Ignition Magazine New Zealand | February 2024 by Capricorn Society

FEBRUARY 2024

Future Ride:

CUPRA DARKREBEL

HOW TO FIND AND KEEP GOOD APPRENTICES Advice on attracting and retaining top young talent.

CAPRICORN MEMBER WHEELNUTZ GARAGE Helping people with disability transform their lives through a love of cars.

CALENDAR of events NZ Golf Day

Palmerston North Tradeshow

Wairakei 15 March 2024

Petone Tradeshow

Palmerston North Convention Centre 20 March 2024

Capricorn Convention 2024 Hawaii 5-11 May 2024

Napier Tradeshow

Petone Rugby Club 19 March 2024

Taradale Rugby Club 21 March 2024

STAY TUNED! Log in to myCAP to check out all the upcoming events or for further information please contact our Events team.

cap.coop/events

0800 401 444

events@capricorn.coop

Capricorn publications will be sent separately to your statement FROM FEBRUARY 2024 Starting in February 2024, you'll receive your Ignition and Sparks magazines by post at the beginning of each month while your statement will continue to arrive in the middle of the month.

With the earlier delivery of the magazines, you will have the whole month to take advantage of the exclusive offers from our Preferred Suppliers as featured in the Sparks magazine.

CONTENTS CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2024 2023

David Fraser Group CEO

CEO’s message

Success is never guaranteed, but inaction guarantees failure. I’ve been reflecting on this idea as we prepare to celebrate Capricorn’s 50th anniversary later this year—because there were multiple occasions, in the very early years, when the founders of our cooperative very nearly pulled the plug on the whole experiment. If you read "First 30", the book written to celebrate Capricorn’s 30th anniversary, there’s an interview with one of our original 12 founders, Brian Tulloch. He remembers “sitting around on packing cases in Stirling Street (Capricorn’s premises) when we were making the decision whether to carry on or wind up the cooperative.” Capricorn had about 20 Members at the time. “The decision to carry on was made by a fairly slim margin and on the basis that every one of us would recruit one Member each in order to increase the throughput sufficiently to justify keeping going,” Brian states. “It was a relatively slow process, but we pulled ourselves up and carried on conservatively from there.” How pleased and proud we can all be that people who steered us through the early days found such grit and determination. Their legacy is in the strength and prosperity of the Capricorn community today. There is, I think, an encouraging lesson in the story of Capricorn for all of us as business owners. That lesson is that if we remember why we’re doing what we’re doing, if we can believe in it, if we can find the courage to trust our instincts and seize sensible opportunities, then success is possible even when it feels like our backs are against the wall. It is a new year. A time when we traditionally think about “new starts”. So, it’s a good opportunity for us all to reflect not only on what we want to achieve this year, but on how we’re going to achieve it. Capricorn’s founders didn’t just vote to keep going, they decided on the course of action needed to achieve success. We all face challenges in our businesses from time to time. The good news is that the outlook for the automotive aftermarket in 2024 is overwhelmingly positive. The even better news is that, as a Capricorn Member—thanks to the vision of our founders—you’ve got the power of the entire cooperative behind you to help you achieve success. Good luck to you, and happy New Year.

4 PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS

Why you can’t afford to neglect cybersecurity.

6 REV UP YOUR SUCCESS 5 benefits of investing in a new business vehicle.

7 WHEELNUTZ GARAGE Helping those with disability transform their lives through a love of cars.

12 HOW READY

ARE YOU FOR 2024 AND BEYOND? 6 ways to refresh your business plan for the new year.

15 HOW TO FIND AND KEEP GOOD APPRENTICES

Advice on attracting and retaining top young talent.

18 FUTURE RIDE:

CUPRA DARKREBEL Could this be the Caped Crusader’s kind of CUPRA?

23 HIGH-OCTANE MOTOR RACING CIRCUITS

Let’s see what your car really can do!

26 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport

Honda’s newest small crossover SUV.

David Fraser Group CEO

All information, material and content in this edition of Ignition is provided or sourced by Capricorn Society Limited (“Capricorn”) for general information only and is not intended to be advice or comment on any particular matter or subject. Before acting on any information in this edition of Ignition you should consider the relevance of it to your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice. Any opinions expressed in an Ignition article are those of the relevant individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Capricorn. Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material (including without limitation, any third party authored article or supplier advertisement in respect of which Capricorn merely acts as conduit) included in this edition of Ignition. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Capricorn, its officers, employees, agents and representatives disclaim any and all liability to you or any other person for any loss or damage whatsoever connected with: i. reliance on any material in Ignition; or ii. any inaccuracy, error or omission in any material in Ignition. If you’d like to stop receiving a printed copy of Ignition, you can opt-out at any time by logging into myCAP and updating your Account settings and Communication Preferences. CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024 3

BUSINESS BUILDING AND CONTENTS

WHY YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO NEGLECT

CYBER SECURITY Is your business adequately prepared for a cyber attack? Lots of small to medium-sized businesses aren't.

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According to Stats NZ, six per cent of New Zealand businesses have experienced a cyber attack in the past two financial years that has resulted in loss or damage. 60 per cent were malware attacks and 42 per cent were attacks by hackers. Samuel Rogers is head of cyber insurance at Dual Asia Pacific. He says cybersecurity refers to the protection of sensitive business-critical information, data and systems from outside interference—a cyber attack. He said it is a mistake for small-business owners to think they are too small for hackers and cybercriminals to bother with. “Small businesses are viewed by threat actors as low-hanging fruit,” Samuel said. “Small businesses utilise technology the same as large businesses do but they don’t invest heavily in security—which basically means they’re very easily targeted.” Even if you’re not specifically targeted, Samuel said it is very common for small businesses to get caught up in large-scale ransomware-as-a-service style attacks, which might affect your cloud service provider or customer relationship management system. “Most of the time, cyber attacks arrive in a spam email,” Samuel said. “I think there’s a belief in the business community that cyber attacks involve somebody hacking into a network, compromising an antivirus platform or breaking through a firewall. That’s generally not the entry method that a lot of threat actors use, especially in a small- business space. “What you’ll normally see is just an email that purports to be something from a bank or from a retail platform or potentially from a customer that entices somebody to click on something or download a PDF document or something like that. It looks legitimate, somebody clicks on it and it will often lead to a duplicate website which asks them to type in credentials or uploads an executable file on their PC, which then allows a threat actor to get access.

