Honda’s baby crossover on battery charge

The next version of the HR-V will be a hybrid.

THE smallest crossover Honda sells here will ditch pure petrol power for an electrified drivetrain.

The change for comes with the third generation of the HR-V, which will be unveiled to the world in mid-February.

 The new model delivers with a bigger badge; it’ll be tagged the HR-V e:HEV.

In delivering this news, Honda has also released some teaser preview images – none showing the entire car, however, with focus instead on detailing.

Today’s announcement has yet to be followed up by comment from the brand’s New Zealand distributor.

Honda Japan says focussing on a hybrid powertrain from launch is in line with its latest corporate strategy.

One specific ambition is to electrify its entire European line-up by 2022. 

Technical details remain unconfirmed, but it is conjected HR-V will likely use a variation of a 158kW/315Nm 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain Honda already has in place in the larger CR-V, though not in New Zealand, or alternately pick up a technically similar system, married to a 1.5-litre and producing 80kW/253Nm, that features in the latest Jazz supermini. That car has also not availed here.

It's possible that, like the electrified CR-V, the HR-V will be available with a choice of front- or four-wheel-drive configurations, the website for motoring magazine Autocar has surmised. 

Honda claims it will pair "high efficiency with refined, fun-to-drive performance".

It’s thought the HR-V to follow the lead of the next Civic hatchback and so feature a minimalist dashboard with a 9.0in touchscreen infotainment system and a raft of new driver aids. 

The HR-V’s full unveiling will occur on February 18.

 The current car has been in production since 2013.

Kia SUV line hits full house with Stonic

Kia’s smallest crossover has been confirmed and has a sharp starter price.

EXPECTATION a sub-Seltos sports utility, the Stonic, will join the Kia line-up here has finally been confirmed.

The brand’s New Zealand distributor has at last opened up on plans to have the car on sale from $21,990 from the start of 2021, though dealers will have demonstrators from next month.

The base price buys the car with a 1.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic in a LX entry trim, with similar fit-out to a Rio LX – which is on the same platform - and is being cited as an introductory offer, so could well be relatively short-term.

Stonic is also set to provision a 1.0-litre petrol unit that trades off losing capacity by picking up a mild hybrid enhancement. Augmentation of a 48volt integrated belt-driven starter generator and a small lithium-ion battery requires marriage to a seven speed dual clutch transmission.

Local market outputs for the powerplants has not been shared, however the cited output for the 1.0-litre in the United Kingdom, where Stonic has represented for some time, is 88kW and 200Nm. The DCT is Kia’s bespoke iMT ‘box which uses ‘drive-by-wire’ to electronically manage the clutch operation. 

There’s no indication how much the 1.0-litre will cost, when that price will be announced or even when this derivative will come. Kia NZ’s public relations’ spokesman says the initial shipment is purely comprised of 1.4s. 

Stonic’s availability to New Zealand has occurred to time with a mid-life facelift. The potential of it coming here was covered by MotoringNZ.com on August 10. (https://www.motoringnz.com/news/2020/8/10/stonic-sizing-up-for-nz)  

The car’s aim in its existing markets has been to conquer customers who remain stubbornly loyal to European volume brands. 

Kia identified the subcompact SUV/crossover segment as a niche market that had become Europe's fastest-growing sector, accounting for seven percent of the total SUV and crossover market and also displaying the lowest brand loyalty, with customers open to change and with no tradition or history.

Design has been the main purchasing driver in the sector, Kia says, and effort has been made to make this model stand out. Hence, for instance, why it has the highest customisation options of any Kia with 20 two-tone body colour combinations in nine body colours and five roof colours. 

Although Kia calls the Stonic an SUV, it lacks four-wheel-drive. And hasn’t suffered for it. Uptake of four-wheel-drive models was less than 10 percent in the subcompact market three years ago and it has since fallen further.

The NZ specification has not been shared, but it could be fulsome. Safety credentials for the Rio now include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beams and wipers.

Todd McDonald, Kia Motors’ NZ’s managing director, has yet to share volume expectations, however comment provided today exudes confidence, with his thought that the car meets up to the promise of his brand’s ‘power to surprise’ marketing slogan.

 “Stonic is a vehicle that is going to surprise a lot of people – not just because of our special introductory price. It really does bring fresh excitement to the crossover experience.”

The car’s local provision means every SUV that Kia builds is not availed here and, Mr McDonald contends, means that Kia now offers one of the strongest vehicle line-ups nationally. 

And if you’re wondering about the etymology of the name? According to Kia it’s a name is a portmanteau of ‘speedy’ and ‘tonic.’ The first apparently refers to the car’s small size and agility. Meanwhile, the tonic is referenced here is the first or primary note in a diatonic musical scale, not the stuff that works with gin.

Electric 3008, new 5008 coming

Peugeot’s cementing its status in the SUV sector.

the 5008 is releasing as a larger option to the 3008, which has been Peugeot’s most popular model here and is also arriving early next year in updated form, including with a PHEV drivetrain.

GOING bigger in the strongest part of the new car market is the gameplan in 2021 for Peugeot in this market – in addition to adding an electric edge to its most popular model it’s also entering the large sports utility sector.

Announcement of the seven-seater 5008 medium-large soft roader joining the local lineup, conceivably as a Skoda Kodiaq rival, follows confirmation that an update to the mid-sized and similarly styled 3008 five-seat crossover will span into another new area – electric driving.

