18 2
Farming Motoring
Friday, June 21, 2019
www.guardianonline.co.nz
The highlights just keep on coming
W
hen the roof opens, so does the freedom of pure driving pleasure in the all new BMW Z4. A roadster that could not be any better: open, sporty and uncompromising. With powerful driving dynamics and a progressive design, it has only one aim: the freedom between the road and the open sky. The Z4 has changed. It’s become sportier – the old one, with its folding hardtop and cuddly dynamics, took aim mostly at the Mercedes SLK (now SLC). The new one has a fabric top, dropping the weight measurement and centre of gravity. It’s evidently having a pop at the Porsche 718, itself in a vulnerable position since the much-lamented departure of that old flat six. Heading the range is the M Performance-powered BMW Z4 M40i. This takes the traditional straight-six engine layout BMW is famous for and adds a single turbocharger to hit 250kW from 5000rpm to 6500rpm, with an amazing 500Nm from 1600rpm through to 4500rpm. This strong performance is matched by high efficiency, with 7.4L100km fuel economy and 169g/km CO2. Performance astounds, with 100km/h achieved in only 4.5 seconds. The BMW Z4 is offered with an eightspeed sports automatic transmission with launch control fitted as standard.
Ah yes, sporty. Hello internet, the ’Ring time is comfortably under eight minutes. The Z4’s physical dimensions are good for hot laps. The wheelbase is shorter than before by a huge 20cm, for agility. The track is much wider, for grip. The body is a whole lot stiffer than the old Z4’s, and it’s light. The front suspension, unlike other BMWs, mounts to a special aluminium subframe for precision. Those aren’t the
only declarations of intent. The Z4 M40i’s tyres come from the M4. Its brakes are M-developed too. There’s an e-diff between the rear halfshafts. You get the gist. You can thank Toyota for the existence of the Z4. Toyota wanted a new Supra but didn’t have a platform. BMW saw the roadster market softening and wasn’t sure if it could sell enough to justify replacing the Z4. But sharing could satisfy the spreadsheet-jockeys. BMW of course is one of the
staunchest global holdouts for straight-six engines and rear drive, two articles of faith for a Supra. So the Supra gets most of the Z4’s basic engineering, which is BMW stuff. Engine, suspension and basic platform parts, and electronics too, come from BMW’s current set that’s used on every longitudinal car they’ve launched since the 7-er of 2017. The Supra is tuned and set-up differently from the Z4. Both the cars are built at a BMW-overseen line in the Magna plant in Austria. So if it matters to you that a car has ‘brand purity’, you’ll be wanting the Z4. If you want a roadster, that’ll also be the Z4. So despite the common rootstock, these cars legitimately appeal to different audiences. The tail appears bulky, but aerodynamics is the answer. At the other end of the car, the jutting jowls are designed to help capture airflow and usher it past the wheels. If you don’t like it, well, lower-spec Z4s have a slimmer front bumper. The seats haven’t just been yanked out of a saloon. They’re bespoke to the Z4, and have electric bolsters to plug you solidly into the car whatever your girth. Super-bonus – you can still enjoy the excellent stereo at big open-roof speeds. How much, you ask? The BMW Z4 M40i will set you back $133,800. *Recommended retail pricing, excluding on-road costs.
EXPLORE MORE CORNERS. EXPLORE THE MINI 5-DOOR HATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH MINI GARAGE.
SEE THE ROAD IN A NEW LIGHT. The new LED headlights offer greater visibility with a more powerful light. Optional headlights with the latest Matrix technology and cornering aid give you the ability to see parts of the road that would otherwise be left in the dark.
A NOD TO OUR ROOTS. Celebrate MINI Heritage with innovative ag designs in the LED rear lights. The lights are not just eye-catching – they’re more energy efficient and give a brighter, clearer shine. Reimagined for modern driving, these striking lights are formed as a twopart LED Union Flag, surrounded by a chrome frame.
STEP UP THE PERFORMANCE. The 7-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with double clutch makes shifting gears exceptionally dynamic. It uses a precision-tuned electronic gear shifting system that offers seamless transitions with the ability to choose between manual and automatic shift mode. The start/stop function makes driving more economical, too, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. John Cooper Works models have optional 8-speed steptronic automatic transmission available.
