Year/100,000Km Warranty

26,999 + ORC DRIVE AWAY

INC BLACKWELLS WOOD/GALV FLAT DECK TOWBAR & ON ROAD COSTS

See what our customers have to say @ www.morrisoncars.co.nz

Ph: 03 341 2020 or Lance Morrison 027 588 8278 www.morrisoncars.co.nz

1 Lowther Street, Sockburn Roundabout, Christchurch.

Ph: 03 341 2020 or Lance Morrison 027 588 8278

Pick-Up O.R.C (On Road Costs) of $950 and GST are included to stated prices. Mahindra finance offer available for sales of new Mahindra Pik-Up’s. The maximum Finance period for Pikup is 60 months (260 weeks). A 20% deposit ($5659.80) is required to achieve a $115 per week price, and there are no balloon or residual payments. The amount financed includes vehicle recommended retail price $28,299.00, a $415 establishment fee, $10.35 ppsr fee and monthly administration fees. Vehicle and finance cost are financed and paid over 260 weekly instalments of $115 for the Pik-Up with an interest rate of 9.95%. Monthly instalments are also allowed and do not alter the finance rate offered. This Mahindra finance offer is only available with Auto Finance Direct Limited, is subject to normal credit and lending criteria and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or offers. Mahindra New Zealand and Auto Finance Direct reserve the right to alter, extend or withdraw offer at any time.

e to say @ www.morrisoncars.co.nz

EE

*$115 p/w

includes Deck, Towbar ORC 1 Lowther Street, Sockburn Roundabout, Christchurch.

FULL RANGE OF EXTRAS AVAILABLE

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www.morrisoncars.co.nz 1 Lowther Street, Sockburn Roundabout, Christchurch.

2018 Mahindra Pikup SINGLE CAB 4X4 • 3 year/100,000km warranty • 6 Speed Manual Gearbox

• Eaton Locking Differential • Borgwarner transfer case

• 2.2L “mHawk” Turbo Diesel Intercooled Engine, Designed by Austrian Powertrain Company AVL Delivering 103kW & 330Nm of Torque

Ph: 03 341 2020 or Lance Morrison 027 588 8278

www.morrisoncars.co.nz

DETAILS

P2

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Farming Motoring

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

Well, why wouldn’t you?

M

ahindra & Mahindra is a large company worldwide buying companies like Pininfarina (Lamborghini and Ferrari design specialists), having the controlling shares in Ssangyong (70 per cent) and being the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by numbers, having been around since 1945 with the iconic Willy’s Jeep.

Mahindra have the background and grounding to move forward in a big way into the NZ rural scene.

The Pikup now offers a complete farm ute that offers what nothing else does in the ute market currently does when taking into consideration the upfront price starting from $19,983+GST & ORC for a single cab, Cab chassis 4x4.

The Mahindra Pikup runs a 2.2-litre diesel Turbo Intercooled engine producing 103kw designed under license by Austrian powertrain company AVL. It comes standard with a Rear Eaton Locking Differential, 6-speed Aisin gearbox, 2.5T tow rating, Spicer Darner Truck axles, there’s top-class Bosch electrics under the hood and a Borg Warner electric shift 4x4 system with a 2H/4H/4L option backed up with a 3 year/100,000kms warranty.

The Mahindra Pik-up, affectionately known as the Mumbai Cruiser, is an honest, no frills ute that with its current pricing competes in the side by side market and quad sector, offering the safety of dual airbags, ABS braking and is road legal to take between the farm gates and also offers savings in servicing when comparing resale too.

Lance Morrison at Morrison Cars Mahi-

ndra is the man to see, and the Morrison Automotive onsite Mahindra workshop carries a full range of parts and extras including Blackwells Wood/Galvanised decks and removable towbars, factory

Mahindra winch and airbag compliant bullbars and nudge bars, lift kits, Rugged Valley Canvas car seat covers and aftermarket rims and tyre packages Lance will sort out an on-site no obliga-

tion farm demonstration, and he believes that once you have had a drive (why not) and put it through its paces where you take your own truck you will be very impressed.

