CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
December 12, 2014
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 463
MERCEDES-BENZ C200: This new mid-sizer has the goods to take it to BMW and Audi.
Mercedes-Benz C 200 winning fans M
ercedes’ new mid-size warrior, the C-Class, has been in Australia since August. It’s a massively important car for Mercedes and is the car most-feared by BMW and Audi in the race for the young-ish thruster garage space. The new C is more youthful, lighter and more agile. It’s also wildly popular - in November it outsold the 3 Series and the A4 (and the Mazda6), each by quite some margin and has been doing so all year, even with the old model drawing to an end. The petrol-powered C 200 kicks off the
FOR THIS
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ONLY, HAS FREE REGO, CTP AND STAMP DUTY ON ALL 2014 BUILT MODELS
By PETER ANDERSON W205 sedan range at $60,900, with the C 200 diesel BlueTec an extra $1500. The range heads on up through the C 250 petrols and diesels ($68,900/$70,400) and then to the C 300 diesel-electric hybrid at $74,900. The C 200 has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder engine and seven-speed dual clutch auto transmission. In base form interior, it’s trimmed in Artico fake leather, power front seats, seven-inch screen with sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio as standard and keyless entry and start.
The AMG Line lowers and tightens the suspension, adds a nice set of 19-inch alloy wheels and a bit of visual aggro as well as the open-pore wood interior, sports seats, drilled front disc brakes, Sports Direct steering and tyre pressure monitoring. The Vision package adds a gigantic sunroof (the front two-thirds slides back), LED lighting with cornering mode and an excellent head-up display. And finally, COMAND is Mercedes’ answer to Audi’s MMI and BMW’s iDrive. The optional upgrade brings a bigger screen (8.3 inches), 13 Burmester speakers (up from
MAZDA 3
five), a 10 Gb hard drive and voice control. As always, styling is subjective - the overall design is confident, functional and fluid while more conservative than the smaller cars. Inside is magnificently executed - there’s a genuine feeling of solidity, with switchgear a class above and a good mix of real and fake leather and the AMG Line’s open-pore wood is very nice. Along with nine airbags (front, head, pelvis, knee and curtain) and the usual ABS, stability and traction controls, the C 200 comes standard with autonomous emergency braking (very effective) and fatigue detection.
Continued page 3
ONE MILE
MOTORS ABN 44 048 105 609 LMCT 1060
10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta Paul Davenport 0408 057 837 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531 Kylie Stevenson 0428 215 677
(03) 5721 5677 www.onemilemotors.com.au n21d10832-v6/4814
2
CLASSIFIEDS
FORD Falcon ute, 2005 with aluminium tray, dual fuel, auto, CD, air con, power steering. Registered until March 2015 (TLR678), RWC supplied. $5000. Ph 0427 500 083.
VISCOUNT Ultralight, 1986, 14 foot, light weight, 850kg tare, double bed, 3 way fridge, 4 burner gas stove, microwave, range hood, fresh and grey water tanks, fully enclosed annexe, 12v system. $7500. Ph 0429 219 093.
MAZDA 6 Sedan, Oct. 2006 exel. cond. 76,000kms, 1 Owner, always garaged, Service history, 11 mths. Vic Reg. (UAI651) $13,750. Ph 0407 066 902 or (03) 5722 2257.
CLASSIFIEDS
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OFF URDG KDUG ÀRRU camper $10,500. Top model Campomatic Ranger 1996 in excellent condition. Quick and easy set up, comfy queen bed, huge living space, slide out kitchen, 15 inch alloy wheels, upgraded 12v plus 240 volt, 2 gas bottles, quality canvas, always stored under cover, many extras. Suit family or couple. Ph 0438 132 426.
1988 Honda Steed, 400cc roadbike in excellent condition, looks and rides like a new bike. LAMS approved for learner rider, comes with current RWC and 8 mths Vic reg (HH598). $4650. Ph 5721 6403.
TOYOTA Yaris YR H.back, 5 doors, Nov 2011, 12 month rego, new tyres, exc cond, Toyota serviced, 42,000km, RWC, (YRD661). $12,750. Ph 0402 884 648 or (03) 5725 1488.
ASTRA CD Equipe, 2006. Air, cruise, RWC, very good condition. 170,000km mainly highway. One owner, kept under cover. Reg (UAF439). $6500. Ph 0422 209 358.
LANDCRUISER 80 Series, alloy bull bar, driving lights, snorkel, lift kit, dual battery, Elliot plug, elec/brakes, new rev/ camera/ navigation/ dvd/ bluetooth etc. system, turbo diesel, Hayman Reece t/ bar, RWC, (YIJ984), immaculate condition, $15,000. Ph 0418 573 570.
