FATHER’S DAY COMPETITION
ENTER ONLINE & WIN ONE OF 4 V8 GOLD PASS DRIVES FOR DAD
Expect the Best for Dad JOIN US ON FATHERS DAY ON HIGH STREET ARMADALE 1ST OF SEPTEMBER, FOR OUR CLASSIC CAR STREET DISPLAY From early morning on Fathers Day look out for beautiful classic cars parked along our elegant boulevard, enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch and perhaps some last minute shopping for Dad.
WWW.HIGHSTREETARMADALE.COM.AU WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HIGHSTREETARMADALE
Image courtesy of Lisa Barron
Affordable Luxury. Available at 3 Point Motors Kew.
2013 B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Mountain Grey, Becker® MAP $39,800 Drive Away PILOT Navigation, ZUC545
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2013 C 200 BlueEFFICIENCY Sedan Gloss Black, Becker® $56,800 Drive Away MAP PILOT Navigation, ZQD986
2013 C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé Magnetite Black, $59,800 Drive Away Vision Package, ZQD933
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2013 C 63 AMG Coupé Polar White, 6.3-litre V8 Engine, AMG $169,800 Drive Away Performance Package, AAG324
St
Fenton Ave
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For more information or to view our complete range of Demonstrator vehicles, contact Gary Yap today at 3 Point Motors Kew on 0488 223 388.
Connect with us:
/mb3point
3 point
3PM63/130821/S
Parking at rear, enter via Fenton Avenue.
128 Denmark Street, Kew 9853 6669
LMCT 433
www.mb3point.com.au kewsales@3point.com.au
WEll-BEing \ go green with the girls for health
let it be green \ You may have noticed green
juices and smoothies taking over your breakfast table. Leafy green vegetables, from the ubiquitous kale, rocket and spinach to the less-trendy iceberg, are full of nourishment. Leafy greens contain the vitamin B, iron and folate needed to transport energy around the body and provide nervous system support. They also contribute to repair, recovery and regeneration of cells thanks to the magnesium content, and they also contain vitamin K, an essential for blood-clotting. Try blending one ripe frozen banana with two large handfuls of cos lettuce, a few sprigs of fresh mint, a tablespoon of cacao powder and water in the blender. For a smoother, richer texture, add half a small avocado. Trust me – it works. This smoothie consumed post-workout will give you a burst of goodness and vitality that processed protein shakes will never deliver. If a cos lettuce smoothie does not float your boat, there are alternatives. The important thing is adding more green vegetables to your life. Toss steamed kale with macadamia nut oil and fetta cheese, select spinach as a side with your eggs instead of hash browns, or add bok choy to your barbecue dinner.
Would you like a tisane with that? \
Tisanes and herbal teas filled with rose petals and pretty chamomile flowers may not appear as masculine as a short macchiato. However, the benefits should have you queuing for a tea rather than a coffee. Peppermint, dandelion, ground ginger, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, liquorice root and rosehip, when served in tea, contribute to gastrointestinal health and boost the immune system. Herbal teas can contribute to your daily fluid intake and yes, water consumption is crucial even in colder weather. let’s cheer for oatmeal \
Oats, whether consumed as porridge, Bircher muesli or in a banana-oat smoothie, provide sustained energy, promote bowel health, reduce cholesterol absorption and can enhance athletic performance. They also contain essential fatty acids for brain and heart health and nerve signalling, and support the immune system.
the manual
» sharon brooks is a registered nutritionist and food scientist. www.facebook.com/ sharonsnutritionaustralia
in summary \
Adding more vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices to your daily intake will drastically enhance your well-being. Energy levels, concentration and fitness will increase. It will also reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases such as stomach and bowel cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. \ sharon brooks nEXT MOnTH »
Make over your pantry for energy and endurance.
Eliminate Back Pain An essential element in treating back pain is regaining lost strength.
One ho u Physio r initial a and ba ssessment c We‘ll p k strength te ay the st... GAP!
