North East Motor Guide

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

DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2016

> available online - www.nemedia.com.au

First photos

New Holden Commodore LITTLE AUSSIE IMPORT: Big and bold, the European built Holden Commodore looks to be a winner in the visual stakes. Note that it’s almost the same size as the outgoing model currently on sale.

HOLDEN has released the first official pictures of the fully imported Commodore ahead of its Australian launch in early 2018.

This of course, follows the cessation of local manufacturing by Holden at a date yet to be revealed late in 2017.

It’s a big, bold design and is visually way ahead of the previous generation Opel Insignia which was on sale briefly in Australia a couple of years back.

The new model is virtually identical

By EWAN KENNEDY in size inside and out to the outgoing Aussie designed Commodore.

The NG is slightly shorter overall, but sits on a longer wheelbase to provide added legroom, especially in the rear seats.

The NG (Next Generation) Commodore is being engineered in Germany and has a significant amount of Australian engineering input, road testing has been

done in local conditions as well as at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria.

It will be offered with a 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbo-petrol engine and, interestingly, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Both these engines drive through the front wheels.

A hot NG series model will have a V6 engine and feature the extra traction and handling ability of all-wheel-drive.

The NG Commodore will be sold as a

five-door hatchback and station wagon.

The lack of a sedan may hinder sales, but time will tell.

Infotainment will include Apple Car Play and Android Auto on an 8.0-inch configurable LCD instrument display, but Holden has asked us not to provide further details at this time.

Holden tells us the new Commodore has a full suite of safety systems but has asked us to hold off on the full details on this important area. n21d11337-v75/4916

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2

Dec 16 - 22 | 2016

Fiat 500X

is ready for action

PERFORMANCE ENHANCER: Fiat 500X is a compact SUV with loads of character.

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY ONLY the Italians could get away with a TV commercial that links a performance-enhancing ‘little blue pill’ with the transformer-like conversion of a small hatchback into a muscular SUV. That’s what Fiat has done in a brilliant ad that sees the pill eventually dropping into the fuel tank of a Fiat 500 hatchback and bulk it up into the 500X compact SUV with the closing line – “bigger, more powerful and ready for action”.

Check it out on YouTube if you haven’t seen it.

Great fun.

The 500X was designed alongside the Jeep Renegade following the Italian company’s takeover of the American icon during the GFC which no doubt explains why the TV ad made its debut in the primest of primetime spots, the 2015 NFL Super Bowl match.

I’ve always loved the clean, unfussy looks of the new Fiat 500 and they work even better in the 500X. It’s noticeably larger and heavier than the standard 500 on which it’s based. At 4248 mm it’s almost 20 per cent longer and, in the optional AWD version, is around 50 per cent heavier.

It also comes with rear doors unlike the traditional two-door format of the iconic Cinquecento, and it has a reasonable 350-litre boot.

Despite the size difference there’s a clear family resemblance between the two cars both from the front and in various details around the body, as well as the popular pseudo metallic look inside.

Younger buyers will be attracted by the various personalisation options including 12 exterior colours with nine different door mirror covers; 15 dressup decals; five door-sill inserts and five alloy wheel designs. Inside there are fabric and leather options.

There are even five different designs for the key fob.

Fiat 500X comes in four model variants, two with front-wheel drive and two with AWD. Prices range from $26,000 for the entry level FWD drive Pop with a manual gearbox, through to $38,000 for the AWD automatic Cross Plus.

Its engines are 1.4-litre turbo petrol units, that come in two states of tune.

The FWD Pop and Pop Star generate 103 kW and 230 Nm with the AWD Lounge and Cross Plus peaking at 125 kW and 250 Nm. The Pop has the option of six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic, Pop Star only gets the latter transmission.

The two AWD models use a nine-speed automatic.

All autos come with paddle shifters.

All 500X models come with seven

airbags; ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution; Isofix child seat anchoring; electronic stability control with hill start assist and electronic roll mitigation; tyre pressure monitoring system; and rear parking sensors.

