CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
June 26, 2015
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 476
Holden Colorado Storypage3
ALL NEW: Ford Mondeo comes with smooth lines, both as a hatch or station wagon.
Ford Mondeo steps up as Falcon replacement By ALISTAIR KENNEDY Bucking the current trend towards SUVs all Mondeo models are available with a station wagon body as well as a hatchback, but no sedan and no plans to bring one in post-Falcon. There are three variants: Ambiente (from $32,790), Trend (from $37,340), and Titanium (from $44,290). The Titanium wagon is diesel-only powered, the others come with the choice of either petrol or diesel. Mondeo hatch has the same coupe-like styling that Mercedes pioneered with its CLS-Class. It works well with the Benz and equally so with the big Ford – at a third of the price - and
$100 VOUCHER
CAR SERVICE
*
* WHEN YOU BUY FOUR SELECTED GOODYEAR TYRES.
the Mondeo wagon gets a similar treatment. The front of the Gen 4 Mondeo has been given a bigger grille than the previous model, with a honeycomb fill and daytime running lights that combine with the flowing profile to produce an eye-catching sporty looking car. Each variant gets different sized alloy wheels from 16- to 18-inch. Mondeo comes with the choice of two turbocharged engines, one petrol and one diesel. The petrol, from the EcoBoost family, has two different levels of tune, 149 kW and 345 Nm in the entry-level Ambiente model and 177 kW, but the same 345 Nm, in the higherspecced Trend and Titanium. The Duratorq diesel has less power (132
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69 Tone
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BUY 4 PAY $44 TYRES FOR 4TH!
Offer expires 11 July 2015
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kW) but more torque (400 Nm) with a peak from 2000 to 2500 rpm. All models use a six-speed automatic transmission with the added feature of paddle-shift manual overrides. Our test car was the Titanium hatch with the fixed glass roof which is likely to affect the available front headroom for taller drivers. The Titanium wagon gets a powered opening sunroof. There are excellent storage options including a large and deep alcove at the base of the front console. The drink holders are large and supportive while the USB, Aux and SD card sockets are at the bottom of the centre console box.
Offer expires 30th June 2015
* Offers can be used in conjunction with each other. Terms & Conditions Apply. Ask in store for details Road, Wangaratta
bluey@goodyearautocarewangaratta.com.au www.goodyearautocare.com.au
Expert Advice
E/31D24541/2515
W
ith the upcoming departure of the Ford Falcon, the latest fourth generation version of the marginally smaller Mondeo, launched in Australia in April this year, takes on more importance than ever before. When Mondeo first arrived on the scene in 1992 it was marketed as the “world car” – hence the name, its French for world. Despite its success overseas, the dominance of the Falcon in Australia, and the fact that it didn’t come here until 1995, meant that Mondeo was never going to be more than a bit player. Indeed it dropped out of the local market altogether between 1999 before returning with greater success in 2007.
NORTH EAST
2
June 26, 2015
CLASSIFIEDS
SOLD
Mondeo steps up as Falcon replacement
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!
„ From page 1
1994 Toyota Hilux dual cab ute, 193,000km, 12 mths reg, p/s, air con, Warn winch (9000lb), ARB bullbar & towbar, driving lights, snorkel, UH & AM CB radios, CD player, canopy, roof racks and side steps, turbo and turbo timer, 123ltr long range tank, 2" lift kit, diff breathers, front and rear diff locks, 4.5 diff ratio, 32x11.5x15 tyres on 8" Sunraysia rims, Tough Dog steering dampener, RWC (OJS521). Good clean 4WD, you will not be disappointed. $12,500 ono. Ph 0412 247 690.
FORD Falcon, 2004 BA XR6 turbo, one owner, leather seats, great car, (SXU878). $9500 neg. Ph 0417 226 935.
HYUNDAI SX Coupe, ‘99, 5 speed, 180,000kms, immaculate, RWC, long reg (RNQ915). $2850. Ph 0401 847 935.
2005 Toyota Corolla Hatch, 1.8L auto, 11 months rego (WHT332), HOLDEN Barina 1999 190,000kms mostly hwy manual, 5 door hatch, and fwy kms, cruise 149,000kms, RWC, 12 control, CD player, a/c, months rego (PYB767), regularly serviced, exDLU EDJV ,GHDO ÂżUVW FHOOHQW ÂżUVW FDU car, well looked after. with RWC. Ph 0438 219 $2300 ono. Ph 0438 149. Genuine enquiries 543 923. ONLY.
