ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A , A L P S A N D H I G H CO U N T RY
JUNE 3 - 9, 2016
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MARVELLOUS MAZDA: The Mazda2 hatch carries design cues found across the complete range of Mazda vehicles.
Mix and Maxx for Mazda Compact
IN a world where connectivity is king and social media, like a hatchback, can lay bare through the ‘rear window’ even the most personal information, there are people, usually older, who prefer to hang on to their privacy. In automotive terms the latter are the sedan folk who like to lock away possessions out of sight in a car boot. Mazda has tipped its cap to them by introducing a sedan version of its popular Mazda2, leaving the hatch to attract the younger, more connected, buyer. Available in Neo and Maxx specification – the high-end Genki has been let go – sedan prices start with an entry level of
By EWAN KENNEDY $14,990 for the Neo manual. Neo and Maxx hatchback share their prices with the sedan, while the added Genki tops out the range at $20,690. The mid-spec Mazda2 Maxx hatchback was on test. There’s no disguising the Mazdaness of the ‘2’, with the front taking on the brand DNA. Designers created a dynamic profile by pushing the compact cabin toward the rear of the lower body’s forward sloping lines. The overall effect of this body design is that of forward momentum, while wheels positioned as close as possible to the
four corners of the body create a short overhang and achieve a wide track. The passenger cabin takes on high ideals with cues taken from small aircraft. The instrument panel spreads like the wings of a plane; the round air conditioning louvres resemble jet engines; the radiating lines of the door trim convey the image of air flowing from a jet engine. The intention is to create a feeling of quality that goes beyond the modest class of the car. The driver-centric cockpit environment and classy colour co-ordinated surroundings work well. Next-generation HMI (Human Machine Interface) with Commander control
knob on the centre console, allows easy access to navigation, communications and infotainment, including social media via MZD Connect. A number of functions can be controlled by voice activation, including switching menus, audio play, stop and skip functions, station selection, as well as zooming in and out of the navigation system maps. With a mobile music player or smartphone connected to the onboard head unit via USB, voice commands can also be used to search for songs by artist name, or to call phone numbers stored in the phone’s contact list.
Continued page 2
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June 3 - 9 | 2016
Sleek new look Kia Cerato
By EWAN KENNEDY
KEEN to further increase sales Kia has given its Cerato bolder styling, new technology and added Australian influence in its suspension department. At the same time it has revised the engine range. All of this with no real changes in prices, which begin at $19,990. Kia’s seven-year unlimited distance warranty and seven-year roadside assistance obviously continue as they have proven to be a major selling point. As before the Kia Cerato comes as a fourdoor sedan or five-door hatchback. The model grades are Kia S, S Premium, Si and SLi. A facelift sees black or gloss black trim for Kia’s ‘tiger-nose’ grille, new bumper, headlights, and foglights, all sitting in front of a new bonnet. The hatchbacks are unchanged at the rear but the sedan has a new rear bumper and taillights. The semi-coupe profile on these Kias works nicely. Inside, there are new trim materials on the dashboard, doors, centre fascia and console, set off by a metallic finish around the air vents. The overhead console has a sunglass holder. A launch-special price sees the Cerato S automatic at no extra charge for the auto, that is $19,990. Kia isn’t sure how long it will be able to hold the free-auto deal, so get in quick if you’re halfway interested. An optional $500 package on the $19,990 Cerato S adds a rearview camera, Android Auto and automatic headlights, giving you a lot of car for just $20,490 driveaway. This time around all Ceratos have the same engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that sits beside either a six-speed manual (only in the S grade) or a six-speed automatic transmission in all four grades. The engine produces 112 kW of power
KIA CERATO: Sleek profile and updated front, the 2017 model. and 192 Nm of torque and is Euro 4 compliant. Kia Cerato S has16-inch steel wheels, power windows, projector headlights, 3.5-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and keyless entry. The S Premium adds 16-inch alloys with full size alloy spare, automatic lights, 7.0-inch LCD touch screen with satellite navigation and rear view camera, along with additional soft-touch interior surfaces. The Cerato Si adds leather trimmed seats, rear air vents, smartkey with push-button start, electric folding mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, chrome accent on exterior door handles, window surrounds and wiper arms. Topline Kia Cerato SLi features 17-inch alloy wheels with full size alloy spare, alloy faced pedals, paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, LED daytime running lights, eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment, heated and ventilated driver’s
seat and heated passenger seat, sunroof, and HID headlights. The 7.0-inch audio visual and satellite navigation screen are hardware compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. This isn’t currently usable but can be software flashed at a Kia dealer when licensing agreements are finalised. There is no charge for this. The Cerato is available in Clear White, with seven premium options at an extra charge of $520; Aurora Black, Gravity Blue, Planet Blue, Snow White Pearl, Metal Stream, Silky Silver and Temptation Red. Safety is well catered for, with the Cerato having a five-star rating. All models have six airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA); Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) and Vehicle Stability Management. Kia Cerato Si also has Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist; and
Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The topline Cerato SLi also gets Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning. On the road during an extensive drive program from Sydney airport to the Hunter Valley and back we tested a number of Ceratos. The suspension has been further tuned for Australian drivers’ tastes and feels very good for a car in this class. Though we are getting the firmest settings of any Kia on the market the ride remains compliant on roads and there’s little tyre noise. Handling isn’t exactly sports sedan, but is closer than you might expect, all the more so when you consider Cerato is a low cost family sedan or hatch. Refreshed Kia Cerato offers a lot of style, equipment and chassis dynamics for a very modest price. Definitely one to add to your short list in this class.
