19 minute read
Motoring
Cupra Born is a new EV from the Spanish carmaker ELECTRIC CUPRA SET TO TURN HEADS
By CHRIS RILEY
No word on the price yet but Cupra’s all- electric, hot hatch Born could turn some heads.
Built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform, the rear-wheel drive Born is expected to arrive by April next year.
VW believes Cupra’s intersection of design, performance and technology perfectly aligns with the interests of Australian buyers.
Born shares a platform with Volkswagen’s ID.3 and the Audi Q4 e-tron.
With 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque, Born boasts a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds.
What’s more, with an 82kWh battery, 77kWh of which is useable, it will have a range of 511km (WLTP).
Engineers have focused on matching steering, ride, handling and electronic stability control (ESC) tune to the instantaneous electric thrust unique to BEVs with a view to driver appeal.
Progressive steering, sports suspension and 19-inch alloys are standard.
Dynamic chassis control, 20-inch wheels and wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres will form part of a Performance Package option – one of two packs available.
A high level of technology includes LED headlights with Light Assist (Auto High Beam), a 12.0-inch infotainment display and 5.3-inch driver display, DAB+ digital radio, 4 USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless phone charging.
This is bolstered by active safety technology including adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera, lane assist, front assist, park assist, side assist with rear traffc alert and more.
Further luxury can be obtained including heated and power adjustable front seats, Beats premium sound and more, via the second, Interior Package.
Cupra’s Ben Wilks said the Born will cement the allure of the Barcelona brand in the local market. “The Born is a BEV with a long 500kmplus range, exclusive rear-wheel drive hot hatch dynamics, plus the interior space and versatility of a larger vehicle,” he said.
A new block mesh grille will be a feature of the upgraded Mazda CX-8 STYLING AND TECH UPGRADE FOR MAZDA CX-8
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
Mazda Australia has released details of its MY23 CX-8 SUV highlighted by a major styling update and a range of new tech features.
First sold here in 2018 the CX-8 flls the gap between the mid-sized CX-5 and large CX-9 previously occupied the discontinued CX-7. The other two SUV models are the compact CX-3 and marginally larger CX-30.
Exterior changes include a block mesh pattern grille and grille surround, restyled front and rear bumpers, a new headlight and taillight design, a sleeker rear tailgate and new wheel designs.
A new body colour, Rhodium White, takes the colour palette to eight.
The 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system now comes standard across the range, as does wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other tech upgrades include a highresolution 7.0-inch digital instrument display, USB-C ports for front-row occupants and a remote window control system activated via the key fob.
Also standard across the new CX-8 range will be Mazda’s intelligent Drive Select or ‘Mi Drive’, which lets the driver switch between Normal, Sport and Off-Road modes, will be a standard feature for AWD models.
The updated Mazda CX-8 now gains an even greater reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) inside the cabin, equating to a quieter, smoother ride.
Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi, said the updated CX-8’s new features and redesigned appearance would ensure it stayed at the top of buyers’ wish lists.
THE FORESTER WITH MORE (OR LESS)
Subaru Forester special edition gets an infotainment upgrade
By CHRIS RILEY
In a somewhat mystifying move, Subaru has released a Forester special edition known as the Forester 2.5X.
But from what we can see the only difference between it and the entry level Forester 2.5i AWD is the infotainment unit.
There are no markings to differentiate the car, but digging a little deeper into the detail reveals more.
The “absolute beloved classic”, gushes the PR department, will feature an exclusive 7.0-inch Alpine audio unit that introduces wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Well, if you’re a user of either system, that’s going to make things easier not having to plug in your phone. If you’re not . . . it’s nothing to get excited about.
But, hang on a second, doesn’t the entry model have an 8.0-inch touchscreen?
It certainly does and physical control knobs to go with it, making the job of accessing features such as volume a whole lot easier.
You do, however, gain a new hidey hole freed up by the smaller unit for keys and pocket change and the like.