2000 Holden Vectra. $2250 as is, (TJI850) rego till May 2015. Worth a look. Ph 0404 430 556.
PEDIGREE poptop, 1995, 17ft, double bed, awning and annex, registered until July 2015, $14,500 ono. Ph 5721 8795.
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LEXUS GS300. 2000 model year in excellent all round condition. 2 owner car, with current owner 9 years. 200,000 km fully serviced with log book. Prestige luxury, full leather interior, new battery, good tyres, 4 month rego. Luxury 6 cylinder car at a bargain price. Registration number (ZNU775). $5250 o.b.o. as is. Contact Bernard or Kaz 5752 2599 or 0424 598 787.
2008 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport, low kms 113,500km, auto, RWC, 4 new tyres, rego May 2015 (TZZ646). $13,500 ono. Ph 0432 252 891. 3.7m Horizon PathďŹ nder V nose punt, carpeted floor, 2 swivel seats, fish finder, safety gear and boat cover, Yamaha 15hp 4 stroke electronic ignition outboard, Dunbier trailer with winch, both registered till Sept. 2015, VGC, $3700 ono. Ph 0466 015 222.
03 5723 0101
JAYCO Penguin 11, 2002, fully enclosed annexe. Single beds can convert to double, PRGLÂżHG VWRUDJH GUDZers, 4 burner stove, 3 ZD\ IULGJH YROW V\VWHP QHDU QHZ EDWWHU\ 9HU\ ZHOO ORRNHG DIWHU +HDY\ GXW\ DOO ZHDWKHU FRYHU 3K 0437 780 116.
2008 Holden Rodeo petrol, 4 door dual cab, auto, 2WD, 75,000ks, (WOD578), will sell with RWC, towbar, excellent condition, $15,990. Phone Grahame 0412 569 414.
2005 Jeep Cherokee Auto 4x4 2.8 Turbo Diesel, 2.8 tonne towing, towbar, electric brakes, new tyres. Fully serviced, excellent condition inside and out. Registered Oct 2015, rego (UJD464) $11,000. RWC. Phone Gordon 0438 737 657.
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December 12, 2014
YAMAHA PW80 very good condition, rarely ridden, original tyres. Just serviced. $1200. For more details phone 0428 871 116.
WINDSOR Seaview 18ft, full annexe, Wynguard aerial, 3 way fridge, microwave, air conditioner, double island bed, new terylene curtains. $25,500 neg. Ph 0408 174 978.
1989 Subaru Brumby, 4WD ute, good condition, RWC, reg. July 2015, (ZJX038). Ideal town runabout, $2990 ono. Ph 5752 2086 or 0458 522 888.
NISSAN Navara STX D40 diesel 2007 twin cab ute. Winch, driving lights, tub liner, bullbar, towbar. 192,000 kms, Very good condition. (WDJ013) $18,950. Ph 0409 950 287.
1995 VS Commodore sedan, 1 owner female. Reg serviced, mech excellent, reg Sept (NKP714), immaculate condition, genuine sale $4000 neg. Ph 5729 7613.
2005 Mazda 3, silver, manual, 5dr hatch, 215,000 highway kms, 2 owners, service history, RWC, 8 months rego (TGO790), good tyres, good on fuel, aircon, $5500 neg. Ph 5729 7631 or 0431 075 772.
1995 VR Holden Calais V6, metallic blue, (NHA851), very good condition, one owner, must sell, $2200 ono. Ph 5721 8383 or 0467 712 017.
SAVAGE Snipe MK II, 10hp Yamaha, good condition, $2600. Ph 0428 577 269.
BRAND new Red Mazda 3 Neo, 6 speed auto, 12 months rego, huge savings of new cost, won in a rafe, $22,000. Ph 0400 213 657. CAMRY CSI 1996, 4cyl, one owner, service books, 308,000 kms, unregistered, engine no: 5S4146559, $350. Ph 0419 134 844. CONCEPT Ascot caravan, 2005, 19’6� tandem, rollout awning with annexe, solar 12v battery pack, shower, toilet, TV led HD and DVD combined (new), 150 ltr gas/elect fridge, rev/cycle air/ con, microwave, gas stove with griller, plus many extras. Excellent condition, $35,000. Ph 5722 3327. HOLDEN 2013 Colorado LX, 2.8 ltr turbo diesel, 2x4, 5 spd manual, 38,000 kms, steel tray, (1AG2QH), $26,000. Ph 0400 373 279. HOLDEN Barina 2002, white, reg (RYS729), kms as per odometer, serviced regularly, new battery, car is driveable however needs new computer installed for ongoing use, $1000 ono. Ph 0422 688 432. HOLDEN VS Berlina sedan, 1995, white, 1 owner, good service record, mech A1, 6 months rego (NFQ406), $2300. Ph 0409 571 937.
