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Archive for December, 2015

Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Kia Sorento Platinum

Kia’s had a good 2015 in the Australia car market, with both the Carnival and Sorento winning gongs from drive.com.au and Behind The Wheel, plus the Sorento was awarded a prize in the Good Design‘s “Transportation” category.
A Wheel Thing back to backed two Kia diesels, the family perfect Carnival and the impressive Sorento Platinum, both powered by the grunty 2.2L diesel.

The test vehicle provided was covered in the optional (and pretty) Snow White Pearl. At $595 it’s not a deal breaker, on top of the RRP of $55990. The exterior recently copped a makeover, softening some of the harder edges and, in A Wheel Thing’s opinion, makes it more feminine friendly, as the previous look definitely had a masculine attraction. It still manages to take up a reasonable amount of real estate, with a length of 4790 mm, 1890 in width and a surprising 1690 mm in height. Surprising, as it looks taller.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel profileDonk wise, the 2.2L diesel provides 441 Nm between 1750 to 2750 rpm, with the somewhat annoying lightswitch “bam” onces it reaches around 1600. Although the Platinum is an AWD version, it’s predominantly FWD oriented with a lock mode for some off-roading, meaning the front will grip and then send torque through to the rear, with the accompanying slamming back into the seats of the passengers if launched moderately hard. Under gentle prodding, it’s a smooth and quiet progression.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel engine

Kia quotes economy as as 7.8L per 100 on a combined cycle, with the natural habitat seeing 10.1L per 100 klicks. Considering it’s lugging a dry weight of around 2000 kg, it’s reasonable from a 71 litre tank. Should Sir and Madam decide on a highway trip,there’s something in the order of 6.4L for every one hundred or, theoretically, somewhere over 1000 kilometres.

That’s helped by that smoother, more svelte looking exterior. The headlights have a less eagle eyed sharpness to them, with the top edge rolling into the bonnet, with the lower bumper exhibiting a more aerodynamic look, sporting a rolled off crease above the driving lights and flowing air more efficiently along the side. 2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel frontThere’s also a somewhat more bluff and vertical look to the nose plus the traditional “tiger nose” grille looks to be enlarged. The profile is much the same whereas the rear has a strong resemblance, thanks to the lights, to the Carnival. The review vehicle came fitted with a towbar, with the Sorento able to tow up to 2000 kilograms.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel rear 22016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel rear 1

Inside, A Wheel Thing suspects that Kia’s design team has taken inspiration from a certain British luxury and sports car brand. There’s a gloriously sweeping arch atop the dash, joining the driver’s and passenger side doors, with finely embossed, almost stitched leather look plastic. 2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel front seatsGrey wood grained plastic complements the stone coloured upper level trim and black leather seating and the (heated) steering wheel has the same off centre pivot as found in cars from the U.K. brand.

The dash and tilt/reach adjustable steering wheel interact with information shown on the logically laid out dash screen, which is accessible via tabs on the tiller. Fuel usage on the fly, average fuel, trip meter and more, all in clean and easy to read fonts. Blutooth streaming is on board, allowing great sounds via the ten speaker Infinity sound system. The tiller itself is of a good heft, however there were occasions when the plastic inlay came to hand and hand grip was minimised.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel dash

Tech wise there’s a glass roof, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Lane Change Assist, plus Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, auto levelling headlights, park assist sensors and rear view camera plus tyre pressure monitoring. All standard in the Platinum.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel sunroof

Being a seven seater, there’s aircon controls in the rear, but oddly in the rearmost section, not where the more logical passengers would be seated, in the middle row. The stored seats are devilishly simple to operate, with a simple pull strap mechanism doing the work. The middle row are the immensely usable tilt and fold style, (with cargo going from 320L to 2066L) with the fronts naturally electrically operated, with heating and venting.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel rear aircon

Should one need somepower for items such as a mobile phone or a fridge, there’s three 12V sockets, with two being handily placed in the front section. There’s also 2 USB charger ports along with an Auxiliary for extra sound input.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel console

Kia’s six speed auto is a delight to use; Sports mode or manual shift was rarely used but does make gear changes just that touch crisper. There’s no real need to use it during normal driving as it simply works as expected; smooth, fast, quietly. There’s a locking centre diff should one desire to try the 235/55/19 off road…highly unlikely, however.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel wheel

On road, the Sorento is well mannered, with a measure of understeer in some circumstances. Under brakes (which were, quite frankly, in dire need of of a pedal that gave feel as soon as you touched it, not an inch down in travel) there was a distinct lack of confidence in hauling up the two tonnes plus. Ride quality, however, made up for it, being just soft enough to flatten out most lumps comfortably.2016 Kia Sorento Platinum diesel aircon

It’s chuckable enough to have fun with as well, with a nimbleness at odds with its apparent bulk. There’s more than enough grunt to get it under way rapidly and when punted hard, will move with surprising alacrity. Tip in in to a turn and yes, there is that understeer but easily controlled into a touch of oversteer with a deftpiece of footwork.