SAVAGE Osprey 550, pro sports 2003 model, reg (HP964) 90hp, Mercury Salt Water, oil injected, stainless steel prop, walk through screen and bow, 70lt XQGHU ÀRRU IXHO WDQN WUROO motor bracket, canopy ZLWK VLGH DQG IURQW FOHDUV travel cover, marine radio, radio-CD player, WZLQ EDWWHULHV DOO VDIHW\ gear, drive on tandem trailer reg (P93121) excel cond, $25,000. Ph 0412 839 012.
SOLD
ALL steel trailer 8x5x4 removable top, new paint and wheel bearings. LED lights. $1350. Ph 0428 652 266.
FORD Ranger 2011 extra cab, 64,000km, manual, 4WD, reg until Oct 2015 (YPX179), full service history, RWC, excellent condition. $23,000 ono. Ph 0467 325 424.
SOLD
MAJESTIC Tourer 09 Hyosung 250R, no 2004 16'6" Poptop reg, no RWC, just under caravan, rollout awn20,000 on the clock, ing, island double bed, needs 1 left fork seal for excellent condition, RWC, $2500 ono. Great sway bars, caravan mir1st bike. Looks and goes rors and many extras. FALCON Futura, 1996, great. Call Steve. Ph $17,800. Ph 0417 448 085. blue, no rust, goes well, 0450 152 437. registered till April 2016 (ORO214), RWC, $1550. Ph 0427 270 240. classifieds@nemedia.com.au
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ROADSTAR Daintree semi off road 2008, 20'6" dual axle, 2 spare wheels, 2 gas bottles, 3x 90 litre water tanks, 2 deep cycle batteries, solar panel, queen bed, 170 litre fridge/freezer, r/c air con., TV/DVD/ RAD., separate shower, toilet, stove, oven, full cover, $43,000. Ph 0488 731 158.
2010 Honda Accord VTi (YBB634), Dec ‘15, 42,000km, automatic, sports shift, cruise control, alloy wheels, excellent condition. $18,100. Ph 0408 538 019.
VS ‘97 wagon, new tyres, brakes, battery. Less than 200,000 km, (ZWH462). Drive away $1800. Ph 0426 834 280. HOLDEN Epica CDXI, auto, sedan, WA N T E D t o b u y. 2007, leather interior, Datsun Skyline 1973- very good condition, 12 1 9 8 3 2 4 0 K , C 2 1 0 , months rego (USZ982), MR30. Any condition, 79,000km, $9500. Ph will pay cash. Ph 0422 5721 6331. 076 298.
All models now come with inflatable seatbelts on the two outer rear seats that combine the benefits of a normal seatbelt with those of an airbag. All models also get seven conventional airbags including a driver’s knee ‘bag; ABS brakes; Electronic Stability Control; Trailer Sway Control; Hill Launch Assist; rear parking sensors; and PreCollision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. There’s also the Ford MyKey system that allows owners to program various restrictions into the car’s computer to limit top speed, disable the audio system until all seatbelts have been fastened and then set a maximum audio volume. It also prevents the stability control system from being deactivated. Mondeo Trend models add Lane Departure Warning; Driver Impairment Monitor; and a reversing camera. The flagship Titanium also gets powered steering wheel adjustment; LED headlights and daytime running lights; blind spot monitoring and park Enhanced Active Park Assist which aids with both parallel and perpendicular parking. Mondeo uses the Ford SYNC2 system displayed on an 8-inch colour touch screen to control the various infotainment features including satellite navigation which is standard across the range. Our first impression was of a car with a solid feel to the body, usually a good omen for a long life. Mondeo’s European breeding (it now comes from Spain instead of Belgium) is evident in the car’s excellent driving dynamics. Steering is firm and precise, and the suspension provides an ideal balance between comfort and driving feel. The diesel engine is smooth and refined with plenty of grunt for safe overtaking and easy hillclimbing - and we got a reading of 7.3 litres per 100 km with fairly enthusiastic driving during our test. With its smooth styling, spacious interior and general good looks it should attract plenty of attention.
2008 Ssangyong 2lt turbo diesel, 187,000km, reg till Feb 2016 (1AV5OZ), nudge bar, driving lights, tow pack, tonneau cover, runs well. $8000 ono. Ph 5725 1559.
