Motoring

NEW PEUGEOT 5008 MODEL: THE GT SPORT

EWAN KENNEDY

Peugeot Australia has launched an additional model to its Peugeot 5008 seven-seat SUV range - the 5008 GT Sport. It’s powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine 133kW and maximum torque of 250Nm. It drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Peugeot 5008 GT Sport has a ‘Black Pack’. Featured that’s standard across the GT Sport variants, it includes blacked-out trim features and distinctive black 19-inch ‘Washington’ diamond-cut alloy wheels

The 5008 SUV GT Sport has Nappa leather appointed upholstery, with heated front seats and 8-way electronic adjustment and massage function for the driver, plus a sleek panoramic opening glass sunroof as standard.

Kate Gillis, Managing Director Peugeot Australia, said: “Since launching the GT Sport variant across the 2008 and 3008 SUV ranges earlier this year, we have seen an overwhelmingly positive reception and increased demand for the topping variant.

“Introducing the GT Sport variant to the 5008 SUV range, will provide customers the luxury features and distinctive style that has become so popular amongst our discerning SUV buyers with the practicality and space of a seven-seat vehicle.”

MODEL RANGE

Peugeot 5008 1.6 GT 2WD petrol: $51,990 Peugeot 5008 2.0 GT 2WD diesel: $59,990 Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Peugeot dealer for drive-away prices.

Take a family hatchback add sporting looks more power, and you get the Hyundai i20 N 2022 HYUNDAI i20N

EWAN KENNEDY

The i20 N is Hyundai’s are assured it can run with its N stablemates, “delivering its speed and performance with a fun personality that turns every trip into a Special Stage” according to Hyundai. (Note that ‘light’ means ‘small’ in this category of vehicles.)

At this stage the i20 N is offered in a single grade, we have queried the Australian importer about other grades, but were told that’s all they will divulge at this time. In any case the single and the major emphasis is on high performance - which is exactly what lovers of hot cars are looking for.

Important features include Launch Control, an auto rev-matching function for the manual transmission, and a three-mode stability control system as is used in other Hyundai N cars.

By the way the ’N’ designation indicates both Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea. It was also the famed Nurburgring in Germany where many tested to their limit in a wide variety of road conditions.

Note that the Nurburgring is a public road so if you happen to be in Germany you may care to have a fang there. Just keep an eye on your mirrors in case something very quick suddenly come up behind you…

STYLING

Hyundai i20 is a neat looking small car even in its standard format. Changes to upgrade it to the N include a different grille inspired by the WRC models, a rear spoiler, built-in rear diffuser and a large single exhaust. The in red. The 18-inch alloys are in grey matte with N-branded centre caps.

The i20 N is offered in a range of ten colours including two shades of red.

INTERIOR

Performance Blue highlights throughout the cabin make a statement. The interior plastics and surfaces are rather hard to the touch, but keep in mind this isn’t a luxury car. A variety of textures visually make it look more a little further upmarket.

A leather/cloth combination upholstery that’s of a reasonable quality. Keep in mind that this is a budget priced car. But may we suggest you check this for yourself when doing your checks on which car you’re considering buying.

A cubby under the centre stack is big enough for to hold a large phone. There are cupholders between the front seats and a small cubby under the frontcentre armrest. There are bottle holders in the front and rear doors.

INFOTAINMENT

There are twin 10.25 inch displays, one for instruments, the other for the infotainment touchscreen. The displays are excellent and can be read with a minimum of distraction for the driver.

As seems to happen all too often, the DAB+ digital radio drops out more often than not. To the extent I found myself saying f### off and giving up. Instead listening to the Bose seven-speaker sound system which produces decent sound. More speakers would be welcome, but I guess this is a car built down to a relatively low price.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) and satellite navigation are standard. There’s a Qi wireless charger.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The Hyundai i20 N is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol. Power is 150kW between 5500 and 6000rpm. Peak torque is 275Nm from 1750 to 4500rpm. An overboost function increases maximum torque to 304Nm under full throttle between 2000 and 4000rpm.

The only transmission is a six-speed manual transmission - Yippee it’s set up for real drivers! It powers the front wheels by way of a sporting Torsen mechanical limited-slip diff.

Upgrades to handle the extra power and torque of the ’N’ include a reinforced clutch, improved friction materials and redesigned synchros.