The plug-in hybrid version of the 3008 – whose full name is a mouthful, being ‘AWD Hybrid4 300 e-Eat8’ - will stand as the first battery-compelled Peugeot sold here.

The electric-assisted 3008 will likely introduce around the same time – so, early 2021 – as the 5008, whose two orthodox turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel, might conceivably feature in other 3008 models.

No exact specifications or pricing has been announced for the cars. That won’t happen until closer to launch, says the brand rights’ holder, Auckland-based Auto Distributors New Zealand. 

Chief executive Chris Brown has expressed high confidence for both model lines, which despite being in different sectors as result of size difference are nonetheless closely related, being off a common platform and sharing the same drivetrains.

He views the 5008 as being “the perfect solution for families who desire unparalleled levels of comfort, style and refinement” while the 3008 should offer enough revised technology to maintain “as the most popular model in our line-up.”

The PHEV model augments the current edition’s 1.6 petrol with an electric motor and battery to produce a total output of 224kW and 520Nm. The electric drive configures to the rear wheels, so as to create a four-wheel-drive effect for a car that formats in front-drive in other editions. 

The driving range on electric-only power is almost 60km, according to testing on the independent WLTP cycle.

The 3008 also presents with a 2.0-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol whose respective outputs of 133kW and 400Nm and 121kW/240Nm are as developed in current editions and also appear to be cited for the 5008 models, also with an eight-speed automatic. 

The refreshed 3008 is identified by a big update to the grille and LED lights and also delivers interior upgrades. 

The cabin takes a 12.3-inch digital drive display and also a larger 10-inch infotainment display system to refresh the i-Cockpit cabin theme. Expect new trim options and material finishes, too. 

The 5008 will intrigue as being very much a big brother in size and specification … and styling. From the back of the back of the driver’s door forwards it and the 3008 are effectively the same car. 

The model designation has never been represented previously, though it has been around for some years and used to apply to a large people mover.

Peugeot retired that car when MPVs fell out of fashion but re-issued the badge on identifying – as many others have – how large SUVs were being adopted in the same role.

Stonic sizing up for NZ?

A mid-life refresh has seen Kia make its cheerful sub-Seltos crossover available to more markets.

WITH the Seltos setting the compact crossover sector alight, will Kia here try its luck with an even smaller offer? 

The question arises with the brand have determined to allow its Stonic baby into this part of the world.

Kia in Australia, which often works in conjunction with the brand’s New Zealand operation to secure specific models, has already confirmed it’s having a punt with the model.

Release across the Tasman is timed for late year, with detail about price and specification has yet to be revealed.

Designed to take on the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke, and Hyundai Venue and based on a platform shared by the Rio small hatch, Stonic has been in production out of South Korea since 2017, but to date has been restricted its home market, China, plus western Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

However, the release of a mid-life update has also determined Kia to allow it to roam into new territories and, though the local distributor’s comments’ provider says it is unable to offer thought, conceivably New Zealand could be on the touring agenda.

Certainly, the car could be seen as a valuable asset to provide as permanent fill-in within the sub-$30,000 zone, which Kia knows is a sweet spot to pull first-time crossover buyers. That’s exactly where the Seltos was aimed on launch last November, with a limited-time introduction that allowed the entry LX to be offered for $26,990 – so, $4000 below the full list price is now carries. This strategy delivered a great start for the car – with 1000 sales within three months – and created a waiting list that took months to clear.

The Stonic’s update would surely be tasty to Kiwis as it brings an extensive rework in looks, technology and safety equipment for the street-sharp five seater. 

Safety credentials include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams and wipers.

An 8.0-inch infotainment system hosts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The facelift introduces a new 1.0-litre turbo petrol mild hybrid, augmented by a 48volt integrated belt-driven starter generator and a small lithium-ion battery. The output varies, with the seven-speed DCT auto producing 88kW and 200Nm, and the manual developing 74kW and 168Nm. By comparision the Seltos runs a four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol making 110kW and 180Nm in marriage to an eight-stage transmission.

The latter transmission is Kia’s bespoke iMT ‘box which uses ‘drive-by-wire’ to electronically manage the clutch operation.

Stonic’s primary role in the UK and Europe has been to conquer customers who remain stubbornly loyal to European volume brands.

Kia identified the subcompact SUV/crossover segment as a niche market that had become Europe's fastest-growing sector, accounting for seven percent of the total SUV and crossover market and also displaying the lowest brand loyalty, with customers open to change and with no tradition or history.

Design has been the main purchasing driver in the sector, Kia says, and effort has been made to make this model stand out. Hence, for instance, why it has the highest customisation options of any Kia with 20 two-tone body colour combinations in nine body colours and five roof colours. 

Although Kia calls the Stonic an SUV, it lacks four-wheel-drive. And hasn’t suffered for it. Uptake of four-wheel-drive models was less than 10 percent in the subcompact market three years ago and it has since fallen further.

And if you’re wondering about the etymology of the name? According to Kia it’s a name is a portmanteau of ‘speedy’ and ‘tonic.’ The first apparently refers to the car’s small size and agility. Meanwhile, the tonic is referenced here is the first or primary note in a diatonic musical scale, not the stuff that works with gin.

Corolla Cross out in 2022 and signed for NZ

An elevated Corolla has been announced and Toyota New Zealand has signed up.