At Kieser Training our team of Physiotherapists are experts in building back strength and functional stability using the unique Swiss designed Lumbar Extension strength equipment. We can can help eliminate back pain, dramatically improve your core strength, relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.
24 The weekly review \ AUGUST 21, 2013
(ISTOCKPHOTO \ THInKSTOCK)
M
en and women are poles apart in their relationship with food and their behaviour towards eating. While winter hibernating tends to increase food consumption for both sexes, there are key differences in eating patterns that influence energy and vitality, concentration levels and the risk of lifestyle illnesses such as heart disease and some cancers. With the warmer months drawing closer, no offence gents, but there are a few habits worth copying from the women in your life.
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\ Michael Vaughan finds ‘More’ on Mornington peninsula
wIllow CReek VINeyaRd
(SuPPLIEd)
I
f ever you were going to have a local, you’d want it to be like the Mornington Peninsula. What a perfect locale for a local, one that lends itself to alliteration: peninsula, pinot, peaceful, perfect produce, pleasing pinot, pleasant people, and plentiful pinot. You get the drift. As a getaway, it doesn’t get a lot better: not too far from the big smoke, but far enough to put you at ease while you embrace all of the above. Tasting many of the area’s wines was, in fact, a taste of things to come: 26 of the region’s wineries will show off their new releases with some aged pearlers at next month’s Mornington Peninsula Melbourne Roadshow. Your head spins (it’s like a role in The Exorcist) as you drive through the region: so many cellar doors, breweries, restaurants, cafés, B&Bs, produce outlets … you name it, it seems to be there, even an occasional glass blower. lINdeN tRee ReStaURaNt \ lINdeNdeRRy I got lost, so I phoned Lindenderry At Red Hill, misdialled by a digit and connected with a local woman, who happily re-directed me. Soon after, front-office manager Damien was The open fire and a glass of shiraz contributed. Mains upped giving me a rundown on all things Lindenderry (there were the ante: oven-roasted Flinders Island lamb rump, cooked plenty). He carried my bags to my room then said: “We to pink, moist perfection, with stinging nettle and pea thought you might like a refresher” (it was a bottle of purée, confit potatoes, shallots and sautéed green 2008 Lindenderry Reserve Pinot). He poured me a beans on the side. Take a bow, Mr Edwards. generous glass. What a welcome, what a wine. Sleep in the king-sized bed came easily and in no the The room was huge, beautifully furnished and time I was back in the restaurant getting friendly manual with bacon, eggs and mushrooms before hitting the finished, and had a wall of windows looking out to the 12-hectare wilds of the estate (OK, wilds may be tasting road to run through the excellent array on overstating it), with a lake home to seemingly a million wines at Montalto. \ mvaughan@theweeklyreview.com.au noisy frogs and birdlife – including a couple of huge, white resident geese. Quite a view. » Lindenderry At Red Hill, 142 Arthurs Seat Road, What better preparation for dinner than to soak in a deep Red Hill. 5989 2965 www.lancemore.com.au/lindenderry spa, its jets pounding away the pent-up bodily anger created by abysmal traffic snarls leaving Melbourne. » Mornington Peninsula Melbourne Roadshow: Comme, When I was suitably tubbed and scrubbed, the Linden 7 Alfred Place, Melbourne, 6-8pm on Tuesday, September 3. Tree Restaurant, under chef Philip Edwards (he trained with $30 includes Riedel tasting glass and all tastings. 5989 2377 Hermann Schneider at Two Faces), beckoned and delivered. A shot glass of warming sweetcorn and basil soup got the tastebuds dancing, followed by a delicious starter of Michael Vaughan travelled courtesy of the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons seared scallops, lobster tortellini, sautéed shitake and enoki Association. Yes, he drove, he tasted early and, although it went against his grain, mushrooms, asparagus, tarragon and mushroom velouté. he mostly spat.