JAYCO Freedom 17' Poptop caravan tandem, new rollout awning, with near new annexe, island double bed, front kitchen, 3-way fridge, gas electric stove griller, microwave oven, rev air con, always garaged, excellent condition. $17,000. Ph 5722 2810. 2 0 0 0 S u b a r u AW D station wagon, auto, air, ps, pw, cruise control, d r ive s w e l l , RW C , (QKB751), $4850 ono. Ph 0418 579 368.
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NORTH EAST
3
June 26, 2015
Holden country cousin is steet-wise By DEREK OGDEN
I
f I remember rightly, some years ago at its zenith, the Holden Jackaroo was voted the best performing off-roader on bitumen by an Australian motoring magazine. Somebody at HQ must have been going through the files because the Jackaroo’s slightly distant successor, the Colorado 7, has been upgraded to match its outstanding off-road capability on the street. In fact, the whole range of Colorado trucks and SUVs has been given the once-over taking it to a new level of comfort and convenience. Holden director of marketing, Bill Mott, says the model year 15 upgrades have improved Colorado’s urban drive comfort and further increased its widespread appeal. “The Colorado range has a great reputation for off-road driving and we want to ensure this translates into urban and highway driving too,� he said. “While customers enjoy the reassurance they get from driving a very capable 4x4, they should also enjoy driving it on everyday errands and weekends away. “The reduction in powertrain noise across the range and the introduction of a tailored comfort suspension on the Colorado LTZ truck ensures that driving a Colorado is both a comfortable and enjoyable experience in any environment. “Finally, as we remain committed to providing outstanding customer value, we have managed to do all this while maintaining our 2014 prices in addition to continuing to run our very competitive capped price servicing offer.� To take the rule to these claims I was put in possession of a top-of-the-range Colorado 7 LTZ diesel automatic, which
#&55&3 0/ #*56.&/ )PMEFO IBT VQHSBEFE JUT $PMPSBEP 467 GPS PO SPBE VTF goes to market at $50,990, plus on-road costs. Colorado LTZ models exude an air of luxury inside the cabin with additions including new, heated leather-trim seats (optional on Colorado LTZ Crew Cab). Through Holden’s MyLink drivers can connect to Bluetooth and access apps keeping them tuned into music, news, other entertainment and navigation. Last year, the Colorado range took on a new 2.8-litre Duramax 2 diesel engine offering more power and torque – with six-speed automatic transmission, an impressive 147kW of power and a maximum 500Nm of torque – the latter across the entire curve, making it one of the best in class.
Fuel economy remains the same, or is slightly better, across the range of SUVs and trucks. Enhanced transmission calibration includes shift stabilisation in uphill and downhill modes and grade braking control preventing unnecessary shifting between gears when travelling uphill, and suitable shifting when travelling downhill to minimise braking. Active Select allows the driver sequentially to shift gears manually via the centre console-mounted gear lever. Chassis control systems such as Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist, as well as a Descent Control, give the driver confidence in difficult situations on and off road. An electronic part-time transfer case is activated by
a rotary switch on the centre console. It ranges from two-wheel High: two-wheel drive mode in which drive/torque is sent to the rear wheels only; fourwheel High in which fourwheel drive mode generates drive/torque at all four wheels; four-wheel Low, a four-wheel drive mode that incorporates a 2.62:1 ratio; and finally Neutral: a position with no drive/torque supplied to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to be towed. The more refined MY15 Colorado 7 maintains its fivestar ANCAP safety rating, with front driver and passenger airbags, full length curtain airbags, the latter extending to the third row. Electronic Stability Control,
ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Hydraulic Brake Assist are complemented by Rear Park Assist and a reversing camera, making the wagon one of the safest of its kind. There is little to rattle a calm cabin ambience with a reduction in powertrain noise over the previous model, while the entire Colorado range also benefits from wind noise improvements after intensive wind tunnel testing. There are also refinements to that off-road bonus, Hill Descent Control, and the street-smart Hill Start Assist, which offers driver confidence in releasing the brake pedal on tricky inclines when setting off. Off the mark, the Colorado 7 doesn’t set the pulse racing,
but once up to speed the big SUV is in no danger of being left behind in town or country traffic. Grabbing the gear lever and taking charge of shifts adds little to the driving experience. As for fuel consumption, In 50 kilometres of urban action the Colorado 7 diesel consumption ranged between 13 and 15 litres per 100 kilometres. Over a similar distance on the motorway, the figure floated between 5 and 6 litres per 100 kilometres: it’s the consummate cruiser. The ‘7’ in Colorado’s name refers to its seven-seat capability. Seating arrangements include a second row 60:40 three-seat bench and 50:50 separate seats in the third row. All seats are on the firm side and could wear out their welcome on a long run. The backs of this row fold flat to allow for extended load carrying space, while the second row tumbles forward to further increase this and allow for easy passenger access to the back row. With the third-row seatbacks up, there is enough room for the children to enjoy enough freedom to be able to get up to some mischief there, but luggage space behind is strictly limited. Holden has successfully done what it set out to do and that is add improvements to its Colorado 7 SUV that smooth out facets of its offroad ruggedness and broaden its appeal by making it more family friendly. MODEL LINE-UP t )PMEFO $PMPSBEP -5 8% BVUPNBUJD t )PMEFO $PMPSBEP -5; 8% BVUPNBUJD Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Holden dealer for drive-away prices.
