North East Motor Guide

Page 1

MAY 17 - 23 | 2019

Ŷ SMOOTH OPERATOR: Karoq has slightly squared off lines that are cleverly softened at the edges

2019 Skoda Karoq 110TSI gines are likely to be introduced before the end of 2019.

umbrella under the front passenger seat a safety item.

INFOTAINMENT The KAROQ comes standard with an 8-inch screen high-resolution Bolero infotainment system, which has SmartLink smartphone connectivity, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with voice control, audio and streaming. There are USB, Aux connections and an SD card slot.

DRIVING Bigger inside than you would expect, the Karoq follows the long time Skoda tradition of practicality. A major feature is the ingenious VarioFlex seating system. You can remove any of the rear three individual seats, thus giving you a five-, four-, three- or two-seater. With the rear seats set all the way back there's excellent legroom for adults. Width makes it more useful for two adults and a child, though three adults won't find too much hip or shoulder rubbing. With all the rear seats fitted and fully pushed back, the Karoq's luggage compartment has a volume of 479 litres. Move the seats forward and it increases to 588 litres. Folding them flat gives you 1605 litres. With them all removed there's 1810 litres.

SAFETY Standard safety systems include electronic stability control, city emergency brake, adaptive cruise control, the multi-collision braking, manoeuvre braking assist for use in carparks, and driver fatigue detection. Optional safety items in a Travel Pack ($1700) are lane assist and blind spot detection. We reckon you could even call the Skoda

Ŷ Continued page 2 21d13123-V47/2019

SKODA Karoq is a midsize SUV from the By EWAN KENNEDY Czech Republic that shares much of its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its realises just how good Skodas are. biggest attraction to many potential buyers is that it, like other Skoda models, sells for sig- STYLING Karoq replaced the Skoda Yeti, but is far nificantly less than approximately equivalent more conservative in its shape. Karoq has VWs. The Karoq we tested was the 110TSI, with slightly squared off lines that are cleverly sofa recommended retail price of $29,990, com- tened off at the edges. This gives it not only pared to slightly higher price of the Tiguan what is likely to be a timeless look, but also 110TSI. This comparison isn't apples-with-ap- makes for a very spacious interior. Inside, it doesn't really break any new ples as there are differences in equipment, but it does give you something to work on ground in the dashboard area, but it’s neat and tidy and favours function over fashion. depending on your preferences. Some of the savings in buying a Skoda may be eaten up at resale or trade-in time POWERTRAINS Skoda Karoq arrived with a 1.5-litre fouras, for some odd reason, Skoda isn't as well regarded in Australia as in other countries. cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing Without getting overly hypothetical, there's 110kW and 250Nm with the choice of a sixthe outside chance that you might buy a speed manual transmission or a seven-speed cheapish Karoq now, and resell it a few years DSG driving the front wheels. An all-wheel-drive and possibly other endown the track, after the Aussie public finally

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May 17 - 23 | 2019

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Updated Renault Megane R.S. Range By EWAN KENNEDY RENAULT has made major changes to its Megane R.S. range. The biggest news is the introduction of an Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic to the Cup chassis model. The auto is already in use in the Sport chassis and has been strengthened to withstand the torque and revs of a highperformance engine. Based on the required take-off acceleration, in-gear acceleration and maximum speed, the Renault Sport engineers specific shift patterns: Comfort, Normal, Sport and Race. The EDC transmission also receives Multi-Change Down and Launch Control. Multi-Change Down drops several gears under braking by pressing and holding the left paddle. The best gear is then selected to exit a corner as efficiently as possible. Launch Control is available in Sport and Race modes when the clutch and turbo are preloaded, enabling an optimum standing start. When in Sport mode, traction control provides the driver with additional support. The Renault Megane R.S. Sport chassis is aimed at drivers who like a sporty, but still refined, drive. The Megane R.S. Cup chassis has revised springs, dampers and bump stops and it is 10 per cent stiffer than the Sport chassis. Renault Sport technology continues as before: 4CONTROL four-wheel steering; R.S. Monitor to visualise provide a high range of driving data; and R.S. Drive Race Mode further expands driver enjoyment at track days. Bose audio system and Alcantara leather are now standard on the Cup variants.

Ŷ EYE CATCHER: Hot Megane by Renault Sport is as hard-edged as it looks, keen drivers love them. An 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen gives access to satellite navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Note that Renault Australia has trimmed the Megane R.S. range. Only the Megane R.S Turbo Sport and Megane R.S. Turbo

Cup are now offered. The full Megane R.S. range now has a five year unlimited distance warranty.