The Wrap.
Kia is one of the Australian automotive markets hidden secrets; there’s the astonishingly underrated Kia Pro_ceed GT, the funky Soul and the immensely family friendly Carnival (diesel is the pick). The Sorento is a class act and worthy of the awards it has won. As far as A Wheel Thing is concerned, it’s as family usable as the Carnival with the added attraction of being soft road capable, if that’s your wont. And at under $60K, with a huge standard feature list, it takes the fight to the Europeans and is well equipped to do so.
There’s Kia’s standard seven year warranty, capped price servicing ($400 for the first service at 15000 kilometres or 12months)
For details and brochure downloads: Kia Sorento range and info http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/sms-finance-express-zaimy-na-kartu.html

Eight Christmas Wishes For Drivers Everywhere

I told you we had to follow the star - this camel might have great 4x4 ability but it hasn't got GPS.

I told you we had to follow the star – this camel might have great 4×4 ability but it hasn’t got GPS.

Well, this is the last post from me for 2015, as I’m going to be getting some well-earned R&R time with the family over the Christmas & New Year period.  I hope all Private Fleet’s readers will be doing the same.  It can be a bit hectic in the lead-up to the silly season, so here’s to beating stress on the road and off it, and to a great Christmas for all of us.

In this time, there are a few things that I hope, pray and wish that we all have as we drive from A to B, whether it’s doing the Christmas shopping, ferrying a bunch of kids dressed up in dressing gowns to the church for the Nativity play or heading off to the beach or for a holiday:

  1. Patience in busy traffic. People are whizzing here, there and everywhere. It’s probably unrealistic to hope that we all have free-flowing traffic all of the time. Even if we live in rural areas and do a lot of shopping online, we’re still going to have to go out somewhere sometime, and we’re going to be crawling along behind a queue. Or caught in those last-minute road works as the crews try to get all those jobs wrapped up before they get time off over Christmas. It’s going to be inevitable, so this is where you need to know how to chill a bit and be patient. If we were all more patient in the car and realised that everyone else is in the same situation, there’s be less on-road rudeness.
  2. Good parking spaces. By a “good” parking space, I don’t mean one that’s just outside where you want to go. I mean one that’s easy to get in and out of, and is within walking distance of where you need to be. I also mean one where the driver in the space next to you isn’t going to dent your door.
  3. Sober drivers. In your car and in the cars around you. I certainly won’t be saying no to a nice cool cider on the rocks over these holidays but I know better than to hop in the car and drive afterwards. Have a plan for taking turns at being the sober driver and learn some good recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails. And no excuses for taking a risk, thinking you’re OK and hopping behind the wheel with a bit too much ink in you. None at all.
  4. No speeding tickets. There’s something about this time of year that tends to bring the boys and girls in blue out in force. On the surface, they’re trying to make sure that we don’t have heaps of accidents and road fatalities during the holiday period. On the other hand, the difference between what happens in a crash at the speed limit of 100 km/h and 102 km/h is academic. But guess what you’re going to get double demerit points for over the holidays for (in NSW at least).  I’m all for traffic safety and common sense, but it’s starting to get a bit ridiculous and you can feel like a target for not having your eyes glued to the speedo the whole time. It gets particularly tricky if you’re in an unfamiliar town and miss a speed limit sign.  However, be vigilant, keep the right foot lightly on the pedal and remember that it’s better to be a bit late to your destination than to have a big bill over this period that’s a financial stress on everyone.
  5. Keeping cool in the car on hot days. Air con is one of the world’s best inventions. So are chilled storage compartments, cotton clothing, automatic windows and refrigerators. If you can’t find shade to park in, buy or make one of those windscreen shade things to stop the inside of your car becoming an oven while parked. Alternatively, cut down on your power bill by using the hot interior of the car to soften the butter to go into the Christmas cake and melt the chocolate you’re going to get fancy with.
  6. funny-christmas-card-ideasNo breakdowns. It’s probably a smart idea to deal with those little problems before they become big problems in the middle of your holiday. I’ve had more than one holiday modified (I won’t say ruined) by something going wrong with the car. Like the time that our old Ford Fairmont  got a hole in some obscure pipe, forcing us into an unscheduled stay in one little country town. At least the camping ground had a swimming pool and a great trampoline to fill in the time while the nice mechanic got the pipe fixed the next morning.
  7. Enough fuel. Fill up your tank on Christmas Eve if you know that you’re going to be driving to Grandma’s for Christmas dinner three hours away. The chances of finding a fuel outlet that’s open on Christmas day are slim, as petrol pump attendants probably want the day off, too.
  8. A sense of humour. This will get you through a lot of sticky situations, in the car and out of it. Laugh at yourself and other drivers, and see the funny side of everything. It’s better than getting mad by a long chalk.