A PERENNIAL strong seller for Toyota is set for a rise in stature.

 The Corolla has become the next candidate passenger car for conversion into something it’s never previously been, a crossover.

Announcement of the – you guessed it – Corolla Cross came from today’s global unveiling in Thailand, where it is being built and will be sold first.

Availability in other right-hand-drive markets will commence in 2022. Toyota New Zealand has confirmed itself as a starter.  

“We have secured this product for our line-up and are excited to launch it in due course,” said chief executive Neeraj Lala.

“This addition will continue to add breadth to our overall range, with more SUV options for our customers. We will release more information closer to the time of launch.” 

Toyota head office says Corolla Cross benefits from its experience as a pioneer in recreational SUVs, which triggered 25 years ago with the original RAV4 - a vehicle that is now the world's best-selling SUV.

The brand sees this model as delivering a design philosophy of "Corolla meets SUV", blending the best aspects of both worlds. “It balances a dynamic, powerful, sleek and sophisticated design with high levels of SUV practicality,” according to the press information.

Corolla Cross is on the same GA-C platform as the Corolla hatch and sedan, ensuring a high level of body rigidity and a well-balanced chassis for responsive and agile driving, a comfortable ride and outstanding quietness, Toyota believes.

Other features include a spacious cabin, easy entry into and exit from the car and excellent luggage space, as well as a high level of safety equipment inherited from Corolla hatch and sedan.

The brand says Corolla Cross will place between Yaris Cross, releasing in NZ later this year, and RAV4 and be available with either a petrol engine or a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, but has yet to be more specific.

Mercedes GLB: Compact family mover raises stakes

Get set to enjoy the surprising star qualities of Benz’s smallest sports utility.

GLB 250 and AMG-tweaked GLB 35 (right) will likely achieve the bulk of volume.

PLAYING for a full house is the game plan for Mercedes’ first baby sports utility.

 In revealing pricing and specification details for the GLB, which rides on new large iteration of the A-Class architecture, Mercedes Benz New Zealand has also revealed it only has eyes for the full-blown edition configured for family use, rather than an alternate derivative that presents as an extra-sized hatchback.

 Going just for the line-up in its 200 front-drive and 250 and AMG 35 four-wheel-drive full chair count presentations is a different tack than that adopted in Europe, where the five-seater is more on the front foot. 

The strategy conceivably doesn’t discount the car still being seen as a rival for the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, but certainly allows it to square up as an elite-end alternate to the only like-sized German model in this space, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

Mercedes’ local arm doubts it will be any poorer ignoring the five-seaters, pointing – quite reasonably – that this configuration is still availed the seven-chair edition; it’s just a matter of folding down the rearmost seats. 

This doesn’t mean the five-chair car couldn’t be sourced, as it does build in right-hand-drive. Just don’t expect to be able to order it through official channels. It’s simply not an option. “The car comes standard with seven seats in New Zealand,” a spokesman affirmed today.

The decision is based on a logic of keeping things simple, although it also identifies that additional flexibility and functionality will tune all the more nicely into the emergent Kiwi love for compact SUVs.

GLB 250 has 4MATIC

In respect to ensuring it is ticking all the boxes, MBNZ has also … well, ticked all the boxes. The suite of technology, safety and comfort inclusions and equipment specifications for NZ achieves beyond some other countries’ standard provisions.

You won’t have long to make up your own minds. A first shipment provisioning the $78,900 GLB 200 entry car and $92,200 mid-range GLB 250 4MATIC will unpack in several weeks. The flagship AMG-reworked GLB 35 4 MATIC, a $104,900 ask, comes later in the year, exact timing yet to be determined. All GLBs take the shortest sailing time yet for a Mercedes’ car, being sourced from a new factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

That launch timing is exactly to the plan unfurled last year during the car’s international release, when MBNZ managing director Lance Bennett expressed his optimism about why GLB will resonate, notably through it being in the right price band for families for whom this might well be their first new Mercedes.

“With the GLB we now have the ability to transport an entire family’s worth of activity and adventure from a much lower starting price than before,” he said then. “We expect this … will see us attract entirely new customers where we have not had a suitable vehicle in the past.” 

Notwithstanding that these thoughts were expressed before the world had even heard of coronavirus, let alone felt its impact on new car sales, the comment likely will remain relevant. A first drive last year in Spain imprinted hugely favourable impression of its qualities.

AMG engine is a sweet fit for this family-minded model.

The packaging is right up there. This is the smallest SUV Benz has ever tackled, yet it doesn’t feel that way. Even though it is not, by any stretch, a large car in overall dimension, and regardless that the handsome Benz styling suggests it as a big hatch, GLB is at heart a box full of chairs in which every centimetre of interior space is put to excellent use.

So clever is the employment of the additional room resulting from being on a wheelbase that’s 100mm longer than the other related models within the ‘compact portfolio’ - the A-Class hatch and sedan, B-Class, CLA and GLA – allows it a decent chance of being seen as a tangible alternate for anyone who now cannot stretch to a GLE (in which five chairs are standard and seven an option) due to need to reduce their spending.

Front headroom is a claimed best in class at 1035mm with an “especially comfortable” 967mm of legroom in the second row. True, it’s tight right at the back, but even with Benz’s admission that it only offers comfortable seating for those under 1.68m tall, that third row zone is hardly for emergency use only, not least because the second row is able to be slid forward by up to 140mm.

