The Star: February 02, 2017

The Star 35
Driven
Value Cars
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32 Moorhouse Ave | 03 366 7768
Thursday February 2 2017
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Mustang brings
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• By Ross Kiddie
EVEN THOUGH my
first Ford Mustang drive
was 45 years ago, it was
an experience I’ll never
forget, and it reinforced my
enthusiasm and desire for
the quintessential North
American muscle car.
That Mustang was a 1970
Boss 302, and it belonged
to my sister’s boyfriend,
who was based in
Christchurch as part of the
United States’ Operation
Deep Freeze programme.
It was left-hand-drive, and
I was fortunate enough to
take it south for a few miles
and return to my rural
home near Rolleston.
I’ve had a few Mustang
drives since, all courtesy
of Ford New Zealand, as
right-hand-drive cars have
become available on the
local market. My latest
experience was in the
sixth-generation model just
launched here, and it was
as if nothing has changed,
the newcomer epitomises
the early cars wearing that
badge – design, concept,
and performance.
When you study the new
pony car in depth, it has
all of the characteristics
of the past; it has been
deliberately designed to
encapsulate retrospective
looks, and the detailing is
most certainly traditional.
Mechanically, it carries
familiarity as well, although
the engineering is most
definitely state-of-the-art.
There is just a little bit of a
raw, aggressive edge, which,
as a driver, makes you
relate to its predecessors.
The newcomer even has
a 5-litre (302 cubic inch)
V8 engine. However, it can
also be purchased with a
turbocharged, 2.3-litre unit,
which, from my experience
with the Ecoboost fourcylinder
series, would
certainly be up to the task
with its 233kW and 432Nm
outputs.
Nevertheless, it’s the V8
that appeals to me, and
I wasn’t disappointed. It
pumps out a hefty 306kW
along with 530Nm of
torque. In true V8 fashion,
it works away with a
tantalising growl and bark
out the exhaust pipes.
There is the choice of
a six-speed automatic
transmission or six-speed
manual through to the rear
wheels, and there are no
surprises there, but what
the Mustang does deliver
is an involving driving
FORD MUSTANG: Capable high country charger.
experience. It is responsive
and eager, and has
electronic modes which the
driver can set to personal
preference, and there’s even
a track mode if you want to
go drifting at Ruapuna in
the weekend.
• Price – Ford
Mustang, $77,880
• Dimensions –
Length, 4784mm;
width, 1916mm;
height, 1391mm
• Configuration – V8,
rear-wheel-drive,
4951cc, 306kW,
530Nm, six-speed
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 6sec
• Fuel usage –
12.6l/100km
Therein lies a little secret;
the Mustang in this form is
quite lively at the rear, it’s
easy to test tyre grip with
power on, and although the
traction control systems
are there to intervene
they are non-invasive, you
can initiate oversteer to
a certain level. It’s easy to
see why that is obtainable.
With those healthy power
outputs, the ingredients are
in place for adventure.
And the newcomer
handles expertly; there is
a lot of rubber on the road
with its 19in Pirelli tyres
and grip is adequate, unless
vigorous throttle application
is requested. Up front the
turn-in is decisive.
I took the test car on a
State Highway 72 run from
Loburn to the Malvern
Hills it is directional
and controllable in the
tricky corners, there is
just enough mechanical
sophistication within the
suspension and chassis
design so that the driver
can push hard with
confidence. Incidentally,
the suspension is a fully
independent set-up, long
gone is the Mustang’s live
rear axle.
The combination of
power and handling is
enticing. I left the normal
drive setting active for
most of my time in the test
car; I didn’t feel it needed
anything more spirited.
Fuel usage is far from
excessive, I took the test car
back showing a 14l/100km
(20mpg) average. That
fits well with Ford’s
12.6l100km (22mpg) claim.
At 100km/h it sips away at
around 8l/100km (35mpg)
with the rev counter
showing just 1800rpm in
sixth gear.
The new range starts here
at $59,880 for the 2.3-litre,
bearing in mind there is
also a convertible option
that adds around $5000
for each engine variant.
The V8 GT fastback lands
at $77,880 for both the
manual and automatic
gearbox options. It is fully
specced with Ford’s most
up-to-date technology.
Even though it has a good
specification, it’s a car only
two occupants can enjoy.
Ford market the Mustang
as a 2+2, and effectively that
is what it is; two youngsters
could be seated comfortably
in the rear, but it is not an
area in which adults would
enjoy being in.
