The Star: January 18, 2018

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48 Thursday January 18 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi The Star Upper South Island travel guide PLAN YOUR JOURNEY – PICTON TO CHRISTCHURCH State Highway 1 (SH1) north of Kaikōura opened to daytime traffic in December, restoring the coastal highway link from Picton to Christchurch. The re-opening of SH1 gives people two viable options for travel around the upper South Island, with the alternate route (via state highways 63, 6, 65 and 7 through Lewis Pass) remaining a reliable 24/7 option. IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU TRAVEL Check routes are open and get estimated travel times. For real-time travel information visit www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). Make sure you allow enough time for your journey, whichever route you chose. Unexpected events, such as a crash, high volumes of traffic, ongoing wet weather or seismic activity, can cause delays. Ongoing roadworks and reduced speed limits in places mean that it won’t be possible for you to make up time. Be prepared with food, water and a fully charged cell phone. OPEN 24/7* 65 7 6 7 63 OPEN DAILY 7AM-8.30PM* OPEN 24/7* PEKETA GOOSE BAY PICTON BLENHEIM 1 OPEN 24/7* CLARENCE MANGAMAUNU KAIKŌURA 1 Do not rely on your GPS or Google Maps - things can change at short notice. WHAT TO EXPECT ON SH1 Parts of the road will still be under construction, so there will be some unsealed sections, lane closures with Stop/Go controls and speed restrictions. There will be night closures (8.30pm – 7am) north of Kaikōura between Clarence and Mangamaunu, and between Goose Bay and Peketa in the south. Closure points will be monitored 24/7. Consider road closure hours before starting your trip and leave enough time to be clear of these sections so you can continue your journey. The opening hours are subject to adverse weather and seismic activity. If there is a lot of rain or another significant event, we may have to close the road for short periods of time. It’s important to remember the safety of those using the highway, and working on it, will always be our top priority. WORK HAS RAMPED UP IN JANUARY CHRISTCHURCH Following the road opening on 15 December, most of the work sites closed down to help with traffic flow over the busy Christmas period. The work programme is now back in full delivery which will have a significant effect on the coastal corridor. NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Tresca Forrester says ‘It’s a balancing act to schedule the reinstatement work to have a minimal effect on travel time while also ensuring the work gets done. Drivers should now expect it to take at least 5 ½ to 6 hours to drive between Picton and Christchurch on SH1 but should allow plenty of extra time in case of delays. Check www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c for the latest information.’ 1 1 * Conditions can change any time, so it is important to check the current status at least two hours before you travel and at key route decision points. Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) BE ROAD COURTEOUS • No stopping on SH1 within the closure areas outside of designated stop bays. • Be patient and cautious. Road conditions will be unfamiliar to many drivers, so a little bit of patience will go a long way. • Follow all traffic signs and any instruction given by road crew. • Obey speed limits to keep all road users safe. • Stay focused around rail lines. Expect trains at any time. • Keep fresh by taking breaks and supporting communities on the route. North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery
The Star 49 Driven FrEE WEEKLY MAGAZINE in stands every Friday Volvo’s XC60 hits SUV market by storm • By Ross Kiddie VOLVO XC60: High values for safety and comfort. VOLVO’S XC90 has long been regarded as the perfect mid-to-large sport utility vehicle. There are no arguments there, it is the quintessential seven-seater and its success globally speaks for itself. However, its little brother also stands up to be counted, the XC60 represents much of what its stablemate commands, but is packaged as a five-seater only. The XC60 would be the car for me, and in its latest iteration it is an absolute stunner. In saying that, I’m not really an SUV buyer, but sometimes a car just screams out perfection, and for that reason it’s hard to ignore the XC60. The Volvo distributor here has taken the XC60’s arrival seriously. The range is comprehensive, there are five variants on offer, including a hybrid, and a huge range of colours. Prices range from $84,900 to $94,900. The test car was a badged D5 and carried R-Design specification extras. In this form the XC60 is an absolute gem, it has build quality, features and performance to envy. Sure, its price tag of almost $95k is a little prohibitive for the family buyer, but what you get on the series is stunning. Over the years I’ve written many times of my affection for air suspension, and the way the XC60 rides and drives is spectacular. It has that float-on-air feeling along with the other benefits of that system – ride-height adjustment and the ability to absorb uneven surfaces. I’m not saying the XC60 is an off-roader, but it does get four-wheel-drive and it will tackle gentle crosscountry tracks with dignity and aplomb. Under the bonnet sits a twin-turbocharged, 2-litre diesel. Don’t let the D5’s nomenclature fool you, this engine isn’t one of the legendary five-cylinder designs of years gone by, it is, in fact, a four-cylinder unit and makes up for any disappointment with its amazing power outputs – 177kW and 500Nm. Volvo also claims a 5.5-litre per 100km (51mpg) combined cycle fuel usage average. The latter is not surprising, most