Motoring February 7, 2020
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Handlebars are pointed in the direction the rider wants to go – and he or she will want to hold on tight. DETAILS
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Timaru Can-Am & Sea-Doo 127 Hilton Highway, Timaru | 03 688 7517
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Friday, February 7, 2020
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The question will be asked W
hat is it? That’s the question from most people as any CanAm Ryker pulls up to the pump. A loaded question for sure and, if a rider decides to answer, he or she will surely spend the next five minutes explaining just what this three-wheeled wonder is. Because, if there is one thing people need to know about the Can-Am Ryker, it’s that it doesn’t fly under the radar. Neither a car nor a motorcycle, the Ryker sits at an interesting crossroads within the automotive industry. It offers open-air freedom – normally associated only with a motorcycle – combined with the ease of use of a car. It is one of the most innovative vehicles in recent years thanks to a few clever features built into the design. Can-Am has been rolling to this different take on the three-wheeler for a while. It entered the market with the Can-Am Spyder in 2007, from a history in snowmobiles. This is apparent when you look at the Ryker’s wheels. Unlike traditional threewheeled motorcycles, the Ryker features a solo rear wheel with two front wheels riding outset on double-wishbone suspension. Wheels are turned with a handlebar that is adjustable for reach with an easy clamp system. This allows the rider to shift it forward or backwards on its sliding mount. Just like a more conventional trike, there is no countersteering involved in steering the Ryker.
Handlebars are pointed in the direction the rider wants to go – and he or she will want to hold on tight. A 900cc Rotax three-cylinder engine produces 61.1kW and 71Nm, with drive making its way to the rear wheel via a CVT gearbox and shaft final drive. Though a manual gearbox might sound appealing for shifting enthusiasts, that • Latest facelift option would vastly overcomplicate the • 15,000km simple riding dynamics. • 2.8L Turbo Diesel That’s because turning those two front wheels with their car-sized rubber takes a decent amount of heft.
Adding a clutch to modulate into the mix adds complexity the rider doesn’t need. As it stands, the CVT has two “gears” with its forward gear and reverse gear accessed by a lever on the left side of the Ryker. While it may sound paltry power for a 285kg vehicle, it allows for a fun package, with few vehicles giving the same feedback on what the front wheels are doing at any given time. The Ryker has some big names as competitors – the Harley-Davidson Freewheeler or the modern take Yamaha Niken – but those require a full motorcycle licence.
Riding the Ryker requires only a car licence, skipping years stuck in the sub660cc LAMS category in the process. The Ryker has the market cornered with its low entry point. With a parallel-twin powered base model retailing from $15,499 the three-model range tops out with the $19,999 rally version. So it’s accessible, affordable and eye-catching. Its 1509mm width does mean there’s no lane-splitting action to be had in heavy traffic. And you’ll be asked the same question. “What is it?”
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Farming Motoring
Friday, February 7, 2020
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Colin spoilt for choice M
y mate Colin Gilbert recently celebrated a significant birthday (LXXX in Roman numerals). Such number which is almost matched by the variety of Ford product he has owned over those many years. But herein lies a problem, for after a successive number of Falcons in more recent years (which have all been coloured white and mostly traded in on the next latest model and soon to be available before the first set of tyres needed replacing), the demise of the Falcon range a means a challenge of just what to do about a replacement. Especially as said gentleman’s reaction to SUV-type vehicles, as well as those with front-wheel-drive and/or hybrid systems remains lukewarm, at best. Then as well, reasonably frequent drives to Queenstown need to be factored in. So what amongst the current Ford lineup might I suggest? Well, maybe for a start, how about the Fiesta ST, which, for $35,490 will put a smile on most peoples faces? Especially as it’s 1.5-litre, three cylinder turbo-petrol comes up with 147kW and 290Nm of torque. It has a six-speed manual and Normal-Sport-Track (complete with
Launch Control) drive modes. Accordingly it can scamper from 0-100km/h in 6.5seconds. But it’s front-wheel-drive! Not that one will probably notice, for Ford Performance have modified the chassis and there’s a limited-slip-differential. All of which you enjoy from the front Recaro seats. It’s practical as well with four doors and good luggage space. Next up in size, price ($58,990) and setup to provide the next level of driving enjoyment is the soon-to-be-available Focus ST ( NB – it’s very different to the ST-Line). For the ST has a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, producing 206kW and 420Nm, together with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. It’s also front-wheel-drive, with an electronic limited-slip-diff, has lots of selectable drive modes as well as adaptive suspension and 19-inch alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. Recaro seats of course, but complete with a10-speaker sound system, dual zone climate-air it will also fit into the role of being a practical four door hatch – albeit undoubtedly, a seriously fast one! That’s all very fine, but where’s the rearwheel-drive drive cars? Well, how about one of the recently-enhanced Mustangs, either in EcoBoost
Roger Hart ROAD TEST