Pop Star adds all-speed traction control; blind spot monitoring; rear cross-path detection; and reversing camera.

Lounge and Cross Plus both also get emergency automatic braking and lane departure warning.

Alloy wheels step up a size through the grades from 16-inch in the Pop, to 17inch in the Pop Start and 18-inch in the two AWD models.

Likewise the higher spec models (Pop Star upwards) have a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the Fiat Uconnect system and satellite navigation.

Pop doesn’t have SatNav and uses a 5-inch screen. Bluetooth, including voice commands, is standard across the range together with USB and Auxiliary sockets.

Lounge and Cross Plus get a higher quality BeatsAudio sound system with eight speakers.

Our test car was the AWD Fiat 500X Lounge.

Entry and exit is surprisingly easy with large, comfortable and supportive front seats. External vision is excellent.

It’s sharp and easy to manoeuvre

around the urban jungle especially with the choice of three driving modes (Auto, Sport, and Traction plus) accessed via what Fiat calls a Mood Selector.

It cruised relatively smoothly on the motorway with only an occasional use of the paddle shifters on long hilly stretches.

Ride comfort is very good with noise and vibration making it one of the quietest cars in the compact SUV class.

Handling isn’t exactly Italian sporty, but the 500X is neutral in the way it feels until you’re well above the cornering speeds likely to be attempted by the average owner.

Fuel consumption from the 500X Lounge is listed at 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

We averaged just over eight L/100km.

So is that very cheeky TV ad right – is the Fiat 500X indeed “bigger, more powerful and ready for action”?

It’s certainly bigger than the standard 500 with space enough for a family of up to two-plus-three, and with almost twice the kilowatts and Newton Metres there’s a fair bit more grunt.

By “ready for action” we must assume that they’re talking about off-road ability.

We certainly wouldn’t recommend venturing too far off the bitumen but with the added safeguard of AWD we found the Lounge handled some mild gravel without any problems.

3

Dec 16 - 22 | 2016

Taking it to the street the Hyundai way

By DEREK OGDEN THERE’S always been nothing like the Hyundai Veloster. From the word go the ‘two-and-a-half’ door coupe has stood out from the crowd and has been the go-to car for the budget conscious automotive individualist.

Now Hyundai has gone even further with the introduction of the Veloster Street Special Edition, which brings $3000 of exclusive additional spec and other goodies above the Veloster Series II SR Turbo + on which it is based.

Having already claimed a prime spot in the quirky corner of the coupe market, with only 200 to go on sale, this Veloster really is something special.

The six-speed manual costs an appealingly low $34,990, plus on-road costs, while the seven-speed double clutch auto adds $2500 to the price.

Stealth is the word that comes to mind with the Veloster Street Turbo. Coated in Dazzling Blue Mica body paint, Phantom Black inserts on the headlamps, front spoiler, grille surround, side skirts, exterior mirror covers, rear diffuser insert and rear roof-mounted spoiler draw further attention to the sharp angles, intakes and other aerodynamic aids.

The coupe signs off with the title ÂŤ675((7ÂŹ RQ ERWK IURQW ÂłDQNV SOXV D not-to-be-ignored postscript of exclusive semi-gloss black Rays Gram Lights alloy wheels.

To say the Veloster Street Turbo belts out a ‘blues’ encore inside the cabin is to understate the hue. A Turbo Sports Blue interior package includes leathertrimmed heated and ventilated front sports bucket seats with blue bolsters and blue contrast stitching, blue front seatbelts, blue front door grip handles and centre console side garnishes.

Blue contrast stitching also features on the leather door armrests, centre console armrest, steering wheel and manual transmission gear lever boot. $GGHG RQ DUH H[FOXVLYH ÂłRRU PDWV ZLWK blue-stitched edging and embroidered ‘Street’ logos as standard.

Like the Veloster Series II Turbo +, the Street Special Edition incorporates sports instrumentation, 7.0-inch LCD touchscreen, satellite navigation, CD player, MP3 functionality and Sat Nav Update Plan.

