JUNE 14 - 20 | 2019
Hyundai Kona pure electric Ŷ MORE THAN SKIN DEEP: Hyundai Kona has a new generation front end that may not appeal to some. The rest of the car looks great.
By EWAN KENNEDY model, with an RRP of $64,490 plus on-road charges. STYLING Can’t say the front appeals to me, a rounded bit of plastic with many oddly arranged indents. Okay, so the Kona Electric doesn't need a large grille to suck in huge amounts of air to burn in the engine, nor does it a lot of cooling. Therefore a large radiator isn't required. But radiator grilles aren’t on cars merely for engineering reasons. I see them as a sort of figurehead, one that has been crafted and revised by all automotive marques over many generations. Or am I living in the past and grilles will
disappear altogether with internal combustion engines? Anyhow, the rest of the Kona looks great outside and in, with a modern SUV look that has the wheelarches and sill panels in contrasting colours to give it a business-like appearance. POWERTRAIN Kona Electric is powered by a 150 kW electric motor running from a 64 kWh (kilowatt hours) lithium-ion polymer battery under the floor. The motor delivers peak torque of 395 Nm from one rpm (yes, one rpm) and has a real world electric driving range of 449 kilometres when measured on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Our test was indicating 489km when we picked it up.
We averaged electricity consumption of 12.3 kWh per 100km. That was a fair bit under the 14.3kWh of the official testing. Plugged into a 100 kW DC fast-charger, Kona Electric can reach 80 per cent battery charge in 54 minutes. A 50kW DC charger takes 75 minutes to 80 per cent. An optional $1950 7.2 kW on-board charger allows charging when plugged into a household socket – that takes around 9 hours 35 minutes. It can even be charged by simply plugging into a 240-volt/10-amp household socket – that is if you've about 20 hours to spare. It’s a bit like using a mobile phone, iPad and so on. As soon as you're near a power source you plug it in.
Ŷ Continued page 2 j/21d12837-v75/23-19
THE first all-electric production car to go on sale in Australia was the Mitsubishi I-MiEV. In 2010 I picked up one from Mitsubishi in Brisbane and drove to our home on the Gold Coast – arriving there with just five kilometres to spare before the dash readout told me the batteries would be flat. That's nail biting territory … Last week I picked up a Hyundai Kona Electric from Brisbane, drove home along the same route – and arrived with 398 kilometres to ‘empty’. Such has been the advancement in electric car technology in nine years. See more details in the Driving section of the review. Hyundai Kona Electric is a pure electric vehicle, not a hybrid as it has no petrol engine. It's expensive – very expensive – our test car was the top grade Highlander
NEW 2019 PLATED
BT-50
MAZDA 4X4 DUAL CAB XT
from
$39,990*
DRIVEAWAY
PLUS
Come in for a test drive today
REASON #1:
EOFY BONUS*
EOFY VALUE
Serving the community as your local Mazda dealer for over 50 years!
10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta
Alicia Loughman 0457 496 822 Mark Prentice 0437 276 412 Noel Gilbert 0438 597 200 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531
(03) 5721 5677
www.onemilemotors.com.au
LMCT1060
TAX TIME DEALS NOW ON AT
BENALLA MOTORCYCLES & POWER EQUIPMENT FLOOR SPECIALS RANGER DIESEL 1000 HD EPS
ENTER TO WIN
RANGER XP 900 EPS 1
1
ONLY
ONLY
“RELAX BEFORE TAX” Spend $50 for your chance to win a Relaxing day before starting your Tax.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
> Kohler Diesel 1000 Engine - 24 HP > Electronic Power Steering > Towing Capacity - 907kg > Engine Braking System & Active Descent Control (ADC) > On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) > Heavy Duty “HD” Features
> Polaris ProStar 500 Engine - 32 HP > Certified ROPS Cab Frame > On Demand True All Wheel Drive (AWD) > Ground Clearance - 26cm > Towing Capacity - 680kg
RANGER XP 1000 HD
> Polaris ProStar Engine - 82 HP > On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) > VersaTrac Turf Mode > Electronic Power Steering > Dump Box Capacity - 454kg > IRS with 27.9cm of Travel > 3 Mode Throttle Control > Engine Braking System & Active Descent Control (ADC)
$2,000
FREE ACCESSORIES
$15,200 > Polaris ProStar Engine - 68 HP > Electronic Power Steering > On Demand True All-Wheel -Drive (AWD) with VersaTrac Unlocking Rear Diff > Seat Belt Interlock > Dump Box Capacity - 454kg > IRS with 25.4cm of Travel > Speed Key Ready
SAVE $2,500 RANGER 500
> Polaris ProStar Engine - 32 HP > On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) > IRS with 25.4cm of Travel > Towing Capacity - 680kg > Versatrac Turf Mode > Speed Key Ready > Seat Belt Interlock > Dump Box Capacity - 227kg
SAVE $1,500
Drawn: 21st June 2019 Accommodation valid for 12mths if you don’t want to use that night
*