Safe and happy driving, as well as a great Christmas,

Megan http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/turbozaim-zaimy-online-bez-otkazov.html

Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Jaguar F-Type S Coupe Manual

Some car brands evoke emotional responses in people. That brand will say that’s exactly what they’re looking for as it’s a major consideration in the purchase of a car. There’s also a loyalty factor to consider and then there’s the sheer want or lust… Jaguar’s F-Type, released two years ago in Australia, in convertible and automatic gearbox form only, is one of those cars.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual badge

A Wheel Thing was fortunate enough to attend the launch in late 2013 and sample the three variants, being the two supercharged V6 engines and the brawny V8. Recently, Jaguar released the manual gearbox version for the V6 powerplants and Jaguar Australia lobbed the keys of a Stormtrooper white and black 280 kW rear wheel drive F-Type S coupe into the A Wheel Thing office.

Of immediate note is the size; the F-Type is battleship wide from the rear quarters yet somehow seems to look smaller from most other angles. That’s until you park near a mid 1980’s XJ6/Daimler that then allows you then get an appreciation for its true measurements. It looks longer than the spec sheet says, at 4470 mm and it’s not tall, standing just 1311mm above the tarmac. Did I mention it’s wide? Try 2042 mm or 1923 with/without mirrors.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual vs 1985 Daimler V12 Doors, wheels, even the overall length are either considerably larger or close to the venerable old lady but the glasshouse is noticeably smaller. Wheelbase is a not inconsiderable, given the overall length, 2622 mm, yet it’s a tight 10.7 metres for a turning circle. It’s reasonably trim,with a starting weight of 1567 kg for the manual, too…. There’s the familiar Jaguar bonnet power bulge and, for F-Type, a pair of engine vents in the lightweight bonnet, bisecting the LED driving lights in the feline snout. 2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual night front There’s a choice of two supercharged V6 engines, at 250 kW and 280 kW, a blown 5.0L V8 and either rear or all paw platforms. Peak power arrives at 6500 rpm for the V6 engines, however there’s just ten metres of Mr Newton’s best torques in difference between the two, on tap from 3500 to 5000 rpm. They’re hooked to a six speed manual, in this case, which is good for a sprint time of 5.7 seconds to 100 kilometres per hour.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual engineBecause it is what it is, only 98 RON unleaded is recommended and it’ll give the 70 litre tank a fair belting at 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres distance in the urban cycle. That drops by nearly half, to 7.6, for the freeway and 9.8L/100 km on a combined drive. Access to the engine, by the way, is via Jaguar’s traditional flip front engine cover. Not that you’d know there’s an engine underneath the hectare of plastic covering it…

Inside the F-Type, the cabin is strictly a two seater, with a cargo space behind your ears capable of a maximum 407 litres of space, if the parcel tray is removed. There’s a smattering of storage spaces, including one just behind the driver’s left ear and a small one just ahead of the gear selector. Although it’s wide, the seats abut the doors, with seat adjustment built into the door trim, including air powered, adjustable bolsters.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual power seat switches

The overall intention of the cabin is of quality, as you’d expect, yet the steering wheel is the same as you’d find in the $100,000 less XE. There’s an odd and out of place air conditioning button, right next to the touchscreen, which coulda/shoulda been incorporated into the dials or the tabs underneath the dials. The sliding sunroof screen on the inside of the F-Type (it’s a solid glass roof) has a metal handle which picks up heat rather quickly, resulting in some singed fingertips.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual centre dash

There’s a four quarter layout to the touch screen’s home screen, usable but not exactly intuitive but that’s forgotton once the excellent Meridian audio system is fired up. There’s depth, clarity, separation, stage presence almost unheard of for a car’s sound system, with plenty of low end kick when needed, balanced by the clear and delicate highs.

