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
AUGUST 5 - 11, 2016
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KIA SPORTAGE: Styling of the new generation brings its bang up to date.
Sporty Kia Sportage By EWAN KENNEDY It has the same height as before, but longer front overhangs and shorter rear overhangs aid in the sleeker look. The latter changes are more about style than off-road use, which is probably slightly compromised. Given that very few buy SUVs to go off road that’s not likely to be an issue. Sportage is sold in three trim levels: Si, SLi and Platinum GT-Line, and with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Prices starts at a pretty reasonable $28,990 for the 2.0-litre petrol Sportage Si and tops out at $45,990 for the Platinum turbo-diesel.
Our review was of the Sportage Platinum GT-Line in an excellent shade of red. The Sportage’s bold new style was chiefly done in Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, there was also input from the company’s Korean and Californian design studios as Kia is very much a global player these days. Sportage has Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille and it works well with the tall bonnet to give it a bold look. The roof slopes neatly towards the rear, but not to the extent of spoiling rear headroom. The headlamps sweep well back along the outer edges of the bonnet. Quad ‘ice-cube’ LED foglights are
becoming an interesting feature of the latest Kia models and work nicely with the GT-Line. The red paint of our road test Sportage was nicely set off by the black of the lower edges of the bumpers, the sills and the protection strips in the inner edges of the wheelarches. The Sportage Si has a 3.5-inch mono display in the centre of the dashboard. The SLi and Platinum have a 4.2-inch colour TFT supervision cluster. All models get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen featuring reversing camera display with dynamic parking lines, while satellite navigation is standard for SLi and Platinum. Continued page 2
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AN all-new Kia Sportage arrived in Australia at the start of 2016. More stylish than previous Sportages, that tended to lean in the direction of SUV rather than trendy wagon, it’s already selling well. And sales are likely to leap now that Kia has secured number one spot in the JD Power Initial Quality Study in the USA. Sportage was ranked top vehicle in the small SUV segment. New Sportage has a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model and is 40 mm longer overall (at 4480 mm), both changes are there to give better interior space, more about that in the Driving section of this review.
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Aug 5 - 11 | 2016
Hyundai releases 2017 Sonata By EWAN KENNEDY HYUNDAI’S Sonata dates back to the late 1980s and is an excellent example of the huge strides made by the South Korean automotive industry in the almost 30 years since its introduction. A medium-large car, Sonata is one of the many contenders starting to line up to replace the Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry when they disappear from the local car-making scene. Camry is the closest in external size to the Sonata. Inside, however, the Hyundai’s use of front-wheel-drive means it’s not that much smaller than the big Holdens and Fords in the cabin and boot. Build quality of Sonata was on the cheap n’ cheerful category way back then, but has improved out of sight since its early days and Hyundai was rated number three in the most recent JD Power initial quality study in the USA – beaten only by Kia and Porsche. Interestingly, Kia is controlled by Hyundai these days, having gone under financially during the GFC. For the 2017 sales season Hyundai has concentrated on improved handling and additional equipment, but has left Sonata’s styling alone. The latter probably makes sense because the shape has already received praise, however, buyers can be a fickle lot and often demand a car gets an appearance upgrade. In the suspension department, the Sonata Active and Elite have been upgraded to 215/55R17 Continental Conti Premium Contact 5 tyres. Both already have alloy wheels. Sonata Premium gets 235/45R18 Michelin Pilot 3 tyres. The switch to the upmarket tyre brands is a direct result of Hyundai’s head office recognising Australian drivers’ demands for good handling.