CHRISTCHURCH MINI GARAGE. 104 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. 03 363 7240. chchMINI.co.nz MIDTOWN MINI GARAGE 100 Any Street, Any Town, 3000. Ph 0000 0000. midtownminigarage.com.au
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, June 21, 2019
19
Frank’s final destination Bernard Egan MOTORING
W
ords remain unwritten an intended story is unfinished. Thoughts have strayed to something – or more precisely someone – else. Frank William Schulz has been on the mind. This writer never knew Frank William Schulz, nor would any reader have known him. There may be readers who know of him, but if so they are few and far between. Frank William Schulz died on June 18 1919. These words are being written one hundred years to the day later. They’re appearing in the paper on the 100th anniversary of his burial in free ground – sometimes referred to as pauper’s graves – in the Ashburton Cemetery. He is interred among several hundred others almost all in unmarked plots, but thanks to the foresight his son and one of his grandsons a simple plaque identifies his resting place. When Frank died, he had no family connection with our town – that would come later. He spent his last days well cared for in Tuarangi Home. Born in Germany in 1850 Frank, was described as a very tall, powerfully-built man distinguished by a shock of red hair. When he was young, changes were occurring in Germany, and his father advised Frank and his brother to get out of that country because troubled times were ahead. The advice was taken and ultimately
Frank ended up in New Zealand, coming via the USA, never to return to his homeland. He served in the army before becoming a distinguished policeman, making an arrest in a sad but famous case. Frank and his wife had one son and several daughters before their marriage was dissolved. No-one is really sure why Frank came to Ashburton, or of the reason for his obviously strained circumstances. It’s assumed he arrived here because of the facilities offered by Tuarangi Home. One can’t help wondering what Frank William Schulz, who during his working life rode horses, thought about the relatively new horseless carriages which by the time of his death were having a major impact on society. Two years before Frank died, Henry Ford had produced the two millionth Model T. Having been in the army, Frank was probably intrigued by the advent One of the very first tanks ever to roll across the battlefields of World War One. of motorised military vehicles. Especially the tank – that monstrous and scary behemoth which have known still exist. It’s because of the Second World War first appeared during World War One, Others are now just memories from that family members came to live locally. not long before his death. another time. And consequently the resting places of It may have amused him to know that Sadly Frank’s father’s prophecy of dark three generations can now be visited and game-changing piece of military equipclouds on the horizon proved correct. tended to. ment got its name because no one quite Frank saw it too. Just before these words were finished knew what to call it, but someone said it There were huge changes both in the Frank received a visit from his great looked like a tank and the name stuck. social order and with motorised inventions grandson on this significant day when the Maybe he was proud of the achieveduring Frank’s life and its quite likely he light and shadows provided a wonderful ments of the Germans Benz and Daimler, expected these would continue. peaceful setting. and would be amazed how their automoFrank’s son-in-law served our country His descendant, who feels Frank is at biles have progressed with time. in the First World War, his son – Frank’s peace, hoped that somewhere in some Or maybe that’s what he would have grandson – in the Second. other space or spirit world he will know expected. Ironically they may have faced relatives he’s not forgotten. Chances are he rode in a car, we’ll probin the opposing forces. Frank’s visitor was me. ably never know if he drove one. Those two returned serviceman are My sister Judy and my parents and our The infancy of automobiles coincided now at rest in Returned Service Personnel granddad (Frank’s son in law) are the relawith the last years of Frank’s life. graves, not far from where Frank lies. tives who rest nearby. Some of the early marques he would
Ashburton’s unmarked graves
M
any years ago – maybe thirty or more – veteran Ashburton Guardian reporter Ray McCausland, who was renowned for his insightful and fascinating stories in the local newspaper, wrote a feature about unmarked graves in free ground at the Ashburton Cemetery. Those graves number in the hundreds. They occupy space set aside for those who for whatever reason, maybe financial or because there were no known next of kin, could not be interred elsewhere. Thankfully this grassed area is well maintained.
20 2
Farming Motoring
Friday, June 21, 2019
www.guardianonline.co.nz
A
head of next month’s Silk Way Rally, Hino Team Sugawara has released images of its new truck and confirmed its new driver. In addition to the current Dakar Rally 500 Series truck, the team has developed a new bonnet-type truck with three seats, based on the 600 Series truck which is sold in North America. Following the retirement of the Ironman of Dakar Yoshimasa Sugawara in April, the team has announced his replacement driver, Mr Ikuo Hanawa, who is an experienced international off-road racer. “In addition, an experienced crew member in the third seat will increase the team’s ability to cope with any problems encountered during the rally,” said Mr Dimitri Andreatidis, Hino Australia’s Head of Customer and Brand. “The team’s goal is to continue its recent dominance of the Under 10-litre class which has included 10 years of consecutive wins, and also propel it further up the standings in the overall truck category,” he continued. He will join recently-promoted lead driver Teruhito Sugawara, who was victorious in the Under 10-litre category in 2019, and finished ninth overall, beating larger rivals to the line. Both of the Hino Dakar Rally vehicles will use an enhanced version of the Hino A09C 6-cylinder engine, with the production version available in the 500 Series Wide Cab trucks in Australia. A derivative of the A09, the A05 engine, powers the all-new 500 Series Standard Cab, currently available from Hino Australia. Key specifications of the two 2019 Dakar Rally Hino trucks include full-time 4WD and a 8.866 litre direct injection turbocharged and intercooled engine, which is matched to a six speed manual transmission in Car 1 and six speed automatic transmission in Car 2. The new truck and driver will make their debut at the Silk Way Rally which will be held in Russia, Mongolia and China from July 6-16, 2019 before taking on the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia from January 2-17 2020.