SAFETY

As we went to press the latest Hyundai i20 range hadn’t been crash tested by either ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment includes: Front, front-side and curtain airbags Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection Driver inattention monitoring Lane-keep assist Lane following assist Blind-spot monitoring Automatic high-beam Assist Rear occupant alert Speed sign recognition Intelligent speed limit assist

DRIVING

It’s all about fun, and plenty of it. Though based on a standard city and suburban car the guys and gals at Namyang and at Hyundai Australia have done an excellent job of giving the i20 N a tyre noise on coarsechip roads are certainly what you expect in a sporting car, which but may not appeal to passenger, especially during long trips.

The six-speed manual is easy to use. In our test car the clutch didn’t start to engage till the pedal was almost all the way up. After a while this was no longer an irritation.

Gearing is low and at 110km/h in sixth in top gear the engine is at nearly 3000rpm. It doesn’t sound overly busy - even though it is.

On typical European motorway speeds of 140 to 160km/h it’s going to sound very busy. And if you’re lucky enough to be driving on unrestricted sections of German autobahnen the engine is going to spend a lot of time at 6000rpm. Don’t know if that would be doing the fuel consumption at lot of good. But who cares, smile and enjoy

the ride!

The i20 N’s powertrain is Euro saving idle stop/start technology. Fuel use is quoted as 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle. During our test period covering over 450 kilometres we used nine to eleven litres per hundred around town, dropping to six to seven litres on the open road.

The 2022 Hyundai i20 N is covered by a kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever

SUMMING UP

You get a lot of sporting driving in this highly N and those who need/ want a family car with plenty of get up and go at a relatively modest price should certainly add it to their shopping list.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

Hyundai i20 N: $32,490 Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Hyundai dealer for drive-away prices.

Cargo carrying is a major feature of the new Ford Ranger NEW FORD RANGER

EWAN KENNEDY

Ford tells us its nextgeneration Ranger will be used for work, family or play. So, it’s designed to be functional, convenient and durable.

It will have an array of organisation and storage solutions to secure accessories a cinch.

There are tie-downs in the bed, and the Wildtrak variant has external tie-down rails and sliding cleats that can be adjusted into nine positions to help secure odd-shaped cargo. Inside there’s under-seat storage, retractable drink holders and many cubby holes.

There’s room under the bonnet for a second battery, and the Wildtrak optional auxiliary switch bank making it easier to install accessories like driving lights, a winch and more.

The rear load box access step makes climbing up into the cargo box simple. The easy-lift tailgate can be raised and lowered with one hand and doubles as a mobile workbench.

As the Ranger is 50mm wider, the cargo box can accommodate a standard European pallet (1,200mm x 800mm) in the bed. Load box length is between 1,544mm and 2,305mm depending on the variant.

Durable plastic box top and tail gate capping protect the load box edges and tailgate upper edge from damage.

Load box access caps are removable plastic caps that cover structural attachment points for aftermarket accessories like canopies and equipment crossbars for camping and adventure gear.

A redesign of the under-seat storage has created more room in the bins underneath the rear seats allowing for bins while still allowing the seats to be dropped in place.

Customers can personalise their Ranger with a range of as many as 600 factorybacked work, urban and adventure accessories, depending on the market. These accessories include those developed in collaboration with global off-road icon, ARB 4x4 Accessories.

The ARB 4x4 Accessories and Ford collaboration will

initially roll out in select markets.

Higher Spec Model shown

1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula

In 1967 General Motors, caught produced its answer to the Ford Mustang. It was the F-body Camaro/Firebird. Although the Pontiac division wanted a car which aped the Chevrolet Corvette they were forced to accept a Comaro clone with a few cosmetic changes designed to give the car a somewhat distinctive appearance. It must have upset a number of Pontiac executives who felt that they, as creators of the Tempest and GTO, ought not to be following but leading in the performance car stakes.

To further rub salt into the wound the prototype two-seater based around the Corvette, which the Pontiac Division had secretly developed, appeared on the market at a later date with changes to the lighting and grille as the facelifted Corvette for 1968.

Whilst it was slightly more expensive than either the Mustang or Camaro, the Firebird with the added option of a 6.55-litre V8 engine sold well. To reach 50,000 units within 10 weeks of its launch and top 113,000 units in 12 months, although behind the 200,000 plus Comaro’s sales, indicated good public acceptance.

Even though it was a more expensive car amongst the choice of muscle cars available to the American buyer Firebird was a fast, reliable and good handling car that got favourable mentions whenever the subject of magazine road-tests.

