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
FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 3, 2016
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
BRILLIANT: Mazda MX-5 roadster has neat new look.
Mazda MX-5 gets ‘big’ 2.0-litre engine
FOR the first time in Australia the brilliant little Mazda MX-5 is offered with two different engines. That’s chiefly to permit the importer to have a price leader (at $31,990) to tackle the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86. However, some drivers relish using their driving skills to get the best from small engines so the 1.5 has been selling well. A few weeks back we tested an MX-5 with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces a relatively modest 96 kW and 150 Nm. Now we have just spent a very enjoyable week in the 2.0-litre MX-5. It has a pretty respectable 118 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque.
By EWAN KENNEDY Our test car was a Roadster GT 2.0 with a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre has a starting price of $34,490 and comes with 17-inch alloys, Mazda’s MZD Connect system and LED daylight running lamps as standard. While the second and third generations (1997 and 2005) were evolutions of the original 1989 NA series, the gen-four designers have given us a modern shape based on the ‘Kodo’ design as seen in the rest of the Mazda range. To our eyes the rear is rather generic, following the current global theme of round units tapering outwards into slim
horizontal areas. The MX-5 comes as a Roadster and an upmarket Roadster GT. The GT stands out visually in that the body colour continues over onto the tops of the doors into the cabin. It has black door-mirror housings. Automatic lights and wipers, climate control on the air conditioning, and keyless entry and start are standard in the GT. A 7.0-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, internet radio, Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment system has a 7.0inch touchscreen and is operated by a ‘Commander Control’ between the seats. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine used in the MX-5 we reviewed has 118 kW of power
and 200 Nm of torque. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are offered. Paddles behind the wheel of the auto do provide sort-of manual driving, but it’s not the same thing. Give us the manual any day. The MX-5 received five stars for passive safety, but only a four-star rating in safety assist. A spokesperson for Mazda Australia points out that, “There has never been a sports car that has received a five star rating in the past.” Again in the interests of chassis balance the seats are lower than before.
Continued page 3 c21d11337-V35/0916
GO TOPLESS... DARE YOU! ONE MILE
MOTORS ABN 44 048 105 609 – LMCT 1060
Paul Davenport 0408 057 837 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531 Kylie Stevenson 0428 215 677 Noel Gilbert 0438 597 200
Test drive today to find out why!
(03) 5721 5677 10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta www.onemilemotors.com.au
2
Feb 26 - Mar 3 | 2016
Peugeot’s new hot hatch
By EWAN KENNEDY
Pressing the Sport button on the centre console switches the instrument display from white to an angry red, it shows PEUGEOT is finally back in the hot-hatch additional information on the central business after an absence of almost 20 read-out (power, torque, boost, lateral and years. longitudinal acceleration). Sure there have been Peugeots with ‘GT’ Changes to the mapping of the accelerator on their badges in the intervening years, but pedal give the GTi 270 plenty of mongrel. they were on the tame side when compared Perhaps best of all, using Sport enhances with an ever increasing number of rivals the engine’s throaty growl. from Europe and Japan. A little more volume would be appreciated, The eagerly awaited Peugeot 308 GTi has but the quality of the sound is excellent. finally arrived in Australia - and it’s a real We did 400+ kilometres of driving over belter. two days out of Hobart, Tasmania and Stylish, but not overdone, ‘understated were very impressed with the way the new aggression’ is the phrase that comes to Peugeot GTi works dynamically. mind, it’s powered by an exceptional Road roar on coarse-chip surfaces is quite turbo-petrol engine that drives through pronounced, but on smoother roads the well-controlled front wheels, and chassis hot-hatch settles down into cruising mode dynamics that sit with the best of them. and can carry you long distances with ease Peugeot 308 GTi is heavily modified from thanks to the well known ability of the the original by Peugeot Sport, a division with NEW: Peugeot 308 GTi - understated aggression. French to combine handling and comfort. a lot of credibility in tough events such as Track work was carried out at the the Dakar rally and the Pike’s Peak hillclimb. this is only recommended for use on track