JANUARY 10 - 16 | 2020
2020 Hyundai Venue review
Ŷ PERFECT STARTER: New Hyundai Venue offers outstanding safety at an affordable price. RELEASED here in July 2019 Hyundai Venue is the newest, and smallest, member of the Korean carmaker’s growing SUV range. At a smidgeon over four metres in length it’s one of the shortest of all models in the compact SUV market. Three variants are offered: Go, Active and Elite at prices ranging from $19,990 to $25,990 plus on-roads. With the Accent hatchback now dropped Venue becomes the entry-level model in the Hyundai range.
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STYLING Venue’s chunky body is neat and functional without the fussiness of many of its competitors. The front is dominated by a large vertical grille flanked by small stacked headlights, with the profile featuring wide wheel arches, character lines and side clad-
ding which give it a semi-rugged look, as do By ALISTAIR KENNEDY standard roof rails in all models. Venue Elite adds further character with mounted touchscreen that melds neatly into the dashboard. two-tone roof and matching mirrors caps. Hyundai Venue a flat roofline that provides Wheels sizes and material start at 15-inch steel on the Go, 15-inch alloys on the Active enough space for all but very tall occupants. Seats are wide and comfortable and even and 17-inch alloys on the Elite. with the rear seats in use there’s 355 litres of cargo space ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONS All Venue models are powered by the same 1.6-litre petrol engine with maximum SAFETY Standard across the Venue range are outputs of 90 kW and 151 Nm. The two lower-specced models have the option of six- front, side, thorax and curtain airbags; enspeed manual or six-speed automatic trans- hanced ABS brakes; electronic stability program; hill-start assist; IsoFix child seat mission, the Elite is auto-only. restraint anchors as well as Hyundai’s SmartSense suite that includes driver attention INTERIOR The interior has clean lines, well-posi- warning; autonomous emergency braking; tioned buttons and controls and a centrally- lane keeping assist; high beam assist and
tyre pressure monitoring The mid-spec Active adds LED daytime running lights and rear parking sensors while the Elite also gets blind spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision warning. INFOTAINMENT The infotainment system is based around an 8-inch tablet style touchscreen. Standard in all models are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. There’s a four-speaker audio system in Go with two extra speakers in higher grades. Elite and Launch Edition add satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates and DAB+ digital radio.
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ONE MILE MOTORS 10-14 TEMPLETON ST, WANGARATTA 03 5721 5677 LMCT1060 Private Buyers only. Offers not available in conjunction with other offers. *Recommended Promotional Driveaway Price for 2019 Mazda BT-50 4x4 Dual Cab Utility XTR manual only. ^3 years free scheduled servicing applies to up to three standard scheduled services (as specified in the Service Warranty Booklet) for the first three years or 45,000km, whichever comes first. Free scheduled maintenance services must be redeemed within specified service windows and is of limited scope. Offer available to vehicles sold and delivered by 30/11/2019.
Ŷ Continued page 2
January 10 - 16 | 2020
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RAM trucks success downunder
2
By EWAN KENNEDY THE 5000th RAM truck has rolled off the production line in Melbourne. The Granite Crystal grey 1500 V8 Hemi Laramie is one of the team that has the brilliant catchline of, “Eat utes for breakfast”. The very American RAM range is very varied; light duty (1500) and heavy duty (3500 and 2500). They can tow anything from 3.5 tonnes up to 6.9 tonnes. “This is truly an Australian automotive success story,” says Neville Crichton CNZM, Executive Chairman of the Ateco Group and originator of the idea to convert left-hand drive RAM Trucks to right-hand drive at the bespoke Melbourne Manufacturing Facility (MMF). “This year will see RAM sales just shy of 3000 units in Australia and New Zealand – last year we sold 767 and just 449 in 2017. Most pleasing of all, however, is the boost to the local automotive manufacturing sector, employing over 250 people directly, and many more indirectly via our local supplier agreements.” The RAM Trucks Australia story began in 2013, when the Ateco Group became New Zealand distributor for FCA, which included the RAM Trucks brand. Crichton realised there was an opportunity to demonstrate Australia could manufacture and produce a world-class product despite the closure of other local manufacturing facilities. RAM Trucks decided they were ready to enter the market with the Ateco Group and a worldwide search for an effective remanufacturing partner began. The Walkinshaw Group - with whom Crichton has a long-standing relationship, having raced for Tom Walkinshaw back in the 1980s - they were the most competitive and were awarded the contract in 2015. Rams (which incidentally haven't been called Dodges since 2009) are imported to Oz ready to drive - but with the steering etc. on the left. They are trucked to the purposebuilt facility in Melbourne, where the body is pulled off the chassis and a total RHD conversion is carried out. The Ateco Group has invested over $100m in tools, equipment, inventory, and stock to enable product development, quality and conformity with the overseas requirements of
Ŷ RAM conversion to tight-hand drive employs many happy Aussies.