modern diesels of this size will present you with figures in that area, and that is reinforced by the 7l/100km (40mpg) figure showing on the evaluation car’s fuel usage readout during my time with the vehicle. That along with a 5l/100km (56mpg) instantaneous figure sitting at the legal limit with the engine turning over freely at 1600rpm. • Price – Volvo XC60 D5, $94,900 • Dimensions – Length, 4688mm; width, 1902mm; height, 1658mm • Configuration – Four-cylinder, fourwheel-drive, 1969cc, 177kW, 500Nm, eightspeed automatic. • Performance – 0-100km/h, 7.1sec • Fuel usage – 5.5l/100km While these figures are impressive, take into account the areas where peak power is realised (4000rpm) and the flat torque curve – 1500rpm to 2500rpm – and you have an engine which delivers solid power from anywhere in the rev band. Drive is channelled though a conventional eight-speed transmission, and together the two elements provide immediacy and fluid drive. As a guide to performance the XC60 in this form will lunge to 100km/h in 7.1sec and will complete a highway overtake in 5sec, the midrange boost is something wonderful; at road speed the XC60’s diesel engine is stroppy and forceful. That’s the reason why I like the traditional 2-litre diesel, it has boost and torque like nothing else, it is vibrant to drive yet Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi doesn’t lose sight of the need to promote healthy fuel usage statistics. It is also wonderfully quiet in its delivery. Why I remarked earlier about the suspension is that the XC60 has handling manners other manufacturers must envy. The XC60 is wonderfully balanced for a 1.65m-tall vehicle, body movement is negligible and the suspension always seems composed. The R-Design model has huge wheels and they are fitted with some of the world’s most desirable tyres – Pirelli PZero. At 255/40 x 21in, there is a lot of rubber on the road and there’s never a point where you feel like the tyres are struggling, corner turn-in is accurate and steering feedback delightful. While the XC60’s allround performance is remarkable, it must be remembered it is built with the Volvo values for safety and occupant comfort. It is also a true champion in that area with a high level of fitment and a layout which is clean aesthetically. I particularly like the large central screen which is a hugely intuitive iPad-like device and is the driver for most of the in-cabin functions. The XC60 range is quite extensive, not only do you get conventional engines and transmissions, the hybrid will be the basis for when the company scales back production of internal combustion engines and focuses on hybrid and electric vehicles sometime after 2019. In the meantime, it’s fantastic cars like the XC60 and others from the Volvo stable which will continue to lure buyers, simply because of its quality and rewarding driving experience. Best Motorbuys TM 2001 ford falCon xr6 4.0, rare 5 speed manual, alloys, ABS, twin airbags. $9,990 12 Mth Warranty jordies wheels 2006 ToyoTa caldina z Hi Spec 2.0 sportwagon, only 51,665kms. "low kms!" Neat cars WAS NO DEPOSIT $11,990 2 litre, i-Stop, 5 door hatch, 17” Alloys, push button start, body kit, sporty hatch! 2006 ford falCon xr6 Auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags. $11,990 12 Mth Warranty $7,999 $15,595 2007 NissAN wiNgroAd rider AuTeCh 1.8 tiptronic/paddleshift, aero kit, climate air, alloys, 81,000kms. $91.96 pw Thursday January 18 2018 2002 Holden Commodore S 3.8 auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags. $8,990 275 Colombo St, Christchurch. Cnr Colombo & Milton Sts. Ph: 337 9629. jordies wheels | CNr wilsoNs & shAKesPeAre rd, ChCh PhoNe PAul jordAN 021-121-1472 or 365 0972 CARZ & VANZ www.carznvanz.co.nz ToyoTa WiSH X aERo SPoRT A lovely example, only 50,000kms. NEW NO DEPOSIT 2010 mAzdA AxelA 2.0s I-stop, auto tiptronic/paddleshift, smart key push button start, fog lamps, 17” alloys. "low kms!" ON ROAD $10,990 www.neatcars.co.nz $158.99 pw John Cooper Works, 17”alloys, turbo, manual, ABS, airbags, sports exhaust, VVti. niSSan XTRail 4Wd Sparkling condition, many extras. "look" ON ROAD $11,890 301 Main South Rd Hornby Christchurch 03 349 9298 $15,990 Now $13,990+ORC ARRIVAL Now $18,990+ORC $22,990 Now $21,990+ORC 2009 mazda axela 20S 2009 BmW mini Cooper S 2012 Toyota Hiace dx diesel sale 2006 HONDA ODYSSEY 7 SEAtEr 7 seater, facelift model. oNLY $6,995 NOW $10,995 2011 FORD FOCUS 2.0 litRe hatCh Automatic, p/steer, remote lock, factory alloy wheels. No Deposit FiNaNce. $43pw sale 2016 mitSUbiShi aSx hatCh Sporty styling, bluetooth, alloy wheels, reverse camera, 3974km, still NEW smells new. Compare! ARRIVAL 2004 MItSUBISHI OUtLANDEr 2.4 Automatic, leather seats. oNLY $8,995 NOW $21,000 Quality vehicles at competitive pricing No Deposit FiNaNce. $53pw 12 Mth Warranty $8,999 2001 ford fAlCoN xr6 Auii 4.0 auto, cruise control, air cond, boot spoiler, alloys, outstanding condition, unique vehicle. Only 86,000km. WAS OVEr 1000 VEHICLES FOr SALE Below is a small selection of our great deals! To advertise in Best Motorbuys, phone Lea Godfrey 021 277 3086 NO DEPOSIT $142.17 pw 3 litre, auto, turbo, twin sliders, central locking, stereo/AUX option. 247 Main South Rd, Hornby, Chch. (03) 341 8973 christchurch@carznvanz.co.nz 2011 meRCeDeS C350 DieSel AMG Sportswagon, 3.0 litre diesel, 52,000kms, awesome drive, very clean. 2003 MAZDA 6 GSX SPOrtSHAtCH 2.3 engine, tiptronic transmission, low km's. oNLY $9,995 NOW $24,000 sale 31 Moorhouse Ave Christchurch 03 3770980 No Deposit FiNaNce. $58pw 265 Colombo Street, Christchurch (opposite Beckenham Mitre 10) Phone 03 337 9933
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The Star: January 18, 2018

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