speed manual transmission. Baskerville circuit, but sudden showers This hot French machine is offered in two days. Want an automatic? Tough luck, there isn’t created nasty damp areas in some of the specifications based on different versions of one. In fact, Peugeot says the 250 is aimed at the same 1.6-litre powertrain: the Peugeot the person looking for a sportier feel in daily hollows. Peugeot neither confirms nor denies The sun scorched the water off the surface 308 GTi 250 has a recommended retail driving, while the 270 is there for track use. working on an auto, but surely a sporting price of $44,990, the 308 GTi 270 is sold at Both Peugeot GTi models sit 11 mm closer at times … then the rain arrived again. dual-clutch unit is on the drawing boards? Taking the car to no more than eight tenths $49,990. to the road than the standard 308, the GTi The 250 engine has a respectable zero to under those difficult circumstances gave us On-road costs have to be added. has a wider track of 1570 mm at the front 100 km/h acceleration time of 6.2 seconds. a good feel of the hot French machine, but The 250 and 270 refer to the output of the and 1554 mm at the rear. It must frustrate the engineers that the one day we might be able to put it to a fullengines in horsepower. Redesigned skirts hint at the sporty 270 just misses out on the five-second on track work. It has always seemed odd to us that the bracket, stopping the same clock in a flat six Peugeot’s no-nonsense nature. Stay tuned. country that invented the metric system The rear features a gloss-black section seconds. Peugeot’s all-new 308 is an excellent still uses imperial units for engine power incorporating twin exhaust pipes. Part of the added expense of the GTi 270 machine in all variants we have driven in (perhaps because horsepower results in The GTi signature is repeated on the front is the use of a Torsen limited-slip differential. France, Switzerland and now Australia. bigger numbers than kilowatts?) The metric guards and tailgate. It channels torque to the wheel with the The GTi, tested only in our home country, power is 184 kW and 200 kW. The GTi 250 has 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot best grip, rather than braking the wheel showcases the brilliant design of the new Torque is more important than power in Sport 3 tyres on Diamant alloy wheels. that’s spinning as happens in many other modular platform. real life and both versions of the engine The GTi 270 takes matters a step further, systems. If you have any interest at all in a smalldevelop peak torque of 330 Nm from just with new 19-inch Carbone light-weight alloy The 270 has a sportier ESP (Electronic medium high-performance car the 308 GTi 1900 rpm. wheels sitting inside Michelin Super Sport Stability Program) that allows more latitude. deserves a spot high on your short list. Peugeot GTi comes with a slick shifting sixThe ESP can be fully disconnected, though 235/35 R19 tyres.
Holden Commodore: 1997 to 2015 By EWAN KENNEDY
BIG, tough and built for Australia, the Holden Commodore is perfectly suited to our driving conditions and meets the needs of drivers who demand more than simply transport in their family sedans and wagons. Handling is impressive for a car of this size. Yet the Commodore provides comfort even when being bashed along bush roads that have seen better days, not to mention corrugated dirt roads. Surfaces that trouble very expensive German cars of the same size class as the Holden are simply shrugged off by our Aussie machines. Commodore is a five-seater as it’s wider than average. However, the person in the centre-rear seat will find foot space compromised by the transmission tunnel necessitated by rear-wheel drive. Boot space is good in the sedan and excellent in the wagon due to the latter’s longer wheelbase, prior to the VE series. Wagons in the VE range, sold from September 2009, have the same wheelbase as the sedan, so they miss out on the huge load volume of their predecessors. Holden came up with the tag ‘Sportwagon’ to try to justify the
2003 Sportwagon SS
2006 Commodore SV6
loss of cargo space. The introduction of the virtually all-new VE series Commodore sedans in August 2006 saw a touch of European class in the styling and real enhancements to the ride and handling qualities. This fourth-generation Commodore is the one you should probably regard as the starting point if your used-car budget is up to it. The VE was significantly upgraded and sold as the VF from February 2013. Finally, the VF Series II arrived in September 2015. It featured more changes than had been anticipated, particularly in styling, than were expected from a car in its final iteration prior to Holden’s withdrawal from local manufacturing in 2017. The VF II is still relatively rare as a used vehicle, but keen buyers may like to hunt one down. Engines didn’t always coincide with the major body changes.
