ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A
JULY 21 - 27
| 2017
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
EVEN BETTER: Bold new styling lifts the look of the Renault Clio even further.
Renault Clio range has stronger look THE facelifted Renault Clio not only has a stronger look but also added features and - best of all - its prices have been trimmed by $2000. The range now starts at $15,990 for the Clio Life manual, and stretches up to a still pretty reasonable $22,990 for the Clio GT-Line and the Clio Intens, the latter two come only with automatic transmission. Note that on-road charges have to be factored in, but you still get D ORW RI )UHQFK ³ DLU IRU D SUHWW\ PRGHVW outlay. As a sweetener to lift sales volume, the
By EWAN KENNEDY price-leading Clio Life has a driveaway price of $17,990 for the manual and $19,990 for the EDC auto. We road tested two Clios for a week each, a Zen and an Intens, both with a dual clutch automatic transmission. The Zen has Renault’s new ‘C-shaped’ lights, similar to that on the latest Renault Koleos and Megane hatch. These include LED headlights, front foglights with a chromed surround. There’s gloss black trim under the
lower rear bumper as well as on the side door protection moulds. It has 16inch alloy wheels. The luxurious Intens features chromed window trim. Interestingly the door sill insert, grille and bootlid inserts can be either Flame Red or Ivory. Inside, the dash, door panel and seat highlights can be ordered in Intense Red. (Note how the marketers mix their ‘Intens’ and ‘Intense’ descriptions in the one car. Why? It’s anybody’s guess…) The Intens has height adjustment on
both front seats, velvet and faux leather trim, climate control and rear privacy glass. It rides on 17-inch very stylish Optemic two-tone alloy wheels There’s a standard sound system on the Zen and an upmarket 3D Arkamys system on the Intens. Likewise the Intens has R-LINK navigation and multimedia system with voice control. The Clio Life has a three-cylinder 0.9-litre turbo-petrol engine with 66 kW of power and 135 Nm of torque at 2500.
Continued page 2 v/21D11337-V108/2917
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(03) 5721 5677 10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta www.onemilemotors.com.au LMCT1060
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July 21 - 27 | 2017
Lotus Evora fun, fast head-turner By FRANK GREENWAY POOR old Lotus. Passed around from incompetent owner to (eventually) bankrupt owner and on to an uninterested owner, it’s the sportscar company that could - but can’t because there’s no money. There was a highly amusing - for outsiders anyway - attempt to kickstart Lotus, with ex-Ferrari executive Danny Bahar drafted in to try and reboot the brand. He failed miserably after a laughable strategy to expand the range to ²YH FDUV ZLWK QR REYLRXV ²QDQFLDO EDFNLQJ to do so. Bahar left under a cloud and Lotus was back where they started - Elise, Exige, Evora and a track special or two, but in a safe pair of hands belonging to Jean-Marc Gales. Same old Lotus, punching way above its (light) weight. In Australia, sales dwindled WR VLQJOH ²JXUHV LQ $V D UHVXOW /RWXV import operation moved from Ateco to Sydney’s Simply Sports Cars, the company that also brings in the bonkers KTM X-Bow. Where before you just got a car, now you get a bunch of people who absolutely love what they do, which Lotus needs. An Evora is not an obvious proposition. The Evora is available in two VSHFL²FDWLRQV WKH (YRUD DQG (YRUD 410 Sport. We had the 400 which was also in the Hethel special edition spec, named after Lotus’ birthplace in Norfolk, UK and had a striking blue paint job. The 400 starts at $184,990 for the sixspeed manual, rising to $194,990 for the VL[ VSHHG DXWR 6WDQGDUG LV D ²YH VSHDNHU Alpine stereo with sat nav, 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears, remote central locking, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon headlights with washers, heated front seats, leather trim, power windows and mirrors, and tyre pressure monitor. As the Evora is handmade, you can delete the rear seats (and air-con, if you must) and you can specify different interior trim and change the colour of the calipers. The Evora is an older car but the occasional tweak to the composite body KDV NHSW LW ORRNLQJ IUHVK ,W ORRNV WHUUL²F close to the ground, crouched, the design drawing attention to its mid-mounted engine. The engine cover is transparent
„REBOOTED: Lotus’ long-lasting Evora is the forgotten sports car. and passers-by can look in and see the big proud LOTUS stamped on top of the supercharger. Inside is straightforward if a bit plasticky. There are some nice touches, though, and it seems the early quality issues (almost a decade has passed...) have been sorted. It’s not an award-winner, but it’s functional and caters for driver and passenger in comfort. Six airbags, ABS, corner braking control, stability and traction controls and reversing camera form the Evora’s safety package. There is no ANCAP safety rating. Probably the least-inspired part of the car is the stereo. There’s nothing wrong with it per se, and it does what it’s supposed to, but really does look like someone popped out to Supercheap and bought a job lot. It’s a quality Alpine unit with a sat nav that works and the sound is SHUIHFWO\ ²QH ,WV MXVW QRW ZKDW \RX H[SHFW on a near-$200k sportscar. But if you’re buying a Lotus for the stereo you’re either (a) mad, (b) missing the point entirely or (c) both. The Evora ships with Toyota’s 3.5-litre *5 )( 9 DQ XQEXUVWDEOH XQLW IRXQG in rather less exciting product the world over. Lotus straps an Edelbrock supercharger to it and it cranks out 298kW and 410Nm to send the 1425kg