Up front, though, it’s
a different story. The
seats are glorious and the
suspension absorbent
even over Christchurch’s
broken roads. However,
it’s on the highway where
the Mustang excels; it is
a purposeful and capable
high-country charger,
and it has just so much
appeal it captures attention
everywhere.
Ford in the United
States is on a campaign
to relaunch retrospective
concepts. With the
new Mustang being so
incredibly successful,
it’s only a matter of time
before other icons of the
muscle car age roll off the
production line.
$13,990
2007 TOYOTA AVENSIS LI
2.4 VVT, 5 stage tiptronic auto, ESC, traction
control, cruise, front/side/knee airbags,
alloys, electric seat, 57,000km.
$10,999
ford focus hatchback
2006, 72,000kms, 1600cc, automatic,
airbags, air cond, great looking car.
2006 FORD FALCON BF XR6
4.0L twin cam 190kw, 6 speed sequential auto, cruise
control, 4 airbags, factory bodykit, alloys & towbar.
6 SPEED AUTO $10,995
PLUS
REGISTRATION
www.tcm4wd.co.nz
2008 VOLVO C30
$10,999 With OffEr $8,999
Luxury and safety are all brought to the table in this sporty
European hatch, safety features include 8 airbags, ABS, dynamic
stability T/C and side impact protection system, cruise control,
climate A/C, heated front row seats, outstanding buying!
Value Cars
2008 ToyoTa Crown royal Saloon!
new Shape! 3.0lt Engine, airbags, aBS,
amazing cars! $17,999 + ORC.
FREE
OUT FRIDAYS
$12,990
2010 PEUGEOT 308 PREMIUM
1.6, tiptronic, auto, 5 door hatch, stability
control, front/side/curtain/knee airbags, cruise,
auto, HID headlights & wipers, 62,000km.
331 BLENHEIM ROAD, CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 5855
www.metrochch.co.nz
$9,999
NZ
NEW
ford fairLaNe ghia
2003, good kms, XR6 alloys, climate air,
hard to find in such good condition.
2003 HOLDEN COMMODORE BERLINA
Leather interior, HSV style bodykit, 3.8 Ecotec V6, auto,
4 airbags, cruise control, lowered on 18” alloys.
gREAT LOOk $9,995 SALE
PLUS
REGISTRATION
2008 SUZUKI SX4
$12,999 With OffEr $10,999
Salomon model, mini SUV crossover, spacious cabin with
higher seating position to allow for easy entry/exit, body
kit, alloys, keyless entry, ABS, airbags, driving lights, dark
interior, 1.5 litre engine, inspection won't disappoint.
www.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz
Registration is for 6 months of $301
2009 Mazda axEla SporTShaTCh
2.0lt Engine with i-STop, airbags, aBS, Tiptronic,
alloy wheels, Just 82km Was $15,999, NOW
just $13,900 + ORC.
www.wheelermotors.co.nz
Best
Motorbuys
TM
For Best Motorbuys sales,
phone Lea Godfrey 021 277 3086
REDUCED
$13,990
2011 PEUGEOT 208 CIELO
1.6, 6-stage tiptronic auto, ESC, cruise, front/
side/curtain/knee airbags, sunroof,
facelift model.
$4,999
NZ
NEW
hoNda accord Vti-L
2000, full leather, VTEC, cruise control,
towbar, rear spoiler, nice colour!
198 Yaldhurst Rd
Avonhead, Christchurch
03 342 3434
2005 HOLDEN COMMODORE VZ SS
Low 63,800km, 5.7L V8, auto, leather, traction control,
18” alloys, big bore, a stunner don’t miss out!
IMMACULATE $23,995
12/24/36 Month Protecta Warranties available.
113 Sherborne Street, Edgeware
Phone 03 377 8873
PLUS
REGISTRATION
2014 MAZDA AXELA
$21,999 With OffEr $19,999
New shape 4 door sedan Axela, i-Stop and 6 airbags,
1.5 litre engine, tiptronic trans, 5 star fuel rating, A/C,
keyless entry, rear centre shoulder belt, ABS, amazing
looking vehicle, come in now!
32 Moorhouse Ave
Christchurch
03 366 7768
2007 BMw 335i CoupE
3lt twin turbo, Tiptronic, Full leather &
heated front seats, Factory Sunroof,
Quite the performer and great value,
sale PRiCe NOW! $23,500 DRive aWay
Phone (03) 366 6369, 171
Moorhouse Ave
AVAILABLE
EVERYWHERE