City Extra 11th Edition

Morizo leads the performance charge

Standby for something incredibly special.

The new Morizo GR Corolla is about to hit Sydney City Toyota – and in such limited numbers it’s a guaranteed collectible.

The Morizo Corolla is a track day version of the high performance GR Corolla which we released to great acclaim in May.

The GR Corolla puts out an extraordinary 221kW of power and 370Nm of torque from its turbocharged 1.6 litre three cylinder engine.

Its been acclaimed by the motoring media who’ve already dubbed it King of the Hot Hatches, against really exotic, and far more expensive, competitors from Europe.

The Morizo accelerates to an even higher level.

It has an additional 30Nm of torque, and its riding on wheels and suspension that have been purpose-designed for maximum performance.

It’s also lighter, using a carbon fibre roof, and, like all good track day cars removing anything that isn’t in everyday use like the rear seats and even the sat nav. We’ve been inundated with people wanting to secure the GR Corolla . Only 750 have come to Australia and we’re working to meet demand.

The Morizo version is limited to just 25, so chances of ownership are extremely slim.

Australian Rally Champion Harry Bates has one, to add to his growing collection of Toyota’s high performance GR models.

There’s now a Yaris, Corolla, Supra and 86 in our speciality GR range.

*Morizo is a very special name. It’s the pseudonym our global chairman Akio Toyoda chose when he started motor racing, and its now an important part of our company’s heritage.

Trend busters – Toyota certified used remains gold standard

A study by Sydney City Toyota has revealed that car owners should soon stop relying on the inflated values of their vehicle brought about by the shortage of new stock.

Sydney City Toyota dealer principal John Roca says the countdown to a restoration of motor market normality is fast approaching.

“I’d advise anyone holding their vehicle in the hope of realising above average value should seriously consider disposing of it soon,“ Mr. Roca said.

The extension of wait-times in the new car sector has heightened the value of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, Mr. Roca said.

“There will come a time soon when there is an oversupply of used vehicles in the market, and the ones most likely to retain their value are those with a manufacturer’s certification,” he said.

“Cars, SUVs and light commercials with a pedigree are more likely to stand out in what will soon be a buyer’s market.”

The bubble which has driven up prices of used vehicles is likely to extend for another twelve months as the new car market stabilises.

But as most owners retain their vehicles for up to five years, the time is fast approaching when they need to make decisions about their longer-term motoring future.

“There’s a feeling that the inflated used car economy is here to stay – but it’s not,“ Mr. Roca said.

“There’s a lot to be said for staying ahead of the coming trend.”

A barbecue and a beanie

Our team members at Sydney City Toyota have held a very special mid-winter barbecue to raise funds for one our favourite charities – the Mark Hughes Foundation for cancer research.

Mark, a star footy player with Newcastle and a member of the State of Origin Blues, is a brain cancer survivor – and he’s on a mission to make a huge difference in future studies. His Foundation has raised more than $24million since 2014. The team at Sydney City joined this important initiative to honour the loving memory of our dear friend and colleague, Aykut Bayraktar, whom we lost to this terrible disease. Our fundraiser BBQ is not only to support the Mark Hughes Foundation but also to commemorate the life and fond memories of Aykut who will always be close to our hearts.

Fittingly Mark has invited us all to be beaniefeciary –not a spelling error, but a reference to the woollen beanies the Foundation sells every footy season to draw attention to brain cancer.

We made a point of buying many to keep up us warm during our fund raiser.

Beanies for Brain Cancer Day this year was on June 29, but you can contribute to the cause by accessing www.markhughesfoundation.com.au

We promise you Mark’s beanie will give you a warm feeling for more than one reason.

The best one make motor racing series – ever

Our Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series bursts into life at the Townsville 500 Supercars Championship on 7-9 July.

There are more entries than ever, and the six round series has expanded to also encompass a separate Scholarship category for young contenders.

What started out in 2016 as a way of showing off the unbelievable fun offered by our 86 sports car has become , according to the experts, the most successful one-make title ever staged in Australia.

And the good news is that Toyota has committed to another two years.

Stars have been made.

Broc Feeney and Will Brown have both graduated to the Supercars Championship.

Sydney City Toyota is proud of its involvement.

We supported Luke King who used our 86 as a springboard to become a pro-racer in Carrera Cup competition across Southeast Asia.

The other good news is that, without racing, our guests can enjoy the incredible sensation of driving the latest GR 86. Australia’s most popular small sports car is available from a breathtakingly low $43,000.

Keep your car well for winter

Its good policy to ‘prep’ your car for winter, and not only if you’re planning a trip.

Australia’s winter conditions may not be severe, but there’s still the risk of a flattened battery or an adverse reaction to a cold snap.

It’s a good idea to schedule a winter check up at Sydney City Toyota. But there are simple checks you can do yourself. Click here for our 90 second guide.

Zig Zag – it’s open again

There’s nothing nicer than a winter’s drive over the Bell’s Line of Road, with its constantly changing range of great restaurants and sensational dappled scenery.

And now there’s a new reason to go.

The fabulous Zig Zag railway, above Lithgow, has just reopened and it’s a must-visit for families.

WHAT:

The Zig Zag railway is an enthusiast run, private rail line displaying the very best of heritage steam trains and carriages from over a century.

It winds over 7km of 3ft6in gauge track on what was the main western rail line more than a century and a half ago, and a bit like a time machine it’s a glorious opportunity to be transported back to another era.

The Zig Zag has been mothballed for more than a decade, a result of bushfires that swept the mountains. Now not only the rail complex, but also the Bells Line of Road that takes you there, have been restored and reopened.

WHERE:

From the Richmond bridge at the base of the Blue Mountains it’s a meandering 75kms on the Bells Line to Clarence, the hole in the wall community which hosts the Zig Zag railway station .

Richmond is 50km from the Sydney Harbour bridge, so allow under two hours for the total one-way trip, including time for a stop or two on the way up.

Many people think the Bells Line is named for the sharp trilled Bellbirds which have made the climb up out of Richmond their home, but it’s not so.

It’s actually named for Archibald Bell who in 1823 carved the second path across the Great Dividing Range.

It’s a natural wonderland. Halfway up there’s the majestic Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mt. Tomah, a great opportunity to wander their Gondwana Walk and marvel at centuries old eucalypts.

And there are other detours, including a drive in to the tightly held holiday enclave of Mt Wilson with its 100 year old country retreats.

EATING:

Bilpin is the apple capital of Australia, so prepare for pie. Or for that matter roast pumpkin soup, served at the recently opened and aptly named High Hopes Roadhouse, (2488 Bells Line of Road), an initiative of Sean Moran who’s famous for Sean’s Panorama at Bondi.

Walk across the road to the Grumpy Baker (2758 Bells Line of Road) for home baked apple pie.

And if the weather is warmish, make sure you drop into Tutti Fruitti (1917 Bells Line of Road) for their sweet and aromatic Feijoa desert .

WHEN AND HOW MUCH:

Check with the Zig Zag before you go, just to confirm their opening times. You can reach them on 1300 944 924 and they’re at 840 Chifley Road, Clarence, 2790.

An adult ticket on the Zig Zag is $45. Seniors and children are $27.50 and there are family concessions too.

Sydney City Toyota GLEBE

36-38 Parramatta Road

Glebe, NSW 2037

T 02 9565 6313

Sydney City Toyota

WATERLOO

824 Bourke Street

Waterloo, NSW 2017

T 02 9690 9999

www.sydneycitytoyota.com.au