> 4 Wheel Drive > Polaris ProStar Engine - 33 HP > Independent Rear Suspension - 24cm Travel > Fully Automatic > Ground Clearance - 27.9cm > Towing Capacity - 555kg
RANGER 570 HD EPS
> Polaris ProStar Engine - 44 HP > Heavy Duty Features > Electronic Power Steering > Speed Key Ready > Seat Belt Interlock > Dump Box Capacity 227kg > Unlocking Rear Diff > Engine Braking System & Active Descent Control (ADC)
SAVE $2,000
SAVE $500 RANGER XP 900 EPS
> Polaris ProStar Engine - 68 HP > Electronic Power Steering > On Demand True All-Wheel -Drive (AWD) with VersaTrac Unlocking Rear Diff > Seat Belt Interlock > Dump Box Capacity - 454kg > IRS with 25.4cm of Travel > Speed Key Ready
SAVE $1,000 PLUS
FREE POLARIS PLUS PACKAGE
80-82 SYDNEY ROAD, BENALLA VIC 3672 Ph: (03) 5762 6177 www.benallamotorcycles.com
21D13801/2319
$15,995
• Two tickets to Collingwood v Nth Melbourne at Marvel Stadium 29th June 2019 @ 7.25pm • Overnight Accommodation at The ParkView include Parking and Buffet Breakfast*
3
June 14 - 20 | 2019
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
Mazda BT-50 Boss
Ŷ SHOW YOUR COLOURS: Bold black and white ‘Boss’ decals mark the latest Mazda BT-50 model. MAZDA has added a new topline model By EWAN KENNEDY to its BT-50 range. Tagged as ‘Boss’ it has Bold black and white ‘Boss’ decal runs advanced audio and premium accessothe length of the body. Ascending and ries. Boss is offered exclusively in Snow- increasing in width from the base of the flake White Pearl Mica, chrome accents re- front wheel arch to the rear bumper, the placed with gloss black on the grille, door decal adds a sense of sportiness to match handles, mirror caps, sports bar and tubu- this capable off-roader. Inside, there's Alpine’s all-new S-Series lar side steps. It sits on 17-inch 8-spoke black alloy wheels and has a soft tonneau. carbon fibre reinforced plastic compo-
nent speakers to deliver high-end, quality sound. The eight-speaker setup includes four 6.5-inch speakers that feature High Amplitude Multi-Roll (HAMR) Surround technology. The rear speakers incorporate tweeters and at the front end, two independent 1.0-inch silk dome tweeters located in the A-pillar recreate pleasant upper range sound. Sharing all other equipment with the GT
grade, the BT-50 Boss comes with black leather trim, tailgate central locking, a tub liner, power mirrors, privacy glass, 12-volt auxiliary socket and light in the tub. There’s eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and smartphone mirroring technologies, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda BT-50 Boss is on sale now at a drive away price of $55,990.
Hyundai Kona pure electric Ŷ From page 1 Public charging stations can be used, Kona Electric has a Type 2 plug. If the station only has Type 1 an adaptor can be used, however, Hyundai Australia doesn't recommend this. INFOTAINMENT Infotainment is controlled through an 8.0inch screen. There's satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates and a 10-year Sat Nav Update Plan. Hyundai Kona has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interfaces and Bluetooth. It has an eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system with a subwoofer and external amplifier. SAFETY Kona Electric has Hyundai’s SmartSense safety package as standard and has received a five star safety rating. DRIVING Having made that first trip mainly on the 110 km/h motorway back to the office we proceeded to use the Kona to run around our area of the Gold Coast – shopping centres, council library, giving my wife a lift to and from work at Griffith University, taking the dog to an off-leash park and similar day-today activities. As always when driving any electric vehicle we tended to drive conservatively, being very much aware of the distance to empty reading. However, this gazing at the numbers became less common as it was obvious we could complete the test drive with plenty to spare. At the end of our week’s test we drove back to Brisbane having covered 379 km and returned the Kona Electric with 103 km left in the ‘tank’. We found the Kona all but silent at lower speeds around town, but with a fair bit of tyre
noise once it was over about 50 km/h, obviously it changed from surface to surface. On the motorway it had similar road noise levels to those of petrol or diesel cars of this size. These noise levels were disappointing as other electric cars we’ve driven are significantly quieter than the Hyundai. We feel the fuel-economy tyres are likely to be the culprit – knowing Hyundai that’s likely to be rectified quickly. The adjustable regenerative braking system lets the driver choose the intensity of the regenerative braking using the shift paddles to permit maximum energy recuperation. You increase the regeneration required by using the left paddle, with the right paddle to decrease it. To bring it to a full stop you need to hold the left paddle continuously. We’ve enjoyed the challenge of driving other electric cars by using only the ‘throttle’ pedal and found the need