So, it bypasses all of those more traditional methods of protecting systems. That tends to be the most common form of loss that we’re seeing.” Samuel recommends several forms of protection, including multifactor authentication, employee training, web and email filtering, privileged access management, and working with third-party vendors to ensure proper security measures are in place. He also recommends cyber insurance—which not only provides coverage for cyber attack incidents but also provides help with incident response, such as forensics, notification expenses, public relations, and legal support. “If you buy a cyber insurance policy, you can get access to a panel of those providers that will do that for you; that’s bundled within the policy itself,” Samuel said. “Then you get access to all the insurance elements as well , which can cover the cost of data and system restoration. If there is encrypted data or damaged data, you can get the cost of actually restoring that data and technical assistance in restoring it or potentially re-creating it from scratch. As for the payment for ransoms, this is a question that comes up a lot, and there is a legal process that’s involved in determining whether a ransom is actually insurable or whether it should be paid, because you could potentially be in violation of sanctions.” They’re all headaches most Members will want to avoid, and will certainly want help with in the event of a cyber attack—and having the right protection helps ensure you have all the assistance you need.

Contact your local Risk Account Manager for more information, or simply call 0800 555 303 or email info@capricornrisk.com for assistance.

* Cover may differ based on each protection or insurance product. Steps you may be required to take to attract protection under the relevant product may also differ. 1 Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd include discretionary risk protection and general insurance products. Discretionary risk protection is issued out of Australia by Capricorn Mutual Ltd. Before deciding to acquire discretionary risk protection, you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement to see if it is appropriate for you. This can be obtained from Capricorn Risk Services by phoning 0800 555 303, emailing info@capricornrisk.com or checking the website capricorn.coop/risk. General insurance products are issued by a range of insurers and are available through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd as a member broker of PSC Connect NZ Limited. Capricorn Risk Services is a registered financial services provider (390466) and a corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038). Capricorn Mutual Ltd has published a Target Market Determination for its protection, which is available at capricorn.coop/about/capricorn-mutual.

Rev up your success: 5 benefits of investing in a new business vehicle Investing in a new vehicle for your business isn’t necessarily a luxury – it can be a strategic move that provides significant benefits. With the end of the financial year (EOFY) just around the corner, here are five reasons to consider purchasing a new set of wheels.

1. Image and branding A business vehicle can function as a moving billboard. Impress clients, attract new customers and stand out from the competition with an eye-catching new ride.

2. Reliability Cutting-edge technology, greater reliability and improved fuel efficiency mean that you’ll be able to rely on your new vehicle to get you, your team and your equipment from A to B.

3. Enhanced safety Safety is paramount for any business. From advanced driver-assistance systems to improved crash protection, a new vehicle can increase protection for both your people and your business.

Want to make the most of a new business vehicle purchase before EOFY? CAP ezi-finance now offers business vehicle loans that cover everything from cars to trailers, trucks, vans and anything else you need to keep your business moving.

4. Tax advantages and depreciation A new vehicle can be a valuable asset at tax time as many regions offer incentives and deductions for business vehicle purchases. Depreciation may also be factored into your tax strategy.

5. Productivity and efficiency Time is money. A reliable, well-equipped, modern vehicle can significantly boost your team's productivity and efficiency by ensuring that you stay on the move.

Capricorn Finance offers workshop equipment and business vehicle finance through Capricorn Society Financial Services Pty Ltd (ACN 129 134 667/ NZBN 9429050429110). Fees & charges, Terms and Conditions and lending criteria apply. 6 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

For more information, call us on 0800 401 444 visit cap.coop/finance or contact your Area Manager

Wheelnutz transforming lives through a LOVE OF CARS A love of cars doesn’t belong to any one group. It’s something that unites people from all walks of life — including people with disabilities.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Wheelnutz transforming lives through a LOVE OF CARS

hat’s the idea at the heart of a truly remarkable enterprise based in Queensland: Wheelnutz. With workshops in Brendale and Logan, Wheelnutz teaches mechanical and automotive skills to people with disabilities. It is a disability services business owned by Capricorn Members Gavin McCarthy and Jade Burgmann.

“The workshops are set up as automotive garages and they are run like businesses,” Jade said. “A lot of these young people who come into the garage want to learn the skills necessary to go on to some kind of employment in the future, so we run it like a place of employment. “They’re not only learning the technical skills and gaining some industry knowledge; they’re also learning all the soft skills necessary for employment—turning up on time, turning up clean and presentable, learning how to communicate with their workmates in a way that’s respectful.” Jade and Gavin also own Adventure Crew, which provides NDIS-accredited outdoor activities for people with disabilities, like kayaking, fishing and swimming. Gavin said it was through taking people away on four-wheel driving trips (often respite breaks for primary carers) with Adventure Crew that the idea for Wheelnutz was born. “We’d take them away for a weekend or for a few days and then they start expressing an interest in what goes on with the vehicles that we were using,” he said. “We had a few four-wheel drives so we started Wheelnutz in our garage at home, showing some of our guys how we service the car, how we fix it, how we modify them for the trips that we were doing.” That was December 2020. By February 2021, Wheelnutz had become so popular that Gavin and Jade found commercial premises on the Gold Coast to use as a training base. Although that location has since closed, the two other locations continue to grow in popularity, with more than 60 people now regularly attending. The business has 18 staff, including some who came from the industry and have disabilities themselves. The participants work on their own cars or staff cars, and work on everything from oil changes to complete restorations. “Ninety-nine per cent of the time these guys are doing really big fabrication, modification works,” Gavin said. “For example, we’ve just done a N70 Hilux. We’ve converted it from an independent front end and it’s now solid axle swapped. So, all of the running gear under that car is now Nissan Patrol.

