32
FARM WHEELS
August 2013
Country Motoring with Ken Strugnell
Deuce — Advantage Hyundai In a game of marketing one upmanship Hyundai have introduced a smaller competitor for its very successful i45 large sedan. Introduced to the NZ market in 2010 the i45 was a radical departure from its predecessor the Sonata. FROM
10,999 ,
$
It also marked a dramatic change in style and the adoption of an alphanumeric model name.
+GST
TRX420 4W 4WD
Rideaway ideaway
I drove the new 2 litre and 2.4 litre petrol versions at the product press launch in Auckland three years ago and was impressed.
while stocks last
So I took the time recently to drive the latest version back to back with a new diesel i40 sedan, basically a smaller version of the i45. Though is it? Interestingly the 40 is only available as a 1.7 litre turbo diesel and the 45 sips only petrol. So which is best and why? Working with NZ farmers for 40 years
YYear Anniversary
BLUE WING HONDA SINCE 1972
TRX420FM $10,999+GST TRX420FPM $12,599+GST
Rangiora Motorcycles 10 Albert St Ph 03 313 4593 Kevin a/h 027 4361 974 www.rangioramotorcycles.co.nz
Not as easy to split the two as I first thought. Price-wise they are similar as they are in interior appointments in several models, so too is the economy factoring in RUC’s for the 40. So for what reason would you buy one over the other?
PURPOSE BUILT FOR RURAL CONDITIONS
New turbo diesel Hyundai i40 Elite is stunningly quick and economical
Both vehicles have many similar appointments 6 speed auto with paddle shift, electric folding and heated exterior mirrors, 4 heated seats, 6 airbags, keyless remote, dual zone air cond. AM FM CD entertainment with iPod USB and Bluetooth. They also share ESP ABS EBD EBA TC and a 5 star ANCAP rating. Hyundai have marketed the i40 as a wagon for a couple of years and we reviewed the petrol 2 litre version when it was released. They also had the same 1.7 litre turbo diesel available that is now the only power plant for the sedan. And it’s a great choice, hard to justify petrol when this diesel is so well suited to the vehicle. Yet here in NZ we have the punitive RUC’s road user charges that penalise and negate the superb economy this 100kW and 320Nm torque engine produces. So I drove the diesel i40 for a day and enjoyed it. The next six days we had it at home proved my first assessment and that of Hyundai to opt for the diesel. We averaged 5.8l/100km while Hyundai claim only 6.0l/. Add in the 4.8cents per km and
the combined cost per 100km is only $13.90. (diesel at $1.57).
commonality. Yet there is one feature I loved over the i45.
On the Road
The 40 has an electric park brake. Just a little lever aft of the gear selector. Pull up lightly on it to engage and put your foot on the brake and push down on the lever to release. Easy and very safe for children It cannot be accidentally released and will only do so with the ignition on. The 45 still uses a very old fashioned foot operated park brake.
The diesel really shines with its massive torque propelling up inclines the petrol siblings scrabble down a couple of cogs. I’ve said this before — the driving dynamics of a diesel are so different given its torque that they make direct comparisons with an equivalent petrol difficult save for the fact that the modern turboed diesel is a far more relaxing drive. And that is just what I found. The chassis and suspension are tuned for an engaging ride and communicate well to the driver while effortlessly soaking up road imperfections. Well noised dampened the off seal driving was easy and despite being front wheel driven the electronics hid any oversteer characteristics providing a very neutral vehicle. In common with other diesels in Hyundai’s range the motor is quiet and hard to distinguish as a diesel. Inside the beast. Well it isn’t! In fact it’s hard to tell from any other Hyundai. Such is the attention to detail and
Flexible Flat Deck
cvt
WITH
800CC 56HP / 1100CC 68HP ENGINE BRAKING / 2WD - 4WD - DIFF LOCK
TiMe To UpdaTe? 2002 Mercedes Benz Actros 2643L/40 6x4, 430hp, 16 speed electronic manual, full cross locks, airbag rear suspension. 6.7m stock or freight deck, tidy one owner truck. Good kms.
$40,000 + GST Kim Harris Mobile 027 545 7973 VISIT
WWW.AVATAR-PRODUCTS.COM
OR PHONE HAMISH ON 0225 434 704
0800 379 899
www.prestigecv.co.nz
With room for five in comfort and a boot capacity of just over 500l the 40 lacks for little and the Elite price of $51,990 makes this economical vehicle a must try on your list if your are in the market for a medium to large sedan. Towing is rated at 1500kg braked
The i45 The i45 in its first facelift and a mild one at that has improved on what was already a very good vehicle. Although a 2 litre 119kW petrol version is available at $42,990 the i40 would be the right direction unless petrol power was mandatory. Quieter more refined and importantly holding its price the 2.4 litre Elite we drove is arguably the pick of the range. The new 18in alloy wheels filling the arches provide a purposeful look. The Hyundai named Fluidic sculpture design is enhanced by the full length panoramic glass roof opening its central panel on Elite and Limited models. I also liked the dual exhaust pipes tipped in chrome making a design statement along with the subtle bobtail spoiler built into the boot lid. That same lid given its squared off look hides a massive 523litres of capacity. In terms of economy we averaged 7.2l/100km(Hyundai claim only 7.9l) meaning our true cost of fuel only was $15.19 (petrol at $2.11. In line with all other Hyundai’s there is no Sat Nav system which I found surprising in a vehicle asking $49,990. However a very good reversing camera is standard on the Elite. Also standard and a