HYUNDAI SONATA: The biggest changes to the 2017 model are in the handling department. Hyundai Australia’s general manager of product engineering, Hee Loong Wong (known to the company’s Aussies as Wongy), tells us, “earlier this year head office gave us the option of testing the Continentals and Michelins on the car, and we jumped at the opportunity”. “We engaged former Hyundai WRC driver Chris Atkinson to evaluate them at the limit of adhesion under controlled conditions,” he said. “His feedback was very pleasing. “We have seen gains in outright grip level, ride comfort and quietness.” As car journalists we have yet to get ourselves into the driving seat of a 2017 Sonata, but have admired Chris Atkinson’s
work for many years and certainly trust his judgment on what cars feel like at, and perhaps a bit over, the limit. To complement the improved handling all Sonatas now have steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The mid-level Sonata Elite gains automatic wipers, heated front seats, front parking assist system and an electronic parking brake. Sonata Elite buyers now have the $2000 option of a panoramic glass sunroof, something that was previously fitted only to the Sonata Premium as standard. The Sonata Premium has an increasingly advanced range of safety aids: lane departure warning, lane change assist, rear
cross traffic alert and, best of all to our way of thinking, smart cruise control. Hyundai Sonata has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and comes with iCare Customer Care Program. Prices begin at $30,590 for the 2.4-litre petrol Active and climb to $45,490 for the topline 2.0-litre turbo-petrol Sonata Premium. The mid-spec Elite turbo sells for $38,350. On-road costs have to be factored in, but such is the state of play in the redhot Australian car sales market at the moment that you may be able to get a dealer to do a special deal on the ORCs. Give it a try…
Sporty Kia Sportage a family SUV
From page 1
All infotainment systems feature Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with Aux and USB ports for smartphones and MP3 music players. Kia Sportage Platinum has a wireless charger for mobile devices. Located at the base of the central instrument stack, the five-Watt charging system activates when a compatible device is placed on the pad. It even reminds you that a phone has been left on the charger if you leave the vehicle. A 2.0-litre petrol with 114 kW of power and 192 Nm of torque is offered only in the Sportage Si and SLi. A 2.4-litre petrol (135 kW /237 Nm) is used only in the Platinum. A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (136 kW and 400 Nm) is available in all grades. All models have a six-speed automatic transmission. This drives the front wheels in the 2.0-litre petrol Si and SLi models, and all four wheels in Kia’s on-demand AWD system in all diesel models and the Platinum 2.4-litre petrol. Our test car had the 2.4-litre petrol engine. Sportage scored a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP tests. Six airbags are standard - driver and front passenger, first row side airbags, and first and second row curtain airbags. Two IsoFix child-seat tethers and three
NICE RIDE: the Kia Sportage is a stylish family wagon. anchor points are fitted to the second row of seats. Kia’s Smart Parking Assist System, only in the Platinum at this stage, works to assist drivers in both parallel and 90-degree parking spaces. Passenger room is increased, with headroom and legroom both improved. In the rear, the floor is 40 mm lower (without any loss of ground clearance).
Combining that with a higher rear seat hip-point mean there’s significantly better comfort. As a six-footer I can sit ‘behind’ myself with room to move. The Sportage’s reclining rear seats have seven steps to let you juggle with passenger comfort and luggage space. Cargo space, at 466 litres is virtually the same as in the superseded Sportage.
The lower boot lip makes it easier to load. On the road, we found forward visibility significantly better than the old model because it has thinner A-pillars. The outside mirrors sit slightly lower on the door, also to improve the forward view. This didn’t impair our side-rear view. Reduction of noise, vibration and harshness levels were a major part of the engineering work and it’s pleasingly refined to travel in. Kia has its vehicles’ suspensions tuning specifically tuned to Australian drivers’ preferences. The standard suspension provides a comfortable ride and absorbs bumps well, even on corrugated dirt bush roads. Handling is safe but hardly inspiring. Sportage Platinum GT-Line is tuned to give it sharper handling and a slightly firmer ride. We really enjoyed a couple of hundred kilometres behind the wheel of one, finding it to have a precise feel and response. Comfort, though not quite as good as in the standard suspension, was still acceptable. New Kia Sportage is a stylish family wagon built to a high standard and selling at an attractive price. A combination of good interior space, comfort and quiet cabin should see it taking a place on any family’s short list.
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Aug 5 - 11 | 2016
CLASSIFIEDS ECONOMICAL & STYLISH. 2004 Peugeot 206 XR with 80,000km on the clock, 3 doors 5 seat Hatch, black exterior, blue interior, 5 speed manual, 2 x airbags. Full service history, comes with 12 months registration June 2017 (WMX305) and D 5RDGZRUWK\ &HUWL¿cate. This has been our second car and is a brilliant little car, It will be a shame to see it go as it offers huge value due to its low kilometres and low price of $4999. Inspections welcome. Ph 0457 902 966.
ABOUT to retire? Want to travel? Then have a look at this! 2014 Coromal 612 Element, like new! $60,000 + Will sell for $45,000. Set up for off road camping. Ph 0418 150 749.
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J AY C O We s t p o r t poptop 1998, ec, always garaged, double island bed, aircon, TV, full annexe never used, new awning, tare 1114, $17,500. Ph 0417 593 313.
2011 Honda CBR 250, well looked after, serviced by Honda, (1E5RI), $3700. Ph 0432 628 450.
TOYOTA Hilux, 2012, Extra Cab, 4x4 Turbo Diesel. Service history, Warn winch, suspension, long range fuel tank. Extras. Great condition. (ZJB127) RWC. 108,000 k’s. $34,000. Ph 0418 349 972.
