18 2
Farming Motoring
Friday, May 15, 2020
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Motoring May 15, 2020
Mercedes
AMG A45 S
I
t’s 1976, and Volkswagen’s engineers look over the first of the Golf GTIs heading out into the wide world. I like to think they knew that the brand had a revolution on its hands; not the world’s first ‘hot hatch’, but at the very least the car that was going to popularise an entire genre. Their eyes would fall clean out of their sockets if they could see this bright yellow bullet and what the hot hatch segment would become. The new Mercedes-AMG A45 S feels the beginning of a new ultra-bruising hyper hatch chapter. A large chunk of that stems from its M139 twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-litre, paired to a new 4MATIC all-wheel drive system (more on this later) and an 8-speed dual clutch transmission.
With 310kW/500Nm on tap, it’s the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever produced; sporting more power than a Ferrari 360 and more torque than most double-cab utes. That’s 85kW/100Nm more than its AMG A35 sibling, and – crucially – 16kW/20Nm more than the Audi RS3. The S is the solitary A45 model offered to Kiwis, bringing with it a 270km/h top speed and 3.9-second 0-100km/h acceleration time. It also means a somewhat jaw-dropping $111,000 starting price, with the $7990 AMG Edition 1 options pack attached bumping its bottom line to $118,990. The extent of that price is enough to position the A45 S in the same monetary ballpark as bona-fide sports cars like the BMW M2 Competition, Porsche Cayman, and
Chevrolet Camaro. Whether a hatch should be priced against these heavyweights is a conversation that could last forever. I wonder just how many people are truly cross-shopping between the two worlds. Probably not many. Anyway, there’s a more pressing question here. How can a grocery getting, schoolrun performing, hatchback possibly put down such a wanton amount of power and torque without snapping in half or simply melting into the pavement? It isn’t AMG’s first rodeo when it comes to stuffing illogical amounts of grunt into a hatchback of course, and the last-gen A45 was plenty capable of handling its horses. But this new A45 is a new lofty benchmark again. Twirl the steering-wheel mounted drivemode adjuster to Sports+ or Race, plant
your left foot on the brake and your right foot on the throttle, and you’re greeted with a red flashing tachometer and the words Race Start. Sidestep the brake, and you’re instantly teleported somewhere else. The way the A45 handles its power off the line and out of corners is an equal parts clinic in brutality and efficiency. The SpeedShift 8-speed is as rapid as you’d expect – arguably more capable left to its own devices rather than when a human takes over via the paddles. Inattentive passengers will have their heads violently slammed back into the leather buckets, but from the driver’s seat it all feels very controlled and predictable. The engineering masterclass under the bonnet reiterates that Mercedes-Benz is still an engineering benchmark in its field.
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, May 15, 2020
19
Recalling a labour of love A t some stage in the future memories of how we spent lockdown will undoubtedly come to mind. For many of us lockdown will be remembered as a time when we took the opportunity to look through and maybe sort out bits and pieces kept over the years. Pete and Valmai Whinham have been doing just that. As a result, a note from Pete arrived in our mailbox with a fascinating newspaper clipping. The clipping is an illustrated article which was printed in this newspaper on Tuesday January 2 1996. Under the headline “Anniversary gives labour of love a hurry up” Guardian reporter Chris Mole told the story of the late Clem McLachlan getting his 1911 New Pick car ready for a rally commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. The accompanying photograph was taken by Guardian photographer Peter Hight. Clem McLaughlan was one of the six University of Canterbury students who were founding members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand back in 1946. He farmed in Mid Canterbury and for some years was Patron of the local Branch of the Vintage Car Club. It is thought the New Pick appealed to Clem because of its rarity – it is one of only four known examples in this country – and its style. Clem began gathering parts in 1959, the bulk being found around the Arundel area. It had been stripped down and converted for use as a post rammer; luckily the chassis, related parts and brass were all left hanging in a shed. Other parts came from Southbridge and Auckland.
Access to a partially restored car in Christchurch and studying old photographs helped Clem build a new body. Finished in bright yellow with brown leather upholstery, which are traditional New Pick colours, the car had its maiden run on the 1996 Ashburton Rally. Not long before, the 4 cylinder 3.3 litre engine had been started for the first time since 1924. Unfortunately ill health prevented both Clem and his late wife Audrey using this lovely little car. After Clem’s passing the New Pick was sold and remains in New Zealand. But what about this marque with such
Back on track
T
he Ferrari factories in Maranello and Modena gradually returned to full production, in line with the “Back on Track” programme. The first car to come off the Special Series lines, after seven weeks in which the processing was suspended just a few hours before its completion, was a Ferrari
Monza SP2 with a black and gray livery. In the following days, a 812 GTS spider in Grigio GTS and a F8 Tributo in Rosso Corsa were among the first cars completed in the 12- and 8-cylinder lines. The new Ferraris are ready to be delivered to their owners – in USA, Germany and Australia and respectively – and to finally hit the road.
Bernard Egan MOTORING
an unusual and intriguing name? Had there been an old Pick before the New Pick? There is not a lot of information about the company which made these cars.
