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
MARCH 17 - 23
| 2017
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
LONGER SPARK: Distinctive styling of the BMW i3 electric car draws plenty of attention.
BMW i3 with added grunt BMW has introduced a second-generation drive system to its all-electric i3, giving it about 50 per cent greater range, as well as increased performance. The batteries now have 94Ah (Amp hours), the original 2014 model i3 had 60Ah. The BMW i division and technology partner Samsung SDI have managed to gain the substantial battery capacity improvement without any increase in the exterior dimensions. We’ve just experienced a most enjoyable week in this ‘car of the future’, covering mainly suburban use with occasional runs on motorways to test the little electric Bimmer in what we consider normal motoring. Our test i3 94Ah with range extender was priced at $71,990 to which on-road costs have to be added. Note that the BMW i3 with the 60Ah powertrain is still offered.
By EWAN KENNEDY The new 90Ah unit adds just $2000 to the price of that car. Full marks to BMW to throw away existing small-car ideas and start with a fresh computer screen. Cute and very different was the opinion of all those who viewed it, inside and out. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery consists of eight modules with twelve storage cells located within each module. Cooled via the air conditioning’s coolant system, the cell-internal packages have been optimised with increased electrolytes. Gross battery energy increases to 33kWh, of which 27kWh can be effectively used. The i3’s 60Ah capacity produces 22kWh gross with 19kWh of usable energy. The BMW i3 94Ah’s eDrive synchronous electric motor generates 125kW of power
and 250Nm of torque. There’s the option of range extender engine, a small twin-cylinder petrol unit that never powers the i3 directly but only maintains the battery charge at its current level, it doesn’t increase the amount of energy in the batteries, simply adds to the overall range of the vehicle. As in most electric cars there’s no gearbox as such. All ‘gearing’ is done by the speed of the motor. The biggest plus of electric and hybrid vehicles is that energy is put back into the batteries when slowing down or descending a hill. There are a number of charging options, varying in time from about 12 hours for a full charge through a standard domestic 10-amp power point; eight hours using a BMW i Wallbox accessory (approximately $1750 plus installation); and down to just
30 minutes at a DC fast charging station. The latter are still a rarity in Australia, until we see many more full-electric cars on the road. Most of our driving was done in Eco Pro mode. Unlike our previous i3 60Ah testing a couple of years back where we found this mode was too sluggish for our tastes, the 94Ah has plenty of grunt. Around town 190 to 225 kilometres was possible in the Eco Pro mode. That’s more than enough for normal suburban daily use. Motorway driving, again in Eco Pro mode, gave an electric-only range of about 160 km. Enough to get from Gold Coast to Brisbane with plenty to spare for example. The shorter range is due not to the higher speeds, but also because constant speed running means there’s little or no energy regeneration.
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2
Mar 17 - 23 | 2017
Performance up,
prices down for Subaru BRZ
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY WE seem to spend much of our road testing time behind the wheels of SUVs nowadays. As much as we appreciate the functionality and convenience of these vehicles they do fall down in one respect … they’re not a lot of fun to drive. So we’ve given ourselves a treat with this week’s road test, the Subaru BRZ, a delightful little 2.0-litre two-door coupe with six-speed manual transmission. Subaru BRZ has been on sale in Australia since 2012 although it didn’t hit WKH GHDOHUV¬ VKRZURRP ³RRUV XQWLO with supply restrictions seeing them sold exclusively over the internet in that interim period. The BRZ is built as a joint venture with Subaru’s part-owner, Toyota, and it competes directly against its nearidentical twin, the Toyota 86. The division of labour between the two companies makes sense, with Toyota looking after the product planning and styling while Subaru is in charge of its engineering development and manufacture, the latter at Subaru’s Ota plant in Japan. The latest BRZ was released in late 2016 with some minor design tweaks, extra engine outputs and revised suspension tuning. New exterior features include LED headlights and taillights, new 10-spoke, 17inch alloy wheels, and a wider and lower bumper design. Inside there’s optional red stitching and BRZ embossing on the front seats, enhanced instrument gauges and a new steering wheel. Topping off the package are price reductions with the manual BRZ now selling for $32,990 and the automatic IRU GRZQ E\ DQG respectively on the preceding model. The PRGHO VROG IRU PDQXDO DQG DXWRPDWLF