truckin’ KEEP ON
MANAGER’S SELECTIONS
2018 TOYOTA HILUX SR5 4WD AUTO 13,500km, Auto, 2.8L Turbo Diesel, Tow Bar, Hard Lid Traction Control, Stability Control, SAT NAV, Bluetooth 18” Black Alloys, Reversing Camera, Keyless Start (excludes roof rack in pic)
$48,495
Free Wof’s For Life
2010 TOYOTA HILUX SR5 4WD AUTO 287,600kms, 3.0L turbo diesel, ABS hard lid, deck liner, towbar,bonnet protector, reversing camera, cruisecontrol traction control, Bluetooth, CD Player, air-conditioning
Free Wof’s For Life
WAS $23,995
$22,995
2015 TOYOTA RAV4 GXL AWD
2011 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado GX
80,750km, Auto, 2.5L Petrol, Active Radar Cruise Control,Traction Control, Stability Control, SAT NAV, Bluetooth, Roof Rails, 17” Alloys, Rev Camera & Parking Sensors
235,000kms, 3.0L Turbo Diesel, Towbar, Cruise Control, Rear Parking Sensors, Reversing Camera, Differential Lock, Keyless Entry & Start, Hill Decent System, 7 Seater SUV
$25,995
Free Wof’s For Life
2016 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN
WAS $39,995
WAS $29,495
$28,995
2013 TOYOTA HILUX EXTRA CAB 4WD
38,000km, John Cooper Works model, 1.6L Turbo, Dual sunroofs, 19” Alloys, Heated Leather Seats, Traction Control, GPS Navigation, CD & Bluetooth, Late model Mini with impressive performance and handling.
Free Wof’s For Life
Free Wof’s For Life
143,000kms, 3.0L Turbo Diesel, Flat Deck, Bull Bar, Tow Bar, Side Steps, CD Player & Bluetooth, ABS Brakes Air-Conditioning, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows.
$39,495
Free Wof’s For Life
$30,995
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VX 58,000km, 2.8L Turbo Diesel, Tow bar, Cruise Control, Traction Control, Reversing Camera, Leather Heated Seats, Climate Control, GPS Navigation, CD & Bluetooth,Roof Rails, Keyless Entry, Keyless Start.
Free Wof’s For Life
$59,495
2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED 41,500km, 3.5L V6 petrol, AWD, 7 seater, sunroof, side steps,leather seating, powered rear door, rear entertainment system,towbar, 20” alloys, radar cruise control, pre-crash safely system
Free Wof’s For Life
Ashburton Toyota www.ashburton.toyota.co.nz
*Terms & Conditions apply.
WAS $59,995
OPEN MON-FRI 8AM-5PM SAT 9AM-1PM OR BY APPOINTMENT PHONE 0800 286 9682 | Cnr East St & Walnut Ave, Ashburton
WAS $61,995
$60,995
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, June 21, 2019
21
BMW 8 GRAN C` O UPE A SNEAK PREVIEW
I
t’s always an incredible coincidence (cough) when a new car’s design is revealed in the days before its full launch. And, what would you know, some pictures of the new BMW 8 Gran Coupe have popped up on the internet prior to its expected launch this week. The Gran Coupe takes the new 8 (a car we quite like) and throws two more doors into the equation. Those who shudder at the mere thought of a ‘four-door coupe’ will hate it, while the rest of us will watch on curiously. As more buyers search for cars that tick as many boxes as possible, the luxury fourdoor coupe space continues to grow. Buyers like them for their suave design, badge power, luxury, and performance aspects. This 8 Gran Coupe will come up against the likes of the four-door Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche Panamera Turbo – most likely doing so with a lower price attached. The looks themselves aren’t too unfamiliar. Take the proportions of the 6 Series Gran Coupe (a design that’s ageing surprisingly
gracefully) and superimpose the front and rear ends of the reasonably handsome 8, and you arrive at these leaked images. Although the 6er is a reasonably commodious thing already, dignitaries and Fendalton property home owners should expect the 8 to have even more rear legroom on hand.
The curious thing to see, as always, will be how well BMW’s sloping roof-line design accommodates headroom for rear-mounted passengers. In regards to that cabin, the dash in the front is almost a complete swap-and-drop of the dash we know and love from the standard BMW 8 coupe.