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It’s course sprung all around. It’s got a Nissan Patrol gearbox in it. The whole car is half-and-half Nissan Patrol and Toyota Hilux.” Although Wheelnutz does not provide accredited training, the company’s instructors are familiar with the skills required for accredited courses and some participants have gone on to pursue further training and careers. Jade said participants range in age from their mid-teens to their late 60s. “And really the garage is accessible for anyone and everyone who just simply has an interest in automotive,” she said. “We’ve got a mix of male and female participants who’ve got a wide variety of disabilities or health conditions. “The vast majority of the folks in the garage are on the autism spectrum, but then we’ve also got a large number of people with acquired brain injuries or intellectual disabilities. It’s quite varied.” “At the end of the day, it was only ever going to be a space where people come together because they’ve got a shared interest and they just love cars, they love tinkering with cars, they want to get their hands dirty and kind of get under the bonnet and just have a play with these big shiny things that they probably wouldn’t be allowed to do anywhere else.” Gavin and Jade each grew up with a parent involved in the automotive industry and are both passionate about the opportunities the industry can offer people with disabilities, and the strengths and skills people with a disability can offer the industry.

“We not only have participants who have NDIS plans, but we’re also seeing more and more people who have either experienced a workplace or vehicle accident, which has resulted in them being eligible for some state-funded rehabilitation support,” Gavin said. Wheelnutz has won awards for its unique program and some participants have gone on to join the industry professionally. That hasn’t always been a successful transition, but Jade said there’s no reason many people with disabilities couldn’t become star employees at most workshops, with just a few minor tweaks to how the workshop operates. For example, a young person who is autistic may have some sensory challenges, and just having somewhere quiet where they can remove themselves for five minutes to reset and regulate their emotions (like a lunchroom that is quiet outside of lunch hour) can make a huge difference. In terms of impact and outcome, Jade considered it no different to another employee popping out for five minutes for a cigarette. Gavin said there’s plenty of opportunity for workshop owners and the wider automotive industry to get involved in Wheelnutz and support the skills development of people with disabilities. He said they’re always looking for projects (they’re currently getting a 1970 Pontiac Firebird roadworthy under Australian law, and putting a V8 in an old FJ40 Land Cruiser) and donations of old equipment are always welcome. “We’re trying to broaden the scope of what we’re doing,” Gavin said. “I’d like to move into tyre fitting and changing tyres. There is a massive shortage of tyre fitters and wheel balance aligners at the moment, but we want to expand what we’ve got. So, any sort of help from within the automotive industry with equipment that these guys can use and learn on and hopefully find employment as a result of, would be very welcome.” Gavin and Jade encouraged business owners, especially those in rural and regional areas, to reach out for guidance on employing people with disabilities.

Find out more and contact Gavin and Jade at wheelnutzgarage.com

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Rewards+ gives you more flexibility to reward yourself for the hard work you put into your business. Your Rewards Points can now be redeemed for just about anything you want... even a fishing boat. The choice is yours.*

FIND OUT WHAT’S POSSIBLE AT: CAPRICORN.COOP/REWARDS

*Under Rewards+, Members can request to redeem their Rewards Points for rewards they nominate that fit within certain criteria as determined by Capricorn. Any proposed redemptions through Rewards+ are subject to Capricorn’s final approval. Participation in the Capricorn Rewards Program (including Rewards+) is subject to terms and conditions. For full terms and conditions, please visit capricorn.coop/tc.

How ready are you for 2024 and beyond? by Jeff Smit

Are you really ready to tackle 2024 and beyond? For the answer, I draw a comparison between a workshop and an oak tree. Remember the old quotation “When is the best time to plant an oak tree? Twenty years ago. And the second best time is now”?

t’s all about planning. To generate the best potential for your workshop, your staff and yourself as owner or manager, planning ahead is the only answer — and not just for 2024. You want long-term success? Now is the time to plant the oak tree. The first step is to look back at the past few years and analyse your business. What went well and what caused issues? Understanding what caused these highs and lows is critical if you want to determine what needs changing and what doesn’t. So step back and evaluate your business critically. Only then can the right changes be made for the future. Traditionally, the start of a new year is a great time to develop a fresh outlook and fire up enthusiasm and ambition for the year ahead. And I don’t mean a frivolous New Year’s resolution that you have no intention of keeping. It helps to break your future planning into different time periods — short-term (one year), medium-term (three to five years) and long-term (seven to ten years).

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Those who would argue that trying to look a decade ahead is unrealistic need to have a closer look at the industry in which they live and work. The pace of vehicle technology is so fast that a decade is a mere blip on the calendar. All workshops must consider what they want to be doing in ten years’ time. What technology will be your workshop’s point of difference in a competitive market? The time to prepare for your position in the aftermarket chain is now. What must be accepted by all is that the one-stop shop is on the way out. For this reason alone, long-term planning is vital, and like the oak tree, the workshop must begin growing its knowledge base right now. Delay will mean being left behind. This is not to downplay short- and medium-term planning. Working on improving the business month by month and year by year is important not only for profitability but for peace of mind for management and staff. A well-run, profitable business is a healthier and happier workshop than those that ignore planning.

SOME PLANNING IDEAS: 1 Customer retention

Check the level of customer satisfaction. Acknowledge that customers might be doing it tough too.

2 Scan the market Identify those emerging automotive services which might fit well into your business. What are competitors doing? Think outside the square about facilities or services which might work well in your business. 3 Know your business numbers Begin the year with an accurate handle on the numbers which reveal workshop costs, profits and productivity.