On start up (via the red pulsating Start button in the lower console), there’s a quick whir of the starter motor, a burble from the exhaust as the engine settles into its rhythm and a rising of the uperr centre air vents. It’s all very majestic and theatrical but it gets better once a button is pressed. That button brings the active exhaust to life, providing a thoatier, deeper, more rorty note. Idle away, slotting the six speed into second, third, and it’ll give no hint of its nature. Find a good piece of road and the ears are belted by the glorious soundtrack.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual engine 2

There’s the whine, subtle yet purposeful, from the supercharger, the intoxicating snap crackle and pop from the exhaust as you lift off the accelerator. When pressed in anger, there’s a serious bark that changes into a growl, a snarl, that rises in pitch as the revs climb. There’s grip, oh there’s grip aplenty from the wide track and superglue sticky Pirelli tyres and a ride that isn’t spine shattering in its initial compliance. What the Jaguar F-Type does miss is a front end with adjustable height, as the plastic chin scrapes easily coming of some driveways.

But the talking point about this car is that’s not a self shifter, it needs the organic component to be involved and…..it’s not without faults. There’s no lock out for Reverse, which is left and up, nor does it genuinely liked to be hurried, with incorrect gears selected just that one too many times to dismiss it as an aberration. When used at a normal pace, it slots in nicely, but sports shifting is not its forte. The short throw is ideal, as is the feel of the material itself.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual front quarter

The pickup point for the clutch, on the other hand, is nigh on perfect, as is the pressure on the clutch’s travel itself. It’s an ideal mix of being light enough to be useable by almost everyone nor hard enough to stress a left knee. Mixed with the short throw (when it isn’t going to second instead of fourth from sixth), it’s a delight, allowing the driver to set the car up for a powerful run out of a corner.

Flex the right foot and the haunches squat down, the nose rises imperceptibly and it launches, hard, from low gears and smoothly without fuss from further up the cog choice range. The built in spoiler raises and lowers at speed (reducing lift by up to 120 kilograms of force) and can be moved at the touch of a button in the cabin. There’s Dynamic mode that changes the dash’s screen (with mechanical dials, not LCD screen based) to a lurid red, changes the engine’s mapping (and shift points for the Auto) and feels as if the suspension tightens up. 2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual dash dialsBut for all of that torque, it’ll still stutter, like any manual, if revs drop too low for the wrong gear. The solution is easy and always immensely enjoyable.

On road manners are impeccable; there’s a lightning fast steering rack, with under two and a half turns side to side, with plenty of communication between tarmac and driver. There’s minimal bump/thump and a ripple following ride, with each corner rolling over undulations with aplomb. Put that down to the aluminuiom body, with higher torsional strength,natch, than the convertible.

Brake feel is sensational, with bite at the top of the pedal and without any grabbing suddenly, with a beautifully progressive travel and stopping power. The accelerator is the same, with instant response from the moment it senses pressure.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual rear

It’s also a car that has the enviable record of having the most eyes on it during A Wheel Thing’s tenure; from courier drivers to the high school lad that rode past it three times, from the open admiration of one of the blue’s finest to a long term member of the Jaguar Driver’s Club being gobsmacked in awe, it garnerned more attention and acclaim in one week than all other cars combined.

The signature Jaguar hip line, the beautifully balanced proportions, the menacing look at the front in that classic monochrome pairing and the clear heritage from the C-X75 concept car, the simplicity of the powered hatchback and those wonderfully broad rear quarters, beautifully lit at night by the LED tail lights combine to deliver a truly worthy successor in the looks department to the fabled E-Type, the car that none other than Enzo Ferrari said was the most beautiful car in the world.2016 Jaguar F-Type S manual night rear

At around $168K driveaway in NSW, with something close to $35K in taxes and charges included, it’s up against Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi. It’s up against something even more important: a buyer that needs to be tempted away from the continentals. If you’re a follower of the leaping cat brand, it’s a no brainer. That loyalty, the emotional connection to Jaguar , will see you inside the dealership poring over the options list and wondering which shade of paint Sir would like his new “cat” coated in. 2015-jaguar-f-type-coupe-overhead-view

The F-Type provokes plenty of emotional responses; the gaping jaws and whistles from school kids is evidence enough. But the F-Type is so much more than simply a button pusher for emotions, it’s a damned good car and, as highlighted in an episode of a popular but now defunct English tv motoring show, a fantastic example of what a legendary car company and British knowhow can do when it all just comes together.

This link: Jaguar F-Type brochure will give you nearly all of the info you need. For pricing and more detailed enquiries, click here: Jaguar Australia 2016 range

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It's Christmas Time, There's No Need To Be Afraid….