Missing: Mk I Lotus

C

alling on enthusiasts, collectors and car hunters worldwide, Lotus needs your help in tracking down the long-lost Lotus Mark I, the first car built by company founder Colin Chapman.

As the British marque continues its 70th celebrations, it wants fans from around the world to pick up the trail of the most elusive Lotus ever – the competition car that the young engineer hand-built in a small London garage owned by his then girlfriend’s parents.

Overcoming the standard car’s limitation Chapman applied innovative approaches to improve its performance in challenging trials competitions.

Despite its existence being well documented, the current whereabouts of the Mark I remain a mystery.

Built by Chapman, with the help of friends and his girlfriend (who later became his wife), Hazel, he entered a number of events in 1948 with immediate success.

However, Colin was constantly innovating, and was soon hard at work on the Mark II. The first car was sold in November 1950 but, from there, the car’s trail goes cold.

Joining Lotus in the hunt for the origin of its species is the son of the company’s founder, and director of Classic Team Lotus, Clive Chapman.

“The Mark I is the holy grail of Lotus’ history,” explains Clive. “It’s the first time that my father was able to put his theories for improved performance into practice when designing and building a car. To locate this landmark Lotus, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary, would be a monumental achievement.

“We want fans to take this opportunity to look in every garage, shed, barn and lock up they’re allowed to.

“It’s even possible that the Mark I was shipped from the UK, and we’d love to know if it survives in another country.”

Hazel Chapman in the Lotus Mark I.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

3

Italian aesthetica T

he readers’ choice “autonis – the best design novelty 2018” of auto motor und sport, the renowned German car magazine, is always a special indicator of the design capabilities of a car

brand.

During this year’s prestigious vote, readers chose the Maserati Ghibli as their number 1 in its “upper-class” segment with more than 20 perc ent of the 11,990 votes.

Overall, readers of auto motor und sport had around 90 models to choose from.

The premium executive sedan is one of the

most important models within the Maserati range.

The sporty four-door car has contributed significantly to the success of Maserati all over the world.

Its dynamic appearance is shaped by the coupe-like silhouette and the large radiator grille derived from the legendary Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta.

The Ghibli was designed at the Maserati Centro Stile in Turin. The introduction of the GranSport and GranLusso trims has made for an even more unique and individual appearance.

“Design has always played a key role for Maserati.

“We are very pleased that the readers of auto motor und sport have confirmed this by choosing our best performer, the Ghibli”, Piergiorgio Cecco, General Manager of Maserati Germany explained.

He received the award at a ceremony in Stuttgart, emphasising: “Maserati is a worldwide ambassador of excellent Italian design.

“The style of our vehicles combine an elegant aesthetic with a sporty aura and the finest craftsmanship.”

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2 4

Farming Motoring

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

The fast and the glorious W

hile BMW’s M5 is in all likelihood aimed directly at a predominantly blokeskewed market I suggest that our PM could well appreciate having one instead of the usual 7 Series.

Why? Well some readers may have seen JPM Hubbard’s cartoon of last week headed ‘ Jacinda Ardern is “Driving the car”–Peters.....’ and in which the PM is indeed pictured at the wheel, while Winston is in the back seat, complete with a loud hailer giving directions – slow down, brake, right turn, veer leftish ...’

For the performance abilities and driving enjoyment delivered by this still very luxurious M5 are such that any occupant of the back seat, loud hailer or not, will immediately be forgotten.

Such is the urge provided by the latest generation, 4.4-litre V8, twin-turbo petrol which develops 441 kW from 56006700rpm and peak torque of 750 Nm from 1800rpm to 5600rpm.

BMW says engaging both Sports Plus mode and the launch control function means 0-100km/h sprints in just 3.4 seconds are possible.

Throw in 0–200 km/h in 11.1 seconds.

That is decidedly breath-taking stuff, even for a politician.

But the M5 is still impressively rapid in either the Efficient or Sport modes, thanks also to the smooth, quick changing eightspeed Steptronic auto.

Then there’s the new adaptable, also three-mode M xDrive all-wheel drive,

which works in conjunction with an active locking rear differential to provide optimum traction in all conditions.