What does imprint more is that, wen running full occupancy, the luggage space remaining is miniscule. Stowing the back pair (neatly, into the boot) and it’s much more convenient, of course, as then there’s a loading space of 560 litres, expanding to 1755 litres when the second and third rows are stowed.

The force-fed 225kW/400Nm 2.0-litre unit ensures the AMG is considerably quicker than the other GLBs.

A lot of clever thinking (and using that VW for benchmarking) delivers decent head and legroom, excellent outward visibility and good stowage solutions, but one thought from the launch was that, before letting the kids in, you’d do well to pre-check for sticky little fingers. This is a premium car, flashiness extending beyond the fully digital dash with the MBUX interface (and occasionally over-eager ‘Hi Mercedes’ prompt). Touch surfaces use high-quality materials, buttons and knobs have a satisfying tactility and reassuring clicks and it’s beautifully trimmed, with cushy seats.

The NZ-market spec plays to that. Base trim includes the now familiar side-by-side 10.25-inch digital screens, keyless go, electric tailgate, Artico upholstered Comfort seats, adaptive cruise control, smartphone mirroring, wireless charging, advanced satellite navigation, illuminated door sills, leather multi-function steering wheel, reversing camera, Comfort suspension, rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch alloy wheels and aluminium roof rails. 

Standard safety gear includes nine airbags, active parking assist with Parktronic, adaptive high beam assist, blind spot assist, traffic sign assist, active lane keep assist and active brake assist with semi-autonomous braking.

The car’s other big flavour hit arrives with the driving. Family buses are generally not exactly highly-regarded for any kind of ‘fun-to-drive’ factor, and you wouldn’t think Benz would be the first brand to come to mind as a rule-breaker. But, truly, it was a surprise; that AMG car, especially, doesn’t let do anything to tarnish that sub-brand’s pedigree but, in truth, the non-performance-tuned editions are quite playful, too.

The steering feel is good, the car’s track neatly and though the 4MATIC’s enhanced traction is obvious, the front-driver has good grip. The dynamics are interesting, in a good way. Even the pliancy resultant from the extended wheelbase and tuning with mind to having to cope with optimal loadings are pluses for the ride-handling balance. Yes, there’s a touch of lean, but on the other hand it shouldn’t surprise if these turn out to be more comfortable and quiet on NZ coarse chip than other products on this base. In Spain we drove every model in both chair counts and found any thought about the seven-seater being less involving than the five, merely through the weight difference, was pretty much undone.

The fastest small car on the school run?

The GLB200’s turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 120kW and 250Nm, sent via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers nifty delivery, but it’ll be easier to find excuse to seek an upgrade to the 250’s significantly more grunty (165kW/350Nm) 2.0-litre turbo. In addition to all-wheel-drive, it also adopts an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

The mid-grade edition also adds more kit, including a panoramic sunroof, powered and heated front seats with memory function, adjustable damping, sports steering and five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Also included as standard is an ‘off-road engineering pack’ comprised of speed-adjustable hill descent control and an extra driving mode specifically tailored for light off-road use. We found it useful on a rain-drenched and reasonably rutted dirt track but the fact that Mercedes closed off a dedicated off-road driving circuit simply because of the precipitation perhaps is reminder that this car is better considered a crossover at best.  

What of the AMG; could it be called a hot hatch? On first encounter the more hunkered and honed flagship was an eyebrow raiser. Even though hot-rodding SUVs has become an AMG speciality and even if GLB is more expected to get people to race circuits than on them, with 0-100kmh in an exhaust barking 5.2 seconds and 250kmh top speed, it surely places at least the Audi SQ3 and BMW’s X2 M35i on notice.

The same force-fed 2.0-litre unit employed in the other compact ‘35’ variants generates 225kW and 400Nm, so it’s considerably quicker than the other GLBs. It also evidences higher lateral limits. Only when pushed really hard did it find understeer on the first trial, but impression on that day from burling it through some exquisite hairpins was that the high traction and surety exceeds what you expect from a family chariot. A true driver’s treat? Well, put it this way … if the kids (or family pooch) are coming, pack sick bags. 

The NZ-market treatment includes AMG Night Package exterior trim features and unique 20-inch alloy wheels, the full-barp exhaust system, high-performance brakes, speed sensitive steering and AMG Ride Control sports suspension.

Inside the performance theme runs to a Nappa leather-wrapped performance steering wheel, Lugano leather sports seats, Energising Comfort Control, brushed stainless AMG pedals and carbon interior trim.

Kamiq Scoutline adds tough edge

The baby Skoda crossover now hitting NZ has a new sibling with enhanced outdoorsy attitude.

NO sooner has Skoda settled its new Kamiq into local showroom life than the parent has announced another variant that the local distributor agrees would conceivably be tasty to Kiwis.

The baby Kamiq crossover is a fitting choice to debut a new brand initiative of a tough-looking Scoutline trim level.

It’s a different recipe to the Scout trim that is becoming more familiar to New Zealand buyers.

Whereas Scout models – and for us, that’s been the Octavia for several years and a just-introduced Superb – get all-wheel-drive for a degree of off-seal ability, the Scoutline is all about dirt-treading imagery.

Changes are therefore entirely to do with enhancing the styling without touching engineering.