Yep, a great line from a mega hit of the 1980’s. It’s also valid for you as you consider the fact that the Christmas holidays are upon us and it’s looking like a  drive for a holiday is on the cards. But you’re hesitant, nervous, maybe even a bit afraid of taking the chariot out. Here’s a small checklist that may help you get through the Christmas yips…

Tyres: these round, rubbery, bits are oft neglected and to use a Bush-ism, misunderestimated in how important they are. There’s two crucial factors at play when it comes to tyres and they’re interlinked: tyre pressure and tyre age. On the side of your tyre will be numbers that will look something like: 225/55/17. These numbers indicate the size of the tyre and the wheel to which it’s fitted. Each tyre will need to be inflated to a proper pressure to ensure that the 225 (width of the tyre) is gripping as much of the road surface, wet or dry or gravelly, as possible. That correct tyre pressure also means that the 55 (height of the tyre’s sidewall in relation to its width) can flex properly and work with the width of the tread.Tyre profile

By having the right tyre pressure, you’ll minimise the stress on the rubber from being under or over inflated and, to a point, this is where the age factor comes in. Again, this info is built into the sidewall and there’s schools of thought that say that after a certain period, tyres should be replaced, regardless, due to the rubber deteriorating to a point where a lesser impact than a new tyre can handle will fracture it. There’s also the grip factor to consider, where a newer and more flexible tyre will hang on more than an older, dried out rubber construction. Bridgestone provided this link: http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care/age.aspx

Fluids: It’s absolute vital for we humans to have water and it’s the same for our cars, they need fluids too and not just for the radiator. Engine oil, wiper fluid, gearbox and possibly even differential fluid need to be at certain levels for your car to be at its best. Apart from the radiator, which uses a series of vanes to exchange heat for cooler air, engine oil is probably as important for not just lubricating the internals (like a good vino) but assists in heat management by doing so. lifetime-engine-oil-1Metal on metal inside an engine is not a good thing and with lower than specified oil levels, there’s less oil being spread around to do the job that a normal level will do. Therefore there’s more change of higher levels of friction and heat.

Wiper fluid is important in keeping the front view as unobscured as possible. Daily driving exposes the screen to dirt, soot, moisture and more and a proper mix of wiper fluid will assist in keeping your windscreen as clean as possible and will help in reducing glare and light scatter. Gearboxes and “diffs” tend to be sealed units nowadays, with no real scope for self maintenance. However, if you do have a car that has access, it doesn’t hurt to get these levels checked, for the same reason as the engine.

Interior: Keeping the interior clean not only extends the life of the materials inside, it also stops items like cans or cups rolling around and possibly becoming stuck under the brake or accelerator pedal. Washing the Car InteriorIf you’re a smoker, be aware that the smoke will settle on the dash and coat the inside of the windscreen, which can also obscure your forward vision. There’s plenty of products that will help clean the glass and there’s nothing wrong with a scented air freshener to give the car (and you!) some extra pep.

Fuel: This one’s not always as clear cut as it could be. Certain car engines are engineered and tuned to run on a particular type of unleaded for maximum performance and economy. Let’s say you’ve got a car that has, on the fuel lid flap, 98RON only. RON or Research Octane Number indicates the level of resistance to “detonation”.  The higher the number, the more finely tuned an engine can be to take advantage of the chemical makeup of that fuel, especially with today’s computer controlled ignition systems. Click here for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Many cars, like Holden’s Commodore, will be able to utilise petrol from anywhere from 91 to 98. A car tuned to run on 98 and fed only 91 will not be able to produce the amount of kilowatts and torque it should and will struggle to deliver a driving experience without detonation or pinging or knocking as it’s also known. Your vehicle’s handbook will also have this information. Diesel cars are generally easier to deal with as, for most production cars, there’s only one kind of diesel to worry about. However, some cars may require a diesel with a specified sulphur level; this is to do with the emissions system the vehicle has, and by using the specified diesel, will not only not clog your car’s system, it will reduce emissions.

Young female driverAnd as for you, dear driver, you can assist in making your journey as trouble free as possible by doing a few simple things too. Drive to the conditions, use indicators and headlights (check these before starting any trip, as well), take breaks and make use of the Driver Survivor stops. Drink plenty of water (staying hydrated helps keep a driver’s alertness level up), give other traffic plenty of room and always do a visual check on your car before commencing any journey. Oh, and absolutely do NOT drink and drive, nor is it wise to consider a long drive if you’ve had a “big night”.

Have a safe Christmas drive and, remember, there’s no need to be afraid. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/webbankir-online-zaim-na-kartu.html