North East Motor Guide

northeast

property guide N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A

JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 01

| 2018

on front page

> available online - www.nemedia.com.au

WHEN YOU WANT MUSCLE: Ford Mustang: Big bold and great to drive.

Stunning test

drives of Ford Mustang LIKE to spend a couple of hours at the wheel of a Ford Mustang on Australia Day? Ford Australia has introduced ‘The Ultimate Mustang Road Trip’ over the Australia Day long weekend, January 25 to 28.

And not just on any roads, but on some of Australia’s most beautiful driving roads, including the

By EWAN KENNEDY Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, the Northern Beaches in Sydney and Coolangatta in Queensland.

Pop-up locations for these spectacular two-hour test drives are: New South Wales: St Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives, NSW, 2075.

convertibles and coupes available.

Any Australian driver 25 years of age or older and holding a full, unrestricted driver’s licence is able to reserve a vehicle, and can bring up to three passengers along for the test drive.

Registration for the test drives can be made at http://ford.to/2mvdOnB/.

Up to 380 test drives are on offer.

Victoria: Mount Eliza Secondary College, 204 Canadian Bay Rd, Mount Eliza, Vic, 3930.

Queensland: Victory Ford, 1020 Minjungbal Dr, Tweed Heads South, NSW, 2486 (just south of the Queensland border).

Drivers will be able to drive Mustang GT and Mustang EcoBoost models, with

ONLY

$45,99

Drivea

0

way

BONUSES ACROSS THE ENTIRE RANGE

Kylie Stevenson 0428 215 677 Mark Prentice 0437 276 412 Noel Gilbert 0438 597 200 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531

Book in for a test drive now!

Serving the community as your local Mazda dealer for over 50 years!

z/21d11337-v132/0118

MAZDA BT-50 DUAL CAB XTR

(03) 5721 5677 10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta

www.onemilemotors.com.au

LMCT1060

2

Jan. 26 - Feb. 1 | 2018

2018 Holden Equinox LTZ

By EWAN KENNEDY HOLDEN has added an all-new vehicle to the already crowded family SUV Australian sales race. Though it’s similar in size to the ageing Captiva, Holden tells us the Equinox isn’t a direct successor.

In fact, some Captiva models will be sharing showrooms with the Equinox.

We don’t anticipate that situation to last, but Holden is keeping its plans to itself.

Equinox is certainly a far more modern vehicle than the Captiva in style, technology and safety. A fiveseat vehicle, the Equinox will be complemented by a larger SUV, the Holden Acadia, that’s offered with seven seats and is coming later this year.

STYLING The frontal look uses the global GM double-deck theme and it’s big, bold and certainly makes a statement. We like the clever way the shut lines of the bonnet are shapely swages that almost disguise there’s an opening there.

The C-pillar has a clever slope that takes the visual boxiness out of the Equinox, yet the D-pillar is actually not far off vertical. This gives the best of both worlds - a voluminous load area in a vehicle that doesn’t look like a van at the back.

INFOTAINMENT Even the lowest cost model, the Equinox LS, communicates through Holden’s comprehensive MyLink system with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The LS+ adds a leather steering wheel, Holden Eye with autonomous emergency braking and other safety systems that alert drivers they aren’t paying attention.

Equinox LT has an 8.0-inch screen and adds satellite navigation. Moving up to Equinox LTZ gets you DAB+.

There are four USB connectors, two front, two rear.

POWERTRAINS Currently, Equinox power comes from one of two turbo-petrol engines, a turbodiesel is scheduled for later in the year.

NEXT GEN SUV: GM-Holden Equinox features a strong shape that will appeal to many.

The smaller petrol unit is a 1.5-litre that produces 127 kW of power and 275 Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol is virtually the same unit we will see in the ZB Commodore in a few weeks time. With 188 kW and 353 Nm it has plenty of useful grunt.

The 1.5-litre engine is the only one offered with a manual gearbox, a six-speed unit. We feel most buyers will opt to pay the added $2000 for a six-speed automatic.

The 2.0-litre Equinox benefits from a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Power is taken to either the front wheels or to all four wheels depending on model and engine. See the full list in our At a Glance section.

SAFETY All models have a five star ANCAP safety rating.

Holden Eye, not fitted till you get an Equinox LS+ (the second lowest-cost model) and above has a multitude of features: Autonomous

emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, rear crossing alert and automatic headlights with auto high-low beam.

Drivers who aren’t paying attention - a scarily common situation these days - are alerted to their stupidity by vibrations in the driver’s seat. We don’t particularly like the feel of this - which is probably a good thing as drivers can avoid the Holden wriggling their bums by watching where they’re going.