There is nothing new on this list. We always recommend that workshop owners work on their business more than they work in their business. Only by taking this step can you begin to make positive changes in your workshop. So even if your business is in good shape, it is always worth having a regular health check. Right now is the time to position yourself and your business for a fit, healthy and prosperous 2024 and beyond.

Team motivation 4 Aim to retain and reward the right staff because there is a direct relationship between this action and ensuring that your workshop can continue to deliver a quality service. 5 Products and service Make sure that your workshop delivers quality and consistency, and that these qualities are delivered within costs. 6 Stay informed and seek help Running a busy workshop can’t be done in isolation anymore. There’s not a workshop in the land that can know everything about every make of vehicle. As Capricorn highlights, there is strength in numbers. Build a safety network of knowledge around your workshop, which might begin with a TaT subscription or by joining other industry bodies which cater for your particular services. Networks like The Garage Network are all about technicians and workshop owners helping each other in these changing times. Consult colleagues and fellow workshop owners, and take a little time off to attend trade shows and training sessions. Once you’ve been to a good training session or trade show, you will want more, because this is how knowledge is acquired.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Want to win a brand-new Weber BBQ ? Then all you need to do is get the team together, fire up the barbie and send us a picture. It’s that easy! We don’t mind if you’re doing a sausage sizzle for smoko, searing some sensational steaks or serving up some soy-based veggie snags – as long as there’s a BBQ involved. To get yourself in the running, all you need to do is:

Take a photo of yourself and your team enjoying a barbeque. Share it with us, via one of the following methods: Email it to us at ignition@capricorn.coop Create a post on Facebook and tag Capricorn Society (@capsoc). Comment with your photo on one of the Grill Seekers Giveaway posts on Facebook (cap.coop/bbq). Keep your fingers crossed and hope you win.

Get your entry in now at cap.coop/bbq The competition is open from 15 January 2024 to 15 March 2024 and the winner will be chosen by a random draw on 20 March 2024. This promotion is subject to This promotion is subject to terms terms and and conditions, conditions, for for full full Terms Terms and and Conditions, Conditions, visit visit cap.coop/tc cap.coop/tc

How to find and keep good apprentices What you need to know to attract and retain top young talent.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Chris is all too aware of how lucky he is. He knows from his mates at trade school that other apprentices are having a less positive experience.

pprentices are vital for ensuring the future of the auto aftermarket industry, so it is encouraging to see that 73% of Members told our State of the Nation Special Report: The Skills Shortage that they’d employed an apprentice at some time. However, 57% also reported losing an apprentice before the apprentice had completed their qualification. To mark the launch of the 2024 Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year award, we’re sharing some advice on how to attract and keep top talent. And who better to provide this advice than some of the apprentices who made it through to the second round of last year’s Rising Stars? Want to nominate an outstanding apprentice of yours for the 2024 Capricorn Rising Stars award and get them (and your business) in the running to win some fantastic prizes*? Just use the link or QR code below.

Are you an attractive boss to a potential apprentice? Chris Haywood is a fourth-year collision apprentice at Parker’s Crash Repairs in Victor Harbour in South Australia. He’s passionate about the industry and his future in it. At 28, he’s considered an adult apprentice and came to the industry after trying other career paths first. There were several factors that Chris said attracted him to join the team at Parker’s. e liked the fact it was a small family-owned H business. He’d worked for big corporations before and found them impersonal. here’s a really good working culture in the T business. “Everyone has a pride and passion for what they do,” he said. “They’re not just coming in and doing the bare minimum.” he boss is caring and hands-on, putting T people before profits when he needs to. “He just makes sure everyone’s OK,” he said.

“I’ve heard of a few bosses who basically treat apprentices as expendable, so no wonder they’re having problems with retention,” he said, “If you’ve got staff who are happy to come to work and put in a good eight hours, you’ll get more out of them. Happy staff don’t drag their feet. They’re not just there for the money. Everyone should help each other; it shouldn’t be every person for themselves.”

Is your workshop an attractive workplace to a potential apprentice? Matilda Gook (17) is a heavy diesel apprentice at APS Mech in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Her father is also a heavy diesel mechanic and she credits that early exposure to the industry with her wanting to pursue it as a career. Matilda is one of a small but slowly growing band of female apprentices now entering the industry. Twelve per cent of Members who responded to the recent State of the Nation Special Report: The Skills Shortage survey said that they employed a female apprentice and, clearly, there’s a huge opportunity to welcome more women into the industry. But that won’t happen unless we can encourage them into apprenticeships. “I think a lot of females are pretty scared of the industry because it’s all boys,” she said. “I found a lot of the boys very judgemental.” Matilda said if her boss, Capricorn Member Andy Schmidt, hadn’t been so supportive, she might have already left the industry despite her passion for it.

Matilda Gook 2023 Capricorn Rising Stars Top 5 Finalist

Nominate your apprentice at cap.coop/stars * 2024 Capricorn Rising Starts Terms and Conditions apply, visit cap.coop/tc

Here are her views on how automotive businesses can attract and retain apprentices: Create a supportive, encouraging environment. ● Understand that female apprentices may not have some of the physical strength required for certain jobs and make allowances, like providing spanners with longer handles. Don’t tolerate behaviour like bullying, sexism, or flirting , which might negatively impact the apprentice’s experience. ● Take steps to ensure women feel welcome and comfortable, like ensuring that there is a working lock on the toilet door. Employers should also always be mindful of their obligations in the workplace. For great resources on workplace bullying, sexual harassment and other topics highlighted by Matilda, see the Fair Work Ombudsman website at fairwork.gov.au/ employment-conditions.

Is your workshop culture attractive to a potential apprentice?

A few final tips for attracting and retaining apprentices.

L ook for people who are invested in the industry Form relationships with your local trade school or TAFE and choose apprentices who have a proven interest and aptitude for the trade. W ear your culture on your sleeve Young people are looking for a good culture, so make it obvious through every interaction during recruitment that your workshop is a supportive, nurturing environment.