This can be tailored, along with the engines, the autos and the also selectable damper settings to meet individual preferences, two variations of which can then be stored for future use courtesy of the two red, M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel.

As to the xDrive choices, the default 4WD obviously apportions drive both front and rear, while 4WD Sport brings a more rear-wheel drive bias, for those of a real puritanical driving nature, the third mode decouples drive to the front axle, so all the power hits the road via the rear wheels.

This allows the driver to pick their own drift angle, and treats those who appreciate such to driving dynamics in their purest form.

There’s double-wishbone front suspension and five-link arrangement at the rear together with the aforementioned damper control.

This offers three adjustable settings (comfort, sport, sport plus), as does the steering with its electro-mechanical operation All these systems are integrated into the car’s electronic brain and work with the stability and traction control systems to deliver a superb blend of performance, response, safety and agility.

In fact, so much more than many drivers are likely to test, but very reassuring if the necessity of a repeat of the ministerial dash from south of the Rangitata to Christchurch airport, was to ever again be

BMW M5 Roger Hart

■■ ■■

ROAD TEST

considered.

In that respect the M5’s top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, or 305 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package.

The driver, from their shapely and supportive seat can also overcome hearing any instructions from the rear seat by selecting a button to amplify the resonant exhaust note from the quartet of tailpipes.

They could of course ramp up the excellent sound system in the plush cabin whose infotainment system reacts to voices, gestures, touching 10-inch central information display, or using the iDrive system.

There’s a full suite of advanced, active driver assistance, safety and parking systems, including semi-autonomous capability.

Extensive use of carbon fibre and alloys ensures new M5 at 1855kg is lighter than predecessor.

With blue-painted six-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear, the brakes have the appropriate, speed-shedding power.

Even so, carbon ceramic brakes are an option.

■■

■■ ■■

■■ ■■

Pricing: $199,990 plus ORCs. Engines: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol, 441kW from 5600 to 6700rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1800 to 5600rpm.

Transmission: 8-speed auto with sport modes and paddle shift – full time allwheel-drive with selectable rear drive only.

Quoted Combined Cycle Economy: 10.5L/100km.

Safety: Advanced semi-autonomous driver assist/safety technology packages. 5 star ANCAP rating.

Kerb to kerb turning circle: 12.6metres.

Warranty: Five year, unlimited km warranty and roadside assistance and three year inclusive servicing.

FINALE The M5 with its combination of quality, comfort, easy day-to-day driving, then as required blistering race-track performance and handling is perhaps the ultimate (Prime) ministerial Q-ship. And yes, it is available in silver!

BMW M5

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

5

Really? I mean, really??

S

koda has achieved its most daring Guinness World Record™ to date: the farthest flight of an arrow caught by hand from a moving car.

Using the Octavia Combi vRS 245, the fastest Octavia ever produced, ŠKODA registered an unbelievable distance of 57.5 metres (188ft).

The record attempt called on the expertise of Olympic archer Laurence Baldauff who fired the arrow while martial arts coach Markus Haas deftly caught the flying object leaning out of the sunroof of the car.

Success or failure was a matter of millimetres and hundredths of a second.

The arrow travelled at 134 miles per hour (60 metres per second) and the distance between the archer and its target was 70 metres.

However, as the arrow flies in an arc rather than a straight line, the distance over which the arrow can be captured from the open sunroof was reduced to around 30 metres. Haas, therefore had a window of 0.5 seconds to catch the 68-centimetrelong arrow.

The record was set at the Zeltweg air base in Austria in homage to the ŠKODA brand which has featured the winged arrow on its logo since 1926.

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A

Farming Motoring

ustralian-based Scotsman Alister McRae won the Ashley Forest Rallysprint, in North Canterbury last weekend, in the 1998 ex-Possum Bourne Vantage Subaru WRC – becoming the first international driver to claim victory in the event’s 35-year history.

The elimination-style nature of the rallysprint, which featured a 55 per cent uphill and 45 per cent downhill 1.7km course, saw McRae go first in the top-two run off.