Most Commodores prior to the VZ range have a pushrod V6 engine of 3.8 litres. There’s also a supercharged variant of this 3.8-litre, but it was never a real success, as buyers preferred to opt for V8s, so was discontinued in 2004. The VZ Commodore saw the introduction of an all-new V6 engine. A forerunner to the unit fitted to the VE Commodore, it was a twincam unit of 3.6 litres. As fitted to the VZ it wasn’t particularly smooth or quiet. There were some improvements in feel when the engine was installed in the VE, but the engine still disappoints in this area despite several attempts to improve it over the years. A smaller V6, this time of 3.0 litres and aimed at lower fuel consumption and emissions, was introduced in September 2009. It hasn’t been popular but is a more sophisticated unit than its
Holden Calais. Holden Commodores are easy cars to work on with plenty of access to most mechanical components. The good amateur mechanic can do most of their own repairs although it’s best to leave safety related items to professional mechanics. 2011 Redline SS V Spare parts prices are generally reasonably priced and Holden’s bigger brother. widespread dealer network is as There were two V8s in the strong in the bush as the ‘burbs. pre-VZ Commodores; one an old Insurance is very reasonable for Australian design of 5.0 litres, the a car of this size and performance, other a Chevrolet unit adapted though there can be a big increase to Holden specifications with 5.7 for the sportier models, especially litres. with supercharged or V8 engines. This Generation III Chev V8 is Holden Commodore was the best much better than the old Holden selling car in Australia for many donk. The 5.7-litre Gen III was replaced years so there are hundreds on sale at any one time. by a Gen IV with 6.0 litres in Take your time and find exactly January 2006. which one suits you best. Prior to the VE series, almost all HOW MUCH? Commodores came with fourSet your budget around speed automatic transmissions. $2000 to $5000 for a 1999 Five-speed manual gearboxes are on the crude side and very few Holden Commodore Executive; $4000 to $7000 for a 2001 VXII were sold. Commodore S; $6000 to $9000 Six-speed manuals were offered for a 2003 Calais; $10,000 to in the SS range. $15,000 for a 2007 SS; $14,000 The VE transmission lineup was a big improvement; with six-speed to $19,000 for a 2010 SS; $19,000 to $27,000 for a 2012 Calais V; automatic transmissions and six$22,000 to $30,000 for a 2014 speed manuals. SV6 LPG; $31,000 to $42,000 for Note that the most upmarket model in the range isn’t called a a 2014 SS-V Redline; and $37,000 to $48,000 for a 2015 Calais V. Commodore, rather it’s tagged
3
Feb 26 - Mar 3 | 2016
Mazda MX-5 gets ‘big’ 2.0L engine From page 1
Getting in and out will be a challenge if your body has a few extra years on the clock, or your belly has gained some extra inches. Try before you buy… Once settled into the low seats you will find they provide good support without being overly aggressive in their side bolsters. Having 33 per cent more displacement than the 1.5 engine instantly endeared us to the MX-5 2.0. And ‘instantly’ is the right word to describe this sports powerplant because the moment you hit the pedal on the right you get instant action. Sure, turbocharged hot hatches produce even more oomph than a naturally aspirated unit like the Mazda. But not until the irritating lag has finally let you get the power you demanded seemingly an age back. Even better, the little Mazda roadster sounds great as there’s no turbo to muffle the exhaust note. A little more volume would be appreciated, but there are tough regulations about this sort of thing. Keep the engine in the 4000 to 6000 range - it’s happy to get up to 7000 - on your favourite stretch of winding mountain road and your smile will grow by the minute. The six-speed manual gearshift has short throws, is ultra smooth and is perhaps even better than in previous MX-5s. Operation of the soft-top roof is ultra simple - undo a single catch in the centre of the windscreen header, fold the roof back and it clips down into the open position. The MX-5 is front-mid engined, meaning the complete drivetrain is within the wheelbase for exceptional chassis balance. Note that the engine in the new ND series is even further back than in the NC Series, it superseded a few months ago. Boot space is surpisingly good for such a small car, particularly in its depth. We had no trouble fitting a week’s worth of shopping for a couple in there. Handling is what the Mazda MX-5 is all about. Always good in the first three generations it’s even better now. There’s a huge amount of road grip thanks to the near-perfect front to rear balance and the aforementioned low centre of gravity. You really do get the feeling you can ‘think’ the car around corners rather than having to give it orders by way of the steering and throttle. The ride is surprisingly comfortable for a car with the sort of dynamic balance and superb road grip the MX-5 provides. Concrete surfaced roads are not an MX5’s forte, they create a lot of tyre noise, that and wind noise at 110 km/h makes life not particularly pleasant to sit in for extended periods. Mazda MX-5 is the biggest selling roadster of all time. We have had the pleasure of road testing every model since day one, sometimes over many thousands of kilometres on holiday trips. Good as the MX-5 NA, NB and NC series were, the all-new ND is even better. If you want to put a bit of fun - no, a lot of fun - into your driving life pop down to your favourite Mazda dealer asap.