● Keep your communication channels open Be approachable. Proactively talk to staff about their goals, welfare, training, behaviour, etc. A regular, honest chat is the easiest way to stop small problems from becoming big ones.

You can read the full Special Report at cap.coop/son-skills

In WA, Kody Mulachy is a third-year apprentice with Voltaic Auto Electrical. He chose his trade because he figured there’d always be plenty of work and nonstop learning as cars become more electrical. Kody is one of five apprentices at the workshop. Here’s what he thinks his boss (Capricorn Member Josh Doutch) gets right: The boss is very honest, easy to talk to and good at communication. Apprentices are given responsibility, challenged by the work, and given help when they get stuck. There’s a real focus on team building (e.g., social events) so “the crew” gets along. “I enjoy coming to work and seeing the team, and we all help each other out,” Kody said. There’s an understanding approach to work arrangements (e.g., flexibility and work-life balance).

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

CUPRA

DA R K COULD THIS BE THE CAPED CRUSADER’S KIND OF CUPRA?

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FUTURE RIDE:

REBE L

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

CUPRA

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f you’ve designed a car that looks like it belongs in a DC comic, then you really must give it a name that sounds like it’s ready to lock horns with Batman. In that sense, at least, CUPRA’s DarkRebel is already a success. They’ve got the marketing right.

And this vehicle is really all about the marketing. The concept car is a pure-electric, two-seat, shooting brake sports car which CUPRA says, “condenses all the brand’s DNA and values”. “The CUPRA DarkRebel is designed to enter a new dimension where desire, emotion and pushing without limits are our obsession,” CUPRA Design Director Jorge Diez says. A new dimension? Do they perhaps mean DC’s infamous “Multiverse Control Room”? We have no idea. It doesn’t matter. It’s just marketing. The important thing is it looks cool. But that in itself is no small miracle, because CUPRA designed the DarkRebel with input from 270,000 (yes, really) CUPRA fans, who provided suggestions on how the vehicle should look via an online poll hosted on the company’s Metaverse platform. (Its “Metaverse Control Room”, if you will—although CUPRA calls it their virtual Hyper Configurator… which definitely sounds like a Batman gadget). There’s an old joke that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. It’s hard to imagine a design process that takes into account the wishes of nearly 300,000 car lovers, including—as CUPRA’s marketing will repeatedly tell you—famous footballers and actors. Yet here it is. So, what is it? Well, it’s the most powerful show car CUPRA has ever made—with more than 450 horsepower (peak power) and the ability to accelerate from zero to 100 kmh in under four seconds. “It is a rebel with a purpose: to prove that electric cars in the future can be sporty, sexy, and emotional,” says CUPRA CEO Wayne Griffiths. Beyond that, there’s precious little detail about the battery, performance or range available at all. It’s a concept car, after all. (It does seem like the kind of thing a caped crusader might need to know, though.) But we know it’s 4.5 metres in length, 2.2 metres in width, and 1.3 metres in height, and its doors open to a height of 2.2 metres. And we know that when CUPRA unveiled the physical concept car at the Munich motor show last year, the design turned heads. It is aggressively aerodynamic. One writer in Autocar wrote: “The central cell of the car is modelled on that of a speedboat, and wrapped around it are vast wings, diffusers, spoilers, and cooling and aerodynamic features.”

Another journalist, in the UK’s Car Magazine, wrote: “It’s a sexy project to crown the line-up and, hopefully, generate a little more desirability for (CUPRA’s) cars. Desirability is everything for (Griffiths), too—he’s even willing to sacrifice some profitability to achieve it.” The cab is pushed to the rear, giving the DarkRebel an old GT feel (or, dare we say it, a Batmobile vibe). Or, as CUPRA’s marketing puts it: “Sensual surfaces with a strong combination of sharp lines create tension in the design, expressing a concentration of energy and purpose. All underscored by the enigmatic liquid body colour.” The key element of the cabin, according to CUPRA, is the central spine with its asymmetrical shapes, lightness, and sculptural appearance. “Produced using the latest 3D metal printing technology, it provides structural performance with maximum lightness, emerging from between the base of the seats and extending forward to embrace the driver,” the company says. From there, things get even more wild. “Once sat in the Supersport bucket seats, with headrests made from glass and copper inserts and covered with 3D knitting fabric, the driver sees the steering wheel, which combines geometries from the world of racing with the interactivity of the world of gaming,” the company says. “The gear shifter is located in the central spine and made of exquisite glass that illuminates and invites touch.” Putting glass in the headrest and gearstick certainly does seem to agree with the claim they designed the car “without limits”. If the DarkRebel does eventually go into production, as Griffiths says it will, it’ll be interesting to see which of these kinds of “without limits” features make it onto the showroom floor. For the past five years or so, Volkswagen (which owns SEAT and, therefore, CUPRA) has been steadily building the CUPRA brand. It’s SEAT’s performance brand. At the same Munich motor show where the DarkRebel was unveiled, VW chairman Thomas Schafer announced that the SEAT brand is going to be retired, to be replaced by CUPRA. So, the DarkRebel is the end of an era as much as it’s the dawn of a new one. Which is good news if you’re Batman, because it’s much cooler to be seen fighting crime in a CUPRA DarkRebel than a SEAT Leon. And that’s not marketing. That’s just facts.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Sydne

Liam Lawson at the Highlands (NZ)

YOUR CAR really

CAN DO

by Paul Marinelli

Sick of being unable to fully enjoy the performance of your car? Then you should take your car for a spin on a racetrack. There are a number of exciting motor racing circuits across Australia and New Zealand that offer track time for car enthusiasts.

Shell V-Power Motorsport Park (The Bend) (AU)

2 2 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

ey Motorsport Park (AU)

otorsport may seem inaccessible, but most professional-grade racing circuits offer the opportunity for the general public to get their cars on the track and get a real experience of their car’s speed without the risk of losing their licences. All of it is conducted in a far safer and controlled environment compared to the danger, not to mention the consequences, of being irresponsible on our roads.

