The Northern Rivers Times Edition 131

COOL NEW KONA BREAKS COVER

New Hyundai Kona has been given a major styling makeover

By CHRIS RILEY

We’re not huge fans of the current Hyundai Kona, with its abundance of plastic cladding -but the next one looks amazing.

Hyundai says the futuristic design is derived from EVs, with a front dominated by what it calls a ‘Seamless Horizon Lamp’ which stretches right across the top of the bonnet and in the EV version s pixelated.

There’s another one at the rear, along with a high-mounted stop light that is integrated seamlessly with the satin chrome moulding of the spoiler.

Despite its futuristic appearance, however, Hyundai says the all-new Kona is still very much the SUV.

The dynamic styling is accentuated by bold sculpted wheel arch cladding that incorporates the headlights and tail lights, reinforcing Kona’s robust underpinning.

The style varies depending on the powertrain, with EV, Hybrid, and conventional ICE powered versions.

The EV gets pixel graphic details on the

intake grille and rear bumper, a pixel-inspired 19-inch alloy design, black embracing line and optional black side mirrors and roof.

The ICE and HEV versions share a bold and rugged bumper and skid plate design, and black wheel arch cladding.

N Line boasts optional black side mirrors and roof, wing-type spoiler, more aggressive front, and rear designs with wing-shaped bumper to emphasise a lower stance, distinctive 19-inch alloys, twin muffer and silver side skirt.

Hyundai’s SangYup Lee said Kona had evolved in every respect to embrace a wider range of diversity, to become a true lifestyle supporter.

It is a larger yet still urban-centric SUV with bolder styling that conveys a more dynamic road presence and drivercentric interior.

To provide maximised ‘living space’ for customers, the all-new model is 150mm longer

and 25mm wider, with a 60mm longer wheelbase (distance between axles).

The latter should deliver more rear legroom.

Unlike most vehicles with a variety of powertrains, Kona was designed from the ground up as an EV and the design was then adapted for the ICE, HEV and N Line models.

This unconventional approach allowed Hyundai to bring techcentric design thinking to all Kona versions.

The EV-derived universal architecture accommodates a sporty layout with foating horizontal C-Pad to emphasise Kona’s slim and wide interior, providing a versatile space for driver and passengers.

Dual 12.3-inch displays and foating module impart a hi-tech impression, with ambient lighting to enhance the user experience and convenience.

With the column type shift-by-wire relocated from the centre console to behind the steering wheel, it provides an uncluttered layout and additional space for belongings in the central tunnel.

The second-row Curve-less Bench Seat reinforces Kona’s 21st century urban design aesthetic.

This living space offers a unique experience with maximum usability, comfort, and convenience. Behind the second row is a maximised cargo space.

That’s all the detail we have for the moment, but the new model is expected to arrive sometime in 2023.

A BATUR WAY TO PRODUCE GOLD

New Mulliner Batur is the most powerful and most expensive Bentley coupe yet

By CHRIS RILEY

Solid gold parts have been 3D-printed for use in the exclusive Bentley Mulliner Batur.

It’s believed to be the frst time the process has been used in the automotive industry.

The ‘additive manufacturing’ (AM) technique adds up to 210 grams of 18ct yellow gold to the coachbuilt coupe, the fastest Bentley in the company’s 103-year history.

The W12-engined Batur is restricted to just 18 examples, all of which have already been sold to Mulliner clients at £1.65m each (excluding taxes and options), almost $3 million Australian dollars.

The optional, 3D printed gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Charisma Dial, encircling the start/ stop button and used to change driver modes.

Gold is also applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls on the dashboard, as well as a gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself.

Bentley Mulliner has worked with renowned goldsmiths Cooksongold to craft the unique Batur parts.

A member of the Heirmerle + Meule Group, Cooksongold is based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries.

The special collaboration highlights Bentley’s ability to combine new, advanced manufacturing technologies with more

traditional materials and fnishing techniques.

All the sustainably sourced gold is 100 per cent recycled from old jewellery, ground into a fne powder needed for the 3D printing technique.

Recycling ensures there is no environmental impact from mining for new precious metals. It also refects Bentley’s commitment to a more sustainable future and is in line with the company’s Beyond100 strategy, to be end-toend carbon neutral by 2030.

Every 3D gold part in the Batur is digitally designed using CAD models, before a printing process with laser melting printers. Each is then hand fnished by skilled artisan jewellers, using traditional techniques to achieve the polish and quality that is synonymous with a Bentley.

All parts produced for the Batur are hallmarked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter as a sign of having solid material authenticity.

Additionally, any parts manufactured in 2022 also receive the Jubilee hallmark, celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.

In February, Bentley committed a further £3

million investment to double AM capacity at the Crewe factory, converting 3D CAD models into physical parts.

Future applications will facilitate more low volume manufacturing components and bespoke customer personalisation - including the pioneering use of 3D printed gold in a range of new generation models.

Batur’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine generates more than 544kW, with chassis technology that includes eLSD, four-wheel steering and 48V electric active anti-roll bars to match performance.

The coupe offers an endless array of options, including parts crafted in titanium, sustainable Natural Fibre composites and even low-carbon leather sourced from Scotland.

Member of the Board for Research and Development at Bentley Motors, Dr Matthias Rabe, said Bentley’s approach to additive manufacturing is industry leading, evident through our pioneering use of a luxury metal in the design and development process of the Batur.

CUPRA V OFFERS BETTER VALUE TO ITS LEON RANGE

Cupra Leon V is an affordable new option for hot hatch buyers

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY

Spanish-based carmaker, Cupra, has added an entry level variant to its Leon hot-hatch range. Priced at a recommended $43,990, the new Leon V undercuts the previous cheapest VZ variant by $9000.