2019 Skoda Karoq 110TSI

Ŷ From page 1 It comes as no surprise that the Czech built Karoq has the solid feel of big brother Volkswagen on the road. It rides smoothly on motorways and is almost silent on normal surfaces. Rough roads do cause it to bounce a bit more than we anticipated - perhaps it needs some suspension testing by Aussie engineers on our roads. Handling is very European in that there's good steering feel and the way it tackles bends gives it an almost sporty nature. Indeed, it will hold onto the road at far higher speeds than those likely to be tolerated by family members. Engine performance from the seemingly small 1.5-litre four is better than you would anticipate. There's some turbo lag off the line, but with that over there's plenty of willing grunt. Overtaking is simple and the DSG auto on our test Karoq was almost invariably

in the correct gear. The old bugbear of VW double-clutch gearboxes is still there, that is jerkiness at very low parking speeds. Once that's gone the Karoq’s unit is smooth as silk. Fuel consumption during our test period was generally in the five to seven litres per hundred kilometres range on the motorways and easy country running. It rose to as still very acceptable eight to ten litres per hundred around town. Part of the low fuel consumption is due to the engine running as a two-cylinder unit under very gentle running. SUMMING UP Skoda Karoq is a practical, spacious SUV with just a touch of sportiness in its suspension. It feels solid on the road and gives the impression it will last for many years with correct servicing and proper driving.

AT A GLANCE CAPACITY: 1.498 litres CONFIGURATION: Four cylinders in line MAXIMUM POWER: 110 kW @ 5000 rpm MAXIMUM TORQUE: 250 Nm @ 1500 rpm DRIVELINE: Seven-speed direct shift automatic FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 50 litres COMBINED FUEL CYCLE: 5.8L/100km


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May 17 - 23 | 2019

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Ŷ WILD INSIDE: The tame-looking Volkswagen Golf GTI has a feral side to its nature

GTI the all-round good guy of Golf club OVER seven generations, the Volkswagen By DEREK OGDEN Golf GTI has led a highly competitive cohort of hot hatches on the way to attaining the sta- exterior mirrors with memory function and a tus of an icon. The MY19 model is tasked with panoramic power glass sunroof. Metallic / pearl effect paint is a $500 opholding the line. Following production hiccups, the lone tion and Volkswagen is running a five-year, variant of the five-door Golf GTI range has fi- unlimited-kilometre warranty on models up to nally made it Down Under. The newbie calls the end of 2019. Capped-price servicing avon the drivetrain of the 2017 three-door Per- erages out at $535 per 15,000km / 12-month formance Edition 1, including the same 180kW interval. / 370Nm tune of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four, seven-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission, STYLING The upper two sections of a doubleelectro-mechanical front differential lock and ventilated front and rear disc brake package decker black radiator grille is linked by the VW badge, with secondary model designafrom the Golf R. One downside, which will be mourned by tion in red to the side. A red hairline circles some, is the absence of a manual model, due the headlamp set-ups pulling both together says VW, to the general decrease in demand across the front. GTI is repeated on the flanks ahead of the for the system throughout the automotive front doors. The vehicle profile is made up of world. However, the replacement version of the smooth, unbroken lines all the way back to a DSG automatic goes a long way to delivering solid rear devoid of any sporty silliness such performance expected of a car carrying the as unsightly ‘for show only’ wings or spoilers. The true character of the car is left to be GTI badge. The basic MY19 Golf GTI can be had for presented purely by twin chrome tipped $45,490, plus on-road costs. The test vehi- exhaust pipes and, you guessed it, the letcle boasted the full Monty of two extra-cost ters GTI in red. However, bright red brakes options, jacking up the price to $51,600, plus did peer out through the spokes of the test car’s Brescia 19-inch alloy wheels. And they on-roads. At $2300, Sound and Style comes with 19- weren’t just for show. inch Brescia alloy wheels, a 9.2-inch satellitenavigation system, gesture control, voice INTERIOR A nice mix of performance and comfort incontrol and Dynaudio 400W sound system, while a $3900 Luxury package includes side, the optional leather upholstered seats leather upholstery with red stitching, heated were supportive without pinching the kidfront seats, power driver’s seat with memory, neys and with easy adjustment to match.

VW has answered high demand by making the Active Driving dashboard display a standard fitment. The seemingly infinitely configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument layout really is the shining light of the cabin. INFOTAINMENT Not far behind is the standard Active Driving set-up with 8-inch screen. However, the test car carried the Sound and Style package that brings the 9.2-inch display with swipecommand gesture control media infotainment system incorporating a plethora of information and technology requirements. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is satellite navigation and rearview camera. ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS Nothing new here, just the same 180 kW / 370 Nm tuned 2.0-litre turbo petrol four of the 2017 three-door Performance Edition 1, plus the seven-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission, electro-mechanical front differential lock and ventilated front and rear disc brake package from the Golf R. SAFETY A standard feature of the Golf GTI is a dozy driver pack, which includes front assist with city emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring. There’s also lane assist with adaptive lane guidance, traffic-jam assist and emergency assist. Bringing up the rear are blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, rear-view camera and park assist.