He clocked a 55.35secs time and the large crowd waited with bated breath as his challenger Blenheim’s Neil West charged off up the hill in his mighty Mitsubishi Mirage, with Evo running gear.

West, who had his son Jack on-board as co-driver, managed a very credible – but not fast enough to win – time of 56.04secs, which saw the Vantage team and Subaru supporters erupt into celebration cheers.

McRae says he was “over the moon” to take out his fourth victory on New Zealand soil, after claiming the winner’s trophies at the 2015 Race to the Sky, plus the 2016 and 2017 Leadfoot Festivals.

“To get the win again, it’s awesome.

“It’s great for Speedhub who build the car, for Vantage, for Subaru and for New Zealand because it was in Possum’s car.

“First foreigner to win – not bad!”

His last crack at at the course was not perfect but it was sufficient for victory.

“The final run, it’s always difficult because you don’t want to make a mistake and I felt that a little bit.

“We had a really good run to the top but the second-to-last corner coming down, it jumped out of gear, so we dropped a bit but not too much time,” McRae says.

The spectators had been expecting a three-way fight for the win but defending champion Sloan Cox was out early on Sunday when the hydraulic pump failed on his centre diff, causing his Mitsubishi Evo X Hillclimb Special to lose 4WD and spin out on a corner.

Getting back up to speed bled out time

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

and he wasn’t quick enough to make it through to the top 16.

Hayden Paddon was fresh from a podium place at WRC Rally Turkey and his Hyundai i20 AP4 ++ had consistently set the fastest times over the two-day event.

Devastation struck on the top 8 run when the car’s oil filter popped off and he lost engine power, eventually limping across the finish line.

It meant the pressure was off McRae and co-driver Nick Taylor, and the left-hand drive factory Subaru got progressively faster as it whittled through its competition on the top four run-off to gain a place in the top-two final.

“

Vantage our team, “Speedhub for the car, Pirelli and Subaru. It’s a great effort from everyone,” Vincent says.

The passionate Vantage pit crew team of Paul Hayton, Chris Kitzen, Mike Thompson and Chris Coleman – many of whom worked on this car and with Bourne over 15 years ago, never doubted the result.

They worked efficiently and competently on the Vantage Subaru to ensure the old motorsport adage: To finish first, first you must finish.

The late, great Kiwi rally driver never won this rallysprint in this particular Subaru but Bourne did claim victory in

It’s great for Speedhub who built the car, for Vantage, for Subaru and for New Zealand because it was in Possum’s car

Taylor has a close connection to the man whose company bought the Subaru from Prodrive after Bourne’s death in 2003, Vantage principal Craig Vincent.

The Auckland-based 22-year-old is Vincent’s daughter Margot’s boyfriend.

Selected for his slight build, Taylor was the perfect passenger to lighten the load for the Subaru.

As is always the case for Vincent, who was Bourne’s co-driver for a number of years, it was very special to see the 20-year-old Subaru WRC car still capable of glory.

“It was really quite amazing to come down here for our first time and for Alister’s first look at the hill to come away with the win.

“It was outstanding. I want to give a big shout out to the team for all the effort they put in and all the support we get from

this forestry block event near Rangiora in 1989, 1991 and 2000 in three different Subaru models.

As his last two events in the Vantage Subaru have been held on tarmac, McRae was thrilled to be back driving it in gravel specification, as it bought back fond memories of powering up the Cardrona Valley’s Snow Farm access road to Race to the Sky victory three years ago.

The car was running the same Subaru 2-litre Boxer engine that it uses at Coromandel’s Leadfoot Festival, but with smaller brakes to fit the gravel tyre rims.

The big difference for this weekend, was the brand-new 2018 WRC suspension.

The challenge for McRae coming to this event for the first time was always going to be lack of knowledge of the tricky rutted, pot-holed course.

Before the qualifying runs began on

Saturday, he had one recce look at in a convoy, in a road car and he also walked up and down it taking notes.

“Just to see what it was all about.

“The first run for me is to see the road and get a feel for what the car is doing,” he said on Saturday after laying down a 1min:04:51secs time on his debut attempt.