Further investigation reveals the ‘Special Edition’ also loses the single CD player and Voice Command Recognition, as well as dropping a USB port. There’s now just the one USB-A socket.
Forester 2.5X is priced from $37,890 plus onroads, the same as the entry 2.5i and will be available in six colours, Crystal White, Ice Silver, Horizon Blue, Magnetite Grey, Crimson Red and Brilliant Bronze.
Subaru Australia’s Blair Read, said: “Subaru Forester is one of our most popular highvolume vehicles, with Australians opting to own this car due to its all-around capability, excellent visibility, comfort and reliable drivability.
Great. Can’t see too many Forester drivers trading up on this one.
Sounds like they’ve run out of standard infotainment units and this is plan B to keep sales moving?
Just saying.
The all-new Corolla Cross is Toyota’s latest compact SUV COROLLA CROSS LOOKS SET FOR SUCCESS
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
How this as a recipe for cooking up a successful motor vehicle?
Start with the base of Australia’s top-selling brand for the past 25 years, add a badge that’s been around since 1967 and accumulated more than 1.5-million sales here. Then bulk it up to get into the booming compact SUV market, and top it off with the latest in fuel-saving hybrid technology.
What you get is the brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross, a compact SUV that is likely to scare the pants of every other competitor in its highly-competitive market segment.
After a long period when Toyota’s smallest SUV, the RAV4, grew into a mid-sized model leaving the compact feld open to numerous competitors from other brands, it now has three vehicles in contention, Yaris Cross, C-HR and now the Corolla Cross.
There are three Corolla Cross three variants, GX, GXL and a new name, Atmos. As is the norm with Toyota each comes with a hybrid option which adds between $2500 and $3000 to the price while GXL and Atmos are also available with all-wheel drive.
Prices, prior to onroad costs, range from $33,000 for the entry level 2WD GX petrol through to $49,050 for our test vehicle, the Atmos AWD hybrid.
STYLING
Although it sits on the same platform as the Corolla hatch, the Cross has a totally different body as beftting an SUV. The styling is quite conservative but that’s unlikely to deter the typical Toyota buyer who prefers function over fashion.
While it shares much with the Corolla its outer appearance is more miniRAV4 than maxi-Corolla with a snub-nosed grille featuring the Toyota logo, with blue highlights in the centre. GXL and Atmos add front foglights, enhanced LED headlights and roof rails.
The Atmos gets a two-piece panoramic moonroof.
INTERIOR
Anyone stepping up from the latest Corolla hatch or sedan will have no problem adapting to the dashboard layout of the Cross because, apart from the new touchscreen (more later), they are all-but identical.
That’s not a criticism because we’ve always loved the stylish yet functional Corolla design.
What they will appreciate is the extra interior space that the SUV conversion has brought to the Cross with more headroom throughout and plenty of leg and footroom in the rear seats for all but the tallest of occupants.
Only the Atmos comes with a folding centre armrest complete with twin cupholders.
Boot space varies according to driven wheels and powertrain, ranging from 380 litres in the Atmos AWD hybrid up to 436 litres in the 2WD non-hybrid GX and GXL. Atmos comes with a powered rear hatch and kick opening feature.
POWERTRAINS
Power for the Corolla Cross petrol variants comes the wellestablished Toyota four-cylinder 2.0-litre inline engine that generates 126 kW and 202 Nm from 4400 rpm. Hybrid versions employ a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine teamed to an electric motor on the front axle for a combined maximum power output of 146 kW. The GXL and Atmos hybrids add a second electric drive motor on the rear axle.
Fuel consumption in the petrol 2WD Corolla Cross is a claimed 6.0 litre per 100 kilometres and 4.4 L/100 km from the AWD Hybrid.
Power is linked to either two or four wheels via a sequential ten-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).