Mix and Maxx for Mazda Compact
From page 1
Of two engines available to the Mazda2, the Maxx takes the uprated 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G four-cylinder producing 81 kW of power and 141 Nm of torque, it’s coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The latter allows drivers to press a switch on the shift gate to switch to the Sport drive mode, where the transmission is automatically set to start out in a low gear. It also increases the amount of torque output when the accelerator pedal is pressed down further to deliver increased acceleration and a sense of fast response with a minimum of pedal action. Central to this is the delivery of a good field of vision from the driver’s seat, plus the placement of new Human Machine Interface devices to minimise movement of the driver’s line of sight, as well as the adoption of Mazda’s i-Activsense advanced safety technologies. Available across the Mazda2 range is the Smart City Brake Support option, which, when driving at low speeds (4 to 30 km/h) around town, the system automatically applies the brakes to prevent colliding with the vehicle ahead, or reduce the amount of damage in the event an accident cannot be avoided.
At a Glance
ROOMY: Mazda2 hatch
has a spacious interior.
Note: these prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mazda dealer for driveaway prices.
Neo 1.5-litre five-door hatch: $14,990 (manual), $16990 (automatic)
Maxx 1.5-litre five-door hatch:
$17,690 (manual), $19,690 (automatic)
Genki 1.5-litre five-door hatch:
$20,690 (manual), $22,690(automatic)
Neo 1.5-litre four-door sedan:
$14,990 (manual), $16990 (automatic)
Maxx 1.5-litre four-door sedan:
$17,690 (manual), $19,690 (automatic) A strong body structure and a full suite of airbags takes care of the passive safety of occupants. There’s good space in the Mazda2 Maxx cabin, with ample head and shoulder room for the average-size occupants in front, while rear leg room is adequate. Rear seatbacks fold to increase cargo carrying capacity from 250 litres. And with just one side of the 60:40 division dropped will take a golf bag or similar long load. Instruments are clear and easy to read,
as is the 7.0-inch screen perched on top of the central dashboard, conveniently at driver’s eye level. Mazda claims 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres for fuel consumption on the combined urban / highway cycle. The test car came up with 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the daily city commute and an efficient 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres on motorway runs. The ride was a bit bumpy and noisy on some uneven road surfaces. The car handled confidently without suspension trauma. Parking, with the aid of the
reversing camera and its guidelines, was a doddle with such a small car. Sport mode had the engine holding the revs before gear changes, making lots of noise but not much action in the performance department. Stick to saving fuel in Normal mode is my advice. Led by the likes of the Mazda2, little cars have come a long way with quality finish and fittings, along with the latest in engine technology, infotainment and connectivity beyond the passenger cabin. Sharp pricing continues to be a major attraction too.
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June 3 - 9 | 2016
CLASSIFIEDS
VE Commodore Omega Series 11 V6, 6 speed auto, rego till December 29, 2016, (YTZ971), excellent condition, 94,000km, serviced every 10,000km, service book and manual, $12,500 ono. Ph 0400 321 567.
2013 Hyundai ix35 special edition SUV auto, 1 lady driver, 27,879 km, white, service book and manual, rego (KV1205), RW C , e x c e l l e n t condition, $25,000 ono. Ph 0437 908 742.
SOLD
NISSAN Navara D40 (STX 550) hard lid, silver, good condition, comes with black or chrome sports bar, $700 ono. Ph 0412 247 690.
SOLD
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!