HOT: Looks like a current A3 rather than Audi’s future.
2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron
By PETER ANDERSON
muggy Sydney week, so the air-con worked the batteries hard. The purchase price includes the supply of HYBRID cars are going to become a whole a 16-amp single phase power outlet (aka lot more common on our roads as The Great wallbox) that reduces the time for a full Change comes across the car industry. plug-in charge to just two and a half hours. Sure it’s all going to take decades, but Installation is carried out by an “Audi the inexorable shift away from fossil fuels is electrical partner” but, ominously, the press under way. release says that it “in many cases will be a Over the past two decades, carmakers cost-neutral exercise”. have taken a well-trodden path to As with any electric-capable car, it takes highlight their commitment to the coming a while to get used to hitting Start button automotive order – make something stupid- OPEN ROAD: It’s nice to drive. and not hearing or feeling anything. looking that drives like it’s going to fall over which has a slightly higher floor under The A3’s obvious German rival is the (Toyota, Nissan, Renault etc.) but then say which hides the battery pack. BMW i3 and they couldn’t be more it doesn’t matter because it’s green; or go The boot’s capacity drops significantly, different to drive. all-out and do something slightly mad like from 380 litres to 280. When you lift off in the i3 – and in many BMW did with its new i3 and i8 range. There’s no spare, either, just a repair kit. Audi has taken its own path. Seven airbags, ABS, brake force distribution, other electric and hybrid vehicles – the First it showed the completely bonkersbrake assist, stability and traction controls are electric generator takes the opportunity looking R8 e-tron, raced some hybrids at Le standard and are enough to have earned the to engage itself to recover energy as you brake. Mans and then put a hybrid powertrain into A3 five ANCAP stars. The A3 is the opposite, there’s almost no an otherwise normal-looking car, the A3. The additional protection offered in the They must be mad – how will the Assistance Package includes lane departure drag when you lift off and the power gauge, neighbours know? warning, active cruise and forward collision which replaces the rev-counter, shows no recovery until you hit the brakes. There’s one e-tron in the A3 range and it mitigation. That does change when you’re in Hybrid starts at $62,490. Audi’s MMI with a seven-inch retractable Charge, but it’s still nowhere near as That lands you in a five-door Sportback screen runs the stereo, sat-nav and some aggressive as the BMW i3 or the electrichatch with 17-inch alloy wheels, an eightcar settings. only Tesla. speaker stereo with DAB, Bluetooth and The rotary dial is placed on the centre Apart from that, it drives like a quick-ish USB (with annoying proprietary cable), console and is intuitive and easy to use. A3. dual-zone climate control, front and rear It includes a scratchpad on the top for It’ll cover 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds, which parking sensors, reversing camera, keyless jotting out addresses or phone numbers. entry and start, cruise control, sat-nav, The sound is perfectly fine (you can add a is pretty reasonable and puddles around e-tron specific LED headlamps and daytime B&O package for $1750) and with DAB, you town more than happily and very, very running lights, auto headlights and wipers, get crystal clear radio as long as you’re not quietly. So quietly, in fact, that Elmer Fudd would auto parking, power windows and mirrors. in a tunnel. be envious. Our test car also had the Assistance Our pet hate - the proprietary cable to There’s a hefty weight penalty between a Package ($1990) which adds lane departure connect your phone - blights the otherwise 1.4 TFSI Ambition and the e-tron – almost warning, forward collision mitigation, active excellent MMI system’s abilities. cruise control and auto high beam; Comfort Being a hybrid, there’s two power sources. 