DRIVING The first thing you notice about the VW Golf GTI is how quiet it is, especially for a hot hatch. That is at the lower end of its performance range in city-style traffic. But that’s not all. Quickish off the mark, Drive mode, accessed via a button on the centre console in front of the gearshift, has the car delivering a range of characteristics – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual - to suit the driver’s mood. I found Normal to be best in built-up traffic situations, Sport for spirited driving out in the country with all systems ‘brought to attention’, and Individual, with which a little more time to play would have been nice. ‘Hot-hatch-ability’ poked through with the paddle shifting down in Sport mode giving rise to a meaty blap from the exhaust. Enough to put a smile on any performanceloving driver’s face. Fuel consumption follows suit in adapting to right-foot pedal input, with the test car coming up with 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres in city circumstances and 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres on a motorway steady sprint. SUMMARY The somewhat staid looking Golf may not stir hot-hatch feelings in the hearts of rustedon GTI fans, but the MY19 model does little wrong in its performance when urged on, neither will it scare the living daylights out of passengers in a daily city commute. Good allrounder.


May 17 - 23 | 2019

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Toyota RAV4 generation five By EWAN KENNEDY TWENTY ďŹ ve years after the ďŹ rst Toyota RAV4 arrived Downunder, Toyota is about to launch the ďŹ fth generation. In the intervening years SUVs have begun to dominate the market and now outsell passenger cars. Toyota is number one overall in our market and wants to make the midsize RAV4 a major player in its segment. New RAV4 is slightly shorter and lower than the model it supersedes, but has a wider body. It sits on a longer wheelbase and has wider front and rear tracks. The rear load space has been extended by 65mm and now offers an impressive 580 litres. It features a two-level reversible oor for added functionality. However, this is not available with the full-size spare wheel option. Prices range from $30,640 for a 2WD (the front wheels) petrol manual, to $47,140 for the topline RAV4 Edge AWD automatic, with nine other models between them. The RAV4 comes with 2WD, or mechanical or electric AWD systems, and a choice of two new petrol engines, as well as hybrid models.This time around there is no turbodiesel option. Toyota Australia vice president sales and marketing, Sean Hanley said, "Toyota has consistently offered its groundbreaking hybrid powertrains in a variety of models since it was ďŹ rst introduced to Australia in the Prius 18 years ago and this latest generation technology is ideally suited to the new RAV4.â€? Most non-hybrid RAV4s are all powered by a new design 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 127kW and 203Nm, driving through a CVT automatic with a launch gear mechanism. Toyota's hybrid system combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor generator. They have combined maximum outputs of 160kW for 2WD variants and 163kW for AWD versions.

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2008 Toyota Corolla Ascent, 204,000km, one owner, serviced regularly, (1PL1UB), $6300 with roadworthy. Ph 0432 513 941.

Ĺś UPDATED: Squared off shape of the all-new Toyota RAV4 give it a thoroughly modern stance.

Topping the new RAV4 range is what Toyota Australia calls “the adventure-focused� Edge AWD variant. It has a new 152 kW / 243 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine that drives through a conventional eight-speed automatic. The AWD system in the Edge features a multi-terrain select system that offers different modes for mud and sand, rock and dirt, and snow environments. New RAV4 has the Toyota Safety Sense suite of features, including active cruise control, pre-collision safety system with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, road-sign assist (speed sign only). It has seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, reversing camera, and ABS with vehicle stability control and active cornering assist. At this stage we have not driven the new Toyota RAV4 but will do so as soon as possible and provide our opinions immediately afterwards.

MOTOR VEHICLES

TOYOTA Coaster IHZ 6 cylinder, diesel, 30,000km on complete new motor and clutch, drive on car licence, toilet/shower, hot water, 220 solar panels, 2x100amp batteries, gas/ electric stovetop, awning, twin gas bottles, 3 way charger 110L water tanks, TV/DVD player, large fridge freezer, generator, registration and 2013 Hyundai Active RWC (ZII405), airbag i20 hatch, 56,000km, suspension, $45,000 ono. s e r v i c e b o o k s , 6 Ph 0407 161 665. speed, 1 owner, tyres 95%, RWC, October reg (ZYI054), $7700. Phone (03) 5725 1841.

2012 Nissan Maxima, l e a t h e r i n t e r i o r, RWC provided, new tyres, 142,000km, (AAK677), $13,000 ono. Ph 0408 802 122.

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NISSAN Pathfinder, 2000, auto, good running, Bluetooth stereo, reversing camera, bar light, sunroof, 340,000km, regularly serviced, (XPD668), $3250 ono. Ph 0428 217 493.

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2006FordFiesta,manual, currently owned by local retired lady, excellent condition, 53,000km, RWC supplied, rego 23 (8 ÂżUVW WR VHH will buy, $5000. Ph 0438 500 888.

2008 Toyota Camry Ateva, auto, 4 cylinder, 165,000km, RWC, 8 months reg, (WBI291), one owner, excellent condition, $5800. Ph 0428 906 511.

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