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22 Newman St, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5722 1520
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3
December 12, 2014
Honda Jazz swings into centre stage By DEREK OGDEN
F
uel frugality, a highly versatile cargo carrying capacity and high-tech driving aids have the new Honda Jazz giving a compact-car masterclass. The third generation Honda hatchback scales the heights of the light passenger car segment. The new five-door Honda Jazz boasts more interior space, especially rear leg room, maintains Honda’s unique Magic Seat system and is kitted out with a 7-inch color touchscreen and multi-mode reversing camera. Jazz comes in four variants – VTi manual and automatic, and VTi-S and VTi -L automatic (our test car) – ranging in price from $14,990 to $22,490, with the option of metallic paint. A three-year / 100,000 kilometre warranty can be extended to five years as a cost option. The new Honda Jazz holds its own among the latest rivals with a steeply raked windscreen and smooth curved roof dipping to a sharp looking rear. A tall stance makes for ample headroom front and back, while the wedge shape profile and a flatter underbody contribute to improved aerodynamics, hence fuel economy. An extended wheelbase compared with the last Jazz gives more legroom in the back, while interior space is made use of by the Honda Magic Seat set-up which can be configured in up to 18 different ways. Modes include normal five-seater; utility, in which the rear seat backs are folded flat; tall, with the back seat bases flipped up to give floor-to-ceiling
HONDA JAZZ: Chart topper in the making? space for carrying tall objects; long, with the front passenger seat back folded forward flat; and refresh, where the same seat back is folded back against the second row allowing the occupant to stretch out flat. The interior has been completely redesigned to give greater ergonomic performance, new instruments and controls oriented to the driver for quick action. The upgraded 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine has had a number of upgrades to improve combustion, reduce weight and minimise friction, resulting in increased power and fuel efficiency, the latter further enhanced on CVT models by engaging a green, dashmounted ‘ECON’ button, optimising system control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements. Honda rates the combined urban
/ extra urban fuel consumption of this powertrain combination at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with carbon dioxide emissions of 135 grams per kilometre. The Honda CVT automatic transmission is new and has ‘G-design shift’ logic designed to offer more immediate acceleration response than conventional automatics or other CVTs. Key features of the Jazz safety systems include six airbags (front, side and full length curtain); Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, plus Hill Start Assist. The brake lights flash when hard emergency stopping is applied by the driver. There are seat belt reminders for all occupant positions and a driverselected multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines helps when
reversing the vehicle. Keyless entry and engine start / stop are straight off the premium car equipment shelf and add to the ease of getting in, loading and setting off in the new Jazz. The Honda Jazz platform is lighter yet more rigid than before, providing nimble, semi-sporty handling and smoother steering that gives the driver a sense of complete control of the vehicle. The automatic’s ‘S’ mode provides seven manually-selectable ratios using steering wheel-mounted paddles. The system is nicely capable during spirited driving. In Normal mode the test Jazz topped 10 litres per 100 kilometres in the urban environment, while at motorway speeds had a much more respectable best figure of 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres.
Mercedes-Benz C 200 winning fans From page 1 ANCAP awarded the C Class five stars. The C 200 is powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, with very respectable figures of 135 kW of power and 300Nm of torque. With the aid of stop-start, Mercedes claims 6.0 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. We saw 50 per cent more, 8.9 L/100km, but this did include some enthusiastic driving and we often disabled the stop-start to help the air-con overcome some oppressive humidity. The seven-speed dual-clutch will push the commendably light (1421kg) sedan to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds, driving the rear wheels. The first thing that strikes you about this AMG pack-equipped C 200 is the pointy front end - you steer, it goes, no slack or softness. The second thing you notice is the incredibly stiff ride in the rear. The transmission is very wellmannered and eager to please around town but gets it a bit dithery when you decide to switch to the sportiest of its several modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+). Minor ergonomic and (optional) ride foibles aside, the C Class is a brilliant car. It matches or betters the excellent BMW 3 Series in almost every way, with the exception of ultimate handling poise, something few owners test. Quality, tech and refinement are there in spades and it’s now much better to look at and be in.
END OF YEAR CLEARANCE
ON SELECTED MODELS* ACROSS THE ENTIRE RANGE
$1000 ACCESSORIES^ ON CR-V 4WD PETROL MODELS
$2300 OFF # 2013 BUILD CR-V DIESEL MODELS
Baker Motors
490 Young Street, Albury. (02) 6041 8400 LMCT 7988 *Offers available at participating Honda Dealers while stocks last on select vehicles purchased and delivered between 1/11/14 and 31/12/14. Receive free Registration, CTP Insurance, Extended Warranty and 5-years Roadside Assist on vehicles built September 2014 or prior (excludes Jazz VTi manual, City VTi manual and Civic Sedan Vi). CR-V 4WD Petrol receives free Registration, free CTP Insurance, Extended Warranty and 5-years Roadside Assist (excluding 16YM). +Total warranty is 5 years/140,000km (inclusive of 3 years/100,000km New Vehicle Warranty). Please refer to Honda’s Warranty documentation for conditions. ^Accessory offer includes Genuine Honda Accessories, not transferable or exchangeable HOD0638/3 for cash. # Price reduction based on standard recommended driveaway price. Honda Australia reserves the right to change or extend any offers.
