Motoring January 11, 2019
KONA
It’s a game-changer
DETAILS
P18
HYUNDAI/ISUZU MID CANTERBURY
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Saturday 9am–12noon for WOFs
91 Archibald Street, Tinwald, Ashburton (03) 307 2415
MID CANTERBURY
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Farming Motoring
Friday, January 11, 2019
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Kona - you make the rules
T
he all-new Kona Electric is the first compact electric SUV in New Zealand with over 400km in effective, real-world driving range. Combining impressive electric driving range with bold and distinctive SUV style – you define it according to your rules. Kona Electric’s confident, unique style sets it apart from the crowd. At the front, the sleek closed grille proudly signifies its electric powertrain and together with the characteristic LED twin headlights, creates a truly one-of-akind look. Exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels and an amazing choice of exterior colours and contrasting roof colours allow you to customise your Kona Electric to match your personal style. The all-new Kona Electric is designed to fit everything you and your busy life can throw at it – with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage with a boot capacity of 332L (VDA) including charging cable. But it’s also the attention to detail that makes it so special. Discover an exceptional level of comfort with high-quality materials throughout for
a sensuous and refined feel. 3 ways to charge 1. In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) charging cable (43 hours)
Recharge your Kona Electric practically anywhere. It’s designed to connect to a standard 3 PIN wall socket and will recharge Kona
Electric using household AC current. 2. Fast Charge Wall Box (9.5 hours) The optional accessory wall box for your household improves charge times by utilising a high amperage power supply. 3. Public Rapid Charging Station (75 minutes to 80% charge) The fastest way to charge your Kona Electric. Utilising a powerful DC charging unit the rapid charger offers a fast and convenient solution to those out on the road. * Charging times for the high voltage battery may vary as it is dependent on the condition of the high voltage battery, charger specifications and ambient temperature. Nobody ever said that electric mobility had to be boring. Quick off the line thanks to the 395 Nm of instant torque delivered through the all-electric powertrain, Kona Electric accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.6 seconds, with over 400 kilometres driving range on a single charge.
UMV grabbing attention W
hen experts ponder the future of automobiles, they tend to focus on two novel modes of transportation: driverless cars and flying
cars. At this year’s CES technology show in Las Vegas, Hyundai has introduced a third vision for how vehicles might traverse the world around them - one that doesn’t rely solely on wheels. More than 2,000 years after the wheelbarrow’s debut in classical Greece, ushering in a new era of locomotion, Hyundai’s latest concept car is designed to walk as easily as it rolls. Called “Elevate,” the daddy-long-legslike machine has wheels at the end of long robotic legs that would allow “users to drive, walk or even climb over the most treacherous terrain,” according to the company. The company – which labels the machine a UMV, or “ultimate mobility vehicle” – said the concept was inspired by the need for “resilient transportation” in disaster zones, where conventional vehicles are often rendered useless. “When a tsunami or earthquake hits, current rescue vehicles can only deliver first responders to the edge of the debris field,” John Suh, Hyundai vice president and head of Hyundai CRADLE, said in a statement on the company’s website. “They have to go the rest of the way by foot. Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled concrete.” Suh added that the vehicle’s usefulness wouldn’t be limited to emergency
situations. For people living with disabilities without access to an ADA ramp, the statement said, an autonomous version of the Elevate could walk to a front door and position itself so that a wheelchair could “roll right in.” How realistic is the Elevate concept? David Bailey, a professor at Aston Business School in England, told the BBC that
although concept cars may not make it to the factory floor, they can help generate valuable new ideas. “For most of us, it’s going to be wheels and roads, but in extreme situations, there may be scope for this sort of thing,” Bailey said. “There may well be applications in terms of emergency services – but there are
very big technological challenges to make this sort of thing.” Hyundai’s vision is undeniably ambitious. The company said it envisions being able to switch out different Elevate body types for different situations. The vehicle is designed to utilise “both mammalian and reptilian walking gaits,” giving it the ability to travel in any direction, the company said, noting that the legs fold up into a “stowed drive-mode” to save power. Those legs, the company said, would be able to climb over a five-foot wall and step across a five-foot gap. A concept video produced by Hyundai shows the vehicle performing a mixture of driving and walking. When the surface is relatively flat, the vehicle turns to conventional wheels, but when the terrain grows craggy, the vehicle’s wheels appear to lock into place and its legs extend, taking synchronised steps forward. When surrounded by massive chunks of concrete from what appears to be a collapsed structure, Elevate is shown levelling itself on an incline so that rescuers can load a stretcher inside. “Imagine a car that’s stranded in a snow ditch just 10 feet off the highway being able to walk or climb over the treacherous terrain, back to the road, potentially saving its injured passengers – this is the future of vehicular mobility,” said David Byron, industrial design manager at Sundberg-Ferar, a Detroit-based design firm that partnered with Hyundai to create the Elevate.