SAFETY
In addition to the usual mandatory safety features all Corolla Cross variants come with eight airbags, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffc alert ; and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Also standard in all models is the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package which adds a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control, lane trace and departure alert with steering assist, lane change assist with deceleration assist, road sign assist, door exit warning and automatic high beam.
In addition, GSX gets parking support brake with vehicle and object detection and a panoramic view monitor. Atmos adds pedestrian detection to the parking support brake feature as well as advanced park assist.
Corolla Cross has yet to receive an ANCAP rating but the maximum fve points would seem certain. to get the brand’s new multimedia system. The entry-level GX uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen, GXL and Atmos get a 10.5-inch screen. The resolution is sharp and fast to respond with the option of using voice activation.
Satellite navigation is standard in the GXL and Atmos.
There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto along with a single Type-C USB port in the front console of the GX and two in the centre console of the GXL and Atmos.
Behind the steering wheel there’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster in the GX and GXL, with a much larger (12.3 inch) one in the Atmos.
Corolla Cross also gets the latest version of the Toyota Connected Services communications system that uses the myToyota Connect smartphone app to allow owners to do such things as remotely check the status of the doors and lights, access information such as the vehicle’s last known location and recent trips, or start the engine or climate control.
DRIVING
The taller body of the Corolla Cross assist with access while the higher driving position, large windscreen, side windows and mirrors together with a relatively narrow A-pillar combine to provide excellent visibility to the front and side, only let down a bit by a fairly skinny rear window.
There’s a reassuringly solid feel to the Cross and it’s easy to drive and park around the urban environment which is most likely to be its home with steering which is relatively light but direct and intuitive.
Apart from the batteryonly start and silent running the Atmos hybrid that we tested had that sharp acceleration that we enjoy in all vehicles with an electric component.
Suspension is wellbalanced although we did get knocked around when maneuvering through a badly-cratered section of our drive courtesy of some recent fooding.
Toyota is playing a waiting game in adopting pure electric and plug-in hybrid technology relying – very successfully – on the hybrid variants that feature across the range with sub-5.0 L/100 km fuel consumption relatively easily achieved.
It’s quite rare for road testers to be able to match or beat the optimistic fuel consumption numbers that car company’s publish but we were able to average 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres during our week in the Corolla Cross AWD Hybrid, just under the listed 4.4 L/100 km. In one 40-kilometre rural run we got down to 3.6.
Helping these impressive results, Corolla Cross is the frst local model to get the 5th generation Toyota hybrid powertrain which combines a lighter lithium-ion battery with a more powerful main electric drive motor.
SUMMING UP
Everything about the new Corolla Cross points to it being a major success for Toyota.
The Corolla name brings decades of credibility while the SUV body adds the familyfriendly practicality that is so popular at this time. Add it’s neat styling, comparatively spacious interior, capable performance and excellent fuel economy and we expect it to overtake its compact SUV rivals within the next 12 months.
All Toyotas now come with a fve-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. This can be extended to seven years on the engine and driveline, and 10 years on the hybrid battery, subject to all scheduled servicing being done at Toyota dealerships.
There is also fve-year capped price servicing due every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres at just $230 per visit.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE GX Petrol 2WD: $33,000 GX Hybrid 2WD: $35,500 GXL Petrol 2WD: $36,750 GXL Hybrid 2WD: $39,250 GXL Hybrid AWD: $42,250 Atmos Petrol 2WD: $43,550 Atmos Hybrid 2WD: $46,050 Atmos Hybrid AWD: $49,050
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Toyota dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota Corolla Cross 2.0-litre petrol / electric hybrid fve-door wagon
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.987 litres Confguration: Four cylinders in line Maximum Power: 112 kW at 6000 rpm Maximum Torque: 190 Nm at 4400 rpm Fuel Type: Standard unleaded petrol Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 4.4 L/100km CO2 Emissions: 101 g/km
By CHRIS RILEY
Kia Niro is a compact, fve-seat crossover offered by Kia since 2016. Second generation Niro was launched in late 2021 and is essentially a downsized vessel for Kia’s electric technology.