A panoramic glass sunroof, climatecontrol airconditioning with auto defog function and a wealth of other features go to emphasise the ‘bang for the buck’ appeal.

The 1.6-litre Turbo GDi four-cylinder engine produces 150 kW at 6000 rpm and 265 Nm of torque between 1750 and 4500rpm. It’s mated with either Hyundai’s own six-speed manual or a sevenspeed dual-clutch transmission.

The engine boasts the latest in directinjection technology, a twin-scroll turbocharger, dual continuously variable valve timing, electronic throttle control, roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings.

Like the Veloster Series II SR Turbo +, WKH QHZ 6WUHHW 6SHFLDO (GLWLRQ EHQH²WV from the performance-oriented ride, handling and steering upgrades made to the car by Hyundai Motor Company

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„ LIMITED EDITION: Inside and out the Veloster screams street cred.

Australia’s highly respected chassis development team.

Electronic Stability Control, including traction control, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, vehicle stability management and hill-start assist work hard to prevent incidents.

Passive safety is far from dumbed down with six airbags - driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger side (thorax), plus full-length side curtains - taking care of occupants in a crash.

The Veloster Street does not pretend to be a friendly family car. Getting in and out of the back requires a need to bend the body low due to the swoop of the rear roof section. Leg room is skinny, as is headroom, once again due to the URRÂłLQH Deep bolsters on the front sports seats also require a bit of body manipula-

tion to clear. However, their advantages come to the fore, offering plenty of lateral support in spirited driving.

It is no secret the original Veloster, sans turbo, was a disappointing performer. However, with the addition of turbo power the vehicle began to live up to its sporty looks. The Street pops a cherry on top of the coupe cake.

The Street Turbo Special Edition continues with the upgrades to the Veloster Series II SR Turbo + to produce an unquestionably sporty performance.

With peak power of 150 kW coming in quite high in the rev range (6000 rpm) there is a need to work the gears continually to get the best out of the car.

This is not ideal in slow stop / start WUDI²F +RZHYHU IUHHG IURP FLW\ FHQWULF constraints, the Veloster Street rewards the driver with an engaging drive to the accompaniment of a muted growl.

Fuel consumption on our test six-

speed manual clocked a hefty 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city and suburbs, WKDW GURSSHG VLJQL²FDQWO\ WR OLWUHV per 100 at motorway speeds.

7KH 9HORVWHU 6WUHHW EHQH²WV IURP experience gained during local chassis development of the Veloster Raptor concept. “At Veloster Series II’s launch last year we incorporated reduced-diameter front stabiliser bars across the range to allow for more independent front-wheel movement,â€? says Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s general manager product engineering, Hee Loong Wong.

Mr Wong also likens the car’s sharp turn-in and more aggressive drive out of corners with a ‘playful’ character, allowing the rear to be more actively involved during high-speed cornering.

The Veloster Street Turbo Special Edition adds another level of individuality to an already interesting sports coupe.

4

Dec 16 - 22 | 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

SOLD

Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!

AS TRADED SPECIALS NO REG, NO RWC

AS TRADED SPECIALS NO REG, NO RWC

2003 Lexus Sports Luxury RX330, immaculate condition, full electrics, auto, 111,000km (1CE4WW), $14,700. Ph 0407 569 709.

AS TRADED SPECIALS NO REG, NO RWC

2002 GU Nissan Patrol ST 4x4, 3lt turbo diesel, manual, 7 seater, 299,000km, serviced every 10,000km, excellent cond., has over $8000 worth of aftermarket accessories, won't disappoint, registered until Feb 2 0 1 7 ( Z LT 1 2 0 ) , $13,000 with RWC or $12,000 without. Ph 0412 290 381.

JAYCO Starcraft pop top, much loved well maintained van, double island bed, 3 way fridge, microwave, stylish interior, many extras, $12,500 ono. Ph 0407 670 406.

