CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
March 21, 2013
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 444
Isuzu Ute X-Runner Storypage3
TOYOTA KLUGER: A tall front is a major feature of the third generation model.
Toyota Kluger moves upmarket T
hough Toyota tends to follow trends rather than begin them, its Kluger has been an exception to that rule. When introduced in 2000 the Kluger was aimed at those who wanted a large station wagon to be used as a people mover. While it had 4WD styling and was driven by all four wheels, it was never intended as a vehicle with which to tackle the Great Sandy Desert. Those who did want to go exploring could buy a Toyota LandCruiser, Troop Carrier or Toyota Prado, or if they wanted a smaller vehicle there was the Toyota RAV4. The third generation Toyota Kluger has just been launched and unlike the first models it isn’t built in Japan, but in Indianapolis in the USA. The all-new Toyota Kluger has a tall, dare we say aggressive frontal shape, with a very large grille. It works nicely to our eyes. Large guards and a deep swage down the sides continue the strong styling theme and the
By EWAN KENNEDY rear lights have the sort of protruding horizontal shape that’s all the rage at the moment. The tailgate is hinged at the top and also has opening rear glass, the latter a handy feature in tight car parks or when you don’t want to displace items already in the boot. Toyota’s tried and true 3.5-litre twin-cam V6 has been revamped to reduce emissions and fuel use. Its peak outputs are 201 kilowatts of power and 337 Newton metres of torque. There’s no diesel option as the Kluger is mainly aimed at the American market (where it’s called Highlander) and our cousins over there aren’t keen on diesels. The engine is now mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with electronics that adapt not only to hilly conditions, but also senses drivers’ individual desires.
Kluger is offered in 2WD, to the front wheels, or 4WD if you want to get a bit more adventurous and explore mild off-road areas. The front-drive models cost $4000 less, are lighter and therefore use less fuel and provide more performance. Nevertheless, Toyota says the split in sales in previous models is about 50/50 and anticipates this will continue. Every model has a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, seven airbags, daytime running lights, stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. The topline Kluger Grande also has Toyota’s pre-collision safety system and lane departure alert. New Kluger is longer and wider than before and a considerable amount of work has gone into maximising interior space and functionality.
Not only in body design but also in the use of rear suspension components that are low and compact. The cabin can take seven adults, though five, with two children in the rear, will be a more practical load. Boot space is very good, and all seats can be folded flat to create a voluminous area that can be set up in numerous ways. The second and third row seats each have 60/40 splits. Ride comfort is very good and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels are impressively low. This really is an excellent machine for long distance cruising. Around town it’s likely to be a bit of a handful a times, but this is alleviated by a rear camera that’s standard on all and roof pillars that are relatively thin. Handling is safe and predictable.
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CLASSIFIEDS
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NORTH EAST
March 21, 2014 ARB canopy and tub, Hilux, dual cab, white, suits current model to 2005, $2000. Ph 0428 428 801.
1994 T O Y O TA L a n d c r u i s e r, g o o d condition, 375,000km, rego till September 2014 (FRF344), bullbar, towbar & UHF. $9900. Ph 0428 428 801.
COMMODORE Ute VU SS 2001, 5.7 litre V8 Auto, 167,000kms, excellent condition, $10,000 negotiable, (YYK414) registered November 2014. Ph 0400 653 511, 5766 2685.
HOLDEN Barina 2006, 90,600 km. Manual, excellent condition, $5900 ono. (UOG035) Ph 0458 187 116 or (03) 5721 7871.
2008 VE Commodore Omega sports wagon. Excellent condition. 97,000km. Reg to Nov 2014 (PKI011). Mag wheels, tow bar, cargo barrier and blind. $15,900 ono. Ph (03) 5721 5601 or 0412 548 376.
TOYOTA Prado Grande, V6 petrol, 2001, immac cond, local service history, (XCD898), 199,000 k's, sunroof, leather, near new tyres, Dec reg, always garaged, no offroader, heavy towing, $13,500. Ph 0400 111 990, 5775 1990.
VE Commodore 2009. (YLR449) RWC, tinted window, reverse sensor, sandstorm, VGC, 116,000km, $11,600. Ph 0457 187 208.