wIllow CReek VINeyaRd
166 Balnarring Road, Merricks North. 5989 7448 » www.willow-creek.com.au At Willow Creek, the chardonnay, courtesy of diminutive and talented winemaker Geraldine McFaul, took a starring role centre stage for lunch at the splendid, view-endowed Salix Restaurant. daRlING PaRk wINeRy
232 Red Hill Road, Red Hill. 5989 2324 » www.darlingparkwinery.com Tasting wine at 10.30 in the AM is not my norm, but it was easy at darling Park, thanks to winemaker Judy Gifford, a mother to five daughters and maker of great wines. Her 2010 pinot is a cracker and I’d buy most of the other 10 or so I tasted. Red HIll CHeeSe
81 William Road, Red Hill. 5989 2035 » www.redhillcheese.com.au Artisan cheese maker Trevor Brandon is a genius. I tasted 10 delicious cheeses – several of which will feature at the roadshow. Try the buttery Granny’s Blue or the fetta, for which I’d almost leave home. yoUR SHUttle
1300 798 488 » www.yourshuttle.com.au If you’re tasting, it’s much easier with a designated driver. In my case, it was Chris Gregory, of Your Shuttle. She’s a local and knows the area. She will pick you up and and get you home … in comfort.
eat here
PaRINGa eState ReStaURaNt
(MICHAEL VAuGHAn \ SuPPLIEd)
44 Paringa Road, Red Hill South. 5989 2324 » www.paringaestate.com.au Lindsay McCall makes some of the world’s best pinots (ask cricket great Ian Botham if you’re in doubt). He was a great dinner companion. Chef Julian Hills has produced a brilliant new menu. I went for the hare compilation (above) – who would think to create hare baklava? It was ably assisted by the Paringa Estate Single Vineyard pinot. At meal’s end, I said, “That’s the best meal I’ve eaten. Ever.” – and I meant it. \ AUGUST 21, 2013 \ The weekly review 25
Man of steel \ ANDREW McUTCHEN’s DiviNE MovEMENTs
Breitling \ Breitling for Bentley B06 Chronograph
2003 was a big year for Bentley. The car manufacturer won the Le Mans 24-hour race and decided to partner with Breitling on a range of watches. The masculine 49-millimetre case has a bezel motif that emulates a Bentley grill and an oscillating weight inspired by Bentley wheel rims. The Bentley B06 movement is distinguished by its “30-second chronograph” system. Available in steel or red gold, with steel or crocodile leather bracelet.
rolex \ oyster perpetUal CosMograph Daytona
Platinum is said to be 30 times more expensive than gold. The cachet in the story of Rolex’s iconic Daytona model would be worth even more. This version of the legendary chronograph released in 1963 and made famous by Paul Newman – he wore one continuously from 1972 until his death in 2008 – is equipped with a chestnut-brown monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic and an ice-blue dial that is like air-conditioning for the eye. Crisp, classic and driven by an in-house 4130 self-winding mechanical chronograph movement.
26 The weekly review \ AUGUST 21, 2013
the manual
tag heUer \ 2013 tag heUer Carrera CaliBre 1887 JaCk heUer eDition WatCh
There are two things to love about this 2013 edition of the Carrera, featuring the in-house 1887 calibre. One, the horizontal subdials. Two, the “bullhead”-style case with angled dial. It places the crown and chronograph pushers at the top of the case, giving it the appearance of the two-part stopwatches Jack Heuer supplied to pro-racing circuits. “I’m not a watch man, I’m a product man,” Jack told The Weekly Review at the Carrera’s 50th birthday party in Geneva. “But as a product, this watch is a classic.” (SUPPLIED)
O
nce, “What are you wearing?” was the standard query. But with the popularity of mechanical watches, there’s a second question: “Nice watch, is it an in-house movement?” This refers to whether the movement is made by the maison, or a generic one. Here are three in-house movements to make that awkward moment go away. “Why yes, yes it is … ” \ amcutchen@theweeklyreviewcom.au
Money \ Do yourself creDit
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A
the top five things young people should know to avoid bad credit
ccording to a recent Roy Morgan poll, one in three people aged 16-25 carries more than $2500 forward in credit card debt each month, despite those aged 21 to 25 having an average weekly income of only $791. Statistics released by credit reporting agency Veda Advantage in March showed Gen Y accounted for 60 per cent of credit defaults – topping the list in every category from telco defaults through to loan defaults. MyCRA Credit Rating Repair CEO Graham Doessel says one of the reasons for this is a lack of education. “Many young people amble through their early years with credit, making mistake after mistake that can cost them dearly down the track,” he says. “Credit rights and obligations should be taught in schools.” Doessel says many young people have financial habits that get them into trouble. “Before they know it, they’re 20 years old and facing bankruptcy or court action and years of being locked out of the finance market coming into the crucial years when they need it most,” he says. Doessel says many young people are unaware of their basic rights in disputing bills or credit reporting. “Young people can assume they should accept what they’re told without question – but in matters of credit reporting, young people need to be educated to be able to effectively advocate for themselves,” he says. \ editorial@theweeklyreview.com.au
overseas for a long stay. Typically an account gets sent to your previous address and, if unpaid, is listed on your credit file. If you move around often, consider a post office box for your mail or use a parent’s address. Otherwise, when you move, give your credit providers your new address. If going overseas, have someone check your mail regularly.