to use a paddle as well as the pedal makes the Hyundai less pleasing. Showing just how serious Hyundai is about its passenger vehicles in this country, the Kona Electric has Australian chassis tune developed across a variety of local urban and country roads. As torque is there the instant you push the pedal it has excellent overtaking ability and will spend the minimum of time on the wrong side of the road. Handling is excellent because you have about 300 kg of batteries low down in the ‘chassis’ and the Kona really sticks to the road beautifully. Steering feel could be better if you're a driving enthusiast, but for day-today driving most owners will be happy with it. Though it's not the way you would expect owners to drive the Kona can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, thus making this the quickest of all Kona models. WARRANTY Kona Electric has a five year unlimited
distance warranty. The Kona high-voltage battery warranty extends to eight years or 160,000 kilometres. SUMMING UP Kona Electric is an impressive advancement in technology and certainly points to the way of the future. It has exceptional performance, can travel a long way on only a few dollars worth of electricity and creates no pollution at the tailpipe. Would I buy one? The answer is no, I'm a cautious Scottish Aussie not a wealthy early adopter. The improvement in the nine years between that first Mitsubishi and this week’s Hyundai indicates it's still relatively early days of electric vehicle design. If I bought a Kona Electric today and traded it on a significantly better electric car - perhaps with a 700km driving range - the tradein offered on my 2019 Kona could be horribly low, that is unless Hyundai offers special deals. Time will tell.
June 14 - 20 | 2019
4
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara 2005 - 2017 Ĺś 2016 Suzuki Vitara
Ĺś 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara UNLIKE many ‘toy’ 4WDs in the so-called By EWAN KENNEDY SUV class, the Suzuki Vitara is the real deal. For the ďŹ rst time the 2015 model was sold Popular with those who like to have fun away from the beaten track, the Vitara works well on with the option of 2WD to keep the price down the beach, on forest trails and even in reason- for those looking only for a family city runabout. Vitara is offered in three- and ďŹ ve-door bodably serious off-road conditions. Though the names ‘Grand Vitara’ and just ies. The ďŹ ve-door is signiďŹ cantly larger than in plain ‘Vitara’ were used in different series most previous generations and can make a good fampeople simply refer to them all as Vitara. Basi- ily wagon. Competition in the SUV segment was cally, the Grand title was used on the 2005 mod- starting to really warm up by this time, but Vitara els being reviewed here, but from the model aces many of the so-called 4WDs in its makeup. While it does have four-wheel drive, the threechange of 2015, it disappeared again. When an all-new third generation Suzuki Vi- door doesn't have a dual-range transfer box so tara was introduced in August 2005 it no longer isn't suited to really rugged off-road running. All used a separate chassis, rather it has a mono- three-doors have a manual gearbox. It is particucoque body. However, it was toughened up larly popular as a toy that can be taken to the with serious strengthening that can almost be beach for a huge amount of fun. Vitara doesn't handle the way a car does. The described as ladder-frame. Ruggedness has always been part of the Vitara makeup and own- Suzuki has a higher centre of gravity so is easier to roll if you get things wrong. Drive it correctly ers love them for that. A virtually all-new model Vitara was launched and it will handle well enough; drive it too hard in 2015. The body has a neat look with semi- and it may bite you. The later the model the safer it is in these circumstances. sharp details that look great. Power comes from a variety of sources; fourQuite a few were sold with two-tone paint in a time when others were purely mono paint. cylinder 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol, V6 2.7-litre petrol This appealed to both the young and old buyers, and four-cylinder 1.9-litre turbo-diesel. Not all enparticularly the latter as they were from the glory gines are offered in each variant. Suzuki has been around for a long time in hippie days of the ‘70s. We’ve seen some used examples of those belong to the oldies that have Australia and is well-organised. We have heard done very little work and are in great condition. of very few complaints about spare parts and servicing costs. These are worth hunting down.
CLASSIFIEDS MOTORCYCLES
2015 Honda Benly MW110, great run around s c o o t e r, 3 5 6 6 k m s , registered ‘til 9/19, VIN: LWBJA09U6D, $3300 ono. Ph 0425 753 091.
MOTOR VEHICLES
MOTOR VEHICLES
SUBARU Impreza hatch, '05, 117000 kms, RWC, manual, AC, cruise control, dual range AWD, (ZHP411), $7500 ono. Phone Joe 0400 080 664.