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Friday, January 11, 2019
19
INFINITI Inspiration P
reviewing the brand’s electrified future, INFINITI will unveil its new QX Inspiration concept at the 2019 North American International Auto Show this month. The new concept represents INFINITI’s plans for high-performance electrified vehicles, offering complete range confidence, while signalling a new era for INFINITI design enabled by new technology. Infused with Japanese DNA, a refreshed form language hints at the potency and character of the brand’s future electrified powertrains. The development of new electric vehicle platforms enables the formation of spacious, lounge-like interiors. In the case of the QX Inspiration concept, the cabin has been hand-crafted using traditional techniques and a choice of materials inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality. New interior technology follows the Japanese hospitality principle of ‘omotenashi’, creating a welcoming environment, while assisting drivers and connecting occupants to the world around them. “QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for INFINITI, and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand. New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy – and the new vehicle communicates the ‘serene strength’ at our core.” Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI INFINITI’s new concept will be revealed in Detroit on 14 January 2019.
INFINITI
McLaren hits record sales
G
lobal sales for McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury sportscars and supercars, rose to 4806 cars in 2018 with sales up 43.9 per cent over the previous year. This is another record for the company which has increased sales every year since its formation in 2010. North America, which represents McLaren’s biggest single market and over a third of global sales, surpassed the 5000 cars sold mark since sales started in 2011 and achieved another year of record growth. European sales rose 44.2 per cent, but the biggest leap was seen in China at 122.5 per cent growth following the introduction of the 570S Spider and 720S. China now accounts for almost 7 per cent of total global sales. McLaren’s UK domestic market remained strong, achieving a 49.2 per cent year-on-year growth. The company celebrated building its 15,000th car in the summer at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey, where all its cars are hand-assembled, and consistently achieved over 20 cars a day with production exported to over 30 markets. The MPC also built its most varied mix of products yet including examples from each of the company’s now firmly established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series offerings. As well as the 600LT and McLaren
Senna, the company also launched the first two of 18 new products or derivates under its £1.2bn Track25 business plan, the fully deposited Speedtail and, most recently, 720S Spider. Growth was supported by a rise in the number of retailers with openings in Bellevue, Washington and Troy, Michigan in North America, a second site added in Tokyo plus new sites in Sao Paulo, Guangzhou in China and Leeds and Hatfield in the UK, signalling a strong domestic market. McLaren’s in-house bespoke division, McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which undertakes special vehicle commission and customisation, also had a busy year. More customers are now choosing to add unique, additional luxury touches to their acquisitions which has seen the MSO order book triple in one year. In November, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Crown Prince of Bahrain opened the company’s second ever facility, the £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre in the Sheffield region. It will help the company to innovate and produce lightweight carbon fibre ‘tubs’ that will enable it to deliver the lightest in class products and win what CEO Mike Flewitt has described as the new ‘lightweight race’ in place of the traditional ‘power race’, essential as the company moves towards 100 per cent hybrid sportscars and supercars by 2024.
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Farming Motoring
Friday, January 11, 2019
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Zero range anxiety!
I
t was pouring when I left Christchurch for home via Diamond Harbour. So first thoughts were that these were not ideal conditions for my first drive of Hyundai’s long-range (fully charged and ready to do an indicated 446km) Kona EV with its economy focused tyres. But we found the weather didn’t matter whilst driving this quite distinctive but attractive (well perhaps with the exception of the panel in place of the grille) compact SUV looking vehicle with its contrasting, ‘body armour’ and 17-inch alloys. And, we arrived home with the car indicating the batteries were still good for a further 297km! Size-wise, Kona is a little shorter, but wider than the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR. Despite its distinctive outside looks, and being an EV, both the cabin’s looks, layout and controls are not too different. The main exception is the four flat, square switches on the center console – Drive, Reverse, Neutral and Park. These are instead of a gear selector and are very easy to use. There’s a large central tablet-style multimedia display for the Apple Carplay/ Android Auto allowing easy connectivity and quick access to information, entertainment, recharge stations etc. While a smart-phone is needed for navigation there’s wireless smart-phone
charging and a heads-up display. The Elite also has leather furnishings, heated/ventilated comfortable and supportive front seats giving very good all-round views. Meanwhile the very efficient dual zone air-con causes minimal possible drain on the batteries because it works through an inverter (heat-pump). So once behind the wheel it’s just a case of pressing the start button, the Drive or Reverse switch with power arriving both silently and immediately you put your foot on the accelerator. This happens even more urgently when selecting Sports mode, when 0-100kmh times in less than 7.5 seconds become possible! However for most of the many kilometres driven the default Comfortmode was entirely satisfactory and provided suitably brisk out-of-town motoring, including overtaking and effortless climbs up Dyers/Gebbies Passes, and out of the Rakaia Gorge. The Eco modes, while maximising the automatic regeneration of the batteries, subdue the performance and are best used in selected about town/city driving situations. This automatic regeneration of course also happens during braking and on descents while in Comfort and Sport. It can be increased via the paddles, even to such a dramatic extent that almost
