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
OCTOBER 23 - 29 , 2015
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LEXUS ES: The mid-size model sedan has been given a touch of Lexus Finesse.
Lexus steps up with a taste of luxury
THE ALL NEW
By DEREK OGDEN While the wide track and bold wheel arches of the previous model have been kept, the now traditional Lexus pinched waist radiator grille has been widened, giving the impression of more width and height. The satin finished grille surround is angled inwards as in recent Lexus releases while emphasising the car’s individualism. Flanking this are new headlamps, daytime running lights and reflectors. At the back, once again, there has been an attempt to give a wider look to the vehicle. Red sections of the lamp cluster have been lowered to do this, while the lower
bumper has been broadened and boot lid garnish has been integrated into the lights and extended to the clear lenses. The combination features an extended L-shaped motif and diamond shaped muffler diffusers bring the ES into line with the new Lexus NX and RC models. Two new 17-inch wheel patterns with directional spokes are offered, as well as four new exterior colours. The paint has Lexus’s self-restoring surface which lets the paint’s clear coating ‘heal’ itself from minor damage. The drag coefficient of 0.27 has been retained. A great deal of attention has been paid by engineers to body structure, which
benefits from the use of high strength materials and advanced construction techniques. The Lexus ES body contains five grades of high tensile steel. Computer modelling and physical crash testing for the car’s ability to absorb front, side and rear impacts, while the roof and pillars were studied to help reduce the potential for head injuries to occupants. ES also debuts the Lexus Safety System+ which combines four pieces of passive technology into a single network. These are a pre-collision system, lane departure warning, automatic high beam lighting and active cruise control.
Continued page 3
Now available for a test drive
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THE ES goes back almost to the beginnings of Lexus in Australia in the early 1990s, being the second car to come here after the LS 400. Since then it has pretty much ploughed a straight, if unspectacular, furrow. Now the mid-size sedan has been given a makeover to bring it into line with the latest company thinking and offer buyers an introduction, and possible step up, to the next level of Lexus luxury. This has been done by taking cues from the company’s L-Finesse design language. The new ES comes in two versions – ES 350 V6 petrol and ES 300h four-cylinder petrol / electric hybrid, both in Luxury or Sports Luxury spec.
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Paul Davenport 0408 057 837 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531 Kylie Stevenson 0428 215 677 Noel Gilbert 0438 597 200
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1.5%
COMPARISON RATE* ON SELECTED MODELS
THIS IS THE NEW LEXUS
CT
IS
RX
LEXUS OF WODONGA 171 - 173 Melbourne Road, Wodonga VIC PH (02) 6055 9966
LMCT 7082 www.lexusofwodonga.com.au
*1.5% comparison rate is available to approved personal applicants and 1.5% annual percentage rate is available to approved business applicants of Lexus Financial Services for the financing of new CT, RX, GS, LX and selected IS models. Excludes IS 200t, demonstrator and service loan vehicles. Finance applications must be received and approved between 01/10/2015 and 31/10/2015 and vehicles must be registered and delivered by 31/10/2015. Offer not available to government, fleet, rental or Lexus Corporate Program customers. Maximum finance term of 36 months applies. Conditions, fees and charges apply. Comparison rate based on a 5 year secured consumer fixed rate loan of $30,000. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Lexus Financial Services is a division of Toyota Finance Australia Limited ABN 48 002 435 181, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 392536.
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Oct 23 - 29 | 2015
Veloster success story continues
By DEREK OGDEN
IT’S been a long time, but well worth the wait. When the Hyundai Veloster first came out, with its out-there looks and unusual architecture, it shaped up to be a challenger to the hot-hatch mob. Unfortunately, somebody had forgotten about giving it the performance to match. The Veloster was held back by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Fortunately, we forgave shortcomings, much talk being of the sedan-cumcoupe styling, with two doors on the passenger side, only one on the driver’s side. The result was the dismissal of the inconvenience of squeezing in and out of the back seats through a single entrance as in a conventional coupe. It wasn’t until later when a turbocharger was hung off the motor that things began to heat up. I have had to wait until now and the Series II to taste the added grunt with a stint with a rangetopping Veloster SR + Turbo, which comes to market at $36,490, plus on-road costs. Veloster Series II has taken on more of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture styling with a distinctive grey grille surround and 18-inch alloy wheels in a choice of two new styles, both shod with sporty 225/40 R18 tyres. However, the popularity of the Veloster seems to have dampened some of
At a Glance
NOTE: THESE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OR DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER FOR DRIVEAWAY PRICES.