A partner for the larger, higher-priced EV6, it’s offered in three versions overseas: hybrid, plugin hybrid and battery electric variants.
Australia takes the hybrid and fully electric versions and the one we’re looking at here is the fully electric top spec Niro EV GT-Line.
We were pretty impressed with the previous version and eager to see what changes had been made with the replacement which lobbed in July this year. The basics remain the same, but there’s a lot more bling and of course the price has gone up to match.
STYLING
All-new Niro features the latest version of Kia’s signature Tiger Face, which extends from the bonnet to the bumper below.
Although the shape of the wagon is conventional, the look has been enhanced by striking ‘heartbeat’ daytime running lights (DRLs), a bold skid plate and coloured side cladding which combine to lift the look.
The side profle features a striking C-Pillar, fnished in contrasting colours, which incorporates an air channel that exits behind the tail lights to help to improve aerodynamic effciency.
At the rear, Volvo-like tail lights complete the look, while the heartbeatshaped rear refector, skid plate and lower bumper complement the front design.
Niro EV comes in two grades: S and GT-Line. S is priced from $65,300 and the GT-Line from $72,100 plus on-roads. Premium adds $520.
Our car was fnished in Snow White Pearl with a Steel Grey C pillar. Inside, recycled materials have been used to reduce the environmental footprint.
The headlining is made from recycled PET materials, the seats are made from Bio PU with
Tencel from eucalyptus tree fbres and BTX-free paint (without benzene, toluene, and xylene) is
Niro . . . a lot to like but price creep has set in KIA NIRO EV GT-LINE
used on the door panels.
Options for personalisation include a choice of contrasting C-Pillar colours with the GT-Line: Cityscape Green or Mineral Blue can be combined with a gloss black C-Pillar, while Snow White Pearl can be paired with a C-Pillar and cladding in Steel Grey.
Standard kit includes two-zone climate air, cloth/artifcial leather trim, power-adjust front seats and a heated steering wheel.
There’s also heads-up display, smart cruise control with stop and go, remote smart parking assist, auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear vision mirror, a handsfree tailgate, wireless Qi charger and telematics (eCall, Remote Control, Vehicle Status Monitoring etc).
EV GT-Line adds ambient lighting, LED headlights, ventilated front seats, tilt and slide sunroof, front passenger reclining relaxation seat and V2L which means you can use the car to power other devices.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment in the GT-Line consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen and eight speaker Harman Kardon audio, with voice control, built-in navigation, with AM/FM and DAB digital radio and the Sounds of Nature background noise.
Once again, the cheaper S gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while the GT-Line makes do with the wired version of both. Go fgure?
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
As well as a platform, Niro shares its powertrain and battery pack with the Hyundai Kona Electric.
This means 150kW of power and 255Nm of torque, Single Speed Transmission (reduction gear) that drives the front wheels and a battery capacity of 64.8kWh.
SAFETY
Safety features include eight airbags, rear view camera with dynamic guidelines and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), with Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Junction Turning detection.
There’s also Multi Collision Braking (MCB), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross Traffc Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) as standard across all trim levels.
Other standard safety features include Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Rear View Monitor (RVM) and Rear Cross-Traffc CollisionAvoidance Assist (RCCA).
GT-Line adds Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Parking CollisionAvoidance Assist Reverse (PCA-R), Safe Exit Assist, Power Child Lock and Emergency Service ‘eCall’ through the Kia Connect functions.
DRIVING
There are four selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow (the latter replacing Eco+). Each has a different effect on things like the air-con and electric motor torque profle.
A ‘virtual’ engine sound compensates for lack of engine noise. Supposedly, if you don’t like it, you can turn it off (we couldn’t fnd how to do so).