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2000 Mercedes Sprinter van, (XFN686), 268,000km, AWD, automatic, 2.9lt diesel turbo, basic bed and storage, dual battery, reliable, $9800, no RWC. Ph 0438 555 684.
1997 Mazda Astina 323 Hatch, 4cyl Auto, spoiler, immaculate i n t e r i o r, e x c e l l e n t q u a l i t y, r e l i a b l e , economical, (QYI044), 282,000km, 11 months reg, $3750. Ph/txt AH 0431 261 155.
MITSUBISHI Lancer 2002 CE 1.8lt, 160,000km, white, 4 door, manual, CD player, alloy wheels, RWC, 9 months rego (SJC075), excellent condition, $3000 ono. Call Chris on 0422 569 2004 Ford Courier, dual 417. cab, turbo diesel, 4WD, manual, rego June 2017 (UVI899), 100,099km, RWC, $8000. Ph 0409 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero 221 923. van/wagon, 3.5lt 2 0 0 1 F o r d F a l c o n manual, (WNU717), 2010 Mazda 6 Wagon, XR6 AU, auto, body petrol/gas, T/B bar, 6 months rego, rego no. kit, needs front grill, electric brakes, VGC, (XLP303), automatic, $ 2 5 0 0 . 6 F PA A A J G 2 8 5 , 0 0 0 k m , $ 5 4 5 0 121,000Kms, $9900 SWID99811. Ph 0439 neg. Ph/txt AH 0431 261 155. ono. Ph 0408 022 171. 766 211.
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2003 Holden Calais VY V6 sedan, (YCG431), rego until November, as is, a bit of work to be done, got a new car, $2000. Ph 0401 621 002, 5721 7662.
1994 Toyota Hilux, dual cab, 2WD, 6 months rego (CD46DQ), in good order, manual, extractors, aircon, power steering, $4200. Ph 0439 766 211.
VG Commodore ute, dual fuel, unreg 2003 Toyota Hilux, dual VOLKSWAGEN Polo (ZWP499), $2500 ono. 1999 Hyundai Excel, cab, diesel, 3ltr, 2WD, 2001, auto, (QSA361), Ph 0490 336 891. 2 door, great for spare very low 69,000km, dual fuel, stretched body, parts, reg (PXG744), rego until March 2017, 2008 Mazda BT50, 3 no RWC, $500 ono. Ph low kms, (IBW5HW), always serviced on time litre turbo diesel, 2WD $7500. Ph 0439 766 5721 9102. by genuine dealer, full manual, Freestyle cab, 211. log book, immaculate with towbar and wired condition, cheap to run, for towing, tray hardly near new tyres, RWC used, new tyres, new supplied, $5500 ono. Ph battery, recently serviced 0449 088 044. and 150,000 carefully driven kms. This vehicle is perfect for trade or Eight ads over farm use. Owned from new, full service history. Two weeks JAYCOSOLD Complete history of fuel with photo pop-top J Series 2007 (R6597 usage, still delivering only 16"11, 4) microw TV, DVD , av 9l / 100kms, rear seats reverse e, D B, A/C, st 1999 Mitsubishi Magna never used. It still has excel. cond. oraged, $21 500 Extras i Advance wagon, V6 much to give, excellent auto, 3.5L, reg. Oct condition, (WIT185), 31, 2016, (QXL920), $12,000. Ph 0458 582 Over two weeks your advertisement will appear in two editions of the serviced regularly, 828. weekly Motor Guide and six editions of the Wangaratta Chronicle. mechanically sound, Together these papers are read by over 80,000 people. drives very well, $2890 2004 Nissan Pulsar *Cond apply. Private advertisers only, min 20 words, extra words 50¢ each, impact heading $2 per word. No refunds given if item is sold before advert neg. Ph 5722 4710. ST-L sedan, 105,175 expires. 2 weeks = 6 Wangaratta Chronicle & 2 North East Motor Guide,
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HARLEY Davidson Sportster 2008 XL 1200C, (GU101), excellent fun reliable bike, optional extras, 38,000km, 1 rider only, excellent bike, regretful sale, $9950. Ph/text AH 0431 261 155.
kms, power steering, air conditioning, cruise control, CD, power windows, 12 months rego, current RWC supplied, just serviced, engine no: QG18380898, $8250 ono. Ph 0418 579 368.
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