Accordingly, Kamiq Scoutline retains the same front-drive layout and drivetrain choices that install in the 85kW 1.0-litre $30,990 Ambition, and 110kW 1.5-litre $36,990 Amibition Plus and $42,990 Monte Carlo models that have just landed here. Europe also sees a diesel and a manual gearbox as alternate to the direct shift transmissions NZ sees.

To make the Kamiq look more like an off-roader, Skoda has given the Scoutline matte black wheel arch surrounds, a new front spoiler and a rear diffuser designed to look like underbody protection, plus extra silver flashes. There are also LED tail-lights and tinted rear windows. It rides on 17-inch wheels as standard, but 18-inch versions are on the options list.

The Scoutline model also has exclusive interior trim decoration. In Europe ash wood effect is standard, with a darker shade available as an alternative. The front seats come with a new upholstery choice made of breathable fabric and microfibre suede and stamped with a Scoutline badge. Other touchpoints like the steering wheel and gear lever are leather-trimmed, while the interior also gets three-colour ambient lighting and LED reading lights.

The spec appears to be around the same level that affords with Monte Carlo, with reversing sensors, LED headlights, a 9.2-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity and cruise control. 

Production begins in two months, while conceivably means that the Sportline could be available to right hand drive markets by early 2021.

With the compact crossover sector having been a hot spot – at least prior to coronavirus lockdown – and consumers showing no concern about buying into product that, regardless of what the look suggests, is suited far more to the street than sludge, it would seem a car that Skoda NZ might give serious consideration to.

So how keen is it? Well, it’s not off the table, says brand boss Rodney Gillard.

“We can see the merit. At this stage we are sticking with the three variants we have but it’s a possibility.”

Skoda’s rapid rise in New Zealand has put us in Skoda HQ’s good books and, Gillard says, is a factor as to why it gets priority over most other right-hand-drive markets, including Australia and South Africa.

“So, while at this stage that (Scoutline) is not available to us, when and if it does become available we will absolutely give it consideration.”

Meantime, he anticipates good demand for the Kamiq variants already here and says early interest reminds that the one of the car’s attributes is being  a particularly good poster child for the current Skoda look.

“It really demonstrates the strength of our styling.”

Shutdown jolts Juke release

The first shipment of Nissan’s crucial crossover is incoming. The next? Erm, about that ….

JUST an initial, modest shipment of the new Juke will achieve New Zealand landfall in time for its intended launch date and there’s no clarity when more will follow.

This sobering message about the model crucial to Nissan’s pitch to shake up the compact crossover sector comes in the wake of news that would likely strengthen its market acceptance – a brilliant crash test rating.

In condition normal, the five-star accreditation just announced by the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme would potentially offer opportunity for a powerful pre-launch marketing spin. 

Yet these are far from normal times. 

Production of the car having been brought to a screeching halt by the coronavirus pandemic and seems unlikely to resume for at least another month.

That creates a curly dilemma for Nissan New Zealand, managing director John Manley says.

He will certainly have cars here in time to avail the original plan of releasing in June – but exactly when reinforcements for this first wave follow is anyone’s guess.

So do they progress with the launch and, if so, how should that be accomplished: Loudly or low-key, given it’ll involve just a few hundred cars?  That’s being debated right now.

Getting the car from its production source to NZ is quite a journey. Rather than coming from Japan, Juke is again only built in Sunderland, in north east England.

Like all other UK car plants, this massive operation has been idle since March. Sunderland’s management signalling this week an intention to re-start some production is no particular panacea. It’s set to be a small-scale trial involving just 50 of the 6000-strong workforce and none of the tens of thousands in its supply chain. 

Of course, the way the market is heading, having opportunity to slow the Juke rush might become handy. April new car registrations being 93 percent down on the same month of 2019 fuels industry prediction of at least a 40 percent in new car registrations for the remainder of the year looks increasingly certain.

On the other hand, it’s a crucial product and the sector it aims at was showing the most growth potential before the coronavirus crisis hit.

Competitors include the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona and Venue, Honda HR-V and the Kia Seltos, which achieved as the top-selling model in April … albeit on the strength of a piddling 95 sales.

“it’s a tricky situation for us,” Manley conceded in respect to Juke supply.

“We just don’t yet know what is going to happen and it might be some time before there’s clarity. Okay, these are exceptional circumstances for everyone, but even so. Not easy.”

The Juke has been on sale in the UK and Europe since last year. That’s where the crash test was undertaken for Melbourne-based ANCAP, the only organisation whose protocols are recognised and funded by New Zealand. The NZ Automobile Association also sponsors ANCAP.

A five-star score is the maximum grade yet because the car has already launched in other regions, its crash testing was carried out according to 2019 standards – rather than a more stringent criteria introduced in Europe and Australia this year.

Even so, the regime required examples being subjected to a full-width front collision at 50kmh, a dynamic offset frontal collision at 64kmh, a side impact at 50kmh, a side pole impact at 32kmh, and a whiplash assessment for front and rear occupants.

The outcome was accredited on strength of it scoring highly across four disciplines, including adult occupant protection (94 percent), child occupant protection (87 percent), vulnerable road user protection (81 percent) and safety assist tests (71 percent).

However, while Juke’s active lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking systems won praise, ANCAP also suggested those features were not adequate in all scenarios, stating: “the system is not capable of intervening in the more critical emergency lane keeping scenarios”. 

The first-generation Juke – sold from 2012 onwards – also scored a five-star rating when tested in 2011.