RAM Trucks International, as well as the ADR regulations. RAM Trucks Australia is the world’s only factory-authorised RHD manufacturer of RAM Trucks and, from June 2019, Australia’s only 24-hour vehicle manufacturing facility. The company is a major source of employment in automotive engineering, design and production excellence for both RAM Trucks Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian component companies that keep the factory supplied with Australian made parts. “The investment is significant and ongoing,” says David Smitherman, RAM Trucks Australia Special Advisor. “We have a fantastically engaged dealer network in both Australia and New Zealand, and we have exciting plans for 2020 and be-
yond to continue building the brand, product portfolio and network.” Every RAM is backed by a three
year/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance, and requires a service every 12 months or 12,000km.
2020 Hyundai Venue review Ŷ From page 1 Venue comes standard with the Hyundai Auto Link system which pairs with a smartphone app to allow remote access to variety of features. These include monitoring the driving habits of different drivers including their trip distance and travel time split between business and private if needed; acceleration/ braking tendencies; vehicle health check; emergency assist and service alerts. DRIVING Despite its compact dimensions Venue feels like a larger vehicle. Entry is relatively easy and seats are comfortable and supportive. The top outputs of 90 kW and 151 Nm come in at high rpm levels of 6300 and 4850 respectively so Venue seemed aimed at pleasing keen drivers. Automatic versions have a Sport mode in addition to Eco and Normal settings. Hyundai Venue only weighs between 1140 kg and 1225 kg depending on the variant so it’s still quite agile around town and cruises comfortably in motorway conditions. Fuel consumption is listed at 7.0 litres per 100 km with the manual gearbox and 7.2 L/100 km from the auto. During our test in the Active auto we averaged 8.1 overall.
Although there is no all-wheel drive option Venue (all are FWD) the automatics feature a Traction Mode system with Snow, Mud and Sand settings to improve performance on slippery surfaces. SUMMING UP We should point out here that we have been testing Venue for a couple of months, and probably will be for the next six years or so – because my wife was so impressed during our initial week-long test that it has now replaced the previous very capable, but ageing, Suzuki Swift. With the grandchild number now up to four, including one six-footer and a threeyear old secured with the IsoFix child seat the extra space was certainly welcome.
