APRIL 18 - 25 | 2019
Volvo Xc40 T4 Inscription
Ŷ SUPER COOL: Volvo is now one of the world’s automotive style leaders - and many say the XC40 is the best shape yet.
THE very Swedish Volvo XC40 midsize SUV has an excellent blend of style, performance and practicality. And it goes without saying it’s one of the safest vehicles on our roads. Volvo has just revised its XC40 range and added a new model called Inscription. Sitting midway between the existing Momentum and the sporty R-Design the Inscription features a powered front passenger seat, leather-trim, ambient interior lighting and a powered tailgate. It is the subject of this review. The XC40 is slightly larger
than others in its class, at 4425mm long, 1863mm wide and 1652mm high and every centimetre of the interior space is put to good use. It has seating for five though, as is often the way, four adults plus a child is a more realistic load. A fascinating insight - by far the most commented on feature of the XC40 Inscription we have been driving is the Orrefors crystal gear selector. A great collaboration between the two upmarket Swedish products. STYLING To the surprise of just about everyone, Volvo has
become one of world’s automotive style leaders. We reckon the XC40 is the best shape from the Swedes yet, from its upright slightlyconcave grille, through the deeply sculpted lower sections of the doors and onto the upward swept D-pillars it all works beautifully to our eyes. As a throwback to times past when cars were seen as fashion statements, this Volvo can be bought in two-tone paint. Interestingly, some other car makers are starting to move in a similar direction - long may this last. Inside, the Scandinavian theme is simple almost to the
point of being minimalistic in the dashboard area and there’s a real feel that you are travelling in an upmarket product. We really like the portrait shape of the central screen, more about it in the Infotainment section. Coloured carpets and inserts in the doors are neat details. In a sign of the future they are made mainly from recycled plastic. POWERTRAINS Our test car had a fourcylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 140 kW of power, and 300Nm of torque from a nicely low 1400 all the way to
4000 revs meaning that most drivers will have peak torque under their feet virtually all the time. All-wheel-drive by way of an eight-speed automatic is used in the T4 as tested, a front wheel drive model is offered in the lower cost Momentum version of the XC40. A smaller capacity, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol is to be added to the XC40 lineup later in the year. Presumably at a lower price and probably with front-wheel drive, though Volvo Australia is keeping marketing details close to its corporate chest. Volvo is working hard at electrification in its vehicles
so there could be news on this front not too far away. Stay tuned. The turbo-diesel previously offered in the XC40 is no longer being imported as diesels aren’t proving popular in the compact SUV in Australia. INFOTAINMENT We really like the portrait shape of the infotainment 9-inch screen. This makes so much more sense than the skinny horizontal units that are all the rage at the moment as you can see much further ahead on the Volvo’s satellite navigation. Ŷ Continued page 2 d21d13123-v43/1619
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Lexus RC F updated Track Edition introduced By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring LEXUS Australia has announced a substantially revised RC F range that includes not only a more affordable entry price but also a first RC F Track Edition. Every Lexus RC F has improved aerodynamics with greater downforce, particularly on the front axle; stiffer and lighter suspension components; firmer steering control; a freer-breathing and lighter engine; more intuitive transmission and grippier tyres. The RC F has new single-piece highgrade LED headlights and a wider grille with L-shaped mesh pattern, enlarged front-side air breathers and new canard ‘fins’ on the lower front bumper to accurately harness air. Air is then directed by fin-shaped side rocker mouldings - derived from the RC F GT3 race car -
to new rear air breathers. The RC F Track Edition has a front lower spoiler to further reduce front-end lift, and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) side fins. At the tail are revised L-shaped tail-lights, vertical fins and diffuser. The high-revving Lexus 5.0-litre V8 produces 351kW of power at 7100rpm, and 530Nm of torque between 4800rpm and 5600rpm. It meets the latest Euro 6 emissions standards and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed multi-mode automatic. For the first time since the Lexus LFA supercar, Lexus will offer standard launch control across the RC F range to enable faster and more controlled standing-start take-off. Lexus RC F is priced at $134,129 and RC F Track Edition at $165,690 plus on-road costs.
Ŷ LIMITED EDITION: Grand Cherokee S-Limited and S-Overland.
Jeep Grand Cherokee special models By EWAN KENNEDY
Ŷ EVEN CHEAPER: Lexus RC F is sleeker and more aerodynamic than ever.