In between defending his Leadfoot Festival win in February and competing at Ashley Forest Rallysprint, McRae has been doing demonstration runs at international events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Race Retro in the United Kingdom.

Nothing with a stopwatch.

Consequently, he spent Saturday getting his head around wrangling the wickedlypowerful Vantage Subaru WRC. “It’s a seriously-quick car. It takes you a few runs to get used to the speed,” McRae says.

His conundrum was getting all of the 760 horsepower to the ground on the dusty, gravel course that features a hairpin turn at the top of the hill.

The 1998 ex-WRC car doesn’t have modern technology like launch control, which would help boost it off the start line that was increasingly bedded down in a deep rut.

The Vantage Subaru does have anti-lag to keep the turbo boosting when McRae’s foot is off the throttle but because it runs a much bigger BorgWarner turbo – than it was built to run back in its WRC days when its maximum output was 350hp – there is sometimes a tiny lag between when he is on and off the throttle.

Regardless of the fact that it is a 20-year-old car, McRae came tantalisingly close to beating the record time of 54.96secs set by Cox last year, and he says that it perhaps leaves him with some unfinished business.

“I think the record is there, not to be easily beaten, but I think the potential is there to beat it.

“It would always be good to come back, so we will see what happens.”

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Friday, September 28, 2018

7

eMTB beginner’s guide O

utside of the main cities, eMTB is the hottest ticket in ebikes.

If your goal is to be able to go up any mountain in sight (Queenstown), ride longer and higher without shuttles (Rotorua) or simply keep up with your stronger, fitter, younger or less-injured mates, an eMTB might be for you. It’s a great equaliser for a couple too.

By eMTB I refer to generally full-suspension bikes with a mid-drive motor, that are intended for ‘proper’ mountain biking on singletrack and/or rutty, rocky, challenging terrain.

On rail trails, almost any ebike with a teeny bit of front suspension will do.

Hardtail eMTBs are also a viable option for touring.

An eMTB should have a mid-drive motor. Why? Because it take mass away from the axles and allows your wheels to move properly over terrain.

The weight is in the centre of the bike (the pedal area) and towards the front, which is your preferred weight distribution anyway.

It should also have a torque sensor, NOT cadence-only sensor. Why? Because you control the power through your pedals.

e-bike reviews are courtesy of NZ Electric Bike Review

Motors and Batteries Here’s the thing: all the eMTB motor systems are quite good and in 2019 models are typically limited to 32km/h (do check, even on an eMTB 25 is annoying).

They have their own character and marginal pros and cons.

Don’t buy a bike solely based on what motor it has. You wouldn’t buy a car like that, would you?

Ok, now that we’ve got that out the way, we’ve got a bike to buy.

The rest I’m generalising, but the reason you are buying this expensive beast is to have fun on some trails.

There is a vast difference in ‘feel’ between bikes, and you want the one that matches your style of riding.

Some considerations upfront: Longer travel suspension is better, and longer than you need is less of an issue on an eMTB than on a regular MTB. So a 140mm travel eMTB is entry level in my opinion (though the 125mm on the Hypersonic didn’t feel undergunned in Auckland).

But don’t be ridiculous, and if you are of smaller stature you might still find that shorter fits you more comfortably.

Wider tyres are better. Most modern MTB have 2.3-2.4” tyres, and eMTB should have 2.6”-2.8” tyres. Wider gives you more grip which you’ll want given the extra

weight, and adds comfort too.

Some things you can easily change on your bike later on if you want. That includes tyres, saddle, handlebars, pedals etc.

Some things you don’t want to change, or simply can’t.

So, in descending order of importance: The frame geometry must suit your style of riding and fit you. Right now specifics of geometry are beyond the scope of this guide, but hopefully over time through reviews we’ll build up a bit of a guide.

Your trusty shop should be able to advise about head angles, chainstay length and so on if you ask (see Notes on Geometry below) The suspension is expensive, contributing up to $2000 of the cost of a good MTB/ eMTB. Go for the best components you can. It is often where compromises are made.

If you are and always will be a conservative sort of rider, it might matter less.

Wheels matter.