The new model is a complete redesign and has grown in length, width and height. It offers more rear seat space and boot space, with the latter increasing from 354 litres to 422 litres. Despite the more generous dimensions it's also 23kg lighter, now weighing in at 1212kg. 

The edgy styling continues, the new model retaining its bulbous headlights and sweeping curves but now receiving LED daytime running lights and the latest version of Nissan's V-motion grille. 

The independent front and twist-beam rear suspension has been recalibrated for enhanced stability and sportier performance, says Nissan.

The NZ specification, model line-up and pricing has yet to be disclosed.

In Europe the car has a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 86kW of power and 180Nm of torque (rising to 200Nm in an overboost mode  that lasts up to 25 seconds), for 0-100kmh in 10.4 seconds at best.

European buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a new seven-speed automatic, the latter replacing the predecessor's CVT, and there are front and four-wheel-drive variants.

Europe’s flagship is the Premiere Edition, which runs 19-inch alloys and has two-tone paint, leather and Alcantara seating and a Bose Personal Plus stereo system.

The flagship also demonstrates new Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, such as the ProPILOT semi-autonomous self-driving system, which Nissan says will help the JUKE steer, accelerate and brake itself. 

The safety provision includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, dynamic lane keeping, a 360-degree camera package, rear cross traffic alert, high-beam assist and six airbags.

Other leading-edge tech includes a NissanConnect smartphone app that allows users to access a range of functions, including the ability to push journey plans to the vehicle remotely, and in-car internet, allowing users to utilise the vehicle as a Wi-Fi hotspot. It can also be paired with Google Assistant to access a range of information and allow some functions to be controlled by voice.

Yaris Cross for hot compact sector

Toyota has revealed the Yaris Cross and suggested there’s a chance it might hit NZ before Xmas.

THAT funky looking baby Toyota crossover you had your heart set on?

Good news. It might yet be here by Xmas. With emphasis on the word ‘might’.

In tandem with Toyota’s overnight international unveiling of the Yaris Cross, Toyota New Zealand has re-stated intent to have the car on sale before the end of 2020.

However, it shouldn’t be taken as a absolute hard and fast promise, the exact quote being: “Toyota New Zealand expects to introduce this model towards the end of 2020.” So, if you’re aching to have one as a Christmas pressie … maybe also consider a Plan B.

That timeframe is months behind the original expectation, but is pretty good effort nonetheless if achieved.

This car, remember, was likely the world’s first automotive victim of coronavirus, having been pulled last minute from being revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in the first week of March. Sorry, make that the virtual Geneva show, because the actual event was also cancelled days before opening by … well, the same thing. 

At that time, too, the brand was so publicly pessimistic about the production timeframes it left impression right-hand-drive markets might not see it until 2021. Which might, of course, still be the case, given that most of the major RHD recipients are reporting just that timeframe.

Let’s hope for TNZ’s sake it makes the boat this year. Even though the new car market is heading toward massive bust – with prediction of being at least 40 percent down on last year – after some really good years, the small crossover and sports utility sector had really been hitting its stride prior to Covid-19 lockdown. Conceivably, then, if any cars are going to be sold, the chances of them being from this category have to be fairly good, not least when it has the extra twists of a hybrid drivetrain and a high tech all-wheel-drive.

The car’s make-up has been touched upon before, but just to recap: It’s a crossover built on the same 'GA-B' compact car platform as the imminent new fourth-generation Yaris hatchback. It promises more space, increased ride height and even the option of four-wheel drive. With a twist: It’s an electric motor-driven system.

Today’s photos are of the hybrid in flagship form, on 18-inch wheels that provide a nice finishing touch to a styling that’s neatly adopts the same wheelarch shape and rising door sill detailing that have taken the RAV4 to new heights. An upright nose and vent design, sharp creasing and high-tech lighting also mark it out as a street cred champion.

In terms of size, the Yaris Cross sits on the same wheelbase as the new Yaris, but is actually 240 millimetres longer. A bigger proportion of that has been added behind the rear wheels (180mm), which should mean a larger boot. It is also 20mm wider (presumably due to the arches) and 90mm higher. And, usefully, it has 30mm more ground clearance, too.

At 390 litres, the boot volume is a touch more than the equivalent Yaris hatch. The rear seat backs split 40:20:40 and there's a variable boot floor arrangement to help make the most of the space. A powered tailgate will apparently be available.

About that all-wheel-drive. Toyota calls it 'AWD-i', for intelligent. It certainly is. The system uses an electric motor to turn the rear wheels, supplementing the regular powertrain up front in the car. Apparently, it operates when pulling away from rest and accelerating, but otherwise only when traction at the front axle is limited.

Yaris Cross has the same powertrain choices as the hatch, meaning 1.0- and 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engines. TNZ has previously explained that its focus is on the latter, which is, according to the maker, more thermally efficient than a typical diesel engine. This further fuels the claim that the hybrid edition is 20 percent more efficient than the engine in the outgoing Yaris Hybrid. The brand says it also seemingly has the 'world's fastest combustion speed'. Does that translate into decent low-down torque?

Nothing has been revealed about the hybrid side’s electric motor, save that it is lighter and more compact than before, in part through it eschewing a nickel-metal hydride battery for a 27 per ent lighter lithium-ion item, which also allows more power to the motor more often. Maximum system power is quoted at 76kW. Toyota also says that the CO2 figures are 120g/km for the front-drive model and 135g/km for the AWD, on WLTP assessment.