IsoFix child-seat mountings are fitted to the two outboard rear seats.

DRIVING Getting in and out is simple due to the height of the seats from the ground. The front seats are large but we didn’t find them especially comfortable, feeling them too firm and not particularly well shaped.

Obviously we are all different in shape and likes/dislikes, but may we suggest you try for yourself

early in your pre-purchase stage.

The rear area can carry tall two adults in comfort even if the pair in front have their seats well back. A third adult in the back won’t be too squeezed.

Three kids in the back is simple.

Luggage space is impressive and the area is nicely squared off and easy to load. The rear seat has a 60:40 split and can be lowered either by using the controls just inside the rear of the cargo area or from levers on the seatback.

There is a significant amount of extra space underneath the boot floor due to the fitment of a space-saver wheel.

The standard floor can be removed to give added height.

Australian engineers worked on the Equinox in this country and the USA from the earliest design stages.

Much of this concentrated on the steering, suspension and general road feel of the SUV to give it what keen Aussie drivers demand.

The result is a vehicle that handles almost like a sedan, though the steering feel is rather light in the straight ahead portion for our tastes.

And obviously the higher centre of gravity means it cannot corner as hard.

Rough Australian backroads roll under its wheels for mile after mile without creating much disturbance in the cabin.

Noise intrusion is kept to a minimum and combined with comfort levels make this an excellent long distance tourer.

Fuel consumption during our test period was in the seven to eight litres per hundred kilometres range on motorways and easygoing country trips.

It rose to nine to twelve litres around town. Both figures are acceptable for a petrol SUV in this class.

SUMMING UP Holden Equinox is a bold looking SUV that should take plenty of sales in this crowded market segment thanks to its big offering of models and a price list that begins at just $27,990.

At a Glance

NOTE: THESE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OR DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES. DRIVEAWAY PRICES FOR LS, LS+ AND LT ARE SHOWN BELOW. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HOLDEN DEALER FOR DRIVE-AWAY PRICES ON LTZ AND LTZ-V.

LS 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 2WD five-door wagon: $27,990 (manual), $29,990 (automatic) **

LS+ 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 2WD five-door wagon: $32,990 (automatic)

LT 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 2WD five-door wagon: $36,990 (automatic)

LTZ 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 2WD five-door wagon: $39,990 (automatic)

LTZ 2.0-litre turbo-petrol AWD five-door wagon: $44,290 (automatic)

LTZ-V 2.0-litre turbo-petrol AWD five-door wagon: $46,290 (automatic)

LS driveaway prices: $29,990 (manual), $31,990 (automatic)

LS+ driveaway prices: $34,990 (automatic)

LT driveaway prices: $39,990 (automatic)

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Jan. 26 - Feb. 1 | 2018

Hard to go past this Mazda SUV champion

By DEREK OGDEN WHEN it comes to handing out accolades in the automotive industry, not surprisingly, vehicle sales earn the most kudos. With that in mind, one undisputed market champion is the Mazda CX-5 sports utility vehicle.

The latest version, the Next-Gen CX-5, is helping keep Australia’s most popular SUV for the past four years, in that coveted position.

Launched in 2012 as Mazda’s first new-generation model featuring Kodo design – the Soul of Motion - and Skyactiv technology, the new CX-5, the second generation, Mazda says, refines every aspect of the company’s current technology and design.

The CX-5 recently scored a fivestar ANCAP safety rating, while also offering a range of refined i-ActivSense safety technologies.

Twelve variants, priced from $28,690, plus on-road costs, are available in a choice of front or all-wheel drive, powered by a petrol or diesel engine mated with a sixspeed manual or automatic transmission.

On test was the range-topping Akera six-speed automatic all-wheel drive, selling for $46,990, plus on-road costs.

STYLING The CX-5 was the first production model to feature Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design theme – based on the movements of animals, in this case the cheetah. Designers observed how what is reputed to be the fastest four-legged land animal uses its whole body as a spring, setting vast amounts of energy into motion with efficiency and grace.

This new Mazda CX-5 puts on a bolder face with the mesh-style grille replaced by five horizontal slats painted metallic grey and incorporating mechanical engraving. The design is repeated in the LED foglamp bezels.

Mazda tells us the headlight LEDs are designed to mimic eyes exhibiting an expressive look into the distance, so there you are. At the rear LEDs create a sharp line from the tail lamps toward the centre of the vehicle. Door mirrors incorporate LED turn signals.

Stylish 19-inch wheels with gunmetal highlights contrast with the machining on its five twin spokes.

