www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday February 21, 2019
25
GLS larger than life Roger Hart ROAD TEST
T
he sign you see on the Vicarage which sits in front of Barker’s new shop and cafe in Geraldine reads ‘Boutique Accomodation’. The six of us who had driven there and shared the luxury aboard this imposing looking, $168,400 (+ORCs) Mercedes decided that it was a very apt description for it. For not only does it have impressive levels of space, luxury, leading-edge technology but its power comes from a silky smooth straight six diesel. It’s all very appropriate for this the largest (it’s 5.2 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide) and most luxurious flagship of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range. Resplendently clothed in an sporty AMG Line exterior package, it includes multibeam LED headlights, 21-inch alloys, side steps, a panoramic sliding sunroof and powered tailgate. It all comes together, in not only emphasising that imposing exterior styling, but making sure this family-friendly seven-seater also looks the part. As well as noted above, it’s loaded with technology, both inside and out. Of course there’s leather upholstery throughout, with power adjustability (and foldability) for the middle and rear rows. The driver and front passenger get power operated, multi-contour seats complete with heating, ventilation and very inviting massage functions. So with Mercedes saying the third row can easily accommodate passengers up to 194cm, who better to test this (and the space available) than Bernard. Along with a Canadian friend he fitted in comfortably for the duration of our 150km drive, without complaint, but of course being Bernard, not without a story or three. All in all, proof that the third row is indeed adult user-friendly. Getting in and out from there was easy as soon as we worked out which of the many switches moved and/or folded what. Thereon it was a simple procedure without any physical input needed. There’s lots of power adjustment and space for those in the second row. While three can fit comfortably there were just two for our drive (someone unkindly suggested that maybe I didn’t have any more friends). Keeping all as cool or as warm as they wish happens via the excellent multi-zone climate control system, while additional entertainment (to Bernard) comes from a thirteen-speaker, 590 watt Burmester surround sound system. The latter has voice-initiated operation and as with the “hey Mercedes” many of the other key infotainment functions can be controlled. Sitting behind the sports steering wheel complete with its smartphone-style touch and swipe controls, you see two 12.3-inch fully digital displays including a centre touchscreen. There’s sat-nav with live traffic and a great head-up display with large graphics, including the current speed limit. I liked this comprehensive head-up display, because despite its size and weighing in at close to 2500kg the GLS is capable of dispatching 0 to 100kph in a
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d 4MATIC claimed, 6.3 seconds – with a top speed of 230kph! While I of course didn’t check the latter out, the manner in which this remarkably smooth, new 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivers makes the claimed figures seem definitely doable. It delivers 243kW of power, but much more importantly a seamless and continuous 700NM wave of torque. As well this engine is very quiet whilst doing domestic duties, but massaging the accelerator results in some great straightsix harmonics accompanying the surge of torque. The nine-speed automatic and the full-time 4MATIC all-wheel-drive make the best possible use of this, for whatever the wants or needs of the driver and the conditions may be. In doing this through corners the the Airmatic suspension package ensures that irrespective of its size and weight, the GLS
it remains predictable, composed and nicely poised. Only around town do you really notice its size, and the smallness of many of our parking spaces. The claimed overall fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km (8.8L/100km on our drive). With all three rows of seating in use, 355 litres of luggage can be loaded (to the top of the backrest) or with third row folded 890 litres, and 1470 litres with all rear seats folded. Load to the roof, those figures are 470, 1350 and 2400 litres respectively. Under the luggage floor there’s the always-reassuring-to-have spare wheel (a space saver but decent size one) plus space for the cargo blind. As expected safety is paramount and there’s a comprehensive suite, including nine airbags, active cruise control, active parking assist with 360° camera, lane-keeping and lane-change assist, blind
spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The standard braked towing capacity is 3500kg. The optional $1900 towbar package includes towbar fitment plus trailer stabilisation, which can detect sway at speeds above 65km/h and apply compensatory braking to individual wheels. Then for those who must go bush there’s also an optional ($3500) off-road package. This adds fully variable all-wheel-drive, a low-range off-road gearbox along with variable torque distribution and underbody protection.