The spec? A lot has to be finalised, but the car has been configured to offer a large wireless device charger, heated steering wheel and big head-up display. Touchscreen infotainment is likely to be present on most versions, as is a generous suite of active safety functions, under the 'Toyota Safety Sense' umbrella.

CX-30 optimism remains though some orders lost

The CX-30 releases into a different market environment Mazda had forecast just a few weeks ago.

ACCEPTANCE this year’s new car market might crash and deliver just half the 2019 volume hasn’t destroyed Mazda NZ’s confidence, yet will steer sales expectation. 

In discussing hopes for the CX-30 compact crossover, which stands as the first new car to launch nationally since the Covd-19 lockdown enacted, the brand has admitted some would-be buyers have already u-turned and pulled out of deals.

The Mazda3-based five-seater priced from $41,490 to $50,990 will become available from next Tuesday, a timing that synchs in with a relaxation in national restrictions that allows resumption of car sales, though with caveat of this being contactless. So, no showroom visits and a continuation of social distancing which demands care when handing over new cars to customers.

The release is subsequent to a dismal forecast from the Motor Industry Association. The national body representing new vehicle distributors is predicting the new car and light commercial count this year could be 40 to 50 percent lower than last year’s count of 154,763 units 

The industry is also anticipating potential of hugely diminished fleet interest, mainly from the crucial rental sector, which appears to have skidded to a sudden halt as result of tourism freeze.

Nonetheless, Mazda NZ is putting on a brave face. It still sees some business sector opportunity for CX-30, moreso than comes with its other crossover contenders, notably from small to medium businesses.

Even so, it will be mainly reliant on private buyer interest in its new model which, as essentially an elevated version of the Mazda3 hatchback becomes the fifth crossover Hiroshima offers and places above the CX-3 and below the CX-5 that has been their best-selling model for some time.

In an online presentation today, Mazda NZ’s managing director, David Hodge, and his manager of product and sales planning, Tim Nalden, signalled that as much as CX-30 is ‘right’ for the market – aiming at the compact crossover category that was showing best growth prior to the coronavirus emergency - market conditions could not be more challenging.

The Auckland-domiciled operation has passed on sharing volume expectations for the car and admits that an original launch timing stymied by the lockdown has been so disrupted by the ensuing national situation that much pre-crisis forecasting has effectively been rendered useless.

Yet that wasn’t just his brand’s dilemma; Nalden hazards the entire car business is in the same situation.

“If you asked anyone (in the industry) what the forecast will be, I doubt anyone will be able to give an accurate reading.”

The market is all but impossible to read. “I suspect you will see that change, day by day, week by week, month by month as we work through this ... at the end of the day, who knows?”

The MIA’s sobering assessment of 2020 has come from canvassing opinion from all new vehicle distributors here and has since been supported by an Infometrics forecast, issued yesterday, Hodge says.

Nalden says Mazda NZ has lost orders for Mazda product, CX-30s included, since lockdown hit. He and expected more cancellations to come. This after such strong interest in CX-30 that 50 percent of the initial shipment had been spoken for during January and February.

“Yes, we have had some orders cancelled … and that is simply just potentially reflecting the state of the economy and anxiety around job security and also the propensity to be able to spend money.

“I would be surprised if 100 percent of all of the deposits currently on our vehicles are retained. 

“I think it’s just natural that we can’t expect everyone to stay there, nor should be expect to force people to have to follow through (on deals) if their financial position has changed.”

Hodge has reinforced that Mazda NZ will extend vehicle warranties if they expire during the period of the lockdown, and look after vehicles that have become overdue for their servicing.

As coronavirus continues to spread across the world, car makers are taking the extreme measure of plant closures, mainly in China, South Korea and Europe – though several there seem to be looking to restart soon – and in America, where makers have extended shutdown periods.

Japan’s car industry seems to have been spared the worst in that only factories outside of their home country have been hit. Domestic assembly lines, including those in Hiroshima that makes CX-30 and most other core passenger product for NZ, are still operating. The bigger question hangs over the supply of part from third-party providers. China is the primary provider of components for the world’s car makers; the epicentre of that industry is, ironically, the place where coronavirus was first identified, Wuhan. 

Nalden says supply to New Zealand remains good and the stock count here is healthy.

“We've had a month without any selling, so naturally stock is higher than usual.”

Added Hodge: “Mazda has good stocks of new vehicles that should last us at least three months. But going forward, it is obvious the vehicle supply pipeline will be disrupted.”

Longer term, Nalden anticipates the situation in respect to ‘indent’ models – the industry parlance for variants of such low volume they are secured through placing customer orders at the factory - and also for supply in the medium term could yet become less clear. 

“While our factories in Japan and Thailand are still operational, each factory is running less staff and reduced shifts (for social distancing) and consequently outputs are lower.

“Also, given each country around the world is at different stages with the pandemic, component supply is less assured than normal.”

On top of this, the shipping lines are altering schedules, as volumes have changed markedly for all automotive brands.

This report includes additional reporting by Rob Maetzig

CX-30 snuggles close to sister models

The latest addition to Mazda’s already well-configured crossover family touches into siblings’ patches.

WHEN space is tight, muscle in – that’s the tactic Mazda has employed with it its latest addition to the CX family.