In 1968 the addition of a three-speed automatic transmission in place of the standard GM twospeed issue added further to its appeal. In 1969 the this model was done. As well as a few centimetres increase in length and track measurements, the changes included a new engine with aluminium pistons, heavy-duty rockers, aluminium intake manifold and a new cam system.

As the GM ‘no race edict’ was still in force this car was not destined for the racetrack. But it still wasn’t the ultimate Firebird which was just around the corner. Pontiac had planned a completely new model – TransAm.

Specialising in 4x4 SUSPENSION & LOAD CARRYING SOLUTIONS

including bull bars & 4x4 accessories

PHILLIP ISLAND

EWAN KENNEDY

Over the long weekend of March 11-13, the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ will again become a major Victorian attraction at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with more than 400 spectacular historic vehicles from the early 50’s to the late 80’s racing.

Organisers of the event, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR), supported by long time sponsors, CoolDrive, Penrite and that along with the 400 entries for the three-day event there will be some 240 entrants practising at the Island Grand Prix Circuit on the Thursday this year under the direction of the VHRR.

Throughout the weekend there will be a series of special races including a commemorative race for the XUI Holden marking the 50th Anniversary of motoring legend Peter Brock’s 1st win at Bathurst in 1972. Special guest, Bev Brock, will be at the circuit to present the trophy to the winner of this event.

Two feature races will be held on the Saturday for Q & R Racing and QR Sports categories including Guido Belgiorno-Netti’s spectacular 1985 Ferrari 156/86 F1.

Feature races over 12 laps on the Sunday will include Q & A Touring cars, Group S Sports Cars and Touring cars over 2 litres. Australian Champion Larry Perkins will race against son Jack for the

Some 56 Formula Fords will also grid up for two feature races on the Sunday to compete for the Perkins Cup.

The weekend promises to be a welcome return to exciting racing in what is regarded as the largest historic racing event in the Southern Hemisphere with past and present champions of the sport.

Tickets for the weekend of spectacular historic motorsport will be available at the circuit gate.

Huge front and streamlined rear, this highperformance British means business ASTON MARTIN DBX707

EWAN KENNEDY

The new Aston Martin DBX707 SUV promises to supply blistering performance, as well as style supreme luxury.

Aston Martin CEO, Tobias Moers, said of the DBX707: introduction the DBX has represented Aston Martin’s dynamic and design values in a way that proves not all SUVs have to conform to the same compromises. With the DBX707 we have pushed the boundaries in every area to create a car which sets new standards of performance and desirability. The fastest, most powerful, best handling and most engaging car of its kind, it propels Aston Martin to the pinnacle of SUV performance”.

The DBX’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 features ball-bearing turbos and a bespoke engine calibration to produce 707PS and 900Nm. That means increases of 157PS and 200Nm over the standard DBX V8.

A ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission is capable of handling the greatly increased torque loadings compared with a regular torque converter automatic. This transmission has much faster gear changes than the torque converter transmission.

Aston Martin DBX707 has a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds.

The DBX707’s has carbon ceramic brakes, 420mm front and 390mm rear. Revisions to the braking system improve pedal feel and braking response.

Wheels are 22-inch and offered in a choice of Sport and Ribbon designs. There’s the option of 23-inch with a choice of textured black or satin black with diamond turned highlights.

We are told the 23inch wheels also bring improved steering response, better primary body control - and improved lap times should you care to participate in track days.

Torque distribution front-to-rear remains fully automatic, with the ability to send up to 100% of the torque to the rear axle on demand.

Enhancements to the Dynamic Drive modes include Race Start which is available in GT Sport and Sport+ modes to maximise off-the-line acceleration. Revised active logic in the all-wheel drive system transfer case achieves greater harmony and precise control between the driveline and the ESP system, for a more natural, sports car-like driving experience.

The Aston Martin DBX has a larger front grille, new air intakes and brake cooling ducts and a new front splitter

Sport seats are standard, Comfort seats are available as a no-cost option. All seat options come with 16way electric adjustment plus heating in front and rear as standard.

Aston Martin says: model in the DBX range, the DBX707 is poised to continue the multi-award-winning achievements of Aston which has achieved more than 3000 sales production and scooped a host of accolades. These include ‘Best Luxury SUV’ at the GQ Car Awards, Top Gear’s ‘Super SUV of the Year’ award and back-toback wins in PR Arabia National Auto Award ‘Best Super Luxury SUV’ category.”

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