(ISTOCKPHOTO \ THINKSTOCK)
1. Pay all of your credit on tiMe
Unpaid accounts for as little as $100 can lead to you being defaulted and banned from mainstream credit for five years. Credit cards and loans paid more than five days late may mean a late payment notation is added to your file. Any credit account can get you slapped with a default if it is unpaid – mobile phone accounts, electricity accounts, credit cards and personal loans. Make it a habit to pay every account on time, every time.
4. check your credit stateMents and order a credit rePort
You might think someone would inform you if something was listed incorrectly on your credit file. But this is seldom the case. It is your responsibility to make sure your accounts are correct by checking statements. In addition, you should also regularly obtain a copy of your credit file. Your credit report is free once every year from Australia’s credit reporting agencies – order it annually.
2. let your credit Provider know if you can’t Pay
Communication is key when it comes to staying out of trouble. If you run into financial difficulty, contact your credit provider to work out alternative arrangements. Asking for a financial hardship variation may save your credit file, even if you are struggling to make payments.
5. you have a riGht to correct Mistakes
Mistakes can happen on credit reports. Likewise, bad credit can be listed on credit files unknowingly. However, credit providers have a legal obligation to remove an incorrect listing. Any listing you feel is inaccurate or unfair should be tested for its validity. \
3. Get financial Matters in order before you Move or Go overseas
» More information at www.mycra.com.au
A common way for young people to get into trouble – sometimes without even knowing it – is when they move house or go
Any advice is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.
wher e to Go \ M an abo ut town
car service
swedish PrestiGe 255 Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale 9543 6869 www.swedishprestige.com.au This independent service specialist has built a formidable reputation for taking care of Swedish vehicles. Don’t let the name fool you, though. Its professional, experienced mechanics specialise in more than just Volvos and Saabs. Recent turbulence in the Swedish car-manufacturing industry has prompted the business to move into servicing French and German cars. The focus is on providing thorough services in state-of-the-art workshops. There’s a free loan car with every service. \
PaMPer
wadika concePt salon & sPa 285 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North 9857 5155 www.wardika.com Men of Melbourne, looking tired and dishevelled just doesn’t cut it. Do yourself a favour and give your face a well-deserved buff and polish. Above the bustling hair salon of this local business is a calm, relaxed spa area. Head upstairs for a holistic treatment from qualified staff, using the finest products on the market. Be warned, the number of guys visiting for a rejuvenating session is on the rise – don’t be the one left behind. Bring your partner and enjoy the indulgence together. \
tyres
GlaMour
ears
aZZaro
Mobile tyre shoP
active audioloGy
423 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne 9696 2611 www.azzaro.com.au
3/10 Marriott Street, Oakleigh 1300 687 000 www.mobiletyreshop.com.au
463 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn 9830 7707 www.activeaudiology.com.au
All right, so you know how to change a tyre. But do you really have the time, energy and motivation to do it? For many of us, changing tyres is a mundane, excruciating task we like to put off for as long as possible. Save yourself the trouble and get the Mobile Tyre Shop to do it for you. Its representatives come to your home or office to eliminate hassles or interruptions. Enjoying downtime with family and friends instead of getting covered in grease has got to be a good thing. \
Selective hearing can be very useful in certain circumstances. The empowering art form is developed and refined through years of practice. However, it’s enjoyable only when you’re in control. If your hearing is starting to wane, it’s time to consider professional advice. Unlike many competitors, this business is not owned by a hearing-aid company. Tap into personalised, clinical advice from its staff and compare a vast range of makes and models. \ Compiled by daniel mCCulloCh
The last thing anybody wants to do at the spring racing carnival is to blend in with the crowd. Just remember, there are better ways to stand out from your peers than being the most intoxicated bloke in the marquee. Most punters don’t realise Versace’s 2014 spring/summer collection has already landed in Australia – and that’s just the way it should be. Pick yourself up a one-off piece from the exclusive Italian line of garments, and make an impact for all the right reasons at the track this carnival. \
do you want your business featured?