1996 VS Commodore ute, auto, (WTV031), 2003 XR6 BA ute, 3 1 2 , 4 3 9 k m , RW C , 75,000km, (1FV9OT), $3500. Ph 0401 748 033. automatic, towbar, electric brakes, heavy duty suspension, dual fuel, cruise control, great condition, $9900 ono with RWC. Ph 0407 MAZDA 1985, well 218 377. kept car, automatic, RW, We’ll make your registered, (WPJ149), caravan go faster 176,000km, in really good original condition, Two weeks $ * JUHDW ¿UVW FDU RQR from *Cond apply. 3K Ph 5723 0101
29
CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101
SOLD MOTOR VEHICLES
TO Y O TA C o a s t e r Motorhome, 1976, auto, nice, professional fit out, currently on club plates but will come with current RWC and 12 months private reg, (0364H8), new tyres, nothing to spend, drive on car licence, 176,000km, ready to jump in and do a lap of Aus, $14,500 ono. Ph 0402 746 434.
A good amateur mechanic can do a lot of their own work and underbonnet access is very good. Safety-related work should only be done by professional mechanics. Insurance costs seem to vary more than normal from company to company, possibly because they have had different experiences. It’s worth shopping around. As always, make sure you understand what coverage you are getting. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Look for damage to the tyres caused by use on severe off-road terrain. Tyres with uneven wear probably indicate wheel or chassis alignment troubles. Look for signs of body damage caused by off-road driving. The corners of the bumpers and the sill panels are usually the ďŹ rst to be scratched or dented. Check the protection plates under the engine and gearbox, as well as suspension mounts for signs of damage. Search for rust in the lower edges of the doors, the guards, door sills, cabin and boot oor and in the fuel-ďŹ ller ap. If you ďŹ nd sand in underbody areas, taste it for salt. Corrosion can wreak havoc with rust if it gets into metal. Feel for an engine that is reluctant to start and down on power. Look for smoke from the
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper! MOTOR VEHICLES
2013 Hyundai Active i20 hatch, 56,000km, service books, 6 speed, 1 owner, tyres 95%, RWC, October reg (ZYI054), $7700. Phone (03) 5725 1841.
2015 SLI Kia Carnival, economical diesel, full leather, Sat Nav, cruise control, side steps, tow bar, full set of new tyres, very good condition, 150,000hwy km, balance of new car warranty (approx. 44 months), rego till February 2020, 2012 Nissan Maxima (1GM7WS), RWC, 250 ST-L, immaculately $29,500. Ph 0408 610 539. clean, 100,400km incl 100,000km service, CLASSIFIEDS many extras, registered ‘til 8/19, (IEA9SM) $11,750 ono. Ph 0425 5723 0101 753 091.
WORK!
We’ll make your boat go faster
Eight ads over Two SAV weeks with pro sApoGrtsSEOOLspDrey 550, photo only Mr e g ( H P 9 26040)3 model,
29
$
exhaust pipe and the oil-ďŹ ller hole. Make some fast downshifts on a manual gearbox and listen for clashed changes or a reluctance to change. In an automatic transmission be sure the changes are positive and that it shifts promptly into Drive from Neutral. Take your hands off the steering wheel while the Vitara is travelling in a straight line and see if it wanders about unnecessarily. If it does, there could be suspension damage. HOW MUCH? Expect to pay from $3000 to $5500 for a 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara Sports; $5000 to $8500 for a 2007 Grand Vitara Trekker; $7000 to $11,000 for a 2009 Grand Vitara Prestige or a 2011 Sports; $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2014 Grand Vitara Urban or a 2016 Vitara GL; $14,000 to $20,000 for a 2015 Vitara RT-X; $16,000 to $23,000 for a 2016 Vitara S Turbo; and $20,000 to $27,000 for a 2018 Vitara S Turbo. CAR BUYING TIP These days many SUVs and 4WDs seldom leave sealed roads so beware of one that looks as though it has been in the rough stuff. However, if the price is right and you can do your own repairs one that has been off-road could be a bargain.
MOTORING TRADES & SERVICES
WANG’S ONLY 5 STAR CARWASH
the best
CARWASH 22 - 24 Handley Street, Wangaratta
*
ercur 90hp oil inj y S a l t Wa t , e r, ected, st teel pro p, walk ainless creen throu h
Over two weeks your advertisement will appear in two editions of the weekly Motor Guide and six editions of the Wangaratta Chronicle. Together these papers are read by over 80,000 people. *Cond apply. Private advertisers only, min 20 words, extra words 50¢ each. No refunds given if item is sold before advert expires. 2 weeks = 6 Wangaratta Chronicle & 2 North East Motor Guide, covering all NE Victoria.
k/06d11887-v5/3518
7ANGARATTA Auto Cooling System Specialists
5721 3486
135 Vincent Road, Wangaratta AU01845
K/21D11897-V55/1018
ADVERTISE HERE...
5723 0101 CALL US TODAY p/otherjobs/classiďŹ eds/houseadsnov2015/boat - 15cm x 2col (classy size)
5723 0100