The dash from 0-100 km/h takes 7.8 seconds, it has a top speed of 167km/h and a very useable driving range of 460 km (WLTP) -- 5km more than the model it replaces.
The 423kg battery array is secreted under the foor and takes the weight of the car to a hefty 1727 kg.
It’s a much snazzier looking thing than the previous model, with cool LED lights, an interesting rear pillar design and two-tone paint work that all make it stand out.
A new car has not been launched that hasn’t grown in dimensions and Niro is no exception.
The EV’s dimensions have grown 45mm in length to 4420mm, 20mm in width to 1825mm, with a height the same at 1570mm EV. The wheelbase has also grown 20mm longer to 2720mm.
Unlike the hybrid, the EV is ftted with smaller, aerodynamic, 17-inch alloys and 215/55 R17 Michelin Primacy 3 rubber.
Boot space has grown to 475 litres behind the rear seats, with a tyre repair kit for punctures.
The dated interior of the previous model has been replaced by hi-tech, minimalist decor echoing rivals such as the Volvo and Polestar.
Colourwise, it’s a combination of bone, grey and piano black trim, with some metallook fnishers. Some of the grey is textured, but there needs to be more colour variation.
A pair of 10.25-inch digital screens, one for the instruments and a touch sensitive one for infotainment merge to create a single sweeping effect.
Touch sensitive aircon controls sit below the centre screen, separated from the screen above by a pair of slim line air vents.
Kia says the layout removes clutter for a clean and coherent look and ensures front seat occupants can access these important controls without the need to scroll through multiple menus.
That may be so but try turning down the volume if you’re the front seat passenger. There’s no physical volume knob and nothing apparent in the infotainment system.
Same goes for fnding your favourite radio station. It assumes the operator knows to swipe the screen left to expose more options including the radio.
There’s no physical home button either.
For once in a very long time, I found this latest Kia system diffcult to use. Bad move guys.
Like the previous model, the drive experience is fun, punchy, when necessary, with decent range to keep any feelings of anxiety at bay.
With 420 kilos of battery riding close to the road, Niro is surprisingly well anchored in corners, although weight eventually tells against it as it tries to run wide.
The ride can be harsh and bouncy at times (EVs don’t like speed humps).
Performance is rapid but not what we’d describe as fat out quick. Punch the accelerator and it surges forward, putting annoying tailgaters in their place -- but they’re not gone and forgotten.
We clocked up more than 500km at an average of 14.7 kWh/100km.
Niro EV seems reluctant to give up its stored energy, with distance to empty changing hardly at all sometimes -- unlike some EVs that chew through their charge quickly.
Charging is via Type 2 AC or CCS Combo 2 DC connections and we’re happy to say the charge port is conveniently located at the front of the car.
Given a choice, I’d prefer all my EVs to come this way, as it makes nosing the car into the charger much easier. Note though that not all chargers you come across support all types of connection, and you may require an adaptor.
Satnav by the way keeps track of the nearest charge station.
Topping up the EV’s 64.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery from 10-100 per cent using the supplied cable and standard powerpoint will take 27 hours 30 mins.
With a standard 7kW wall box this reduces to 9 hours 25 mins, or with a more powerful 11kW box, 6 hours 20 mins. A fast DC charger can do it in as little as 43 minutes.
Energy from braking is reclaimed and fed back into the battery. It can be controlled using steering wheel paddles and permits one-pedal driving.
Lift your foot off the accelerator and the car will brake automatically.
While it all sounds like fun, the purchase of an electric car is a big commitment.
Like I’ve said in the past, buying an EV, at least at this stage of the game, is something of a lifestyle choice. Be warned because it could take over your life.
SUMMING UP
The previous model offered value for money in terms of an EV.
Price creep has made this one less attractive, together with a nerdy control system.
You’ve got to keep someone sensible in charge, preferably a woman. I hate myself for saying this -- but they are better at cutting through the hype.