Veloster 1.6 GDi: $24,490 (manual), $26,990 (automatic)
Veloster + 1.6 GDi: $29,490 (manual), $31,990 (automatic)
Veloster SR 1.6 Turbo GDi: $29,990 (manual), $32,490 (automatic)
Veloster SR + 1.6 Turbo GDi: $33,990 (manual), $36,490 (automatic)
WORTH THE WAIT: Hyundai Veloster has style with plenty of character. the car’s curiosity quotient. It was, in fact, the new unique Blue Sprinter matt paint finish of the test vehicle that ‘stole the show’. Taking up from the exterior, the test car cabin had blue highlights scattered all around, including the word ‘turbo’ on the sides of the front seat backs. No need for this, it’s a bit naff, really. Contrasting stitching can be found on the steering wheel and coloured seatbelts are about to be installed with the newest models. Also new is an electroluminescent sportsstyle instrument cluster, while driver and front passenger are treated to power adjustable heated
and ventilated seats. The whole thing is topped off with a panoramic glass sunroof. Up-to-date connectivity comes courtesy of a 7.0inch LCD touchscreen displaying satellite navigation, CD player, MP3 input and three years HERE MapCare. Veloster Series II is powered by Hyundai’s direct-injection 1.6-litre Gamma engine, in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form. Power and torque figures for both engine types are unchanged. Turbo + power and torque are 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm between 1750 and 4500rpm. Exclusive to the SR Turbo range is a smooth shifting
seven-speed double clutch transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts. The all-new sevenspeed DCT offers fast changes and improved fuel economy, measured on the official test at 7.1 litres / 100 km, down from 7.6. Six airbags – driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger side (thorax), full-length curtains – offer passive protection for occupants, while Electronic Stability Control including Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking, Electronic Brake force Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Management aim to keep the car out of trouble in the first place. Hill-start Assist Control, somewhat pointlessly
offered with auto only, helps with setting off on steep inclines. A rear-view camera lets you keep track of obstacles when reversing. After a slowish turbo take-up, the engine chimes in with a rorty note when urged with continued pedal pressure but the Veloster is short on the out-and-out exuberance of a true hot-hatch, even when using the paddle shifts. Fuel consumption of the test vehicle was clocked at six litres per 100 kilometres in highway cruising but turned out a thirsty customer with up to 13 litres per 100 guzzled in the suburbs. The Veloster SR + skipped along nicely, the wheels anchored firmly to
the bitumen, even on the broken surfaces of some poorly maintained roads, thanks, no doubt, in no small part to the Aussie input of the suspension and steering tuning. Veloster Series II has dumped the previous Veloster’s 16-bit Motor Driven Power Steering in favour of latest-tech 32-bit system. The SR Turbo + also adopts Hyundai’s driveradjustable three-mode Flex Steer system. While not calling up the word ‘tepid’, the Veloster SR + fails to match performance with many of the so-called hot hatches of today. What it does have is looks to carry it off. And there’s the sub-30K turbo tag.
At a Glance NOTE: THESE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OR DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LEXUS DEALER FOR DRIVEAWAY PRICES.
Lexus ES 300h Luxury: $62,500
Lexus ES 300h Sports Luxury: $70,500
Lexus ES 350 Luxury: $63,500
Lexus ES 350 Sports Luxury:
SPOIL YOURSELF: The Lexus ES looks good, and is even better inside.
$71,500
Lexus steps up with a taste of luxury From page 1
The pre-collision system works via a grille mounted radar sensor which scans for potential crashes ahead and warns the driver in such a situation then automatically increases
the braking force to slow the vehicle and limit the accident severity. Active cruise control, via forward radar, monitors the vehicle ahead and adjusts the ES speed to keep a pre-set
safe distance, while automatic high beam works at night by automatically switching between high and low beam to avoid dazzling other road users. Prices of the ES range start at $62,500, plus on-road costs,
for the ES 300h Luxury and top out at $71,500 for the ES 350 Sports Luxury. The latter can also be had with the Lexus-first panoramic glass roof for $2000. Other enhancement packs are
available across the range. At first look, the new ES appears a worthy introduction to Lexus luxury. The jury is still out on performance, a drive of the ES vehicles is for a later time.