To be considered, email \ wheretogo@theweeklyreview.com.au AUGUST 21, 2013 \ The weekly review 27
Books
\ CORRIE PERKIN MANS UP WITH SEVEN BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FATHER’S DAY
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ather’s Day looms and our little bookshop is manning up. The beautiful hot pink and pastel-toned book covers that dominated our shelves during the Mother’s Day sales have been replaced by lots of non-fiction titles – usually with loud, red and black covers – featuring stories about bikie gangs, former AFL greats, business gurus, beer, 1970s rock bands, the Australian Labor Party (and how it went bung), best wines, and better fishing spots. There are some real gems among this year’s batch. The federal election and some new thinking about the ALP’s future have prompted a host of politics titles. Business books have moved on from the Wall Street collapse of 2007-08 and are focused on future strategies and new growth markets. There are lots of sport, history and autobiography offerings, while November’s 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and next year’s centenary of the start of World War I are also creating interest. There are many reasons books make great gifts but, when contemplating what to buy your dad or special bloke this Father’s Day, consider the following: dads too often get slotted into the too-hard-to-buy-for category. Unlike a pair of socks or a packet of golf tees, a book shows that you have spent time considering your choice, and dads appreciate this. They also love to hear why you chose the title you did. Immediately, a fabulous book dialogue begins. And books are affordable. Just ask your local bookseller for advice and a tour of the shop’s range, and you’ll find some great titles for under $15. Remember, also, that many parents are under 55 and have been greatly influenced by popular culture – TV, film,
28 The weekly review \ AUGUST 21, 2013
contemporary art, advertising, the web, social media, rock music and the like. These topics are catalysts for some terrific books. Enter the 100 Best Albums of All Time by Toby Creswell and Craig Mathieson ($49.95, Hardie Grant), our pick of the 2013 Father’s Day crop. Well researched and compiled by two of Australia’s most respected music writers, this book also features photographs and album cover images, and contains a few list surprises that will certainly provoke debate. A beautiful hardcover, we expect 100 Best Albums to be one of our bestsellers between now and Christmas. Barbecue books generally leave us cold; their blokey formats and insipid recipes too often lack imagination. Then we discovered Bon Appetit magazine’s new The Grilling Book ($50, Andrews McMeel Publishing). This is a truly beautiful barbecue book and includes cooking tips and more than 350 recipes. As a rule, we avoid US cookery books. Their recipes often don’t translate well locally, while their food stylists and photographers lack the creativity of their highly talented Australian counterparts. But The Grilling Book defies the norm. In the words of British-born, New York-based chef April Bloomfield, “If you’ve never grilled before, or have an expert on hand, this book is a must’’. Killing Fairfax: Packer, Murdoch & The Ultimate Revenge by Pamela Williams ($39.99, HarperCollins) and Colleen Ryan’s Fairfax: The Rise And Fall ($32.95 MUP) recently arrived in bookshops. Both books examine the Sydney-based Fairfax media empire
the manual
(ISTOCKPHOTO \ THINKSTOCK)
and the predators, bad managers and destructive forces that have affected its fortunes. Media junkies will appreciate these two riveting accounts, while anyone interested in business generally will find that the books offer much food for thought. The 2013 calendar’s aligning of the Ashes series, the US golf tour, the recent Tour de France, footy, rugby and – just around the corner – the spring racing carnival, has provided publishers with many book opportunities. One to watch is Amen: How Adam Scott Won the US Masters and Broke the Curse of Augusta National ($27.99, Allen and Unwin). Sydney sports writers Will Swanton and Brent Read teamed up to produce a lively narrative of Adam Scott’s April US Masters campaign. The book includes interviews with Scott, his father Phil, and Australian golfing greats Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Ian Baker-Finch and Jack Newton as they reflect on the significance of the Atlanta victory. For the man who loves architecture, we urge you to consider Thames and Hudson’s pictorial tribute to one of Australia’s finest architects.