200kg – so it handles and steers a little less Package ($1990) which adds heated The 1.4TFSI turbo-petrol from the lower end enthusiastically. It is offset by that little extra pull from the electric front seats, auto dimming and of the range makes a re-appearance, with 110 extra torque available right down low and dipping mirrors; and Monsoon Grey metallic kW and 250 Nm of torque, up from 81 kW. the six-speed dual clutch behaves just like it for $1150 bringing the total to $67,620. Added to that is a 75 kW electric motor. does in any other A3. The A3 e-tron is unlike many other hybrids The combined output is 150 kW and 350 You’re not going to buy an e-tron to and pure electric cars in that it doesn’t Nm. shout about itself. Audi claims a combined fuel figure of just save on the cost of petrol – the difference between it and a 1.8 TFSI would take many There are visual differences such as the 1.6L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 7.6 years, decades even, to recover. LED headlights and the wheels but it looks seconds. What you’re buying is a car that you like a normal A3, which means restrained, That’s a nonsense number because it uses could, conceivably, get away with never handsome and the opposite of shouty. a fully charged battery and no allowance filling with petrol if your commute is short The four rings in the front grille pop out to is made for the fuel (electricity) used to to medium in length. reveal the plug-in apparatus which is kind charge it. And because it’s an Audi A3, you do know of cool but feels a bit flimsy. Running purely on electric, Audi also Inside is identical to a reasonably wellclaims you can cover around 50 km but we exactly what you’re getting as well as a healthy dose of smug that you’re doing The specified A3, with just one extra button for never got better than about 30 km before Right Thing. selecting Hybrid modes. the petrol engine cut in to save the day. But doing it quietly. And that’s it until you get to the boot Admittedly, the week we had was a typical
4
Feb 26 - Mar 3 | 2016
CLASSIFIEDS QUINTREX Explorer 3.7m, 15hp Mercury motor, with safety equipment, rod holders, swivel seats, Navman ÂżVKÂżQGHU $XVVLH trailer, December rego, $3500. Ph 0412 139 378.
1987 Toyota Landcruiser wagon, 267,000km, original owner, perfect condition, 6 months rego, (DFF020), RWC, 3F petrol engine, $8000. Contact Grant 0427 516 606.
2001 Hyundai Accent GL auto, low kms, drives well, no reg, few marks, no use last 4 years, must sell. (QTJ 745), $1500. Ph. 0457 410 420.
2012 Holden Captiva S, 42,000km, manual, 11 months rego (ZBV855). $16,299. Ph 0411 567 482.
HOLDEN Commodore 2008, 60th anniversary model. Tinted windows, leather seats, 18� low SUR¿OH W\UHV RZQHU full service history, RWC, reg. July ’16, (WKG764), $8500. Ph 0410 613 886. SACHS motorbike, 150cc, 5 speed, low kms, great learners bike, reg July 2016, $2000. Jacket, helmet, boots, gloves, available to buy. Ph 0421 006 553. SUZUKI Vitara 1996 soft top, auto, good reliable car, tyres 100%. You will have nothing to spend parts wise for road worthy, reg (ODZ265), exp. 20/12/2016, $2000. Phone BH 9 to 5 only 0409 598 907.
SOLD
NISSAN Navara STR, manual, towbar, bulbar, one owner, (WMV542), registered July 2016, 114,000km, RWC, very good condition, $15,500. Ph 0428 060 005.
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!
2009 Ford FG XR6, auto, 6 months rego, 118xxx kms, Aftermarket wheels & exhaust. Excellent condition, (XYM027), $13,000. Ph 0401 287 565.