machine to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. The engine is mid-mounted, jammed right up behind the rear seat passenger’s backs, and sits atop a six-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. The Evora’s driving position is, as the kids would say, en pointe (that’s not how they spell it, though). Step in and over the sill, snuggle down and you’re in the cockpit. What’s in front of you isn’t especially inspiring and does date the car back to its inception in the mid-to-late 2000s. It’s all there, though, and while the switchgear is old, it all works. In place of a gear selector there’s a Ferrari-style set of buttons for P, R, N and D and you’ve also got a set of paddles on the leather steering wheel. The engine start button is old school in an Audi or a Ford, you just press the button and away it goes. In the Evora, you press and hold. I like that. It’s endearing and has a race car feel to it. The pedals are big, drilled units and are suited for either normal driving or left-foot braking, further encouraged by the fact this is the auto. This isn’t a modern twin-clutcher either and, technically, is blasphemy in a Lotus, but there you are. Switch to Sport mode, warm it up and get on it. That’s what this car is all about. The engine screams to the redline without bothering to disguise its glee - this sounds
nothing like a Camry. The engine wails and bangs and pops and has a lovely linear power delivery courtesy of the supercharger. Leave the transmission to its own devices on the upshift - it’s slow to respond to the paddles and changes up at the right time anyway. If that’s a problem, the manual is for you and as an added bonus, has a limited slip diff. Which I didn’t miss on the 400. The amazing thing about the Evora, though, is the way it rides and steers. Both are the stuff of legend but there isn’t another sportscar on the planet short of a McLaren 570S that rides this well at any speed. The steering is just about perfect the way it’s weighted, the way it responds to a roll of the wrists, the way it isn’t hyperactive or scary. It’s still hydraulically assisted, too - I think that leaves it in a very select group. Anyone can drive this car fast with FRQ²GHQFH NQRZLQJ LW ZRQW ELWH $QG it manages all this without adaptive GDPSLQJ MXVW D VHW RI ZHOO VSHFL²HG springs and dampers from suppliers Eibach and Bilstein. The AP Racing brakes are gigantic and devastatingly effective while also beautifully tuned. The new Lotus importers are keen to get you out on track, on the road and together with other Lotus owners. I’ve never driven away from a car pick-up knowing what to do with the tyre pressures once I’ve warmed up the tyres. These guys are right for Lotus and the Evora does not deserve to be forgotten. Things are looking up DW /RWXV WRR LWV SUR²WDEOH DQG KDV MXVW been bought by Chinese giant Geely who have done a brilliant job with Volvo. The Evora is not a Lotus that you’d choose to leave at home on certain days. You can drive this car every day without fear or favour. While the back seat passengers will hate you (that’s if you can get them in), if you treat the car as a twoseater, you’re on a winner. Fast, fun and even a head-turner after all these years, the Evora is an acquired taste. But it’s not the usual meaning of acquired taste - take it for a drive and you forget that it doesn’t have the interior polish of a 911 or the tech tour-de-force feel of a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. It’s a simple, lightweight, connected sportscar that will never fail to put a silly grin on your face.
Renault Clio range has stronger look „ From page 1 All other Clio models have a fourcylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 88 kW at a low 4800 rpm and an impressive 190 Nm of torque from 2000 revs. A six-speed manual gearbox is offered only on the base Clio Life. All others get Renault’s EDC dual-clutch automated manual. All Clio models have advanced active and passive and safety technology and KDYH JDLQHG D (XURSHDQ 1&$3 ²YH VWDU rating. All who viewed our Clio Intens loved its glowing red paint and admired the way it was set off by the black highlights. Similarly, the red and black interior had eyes lighting up. The front seats are comfortable and supportive in a very French manner. The back seats can take two adults in reasonable comfort, but there’s a need to share legroom with those in the front -
„ HEAD TURNER: French style with European handling. hardly unusual in this class of car, so that’s not really a criticism. A trip to Ikea for a midsize bookcase and some drawers to match saw the Clio’s boot swallow the load with room to spare. The rear seatbacks fold down till WKH\UH SDUDOOHO WR WKH ERRW ³RRU WKRXJK
not at the same level. Again in a very French manner, the baby Renault has excellent steering feel and easy to live with feedback. Handling is nicely neutral until you push really hard at bends. Then safe, easy to control understeer comes in to save you from yourself.