Robin Boyd’s Living In Australia ($59.95, Thames and Hudson) was first published in 1970 and has been reproduced with original photographs by the late Mark Strizic, a friend of Boyd, as well as additional images by John Gollings. Boyd’s design philosophy – beautifully articulated and still relevant more than four decades later – is accompanied by contemporary perspectives of the master’s contribution by architects Kerstin Thompson and Rachel Neeson. And finally, our feel-good/self-improvement/change your life book of the year. The Good Life: What Makes a Life Worth Living? by Hugh Mackay ($29.99, Pan Macmillan) may cause dad to smile and wonder whether you are trying to make a point. Perhaps you are. Perhaps we should all strive to identify behaviours that can lead to a happier life. Since the 1980s, social researcher Mackay has delved into the lives of Australians, probing and observing and listening. “The Good Life draws heavily on those stories,’’ he says in his introduction. His conclusions are fascinating and uplifting – exactly what dad deserves on Father’s Day. \ cperkin@theweeklyreview.com.au
THE SCANDINAVIAN LUXURY SALE AT BILIA VOLVO XC60
V60
S60
From the luxury & economy of the T4 model to the race inspired T6 AWD Polestar – there’s an S60 sedan to suit everyone. Meet the beautiful 60 series family and drive away in Scandinavian luxury with some amazing extras.
1 YEAR FREE REGISTRATION AND CTP* 2 YEARS ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY* 3 YEARS/60,000KM FREE SCHEDULED SERVICING* HURRY, ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST. OFFER ENDS AUG 31ST.
BILIA VOLVO HAWTHORN
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139 Camberwell Rd
Bilia – That’s where Volvos come from
|
www.biliavolvo.com.au
*Available at Bilia Volvo on new S60, XC60, and V60 vehicles purchased and delivered between 1 July and 31 August 2013. While stock lasts. Free scheduled servicing is for 3 years or 60,000km, whichever occurs first. Free scheduled servicing does not include wear and tear items or additional work or components required. Excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. LMCT9984
AUGUST 21, 2013 \ The weekly review 29
the manual
Test car \ Land Rover Australia
Motoring \ ron hammerton is at home in the rangie
M
any new vehicles are trumpeted as game-changers, but few are. When Britain’s original Range Rover arrived on the scene in 1970, it truly shook the status quo, introducing an unprecedented blend of luxury, road manners and supreme off-road capability. I will never forget my introduction to this SUV icon, from the passenger seat of a Rangie driven by a Land Rover staffer who intentionally drove head-on over a high kerb. Fearing the front suspension would be ripped out by the roots, I braced for a huge bang, only to be amazed by a muted thump as the big beast took the obstacle without a hair out of place. It was a revelation. Four decades on, the new fourth-generation Range Rover from this British brand, now Indian-owned, still sets the pace as one of the few luxury four-wheel-drives capable of supple mountain-goat feats while looking the part in the Flemington car park at the spring carnival. The new Range Rover gets an evolutionary styling update, but the biggest change is under the skin, with all-aluminium construction. This helps rid the vehicle of a staggering 420 kilograms of unwanted fat, although it still weighs north of two tonnes. The big question is whether this form of car-like construction – called a monocoque – can deliver the same hard-core performance, on road and off. The Range Rover has lost none of its on-bitumen performance, riding and cornering with a belligerence that belies its bulk and tall stance, thanks to a large extent to its active air suspension that works overtime to keep it floating on an even keel. Whopping 21-inch wheels help, too. The weight savings deliver improvements in acceleration and fuel economy, with the test car – a high-end supercharged V8 Vogue SE – gliding from zero to 100km/h in a sporty 5.4 seconds. Thirst has been chopped 9 per cent but, at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres, the force-fed 5.0-litre petrol Range Rover’s fuel economy is not for the environmental warrior. In town, the glug-glugging of fuel soars to more than 20L/100km, hence most buyers will opt for diesel variants – the 3.0-litre TDV6 (7.5L/100km) or stump-ripping 4.4-litre SDV8 (8.7L/100km).