FINALE This large-as-life, technology packed flagship of the Mercedes SUV range delivers, not only with luxurious accomodation for seven, but effortless quick performance as well!
Farming Motoring
26 2
Friday, February 21, 2020
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Toughness – in a tuxedo
F
rankly, there is not a lot of news to relate about the new 2020 Holden Colorados. The alpha-model Holden ute, the nebulously named Z71, gets more areas blacked out, fender flares, extra underbody protection, a soft-drop tailgate and a durable spray-on covering for the load tray bed all for no change in the $51,490 price. There’s the new LSX model at $44,490, but it’s mainly a dress-up of the existing LS base model, and just 30 will be built. The Holden is the best steer in the pickup sector because it has the cleverest software guiding the assistance of the electric power steering system. There’s an algorithm embedded in the bits and bytes that activates when the front wheels hit bumps and makes fine steering adjustments without passing those bumps through to the driver’s hands. Which leads nicely to its next great attribute: a big payload afforded by the Gross Vehicle Mass allowance. Basically, GVM is the total maximum weight of the vehicle once it is loaded with people and payload. If a ute has a lighter powertrain than many of its rivals, as the Holden does, yet retains a chassis and suspension built for hard work, more of the GVM rating can be allocated to the stuff that the ute can carry. In other words, a Colorado, powered by a four-cylinder diesel and a six-speed automatic gearbox, can cart more load than one powered by a V6 or five-cylinder engine with a heavier 7-, 8-, or 10-speed transmission.
0
Yet the Holden isn’t short of grunt despite the GVM efficiency permitted by the lighter powertrain. The 2.8l Duramax engine develops a whopping 500Nm with near instant access to that peak. That’s because the shift calibration of the six-speed automatic to the 2.8 is spot
%
on, and a Colorado with two driving pedals always quickly selects a ratio that keeps the turbocharger spooled and boosted. The Colorado’s firm-but-flexible suspension, and the limited-slip rear differentials are now a unique selling point in the New Zealand ute sector. Like many other utes sold here, right-
VRX 4WD
P.A. FIXED
hook Colorados are made in Thailand. And driving them in that domestic-market context offers a new perspective on the Holden ute range. They have to be tough given everything that a Hmong hill farmer will put them through, but an overlay of Australasian engineering expertise takes that toughness and puts it in a tuxedo.
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$
FINANCE PAY
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2022
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386 Moorhouse Avenue,Christchurch | 03 379 0588 | christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz *Normal lending and credit criteria apply. Maximum 24 month term. $375 establishment fee, $250 Dealer Originating fee, $8.05 PPSR fee. Price excludes On Road Costs and Fees payable with first instalment. Offer only available on selected stock vehicles. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer applies to all new vehicles registered and delivered by March 31st, 2020. Visit www.mmnz. co.nz for full Diamond Advantage terms and conditions.
+ORC
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, February 21, 2020
27
The complete package
H
onda New Zealand has released a major update for the Civic Hatch, headlined firstly by the return of the RS Sport grade and introduction of Honda Sensing Safety and driver-assist technologies on this grade, along with a number of exterior styling and interior design upgrades across all variants. The new Civic Hatch builds on the momentum created by the arrival of the tenth-generation Civic range, which represented one of the most ambitious and comprehensive new model development programs ever undertaken by Honda. Renowned for its bold design and sleek styling, the Honda Civic continues to offer small hatch buyers a complete package with this latest update, delivering smart technology, affordable advanced safety, class-leading space and exceptional comfort. The advanced active safety consists of Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System and High Beam Support System. The Civic is Honda’s longest running automotive nameplate and its best selling model globally, with more than 26.1 million sales since 1972. Over the course of ten generations, the Honda Civic has continuously evolved to
meet changing customer needs around the world, regularly setting the bar for fuel efficiency, driving performance and design innovation in an affordable small segment vehicle. The new Civic Hatch also introduces a number of exterior•andLatest interior design facelift refinements across the to build on • range 15,000km its premium and sporty • nature. 2.8L Turbo Diesel The Civic RS Sport Sensing hatch leads the way with new 18-inch Alloy Wheels
fitted with wider 235/40 ZR18 95Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, elevating its sports credentials with improved grip and more responsive handling. The Civic SX variant also features a new alloy wheel design, and hatch exclusive Shark Grey colour. Exterior styling refinements include revised design of the lower bumper fog light area, which now features a body colour crossbar that further accentuates the
Civic’s low, muscular proportions. The RS’s sports kit is also updated with a new rear diffuser, surrounding the centre exit sports exhaust, pulling inspiration from its brother, the Type R. The new Honda Civic Hatch is on sale now, starting from $32,990+ORC for the SX grade. The RS Sport Sensing is priced the same as the outgoing, non-RS, Sport Sensing at $41,990+ORC.