From one side of Australia to the other and all the way along the long white cloud across New Zealand, racing circuits that host various forms of frontline motorsport also open their doors for on-track experiences for the rest of us. CARCO.com.au Raceway (formerly Wanneroo Park near Perth) is the home of motorsport in Western Australia. Track hire time is available midweek for drivers holding a Motorsport Australia licence and who are a member of a Motorsport Australia–affiliated club. Some venues offer temporary licences to take part in specific track days as well. The newest motor racing circuit in Australia is Shell V-Power Motorsport Park (The Bend) in Tailem Bend, South Australia. With multiple track configurations and world-class facilities, including a Rydges Hotel located directly above the pits, The Bend has open track days available across multiple sessions. Also in South Australia and closer to Adelaide, Mallala Motorsport Park offers regular track days across its challenging layout that was host to many classic Australian Touring Car Championship battles over its long history. A long way north of both of these circuits, in Australia’s Northern Territory, Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin is open for private practice in addition to various club events. Queensland Raceway in Ipswich has undergone a significant redevelopment over the last year. Track hire is available for half- and full-day options, in addition to an evergrowing offering of events and experiences. Also located in Queensland are Lakeside Park and Morgan Park Raceways, which may be off the top-tier motorsport calendars these days but, nevertheless, are available for private track hire, and they are great for private car use. For Sydneysiders, Sydney Motorsport Park is your only current permanent racetrack with an extensive calendar of track days and programs. As home to Supercars’ only night race, Sydney Motorsport Park also offers the chance to do track sessions under lights. Wakefield Park in Goulburn is set to reopen in mid-2024 under a new name, One Raceway, with the hope the track will also be available for private use for rural New South Wales–based car enthusiasts.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Taupo International Motorsport Park and Events Centre (NZ)

One Raceway (Previously Wakefield Park) (AU)

Symmons Plains Raceway (AU)

Phillip Island Circuit (AU)

Sandown Raceway (AU)

Winton Motor Raceway (AU)

24 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Victoria is home to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and has the most racing circuits of any state in Australia. Melbourne’s Sandown Raceway has restrictions on its use, with those wanting to get on track at the historic venue needing to take part in one of the circuit’s own limited club days, experiences or events. Similarly, Phillip Island hosts various events with track day providers and through PIARC (the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club) and these are the channels to get your car onto one of the most thrilling and picturesque seaside motor racing circuits in the world. Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway recently restarted track activities, with track days set to be included in the venue’s schedule, while Winton Motor Raceway in Benalla (rural Victoria) has a day each month dedicated to public track sessions. There’s also the Wodonga TAFE, home of various motorsport and automotive training courses, with its own short circuit available for track days and driver training events. Down south in Tasmania, both Symmons Plains Raceway in Launceston and Baskerville Raceway (near Hobart) have several days each month available for track days. Both are very technical short circuits that are great fun to drive on. Across the Tasman in New Zealand there’s no shortage of fantastic racing circuits, with more racing circuits per capita than just about anywhere on the planet. Highlands Motorsport Park, Hampton Downs and Taupo International Motorsport Park and Events Centre (formerly Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) have had significant redevelopments in recent years, with regular track days. There’s also Manfeild Autocourse Chris Amon, Ruapuna Speedway, Teretonga Park and Timaru International Motor Raceway in a country renowned for its success in developing international superstar race drivers from grassroots levels. Don’t want to risk damaging your car or wearing out your expensive tyres and brakes on a racetrack? Some of these circuits offer “Arrive and Drive” packages, where you can drive their cars, including exotic sportscars, V8 Supercars, open-wheelers and more. Several also offer professional tuition from current and retired racing drivers. So wherever you are and whatever you want to drive, there are plenty of options to get out there and play race driver for a day. You can find out all of the information you need or access race circuit/car club contact information by googling the venue closest to you.

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME RACE TRACK DRIVERS: Remember that if you make a mistake or drive beyond your capabilities, the cost of the damage will be entirely your own responsibility — normal car insurance does not cover race circuit drive days unless you have specified this in your policy. Do not have any loose objects in the car, including the boot — no drink bottles, mobile phones, sunglasses, etc — the g-force will be far greater than that experienced during normal highway driving. Always do exactly as you are told by the people running the track day. Bring your car with its tank at least three-quarters full of fuel. You will be amazed how much extra fuel is burned doing fast laps. If you haven’t done fast racing circuit laps before, it is best to do a set of three or four laps then take a break for the tyres and brakes to cool down, then repeat. This also helps with ensuring your total concentration when on the track. Always wear clothing that fully covers you and use an Australian Design Standards approved helmet. Always look out for cars around you and if a faster car approaches, do not change lanes or suddenly brake, just keep driving and wave them through. While your track day simulates the feeling of motor racing, you are not racing anybody, you are driving laps around a race circuit. Leave plenty of space between your car and the cars in front of and behind you. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, too hot, nervous or even suffering motion sickness, simply slow down and enter the pit lane for a rest and some fresh air. Do not mechanically abuse your car or any drive day provided car — by all means drive much faster than you can on our roads, but do not redline rev/ thrash the car. Remember that you have to drive it home in most cases, or pay for it if you break it!

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Car Review

2023

HONDA

ZR-V Sport

2 6 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

or a company which produces more engines than anyone else in the world, Honda offers only a small range of vehicles in New Zealand.

Essentially, there have been five models holding the fort for years. The Jazz, the Civic, the HR-V, the CR-V and the Civic Type R. Each car is a commercial success in its own right and most, I’d say, are names which are household recognisable. So, if you were to add to the range, and with a market clamouring for small SUVs in 2023 … yeah, you see where this is going, don’t you? The Honda ZR-V is the brand’s newest small crossover SUV. Sharing the majority of its bones with the Honda Civic, the ZR-V marks Honda’s direction towards becoming a more premium brand, while promising driver engagement. Tall orders for a newcomer, for sure. So, is the ZR-V all that it’s cracked up to be?