Ride comfort was excellent in the Zen, not quite as good in the Intens due to LWV ODUJHU ZKHHOV DQG ORZHU SUR²OH W\UHV Bumps and lumps were absorbed well, showing the car is very much tuned into its home market conditions in France. The little 1.2-litre turbocharged four is a sweet responsive engine with a minimum of lag. It really shifts the lightweight Clio along beautifully once it hits its stride. Like many of its type the EDC dualclutch automated gearbox can be a pain at very slow speeds as it can’t make up its mind whether the clutch is in or out. Beyond that, the EDC is smooth and its changes are generally all-but imperceptible. French style and oh-so European handling means the latest Renault Clio should be on your shortlist. All the more so when you look at the lower recommended prices. The hot Clio R.S. will be launched towards the end of the year. Its price is yet to be revealed.
3
July 21 - 27 | 2017
Hyundai Tucson is a good-value proposition
By 9$1, 1$,'22 THE Hyundai Tucson is one of the Korean brand’s most popular offerings, D ² YH VHDWHU PHGLXP VL]HG 689 WKDW is big on all-round comfort and stays true to the manufacturer’s good-value proposition. It replaced the ix35 here in 2015 and while most will remember the Tucson name from a previous iteration, this time around it is a much more formidable foe IRU FRPSHWLWRUV LQFOXGLQJ WKH 0D]GD &; 9RONVZDJHQ 7LJXDQ +RQGD &5 9 .LD 6SRUWDJH DQG 7R\RWD 5$9 5DQJLQJ IURP WR WKHUH LV D 7XFVRQ WKDW ² WV PRVW QHHGV DQG Hyundai currently have some excellent UXQRXW GHDOV WKDW DUH ZHOO ZRUWK ORRNLQJ at. With sharp angular lines, a smattering RI FKURPH DQG ORZ SUR² OH DOOR\V WKH +\XQGDL 7XFVRQ PDNHV IRU DQ DWWUDFWLYH SLFWXUH 7KH HDV\ OLQNV EHWZHHQ WKH IURQW and rear design, the slim LEDs and a greater leaning towards a European feel serves to further enhance that picture. The interior mirrors those lines but in a PXFK OHVV LQWHUHVWLQJ ZD\ ,Q WKH $FWLYH ; WKHUH LV D VHQVH RI DXVWHULW\ DURXQG FDELQ IHHO ZKHUH FRPIRUW LV D ER[ WLFNHG rather than a sumptuous heady offering. Yet, the design is a practical one, the buttons most used in easy reach and the steering providing controls for sound DQG FUXLVH FRQWURO )LW DQG ² QLVK LV DV \RX ZRXOG H[SHFW KDUGHU SODVWLFV FRQ² QHG WR those areas not usually within reach and the mix of real and synthetic leather a WDG VRIWHU WKDQ \RX ZRXOG WKLQN 3DVVHQJHUV ERWK LQ WKH IURQW DQG EDFN have more than a fair bit of room for heads, shoulders and toes and can also enjoy sensibly-placed cup holders, goodVL]HG GRRU SRFNHWV DQG D QXPEHU RI RWKHU VWRUDJH FXEELHV DQG SRFNHWV 5HDU seat passengers also get air vents in the ³ RRU 7KH ERRW LV D URRP\ OLWUHV DQG FDQ hold a pram and a couple of bags even ZLWK WKH EDFN VHDW LQ SODFH /RZHU the seat and that cargo space grows to D FRQVLGHUDEOH OLWUHV DOORZLQJ \RX WR FDUU\ EXONLHU LWHPV VKRXOG \RX QHHG WR 7KH $FWLYH ; LV VXLWDEO\ HTXLSSHG ZLWK cruise control, reversing camera, rear sensors and LED running lights featuring on the list of standard inclusions. The 7.0-inch touchscreen that feels VOLJKWO\ DIWHU PDUNHW LV XVHG WR FRQWURO the Tucson’s infotainment options. It is pretty easy to navigate but I am not a ELJ IDQ RI WKH JUDSKLFV SDFNDJH ZKLFK feels dated but is all perfectly usable of course. 7KHUH LV VXSSRUW IRU $SSOH &DU3OD\ DQG $QGURLG $XWR <RX ZLOO KDYH WR XVH \RXU 6PDUWSKRQH WR DFFHVV QDYLJDWLRQ features too as Hyundai does not offer built-in sat nav in this spec. Bluetooth connectivity and mobile SKRQH SDLULQJ LV HDV\ WR ZRUN RXW DQG WKHUH DUH WZR 86% SRUWV DQG WZR 9 points. 9DULHW\ VHHPV WKH VSLFH RI OLIH KHUH ZLWK the Tucson offered in 10 variants across four model grades. You can choose from petrol or diesel, front-wheel or all-