The Cupra brand is still largely unknown in Australia. A Volkswagen affliate it’s the highperformance division of SEAT and was established in 2018 as a stand-alone brand.

Initially there are three models in the Australian line-up: Formentor crossover SUV, Ateca SUV and Leon hatchback.

The Cupra Leon V will be available to order in January ahead of frst deliveries during the frst half of 2023.

The Leon V is powered by a 140kW / 320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with a sevenspeed Direct Shift

Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission.

The more powerful Leon VZ and VZe variants get 180kW with the high-performance VZx reaching 221kW.

Despite its lower price equipment levels in the Leon V are impressive and LED headlights, fog lamps with cornering function, rear tinted windows, rear spoiler, keyless entry / start, heated power folding mirrors, black interior headliner, ambient light interior, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, sports seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, illuminated scuff plates, light and rain sensor and three-zone climate control.

Infotainment technology includes a 12-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation

and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit as well as wireless phone charging, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four USB-C ports.

Safety technology includes Light Assist (automatic high beam), Travel Assist incorporating semiautonomous Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist, Park Assist, Side Assist, Driver Fatigue Monitor, Emergency Assist and rear camera.

Driveaway pricing is available at $47,990.

Options include a $2450 Leather and Sound Package, powered sunroof ($1800) and premium metallic paint ($475).

All Cupra models get a fve-year, unlimited kilometre standard warranty.

MORE POWER, LESS FUEL FROM NEW HAVAL JOLION S

New Haval Jolion S features black exterior design elements

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY

Chinese carmaker GMW / Haval has added a new variant to its Jolion small SUV that provides extra grunt but uses less fuel than the other models in its range.

The new Jolion S gets these twin benefts a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 130kW and 270Nm, a 20kW / 50Nm increase over the rest of the Jolion range.

The new engine is mated to GWM’s seven-speed dual clutch transmission and provides combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.5 litres per 100km, an improvement of 0.6 litres per 100km compared to the current 1.5L turbocharged engine.

Jolion S also gets a new independent multilink rear suspension to replace the existing torsion beam setup in the other Jolion models.

Updates for the Jolion S go beyond what’s under the skin with the adoption of unique exterior design elements,

including black alloy wheels, black door mirrors, black roof rails, black side garnish and blacked-out lower front and rear bumpers.

In response to customer feedback, the Jolion S has now adopted hard buttons for AC controls making it easier to adjust cabin temperature while on the move. All other features are consistent with the Jolion Ultra on which the Jolion S is based.

Jolion S, which is based on the ongoing Ultra variant but with a $3000 price premium, comes with new hard buttons for the air-con controls.

It also gets the same list of advanced safety features which are standard across the Jolion range, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and crossroads detection, lane keep assist and departure warning, lane change

assist, blind spot detection, forward collision warning, and traffc sign recognition. New Jolion S is available in fve exterior colours: Hamilton White, Golden Black, Mars Red, Azure Blue, Smoke Grey and the new Tropical Green.

The new Haval Jolion S is priced at $36,990 Driveaway and like all GWM products, is backed by a seven-year / unlimited km warranty with fve years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing.

MODEL RANGE

Jolion 1.5 Premium: $28,490

Jolion 1.5 Lux: $30,990

Jolion 1.5 Ultra: $33,990

Jolion 1.5 S: $36,990 Jolion 1.5 Ultra Hybrid: $40,990

Note: These are driveaway prices and include all government and dealer delivery costs.

FJ HOLDEN

The iconic 1953 FJ Holden

The FJ Holden was launched in October 1953, and although not the frst Holden but an updated version of a car that was nearly fve years old it has become the icon of Australia in the 50s and 60s. The FJ introduced the long-running Holden policy of facelifting. No glassware or external sheet metal was changed, the main styling changes being a new grille, different hubcaps and bumper bars and more chrome on the body.

Few changes were made to the mechanics; both engine and gearbox from the 48-215 were retained

but some suspension improvements were made by replacing the leveraction cast-iron shock absorbers at the rear with a more durable telescopic type, adjustable differential centre and new axle shafts. Many of the limitations of its predecessor were retained including the 6-volt electrical system, manifold vacuum-operated windscreen wipers (with no washers), no demister, no heater, no blinkers, an ornamental handbrake and so on. Other items we today consider as standard such as a radio and instrumentation for oil pressure,

temperature, etc were still listed as add on accessories even in the so-called FJ Special or deluxe model.

In spite of this in just fve short years it had become the almost universal choice of the most demanding buyers of all: taxi drivers, commercial travellers,

farmers and tradesmen. Sedans came in three versions; the Standard, Special and Business sedans. By the end of 1953 these were joined by a coupe-utility and a panel van body style. The wagon was not included in the range even though

prototypes were produced as the factory was fat out keeping up with the demand for the available range. Those who wanted a wagon had to buy a panel van and a conversion kit which contained windows and a rear seat in a sort of D-I-Y wagon deal.

The FJ was the frst Holden to be exported with 100 per month going to NZ by 1955; by the early 1960s Holdens were going to over 50 countries, including Japan with one in every four earmarked for export. The FJ offered a greater list of options than its predecessor including a

range of 12 colours, a more elaborate interior with dualcoloured door trims on the Special which also featured armrests and a cigarette lighter. It also came in a two-tone exterior colour scheme with more chrome inside and out.

Although now looking dated compared with newer models from other manufacturers, it still offered great value for money, an unbeatable reputation for ruggedness and continued to sell well until July 1956 when it moved over for the more modern, Oz-designed FE model.