Some slim pickings appear in motor reference books, Mr Google has little to say on the subject. But when it comes to older, especially veteran cars, fortunately we have a wonderful source of information and fountain of knowledge right here in Ashburton, namely Diane Ross. Diane, who of course knows the ex-McLaughlan car, was able to tell us that in 1898 Englishman Jack Pick made a simple dog cart, which he sold to a local doctor for 85 pounds. John (Jack) Henry Pick (1857–1954) was a blacksmith. He had experience of working with a Stamford farm implement maker, which had begun to make oil engines. Jack Pick became a bicycle dealer, before he started to make cars in 1898. From then until 1925 he produced a range of cars, some of which some were exported to Australia and New Zealand. His first cars bore the name Pick, and later the name New Pick appeared. So there was an older Pick before the New Pick, and of course by the time Clem McLaughlan restored his car it was an old New Pick. After closing the motor business, Jack Pick traded as a greengrocer from the premises where he had made the cars. It was kind of Pete Whinham to pass on the clipping thinking it could be of interest. Sure is! And there’s been a little aside to the story. Since getting the clipping I met Chris Mole, who despite writing countless stories could immediately recall this one. We met on the historic railway overhead bridge, which seemed an appropriate location for a chat about a story from years gone by featuring a heritage vehicle.
MOTORING SERVICES
YOU
ies Think Brakes... Think Robb ies Think Clutch... Think Robb bbies Think Specialist... Think Ro
PART
YOUR LOCAL HONDA PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE
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
undercar specialists
MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD
Cnr Cass & South Streets Phone 308 9984 Mob 027 499 9565
299 Havelock Str, Ashburton 03299 308Havelock 9109 Str, Ashburton 03 308 9109 hondaadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz
hondaadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz
• Automotive servicing, repairs and diagnostics • Latest scan tools and service data • Cars, 4WDs, campervans • • • • • •
• European, Japanese and everything in between
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) Vehicle Servicing and Repairs Airconditioning Battery Town Courtesy Vehicles Available Auto Electrical Repairs
• Vehicle transport and recovery Call Dave and the team in the Big Blue Shed, cnr McLean and John St Phone 03 308 6646
If it doesn’t go, let us know! Call 307 2696 187 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton P 307 2696 E autosparks@xtra.co.nz
AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS & SERVICING
GLUYAS MOTOR GROUP
Motoring Services
SPRING ESCAPE SERVICES
DEALS MOTORING
Full servicing, Genuine parts, Loan cars (T’s & C’s apply) Vehicle Report cards Ask about our Map care & Extended Roadside assistance
and • Automotive servicing, repairs diagnostics data • Latest scan tools and service ns • Cars, 4WDs, camperva • European, Japanese and everything in between recovery • Vehicle transport and
NISSAN NAVARA ST 2WD
$
34,990 +GST +ORC
NISSAN NAVARA ST 4WD
$
39,990
+GST +ORC
Call Dave and the team in the Big Blue Shed, St cnr McLean and John Phone 03 308 6646
1.9% FINANCE OVER 36 MONTHS n Street,
Robinso e Industrial Park
nissan.co.nz
Riversid & SERVICING TIVE DIAGNOSTICS 8634 AUTOMO e 03 308 Pricing indicated for D23WM & D23VM. Finance ooer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial ServicesTelephon 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
GLUYAS MOTOR GROUP
DE E PARTS & SERVIC
PARTS & SERVICE
• • • • •
Full servicing, Genuine parts, apply) Loan cars (T’s & C’s Vehicle Report cards care Ask about our Map e & Extended Roadsid nce assista
Ashburton 299 Havelock Str,Str, Ashburton 9109 308Havelock 03299 03 308 9109 alcolmlovett.co.nz hondaadmin@m
alcolmlovett.co.nz
NISSAN NAVARA ST
$
2WD
34,990 +GST +ORC
1.9% FINANCE OVER
36 MONTHS
the experts in Being$ 39,990 their field Robbies can nissan.co.nz give you professional, efficient service when repairing or replacing at your brakes or clutch a competitive price. NISSAN NAVARA ST
4WD
+GST +ORC
to new Nissan vehicles Finance ooer applies or while stocks nance ooer. The 1.9% end 31st October 2018 to qualify for the special other ooers and must by 31st October 2018 conjunction with any Units must be registered apply. Ooer cannot be used in and conditions and some eet purchasers. and excludes all lease keeping fee apply. Terms Financial Services only and $10 monthly account applicants of Nissan fee, $8.05 PPSR fee, ooer available to approved term. $375 establishment deposit and 36 month D23WM & D23VM. Finance Pricing indicated forxed interest rate is available with zero this ooer. or extend only. The 1.9% p.a. the right to vary, withdraw last. Nissan reserves
with Book a service today what us and experience service should be.
MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD
... Think Robbies Think Brakes Think Robbies Clutch... ThinkNG ESCAPE bies SPRI ist... Think Rob Think Special
NDA YOUR LOCAL HO S ALTRE CEN
A YOUR LOCAL HOND CENTRE
e Work Insurance Work Insurance work Insuranc
• • • • •
Quality used parts (most Japanese cars) Tyres, Batteries and Accessories
Call 307 5800 79 Kermode Street
ROBBIE’S
ts underca r specialis
Streets Cnr Cass & South 027 499 9565 Phone 308 9984 Mob
hondaadmin@m
Specialing in
&
PANEL BEATING SPRAY PAINTING
of Floats Cars, Trucks, Buses, Horse s, Trailers, & Motorhomes, Caravan Farm Machinery, Jet Boats, Light Engineering and Aluminium Welding 17 Range Street, Ashburton Phone: 307 0378 Mobile: 0274 274 007 o.nz busandtruckbodywork@xtra.c
• • • • • •
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
Ashburton 187 Alford Forest Road, xtra.co.nz P 307 2696 E autosparks@
$50 per week
Motoring Services spot 110mm H x 76mm W
Call today 307 7900