1989 F150 XLT EFI (fuel injected), dual FALCON AU II, 1 fuel, dual battery tonner, 5 speed mansystem, 302 V8 ual, steel tray etc. reg.

Windsor, 290,000km, (YYW117), $2150.

5 speed manual, air OVENS FORD conditioner, 9” diff, Ph 5721 4428 new radiator, good LMCT 7036 reliable vehicle, Reg ‘til Feb 2017 (SSO457), $10,000 ono, as is. Ph 0427 866 339.

AS TRADED 2004 Millard Horizon SPECIALS Special Edition PopNO REG, NO RWC Top, with full annex, Double bed, gas hot HONDA XR100, 2001 water, plus ext hot Model, runs well, great shower porta potti, AC, 2 kids bike, $1000. Ph solar panels, 2 batteries, 5729 5509.

2 water tanks, picnic table, Tare 1126kgs, NISSAN Navara ST $19,500, reg (R63251).

D40, dual cab utility, Ph 0428 574 413. turbo diesel, auto, reg.

FALCON AU, auto, utility, good knockabout ute. reg.

(QQN208), $2150.

T O Y O TA Ya r i s , OVENS FORD new body shape, as Ph 5721 4428 new, 27,000km, safe, LMCT 7036 reliable, cheap to run, fun to drive, 5 door manual, $2000 worth of extras, (ZPF250), $11,500. Ph 0478 162 069.

SOLD

2002 Corolla Conquest Hatch, 241,000km, upgraded radio, some e x t r a s , n o RW C , (RPV210), $3000. Ph 0437 954 159.

BARGAIN!

(YIS592), $4990 OVENS FORD Ph 5721 4428 TOYOTA Prado 2000 LMCT 7036 model, diesel, turbo manual, 7 seater, cruise, t o w - b a r, e x c e l l e n t CAMPER trailer, 3 m e c h a n i c a l a n d new tyres, 9 months immaculate inside and rego, VGC, $4000 ono. out, (QCE131), $14,500 Ph 0417 508 981. ono. Ph 0428 970 591.

2003 Mitsubishi Verada, regular servicing, very good condition, no RWC, (SNM799), $3000. Ph 0407 561 407.

PT CHRYSLER Cruiser, auto, lady owner, drives very well, alloys etc. reg.

(SRA259), $3150.

OVENS FORD Ph 5721 4428 LMCT 7036

AS TRADED SPECIALS NO REG, NO RWC

TOYOTA Landcruiser 80 series GXL 4x4 manual diesel, 7seater, constant all-wheel drive, electric trailer brakes, tow-bar, Bluetooth, new clutch and tyres. Family vehicle, never off-road, (TRJ942), $10,800 ono.

Ph 0428 970 591.

TOYOTA Corolla Ultima, manual, hatchback, top of the range, sunroof, alloys, drives well, reg. (YNR342), $2490.

OVENS FORD Ph 5721 4428 LMCT 7036

AS TRADED SPECIALS NO REG, NO RWC

AVAN Cruiseliner 3C 2008, excellent condi2007 16.6ft Galaxy tion, rego current, airForester, Series 4 pop-top, queen SUBARU con, microwave, fridge, size island bed, annexe, auto, AWD, s/wagon. gas stove, sink, double tv, excellent condition, Tidy and drives well, bed plus dinette into tows well, $18,000 ono. reg.(AKC67T), $2990 single bed, solar panel, Ph 0427 230 410.

OVENS FORD canvas awning, WangaPh 5721 4428 ratta, $23,000. Ph 0428 283 150.

LMCT 7036 BOAT, 12ft Punt, with 9hp Evanride, $950. Ph 0439 766 211.

MAZDA 626, auto, 2 0 0 6 Holden sedan, 2000, Limited C o m m o d o r e u t e , e d i t i o n , e x c e l l e n t 106,000km, excellent condition, 64,000km, condition, RWC, white, RW C , ( Q K D 0 8 5 ) , hard lid, (IGZ4JT), $6700 ono. Ph 0417 $11,000. Ph 0400 842 329 792.

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