COMMODORE s/ wagon 2002, 12 months rego, RWC, very good condition, $2500 ono, vin no. 6H8VXK35 A2L843865. Ph 0473 2015 Toyota Yaris 634 292. Ascent hatch 4cyl 1.3L, DUST collector, 1979 30,000km, auto, cruise 250cc Suzuki twin, control, 5 star safety roadbike, 6 speed rating, tinted windows, gearbox, needs cleanup, smoke and pet free, full good condition, selling service history, reg. until - wife, $2000. Ph 0403 Jan 2017 (1CF1YW), 425 593. comes with RWC, new car warranty, $15,000 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, ono. Ph 0447 588 833. 218,000km, 12 months rego (RJD570), in great mechanical condition, $3600 ono. Ph 0448 006 066.
TOYOTA Landcruiser 100 series GXL, non turbo diesel, LS Diff, 5 months rego (PTN332), 1 8 0 , 0 0 0 k m , RW C , $24,500. Ph 0415 150 177.
2010 Hyundai Getz S, 51,000 kms, 5 door hatchback, 4 cylinder, 4 speed auto, 1.4lt, airbags, bluetooth. Reg. January 2017 (1AY2OE), RWC. $7,500. Phone 0422 372 280.
4.3 metre Tabs Cruise Craft, 58lb thrust electric motor and 30hp Suzuki outboard with electric start, full carpet, live bait tank, side console. 3 years old, as new, $12,500. Ph 5721 4889 B/H.
4x4 dual cab ute, 2007 build, low 150,000km, very economical with loads of power and comfortable ride, new battery and tyres, ute in VGC, (UTE014), priced for quick sale $6,500. Ph 0403 943 237. MITSUBISHI Lancer 2002 GLi sedan, aircon, power steering, good condition, great first car, reg February 2017 (RHO637), $2500 as is. Ph 5722 2830. HOLDEN VZ Commodore 6 litre 6 speed gear box plus VE HSV gear shifter, gear knob and boot, $1000 03 5723 0101 ono. Ph 0412 247 690.
2006 4x4 Suzuki 300 Arctic Cat motorbike, near new tyres, new battery. First to see will buy, $2350. Ph 0408 571 881.
Phoneyour advert
Space saving OPINION
By EWAN KENNEDY THERE has been a lot of criticism of space-saver spare wheels in some quarters. Much of it unjustified and ill-considered in my opinion. Space-savers are wheel/ tyre combinations that are significantly narrower and slightly smaller in diameter than standard units. Their main reason for existing is to give more room in the boot. Firstly, because of the increasingly large tyres being fitted to modern cars. Secondly, as people move down to smaller cars to save fuel and reduce emissions they like to retain as much interior space as possible. Space-saver tyres also reduce weight which will have some impact on performance, fuel consumption and emissions. The differences will be minimal, but with over 60 million new cars going onto the planet’s roads every year the total saving is worth having. The disadvantages of space-savers is that they are often speed limited to something like 80 km/h and are restricted in the
distance they can travel, often to 250 kilometres. Those who dislike spacesavers say they are not suited to Australia due to the vast distances travelled in our continent. The reality is that Australia is one of the most urbanised countries on the face of the planet. Many people seldom drive more than a few dozen kilometres from home. Only a tiny percentage of people will ever find themselves in the remote outback in an area that’s more than 250 km from the nearest service station or tyre retailer. In the meantime the other ninety-nine-pointsomething per cent are running around in cars with a huge spare tyre that may never be used. There are other advantages in having a space-saver. Human nature means that if a full-size spare has been fitted to replace a punctured one, the flat tyre often stays in the boot indefinitely. Get another flat and you are completely stranded. Space-saver wheels are coloured bright yellow or orange to remind the driver they are fitted to the car and that the flat full-sized
spares tyre should be repaired and put back onto the vehicle as soon as possible. There are tens of thousands of cars out there with bald, partly deflated spare tyres in the boot. Usually because someone on a tight budget has decided to use the spare on the car instead of buying a new tyre. Keeping their fingers crossed that another flat doesn’t ruin the plan. Or because their car is being sold or traded so the owner has swapped the tyres around to put the best looking ones on road. So have a serious think about your driving habits before deciding between a full-size or space-saver wheel. Have a look in the boot of your potential new car first, because some daft designers have come up with the idea of having a full-sized wheel well with a space-saver sitting in it. Thus no space saving. The argument is that you need somewhere to keep a punctured full-sized tyre. My counter argument is, why not have a plastic bag in which to keep the flat tyre and simply store it in the boot – as a reminder to get it fixed as soon as possible?
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