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Oct 23 - 29 | 2015
CLASSIFIEDS
HOLDEN VY SS Commodore ute. 5.7L, 6 speed manual, all leather. 143,450 km. Registered till April 2016. (1FG7XD). $10,000 ono. Ph 0400 321 567.
2012 Polaris Ranger Crew, 6 seater, 1382km, rego no (ZAW946), vin no 4XAWH50A0BB4 19120, wireless, winch on front, toolbox in tipper tray. $15,000 ono. Ph 0427 500 647.
SOLD
2012 Fatboy Low Harley Davidson with lots of extras, 7000km, nice bike, stored undercover, 12 months rego, number plate: Fatcub, $29,000. Ph 0448 739 919
2012 Holden Captiva S, 42,000km, manual, 11 months rego LANDROVER Free- 1977 Millard 5 berth (ZBV855). $16,999. lander 2001 SE petrol pop-top, gas cooker, V6 4WD. Auto, a/c, 2-way fridge, annexe. Ph 0411 567 482. bullbar, towbar. Detailed A l l a p p l i a n c e s i n and serviced. RWC. working order. $750 143,000km. Good con- ono. Ph 0409 186 640 dition. (QTA954). Long or 5722 2045. reg. $4250 ono. Ph 0427 522 278. SUBARU 2003 Impreza RX sedan (SNA928) 2.0 engine, automatic transmission, 6 mths rego, MERCEDES Benz 210,500kms, cruise, Sprinter Motorhome AWD, full service his2000 412D, 2.7 litre tory, is very original and turbo diesel, 4 speed in great condition. Must SUZUKI GSXF750, auto., Reg. (XAT132) sell as owner transfer- 2004, 11,000kms, Reg till June 2016, RWC, ring to NT for work. (HY571) until 22/12/15. very good condition. $5480. Ph 0419 914 Exc. cond. $7000 ono. Ph. $40,000 Reduced to 919. Shane 0428 257 809. $32,000. Ph 5725 1919.
SOLD
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!
2005 Coromal Campervan Silhouette 422. Slide out kitchen. Fridge, cooker and microwave. Full Annex and cover Flys. Very good condition. $19,000. Ph: 0427 218 283
FORD NL Fairlane Ghia, gen. 132,000km, 8 mth rego, (SWI660) ex. cond. $4000 ono. Ph 0413 923 399.
FORD Mondeo 2011 Zetec, 6 speed auto, 4 cyl, 2.3L, 5 door, 5 seat, hatchback, cruise control, blue tooth, 7 airbags, RWC supplied, 5 star ANCAP safety rating, tow bar, rego (ZZM619), ex. M O T O R H O M E condition, $11,000. Ph Denning coach 1975, 0414 870 609 4 stroke 871V 9spd splicer, full size shower, FORD Laser Ghia, kitchen, QS bed, runs 1994, auto, aircon, well, small car trailer. p / s t e e r, 1 2 m o n t h s (EX4320). $25,000 ono. rego, RWC, excellent mechanical condition, Ph 0418 953 681. (RJF478). Great first car or r/about, $2750. Ph 0484 325 506.
HSV Senator 1998. Fully optioned, factory Harrop 355 stroker, twin 2.5" exhausts, KL ÀR FDWV NP UHJ QR 5:& 9,1 + 97; 3:/ 3K DIWHU SP
FORD Telstar Ghia, very much as new, spotless condition, really lovely car, all luxury extras, first to see and drive will buy, always garaged, elderly owner, reg till Jan 2016 (UBY983), RWC NSW or VIC, $4250 ono. Ph (02) 6035 3853.
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Over two weeks your advertisment will appear in one edition of the weekly Motor Guide and five editions of the Wangaratta Chronicle. Together these papers are read by over 90,000 people. *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 expires. 2 weeks = 5 Wangaratta Chronicle & 2 North East Motor Guide, covering all NE Victoria.
Classifieds 5723 0101
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