AT A GLANCE MODEL: Venue Active five door wagon ENGINE: 1.6L four cylinders in line MAX POWER: 90 kW @ 6300 rpm MAX TORQUE: 151 Nm @ 4850 rpm DRIVELINE: Six speed automatic or manual. FUEL TANK: 45 litres, standard unleaded ECONOMY: 7.2L/100km (combined)
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January 10 - 16 | 2020
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Mazda CX-3 2015 - 2018
Ĺś 2017 Mazda CX-3 sTouring
Ĺś 2015 Mazda CX-3
By EWAN KENNEDY SOLD in Australia since April 2015, the Mazda CX-3 was classed as an SUV but is better regarded as a sensible crossover between a hatchback and an SUV. It was immediately popular so even the oldest ones are now available in quite large numbers on the used car scene. Styling is another major factor in the big sales numbers, with a continuation of the Mazda Kodo theme with its distinctive from and long bonnet. The familiar Mazda model names of Neo and Maxx are used for the CX-3, but are joined by two new ones. The upper-middle CX-3 sTouring and topline Akari complete the range. Inside the CX-3’s sensibly designed instrument is easy to use at a glance - a handy safety feature. A head-up display, not on the topline models, shows vehicle speed and navigation directions. Mazda CX-3 is unusual in offering both petrol or diesel power. The turbo-diesel is interesting in that it displaces just 1.5 litres and follows the latest European engineering trend of using small capacity, low friction engines aided by complex turbochargers for added power and torque. Both 2WD (front wheels) and AWD CX-3s to Australia. This is increasingly unusual in this SUV class as many are now coming with drive only to two wheels. You wouldn’t plan to take one off-road, but the all-wheel-drive
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does offer added traction in slippery sealed road conditions. Some previous owners may have tackled mild off-road areas such as forestry trails. If you suspect this is the case it might be wise to pass up on these. Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions are offered, but the manual only comes with the front-wheel-drive petrol-engine combination. Mazda CX-3’s offers a fair amount of space in the back seat, though children rather than adults will be the more comfortable. Keep in mind this is a smallish SUV and something has to be compromised. Luggage space is quite good for a car of this size and the two-level-oor option is clever. But try for yourself if you're going to be carrying bulky items - some of the largest baby strollers just won’t ďŹ t‌ May 2017 was interesting in that Mazda added extra equipment, particularly in safety features, as well as extra insulation to reduce interior noise levels - but didn't give it a facelift. August 2018 did see some cosmetic work, with a new front grille and rear combination lamps. Inside, the cabin featured a redesigned centre console, including a padded armrest. Urethane foam with a high-damping quality was used in the front seat cushions to give improved ride comfort. Seat upholstery was changed to full leather on higher grades. The 2.0-litre petrol engine, which had seen a range of technologies applied to improve fuel economy and promote quicker engine response. The turbo-diesel unit was now a
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR Sometime small family vehicles are bought by those on a tight budget and services may have been pushed down the priority list. So check the service books to make they are up to date. All the more reason to have a full professional inspection of the CX-3 before signing on the dotted line. Feel for serious lag from a diesel as this may indicate it has problems. Similarly look for a sudden burst of smoke from the exhaust during your test drive if the engine has been idling for a while and you
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accelerate hard. Manual gearboxes that are stiff in their changes and/or crunch of fast downshifts may have problems. Automatics that are slow to change, overly slow when shifting, or change ratios when they shouldn't should be regarded as suspicious. Do the usual checks of the condition of the seats and carpet (don't forget the boot for the latter) for signs of damage caused by bored kids or poor loading of cargo. CAR BUYING TIP Small family hatches/SUVs are all the rage at the moment so there will be plenty of offer on the used scene. Take your time to ďŹ nd the best one for your needs. RECALLS To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/.
EXPECT TO PAY $9000 TO $13,000: 2015 Neo Safety $11,000 TO $16,000: 2015 Maxx Safety $15,000 TO $21,000: 2016 sTouring $18,000 TO $25,000: 2017 sTouring $19,000 TO $27,000: 2018 Akari FWD $22,000 TO $31,000: 2018 Akari AWD
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1.8-litre unit and has excellent torque within increase in fuel use. Mazda was one of the ďŹ rst Japanese marques to be imported to Australia and has been a solid player here since the beginning - that is after people stopped saying, “Mazda, don’t the just make light bulbs?â€? There’s a strong network of dealers, though as is generally the way the great majority are in the big cities and large country towns. We’ve heard of no real problems in getting uncommon spare parts from the more remote dealers as they are often shipped within a day or so. The Mazda CX-3 generally falls into midrange categories with insurance companies and we haven’t seen big ďŹ nancial penalties on young and or drivers with a poor insurance record. Shop around if you like but be aware that a long history with the same insurer could beneďŹ t if you ever a marginal claim.
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