(from $65,990) or GT (from $89,990). The former’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine now produces 236kW and 448Nm, while the GT’s V8 does 339kW/556Nm. While both will certainly continue the smile-on-the-face theme, they probably may not meet the practicality side. They would definitely be a delight for the drives to Queenstown, but then unfortunately be a bit limited for driving the family about once there. Which brings up the question of SUVs, and in particular the impressively comfortable Endura, for when spacious transport for four, or five adults is required. And yes, this $69,990 Titanium version of the diesel-only Endura range also covers the rear-wheel-drive situation, because it has all-wheel-drive. Inside it’s wide, spacious and comfortable, both front and back. With all seats occupied there’s up to 800
litres of luggage space (1688 litres with rear seats folded). Power of 140kW and 400Nm (from 20003000rpm) is delivered by the quiet (you can easily think it’s a petrol from within) 2-litre, single-scroll diesel. As well there’s an eight-speed auto (whose rotary controller takes a bit of getting used to). Zero to 100km/h can happen in 8.8 seconds, while the claimed overall diesel consumption figure is 6.7L/100Km. At a 100km/h cruise the rev counter sits at just 1500rpm. With its combination of a nicely balanced chassis and responsive steering there’s reassuringly predictable and safe feel on both on seal and shingle, where on both the ride comfort was excellent. It’s also packed with safety and driver technology including adaptive cruise, as well Ford’s latest infotainment system. To keep kids (big and small) entertained in the back seats there’s screens on the back of the front seats. There’s five year unlimited warranty and three year Roadside assistance programmes for these new Fords. In closing, perhaps the easiest way for solving this particular replacement vehicle puzzle will be to choose one closest in price to that LXXX birthday - such as an $84,990 Ranger Raptor or the Mustang GT!
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Friday, February 7, 2020
25
Happy Birthday Mazda M
azda Motor Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary of its founding on January 30, 2020. Centenary official comment by Akira Marumoto, Representative Director, President and CEO: “Mazda originated as a company producing cork and then took the path to manufacturing automobiles. “Now, our cars have found friends with many customers from over 130 countries and regions. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the customers, dealers, suppliers, business partners and the local community, who have supported us over the years through
good and bad times, to whom we owe our 100 years of existence.” Mazda officially began its journey in New Zealand in 1972 when Mazda New Zealand was established. It began selling rotary and piston engines to the New Zealand motoring public although the marque first arrived in the country eight years earlier when it was represented by a Wellington based company. In the following 28 years, Mazda NZ has gone on to significantly increase its market share in New Zealand along with winning several awards for a number of its models including the Mazda6, Mazda2 Mazda3, MX-5, CX-5 and CX-9.
Top left: The Mazda2 was the World Car of the Year in 2008. Left: The 1931 Mazda-Go three-wheeled truck. Above: Mazda’s Cosmo Sport was a stunning addition to the sports car market in 1967.
B
MW has kicked off 2020 by adding 13 industry awards to the brand’s ever-growing collection of accolades. The spectrum of awards, including a quartet of category wins in the What Car? Awards 2020, Company Car Today CCT100 Awards and Great British Fleet Awards, underlines the variety of the BMW model line-up and its class-leading status in multiple segments. BMW’s 3 Series and 5 Series triumphed at the What Car? Awards 2020, winning praise for their usability, ease of ownership and advanced technologies. The 3 Series won the Safety Award, with the 330e also taking home trophies for Best Plug-in Hybrid Car and Best Executive Car. Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car?, said: “The astonishing BMW 330e is not only the best plug-in hybrid you can buy, but the best executive car full stop. It slickly integrates the latest green technol-
ogy with the long-held wants and needs of people shopping in this class.” The 5 Series reigned supreme in the fiercely-contest Best Luxury Car category. After announcing it as What Car?’s favourite luxury car since the seventh-generation version was launched in 2016, Huntingford added: “not only is it the most comfortable and quietest car in its price bracket, but it also offers a better driving position than any comparable car and its feature-packed, user-friendly infotainment system is light years ahead of everything else”. The model’s frugal running costs also contributed to the win, with What Car? highlighting that it was cheaper than its ri-
vals to run privately, or as a company car. BMW was voted Fleet Manufacturer of the Year at the 2020 Great British Fleet Awards, with Fleet World applauding the commitment of its UK fleet team in making a BMW business purchase easy and straightforward. The new 1 Series and 3 Series were also category winners. The 1 Series was named Best Lower Medium Fleet Car, with the 3 Series winning Best Fleet Compact Executive Car and Best New Fleet Car. Confirming why the 1 Series was
victorious, Collins highlighted its impressive interior space and connectivity. He concluded that it was “great to drive and impressively refined”. The awards haul was bolstered with the 1 Series winning the Premium Lower Medium Car of the Year Award and the 5 Series being named Executive Car of the Year. There was further recognition for the 3 Series at the Company Car and Van Awards, the 330e adding to its growing number of trophies by winning the Plugin Hybrid Car of the Year Award. Company Car and Van editor Andrew Walker praised 330e as “arguably the best plugin car full stop.”
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