What we like and dislike about the 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport What we like

What we don’t like

● Clever hybrid drive train ● Interior design ● Build quality ● Decent handling ● Good tech

● Ride quality only average ● Not much else…

What’s in the 2023 Honda ZR-V Range? I bet some of you are wondering whether the ZR-V is a replacement for the HR-V. The answer is no; it’s not. Although, I wouldn’t blame you for being confused. The HR-V is a similar but different SUV to the ZR-V. Both are currently available in Japan, the UK, and Europe. That said, in the USA, this ZR-V is sold as the HR-V. Yeah, I’m not sure how it works either. Anyway, there are two different Honda ZR-V models available for Kiwi buyers: the ZR-V Turbo is the entry-level model with a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine and a price starting at $47,000, and the ZR-V Sport is the top-spec model with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder hybrid petrol engine and a price starting at $55,000 . The ZR-V Turbo’s turbocharged 4-cylinder V-TEC engine outputs 104 kW of power and 182 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels via a CVT automatic transmission. The ZR-V Sport’s 4-cylinder hybrid outputs a combined 135 kW and 315 Nm of torque, which drives the front wheels via an ‘e-CVT’ transmission. More on this later. CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

How does the 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport compare to its competition? The world is your oyster when it comes to small to mid-size crossovers. Although, if you’re set on a hybrid, the options do reduce somewhat. Here are some of your options.

Power/ Torque

Seats

(L/100km)

1.6-litre 4-cylinder hybrid

104/265

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV VRX

2.5-litre 4-cylinder hybrid

94/199

Honda ZR-V Sport

2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol hybrid

Toyota Corolla Cross Limited Hybrid

2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol hybrid

Make/ Model

Engine

Kia Niro HEV GT-Line

Boot Towing Space Capacity (litres)

(excl. CCP)

4.4

600/1300

451

$59,990

2.1

750/1500

359

$59,990

135/315

5.5

700/750

370

$55,000

112/190

4.9

750/750

$53,190

(kW/Nm)

First impressions of the 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport This Honda ZR-V is blue. Very blue. Perhaps even the bluest blue to have ever blued. Someone even said to me it was the bluest car they’d ever seen. (I’m not joking.) That’s probably because this blue paintwork has a real depth to it. It’s rich and high-quality colour, and the depth does signal a sense of quality about the ZR-V. Underneath the paint job is an inoffensive design. I wouldn’t say the ZR-V is a looker, but it’s not ugly by any stretch. The front grille does look slightly awkward to my eye but, generally, the ZR-V design is pleasant enough to not deter anybody from buying one.

2 8 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

Fuel

Price

What’s the interior like in the 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport? If you looked at the interior of the Honda Civic and thought, “I’d like this, but slightly bigger”. That’s essentially the cabin of the ZR-V. At least, that’d be the view from the front seats, anyway. Like many automakers, Honda has begun to standardise significant parts of their interiors. The Civic, the ZR-V and the new CR-V all look more or less similar from the front seats. The dashboard design is the same, the climate control stack is the same, same infotainment, same steering wheel, same instrument cluster — you get the idea. Sure, there is something to be said about a loss of character between each model by following this approach. But, there are a few advantages which aren’t directly related to the firm’s bottom line. One of those advantages is design optimisation. Basically, Honda can pour their collective resources into the development of one modular design and then make that money go as far as possible. In theory, that should make parts cheaper too, if something breaks (not likely in a Honda, I know). Anyway, car companies have been doing this stuff for years, but lesser so with interiors. Importantly, has this standardised approach worked for them? In a nutshell, yes. It has. In my view, this is one of the most well-thought-out interiors you’ll find in this segment. It’s a modern design, which does well by balancing technology with legacy physical controls. The textures and the build quality are also excellent. Seriously, the fit and finish in here could easily embarrass some more expensive European metal. I will concede, however, that Honda’s design doesn’t exactly have the same sort of wow factor that one might get from, say, a modern Mazda. Instead, this interior is the sort you’ll appreciate more as you live with it. That’s from the front, anyway. Of course, it’s not entirely the same for each Honda. The ZR-V’s cabin is unique with its rounded elements, and this is particularly noticeable on the doors and the centre console. The gear selector is a novel design too, being a series of buttons as opposed to a traditional shifter.

As specs go, the ZR-V Sport is top of the rung, meaning it gets all the trimmings as standard. On the tech front, the ZR-V Sport gets a 12.3’’ digital dash cluster (which isn’t available in the Civic), Honda’s latest infotainment unit which is paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The digital instrument cluster is a nice bit of kit compared with the half cluster in the Civic. It has good graphics and resolution, and a minor level of configurability. The infotainment has good resolution and decent responsiveness and the tile-based UI is simple to interact with while driving. The Bose audio system is among the better systems in this segment — it’s a solid mid-range system. Another area where Honda typically excels is in interior space and layout. The ZR-V’s driving position is in a Goldilocks zone — it’s neither too high nor too low. The front seats are comfortable and have wide bolstering. In the Civic Sport, I did find the seats could have benefited from more lumbar support. Although the ZR-V’s 8-way powered driver’s seat, which includes adjustable lumbar, more than compensated for the Civic’s shortcoming. On the matter of space, there’s plenty for the front occupants and an ample amount for the rear. Adults will not be punished in the back seats, that’s for sure. The boot space is 370 L, expanding up to a sizable 1,302 L with the rear seats down. There is one downside, however. The new ‘HA’ platform Honda utilises to build the new Civic, ZR-V and CR-V can no longer accommodate Honda’s patented ‘magic’ seats. Sadly, the only car in Honda’s range to still have magic seats is the Jazz. Tis a shame, really. Although, the ZR-V does redeem itself in other ways, particularly on the tech front. The ZR-V debuts with Honda’s newly developed Honda Connect App, which allows you to remotely switch on the lights, lock the doors, adjust the climate control, and geolocate the car, among other features. Honda has also developed some common-sense technology for their new vehicles. In particular, the ZR-V has a feature called ‘walk away locking’, where you can lock the car while other passengers’ doors are still open. Basically, if your kids are taking their time to close their doors, you can still lock the car and walk away. The open door will lock once it is closed. Clever stuff.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