2003 Ford BA XR6 ute. 65,800km, excellent condition, 9 months reg (1FV9OT). $15,800. Ph 5727 3859.
CAPRICORN pop top caravan in excellent condition with full annexe and twin gas bottles, (B70947), 2015 Murranji MK3 priced to sell $7000 TVAN, would suit new ono. Ph 5721 4740. buyer, only used 18 days, with extras: full L O N G w h e e l b a s e annex and skirt, sliding Suzuki Tray Top with windows, front box with canopy, slide out drawer fridge drawer, front box built for prospecting. RHS sliding drawer, Sierra running gear. New bike rack mounts with brakes, tyres, tail lights, bike racks x2, second canopy, floor cover, 105Ah battery with 25 headlining, door seals, amp charger upgrade, seats reupholstered, bed tie down rails, fabric r e s p r a y e d , r e b u i l t lined rear hatch, bumper t r a n s f e r c a s e . P l u s stops for 33 inch wheels, $2500 of extras. Reg kitchen shelf, 40A DC (IDV4NH), Sterra 1986 to DC charger, tropical SJ40. Reg 29/12/2016. roof, $64,500. Ph 0438 $3500. Phone BH 9 -5 573 704. 0409 598 907.
SLIDE on popup camper, suit tray ute 2400 x 1800. Too many extras to name, excellent condition, $13,000. Genuine buyers only. Ph 0412 574 689. CUB Supematic hard floor camper trailer, 1989, new canvas on roof and awning, two single beds, storage box on drawer bar, ten months Vi c r e g ( R 7 0 4 9 3 ) , $2800. Ph 0427 844 639. MAZDA 3 Maxx, auto hatch, as new, 2015, tinted, (1DF9PY), 4 years warranty, silver, going overseas must sell, 5000km, first to see will buy, $23,000. Ph 0476 837 198. REDUCED $4990, Offroad Kanga camper trailer with boat rack, independent suspension, kitchen, large storage drawer, 59 litre tank, new pump, jerry cans, new 15� offroad tyres, gas strut assisted tent, queen size mattress, awning plus front wall with window, draft sheet, stone guard, offroad hitch. Ph 0413 461 122.
We’ll make your caravan go faster Eight ads over Two weeks with photo only
29
$
SOLD
*
JAYCO pop-top J Series 2007 (R6597 16"11, 4) T V , microw DVD, ave, reverse A/C, st DB, excel. oraged, cond $21 5 Ext Over two weeks your advertisement will appear in two editions of the weekly Motor Guide and six editions of the Wangaratta Chronicle. Together these papers are read by over 80,000 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 = 6 Wangaratta Chronicle & 2 North East Motor Guide, covering all NE Victoria.
5723 0101
Keep your car in A1 condition with these local automotive experts! WINDOW TINTING
AUTO ELECTRICAL
BLACK CAT TINTING
DAVID BATTIN AUTO ELECTRICAL
181 Tone Rd, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5721 9922
50 Newman St, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5721 7611
PANEL REPAIRS
RADIATORS
ACTION SMASH REPAIRS
WANGARATTA RADIATOR SERVICES
22 Newman St, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5722 1520
135 Vincent Rd, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5721 3486
v/25d03590-v11/27-15
On the Road
TRADES & SERVICES DIRECTORY PTY LTD
WANG’S ONLY 5 STAR CARWASH
REBUILT TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS
the best
185 Tone Road (Hume Hwy), Wangaratta
WANGARATTA
5722 2111
CARWASH
Licensed Roadworthy Inspection Centre PH: (03)
5721 5687
2 Newman St, Wangaratta A division of Exhaust & Offroad Services
n39D00136/0112
Temperature Controlled Baked Enamel Process
D/39d00022/14-10
Approved By all Insurance Companies ‡ 6SUD\ 3DLQWLQJ ‡ 4XDOLW\ :RUNPDQVKLS ‡ $// ,QVXUDQFH :RUN ‡ 0DMRU & 0LQRU 5HSDLUV
express CAR CLEAN j/25d03590-v9/14-14
HARRISON & SOLIMO PANELS
valet service
22 - 24 Handley Street, Wangaratta, Ph: 57221522 j/06d05870/31-11