Roger Hart ROAD TEST
brought the Kona to a stop when descending the steepest bit of the road into the Rakaia Gorge. But what about plugging it in? Well, while the home charge cable fits nicely under the boot floor, the one for the DC fast-charge station (for charging up to 80 per cent of battery capacity or around 350km in 75 minutes) sits in a bag which encroaches a little on some of the available 320 litres of luggage space. Then unless you are doing long trips you may be able to avoid the etiquette (or lack of such) at public fast-charge stations and as I did, use the home charge 3-pin plug each night, but to charge a nearly ‘flat’ battery this way can take some 43 hours. However for the cost of around $2000 you can install an AC fast-charge wall box in your garage, which will charge the battery to 80 per cent capacity in 9.5 hours and then top it up to 100 per cent. On the aforementioned winding roads,
while the steering doesn’t provide much feel and the tyres gave warning of their wet grip limits, the Kona felt pleasantly precise and predictable. No doubt that’s because of the rigid chassis, multi-link rear suspension and the weight of its low mounted batteries. Despite it SUV-like looks, I didn’t drive any shingle roads. The rear seat offers decent space and head-room for two adults, together with easy access thereto. There’s an array of SmartSense active safety technologies on board, including radar-based lane assist, forward collision warning, blind spot warning and the excellent adaptive cruise control.
FINALE I really enjoyed my time with this practical, versatile,comfortable Kona EV with its definite long range driving/ touring ability complete with both zero emissions and zero range anxiety. Granted it and the needed AC fastcharger for the garage mean for quite an expensive package, it can’t tow and when touring you will still need to plot a route to meet up with the occasional fast charger!
All-New Kona EV
450 km range on a single charge 395 Nm of instant torque Bold and distinctive SUV style 91 Archibald Street, Tinwald | 03 307 2415
Kona Electric
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Friday, January 11, 2019
Aussies get Ice Blue
M
INI Australia is proud to announce pricing and specification for the Millbrook Edition, a strictly limited-production machine based on the sporty John Cooper Works Hatch. “We love demonstrating the wide range of personalisation options available to MINI owners,” said MINI Australia Gen-
eral Manager, Brett Waudby. “It’s fantastic to express this via special edition vehicles, such as the Blackheath and Kensington MINIs we have recently showcased. “Millbrook is a fitting special edition offer, and with only 20 destined for the Australian market, it will become a collector’s item,” he said. A vintage motorsport-inspired exterior finish has been applied to the Millbrook
Edition. This metallic Heritage paintwork, known as Ice Blue, is exclusive to the Millbrook Edition JCW Hatch. Black 17-inch light-alloy wheels offset the Ice Blue paint and feature performance tyres for additional agility over the standard run flat tyres. Providing additional differentiation are the standard-fit additional driving lights and covers, a nod to the original Mini’s
giant-killing rallying in the 1960s. The high-end Lounge leather upholstery is standard-fit, with seat heating also standard. The eight-speed sports automatic transmission with gear shift paddles and Launch Control is fitted as standard. These additions build on the already-impressive standard specification of the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch.
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Friday, January 11, 2019
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Open road warrior
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rabham Automotive is pleased to confirm a new Road Compliance Conversion option for its limited edition BT62 track car, which will make the vehicle
road legal. The Australian high-performance manufacturer built the BT62 to be an unrestricted track car, with performance and power that significantly surpasses that of a GT car. While that hasn’t changed, the iconic marque is responding to some customers’
desire for occasional road use – particularly to drive their BT62 to and from the circuit. For the European market, the road compliant conversion process for the BT62 will take place in the UK and costs £150,000 in addition to the list price of the car. It will be handled by Brabham Automotive ahead of registration. A similar process is being undertaken in Australia and Brabham Automotive will aim to fulfill requests for a similar conver-
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sion in other jurisdictions. Each BT62 will be put through the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test. This test ensures it has been designed and constructed to meet and achieve all regulatory standards to see the BT62 on the open road. In addition to the regulatory requirements, specification changes will also be made to make the vehicle more usable on the road. This includes raising the ride height with
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a front and rear axle lift kit, increasing the steering lock range, adding air conditioning, fitting door locks and immobilisers, and including additional high-quality upholstery in the interior. The objective was to make the car legal, safe and usable on the road with minimal compromise to its race-bred circuit dynamics. Whilst there will be a slight increase in weight there will be no reduction in power, retaining the 700bhp power output.
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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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