„ FUN ON THE RUN: Subaru BRZ is a real head-turner. The BRZ certainly looks the part with its wide and low stance, short overhangs and ³DUHG ZKHHO DUFKHV 7KH IURQW IHDWXUHV a large, hexagonal grille with sweeping headlights and the rear is tall and square with an additional brake light positioned between twin large tail pipes. 7KH FDELQ IHDWXUHV D URR³LQH LQ NHHSLQJ ZLWK WKH FDU¬V ORZ SUR²OH DQG DOWKRXJK it’s necessary to hunker down into the driver’s seat, once settled in the seat is ²UP EXW FRPIRUWDEOH DQG WKHUH¬V SOHQW\ RI leg and headroom. Although technically a four-seater, the two rear seats are only there for emergency use and not for long-distance trips. At 218 litres the boot is relatively small although the rear seatbacks do fold ³DW IRU H[WUD VWRUDJH VSDFH 6XUSULVLQJO\
for a car where space is at a premium BRZ comes with a full-size spare wheel. Power for the BRZ comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged horizontally-opposed petrol HQJLQH WKDW JHQHUDWHV N: RI SRZHU DW USP DQG 1P RI WRUTXH DW UHYV N: DQG 1P ZLWK WKH DXWR The engine also sounds great with the characteristic throaty sound of the Subaru ‘boxer’ engine. :LWK RXU IXQ IRFXV ZH PDGH VXUH WKDW our test car had the six-speed manual, a superbly notchy short-throw unit that’s both fast and smooth and just asks to be used frequently. Both the manual and the six-speed automatic transmissions were VSHFL²FDOO\ GHYHORSHG IRU WKH %5= 7KH automatic gets paddle gear shifts. BRZ breaks new ground for Subaru in
Australia in having rear-wheel drive. All other models sold here have all-wheel GULYH $:' 7KH OLWWOH 6XELH FRXSH JHWV D ²YH VWDU ANCAP safety rating courtesy of seven airbags; stability and traction control; ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce GLVWULEXWLRQ DQG EUDNH DVVLVW ,VR²[ FKLOG seat anchor points; LCD daytime running lights; front and rear fog lights; hill start assist; and reversing camera. Also new for the MY17 BRZ is a Vehicle Dynamic Control ‘Track’ for extra performance. Information display is through a 6.2inch LCD touchscreen. Bluetooth pairing is fast and logical and the USB and auxiliary sockets are in the front of the central console. The audio system has six speakers but, having to compete against the combination of the engine burble and road noise means the sound quality isn’t great. As expected in a car of this type, the ULGH LV ²UP ZLWK SOHQW\ RI IHHO IRU WKH URDG yet comfortable enough for an extended trip. Steering is precise and direct with excellent feedback to the driver. Ride comfort is up with the best in this class. 7KHUH¬V QR ORVV RI GULYHU FRQ²GHQFH LQ the use of two-wheel rather than fourwheel drive, with the BRZ suspension producing plenty of grip and stability. Driving height is lower than we would prefer but that’s a minor compromise for DOO WKH KDQGOLQJ EHQH²WV RI KXJJLQJ WKH road. The Subaru BRZ is a delight to drive especially the six-speed manual, with its short, sharp gearshifts at high revs enhanced by that reassuringly deep throated engine growl. It’s always offered excellent value never more so than now with a price cut and added equipment bringing the starting price down to $32,990 prior to on-road costs.
BMW i3 with added grunt
„ From page 1
Eco Pro+ mode, meaning no air FRQGLWLRQLQJ ZDV WHVWHG RQO\ EULH³\ LQ the hot and humid Gold Coast summer weather at home. It knocks a fair bit off the SHUIRUPDQFH EXW RIIHUV VLJQL²FDQWO\ H[WUD UDQJH :H PLJKW WU\ WR ERUURZ DQ L DJDLQ in winter and report on that. The default mode is Comfort. This UHGXFHV UDQJH E\ DERXW WR SHU FHQW adds even more grunt, doesn’t limit speed and gives the air conditioning more power. :H ZHUH KDSS\ WR PLVV RXW RQ WKLV DQG JR with the planet-saving Eco Pro mode. ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ WKH $K VRRWKHG RXU UDQJH anxiety to the extent that it barely existed and we left the i3 without the charger connected for days at a time. In previous tests we rushed to plug in the charger after every trip. 3HUIRUPDQFH LV WHUUL²F ZLWK WKH LQVWDQW off-the-line reaction we love in all electric cars. There’s near silence from the rear mounted electric motor and the little petrol charging engine is barely audible ZKHQ LW VSLQV DZD\ DW LWV ²[HG VSHHG 7KH %0: L FDQ EH D «RQH SHGDO¬ FDU ZLWK a little bit of foresight in driving. That is, you use the pedal on the right to increase DQG GHFUHDVH VSHHG :H ZHUH DEOH WR accomplish trips of 20 to 30 kilometres around town without using the brakes. Not only putting energy back into the car, but also creating absolutely no brake dust.
„ ROOM TO MOVE: The interior of the BMWi3 is deceptively roomy. Ride comfort is generally good, if a bit ²UPHU WKDQ DYHUDJH %LJ EXPSV DQG GLSV can cause the suspension to crash at times. Road grip through the tall thin tyres is likely to be enough for most drivers. But the steering is on the dead side, VRPHWKLQJ WKDW %0: ZLOO KDYH WR VRUW out to retain its ‘ultimate driving machine’ marketing tag.