What’s the 2023 Honda ZR-V Sport like to drive? The term ‘Hybrid’ has become somewhat of a catch-all term in the automotive world. To the layman, a hybrid is a car that’s part electric, part petrol. That’s not far off, for the most part. Although, like many things in this world, there’s a lot more complexity behind this definition. If you look further into the automotive glossary, you’ll find there are three main types of hybrid vehicles, being mild hybrids, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Then, there are different approaches to building a hybrid drive train, of which there are series hybrids, parallel hybrids and series-parallel hybrids. Every manufacturer has their own approach, too, especially when optimising their own combustion engines to work alongside the hybrid bits. You can really go down the rabbit hole if you’ve got a few spare evenings. So, what has Honda done with the ZR-V Sport? The ZR-V Sport is powered by Honda’s 2.0-litre e:HEV 4-cylinder hybrid engine coupled with Honda’s ‘e-CVT’ transmission, producing a combined output of 135 kW of power and 315 Nm of torque. Honda’s approach to hybrid powertrains is quite unique, which does require a bit of explaining. To avoid going down the previously mentioned rabbit hole, I’ll give you a short and a long version. In short, the Honda ZR-V Sport is a series-parallel full hybrid vehicle. Cool. It’s either solely driven by its electric motor or by its petrol engine. Okay. It means it’s fuel efficient. Great! About 5.5 L per 100 km, Honda will tell you. Excellent. We got around 6.0 L per 100 km. Oh, okay. Now, how about the longer version?

The e:HEV powertrain utilises a traditional combustion engine, a generator, two electric motors, and a battery. Being a series-parallel hybrid, the electric motors perform most of the driving, while the petrol engine works to power a generator which charges the battery. When up to higher speeds (and occasionally at low speeds), a clutch engages which switches the driving to the petrol engine. The gearbox is even cleverer. Honda calls it the ‘e-CVT’, but it’s not really a CVT in the conventional sense. Instead, it’s a combination of the electric motors and a series of clutches in charge of the power flows, meaning this ‘e-CVT’ is more like a direct-drive unit as opposed to a belt-driven CVT. That said, Honda programmed in a ‘step shift’ to make it feel more like a conventional gearbox. Confused? Yeah, I don’t blame you. Because it is predominantly electric motor-driven, the ZR-V’s performance delivery is, well, a bit EVlike. Overall, it’s exceptionally smooth and even the switch between the electric motors and the petrol engine at higher speed is nearly seamless; you’d not even notice. However, this powertrain can feel a bit synthetic from behind the wheel. You can hear an engine running, and a gearbox that’s ‘shifting’ (or pretending to), but the power is being delivered in an EV-like manner. It’s a bit of an odd experience when you first start driving, I’ll admit. However, I can confirm that you do adjust to it. With all this electrical-mechanical engineering complexity, you’d probably expect the ZR-V Sport to weigh as much as a bus. Surprisingly, Honda has managed to keep the weight under control, with the ZR-V Sport tipping the scales at 1,586 kg — only 100 kg more than the petrol-only ZR-V Turbo. Between this and 315 Nm of torque, the ZR-V Sport does more than just meander. Off the line and through the mid-range, the ZR-V provides healthy performance. Given that it’s only 135 kW, the ZR-V does run out of breath towards the top end, but that’s to be expected amongst nearly all crossovers in this segment.

3 0 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2024

2023 HONDA ZR-V Sport Summary The Honda ZR-V makes a compelling argument for being one of the most well-rounded crossovers on the market. Handling is another strength. The chassis is nicely balanced for a crossover, and it has tidy body control. The steering also weighs up nicely, providing the driver with a bit of confidence in their inputs. It all means the ZR-V Sport takes to the twisty stuff rather well. That said, I wouldn’t call it an exciting experience. Instead, it’s better described as a confident yet safe feeling. All said, its handling is great amongst its crossover peers. Okay, but what about round town? Well, it’s not exactly Honda Jazz, and I reckon the turning circle could be better, but it’s nothing too dissimilar to other mid-size crossovers. It’s the same story for the ride quality as well, being neither the best nor the worst amongst its peers. The situation improves again with safety technology. The ZR-V comes equipped with ‘Honda Sensing’, which is Honda’s catch-all term for their suite of driver and safety assistance software. Importantly, the ZR-V’s safety technology is well-calibrated. The Adaptive Cruise Control has smooth inputs, and the Lane Keep Assist is one of the more precise systems among competitors. The only irritating bit is the Road Departure Mitigation, which can be overbearing on tighter roads. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to switch it off.

Honda’s new trick e:HEV hybrid powertrain delivers healthy performance while being frugal on fuel. The ZR-V Sport also has a good chassis, handling well, with acceptable ride quality. The interior fit and finish are superb, and the tech and safety apparatus all function reasonably well. To top it off, it’s reasonably priced too. It’s all well and good, but the ZR-V does lack a bit of flair. Granted, it’s a tall order to expect any mid-range crossover to do everything as well as the ZR-V while providing a charismatic driving experience. This aside, the ZR-V pretty much checks all the boxes. Hard to argue with that, I reckon.

Driver Technology

Economy

Handling

Infotainment

Interior

Performance

Ride

Safety

Styling

Value

Have you enjoyed this review? Be sure to join DriveLife’s monthly newsletter at drivelife.co.nz/newsletter/ and you won’t miss a single car review!

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