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2007 Toyota Landcruiser Prado TZ • 4.0L Petrol Engine • Low KM’s • Cruise Control & Reversing Camera WAS $26,995
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Summer Cleanout 2020 Nissan Qashqai ST • • • • •
2017 Nissan X-Trail
NZ New Parking Sensors Reversing Camera Bluetooth 5 Year Warranty
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$29,990
Satellite Navigation 7 Seats Low Kms 2.5l Petrol Engine Leather Accented Seats
NOW $32,990
WAS $39,990
2016 Nissan LEAF • • • • •
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24 Kw (Low Kms) Air Bag(s) AlloyWheels Reversing Camera Bluetooth WAS $26,990
• • • •
NOW $23,990
2.5l Diesal Engine Super Low Kms Automatic Twin Sliding Doors
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WAS $33,990
2012 Ford Falcon FG2 G6E • • • • •
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Reversing Camera Towbar Bluetooth Curtain Airbags NZ New
$14,990
Climate Control Satellite Navigation Balance of Warranty AlloyWheels
$19,850
2012 Holden Captiva SX • • • • •
2018 Mazda 3 GLX
Cruise Control Parking Sensors Bluetooth 7 Seats NZ New
• • • • •
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Bluetooth Reversing Camera NZ New Curtain Airbags Only 37,900km
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NZ New Sunroof Cruise Control Satellite Navigation All Wheel Drive
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2016 Nissan e-NV200 • • • • •
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Parking Sensors Reversing Camera NZ New Towbar AlloyWheels WAS $26,990
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www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, February 21, 2020
29
80s hot hatches all the rage N ew research shows that more-and-more Brits would prefer to get behind the wheel of an 80’s hot hatch instead of a modern thoroughbred supercar. Indeed, while some supercars available to drive with www.trackdays.co.uk can reach speeds of 200mph or more, it’s the nostalgia of an 80s pocket rocket that has seen bookings rise faster in recent months. The latest figures released from TrackDays.co.uk show that 80s hot hatch bookings rocketed in the second half of 2019. They were up by almost a third compared to the first half of 2019 and while supercar bookings also increased it was about half that for hot hatches, despite there being more experiences to choose from. Dan Jones, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “80’s hot hatches are more popular than ever, even though they are more than 30 years old. “We’ve seen bookings recently increase faster for these ultra-cool classics than for modern supercars and their popularity shows no sign of slowing down, just like the cars themselves. “They are just as much fun to
drive and are a great reminder of when these scorchers ruled the roads.” Meanwhile, further research from the driving experience provider reveals that it is people aged between 45 and 54 years old who are making the most bookings, possibly reliving their youth. However, the younger generation are hot on their heels when it comes to testing the speed and performance of an 80’s hot hatch with a quarter of bookings coming from those aged 25 to 34 years old. Iconic cars still available to drive with TrackDays.co.uk from the decade that saw yuppies, the Rubik’s Cube and the end of the Cold War, include the Volkswagen Golf GTi, Ford Escort RS Turbo and Peugeot 205 GTi. However, unless you have deep pockets, actually owning one of these models in pristine condition is beyond the reach of many people. A Peugeot 205 GTi once sold at auction for more than £38,000. Dan added: “A driving experience at a race circuit is now the only way for many of us to still enjoy an 80’s hot hatch as prices for these iconic models in good condition can even now fetch astronomical amounts.”
Gluyas Motor Group Chris Hart Vehicle Sales Manager Mob 027 439 0887
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nissan.co.nz
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.
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