In advance of an on-line discussion tomorrow where strategies are expected to be outlined, the Auckland domiciled brand has released specification and pricing detail of its CX-30 five-seater elevated crossover hatch. 

The information confirms it will initially foot three versions, with a Takami flagship following in the second half of 2020.

Those here now have drivetrains already used elsewhere in the family - though CX-30’s versions of the SkyActive-G petrols are finessed for slightly different outputs – whereas the Takami will introduce the new SkyActiv-X tech.

The coupe-like styling delivers a new spin on the established Kodo styling. A more modern platform and enhanced versions of the driver assist and comfort tech that comes in other Mazdas also feature.

Also interesting is the price positioning of the base GSX front-drive, with a 140kW/200Nm 2.0-litre engine, and a pair of 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre all-wheel-variants, badged GTX and Limited.

The recommended retails of $41,490, $44,990 and $50,990 further cement that, in order to make room for a car that would have been called CX-4 - had that designation not gone to a model developed purely for China - the product planners had to work beyond the clear air that existed between the CX-3 and CX-5, which defy the CX-30’s ‘first ever’ marketing tag (insisted because it goes a bit more coupe-like) by very obviously being sister cars. 

The newcomer’s potential to pluck sales from each camp has always seemed strong – it’s bigger and better-kitted than the CX-3 and more modern and arguably more stylish, inside and out, than the CX-5 and nips ahead on core safety and assist considerations. Any advantage with the latter should be a fleeting, as updates to CX-5 have been announced in other markets.

However, the pricing plan is bound to raise interest, as it establishes the newcomer with a foot in each existing camp.

Consumers eyeing up the entry CX-30 will note it is $205 cheaper than a CX-3 Takami but otherwise dearer than the less well-provisioned editions of the smallest Mazda rock hopper.

Consideration against the CX-5 reveals more to think about, as the incursion is more pronounced.

Keeping comparison to just petrol all-wheel-drive options seems only reasonable – there are two CX-5s with a turbodiesel, but that engine is not on CX-30’s horizon. 

Anyway, if customers chasing the most expensive CX-30, the Limited, are looking to see how it stacks up against CX-5, they’ll see it basically sits midway between the base and Limited editions of the larger model.

So there’s that to consider. Then there’s the size. The CX-30 was developed through recognition some customers think the CX-3 is a bit too small and the CX-5 a bit too big.

If actual dimensions are required to get a true feel for where it stands, then note that at 4395mm long and 1795mm wide, the CX-30 is 120mm longer and 30mm wider than a CX-3 and 155mm shorter, 45mm narrower and 150mm lower than a CX-5.

A first appraisal – prior to shut down – showed it’s roomier than the smaller car, more snug than the larger, but by less of a margin. Basically, it eats the CX-3 as a four to five seater, but is so close to being up to CX-5 level that it will create significant discussion about rear seat, head space and lower leg room.

Same goes when comparing cargo room. CX-30’s seats-up boot space of 317 litres above the boot floor is a useful 53L over the CX-3, while using underfloor storage brings the total to 430L on most variants. That’s just 12 litres short of the CX-5’s cited capacity. 

As for spec?  Yes, the GSX and GTX grades are more workmanlike, inside and out, but really only stand apart by having cloth trim (whereas the Limited steps up to black leather) and smaller wheels with less sporty tyres.

That first look suggests cabin environments are common and all variants have blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, radar cruise control with Stop and Go, rear cross traffic alert, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition and smart brake support. 

but the latest Mazda Connect infotainment system, with integrated satellite navigation plus phone-mirroring technologies Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, via an 8.8-inch wide-screen centre display, spans the family.

A high plaudit from our only recognized safety auditor, the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme, also goes to all models. ANCAP has given it a record near-perfect 99 percent score for passive safety in adult occupant protection and a five-star rating.

When it comes to considering how they perform, everything might come down to driving feel rather than outputs, because the one common link between all three is under their bonnets. 

The 2.0-litre in the CX-30 is also employed by the CX-3 – where the state of tune is lower - and entry CX-5, where the outputs are identical to those claimed for the new car. 

The 2.5-litre engine in CX-30 only otherwise goes into CX-5. It makes the same torque output in either application and there’s just 1kW power difference. All have six-speed automatics. The CX-30 all-wheel-drive system is like that in the CX-5 2.5 

With all this going on, Mazda NZ managing director Dave Hodge is patently not understating anything in proposing that this latest and fifth crossover has had to “create its own space in the small SUV segment”

Nonetheless, in comment sent out ahead of the on-line conference he suggests CX-30 will be able to chart its own course with confidence through having “the practicality of an SUV combined with coupé-like styling and dynamic handling inspired by its small car sibling, Mazda3.”

Proposing the car as complete package for customers looking for a practical, stylish vehicle without compromising on performance, he suggests it will do well simply from having a more modern interior than the CX cars positioned on either side of it and also from touting the most advanced systems and technology. 

Integral to CX-30’s drive experience is Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) which sets out to enhance handling stability by using brake and engine control to help the vehicle respond to sudden steering inputs and give the driver confidence when cornering.

The CX-30’s 2.5-litre also have cylinder deactivation, which contributes to fuel economy by shutting-down the outer two cylinders when driving at constant speeds, and the all-wheel-drive has 27 sensors that monitor environmental and vehicle conditions at a computation rate of 200 times per second to predict traction requirements before wheel slip occurs.