New month, new mag! Here’s what to expect from our May issue, available in stores and Zinio online.
HSV HEROES. We gather six of Clayton’s best and brightest for a family reunion. We also look back at the ones we forgot about.
FORMULA One’s 2017 cars are considered by many to be the best looking in the sports’ recent history, but Renault is already looking ahead, revealing a concept that depicts its vision for the F1 car of the future.
Named the R.S. 2027 Vision, the single-seater concept offers a thought-provoking preview of what teams could be racing in Grands Prix around the world a decade from now.
Most striking is the cockpit canopy providing protection for the driver – something that remains a controversial topic of conversation in open-wheel racing.
Renault would also like to see four wheel drive and four wheel steering introduced, along with increased electric and battery technology – with the car including an all-electric mode for pit stops.
Cyril Abiteboul, managing director of Renault Sport Racing, says part of the company’s ethos is to predict movements in the direction of Formula 1 heading forward.
“We look forward to generating inspired conversations with the racing community, fans and enthusiasts through this concept that highlights our ideas and desires.”
An RX-7 Series 1-2-3 trifecta will be up for grabs at this year’s Shannons Autumn Classic auction in Melbourne, with each example being in prime original condition.
The Australian-delivered RX-7s were born in 1980, ’81, and ’85, and will be selling with no reserve. All three have 1146cc twin-rotor engines and are 5-speed manuals.
The Series 1 is expected to draw the most cash from wallets, with Shannons providing a ‘guiding range’ of $22,000 – $26,000.
The Series 2 and 3 are expected to go for around $14,000 – $18,000 each.
Originality is the key for these three vehicles, as none have been modified as is often the case with early RX-7s.
“Because RX-7s have always had strong appeal to younger enthusiasts, they are often modified and can pass through many hands. This is the first time we have seen a collection like this come to auction,” he says.
If you want to get your grubby mitts on one of these Wankel-drawn chariots, May 8 is the date to be at Shannons in Melbourne.
The new Hyundai i30 will get more features for a $500 price cut to the entry model when it arrives in Australia next week.
Priced in at $20,950 for the base Active manual, the Hyundai i30 is more affordable than the outgoing model but is packed with $2000-worth of extra standard features, including satellite navigation, eight-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio depending on the variant.
The 1.8-litre MPi engine is replaced by a more powerful 2.0-litre GDi direct-injection engine which produces 13kW more power and 28Nm more torque. The Active is also offered with a 1.6-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine which produces 100kW/300Nm when mated to the dual clutch transmission or 100kW/280Nm in the manual.
Hyundai’s popular small-car offers a choice of Sport or Comfort trim, which includes wireless phone charging, dual exhaust trips, LED headlights, and more safety features.
The dual-clutch-only Comfort Line i30 Elite ($28,950) and i30 Premium ($33,950) features the same 1.6-litre CRDi diesel available in the Active, while the sportier SR and SR Premium gets the 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre T-GDi turbo also used in the Elantra SR turbo.
The sporty SR model has a price hike of $100 on the auto, now priced at $28,950, while the manual now costs $25,950. The SR Premium is priced at $33,950 (auto-only) compared to the outgoing model’s $33,550 ticket.
For that, both SR trims receive wireless phone charging, multi-link rear suspension, hill-start assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, 18-inch alloy wheels and more safety including automatic emergency braking, smart cruise control, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and lane keep assistance. The SR also gets an eight-inch satellite navigation system, while the SR Premium gets LED headlights and front park assist system. Both models lose the full-size spare.
“We are immensely proud of the work our engineers and designers have done to create this car,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s Chief Executive Officer JW Lee.
“Through outstanding customer support, Hyundai will enhance the new i30’s ownership proposition even further, with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 10-year free map update plan for the satellite navigation system, a superb-value Lifetime Service Plan and outstanding roadside support.
“We feel confident this car will compete well with the best in the class and will appeal strongly to all Australian small car buyers.”
The 2019 Corvette ZR1, a high-powered track-ready swansong for the front-engined Corvette, has been spotted testing on Germany’s infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Cars being spotted on the Nordschleife as part of a testing program is completely normal, with the track a favourite proving ground for well suited to testing ride and handling, as well as powertrain capabilities.
Unfortunately the ZR1 won’t be coming to Australia. However, it is rumoured the car’s successor, provisionally dubbed the ‘C8’, will be mid-engined and designed with right hand drive markets in mind.
Providing those impressive figures is likely to be a tweaked LT4 – GM’s high-performance 6.2-litre supercharged pushrod V8. Dealing with all that power will be a Tremec seven-speed transaxle manual, with GM’s fresh 10-speed auto as an option.