JEEP is importing Grand Cherokee special editions to Australia. We will receive 100 S-Limited models and 120 SOverland. These look likely to sell out quickly as they have significant styling changes and offer a lot of gear for significantly less than if you were to option the extras individually. Grand Cherokee S-Limited Jeep tells us the Grand Cherokee SLimited gives $15,000 worth of value for only $8500 and is priced at $71,450. Powered by the big gun 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine the S-Limited features an SRT Performance sports bonnet, Granite Crystal and black grille with accented sevenslot; gloss black on the roof rails, daylight opening mouldings and mirror caps. The cabin has Heritage leather trimmed seats with liquid titanium accents. A dual-
pane Panoramic sunroof is just the thing to brighten up the days as autumn continues to close in on us. Grand Cherokee S-Limited is available in two exterior colours: Bright White and Diamond Black. Grand Cherokee S-Overland The S-Overland has over $9000 worth of extras for only $4500 and has a recommended price from $82,950 plus on-road charges. It is powered by Jeep’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, rides on 20-inch Granite Crystal alloy wheels, has premium LED foglamps, dual Black Chrome trapezoidal exhaust tips and bespoke Granite Crystal fascia and appliques. Inside the cabin, SRT black Nappa leather seats with black axis perforated suede inserts adorn the interior, paired with Suede Door Bolsters and a 19-Speaker Harmon Kardon Sound System.
Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription Ŷ From page 1 Volvo Cars’ driver infotainment system (Sensus) provides smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We certainly enjoyed the clarity of the Harman Kardon Premium Sound system. SAFETY Volvo has been synonymous with safety for decades, way back to the time when it designed the threepoint seat belt 60 years ago. The company’s approach to safety has never faltered. To the extent that Volvo says that no-one will die or be seriously injured in a new Volvo from the year 2020 onwards. Frankly, I find this an impossible ideal, but will be delighted to be proven wrong. And 2020 is only a matter of months away… Safety and driver assistance features offered on the XC40 include Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system; the latest generation of City Safety; Run-off Road protection and mitigation; Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking. Even tiny carpark bumps can be minimised as a 360-degree camera system helps drivers manoeuvre their Volvo into tight parking spaces. Front and rear sensors add to the package.
DRIVING The seats are large and comfortable in the front. Even in the rear I was able to sit ‘behind myself’ with room to spare, something that’s not common in this class. There is lots of storage space in the door pockets as Volvo deliberately avoided taking up space in this area with audio speakers. There’s also out-of-sight stowage in drawers underneath the front seats. The cargo compartment has a volume of 460 litres when all seats are in use, and 1336 litres when the rear seats are folded fully flat. Volvo’s new Clean Zone twozone climate system removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver what Volvo calls, “Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside”. Love it… In a very Swedish manner selecting gears is simple. You move the lever in the desired direction twice no buttons to push, or torturous wiggling through a complex gate. Turbo lag is minimal and the fourcylinder engine is smooth in operation. There’s some noise under hard acceleration but it’s all but inaudible when cruising. The automatic transmission was almost invariably in the correct gear and it works well with the engine. Fuel use was in the nine to elev-
AT A GLANCE en litres per hundred kilometres range around town, dropping to six to seven litres on motorway and easy paced country driving. Comfort is impressive and long country trips are done in a most relaxing manner. Handling is excellent, with steering that almost seems to read your mind. Corners can be attacked with verve if that’s your thing, but keep in mind it’s a family SUV
not a sports model. Rough roads didn’t faze the XC40 but some surfaces created more tyre noise than we anticipated, particularly Australia’s notorious course chip. SUMMING UP The Volvo XC40 SUV Inscription is a beautifully fresh example of Scandinavian styling and engineering and a pleasure to live with.
CAPACITY: 1.969 litres CONFIGURATION: Four cylinders in line MAXIMUM POWER: 140 kW @ 4700 rpm MAXIMUM TORQUE: 300 Nm @ 1400 rpm DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 54 litres
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April 18 - 25 | 2019
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Ĺś SAFETY: PathďŹ nder is a big imposing SUV aimed very much at the family.
Nissan Pathfinder has added safety By EWAN KENNEDY THE entry model Nissan PathďŹ nder ST now has important safety upgrades: Intelligent Emergency Braking with forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and intelligent cruise control are now ďŹ tted. An additional model has been introduced. PathďŹ nder ST+ grade, has been slotted between the ST and the ST-L I has satellite navigation as well as the safety of Nissan’s Intelligent Around-View Monitor
with Moving Object Detection. The mid-spec Nissan PathďŹ nder ST-L now features adaptive LED headlights with auto-levelling. Topline model, the Nissan PathďŹ nder Ti is ready for winter with heated rear seats. Dozy parents buying a PathďŹ nder Ti will be reminded they may have left their kids behind. Nissan’s clever Rear Door Alert is engaged when the rear doors are opened and closed before a trip. Once the PathďŹ nder is turned off a warning message appears on the
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Advanced Drive-Assist Display to prompt the driver to check the rear seat. If the driver walks away from the PathďŹ nder without opening a rear door the horn will sound three times and the ADAD screen will display a warning to check the back seat. Nissan PathďŹ nder can be powered by either a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine with a choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. As well as a hybrid powertrain with a supercharged 2.5-litre petrol engine.
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