Typically the more you pay, the better wheels and tyres you will get. Look for tubeless ready rims and tyres on a qual-

ity rig. A good set of wheels can cost up to $4000 for carbon fibre. Good wheels are robust AND comfortable, and provide a good mount for your tubeless tyres.

Why tubeless? Comfort, traction, lower rolling resistance and better puncture protection especially in rocky or rooty terrain.

Brakes are helpful too!

Don’t get mountain bikers started on what are their favourite brakes. Most are fine, some are better. You want the front brakes to be more powerful than the rear.

You want a main brand so that replacement pads are easy to get.

Gears and drivetrain aren’t as important on an eMTB as on a lightweight XC or road bike, but you want robustness.

The SRAM system offers 11 or 12 gears and a wide range. There is also a tougher ebike-specific EX1 groupset. Shimano is good too.

A dropper seatpost is nice if you are planning on riding rougher stuff, but not essential. It can be added later quite simply for $400-$600.

My usual disclaimer You generally get what you pay for.

You want to buy from somewhere that displays good knowledge of their products and will provide good support You really should ride the bike, ideally on your sort of terrain. Most decent bike shops can access a demo bike for you.

Notes on Geometry: 470mm seems to be the default chainstay length on 130-160mm travel eMTBs and offers the sort of stability in technical uphill stuff most eMTB buyers expect.

Much shorter and the bike will feel a bit more edgy and ‘poppy’ (eg Haibike Xduro AllMtn is 455mm, Specialized Levo 459mm/Kenevo 443mm).

Much longer and it’ll likely be more stable and planted allowing you to stay seated. Needs to be looked at in combination with seat tube angle and head angle too.

It depends on your riding style and abilities which style you might prefer. 66-67 degrees is the head angle most eMTBs are going for. Steeper will give you sharper handling at the expense of downhill poise, and vice versa. visit electricbikesnz.com

Hybrid Lexus

T

he new model ES on the all new Lexus Global Architecture platform is now only available with a self-charging hybrid electric powertrain.

More than just an engineering achievement, the GA-K platform gives the designers the flexibility to create an ES that’s as visibly striking as it is enjoyable to drive.

A new fourth generation self-charging hybrid electric drivetrain couples a new ultra-efficient, Atkinson cycle 2.5 litre, four cylinder petrol engine with a lighter, more compact and power dense electric motor delivering a combined 160 kW of power. The previous model produced 151 kW. A more compact nickel-metal hydrid electric battery under the rear seat has freed up more luggage space in the boot. The ES 300h has a 4.6 litre/100 km combined fuel consumption, a 16 per cent improvement over the outgoing model.

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• EASY FINANCE SERVICE ALL MAKES • Carrying out work for all insurance companies, HOLDEN - Get the service you deserve MAKE SMALLBONE Get the service you deserve -Book your service at HOLDEN- PARTS we work for YOUR best interests Smallbone NEXT AshburtonSTOP! - Main South Road, Tinwald, Ashburton | 03 307 9028 | join us on facebook @smallboneashburton YOUR Smallbone Ashburton - WOF Main South Road,Smallbone Tinwald, Ashburton 03 307 9028- Main | join us on facebook @smallboneashburton Malcom Lovett Automotive today CHECKS • CRA Guarantee on all Repairs, PPG Lifetime Holden |Ashburton South Road, Tinwald, Ashburton Smallbone Timaru - 177 Evans Street, TimaruTimaru | 03 687 join us on facebook @smallbonetimaru Smallbone - 1777530 Evans|Street, Timaru | 03 03 687307 7530 | join us on facebook @smallbonetimaru Warranty on all Paint - Locally owned and operated since 1919 9028 | www.smallbone.co.nz EASY the FINANCE Proud to be supporting Cancer ProudSociety to be supporting Cancer Smallbone Ltd the - Proud toSociety be supporting the Cancer Society • Eight loan cars available 154 Dobson Street, Ashburton Ph 03 307 0506 - Mobile 0274 853 329

Smallbone Holden Ashburton - Main South Road, Tinwald, Ashburton 03 307 9028 | www.smallbone.co.nz Smallbone Ltd - Proud to be supporting the Cancer Society

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