The big aero you see here isn’t necessarily representative of the final kit, however, with ZR1 prototypes having been spied testing various size wings in recent months. The current ZR1 has a Z07 Performance Package as an option, which includes more aggressive aerodynamic addenda.
What’s it sound like? Sleet and snow is obviously keeping speeds down in this spy video, but there are still hints of some serious sonic delights.
AUDI is forecasting the eagerly anticipated second-generation Q5 mid-sized premium SUV to “exceed sales volumes” of the popular first-generation model when it touches down in Australia later in the year.
Despite an eight-year presence in the local market, Audi’s contender in the fiercely competitive segment still managed to sell an average of 300 examples per month during 2016, but the new version will smash that figure says the German car maker.
Speaking at a first drive event for a pair of the freshly arrived Q5s, Audi Australia corporate communications manager Anna Burgdorf told WhichCar the company expected the average monthly sales tally to be closer to 375.
“I think in a full year we would be looking for around 4500 units,” she said.
| 2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Sport Quick Review
If the new Q5 achieves the predicted figure, it has a chance to knock arch rival BMW’s X3 offering into touch, which manages about 300 registrations each month on average and has racked up 859 sales to the end of March this year.
With a coupe and SUV offering available in the segment, Mercedes-Benz has managed a stronger combined result with 1140 registrations in the same period.
While the Q5 might have its German counterparts firmly in its sights, it would take a herculean feat to overtake the medium SUV above $60,000 champion, with the Land Rover Discovery Sport already racking up 1467 sales to the end of March 2017, closely followed by the Range Rover Evoque with 1094.
While Burgdorf explained that a number-one ranking would be an agreeable result, the Q5’s position relative to close rivals is not a key focus for the company.
| 2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI and TFSI pricing and features
“Important for us is that we’ve got customers that want to buy the car and that we’re growing sustainably rather than necessarily a drive to be the number one. Clearly if we stepped back into that leadership position that would be a great thing and it would be a nice position to hold, but in terms of our goals it’s not a primary driver.
“There are some really good competitors so I think time will tell, but certainly we think we will be incredibly competitive with this car.”
When it arrives in late June, the all-new Q5 will be offered in three variants, including an entry 2.0 TDI design, the mid-range 2.0 TDI Sport and, until the SQ5 arrival date can be confirmed, the range-topping 2.0 TFSI petrol.
Audi Australia product planning manager Peter Strudwicke said that the mid-range version was expected to be the favourite among local shoppers, but another diesel version could be added to the range at a later date.
“Yes we are looking at that, we haven’t made a decision yet, but we are closely looking at 3.0-litre six-cylinder TDI as well. If that was to come it wouldn’t be here until later in the year,” he said.
“We’ve got over 1800 pre orders. There’s a very strong interest. The most popular one so far is the 2.0 TDI.”
Unlike the previous SQ5, which was available only as a high-performance 3.0-litre diesel, the new version will be exclusively powered by a V6 petrol, but Strudwicke said the about turn would not deter fans of the more potent variant.
“If you look at the efficiency and the performance of that engine and the additional torque, we think that it will still offer something that previous SQ5 buyers will be very interested in.”
Audi is planning to introduce the SQ5 at the same time as the three-variant sub-SQ5 range, with pricing yet to be determined.
The new Q5 range kicks off from $65,900 before on-road costs for the Q5 2.0 TDI Design.
ELON Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla, has fired off a number of unprompted tweets, giving more insight into the company’s upcoming model plans.
Tesla currently sells just the Model S and Model X sedan and SUV – both of which are all electric (naturally). However, it’s smaller, more affordable, Model 3 sedan is set to be unveiled soon. How soon? July, according to a tweet from Musk.
Interacting with a follower on Twitter, Musk then let loose another tasty tidbit of information. When probed on the timeline for the Tesla Pickup (which had been announced as part of the Californian company’s “Masterplan Part Deux”), Musk replied the electric tradie-mobile is expected to be unveiled in 18-24 months.
Speaking to WhichCar at the launch of the Model X Down Under, Tesla Australia’s head of public relations, Heath Walker, said the electric ute had so far generated significant local interest.
“It’s certainly exciting because I think this market is very similar to the US and there’s a huge [ute] uptake,” he said.
“All you need to do is look at the number-one selling car of the last twelve months – that’s the model type. It’s certainly a segment that we need to move into.
“The nice thing is, looking at our social media commentary, we actually get that request quite a bit,”
Trade utes continue to win big with buyers in Australia, with the Toyota Hilux claiming the title of best-selling car of 2016.
The pickup wasn’t the only thing Musk gave an update for, announcing the company’s semi-trailer truck will be unveiled in September. Tesla’s truck plans were also announced in the brand’s Master Plan part two.