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Hyundai Tucson Pricing and Specifications Price: $31,990 (driveaway) Engine: OLWUH IRXU F\OLQGHU *', petrol
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„ VALUE: With good road manners and value inclusions, the Hyundai Tucson makes for a practical all-round choice. wheel drive and manual and automatic transmissions. 2XU $FWLYH ; VSRUWHG D OLWUH IRXU cylinder petrol unit which was good for N: RI SRZHU DQG 1P RI WRUTXH It was paired with a six-speed auto WUDQVPLVVLRQ DQ DGGLWLRQDO FRVW on the six-speed manual. )RU WKH 7XFVRQ $FWLYH ; D ² YH VWDU $1&$3 UDWLQJ GXH WR LW KDYLQJ VL[ airbags, stability and traction control, (%' ZLWK EUDNH DVVLVW KLOO GHVFHQW control and reverse camera with sensors. )UXVWUDWLQJO\ IHDWXUHV OLNH DXWRQRPRXV HPHUJHQF\ EUDNLQJ ODQH GHSDUWXUH warning, blind spot warning and forward collision warning are only in the rangetopping models and aren’t even available as an extra in the cheaper models. Most people who buy a Tucson, this
$FWLYH ; YDULDQW LQ SDUWLFXODU DUH ORRNLQJ for a practical spacious car that travels ZHOO DQG NHHS D IDPLO\ LQ VDIHW\ LQ comfort. To this end the Tucson does exactly what it says on the box. The ride is genuinely affable, the rear suspension setup and comprehensive local tuning PDNLQJ IRU D FRPSOLDQW XQFRPSOLFDWHG drive. In fact it is fair to say that the Tucson is one of the best in class for body control and bump absorption. While it may not match rivals who offer a more dynamic handling experience, it can boast about RYHUDOO ULGH TXDOLW\ DQG LW LV H[WUHPHO\ DGHSW WRR DW NHHSLQJ WKH LQWUXVLRQ RI road noise to a minimum. 6HDWV DUH VXUSULVLQJO\ FRPIRUWDEOH offering length under thigh and gentle
all-round support with the raised driving position also improving visibility. +\XQGDL FODLPV IXHO HFRQRP\ ² JXUHV RI OLWUHV SHU NP EXW ZH VWUXJJOHG WR JHW EHWWHU WKDQ / NP GHVSLWH D ZHHN RI PRVWO\ ORQJHU GULYHV The Tucson is covered by Hyundai’s ² YH \HDU XQOLPLWHG NLORPHWUH ZDUUDQW\ ZLWK IUHH URDGVLGH DVVLVW DQG D ² [HG price servicing schedule for the same SHULRG 6HUYLFH LQWHUYDOV DUH PRQWKV RU NP The Hyundai Tucson rides well, is FRPIRUWDEOH ORRNV JRRG DQG LV ZHOO built – a pleasing combination that will NHHS LW DPRQJ WKH IURQWUXQQHUV LQ D YHU\ crowded segment. Yes, it could do some things better, but it does most things well enough to turn the heads of buyers ORRNLQJ IRU DQ XQFRPSOLFDWHG DOO URXQGHU
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July 21 - 27 | 2017
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1964 DAIMLER, V8, 2.5ltr, excellent condition, original 51,000 miles, RWC, (HZO864), $25,000 ono. Ph 0409 254 607.
WA N T E D t o b u y. Medium size SUV, less than 5 years old and less than 100,000km travelled. Call Peter on 0408 308 284. VW Golf hatch, 2004, 1.6 automatic, excellent CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101 149,000km, condition, (ZKB388), $7500. Ph 0417 544 109.
2000 Nissan Patrol ST GU, 7 seater, 261,000km, 3.0litre, 4 cylinder, turbo intercooled diesel, new clutch, dual battery system, dual fuel tanks, sold with Vic RWC (UVU863), asking $13,990. Ph 0427 521 566.
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