There’s good head and legroom for four adults, the interior width is most impressive GXH WR WKH ER[\ ERG\ VKDSH %0: KDV to be praised for this, as it makes its i3 a genuine day-to-day ‘normal’ car. The rear-hinged back doors can’t be opened till the fronts are open. Once open there’s excellent access to the back seats. However, if there’s a car parked next to yours in a carpark opening both doors
at the same time means the doors tend to block you in. Sad to say about this futuristic little car, but four conventional doors would make more sense. You sit high, virtually at small crossover SUV height so the view out is better than in sedan or hatch. At 260 litres the boot is a reasonable size. :LWK WKH VHDWEDFNV GRZQ WKH FDSDFLW\ goes up to 1100 litres. Illogically to our way of thinking if you choose an i3 without the range extender you don’t get a bigger boot, presumably the spot not occupied by the petrol engine and its fuel tank just sits there vacant. As well as the rear boot, WKHUH¬V DOVR D OLWUH ERRW XQGHU WKH IURQW ‘bonnet’. 7KH EDWWHU\ RQO\ %0: L $K HOHFWULF FDU LV SULFHG DW ZLWK WKH UDQJH extender adding $6000. Given the VLJQL²FDQWO\ LQFUHDVHG UDQJH ZH ZRXOGQ¬W be surprised if many buyers opt for the battery only model. Less money, more performance, longer range - a no brainer if you don’t plan long country trips. %0: L $K RIIHUV FRQGLWLRQ EDVHG VHUYLFLQJ DQG IDOOV XQGHU WKH %0: L Service Inclusive program. Buyers can PDNH D RQH RII XSIURQW SD\PHQW RI ZKLFK FRYHUV VHUYLFLQJ FRVWV IRU ²YH \HDUV RU NP ZKLFKHYHU FRPHV ²UVW The battery pack is designed to last for the life of the car and is covered by an eight-year or 100,000km battery warranty.
3
Mar 17 - 23 | 2017
CLASSIFIEDS MOTORCYCLES
1958 Triumph 500 speed twin, very good condition, runs very well, bargain price $8000. Ph 0438 395 312.
CARAVANS & CAMPERS
CARAVANS & CAMPERS
SOLD
MOTOR VEHICLES
VE SSV Commodore Wagon, 2011, auto, rego (YNA013), 145,000km, $17,800. Ph 0490 336 891.
JAYCO Designer, 16’, lightweight, poptop, 2/4 berth, roll out awning, lift up bed, 240/12v system, very comfortable, excellent condition, many extras, $11,500 ono. Ph 0408 539 807.
POP top caravan, offroad, 12 foot, 1996, registered, large fridge, gas cook top, double bed, excellent condition - very clean, great little ďŹ shing van for Easter, always shedded, $3500 ono. Ph 0438 046 526, 0427 006 568, 5725 1537.
MOTOR VEHICLES
MOTOR VEHICLES
2008 FORD MONDEO MA HATCHBACK
MITSUBISHI Magna V6 auto 1998, excellent condition, only 166,000km, mag wheels, expensive amazing CD player, a very clean, tidy car inside and out, very reliable, RWC, reg (BJM96W), elderly owner, $2450 ono. Ph (02) 6035 3853.
(1JQ4FG) May 17. auto, 4cyl 2.0L turbo diesel, tinted windows, 205,500km, front/rear parking sensors, roof rack, serviced regularly, excellent condition.
$7000 ono Ph 0412 290 381
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESSORIES
JAYCO Journey, 18ft, 2015 Poptop, used once, many extras, electric brakes, stability control, break-away, custom leather couch, toilet, shower, $38,000. Ph 0438 212 642.
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TOYOTA Hilux, 1999, dual cab, 4WD SR5, in very good condition, with all SR5 options, plus air conditioning, lots of new parts, Vin. MR033LNG706002104, $10,500 with RW cert. HOLDEN Cruze, 2010, TOYOTA Hilux hard Ph 0478 162 069. 2L turbo diesel, manual, lockable ute lid with roll (YPT961), RWC, $7900. bar. 1600mm x 1600mm. Ph 0427 573 475. $800 ono. Ph 0412 290 381.
For all your classified advertising needs
TOYOTA Hilux 1995, 2.4 petrol (LPG), heaps of extras, warn winch, diff lock to name a few, (XRK884), $5500 ono as is. Ph 0422 762 084.
Ph 03 5723 0101
MOTOR VEHICLES
SUBARU Impreza GX sedan 2005, (1HJ4EU) registered until October 6, 2017, 103,393km, 5 speed manual gearbox, 2.0litre, 4 cylinder boxer engine, AWD, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, IDFWRU\ ÂżWWHG IRJ OLJKWV RWC included, askLQJ SULFH 3KRQH Robert 0427 229 400.
T OYOTA C o r o l l a , 1993, unreg, vin no: 6T154AE9209520422, $600 ono. Ph 0427 573 2009 Mazda 2 Maxx 475. DE Series 1, grey exterior, automatic, black white stripe interior, compliance date 3/2009, with RWC, rego till January 2018 (ZKB289), 77,800km, low kms, very good condition, female driver, Phone: 03 5723 0101 2010 Subaru Impreza 2nd owner, great fuel WRX, 125,000km, economy, $9900. Ph excellent condition, 0432 228 766. regularly serviced, reg May 2017 (VAH192), $21,000 ono. Phone classifieds@nemedia.com.au Rebecca 0400 634 717.
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SUZUKI GSXF750 2004, S 11O ,00L0D k (HY571) un ms, Reg til Exc. cond. $ 22/12/15. 7000 ono. P h. Shane 0428 257 809.
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