Finally, Musk reiterated the second generation Tesla Roadster would be a convertible. Tesla’s first vehicle, the Roadster, was a Lotus Evora body and chassis with an electric heart, which ceased production in 2012.
If Musk’s timeline eventuates, Tesla’s gigafactory will be a very busy place, with the company projecting it will be producing 5000 vehicles a week once production starts.
QUESTION – DOUG (12/01/17):
I’m in the market for a diesel SUV. I’m 79 years-old and I’ve got no family and I like some off-road tracks. I love the Subaru Forester diesel, but it doesn’t offer lumbar support or rear cooling. The Subaru Outback Premium is another option but I read on a blog that the diesel needs long frequent runs to clean the particulate filter – I haven’t heard of this since the ’70s. I like the torque and wet weather capabilities of diesel autos.
I’m having trouble choosing between a Hyundai Santa Fe Elite, Kia Sorento or the Subaru Outback, which does offer rear cooling and lumber support – that’s why I’ve got to get out of my 2012 commodore. I would love the Highlander and Platinum variants for their upmarket inclusions, but they’re too dear. Also, the Subaru servicing cost is a joke. I drive 10,000km a year, but now I intend to do more touring which could be up to 15,000kms. I’ve done a lot of research but I’ve confused myself.
BUDGET:
$60,000
ANSWER – TOBY HAGON:
Let’s kick off with the diesel particulate filter issue, which is very real. The particulate filter is self-cleaning and burns off the harmful particulates when it gets hot, which is usually after about 20 minutes of driving above about 50km/h. So if most of your driving is short trips around town, the diesel isn’t for you. That said, you can do some short trips before a warning on the dash will instruct you to drive further.Regarding that being an issue in the Subaru, it’s no more of an issue than it is in other diesel SUVs. The 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo diesel in the Santa Fe and Sorento also has a particulate filter.
The ‘Black Spur’, snaking out of Healesville on the outskirts of Melbourne, is a popular road for tourists, enthusiasts, and motorcyclists looking to escape the city on a weekend.
As a noted accident black spot, particularly for motorcycles, it regularly attracts attention from the police, with a particular focus on speeding.
There have been rumours for years among the enthusiast community about camouflaged police hiding in the trees to nab unwary motorists, and a recent episode of the TV show Highway Patrol has confirmed these rumours are indeed fact.
Motorists detected over the limit are then pulled over further along the road, unaware they’ve been caught until waved in.
The segment concentrates on one Toyota 86-driving motorist, who is detected at 123km/h, 40km/h over the posted 80km/h limit, during an overtake.
Said motorist is unhappy with both the fine and the nature of the operation, arguing that another motorist’s erratic driving forced the overtake.
After being told he’s losing his licence for six months and copping a hefty $600 fine, he decides (as he says has been advised to do by a lawyer) that he’s going to try and work out where the camera is, and is again pulled over.
This time, he asks to see the speed detection device which, according to the officer (and Victoria Police’s website), is not a legal requirement for a fine to be issued.
With the limelight at the just-done New York Motor Show being understandably hogged by the fire-spitting Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, Fiat Chrysler has instead elected to show off its latest forward-looking concept far away from American soil.
Revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show this week, the Jeep Yuntu concept gives us a hint at what may be around the corner for the American offroad brand, but though this concept may boast a glossy futuristic sheen, it still bears plenty of recognisably ‘Jeep’ design cues.
The brand’s signature seven-slot grille remains a prominent feature, as does the upright two-box form and trapezoidal wheel arches that have characterised Jeep’s offerings for decades. Lined up against Jeep’s present-day offerings, the vehicle it most closely resembles is also the brand’s volume seller: the Grand Cherokee.
| 2017 Shanghai Motor Show: Skoda Vision E Concept breaks cover
But don’t assume an eventual production version of the Yuntu – if it materialises – will be quite the dirt-devouring offroader as the Grand Cherokee. Said to be built atop transverse-engine Cherokee underpinnings, the Yuntu is instead more city slicker than country cowboy. Pitched primarily at the Chinese middle class, the Yuntu’s greatest attribute is likely not its generous ground clearance, but its seven-seat capacity.
And that’s something that’s been missing from Jeep’s product portfolio for a long time. While the European, US and, presumably, the Australian market look set to receive the super-sized Grand Wagoneer as their first three-row Jeep, the Yuntu could preview another seven-seat sibling for the Grand Cherokee – at least in China, if not globally.
| Jeep – History, Trivia & Fast Facts
Will a showroom-ready derivative flaunt the suicide doors, huge wheels, all-glass roof and triple-screen dashboard of the concept? Arguably not, but the styling on display at Shanghai is a believable preview of what Jeep’s design department may have in store.