HYUNDAI Accent 2001 model 2 door hatch. Reg no (RPN673), one female owner, mech. A1, in ex. cond., auto., air cond., power steering, Bluetooth radio, new timing belt, great 1st car r/ about ,RWC. $4250. Ph 0407 505 040. LMCT 11086.
HOLDEN Astra 2003, 4 door, full electrics, cheap on fuel, lowered. 12 months rego. (TME658). $3500 ono. Ph 0427 555 236.
TOYOTA Camry 2000 Touring V6 auto, great condition, all luxury extras including factory alloy wheels, rear spoiler, airbags. A very impressive, comfortable car. First to see will buy. RWC. (AZ65-NP). $4250 ono. Ph (02) 6035 3853.
FORD Laser 1990 (XMT679) rego 18 Jan 15 with RWC, new timing belt, tyres as new, good order, 235,129km. $2200. Ph 5726 9246.
Aurion TOYOTA Prodigy sedan 2007, leather upholstery, tintCOMMODORE 2005 ed windows, rear and Equipe VZ, genu- front parking sensors, ine low 34,000km. color mica metallic, Immaculate. Full registered to 14/8/2014, Capp service history. auto, (WOC239), ex(TOE172) Owner en- cellent cond., climate tering St John’s. $8500 control, service manual includes RWC. Ph on hand. $12,500 ono. Ph 5721 4686. 5722 9862.
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On the Road
HONDA XR650L 2002 model, rego to 12/14. Big tank, bashplate, heavy duty tubes, great condition. Little use, must inspect. $4500. Ph 0429 290 045.
DIAHATSU Terios JD100 2000 mod. Reg. No. (QCO041) till 9/14. 5 door SUV, one owner, in exc. cond., auto, air cond, pwr str, CD, air bags, new timing belt. Mech. A1. A great little safe 1st car r/about with low 154,000km. RWC. $4990. Ph. 0407 505 040. LMCT 11086
COROMAL Aussie Low Line 16’ long pop-up caravan. Front kitchen, roll-out awning. Vic. reg. (U70824). $11,000. Ph (03) 57212460.
POP-TOP Campervan: 1985 Mazda E2000 LWB model. 5-Speed Mnl. Tow-bar, Air-con. Radio/CD, Microwave, 3-Way Fridge, Sink, Lots of storage, Slide-on Awning. Reg. till August ’14. Rego No. (OMY652). $4500 ono – no RWC. Ph 0429 449 134 or (03) 5721 3804.
HONDA TRX 250 TM. Vin # 1HFTE21U2B420 0200, Eng # TE 21 E – 9502245. Bought new in 2010, unit is in excellent condition. Only travelled 115 kms. Always garaged. Comes with genuine Honda front mountHG FDUU\DOO ¿ UP Ph 0407 833 002.
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2005 Ford Territory, lady owner, 103,500km, reg till Jan 2015 (WUL322), excellent condition, silver, RWC, $11,500 ono. Ph 5721 2025. MAZDA 626 GF Classic, 2001, 256,000km, auto, a/c, p/s, cruise, cd, August rego (TRO605), $3400. Ph 0413 180 854. 2001 Mercedes A190, semi auto, sunroof, all Mercedes features, (QZG936), registered, RW C , f u l l s e r v i c e history, $5750 ono. Ph 5798 3029. TOYOTA Camry CSX sedan, automatic, 4 cylinder, air conditioner, power steering, cruise control, electric windows, 6 mths reg, (PLT266). This car is in as new condition, purchased new from local Toyota dealer in 1999 by one lady owner. Comes with all service records and has travelled only 103,000km. Current RWC will be supplied, $5200 ono. Ph (03) 5721 6403.
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KTM 450EXC 2009 model, full rego, excellent condition, well looked after, hardly ridden due to working away. $8000 ono. Ph 0438 015 488.
HOLDEN Calais, 2007, V6, VE Sports, excellent condition, low kms 98,000, 1 owner, reg (ULE265) July 2014, keen sale, $18,500 ono. Ph 5721 2515 or 0427 646 361.
19FT Stringray bow rider, seats 8, 4.3 ltr V6 Mercruiser, 54 hrs use since new, always garage, $23,500. Ph 0400 111 990, 5775 1990.