Sadly, an old-style rainy week in Melbourne prevented us from stretching the Range Rover’s talents in the bush. We suspect the vehicle could handle it, but ploughing up sodden bush tracks is environmental vandalism. We are assured that the latest model has lost none of its long-legged climbing ability using its low-range gearing, massive wheel travel, deep well of torque and, on the test car, active rear differential. It can even wade through 900mm of water. As before, the Range Rover’s suspension can be raised or lowered with the twist of a dial to meet conditions. Of course, most Range Rovers spend their days wading through commuter traffic, with the driver seated high above the riff-raff, cosseted behind laminated acoustic glass range rover vogue se What is it? Four-wheel-drive luxury SUV What’s in it? Supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine. Power: 375kW. 0-100km/h: 5.4 sec is it thirsty? 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres – 2.5 stars price
$224,400
driveaway
$249,139
thumbs up superb road manners, genuine off-road talent, improved fuel economy, large cargo zone, variable height function, sumptuous cabin thumbs DoWn thirsty in petrol form, steep price, lack of autonomous emergency braking in most models * These are manufacturer’s list prices.
in sumptuous captain’s chairs that have 18-way electrical adjustment. And now we are getting to the crux of why well-heeled buyers shell out such a big wad of cash. This is extremely comfortable. The decor is a mix of old English drawing room and up-to-the-minute gizmos. For example, the heated steering wheel was cloaked in optional ($980) traditional wood and leather. The new eight-speed automatic transmission, a German-made ZF unit shared with sister company Jaguar and other car-makers such as BMW, offers two more gears than the previous generation and is controlled by a round selector knob that pops out of the console. A big sat-nav screen dominates a dash swathed in leather. Above it, the windscreen has fine wires embedded in it – the anti-icing and de-fogging system for snow country. In the limo-style back seat, passengers who tire of watching the countryside rushing past can switch to the touch-control TV screens, complete with headphones, embedded in each of the front headrests. Behind the split-fold seats, a capacious luggage compartment swallows a large lump of cargo, making maximum use of the extra stretch in the car’s overall length. The two-piece rear hatch has an upper door that rises and lowers majestically at the push of a button, and a lower tailgate that swings down to transform into a convenient carpeted seat at the polo or picnic table at the cup. Apart from three engine choices, the new Range Rover comes in four equipment levels – HSE, Vogue, Vogue SE and Autobiography – with prices starting at $168,900 (plus on-road costs) for the V6 diesel HSE and rising to $240,100 for the supercharged V8 petrol Autobiography. Oddly, only the Autobiography gets auto-braking adaptive cruise control as standard, with buyers of other levels having to fork out $3240 for the privilege. But all Range Rover owners can bask in the glow of the convenient “puddle lights” that don’t merely light the way into the cabin at night, but also spell out “Range Rover” on the ground. Just in case you forget what you paid for. \ rhammerton@theweeklyreview.com.au