IN DEMAND: The Next-Gen CX-5 lives up to Mazda SUV expectations.

INTERIOR Significant changes were made to the centre stack and floor console, the latter being made taller and more defined, to bring the gear lever, Commander control knob and surrounding switches closer to hand.

An electric parking brake – a first for Mazda - removes the need for a brake lever and gives the top of the console a clean, uncluttered look.

INFOTAINMENT The Akera features Mazda’s MZD Connect connectivity system that puts cabin occupants in touch with the internet and provides access to social networking services.

Connectivity is via a 7-inch colour touchscreen display on the central dashboard and multi-function controller on the centre console, the latter surrounded by related function switches.

It offers Bluetooth hands-free phone operation, reception of short text messages, and internet radio such as Aha with access to more than 100,000 broadcasts from around the world, including BBC and CNN. Stitcher on-demand provides more than 15,000 talk shows, music programs and podcasts and Pandora, a radio service for subscribers to create up to 100 personalised stations and listen to continuous music.

All this is let loose through a Premium Bose 249-Watt amplifier and ten speakers.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS In 2012, the CX-5 introduced Mazda’s efficient SkyActiv powertrains. The Next-Gen CX-5 Akera test car was fitted with a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine coupled with a six-speed automatic.

The in-line four-cylinder directinjection engine, with fuel saving i-stop start / stop system, puts out maximum power of 140 kW at 6000 rpm and top torque of 251 Nm at 4000 revs.

SAFETY Over and above the plethora of active safety systems found in lesser CX-5 variants, the topline Akera comes with driver attention alert to warn of any lapse in driver concentration, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist to prevent the vehicle wandering out of its lane and smart brake support (forward and reverse) to help avoid collisions.

DRIVING The 2.5-litre petrol engine coupled with a six-speed auto produced a pleasing enough driving experience without it breaking into a sweat.

For those who crave some action Drive Selection allows drivers to press a switch beside the shift lever to move into a Sport drive mode. The transmission

is automatically set to start out in low gear. It then increases the amount of torque put out when the accelerator pedal is pressed further to deliver powerful acceleration with minimum pedal action. It’s okay in small bursts.

With a claimed combined urban / highway fuel consumption of 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, figures of 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres around town and 6.1 on the highway seem not too far off the mark. Eco mode, with its poor performance was given short shrift after we tried for the first few kilometres.

The head-up display shows navigation turn-by-turn directions, routing information and current speed limit. Vehicle status information, including speed and advanced safety info, take up the remaining area.

Remote operated power tailgate always helps with loading the rear cargo area, while an electric tilt-and-slide sunroof is a take-it-or-leave-it bonus as far as we living in an over-abundance of summer sun are concerned.

SUMMING UP For a smallish SUV to pull up in price just shy of fifty grand, you’d expect something special.

The CX-5 Akera doesn’t disappoint, with a stack of superior stuff showing the way for its closest rivals.

SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES

ENGINE

Length: 4550 mm Wheelbase: 2700 mm Width: 1840 mm Height: 1675 mm Turning Circle: 11.0 metres Kerb Mass: 1670 kg Fuel Tank Capacity: 58 litres

At a Glance NOTE: THESE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OR DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER FOR DRIVE-AWAY PRICES.

Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda Mazda

CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5 CX-5

Maxx 2.0L petrol FWD: Maxx 2.0L petrol FWD: Maxx 2.5L petrol AWD: Maxx Sport 2.0L petrol FWD: Maxx Sport 2.5L petrol AWD: Maxx Sport 2.2L diesel AWD: Touring 2.5L petrol AWD: Touring 2.2L diesel AWD: GT 2.5L petrol AWD: GT 2.2L diesel AWD: Akera 2.5L petrol AWD: Akera 2.2L diesel AWD:

$28,690 (manual) $30,690 (automatic) $33,690 (automatic) $34,390 (automatic) $37,390 (automatic) $40,390 (automatic) $38,990 (automatic) $41,990 (automatic) $44,390 (automatic) $47,390 (automatic) $46,990 (automatic) $49,990 (automatic)

(Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.5-litre petrol 6sp auto AWD SUV)

Capacity: 2.488 litres Configuration: Four cylinders in line Maximum Power: 140 kW @ 6000 rpm Maximum Torque: 251 Nm @ 4000 rpm Fuel Type: Petrol 91 RON Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.5 L/100km CO2 Emissions: Euro V DRIVELINE: Six-speed DSG automatic

BRAKES Front: Ventilated disc Rear: Solid disc

STANDARD WARRANTY: Three years / unlimited kilometres