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New Mercedes C-Class Estate By EWAN KENNEDY The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class range has been expanded with the addition of a station wagon, or Estate as Mercedes likes to call it. Larger than the outgoing model it has rear-end styling that sits midway between that of the sleek CLS-Class Estate and that of an SUV. It could almost be added to the crossover list, rather than simply be called a wagon. That’s clever. The bodyshell is even more rigid than before in the interest of reducing noise and vibration, as well as giving even greater crash safety. It has an aluminium content of 49 percent and weighs as much as 65 kilograms less, depending on which model you choose. This weight reduction is despite the increase in size of the new C-Class Estate. It’s 80 millimetre longer in wheelbase (2840 millimetres) than the superseded model; 96 millimetres longer (4702 millimetres) and 40 millimetres wider (1810 millimetres). The added space is chiefly for the benefit of those in the rear compartment, as well as to increase luggage space. The rear seats now have a 40/20/40 split instead of the 60/40 split in the predecessor to permit more permutations of passenger and luggage room. Power unlocking of the rear seat backrests at the push of a button provides a flat, load compartment. There’s also single-fold function for the rear seat backrest. Choose the right option and you can open and close the tailgate by making the correct motion of your
foot under the rear bumper. Almost like a smartphone, the 65x45 millimetre touchpad in the Estate can be operated using finger gestures. There’s also voice recognition. Like the sedan on which it’s based the C-Class Estate has many driver assistance systems to give high levels of safety. It’s also the first in its class to offer the option of air suspension to further improve ride quality. In the new C-Class Estate the driver can determine the individual driving experience at the push of a button. Depending on the equipment level, the driver can choose from various pre-configured drive programmes and one the driver can design personally to a large extent. The following characteristics are available: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. The additional “Individual” setting enables drivers to configure their vehicle to suit their own preferences. Safety has been high on the Mercedes-Benz agenda for many decades and the C-Class Estate is fitted as standard with Attention assist that can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness. When danger of a collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the car can carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 100 km/h. This either prevents a rear-end collision with slower vehicles or reduces the severity of a crash. At speeds of up to 50 km/h the system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles, and is able to help prevent rear-end collisions at up to around 40 km/h.
The climate control system ‘talks’ to the satellite navigation and does things like switching to air recirculation flap when the Estate enters a tunnel, then goes back to full-fresh air when it leaves the tunnel. Like the sedan, the C-Class Estate has Mercedes’ Frontbass system that uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the woofers. The result is an excellent listening experience, perhaps not quite concert hall as claimed by the company, but pretty good nevertheless. A Burmester surround sound system is optional. Mercedes’ COMAND Online infotainment system now has a display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. It receives digital TV and radio live traffic information where that’s available. It has WLAN hotspot and company’s Linguatronic voiceoperated system. On the road we found the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate wagon felt like a car from the next size up. It’s smooth, sophisticated and quiet. Rides beautifully - we tried both the Airmatic and standard suspension and found the latter to be almost as good as the former, showing the excellent basic platform on which the suspension is working. As well as sampling turbopetrol and turbo-diesel models in a relatively limited drive program from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley and back, we also had a short run in the diesel-electric hybrid. It has excellent performance thanks to the combination of instant electric
The attractive rear end of the all-new Mercedes C-Class Estate disguises the fact that this is a most practical vehicle.
torque, and ongoing diesel grunt. Fuel consumption in the C 300h hybrid was indicated in the six to seven litre range, but that was all in country driving, whereas hybrids are at their best in the cut and thrust of city work. Surprisingly the consumption would be lower in town, possibly below five litres per hundred kilometres if you work at it. Handling is everything you expect
from a high-class rear-drive sedan. That’s right ‘sedan’ because you really do feel as though you’re in a sedan with a larger luggage area, not a load carrying station wagon. We have already been very impressed by the all-new MercedesBenz C-Class in sedan format. The addition of the Estate wagon will do no harm at all to sales figures that already skyhigh.
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Experience the all new C-Class for yourself at Baker Motors. www.mbalbury.com.au
Baker Motors 490 Young Street, Albury. Ph: (02) 6041 8400. www.mbalbury.com.au
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