Among the few design differences that others have noted are that the window switches are metal instead of plastic. The eagle-eyed who peep the gallery of images below will note the presence of a fifth seat-belt in the rear. It’s true that the bigger 8 can fit five people, but – with a huge centre console precisely where one’s legs would go – don’t expect said fifth passenger to want to sit there for too long. The aforementioned centre console has a couple of air vents, plus a pair of charging points, and controls for air and seat heating/cooling adjustment. Apart from these images, nothing else has been confirmed. However, it’s probably safe to say that the engine packages of the coupe and this new Gran Coupe will probably overlap. So, expect the Gran Coupe to – at the very least – come with the option of either the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel (making 234kW/502Nm) from the 840d or the 4.4-litre V8 (390kW/750Nm) from the M850i. There’s also an M8 version supposedly coming down the pipeline. New Zealand only gets the current 8 in petrol V8 form, for reference.
Orange the new orange
T
he first Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition model has arrived in Australia, cutting a unique figure with its Racing Orange paintwork. Eclipsing three decades of opentop driving fun, the anniversary model’s colour scheme was inspired by the breaking of dawn, signalling the beginning of a new era in the history of the world’s favourite sports car. The limited edition model is one of 3000 produced for global sale, and one of only 30 to be offered in Australia. Based on the manual 2.0L Roadster GT, the MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition features forged alloy wheels (Rays ZE40 RS30) developed exclusively for the MX-5 in co-operation with Rays Co., Ltd. and inspired by those seen on MX-5 Global Cup Cars. Peeking through the wheels, Racing Orange painted Brembo front callipers and rear Nissin callipers, plus a special anniversary badge, accentuate the MX-5’s exclusive exterior. Inside, the sporty colour palette is carried through to orange piping and stitching on the Recaro seats, stitching on the steering wheel, shift lever, dash and door.
MOTORING SERVICES Quality used parts (most Japanese cars) Tyres, Batteries and Accessories
ies Think Brakes... Think Robb ies Think Clutch... Think Robb bbies Think Specialist... Think Ro Being the experts in their field Robbies can give you professional, efficient service when repairing or replacing your brakes or clutch at a competitive price.
ROBBIE’S
Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Park Telephone 03 308 8634
We service and repair all makes and models Book your service at Malcom Lovett Automotive today
Cnr Cass & South Streets Phone 308 9984 Mob 027 499 9565
Insurance work Insurance Work Insurance Work
Fix it quickly and effectively!
Call us and get the best advice to repair or replace your windscreen. ILSON’S INDSCREENS AND CHIP REPAIRS
152 Wills Street, Ashburton 24/7 phone 03 308 8485
After hours 0274 316 058
GLUYAS MOTOR GROUP • • • • •
Your local authorised Mitsubishi Parts and Service
undercar specialists
or
W
THE NAME IN COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR
Full servicing, Genuine parts, Loan cars (T’s & C’s apply) Vehicle Report cards Ask about our Map care & Extended Roadside assistance
Specialing in
MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD
299 Havelock St, Ashburton 03 308 9109 mitsubishiadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz
&
PANEL BEATING SPRAY PAINTING
of Cars, Trucks, Buses, Horse Floats & Motorhomes, Caravans, Trailers, Farm Machinery, Jet Boats, Light Engineering and Aluminium Welding 17 Range Street, Ashburton Phone: 307 0378 Mobile: 0274 274 007 busandtruckbodywork@xtra.co.nz
SPRING ESCAPE
DEALS
• Automotive servicing, repairs and 39,990 34,990 diagnostics NISSAN NAVARA ST 4WD
NISSAN NAVARA ST 2WD
$
+GST +ORC
$
+GST +ORC
• Latest scan tools and service datanissan.co.nz
1.9% FINANCE OVER 36 MONTHS
Pricing indicated for D23WM & D23VM. Finance ooer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services only and excludes all lease and some eet purchasers. Units must be registered by 31st October 2018 to qualify for the special nance ooer. The 1.9% Finance ooer applies to new Nissan vehicles only. The 1.9% p.a. xed interest rate is available with zero deposit and 36 month term. $375 establishment fee, $8.05 PPSR fee, and $10 monthly account keeping fee apply. Terms and conditions apply. Ooer cannot be used in conjunction with any other ooers and must end 31st October 2018 or while stocks last. Nissan reserves the right to vary, withdraw or extend this ooer.
Book a service today with us and experience what service should be.
Call 307 5800 79 Kermode Street
• Cars, 4WDs, campervans • European, Japanese and everything in between
• Vehicle transport and recovery Call Dave and the team in the Big Blue Shed, cnr McLean and John St Phone 03 308 6646
AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS & SERVICING
• • • • • •
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) Vehicle Servicing and Repairs Airconditioning Battery Town Courtesy Vehicles Available Auto Electrical Repairs
If it doesn’t go, let us know! Call 307 2696 187 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton P 307 2696 E autosparks@xtra.co.nz