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NORTH EAST
4
June 26, 2015
Honda Accord Hybrid is ultra economical BY EWAN KENNEDY
T
hough Honda was the first company to import hybrid vehicles into Australia, way back in 2001, it has been a bit on and off in this high-tech fuelsaving field in recent times. That will change in a big way with the eagerly anticipated arrival of the Honda NSX petrol-electric supercar due to be launched later this year. To capitalise on the interest in the NSX Honda Australia is importing hybrid versions of its Accord large sedan. We have just spent a full day road testing the big Accord sedan and have come away impressed with its fuel efficiency. Official fuel consumption is listed as just 4.6 litres per hundred kilometres – and we must admit to being somewhat sceptical about this number, until we saw 4.6 on the trip computer for several stages during our test period. The fascinating thing is that the 4.6 litres was obtained during drives on hilly, twisty stretches of road in the areas around Bowral in the Southern Highlands area of NSW. While this may sound contrary to common sense, hybrids work well in this sort of country because the energy they spend in climbing hills is
HONDA ACCORD: Blue light trims signifying blue skies are the most visible difference in Honda’s just launched hybrid version of Accord. was when sitting on 110 km/h on the motorway heading south to Bowral. There it sat in the low sevens most of the time. No slowing down, no downhill stretches worth talking about so the hybrid was simply running on petrol with no assistance worth talking about from electricity after the first few kilometres. Indeed, the extra 70kg of the hybrid over the standard Accords is probably a hindrance to efficiency. In a long, slow, suburban
regained when they go down the other side. Electricity is put into the Accord’s battery pack as the car is slowed by the CVT automatic transmission selecting lower ratios, and even more so when the brakes are used. Put simply, instead of the brakes turning energy into wasted heat as in a standard car the Accord Hybrid stores the energy ready for the next hill. Contrarily, the worst fuel consumption on our test drive
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peak hour drag from Honda’s NSW office in Auburn to the motorway the fuel consumption was in the six to seven litre range; impressive for a large five-seat saloon. Honda Accord is a large sedan with good interior space for four adults, with the space for a fifth in the middle of the back seat with no real shoulder rubbing. However, there’s barely enough legroom for my six-foot frame in the front passenger seat, I couldn’t stretch my legs right out.
Love at first sight
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To counterbalance that there’s very good legroom in the back. The interior is finished to a high standard, with quality materials and a pleasant design that makes it almost European limo-like in its feel. Honda likes to call its hybrid Accord Sport, explaining that the instant torque offered by the electric motor gives it a sporty feel off the line. While this is certainly the case – and our favourite feature in any electric car – if you’re looking for a true sports sedan
you should possibly shop elsewhere. If you belong to the majority who are interested in smoothness, comfort and quiet travel ahead of everything else then this high-tech Honda Accord should certainly be on your shopping list. At $58,990 plus on-road costs the Honda Australia sees the Lexus IS300h hybrid as being the Accord Hybrid’s chief competitor. We see the Honda as being a size up on the Lexus – we suggest you make your own test drives then make your call. In a similar price range and size is the new Honda Genesis, a car with the same sort of quality and attention to detail as the big Honda. The Hyundai is relatively thirsty for what it is and fuel consumption will often be double that of the Accord Hybrid Sport. Blue coloured light trims signifying blue skies are the most visible difference in Honda’s just launched hybrid version of Accord. Honda is setting up specialist hybrid sections with trained personnel in chosen dealerships in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in preparation for the launch of the NSX supercar. In the meantime these specialists will handle the Accord Sport Hybrid.
TAWONGA
MT BEAUTY
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