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March 21, 2014
3
Isuzu Ute X-Runner runs into showrooms By MURRAY HUBBARD
I
suzu ute Australia has introduced a limited edition D-Max to its one-tonne ute line-up, the 2014 X-Runner is now on sale. Just 660 units are being imported. Based on an Isuzu D-Max 4x4 LS-U, the 2014 X-Runner has gunmetal-grey alloy wheels and side steps; front and rear body kit; black sports bar and tub liner. The interior receives red and black two-tone seat trim; red contrast steering wheel stitching; and a high-gloss piano black dash trim. It has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The X-Runner is covered by Isuzu Ute’s usual five-year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty and five-year Roadside Assistance. Available in both auto and manual transmissions, the 2014 X-Runner has recommended prices of $46,490 (manual) and $48,690 (auto), both driveaway. Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has been making waves with the most limited model base of any Australian importer. Until late 2013 IUA had just one model, the D-Max utility, with the dual-cab version taking care of most sales. Last year that amounted to 10,089 sales. Then the stable doubled, that is it increased by one. Isuzu added an SUV to the stable in the form of the MU-X, a seven seater that uses the same drivetrain as the tried and tested D-Max. Now IUA says it has set itself a target of 15,800 units for 2014. If it achieves that it will have consolidated its position in the Australian market in a remarkably short time. For many years prior to 2008 Isuzu built Holden’s pickups and SUVs sold under the Rodeo, Jackaroo and Monterey monikers. The legacy the Holden venture left for buyers was that Isuzu made good, tough, reliable drivetrains.
ISUZU X-RUNNER: The special edition offers tough looks and excellent value. That one simple impression has helped IUA get to where it is today. Underlying that is sales of the new Isuzu MU-X – a virtual unknown in the market place. It has two major competitors: Holden’s Colorado 7 and Mitsubishi’s Challenger. Both, like the Isuzu, are truck-based SUVs that are spin offs from the Colorado ute, Triton ute and D-Max. From obscurity the Isuzu MU-X currently leads the sales race with 360 so far this year compared to 255 Colorado 7 and 316 Challengers. The spin off from the IUA success is jobs. In 2008 IUA started with 20 staff and eight dealerships. By the end of 2014 there will be 100 dealerships.
Currently there are 70 IUA staff and by the end of 2014 triple figures are expected to be reached. IUA has had to move premises several times, always in the Brisbane area to keep up with staff growth. IUA is keeping a close eye on MU-X sales to see where the buyers are coming from. Leading the conquest sales is perhaps the most surprising statistic of all. In order, conquests from other makes are from Prado, Pajero, Commodore, D-Max and Falcon. Buyers coming to MU-X from Prado indicate MU-X is seen at least by some grey nomads as a cheaper viable alternative to the vehicle that dominates the around-Australia
retirees. Pajero also fits this image. IUA also made available its own research which it commissioned on the lead-up to the MU-X launch late last year. The results are surprising on what buyers find important when buying an SUV. The top five musts are: towing capacity, fuel consumption, seven seats, price and off-road capability. What they found least important were: interior styling, brand image, audio system and last of all exterior design. Sitting in the centre of the list were: cabin space and comfort, engine performance, safety features, overall durability and reliability, driving performance and handling and vehicle size.
inbrief
Tyre technology offers gripping, smooth ride in new Mazda3 THE latest in fuel-efficient tyre technology has been chosen as original equipment for the just-launched Mazda3. Mazda specified Toyo’s new NanoEnergy R38A tyre on several grades of the wildly popular small car, the new generation of which arrived in showrooms last month. According to Toyo Tyre and Rubber Australia’s tyre technical manager Steve Burke, the key to tyres that suit Mazda's push for greater driver involvement, comfort and fuel efficiency is Toyo’s Nano Balance Technology, which applies advanced design techniques to the foundational material in the tyre compound. “In the past, low rollingresistance tyres were something of a specialty, but there’s now a push for increased fuel efficiency across the board," Mr Burke said. “By using Nano Balance technology Toyo has pursued seemingly opposing goals for the NanoEnergy range: low noise and rolling resistance, better comfort and tyre life, while at the same time achieving high levels of grip and stability in all conditions. “By engineering the rubber compound at a molecular level, Toyo has been able to achieve improvements for rolling resistance, grip levels and wear resistance. “
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